2012's Buyer and Seller Insights from the National - Blog - Fort ...

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS? 2012 survey of home buyers and sellers provides insight into detailed information about their experiences with this important transaction. Here are the highlights from the report:

?39 percent of recent home buyers were first-time buyers, a slight rise from 2011, but closer to the historical norm of 40 percent.
?65 percent of recent home buyers were married couples?the highest share since 2001. Conversely there was the lowest share of single buyers since 2001.
?For 52 percent of home buyers, the first step in the home-buying process was taken online.
?The typical home buyer searched for 12 weeks and viewed 10 homes?a decline from 12 homes in prior year, which speaks to the tightened inventory in many areas.
?89 percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker, similar to last year?s report?a share that steadily increased from 69 percent in 2001.
?88 percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when selling their home.
?Only 9 percent of recent sellers sold via FSBO sale.
?Approximately two-thirds of home sellers only contacted one agent before selecting the one to assist with their home sale.

At North Eastern Group Realty, we are prepared to assist our clients with their significant Fort Wayne real estate decisions. Our corporate commitment is to provide real knowledge, proven experience and professional, quality service to each client. To search all Fort Wayne homes for sale or find a Fort Wayne REALTOR, visit our website at NorthEasternGroup.com.

North Eastern Group Realty is Fort Wayne?s largest independent real estate company located at 10808 La Cabreah Lane, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.

Tags: Fort Wayne Homes for Sale, Fort Wayne Real Estate, Fort Wayne REALTOR

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013 at 8:49 am and is filed under Real Estate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

Source: http://blog.northeasterngroup.com/2013/01/02/2012s-buyer-and-seller-insights-from-the-national-association-of-realtors%C2%AE/

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Naked man with 'Samurai' sword held after stand-off

By Lori Preuitt, NBCBayArea.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A naked man holding a "Samurai"-type sword was arrested after a bizarre New Year's Day stand-off with police.

Authorities were called to Ezie Street and Cas Drive in San Jose after several people called 911 to report a man standing in front of a home with an assault rifle just after 8 a.m. local time (11 a.m. ET).

As police rushed to the scene, witnesses said the man got in a car and drove to Southwest Expressway and Bascom Avenue. That's where police pulled him over.

Read more news on NBCBayArea.com

Police said the suspect immediately got out of his car and started yelling, "You're going to have to kill me."

He was naked and holding a large "Samurai"-type sword, according to police.

One witness told NBC Bay Area that the man was pacing back and forth waving the sword at times.

San Jose Police Department "Crisis Intervention Team" members were called to the scene and a stand-off began.

Coco Bennett, 29, was taken into custody?without incident just before 11 a.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).

Police said he would be evaluated by doctors.

An AR-15-type assault rifle was recovered, according to police.

Source: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/02/16295740-naked-man-wielding-samurai-sword-arrested-after-stand-off-with-police?lite

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Florida State Wins Orange Bowl: Seminoles Stifle Jordan Lynch In Win Over Northern Illinois

MIAMI ? Anxious to avoid an Orange Bowl shocker, the Florida State Seminoles kept getting tricked.

An onside kick fooled them, as did a fake punt, and a pooch punt by Northern Illinois' star quarterback.

But the final score was no surprise. Florida State had too much speed and depth for the Huskies and pulled away for a 31-10 victory Tuesday night.

Senior fullback Lonnie Pryor, voted the game's outstanding player, ran for a career-high 134 yards and two scores in only five carries. Senior EJ Manuel threw for 291 yards, while the Seminoles stuffed Huskies' QB and all-purpose threat Jordan Lynch for most of the night.

"I'm glad I'm a Nole, and I'm glad the seniors went out with a bang," Pryor said. "I always wanted to be MVP of a bowl, and I told myself that every time I get the ball, to try to make a big play."

The victory was a consolation prize for the No. 13 Seminoles (12-2), who began the season with national championship hopes. They've won five consecutive bowl games, but the victory was their first in a BCS bowl since 2000, when they beat Virginia Tech for the national title.

After the game, the Seminoles wore T-shirts that read, "Florida Statement."

"It's not the national championship, but right below," defensive end Bjoern Werner said. "Not a lot of teams can say that."

