Jay & Jewell Kaiser

First Time Home buyers extension passed House & Senate so all we need is the Presidents Signature. Some changes but good for our Nation and home buyers and sellers.

This is really exciting for my buyer that is so close to the wire about getting the tax credit. We have been sweating bullet's trying to make sure all inspections. water samples, septic, etc. and the banks getting it done with all there new regulations.

WASHINGTON- Missed out on Cash for Clunkers? Congress has another deal for you: Buy a home before May 1 and collect up to $6,500 from the government. If you're a first-time home buyer, get up to $8,000.

Aspart of the government's efforts to encourage people to spend money to help revive the economy, the House voted 403-12 Thursday to expand a popular tax credit for home buyers. The bill, which also extends unemployment benefits and expands a tax break for money-losing businesses, now goes to President Barack Obama, who plans to sign it Friday.

First-timehome buyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package. But with that housing program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the House voted to extend it into the spring - and to expand it to many people who already own homes.

Buyerswho have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible, subject to income limits, for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time home buyers - or people who haven't owned homes in the previous three years - could get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers have to sign purchase agreements before May 1 and close before July 1.

Read More here from Yahoo news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_go_co/us_homebuyers_tax_credit

Watch Video here: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=16352974&ch=4226720&src=news

What are Realtors Boundaries/Market areas today? Do we follow the Code of Ethics?

As a Realtor we are all bound by the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics and I have concerns we may be stepping over the boundaries. These codes are how we as professionals are to operate our day in and day out business. Or at least we raised our right hand and swore that we would.

With the emergence of the internet, Regional MLS systems, blogging, agent and company web sites, IDX, soon to be in some areas State Wide IDX or Vow's and rumors of potential State wide MLS systems, what is your agents working territory?

So we all put ourselves out to you the public as experts in our area that we call our market area, but our web sites paint a different picture. The question we all need to answer is how far out is this area? With the scarcity of client-customers these days I see agents extending the boundaries beyond what they should be, in hopes of making a sale?

Having been in the business since 1975 and worked 3 to 5 counties over those many long years does this make me an expert and a knowledgeable agent in all of those areas? I think not. I have attached Article 11 of the Code of Ethics as a reminder to all of us about what our boundaries are. I know we are licensed in a state and can sell anywhere in the state, but could I sell 250 miles away and follow Article 11?

Sure I could, but would I want to? Think about it how would I know some 40 or more miles away or further who would be the best attorney's surveyors, inspectors. I worry more about what might be going on down the street that would harm our customer and so on, or not knowing the community is in trouble financially etc. In short I can assure you I know my area but yours I can't so referrals is the best and safest way to go so I can continue to work for many more years without fears of law suits.

As buyers and sellers per the statics 80+ percent of you search the internet for properties and then choose an agent. I encourage you to ask the questions to the agents you call like, what is your area of expertise? This could be the property type you're looking for, the territory they serve, are they confident showing you properties in multiple counties and if so, do they know the critical contacts to assist you to closing.

Article 11
The services which REALTORS^® provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, real estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate.

REALTORS^® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth. (Amended 1/95)

· Standard of Practice 11-1

•1. identification of the subject property

•2. date prepared

•3. defined value or price

•4. limiting conditions, including statements of purpose(s) and intended user(s)

•5. any present or contemplated interest, including the possibility of representing the seller/landlord or buyers/tenants

•6. basis for the opinion, including applicable market data

•7. if the opinion is not an appraisal, a statement to that effect (Amended 1/01)

With the emergence of the internet, Regional MLS systems, blogging, agent and company web sites, IDX, soon to be in some areas State Wide IDX or Vow's and rumors of potential State wide MLS systems, what is our working territory?

So we all put ourselves out to the public as experts in our area that we call our market area, but our web sites paint a different picture. The question we all need to answer is how far out is this area? With the scarcity of client-customers these days I see agents extending the boundaries beyond what they should be, in hopes of making a sale?

Having been in the business since 1975 and worked 3 to 5 counties over those many long years does this make me an expert and a knowledgeable agent in all of those areas? I think not. I have attached Article 11 of the Code of Ethics as a reminder to all of us about what our boundaries are. I know we are licensed in a state and can sell anywhere in the state, but could I sell 250 miles away and follow Article 11?

Sure I could, but would I want to? Think about it how would I know some 430 miles away or further who would be the best attorney's surveyors, inspectors. I worry more about what might be going on down the street that would harm our customer and so on, or not knowing the community is in trouble financially etc. In short I can assure you I know my area but yours I can't so referrals is the best and safest way to go so I can continue to work for many more years without fears of law suits.

Article 11
The services which REALTORS^® provide to their clients and customers shall conform to the standards of practice and competence which are reasonably expected in the specific real estate disciplines in which they engage; specifically, residential real estate brokerage, real property management, commercial and industrial real estate brokerage, real estate appraisal, real estate counseling, real estate syndication, real estate auction, and international real estate.

REALTORS^® shall not undertake to provide specialized professional services concerning a type of property or service that is outside their field of competence unless they engage the assistance of one who is competent on such types of property or service, or unless the facts are fully disclosed to the client. Any persons engaged to provide such assistance shall be so identified to the client and their contribution to the assignment should be set forth. (Amended 1/95)

· Standard of Practice 11-1

•1. identification of the subject property

•2. date prepared

•3. defined value or price

•4. limiting conditions, including statements of purpose(s) and intended user(s)

•5. any present or contemplated interest, including the possibility of representing the seller/landlord or buyers/tenants

•6. basis for the opinion, including applicable market data

•7. if the opinion is not an appraisal, a statement to that effect (Amended 1/01)

You all are fabulous helping a great cause for sheltered animals. We pray she wins but your support made the difference! Thank You!!!!

Thank you everyone for voting!! Your support has helped us win $500 for animal rescue. That money will take care of shots and spaying/neutering for 10 dogs or cats so they can find forever homes! We are hoping to be chosen for a top 4 spot to be announced on November 12th, and then the million dollar winner is announced on Thanksgiving Day! Send our thanks on to your friends and families that helped support Little Bitsy! We couldn't have done it without you all!! Thank you!! Evelyn, Sylvia and Little Bitsy

Below is a shorter recapped version of what we have been hearing about the first time home buyers tax credit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson's (R-Ga.) office forwarded some additional details of the $8,000 tax credit deal that Senate negotiators worked out last night: The tax credit would be $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for move-up buyers.

The new tax credits will be available from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. The tax credit will sunset on April 30, 2010, but as long as you have a binding contract by that date, you will still qualify to complete the transaction within 60 days. Move-up buyers are eligible, as long as the home they're leaving has been used as their principal residence for 5 years or more.

Income limits for both first-time home buyers and move-up buyers would be $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples. The home being purchased may not cost $800,000. (The tax credit is structured that you will get 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for trade-up buyers, but if you're buying a $1 million house, you're ineligible to get a tax credit.) For purchases made in 2010, taxpayers can claim the tax credit on their 2009 income tax return. Home buyers would not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their principal residence for 36 months after the purchase date.

The amendment includes a military waiver provision, meaning the recapture provision would not apply in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, military intelligence or Foreign Service who is on qualified official extended duty. In addition, members of the military who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 would have until April 30, 2011 to claim the home buyer tax credit.

The amendment also includes anti-fraud language that gives authority to the IRS to do greater oversight during the processing of the return rather than waiting for an audit situation. The amendment requires the taxpayer claiming the credit to be 18 years of age or older (no more 4-year olds filing for the tax credit), as well as requiring a HUD-1 settlement statement to be attached when claiming the credit.