Monroe, WI

If you are a first-time home buyer and want to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit, time is really running out now.

The deadline to take advantage of this credit is before December 1, 2009.

What does this mean to first-time home buyers?

Well, it takes about 30-60 days to close on a home barring any issues that may arise. It’s now October, 2009. A buyer must find their home now in order to close on November 30, 2009. That’s just a little under 60 days people.

If you are someone who doesn’t like to be rushed, perhaps this time crunch is not for you but if you are someone who wants to buy their first home and feels that this credit is well worth this final push, then get out their with me or your agent today and find your home.

This also means that you need to have your financial situation already taken care of. You will only delay your process more if you go out to view homes without first being approved for your mortgage.

A few other quick facts worth mentioning are that a first-time home buyer is a buyer who has not owned a “principal” residence during the last three years prior to this purchase. This also means that if you are married and one of you has never owned a home but the other has, neither of you are qualified for this tax credit.

The amount of the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price with a maximum credit of $8000.

From Scott Larson of Towne Square Realty in Monroe, Wisconsin

“Your Realtor of the Region”

E- Mail scott@greencountyhomeguide.com

On the web at greencountyhomeguide.com

I think you will be surprised how affordable the Dairyland is,

so come to my land of cows and plows and visit for a day, but stay for a lifetime

608-2124-9844 Direct

60 days and counting for the First Time Home Buyer's $8000 tax credit...

This video is from last spring, but it does a nice job covering information on the tax credit itself. Time is running out, so if you want to take advantage of this tax credit, contact us today!

Here is our weekly look at events going on in the area in the next few days.

~ Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center has a new exhibit opening on Thursday evening. "Out of the Woods - Remembering Nate Roth" is a tribute to long-time area resident and woodworker, Nate Roth.

~ The Green County Humane Society has their fall garage sale/bake sale fundraiser going on. Located at Monroe Auto Sales, the sale takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

~ Bring your tastebuds to the Downtown Square in Monroe on Saturday for the annual Chilifest! This tasty tradition kicks of at 11 am, and will feature food and beverage vendors, artisans, bands and more. Have you seen how great the newly completely renovations to the north side looks? Come check it out!

~ The Orangeville Education Foundation has a 5K run/walk on Saturday morning. The race starts at the Jane Addams Trailhead shelter house, and runs along the trail, a flat crushed limestone surface accessible to all. $20 for race day registrations. Registration starts 7 am, and the race begins at 8 am.

~ Big Brothers and Big Sisters Tour de Cheese bike ride is also on Saturday. These 15, 30 or 60 mile rides begin at Spring Square and end at Minhas Brewery parking lot in Monroe. Same day registration is available for $40, and minors under 17 are free with a paid parent or guardian. Helmets are required. Registration is from 7 until 9 am on Saturday.

~ Saturday is also the day for Albany's annual Fall Festival. Come celebrate the changing of the season with your friends and neighbors!

~ Don't forget about the Monroe Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast on Sunday morning. Fill up on pancakes from 7 am until noon at the firehouse, and stay for rides and games. Adults are $6, children from 4-12 are $4 and kids 3 and under are free.

~ Come out to the Green County Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club meeting on Monday at the New Glarus room of the Monroe Hospital. This month will feature information and discussion on internet strategies for business.

~ Woo00OOOO00oooo! Get ready for the Haunted Bike Ride. Earth Rider Cycling is leading this evening ride on the Badger State Trail to the Haunted Mill in Orangeville on Saturday, October 10. Registration is not required for this ride. Gather at Twining Park, and the riders will leave at 5 pm. Contact Sharon at Earth Rider if you have any questions.

Future Forward! is working through a series of surveys on life in the Green County area this year. Future Forward! is a local non-profit that is looking to retain and attract younger professionals in our area to keep Green County vital and competitive in the coming years. In order to improve the life here for current residents and make our area more attractive for new residents, Future Forward! is assessing our assets and areas for improvement in seven key areas. They are doing a series of seven surveys over the year, one in each area. Two surveys are already complete, and a third is going on right now. Each survey ends with a drawing for a prize, and at the end, all survey participants will be entered into a drawing for an iPod Touch. The current survey is about learning opportunities in the area. It is a quick survey, so please take a moment to fill it out.

Are you looking ahead to the weekend plans? Here is a snapshot of area events in the upcoming days:

~ Behring Senior Center in Monroe has a Brat Fest every fall, and it is here again. On Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm, you can stop in for single brats at $3 each or a meal for $6 (brat, chips, soda/water, and a cookie).

~ The Young Professionals of Green County are playing wiffleball and kickball with the YP of Freeport on Saturday at Little Cubs Field at 2 pm. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. Afterwards, some of the YPs are planning to head over to Cannova's in Freeport for dinner.

~ Bag Ladies in Monroe has an open house event this week from Thursday through Saturday. New fall purses are in, so come and browse.

~ Get your registration in for the collaborative class between Stef at Goose Chaser Farm and Laura at Kookaburra's in Monroe. The October 5 class will feature Oktoberfest foods. Who better to teach it than a native German? Brats, kraut recipes and much more including the beer. Also sign up for the Fall Foods class on October 11 where Stef will be cooking soups and stews.

~ Artisan Gallery in Paoli has a new exhibit opening on Friday evening. The opening reception of the 6th Annual Ceramics Invitaional Art Show is on September 25 from 5 until 9. The show will be on display through November 1

~ It is Oktoberfest weekend in New Glarus! Festivities kick off with a brew master from New Glarus Brewing Company tapping into a keg of their Oktoberfest Staghorn beer. There will be classic cheese fondue, a tractor pull, chainsaw wood carving demonstrations, and plenty of food and live music all weekend long.

~ Monroe Arts Center has Big Top Chautauqua’s “Wild Woods & Waters" coming to the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm on Saturday. The Blue Canvas Orchestra and singers travel to Monroe with an original musical theatre production highlighting the natural beauty and history of Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. The multi-media performance features live music and songs by talented musicians, dramatic storytelling, and hundreds of breathtaking large screen, historical images.

~ Dance to beat of your own drummer. Oakdale Nature Preserve in Freeport will be the site of a Community Drumming Circle on Friday evening from 7 until 9. All ages are welcome and a variety of percussion instruments will be available or bring your own. Reservations are preferred by the day of the event; call 815-235-6114. $4.

~ Argyle has a Homecoming celebration this Sunday with a parade and high school football game. Come support the youth athletes! The parade starts at noon and kickoff for the football game versus Benton/Scales Mound is at 2 pm.