Barb Averell

At the "Opportunity is Now Knocking" seminar that RAMP held this past Saturday, they talked about what a great place Pittsburgh is to live! Several of the attendees commented that:  "Pittsburgh is a great place to raise a family". Here are some other points that were highlighted to us:

- Pittsburgh has continued its ranking in the top ten most livable cities (Forbes April 2009).

- Pittsburgh is one of the most affordable cities in the country. We were ranked as 28th out of 201 housing markets by The Center For Housing Policy.

- Allegheny County housing prices continue to appreciate by 1.8% in 2008 (RealSTATS), despite dramatic drop of prices in other parts of the country.

- Pittsburgh is one of six cities chosen by Yahoo.com as Safe Havens (Yahoo.com in 2009). (Pittsburgh was othe ONLY city chosen by Yahoo with population greater than eight hundred and fifty thousand.

- Pittsburgh is ranked 4th Most Stable Metropolitan Statistical Area by Private Mortgage Insurance according to The New York Times in January 2009.

- Pittsburgh is ranked 6th in the USA among Best Places to Ride Out the Recession according to Business Week.

- Pittsburgh is ranked as the 6th Best City for Hiring and Job Growth by Forbes (January 2009). The healthcare and education industries are highlighted in a New York Times article as particularly resistant to downturn.

- Forbes recognized Pittsburgh as 13th among 40 cities for Young Professionals.

- Pittsburgh's commercial real estate market was recognized as having outranked ALL other major metropolitan areas in the country during the fourth quarter of 2008 by Moody's Investment Service.

- Pittsburgh was recognized as the 9th Most Walkable City by a Brookings Institute study by Chris Leinberger in December 2007.

Pittsburgh is a GREAT place to live, work and play! 

On Saturday I attended an event sponsored by the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. It was entitled "Opportunity is Now Knocking" and was put on in the east, south, west and north of Pittsburgh over the past few weeks.

The main discussion point was:

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit:

1) Maximum credit amount is $8,000 (10% of sales price not to exceed $8,000)

2) Any single family residence is eligible (including condos, co-ops, townhouses). This residence MUST be used as the principle residence.

3) Income limits:  individuals with adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return)   *** remember, individuals with adjusted gross income over $75,000 to $95,000 and joints returns over $150,000 but below $170,000 will get Phase out refund.

4)  Another thing that some did not know in the seminar was that it is for "first time home buyers" AND those who have NOT owned a home in the previous 3 years.

5)  NO repayment for purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. NOTE: If home is sold within three years of purchase, entire amount of credit will be recaptured on the sale.

    Be careful if you are building a home. You must "occupy" and close on the home on or before November 30th, 2009 to get the credit. If you are building, be careful that occupancy dates are met or you can risk not qualifying for your credit.

 

Have you ever thought about having your own home built?

Have you ever driven or stopped by a new construction site and left with unanswered questions?

Do you have a home to sell and wonder how to have that home on the market for sale and build your new home at the same time?                                                                                         

If you answered "yes" or "maybe" to any of the above.....I encourage you to come to the Butler Prudential Preferred Realty office this Saturday for a "free" New Construction seminar from 10am - 12noon.  

 We will be having 4 speakers:

1)  Walt Winkowski (learn the basics of new construction --- site selections, questions and answers, new building trends, i-beam construction. poured concrete vs block, etc).

2)  Interior designer (learn the lastest trends, color choices and so much more)

3)  Blind/Window Treatments (what to look for, trends)

4)  Steve, PPMC (end loans, spec home financing vs. contract financing, new construction loans, how the interest works, draw schedules, etc).

Breakfast will be served.

P.S. Feel free to bring a neighbor, friend, relative, etc.

 RSVP - baverell@prudentialpreferred.com or by calling:  724-283-0005

 I hope to see you there!

New Construction Seminar

Topics

• Expert discussion on the ABC's of building a new home in today's market

• Discover all the latest financing options available

• Hear the newest innovations and design styles

• Informative Question and Answer Session

• Detailed information on available North new home communities, with

directions to special Open House Tours from 12-4p.m. (optional)

• Refreshments will be served

Everything You

Need to Know

About Buying New!

Saturday, April 18th

10:00a.m.

Prudential Preferred Realty Butler Office

365 Stirling Village, Butler, PA 16001

724-283-0005

Skilled professionals in the home buying and

building industry will be on hand to answer

all of your questions.

R.S.V.P.

to Geri by Tuesday, April 14th

724-283-0005

www.PrudentialPreferredRealty.com

 

Renting? Now is the time to buy a home!

Buy Now and Get the $8000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit!

Put The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit ToWork For You!

 

In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was approved by the U.S. Congress and signed into law. The bill contains great news for first-time home buyers - the opportunity to receive up to an $8,000 tax credit if you purchase a home by November 30, 2009 and you otherwise qualify. Please visit the website below for details and qualifying restrictions. If you're interested in putting this special tax credit to work for you, call your local Prudential Preferred Realty agent, or visit www.PrudentialPreferredRealty.com and we'll show you how!