For 16th-ranked Northern Illinois (12-2), playing in a BCS bowl for the first time, the defeat snapped a 12-game winning streak. The Huskies came in as two-touchdown underdogs and fell to 5-28 against top 25 teams.

"We knew that they were going to play us tough," Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher said. "But our kids, it's another step in which we handled the big platform, and I'm very proud of them."

Pryor scored the first touchdown on a career-long 60-yard run, then ran 37 yards for a clinching touchdown with 10 minutes left. They were the two longest rushes allowed by Northern Illinois all season.

Manuel went 26 for 38, threw for one score and ran for another.

"We just kept playing," he said. "Now we're going to enjoy ourselves."

The Huskies were widely derided as unworthy of a BCS bowl berth, and didn't do enough to silence the doubters. They were outgained 534 yards to 259.

The trick plays in the kicking game helped keep the Huskies close until the fourth quarter, but when it came to Lynch, not much fooled a Florida State defense ranked second in the nation. And the Huskies' last attempt at razzle-dazzle backfired when receiver Da'Ron Brown lost a fumble on an end around at midfield, setting up the Seminoles' final touchdown.

"Definitely the best defense we played all year," Lynch said. "They were always in the right spot at the right time, it seemed like. They were hungry out there."

Lynch came into the game leading the nation in rushing and total offense, and he threw or ran on nearly every play for the Huskies. But he completed only 15 of 41 attempts for 176 yards, and carried 23 times for 44 yards.

The junior became the first player in NCAA history to surpass 3,000 yards passing and 1,500 rushing in a season.

After the Huskies' lone touchdown cut their deficit to 17-10 in the third quarter, they recovered an onside kick, and Lynch moved them to the Florida State 23. But he was flushed from the pocket on third down and threw an ill-advised pass that Terrence Brooks intercepted.

"It probably wasn't the smartest thing to force the ball there," Lynch said.

The loss was Rod Carey's debut as the Huskies' coach. He was promoted to replace Dave Doeren, who took the North Carolina State job after the regular season.

"I'm upset," Carey said. "Florida State is a well-oiled machine. They beat us, no doubt. That doesn't change the fact I don't like to lose."

Doeren watched the game from the stands.

When Florida State dropped no one deep defending an early fourth-and-1 situation, Lynch pooched a 52-yard punt that rolled dead at the 5. The poor field position didn't faze the Seminoles, who scored in four plays, the last when Pryor broke into the clear near midfield and outran the Huskies' secondary.

With the Seminoles up only 7-3, Manuel moved them 82 yards in the final 3:57 of the first half for another touchdown with 11 seconds left. He threw on the move for a 6-yard score to Rashad Greene, who managed to get one foot inbounds before he tumbled out of the end zone.

Desroy Maxwell took a short snap on a fake punt on fourth and 3 and ran 35 yards to set up a field goal for the Huskies' first score.

"You've got to play to win," Carey said of the trick plays. "We saw some things. We knew we had it. Gosh darn, our kids executed it."

But his team's offense struggled to sustain anything. Lynch passed, ran or punted on 28 of 29 plays for Northern Illinois' offense in the first half, and the Seminoles were geared to stop him.

He finally got the Huskies going in the third quarter, when they mounted an 87-yard touchdown drive. He threw deep to Akeem Daniels for 55 yards, then hit Martel Moore for an 11-yard score.

That was it for Northern Illinois, though. This was the Seminoles' night.

"We wanted to leave a legacy and change the culture in what we do here," said Manuel, who became only the second quarterback to go 4-0 in bowl games, joining West Virginia's Pat White. "You're reaping the benefits right now."

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/02/florida-state-orange-bowl-northern-illinois_n_2394192.html

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House Republicans meeting to mull "fiscal cliff" options: aide

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives are meeting to consider how to move forward with the Senate's plan to avert the "fiscal cliff" of tax hikes and spending cuts, a congressional aide said on Tuesday.

The 5:15 p.m. (2215 GMT) meeting was called about two hours after a number of House Republicans panned a Senate bill that would raise taxes on household incomes over $450,000 a year.

It was unclear whether Republican leaders had made a decision on how to proceed with the Senate bill.

(Reporting by Rachelle Younglai; Editing by Peter Cooney)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/house-republicans-meeting-mull-fiscal-cliff-options-aide-223959778--business.html

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More evidence for "obesity paradox"

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a review of almost 100 past studies covering nearly three million people, researchers found that being overweight or slightly obese was linked to about a 6 percent lower risk of dying, compared to people considered "normal weight."

