The $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit program ends in just four months.
That means buyers need to be CLOSED on their homes by NOVEMBER 30th in order to receive the tax break.
What is the home buyer tax credit? It is a tax refund for 10% of a primary home’s purchase price (up to $8K). The amount not used on your 2009 tax return will be refunded directly to you.
Who is eligible to receive the credit? First-time home buyers and those who have not owned a principal residence in the last three years prior to purchase.
Do income limits apply? Yes. The full amount is given to individuals who make up to $75K and married couples who make up to $150K per year (adjusted gross annual income). The credit amount phases out between $75K and $95K for individuals; $150K and $170K for joint filers. If you want to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit, contact us today to discuss your plans. Keep in mind it’s typically 45-60 days to close on a traditional real estate transaction (short sales can take much longer).
If you want to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit, contact us today to discuss your plans. Keep in mind it's typically 45-60 days to close on a traditional real estate transaction (short sales can take much longer).
To search all local homes for sale on MLS click here!
posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
Top 5 Features of Our Website! EmpireRealty.com
Many of you know, we revamped our website last October and there are so many great tools and features that I thought I would write a short blog about by top top 5 favorite things on Empire's site:
1. Robust Search - You can search ALL local homes on MLS for sale. We don't believe in making you "sign up" or "register" - just click and SEARCH! Have you seen the cool mapping feature? We are utitlizing Microsoft Virtual Mapping - some of the best mapping technology available today. You can do a pinpoint map search and check out local schools, airports, shopping, and more. You can even do a bird's eye view to really check out the neighborhood and see what's down the street or around the block. When you click on each listing you can pull up all the MLS details, get a school report and more!
2. Home Evaluation - we have partnered with Cyberhomes to offer the best home evaluation tools on the market. Compare home values, and so much more! Click on the 'home evaluation' button on our home page.
3. Find your dream home - sign up for Home Hunter to get listings emailed directly to you! Fill out the 3 simple steps, enter your search criteria and you will recieve email notifications daily of NEW listings in the area you are interested in! Click on the 'home hunter' button on our home page
4. Market Update Stats that change WEEKLY - We have just launched an incredible market update feature to our site. Click on any city in Contra Costa or Alameda County. Check out condo vs SFH info, city and zipcode info and so much more. Find out what is going on THIS WEEK! Check out median home prices, inventory levels and more. Eveyone is asking "How is the Market" - well this is a GREAT tool to bookmark! Also you will find our montly Trends in CA Real Estate report that give a great monthly overview of Califonia. Great resource to compare what is happening locally verusus statewide. http://www.empirerealty.com/localmarketupdate
5. Community Events - looking for something fun to do this weekend? Check out our montly community events and links to great online resources. Our agents live and work in this area and we know 1st hand what a great place the Diablo, Tri-Valley and Lamorinda areas are! http://www.empirerealty.com/communityevents
posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
CCAR Scholarship Foundation Luncheon a BIG Success!
At our sales meeting last week, Empire Realty Associates Partner, Tom Hart, and CCAR Scholarship Foundation President shared with us details about the wonderful awards luncheon that was held at Blackhawk Country Club.
According to the CCAR (Contra Costa Association of Realtors) website, "The CCAR Scholarship Foundation fosters the highest standard of professionalism in the real estate industry by providing college scholarship grants to aspiring students in the fields of finance, business and real estate. Our commitment to support higher education is the heart of the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®' desire to make a difference! The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® Scholarship Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to deserving students over the past four decades. Helping to underwrite the cost of higher education for students from central Costa Costa county is a great way to positively impact both individuals & families here in our local communities."
The Foundation receives its financial support directly from REALTORS®, industry Affiliate members and friends of the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®.
At the luncheon this month, over 20 students were honored and received collegiate grants totaling over $47,000. Over 130 combined guests & students attended.
Student schools include: UC-Berkeley, Wake Forest University, Loyola Marymount, Claremont McKenna College, Arizona State University, University of Minnesota, University of Pennsylvania, California State/Chico, UC-Santa Barbara, Humboldt State University, San Diego State, John F. Kennedy University, Cal Poly State University & Sonoma State University.
This is the 42nd year of the Foundation. Tom Hart is the current president and there are 9 other governing trustees. For more info, please visit http://www.ccarscholarship.com/ or go to http://www.tomhart.com
posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
In today's market, it is so important to work with Local Appraisers!!
