SALES INCREASE IN JUNE!!!

Here is some more good news for the real estate market

Just a little bit of the article to show that the housing market is picking up

Perhaps more important, the months supply of homes for sale fell to 8.8 months in June, down from 10.2 in May and the lowest monthly supply since October 2007. Housing experts said that is a sign that the inventory overhang that has put downward pressure on prices is abating somewhat

For the full article check out the following link

http://usat.me/?35759830

Listing in Oxford

Gorgeous Listing in Oxford with a bonus for a flat screen TV!! Seller is extremely motivated, bring us an offer.

New full brick home built in Greystone Manor offers all the amenities you could ask for! The interior features high end Delta Faucets throughout, Frigidaire appliances and a oversized jetted tub in the Master bath. In the large master suite you will find a walk in closet and a double vanity. Hardwood floors, beautiful wood built in bookshelves, and a gas log fireplace fill the living room. Arched doorways and rounded corners are found throughout the home along with double trey ceilings. Enjoy the view of nature while sitting in the window filled sunroom, also this could be used as a den or nice computer room. Features also include brick pavers that welcome you to the entry way and a full finished bonus room!

**Seller to provide $1500 toward *flat screen TV* if offer received before June 17, 2009!**

ETOUR OF PROPERTY

Please don't hesitate to call or email for any questions and to view more listings please visit my website

http://www.staceymcdonald.com/

New Information on $8,000.00 Tax Credit

Have you heard the news??!! It's about the real estate market and it's not NEGATIVE!!! Check out the link below for this great opportunity for 1st Time homebuyers. and if you are not a 1st time homebuyer interest rates are still below 5%!!! Call me with any real estate questions or leave a comment

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT

Featured Listing

New Listing on the market in the Odenville area. Click on the links below for more information!

Etour of Home

Printable Brochure

Please don't hesistate to email or comment if you would like me discuss a certain topic on the blog!

staceym@era-king.com

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

As you may have heard, significant improvements in the temporary First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit were signed into law on Feb. 17 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to provide a housing stimulus for first-time home purchases that occur between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, 2009.

This is even better news for first-time homebuyers than the tax credit announced in April 2008 because not only has the tax credit maximum increased from $7,500 to $8,000 — but more significantly — it does not need to be repaid unless the individual re-sells the home within three years.

There are several notable points about this federal income tax credit that I have bulleted for your convenience so you can easily explain the highlights to potential first-time homebuyers. They are:

• Credit maximum was increased from $7,500 to $8,000. The credit is calculated as 10% of the purchase price. Example: If the purchase price is $70,000, the credit is $7,000.
  
• Removed the repayment requirement, provided the homebuyer does not resell the home for three years.
  
• Eligibility remains for first-time homebuyers only. In this case, a first-time homebuyer is defined as an individual who has not owned a primary home at any time during the three years prior to purchase, but who may have done so prior to that time. Although certain income limits do apply, the amount of the credit is the same for all taxpayers, married or single.
  
• To be eligible for the full tax credit, the homebuyer can have an annual adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). A homebuyer with an annual adjusted gross income above that level and up to $95,000 ($170,000 on a joint return) is eligible for a reduced tax credit.
  
• The tax credit can be claimed on one’s individual or joint tax return for the purchase of any single-family home between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009. It can be claimed on a 2008 tax return (to be filed by April 15, 2009), an amended 2008 tax return, or a 2009 tax return. Individuals should consult a professional tax advisor for exact tax calculations and timing.
  

To further assist you in communicating this good news to other potentail First Time homebuyers, ERA Real Estate has created the Consumer Guide Chart that explains these important points.

If you have any further questions feel free to email me at staceym@era-king.com

Where's the Bad News?

WHERE’S THE BAD NEWS?

We are two weeks into 2009 and I’m having a problem understanding why the media is so negative. It is a sign of the times when bad news sells and good news hardly gets a mention. So let’s take a look at the positive things that are happening and why we should look forward to a much better 2009.

Gas prices in the $1.50 range. That is lower than in many years and much less than just a few months ago. Where is the positive press on affordable fuel? It gives us all a lot more disposable income for fun things; therefore we do not have to spend every dime on necessities. That has got to make you feel better.

Mortgage rates are at an all-time low. As I am writing this Blog we are booking loans around 4.5% saving hundreds of dollars a month for the average homebuyer. If you are not considering buying you should definitely look into refinancing your current home. You can call any of our offices or click the mortgage link in our web site WWW.ERAKing.com. Josh Wright and Gerwin Wallace are our in-house mortgage experts. A mortgage consultation with either of them is free of charge and can be done over the phone or you can schedule a personal meeting.

Real Estate Values in Alabama have not fallen like in the high profile states like California, Florida, Nevada and Arizona. As a matter of fact in a report issued by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Alabama is one of the few states that are showing significant price appreciation gains from Q3 2007 to Q3 2008. Alabama is ranked 4th in the nation with a 2.4% price appreciation between third quarters of 2007 and 2008. You can read more about the Alabama real estate market at http://acre.cba.ua.edu/index.php.

On the political front we have a new congress and new president. Regardless of how we voted individually we have an opportunity for a new start with fresh ideas. It will be very important to the new regime to make a positive initial impact. With fuel prices retreating and the slowing global economy inflation should be held in check for the foreseeable future.

If you are in the market to buy this may be the best time in 20 years or more. The combination of stable prices and low interest rates are very rare and may never be seen again. If you are a first time home buyer you may be surprised to learn you can buy a house for the same or less than a rent payment. If you are looking to move up it is very possible you can buy more house than you currently have for close to the same payment as your current house payment.

Any way you look at it now is the time to take advantage of a rare confluence of occurrences we may never have the opportunity to see again. So log on, call or come by my office but now is the time to buy, sell and buy or refinance. We can do it all for you as East Central Alabama’s only “One Stop Shop”.

Visit Stacey's Website to see all the available homes on the market!

A Thanksgiving Prayer

Thank you Father for the blessings you've given this day.

Help us to remember, Thou has shown us the way.

And give us strength to help those in need.

Never letting us forget, Thy merciful deeds.

Keep us in Thy tender loving care.

Save us, O Lord, when we are in despair!

Give us grace as we walk through life.

Inspire us to seek our brothers amid the strife.

Victory in Thee will be our guiding star.

In courage we march not caring how far.

Now we ask for the most important thing.

Grant us salvation to escape death's sting.

Copyright by Jim Smith