Being severely obese, however, was still tied to an almost 30 percent higher risk of death.

The idea that being somewhat overweight could be linked to better health has been dubbed the obesity paradox, even though actual obesity is generally not associated with the apparent "benefit."

"This is actually the common finding," said the new study's lead author Katherine Flegal, a senior scientist from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Hyattsville, Maryland.

Her work, she said, confirms what previous analyses found - a link between being somewhat overweight and having a lower risk of death.

The paradox, as scientists have called it, is based on past findings that suggest overweight and obese people - even those with additional health problems - live longer than their thinner counterparts (see Reuters Health article of August 7, 2012 here: http://reut.rs/N0YvOK).

Some have argued that the pattern is a statistical one only because being thin, especially in old age, is often a sign or a result of serious illness - so the thinner people seem to have higher mortality.

The study results certainly do not give people permission to pack on extra pounds, according to Dr. Steven Heymsfield, the executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Heymsfield, who co-authored an editorial accompanying the new report, said the difference in mortality between overweight and normal weight people is probably very small.

"That's actually a very small number. It's probably only statistically significant because of the large number she had in her study," he added.

Also, there are concerns that body mass index (BMI) - a measurement of weight in relation to height - is not an accurate measure of someone's health risks.

For example, Heymsfield said a soldier may be considered overweight but still be healthy, because he or she has more muscle mass.

"It's not a good marker for body fat or health risk," he said.

There is also confusion around what BMI should be considered "normal," which is why Flegal and her colleagues conducted their analysis.

Past studies looking at the link between BMI and death used varying ranges to describe normal weight, overweight and obesity.

"There seems to be a lot of confusion about this whole area, and part of the confusion is that people are using a bunch of different categories," said Flegal.

For the new analysis, the researchers, who published their results in the Journal of the American Medical Association, used data from past studies, and classified the risks according to BMI categories accepted by the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Those organizations consider a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 normal weight, between 25 and 29.9 overweight, and 30 or above obese. They further subdivide the obese category, though - with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 designated grade-1 obesity, and anything above 35 grades 2 or 3.

The researchers reviewed databases of medical research and found 97 studies that looked at weight and mortality risk. Combined, Flegal and her colleagues had information on about 2.9 million people from around the world and 270,000 deaths.

Being obese - in general - was linked to an 18 percent greater risk of death, compared to being normal weight. Being severely obese - grades 2 and 3 - was linked to a 29 percent greater risk of death.

However, being merely overweight was linked to a 6 percent decreased risk of death compared to a normal weight person, while being slightly (grade 1) obese was linked to a 5 percent lower risk.

The study cannot say why there seems to be a link between being overweight or slightly obese and a lower risk of death.

"We don't have the data to look at the physiological mechanisms, and that wasn't our goal," said Flegal.

"Our contribution - I hope - is just to summarize it to show what other articles are showing," she said.

For Heymsfield, the findings reinforce the common belief that increased weight is tied to an increased risk of death, but highlights the fact that someone classified as "overweight" is not necessarily "very unhealthy."

On the other hand, he warns, important markers of health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, do respond to minor changes in weight.

"So gaining that extra 10 or 20 pounds can put you into a dangerous category, and it's important to find out if you're one of those people," he said.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/JOTmp1 Journal of the American Medical Association, online December 31, 2012.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/more-evidence-obesity-paradox-231251120.html

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Z?calo Public Square :: Should Jerry Brown Just Ignore His Cancer?

by Shannon Brownlee|January 2, 2013

As California?s oldest governor, Jerry Brown has gone out of his way to demonstrate his vigorous good health, jogging around the Capitol and even challenging reporters to pull-up contests?which he won. Now that he?s been diagnosed with prostate cancer and begun radiation therapy, some news outlets seem to be experiencing a bit of schadenfreude, gleefully calling the 74-year-old governor?s diagnosis a ?blow to his healthy image.?

They missed the real story, which isn?t the governor?s prostate cancer but rather the fact that he has chosen to be treated at all. Given a choice between no treatment and radiation therapy, it?s a bit of a toss-up as to which is more likely to do him harm, and it?s entirely possible he didn?t really understand there was a choice.

