Lawrence Journal-World 020615

Page 1

212 Eisenhower Drive

hometown

LAWRENCE Your area real estate

B

.com

actually slipped last year, after several years of gains. There is a WASHINGTON — U.S. bright side to the price home values rose at a slowdown, however: modest pace in Decembe r. Smaller price increases, Real estate data provider along with lower CoreLogic says home mortgage rates, may spur prices rose 5 percent in a rebound in sales this December from 12 months year. earlier. That is down from The biggest yearly gains the 5.5 percent price gain were in Colorado, Texas, recorded in November. New York, Nevada and It’s much lower than the Michigan. Just three states double-digit gains that saw prices fall compare occurred last year. d with 12 months earlier: Yet those much larger Maryland, Vermont and increases in early 2014 Connecticut. priced many potential The state data also buyers out of the market. reflects the steadier Sales of existing homes nature of the increases .

Prices rose 7.1 percent in Nevada, after jumping more than 20 percent early last year.

“As the year progresses, we expect upward pressure as low inventories and more first-time buyers drive up home prices,” Anand Nallathambi, CEO of CoreLogic, said. Nationwide, home prices are still 13.4 percent below the peak reached in April 2006, before the housing bust. There are 27 states that are at or within 10 percent of their peaks, CoreLogic said.

FEBRUARY 6, 2015

Sales of existing homes slipped 3.1 percent last year to 4.9 million. But this year, economists expect sales will get a boost from lower mortgage rates, healthy hiring, and lower down payment requirements from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Still, other recent data on housing suggests that sales and construction are on the upswing. While sales of existing homes fell in 2014, they picked up in December, increasing 2.4 percent from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 5.04 million. Many economi sts The pickup may take a forecast sales will rise to few months to appear. about 5.2 million this year. Signed contracts to buy Mortgage rates have homes slid in Decembe r, fallen for four straight according to the National weeks and the average Association of Realtors. rate on a 30-year fixed Signed contracts usually mortgage is just 3.63 result in final sales one-topercent. That makes it two months later. easier for would-be buyers

75 cents

$219,900

L A W R E NC E

Journal-World

Showcase Homes Offered by: Rachael Zimmerman 785. 840.8421 rzimmerman@ ReeceNichols.com

to purchase a home. It has also prompted a spike of refinancing applications that could enable many Americans to lower their monthly mortgage payments, freeing up cash to spend or save.

A quality build by Ziegler Corporation on a wonderful corner lot featuring 2X6 exterior walls, high efficiency furnace, hardwood and ceramic floors, and an open floor plan with the master on the main level. Enjoy the fenced in backyard which includes a lawn sprinkler system. There is also a full, finished basement, 4 bedrooms, 3 car garage and is conveniently located near shopping and restaurants. MLS #135463

hometownlawrence.com

Advertising supplement

National outlook good for home sales in 2015

Christopher S. Rugaber The Associated Press

2635 Knollbrook Ct

SEE INSIDE FOR GREAT REAL ESTATE BUYS! $267,500

resource

hometownlawrence

JUST LISTED/NEW TO MARKET! Nearly new 4 bedroom, 3 bath home in Langston, SW and Free State Schools. Beautiful kitchen cabinetry! Granite countertops, SS appliances, large pantry & mudroom. Hardwood floors. Finished basement with 2 bedrooms, full bath and storage areas! Fenced backyard. Sprinkler system! Stop by and check out this great value in popular west Lawrence neighborhood! MLS# 135799

Home construction, meanwhile, jumped 4.4 percent last month to an annual rate of 1.09 million. Builders began construction on 1.01 million new houses and apartments in 2014, the most in nine years and 8.8 percent more than in 2013.

®

Offered by: Pam Bushouse 785.550.0716

OPEN SUNDAY 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Pam@AskMcGrew.com

OPEN SUNDAY 12:00 - 2:00 PM

LJWorld.com

FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 6 • 2015

LEGISLATURE

212 Eisenhower Drive

JUST LISTED/NEW TO MARKE T! Nearly new 4 bedroom, 3 home in Langston, SW and bath Free Granite countertops, SS applianc State Schools. Beautiful kitchen cabinetry! floors. Finished basement with es, large pantry & mudroom. Hardwood 2 bedrooms, full bath and storage Fenced backyard. Sprinkler areas! system! in popular west Lawrence neighbor Stop by and check out this great value hood! MLS# 135799

