Forest, VA

The total number of U.S. workers claiming state unemployment benefits were down significantly at the start of June by their largest amount since November 2001. Claims broke a 21-straight increase. New jobless claims rose a bit. The May index of leading indicators showed more signs that the U.S. economy is moving in the right direction-UP! Great news for everyone!

This holiday might be a good time to celebrate Bedford's sacrifice in WWII. More soldiers were lost as a percentage than any other town in the US. To honor their sacrifice, the National D Day Memorial was constructed here. On both May 23 and May 25, there will be special programs at the Memorial.

- May 2009 Saturday, May 23, 2009 @ 7:00PM
Moonlight Serenade See the Memorial at dusk on this special Memorial Day weekend. The Jefferson Choral Society will perform an evening concert of 1940s and patriotic music from 8:00PM to 9:00PM. The concert kicks off at 7PM with special music by local performers including Keith Campbell. The Memorial will remain open until 10:00PM. Regular fees apply. Bring your own chair.

- Monday, May 25, 2009 @ 11:00AM
Remembering Their Sacrifice To observe Memorial Day, the Memorial will have a wreath-laying ceremony to pay tribute to those who have given their lives in service to our nation. The ceremony includes special music and speakers. The Memorial will also dedicate several new narrative plaques. Free admission from 10AM until noon. For more information, call 540-586-3329.

Norma Brandsberg, GRI Marks Realty Co., Inc 4119 Boonsboro Rd., Ste. 205 Lynchburg, VA 24503 home office(540) 586-9496 cell phone (434) 426-0837 toll free (800) 551-0975 norma@normasells.com

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1. Decide that the longer your home sits on the market, the more it is worth. Go ahead-raise the price!
2. Be sure and tell ALL prospective buyers or other agents why you are selling. Be sure and tell them how desperate you are, how you are holding two mortgages and that your marriage is breaking up because your home has been on the market for a year and your husband blames you!
3. Be sure and listen to your co-workers, your neighbors, your family who live in NY or DC to set a price on your home. Your agent knows nothing and no information they could provide is better than the people listed above.
4. Be sure and use your tax appraisal to set a price, after all, a tax appraiser who has never been inside your home surely knows more than your agent who has comps and sees competing homes every day.
5. Be sure and pick your best friend to list the home, you know, the one who just got their license a month ago. Surely they know all they need to know. They passed the exam to sell Real Estate and how hard can it be?
6. List your home at a price without any wiggle room. After all I shouldn't have to negotiate. It is a waste of time to do so.
7. Leave food out on the table, make sure things fall out from the closets when they are opened, leave the dog in the house, make sure every light in the basement is burned out and be sure and tell every agent who tries to show the house that it is inconvenient, could they come another day?
8. Trash smells, dog and cat smells, no problem, the purchasers should be able to look beyond all this. I don't have the time to clean up.
9. Be sure if an offer comes in by some miracle, take offense if the offer is low. Refuse to counter. After all these people have hurt my feelings!
10. Be sure and tell your agent that they need to reduce their commission because they are paid too much for what they do and you cando so itso much better!

Norma Brandsberg, GRI Marks Realty Co., Inc 4119 Boonsboro Rd., Ste. 205 Lynchburg, VA 24503 home office(540) 586-9496 cell phone (434) 426-0837 toll free (800) 551-0975 norma@normasells.com

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So the very next day he can dig for the chipmunks that taunt him! Ten minutes in the yard, an hour in the tub, and he's still orange.

If your dog needs grooming, I highly recommend the excellent services of Camp Bow Wow in Forest, VA. These folks love animals and they also offer boarding, short and long term at reasonable rates. Duncan loves to visit and he always comes home with a new bandana and a little treat. Located on Route 221 (halfway to Bedford). For more information, contact:

Camp Bow Wow

Route 221
Forest, VA 24551
434-525-5672

Why is now the time to buy? Here are the details for first time buyers who buy this year, 2009. Why is now the time to buy?

• There are signs of a recovery happening
  

• This a tax credit, NOT, a deduction. You will receive a direct reduction in taxes owed of 10% of the purchase price.
  
  
•  Prices are at their lowest levels but are NOT anticipated to stay that way
  
  Call me before you miss the boat and start kicking yourself. Now is the time to buy at the low!
  

This chart that breaks down the differences between the Original Tax Credit as enacted in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 and the Revised Tax Credit as enacted in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Courtesy of Shawn Huss and Amy Karhoff at National City Bank:

Norma Brandsberg, GRI Marks Realty Co., Inc 4119 Boonsboro Rd., Ste. 205 Lynchburg, VA 24503 home office(540) 586-9496 cell phone (434) 426-0837 toll free (800) 551-0975 norma@normasells.com

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