That might seem like an outrageous claim, but here?s why it?s not. The governor?s office has released precious few details about his diagnosis, but his doctor did say that the cancer was ?early-stage? and ?localized.? About half of prostate cancers that fall into that category?early-stage and localized?never would have caused symptoms in the patient?s lifetime, even if they were left untreated.

Only about 3 percent of deaths among men are due to prostate cancer?probably less than most people imagine. But a lot of men have prostate cancer and never know it. Autopsy studies of men who died of other causes have found that about 60 percent of men in their 70s have prostate cancer that was not diagnosed. For men in their 80s, that number goes up to 70 percent. In other words, more men die with prostate cancer than from it. That means there?s a good chance the governor has been overdiagnosed and is going through treatment for a cancer that would never have bothered him, or that could have been treated successfully at a later date if and when it started causing symptoms.

To make matters worse, Brown?s radiation treatment has a good shot at turning Governor Healthy into a patient who will suffer serious, life-altering side effects. The most common, long-lasting side effects of radiation therapy are bloody stools or rectal pain and other bowel problems; urinary obstruction, pain, or irritation, and other urinary difficulties; and erectile dysfunction. About half of men who undergo radiation therapy suffer one or more of these problems long-term. A few even die from their treatment.

This is the terrible conundrum that many men face when diagnosed with low-risk, localized prostate cancer. Should they be treated, and risk becoming candidates for Viagra and Depends? Or should they forego treatment and face the smaller risk that their cancer will go on to become aggressive and maybe even kill them?

Such personal decisions have implications far beyond the health of California?s governor. The state and private insurers could save a lot of money by refusing to pay for treatment for low-risk, localized prostate cancer, and the end result would be only a few additional deaths per year from prostate cancer, if any. Payers could save even more by refusing to cover the P.S.A. test, a blood test that is used to screen asymptomatic men for signs of early prostate cancer. Since it was first put into widespread use in the 1990s, the P.S.A. test has led more than a million men to be diagnosed and treated for a cancer that could have been ignored; many experts now believe it should not be used as a screening test.

Of course, no insurer would dare to make such a draconian move. There is another way to give men choices, reduce the number of men who are harmed by overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and save some money. It?s called ?shared decision making.? In this process, doctors provide patients with digestible, balanced information about the potential benefits and harms not only of the P.S.A. test and prostate cancer treatment but also of a wide variety of elective procedures and tests. Then, the doctor and the informed patient decide together how to proceed.

That?s not what usually happens. In the case of the P.S.A. test, one-third of men who get one are never asked if they want it. Of men who are asked, two-thirds say their doctor failed to mention possible downsides that result from treatment that can follow screening.

When doctors share decisions with their patients, by first offering them accurate, balanced information, and then asking them about their values and preferences, patients often make very different choices. In the case of prostate cancer, many men choose to forego the P.S.A. test. Men who have been diagnosed with a localized cancer often choose not to be treated, but rather to watch and wait.

Let?s hope the governor is one of the lucky ones whose cure does not turn out to be worse than the disease. An even better outcome would be if he also realizes the need to get shared decision making into widespread practice.

Shannon Brownlee is acting director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation and the author of Overtreated: Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer.

Primary Editor: Joe Mathews. Secondary Editor: Sarah Rothbard.

Source: http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2013/01/02/43668/ideas/nexus/

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Addicted to Astrology: Libra 2013 Yearly Forecast/Horoscope

As 2013 begins, the Sun transits your 4th House of home, family and where you live, Libra. Additionally, Pluto continues its long transit of your 4th House of home, family, motherhood and the past as January opens. Pluto (slow but powerful change) also begins the year in your 4th House where it has been since 2008. You have noticed a powerful change in this area of your life, Libra. Your family dynamics, where you live, the past, motherhood and all things domestic are highlighted during this transit through your 4th House. It is important to stress that Pluto affects each of us on a different level but still retains the same impact. Bottom line: Your home life will continue to slowly but surely transform into a better and improved overall life with the right love. A soothing home environment and children and motherhood should transform in the lives of all Libras, single and coupled. Love wise, you tend to prefer long term relationships but in 2013, you strike out on your own if not entirely happy at home. If your partner does not keep the home fires burning, then Libra might decide to find someone who does. Expect these areas to slowly but surely change. When all is said and done, Libra will find a perfect home life but there are bound to be some obstacles along the way. Who ever said life was easy, Libra? And remember that we create our own lives. Astrology can be useful in knowing what to expect and working with those energies. ?Major change is in store in your home life. A move, marriage or divorce or having children are strong possibilities with this placement. Think back to 2008 and see how your home life has changed. What?HAS changed, Libra?


