4 Reasons Why Those Who Wait to Buy a Home Will Pay Thousands More This Spring
Like most real estate professionals, I receive information weekly from the loan officers with whom I’ve worked or have an association about their latest mortgage programs, interest rate adjustments, changes in the bond market, whatever. Lots and lots of information; almost every bit of it is useful and timely. Some of it I understand; some if it is over my head and I have to work a bit to figure out what the heck they’re talking about. Matt Person of The Legacy Group in Puyallup stepped up this morning with a compelling reason for Buyers to get off the fence and submit any FHA... [Read more...]
My Favorite Home Inspector is Moving to Chandler Arizona!
Ohhhhhhhh, today while checking in with my favorite inspector to ask a question, I learned that he’s moving his practice to the Chandler, AZ area! I’ve been privileged to work with Doug Thomas of WIN Home Inspections for the last five or six years, I’d say. He’s truly a professional in his job. Doug knows what he’s doing, does it well, and establishes a trusted relationship with every one of the clients with whom he is working. I like to think we’ve also become friends. I’ll miss Doug’s enthusiasm and willingness to ‘work me into his schedule”... [Read more...]
Welcome to Real Estate!
While driving between appointments a couple days ago, I called my daughter to check up on grandbaby Tyler. The car and traffic was quiet and it was a nice break in an otherwise hectic day. After learning about the latest baby accomplishments, inevitably we drifted into what my day had been like and what I was up to at the moment. To me, it was just another day … going to a vacant listing to meet with a plumber after water was found all over the kitchen floor. I was struck by her comment “Mom, you’re always out there taking care of other people’s houses. I can’t believe... [Read more...]
What Sold in Auburn, WA in 2009?
Yes, homes and other properties DID sell in Auburn in 2009. From an agent’s standpoint, the business of real estate felt slower until Fall, then things started jumping like mad! I know from my own business that every single sale was a lot of work — always gratifying, but whew! The start of real estate in 2010 is moving right along! Just so you know … Days on Market is the number of days the property was Active; i.e., available for sale and not under any sort of a purchase contract. Sometimes, especially where short sales are involved, a property may go in and out of Active status,... [Read more...]
Get Paid $6,500 to Buy a Home!
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Repeat or Move-Up Home Buyer — Get Paid $6,500 to Buy a Home!! Repeat or Move-Up Home Buyer Tax Credit Eligibility Requirements: Buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years and purchase a replacement primary home. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500. Applies to homes priced at $800,000 or less. The tax credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. In cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30,... [Read more...]
Will Short Sales FINALLY Become Reasonable?
As a busy agent in the south King County area and down into the Tacoma/Puyallup Pierce County areas, I both list properties for Sellers and assist Buyers in finding their “dream home,” whether it be a first time purchase or a repeat purchase. While definitely not unique to these geographic areas, price points and demographics of buyers and homeowners for these areas seem to especially target short sales and bank owned properties. Or maybe it’s just the clients with whom I’ve worked over the last few months. Sellers need to sell–usually as quickly as possible–and... [Read more...]
8 Requirements for the New Homebuyer Tax Credit, Effective NOW!
Okay all you first time homebuyers, you’ve been given a second chance! The Homebuyer Tax Credit passed and was signed into effect on Friday, November 6th! What GREAT news! And it gets even better! Not only do first time homebuyers benefit from the tax credit … to the tune of $8,000! … any homebuyer could potentially benefit, up to $6,500! Here are some of the highlights. Of course you’ll want to verify this information with your own accountant; as with most bills of this sort it’s many pages long and there are requirements that must be precisely met. A first time... [Read more...]
Not Buying? You’ll Still Benefit From the Home Buyer Tax Credit!
Since the beginning of 2009, first time homebuyers have benefited from an $8,000 gift directly from Uncle Sam. Qualifying for the gift was easy and thousands of people benefited. As I write this, plans are in place to extend and modify the tax credit into next Spring (thank heavens), which will continue to help economic recovery for more folks than just those stepping up to purchase a home. I’ve been amazed while hearing our various elected officials and economists speak shortsightedly, in my opinion, about why the tax credit should not be extended, nor should have been in place to begin... [Read more...]
Homebuyer’s Tax Credit Has NOT Yet Passed — Not Quite!
As I write this at 4:45 PDT, our local news station, along with several lenders and title companies are reporting that the Homebuyer’s Tax Credit has passed and will be extended to April 2010. While that’s GREAT news, it’s not quite right yet, from what I can see. Looks like the Senate has agreed to pass a resolution that would extend the $8,000 tax credit to First Time Homebuyers, a $6,500 tax credit for repeat homebuyers, both with qualifying issues. However, a vote hasn’t actually taken place that passes the resolution as a stand-alone bill. At the moment, it’s... [Read more...]
Senate Activity on Extending the $8k Tax Credit
Like almost everyone I know that works in the housing industry, I’ve been chasing myself around for the last few weeks trying to get all of the First Time Homebuyers in my client list qualified and under contract so that they were eligible for the $8,000 tax credit … due to expire on November 30th. It’s been a wild ride, full of both elation and disappointment! And, of course, absolutely full of the question “Will it be extended?” I’ve been diligently trying to follow along with activities in the legislature while listening to other opinions about why it will... [Read more...]
