Close to everything and far from nothing is how I explain Las Olas to clients, friends, and family. It's been my Motto since I moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1994 and I plan on keeping that way.

The ultimate destination in South Florida is Las Olas Boulevard. Las Olas is in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and has so much to offer residents and visitors. Locals choose Las Olas Boulevard as their destination of choice for shopping, fine dining and fun. Starting at the famed Museum of Art at One, East Las Olas Boulevard and ending at the famous Elbo Room bar on the glorious Fort Lauderdale beach,

Las Olas has so much to offer to its visitors and its local residents. EWM has a great listing in Downtown Fort Lauderdale at the 110 N FEDERAL HY #834 at theWaverly for 285K. It's a spacious 2 bedroom, 2 bath with SE views . This property is down the street from Las Olas.

Las Olas is at the forefront of everything from fashion boutiques and art galleries, to memorable restaurants, sidewalk cafés, clubs, and a great place to live.

And remember Las Olas is close to everything and far from nothing.

The ever-changing world wind of the real estate market brings on many emotions.
From a sellers market just a few years ago (Sales figures from the Florida Association of Realtors supported that notion) to a buyers market that we are currently experiencing.

World Wind of Emotions

It is my pleasure and honor that I share some wonderful news with you all-

Abi Montes, an agent in the Las Olas office is the 2008 Honorable Mention Marine Corps Times Marines Marine of the Year.

Congratulations Abi!

And I am not surprised after reading his Bio and letters of Recommendation.

"Gunnery Sergeant Montes enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 11, 1989. In 1990 he was deployed to Saudi Arabi and Kuwait for Combat Operations in Operation Desert Storm, where he served as a Tow Gunner with the 8th Tank Battalion. Shortly after the war he transferred back to the selected Marine Corps Reserve and in 1994 he was hired as a Firefighter for the City of Hollywood. He later was selected as an Honor Guard member to represent the City of Hollywood Fire Department in New York for the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony to Honor the fallen firefighters of the NYC Fire Department. In 2003 Gunnery Sergeant Montes was activated for combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gunnery Sergeant Montes is also very active in his community and church. Eleven years ago he instigated the Fire Department involvement with the Marines for the Toys for Tots toy drive. For the last 8 years he has been mentoring children at the local Elementary Schools for students who do not have Fathers".

As I was reading his recommendation letters, tears filled me eyes...The gratefulness I felt from these people was overwhelming. And it is no wonder, if it were not for Abi Montes, few of those people writing those letters, would be alive today to do such. I read of how in 2007 in Aguadilla, he was swimming with his cousin and nephew when they were all caught in a riptide, on a beach with no lifeguards and how Abi saved both their lives. Another letter is from a circuit judge who commends Abi for his quick thinking while he was on jury duty, he was stuck in the elevator with 10 jurors (one of which was an elderly lady). Cries for help and the elevator phone did not result in assistance. "...Mr. Montes used his knowledge as a firefighter. He pried open the doors, climbed to where there was a switch, triggered it and brought the elevator closer to the next floor, and then assisted all the passengers to climb out safely..." The letters go on and on with thanks from fellow soldiers wounded in combat in the middle of nowhere and Abi Montes, risking his life, running across the enemy line, in the line of fire with his first aid kit and patching them up, and ultimately saving their lives....

Who would have known, that this gentle, kind, funny, blogging, Real Estate Agent in my office was this bigger than life everyday hero?

I am blown away and very proud to work with him and to know of his heroic acts, and to be able to share this with the rest of our EWM Family.

Congratulations, Abi Montes, you are undoubtedly a Hero!

This article was written by:

Caroline Carrara

The answer is YES!

The credit reduces the income tax liability for the year of purchase.

· The credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset.

· Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit.

Payback Provisions

Home buyers claiming a $7,500 credit would repay the credit at $500 per year via their tax returns.

· They do not have to begin repayments until two years after the credit was claimed.

· If the homeowner sells the home, the remaining credit would be due from the profit of the home sale.

· If there is insufficient profit from the sale, the remaining credit payback would be forgiven

So who is eligible for this tax credit you may ask?

· The First-Time Home Buyers tax credit is defined as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence in the previous three years.

· U.S> citizens who file tax returns

· Eligible properties include any single-family home that will be used as a principal residence (including condos and co-ops)

· To qualify, buyers must close on the sale of the home between April 9, 2008 and June 30, 2009

Income Limits

· The full $7,500 credit is available for individuals with modified adjusted gross income (per IRS definition) of no more than $75,000 (150,000 for couples filing jointly)

· A partial credit is available for individuals with modified adjusted gross income between $75,000 and $95,000 (between $150,000 and $170,000 for couples filing jointly)