Uranus (Surprises) opens the year in your 7th House of marriage, divorce and open enemies. Expect the unexpected when it comes to seeing things you never saw coming in these areas of your life. This planet represents a shock to your system. You could learn secrets about marriage, someone else's marriage or someone close to you could be keeping secrets from you or telling your secrets behind your back. Not to worry, Libra, as you will learn everything you need to know about the culprit. Where you have been stuck in a rut, this planet comes in to shake you up. If you're not in a rut, you might get a serious wake up call when it comes to your personal and professional life. This is not the time to bury your head in the sand when it comes to unexpected news, whether this news pertains to you or someone you're close with. Expect an element of surprise when it comes to all properties of the 7th House and realize that partnerships come to your direct attention in surprising ways. Expect?NEW friends and new experiences to come out of nowhere where business and personal relationships are involved.

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Saturn (Lessons/Structures) is in your 2nd House and you find yourself concerned with collecting valuables and acquiring more money. There could be offers to earn more income during this transit, Libra. You could change your home life during this time and if you're single, a marriage proposal is a strong possibility. Libra finds 2013 to be a year when financial offers present themselves and escalate with Saturn in your 2nd House. Those Libras who have taken short cuts or the easy way out regarding finances can expect to learn some valuable lessons. Those Libras who have worked hard will reap the greatest benefits. The cardinal rule is always at work in your life, Libra. This applies to everyone but you will benefit by adhering to the laws of the physical universe. If you have been honest, hard working and forthright, then expect 2013 to be an important year for finances and will present new offers to make more money. Take all offers you receive ultra seriously as you can make a fortune with Saturn in the 2nd House. It's all related to your past actions leading up to now.

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Neptune (Illusions/ What is hidden) continues its transit of your 6th House of health, diet and exercise. The 6th House also rules your daily routines. This is a good time to pay strict attention to your health, as you might not be seeing your overall health clearly, Libra. With Neptune, you may have difficulty with issues regarding your health and daily work routine when it comes to clarifying things. If there is an illness diagnosed, get a second opinion, Libra. Your health can come under a magnifying glass during this time. Neptune is sometimes referred to as the planet of trickery so make sure you see things as they really are. It's time to face the music where your mind, body and spirit are involved, Libra.

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Escapism can backfire on you so be mindful when consuming alcohol or experimenting with other ways of escapism via your health. Avoid addictions, as the urge to escape will be quite intense. Neptune also involves alcohol and drugs, so be especially careful with your health when it comes to excess in any of the aforementioned areas, Libra. Jupiter (Prosperity/Expansion) transits Gemini and your 8th House until June 25th, 2013. You notice movement, luck, optimism and expansion in all properties of the 8th House. Sex, money and taxes will be important areas, as will the money of others and deeply committed relationships. A note about Jupiter, Libra. This planet can create an OVER abundance of optimism and this could be dangerous. You don't want to get too excited or you could end up disappointed in these areas. You're due for a more comfortable life but you need to utilize a sense of going with the flow and erase any hint of expectations. On June 25th, Jupiter enters Cancer and your 10th House of prestige, career and public recognition. You will be due for major expansion in these areas beginning on June 25th and lasting throughout the next year.

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Your best times for love are when Venus travels through your sign or travels through another air sign such as Gemini or Aquarius. For you, Libra, the times listed below are excellent for love and serious relationships in 2013:

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2/2 - 2/25: Venus in Aquarius 5/9 - 6/2: Venus in Gemini 8/16 - 9/11: Venus in Libra

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2013 is a year to make strides in your home life and/or your professional life and brings about many offers to make money. You can find the perfect financial niche and learn where you really STAND in your home life and with your relatives, Libra.

Copyright ? 2012 Elizabeth Ellis?

Source: http://astrologyaddict.blogspot.com/2012/12/libra-2013-yearly-forecasthoroscope.html

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