Jaffa News

Jumbo Home
Loans Set Hot Pace

The Wall Street Journal

By most measures, the housing market's recovery has been slow. But private-market “jumbo” mortgages are making a much faster comeback.

Private-market jumbo loans accounted for about 15 percent of the total dollar amount of mortgages distributed by Bank of America Corp. during the second quarter of 2012, up from 4 percent a year earlier, said a spokesman for the bank. At Wells Fargo & Co., private jumbo volume more than doubled in the first half of the year from the same period last year, according to Brad Blackwell, portfolio business manager for the bank's home-mortgage unit. Citigroup, Inc., also said it has increased jumbo lending.

S&P / Case-Shiller Home
Price Indices all rise in 2Q 2012

Metrointelligence Real Estate & Economics Advisors

Data through June 2012, released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed that all three headline composites ended the second quarter of 2012 with positive annual growth rates for the first time since the summer of 2010. The national composite was up 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2012 versus the second quarter of 2011, and was up 6.9 percent versus the first quarter of 2012. The 10- and 20-City Composites posted respective annual returns of 0.1 percent increase and 0.5 percent increase in June 2012. Month-over-month, average home prices in the 10-City Composite were up 2.2 percent and in the 20-City Composite were up 2.3 percent versus May. For the second consecutive month, all 20 cities and both Composites recorded positive monthly gains.

Interiors

Design is an Endless Play of Form and Function.

This struggle is best represented in the most functional of all rooms - the kitchen. In our time we have seen many kitchens that were once gorgeous, but haven't stylistically stood the test of time. Due to the transient nature of design we prefer to use countertops and tile that will age well with any homeowner. This countertop complements the varied floor tile marvelously and creates a unity in the space, as the same flooring is used throughout the home.

Design vernacular can change, but nothing defeats a kitchen like inadequate light. This kitchen featured dark wood and is in a darker corner of the home, so it needed a significant amount of lighting. Because of the gorgeous view from the kitchen windows we used a hanging track with small pendants that would not interfere with the views but would light all the intricate tasks that will take place on these counters. The lighting on the crown molding adds dimension to the space as well.

Architectural Feature

GEOPAVE® POROUS PAVEMENTS:
Highly-Permeable, Stabilized Aggregate

Require an economical way to confine and stabilize porous infill materials under traffic loading? Need to reduce your site's impervious surface, reduce stormwater runoff and store stormwater on-site? Is low-cost aggregate an option and low maintenance a requirement?

The Presto GeoPave® system gives you all of these benefits and long-term stability. This evolution in porous pavements stabilizes porous infill materials while acting as a natural on-site stormwater retention system. It's an economical solution that can help you meet green building goals and earn LEED credits.

Learn More

CYBER RAIN

The Cyber Rain Residential line of products can be customized to any size yard or plant landscape. Cyber Rain can reduce water costs by up to 40% annually. The system is easy to use with an attractive graphic interface and is accessible from any internet connected computer or smartphone, whether you're at home, across town, or across the country.

Learn More

Green Product / Recycle News

WE ARE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF
THE XMISSION TEAM TO HELP KEEP IT GREEN!

Powered by 100% Renewable Energy

Through Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program, XMission purchases more than 2800 blocks of renewable energy per month. This puts XMission at the top of the top-level visionary category. By purchasing renewable power, we offset 3,391 tons of CO2 emission or the effect of driving 7.26 million miles each month - this equates to planting 1,332 acres of trees!

Testimonial

“In 1995 I was lucky enough to meet and create a very strong friendship and professional relationship with Scott and Richard Jaffa. Not only are Scott and Richard committed to their clients, they are committed to the relationships they have with their suppliers as well. They treat their suppliers with respect and know that they will get the very best products and service because of the care they put into the relationship. I take great pride in knowing that with the Jaffa Group we are valued and a part of something very special. Never have I had such a satisfied feeling walking through some of the most beautiful homes in the State of Utah and knowing that my company and my employees were a part of what made the home spectacular. Every project the Jaffa Group takes on is spectacular and with every new project a new relationship is created. It is a pleasure being a part of their team.”

~ Jennie Tanner-Jelsma, Tanner Glass & Hardware