At our last 2 Danville Empire Realty sales meetings, we have discussed the importance of working with local appraisers. Real estate is a local business, and just like a consumer would be wise to work with a local Realtor, it is key that Realtors choose to work with local appraisers.
I spoke to Marjo Shaffer, VP for RPM Mortgage, and one of Empire's preferred in-house lenders, and she said "RPM uses local and knowledgeable appraisers who are referred by RPM legacy list of appraisers. Our Realtor partners will be familiar with most of the appraisers. Most large banks are working with National Appraisal Management firms and their qualify of work and knowledge of the area in which they are appraising may not be very precise.:
Marjo goes onto say, "RPM will keep an open dialogue with the Realtor and the borrower if there are issues with the appraisal. RPM Appraisal Services will look at the appraisal report and offer an open discussion with the appraiser and the appraisal staff. Most lenders do not offer this service. Instead, they order a new report at the expense of the borrower or do nothing at all. Obviously, with this in mind, RPM Appraisal Services can greatly enhance the buyer's experience while going through a purchase transaction."
For more information, please contact us today!
posted by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
The median single family home price in Blackhawk this week is $1,387,000. This does not factor in condos or townhomes. Inventory is tightening and days-on-market is falling.
This week saw relatively little price change from last week. However, prices continue to demonstrate a nice up turn general over the last several weeks.
For additional charts and reports about the Blackhawk market, click here!
To view our Blackhawk Country Club blog click here!
We feature great info about events, concerts, new homes on the market, local market trends and more!
posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates
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We are the Empire Realty Associates Marketing Team! Marketing Manager Katie Lance, Marketing Coordinator Audrie Nguyen, Marketing Assitant Erin Yee, Listing and Sales Coordinator Kendra Spencer.
Empire Realty Associates is a local real estate company with deep roots in our community. Our offices in Danville and Walnut Creek are home to nearly 100 agents, many of whom have worked and lived in the Diablo and Tri-Valleys for over 20 years. Our team of talented and experienced agents are masters of our market and intimately involved in our communities.
Empire Realty is built on a unique shareholder business model. Over one-third of our agents are shareholders, distinguished as partners in the company. All agent associates are invited to participate in leadership roles and to impact the way we do business.
Leadership opportunities at Empire Realty include:
Because Empire Realty Associates was created by and is wholly owned by agents whose licenses are held at Empire Realty, it is a place of career empowerment. We are viewed by our industry as an innovative real estate model where people work together to benefit our clients and our communities.
Our offices specialize in the sales of fine homes throughout the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a luxury home in a fine neighborhood, or looking to get started in a place where you can enjoy the benefit of fine schools and a quality lifestyle, our real estate firm is equipped to handle your needs.
If you are a top sales associate and have reached the limits of your potential at your current firm, please call me for a confidential interview to learn how you might benefit from the type of support and staff which Empire Realty Associates offers its' sales team.
Executive Team
Empire Realty's executive team and talented staff create a thriving, energetic environment to support the goals of our partners and associates.
veteran with over 20 years' experience, has demonstrated his leadership in negotiation and contract issues, working with the risk management team, and sharing his knowledge and experience in business development with agents and management. O'Grady has earned the GRI and CRS designations, closed hundreds of transactions, and served on the Contra Costa Association of Realtors' Grievance and Mediation committees. Linked-In ProfileBoard of Directors
Membership on the Board of Directors for Empire Realty is an honor and a responsibility. Board members must be partners in the company and are voted into their term by the agent-partners of Empire. A board member completes a 1-year tenure, during which time he or she guides the policies and initiatives of the company.
2008/2009 Board Members
RELOCATION DIRECTOR | Sara Dillion-Ardell
Sara Dillion Ardell brings over 20 years experience in the corporate relocation arena to Empire. Her attention to details is unsurpassed in the industry. In addtion, Sara has an extensive network and access to many different relocation channels to help corporations with group moves as well as individual clients. Contact Sara today!
OPERATIONS TEAM
Corporate and Operations Manager | Michelle Lee
Controller | Karen Marano
MARKETING TEAM
Marketing Manager | Katie Lance
Marketing Coordinator | Audrie Nguyen
Marketing Assistant | Erin Yee
TRANSACTION LIAISON & BROKER REVIEW
Transaction Coordinator, Office Manager (WC) | Tracey Casella - DRE licensed
TLC/Sales Coordinator | Dawn Hembree - DRE licensed
Listing/Sales Coordinator | Kendra Spencer - DRE licensed
TLC/Sales Assistant - Karma Allen
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