$267,500

School cuts tapped to tip revenue

2635 Knollbrook Ct

A quality build by Ziegler Corpora tion on a wonderful corner lot featuring 2X6 exterior walls, high efficienc y furnace, hardwood and ceramic and an open floor plan with floors, the master on the main level. Enjoy the fenced in backyard which includes a lawn sprinkler system. There is also a full, finished basement, 4 bedroom s, 3 car garage and is convenie ntly located near shopping and restaura nts. MLS #135463

$219,900

By John Hanna Associated Press

Topeka — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback said Thursday he would cut spending on Kansas’ public schools and universities and GOP legislators approved a plan to shift around money to plug a budget hole as the state scrambled to cope with a revenue shortfall following aggressive tax cuts. The spending cuts announced by Brownback and a budget-balancing bill Brownback approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature would erase a $344 million deficit projected for June 30, against spending of about $6.3 billion. Top Republicans said lawmakers needed to approve a fix for the current budget by Feb. SCHOOLS 13 to ensure the state pays its bills on time through the summer. Their actions also buy time to address a projected shortfall of nearly $600 million in the budget for the state’s next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Brownback has proposed slowing down future income tax cuts and boosting tobacco and alcohol taxes, and many GOP lawmakers want to pursue further spending cuts.

Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photos

STUDENTS IN PATTY HILL’S CLASS at St. John Catholic School made valentines this week in preparation for Valentine’s Day, which is Feb. 14. In the top photo is second-grader Hannah Jenicke. In the right photo, Katelyn Daugherty, left, helps classmate Olivia Dennis with a holiday wish. See the video online at ljworld.com/valentinevid.

Please see CUTS, page 2A l Legislation would allow teachers to be

criminally charged for exposing children to “harmful” material. Page 3A

GOP seeks to EDUCATION exert more KU expands online course offerings, control on local appoints new position to oversee task governments By Sara Shepherd

More online degrees to be available

Twitter: @saramarieshep

Kansas University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is ramping up its online course offerings, enough that it has dedicated a new administrative position to the task. Longtime psychology professor Paul Atchley has been appointed CLAS associate dean for online and profesAtchley sional education, KU announced this week. Atchley will oversee development and implementation of CLAS online academic programs, including courses, certificates and degrees. For the first time, starting this fall, students with asso-

KU has grown its online course offerings and will continue to, according to senior vice provost for academic affairs Sara Rosen. Here’s what’s in the works: l Over the next three years, KU will offer 14 to 15 online master’s programs, endorsement programs and graduate certificate programs in the School of Education. It has launched several already. l The School of Business is beginning to develop an ciate’s degrees will be able to complete coursework entirely online for Bachelor of General Studies degrees through CLAS. In addition to the degree-completion program, CLAS is rolling out online courses toward certificates in world busi-

Business Classified Comics Deaths

Low: 29

Today’s forecast, page 8A

ness culture and professional communication, aimed at people who are already working but seek more expertise. In any given semester, across the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, KU offers between 100 and 200

Please see ONLINE, page 2A

INSIDE

Warmer, sunny

High: 59

online MBA program. l The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is developing an online BGS completion program. l The School of Journalism is planning an online MS program. l The School of Pharmacy has an online MS and PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. l KU Medical Center has several online nursing and health professions programs online.

courses online, and it expects to add more in upcoming years, said Sara Rosen, senior vice provost for academic affairs. The university’s various schools each are considering separately what if any fully online programs fit their missions and should be added, Rosen said. The goal, she said, is “reaching students where and when they are able to work on their educational goals.” That might include oncampus students who can’t fit a particular on-campus class into their schedules or who want to gain credits while they’re away for the summer, she said. Also targeted are students who want degrees but can’t attend classes on-campus. Working mothers are a common example of the type of student the CLAS

2A 5C-9C 7A 2A

Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion

8A, 2C Puzzles 10C Sports 4A Television 6A

Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld

10C 1C-4C 8A, 2C

———

Democrats say legislation is to stifle political dissent By Peter Hancock Twitter: @LJWpqhancock

Topeka — Kansas lawmakers are now considering a host of bills, many backed by conservative lobby groups, that would exert more political control over local governments, curb the power of teachers unions and regulate how university professors identify themselves when they write opinion columns for newspapers. Republican lawmakers say LEGISLATURE that, individually, the bills are aimed at improving the political process and creating more public accountability at the local level. But Democrats say they believe it’s part of a coordinated attempt to silence political dissent. “I think it’s a continuation of the primary Please see CONTROL, page 2A l Resolution proposed to voice

opposition to moving elections. Page 3A

Child exploitation A Douglas County prosecutor is asking the Legislature to toughen the law surrounding child exploitation because current law may be too lenient. Page 3A

Vol.157/No.37 24 pages


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.