Tuesday, February 24, 2009

1st Time Homebuyers Tax Credit!

I am so excited about the tax credit that has just been introduced! I hope it will generate some buyers who are ready to snatch up some of the great deals that are to be had in our market! Here is a website to answer many questions about it: www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

Turns out that a first time buyer does not have to be a "First Time Ever" buyer--if you haven't owned a home in 3 years, you qualify. It is also not being required to be paid back!

Hope you are all having a Happy Mardi Gras! Visit Rey's Restaurant in Cary to get your beads!

www.ReysRestaraunt.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Where is all the Good News?

I've always been an avid watcher of the newscasts. It's habit with me. I usually tune into the local channels in the evening, and GMA in the mornings. I like to hear what's going on in the world and keep up to speed. It's also become a key part of my business.

Real estate, obviously has been a HUGE topic for the past several months. How bad it is, people losing their homes, and how nothing is moving. Very little is being said when good things happen. I am sure that EVERYONE saw the article in the N&O last Wednesday with the headline "42000 Jobs Lost"--but if you flipped to page 7B, you saw an article about Californias market actually hit an upswing in December, and that the West region is starting to climb out of the hole it's been in.

That's GREAT news for our area--don't we have lots of folks moving here from other places? Don't they need to sell their homes before they buy? Isn't it great that things are selling?

I hope that people will turn off the TV sometime, and find a local source who really knows what's going on. Get in touch with a local realtor, someone you know and trust. It's their job to keep on top of what's going on in your local market. They can give you the confidence and reason.

It is a GREAT time buy, I had some clients do this week! They got a great deal on a home, timed it just right, and are very happy. They'll get an unbelievable interest rate I am sure.

The Triangle is not immune from what's happening in the world, we know that. But it is a great place to call home, and when things pick up in other places, they pick up here. We are still a destination many want to be.

Oh! And I almost forgot! I actually won a Soup Cookoff last week in our office! There were 8 contestants, and my "Frogmore Stew" was a hit! It's a low country boil, full of shrimp, sausage, corn & potatoes. Very simple and easy to make!