Welcome to my blog! In honor of this being my very first blog post, I have decided to combine two of my favorite things: real estate and trivia! Enjoy!
Q: What area in the U.S. is known for its pre-civil war mansions?
A: Natchez, Mississippi boasts over 500 pre-civil war-style mansions; many are open to the public as museums.
Q: What is the average age of a first-time homebuyer in the United States today?
A: The average age of a first-time U.S. home buyer is 32 years.
Q: Where was the first hotel built in the US?
A: The Union Hotel (1802) Saratoga Springs, NY, is the first hotel emphasizing lodging and services, in addition to food and drink.
Q: Who is "Freddie Mac", and why is he a big name in real estate?
A: "Freddie Mac" is the nickname for FHLMC, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, which buys mortgages from lending agencies, thus allowing lenders to continually replenish funds for new mortgage loans.
Q: What was the longest distance a building has ever been moved?
A: Detroit's five-story Gem Theater, built in 1927, was moved 1,850 feet (5 blocks) to make way for two new sports stadiums.
Q: What does the common acronym FSBO (pronounced fizzbo) stand for?
A: For Sale By Owner. (Between 85 to 95% of existing homes are sold with a Realtor's help.)
Q: What is the most expensive piece of property ever recorded?
A: In October 1988, the Mediya Building in central Tokyo was quoted at 358.5 million yen ($248,000) per square foot.
Q: During what months of the year do most people move from one home to another?
A: Most moves occur between the months of May and September.
Q: 1992 marked the first year since before the Civil War that there were fewer than 2 million ________ in the United States?
A: There are fewer than 2 million farms, and agricultural land is still being carved up for residential and commercial uses.
Q: What is the most populous state in the United States?
A: California, with 35.9 million people.
Q: What are considered the ideal conditions for a buyer's market?
A: In a buyer's market, there are more houses for sale than buyers, homes take longer to sell, and sellers may have to cut prices.
Q: What are considered the ideal conditions for a seller's market?
A: In a seller's market, prices are firm and good houses are sold before advertised or as soon as they show up in the MLS.
Q: What real estate term was first used in the 19th century and means "a high-flying flag on a ship"?
A: Skyscraper was first used in the 1880s when office buildings of 10 stories or more were built in Chicago and New York.
