Daniel Olsen

As of yesterday Congress and the Senate have both passed legislation that will provide home buyers with an extra three months to qualify for up to $8,000 in federal tax credit. Home buyers who where in contract prior to April 30 would now have unit September 30^th to complete the transaction. Under current legislation they would have had to close prior to June 30. The final step is to have the legislation signed off on by President Obama, which is expected shortly.

This is great news for home buyers. Many buyers have been unable to close in the short time frame of the original legislation. The National Association of Realtors estimates that approximately 180,000 otherwise eligible buyers would likely miss out on the tax credit if the legislation did not pass.

On Saturday radio station 102.3 WBAB held a great free outdoor concert at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County, New York. Several amazing bands played in the open air amphitheater. The event was very well attended, but from the huge lawn area in front of the stage it is hard to tell just how many people enjoyed the show. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, it was a beautiful sunny day with a slight breeze.

About twenty businesses that advertise with the radio station set up booths and displays. Exit Realty Achieve, my office, had a fantastic tent set up. Besides providing expert information on real estate to the public we also raffled off a new 32 gigabit Ipod touch, gave away a ton of candy and thrilled the kids with free character drawings done by a professional artist. It was a great day! If you happen to be in the area for the next event be sure to put it on your calendar, you won't be disappointed.

Exit is a regular advertiser with their sister radio station 106.1 WBLI. In fact, one of the unique and exciting advertising ideas that set our office is done in partnership with WBLI. Every month the office chooses a ‘Home of the Month'. The radio station then comes to the home during lunch, broadcasts live and promotes the listing. During the lunch broadcast we hold an open house and provide some give a ways. It's really a fantastic way to provide exposure for out listings!

Exit Realty Achieve is also exclusively listed on WBLI's home page which generates approximately 60,000 hits monthly! The radio station's website is http://wbli.com/ and our office site is http://www.exitrealtyachieve.com/.

Daniel Olsen

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Exit Realty Achieve

956 West Jericho Turnpike

Smithtown, NY 11787

(631) - 219 -1927

I have been asked by my broker to hold a class on Active Rain, for the other agents in my office. My office is fairly new and many of the agents are older and less computer savvy. However, they are all great hard working people, whom I love working with. I am sure that they will be interested in learning about the site and my experience with it. I am obviously going to discuss the basics of what they site is, how to log on and sign-up. However, I would appreciate some input on what you thing I should highlight. I have about 45 to 60 minutes and the use of a conference room with large screens hooked up to a computer.

I have only utilized Active Rain for a few months myself so I could really use your input. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq has resonated into a renewed sense of awareness and appreciation for Memorial Day. There are all kinds of services and parades planned. Over the years I have also noticed larger numbers of spectators attending those events in my area. Hopefully this is a nation trend as well.

Growing up I never thought much about the true meaning of the day. My family often went to a parade, the beach and finished with a picnic. Don't get me wrong I have found memories of the day. However, the true meaning didn't hit me until the Memorial Day after the start of the Gulf War. You see my brother was flying in and out of Iraq during that time. He relayed stories of the sights, sounds and emotions that he felt, not to mention the fear. I also distinctly remember the tension and worry my parents had when my brother was in harm's way. Fortunately he made it home safely and is still protecting us in his new job as a police officer. I wish all of his fellow service members families had similar stories that they could proudly rely. However, this simply is not the case. Many brave Americans have given their life to in an effort to protect our nation. So please take some time to honor the memories of all the member of the service that have made the ultimate sacrifice and take the time to explain the meaning of the day to your children, it is an important lesson.

God bless America and thank you to all of the members of the service who have and our currently serving our nation!

Daniel Olsen

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

956 West Jericho Turnpike

Smithtown, New York 11787

631-219-1927

Whole Foods Market marked the grand opening of its new location in Lake Grove around the middle of last month. On opening day, customers filled the many newly-stocked aisles and made their way through the delightful maze of groceries, goodies, and samples. So, why all the hype?, you might ask. From the outside it might seem like just another mega-grocery store amongst the plethora of others on the Island, but Whole Foods has many things to offer that sets it apart from any other supermarket in the area.

Whole Foods is the world's largest natural and organic grocery store, carrying a huge variety of all natural and nutrition specialized products. They have everything the local Stop n' Shop would carry, except the products are grown organically and can be found without artificial colors or preservatives. Many products can be found to suit certain special allergy needs, such as gluten free and wheat free produts. You can find anything from organic macaroni and cheese to all natural cinnamon raisin cookies, and much much more in between. The Lake Grove store has many special features, such as a hot food bar, gelato bar and cafe, fresh sushi, and fresh baked goods daily. There is also a wide selection of beautifully maintained produce, consisting of the classic fruits and vegetables, but also carrying many unusual and exotic things as well. The opening of this store has made it the company's most eastern location of the town of Hicksville and a convenient and healthy place to shop.

Daniel Olsen

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Exit Realty Achieve

956 W. Jerico Trpk, Smithtown, NY 11787

631-219-1927