Real Estate Resolutions 2010
Sure you can lose weight, get in shape, launch a business or find a new job. But haven't you also procrastinated long enough about buying a home?
How long has it been since you upgraded your home with a new roof, spiffed up landscaping or pulled some other home improvement?
And that post-World War II ranch home of yours could certainly use a few energy efficient do-overs.
Look to low mortgage interest rates, bargain home prices and other favorable market conditions to give you the resolve to consider home sweet home in your list of must-dos next year....
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Real Estate Outlook: Housing Recovery
The real estate recovery continues to roll along with a big 7.4 percent jump in home resales last month, according to the National Association of Realtors.
The current sales pace is 44 percent higher than it was the year before, including detached single family homes, townhouses, condos and cooperatives.
Equally important: Sales are up in every region of the country. They rose by 6.6 percent last month in the Northeast, 8.4 percent in the Midwest, 5 percent in the South, and nearly 11 percent in the West.
And for the second month in a row, sales totals were higher in all price classes...more
Move-Down Buyers Can Be Eligible For Tax Credit Too
Move up, move down, move sideways; it just doesn't matter. Whichever direction you move, financially, you may still qualify for the new tax credit available to current homeowners. It is unfortunate that the credit has too often been characterized as a credit for "move-up" homeowners. The phrase carries the implication that the new home must cost more than the sale price of the former one. Indeed, even the November 6 White House Press Release said that the credit would be available to qualified homeowners who "wish to step up to a new home." Same implication.
So, it is worth emphasizing that the credit is equally available to homeowners...more
Investor Report: Tax Extender Act
Real estate investors are facing a squeeze play on Capitol Hill, with important tax incentives nearing an end-of-the-year deadline.
Last week the House approved what's known as the Tax Extender Act, a Christmas tree bill filled with nearly 50 tax program extensions beyond their December 31st scheduled expiration date.
Two of the extenders are especially significant for investment real estate: First is the so-called "leasehold improvements" provision, which allows owners of commercial, retail, hotel and office buildings -- large and small -- to use an accelerated 15-year depreciation schedule in writing off renovations and upgrades they make to their real estate...more
How to Save to Buy a Home
It can be one of the hardest things to do -- save money for your first home. But now, more than ever, there's incentive to buy. Government housing tax credits have been extended and that's sparking buyers' interest.
Reports show that U.S. homes sales increased 10 percent in October to the highest level since February 2007. The tax credit, less expensive homes, and lower mortgage rates are being credited. However, while the government is helping to support the purchasing of a home, many Americans still can't afford to buy one.
"Most Americans are spoiled. Most Americans spend a lot of money on discretionary items," says Eric Tyson, co-author of Home Buying for Dummies, 4th Edition...more
Most Realtors spend at least 80% of their time, energy, money and other resources seeking new clients and promoting themselves to the general public. At EMA Real Estate Group, we devote our time to you, focusing exclusively on your goals, explaining your options, and providing you with excellent service you deserve. By applying due diligence and maximum effort, we deliver a world-class service through a stress-free, step-by-step system of real estate services designed to ensure a smooth, exciting and worthwhile relocation for our clients.
At EMA Real Estate, we build life-long relationships, one transaction at a time, earning the distinct honor of becoming your Real Estate Consultants for Life. In return for this high level of service, we believe that you, as a satisfied customer, will refer your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to us. This enables us to stay focused exclusively on you and your needs. For several years, about 85% of our business has consistently come from referrals from our satisfied customers. Whether you are referred to us or not, we are committed to exceeding your expectations by going the extra mile to serve all your real estate needs during and after the transaction.
As a valued customer, we have provided some useful real estate web links for you at our CLIENT SERVICE CENTER.
