Jeff and Heather Rickert, Realtor®, RSPS

Keller Williams Real Estate

Heather Rickert
601 Bethlehem Pike
Building B, Suite 100
Montgomeryville, PA 18936
Main Office: 215-631-1900
Direct: 215-850-9640 · Contact Form

1784 Penn Forest Trail, Albrightsville, PA 18210
SOLD

WONDERFUL RENTAL HOME! THIS RAISED RANCH IS HUGE! FEATRUES INCLUDE; 6 BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHROOMS, FAMILY ROOM, LAUNDRY/MUD ROOM, EXTERIOR JUST PAINTED, UPDATED KITCHEN AND BATHS. THIS HOME IS PRICED TO SELL. A LOT OF HOME FOR THE MONEY. GREAT LOCATION ON PENN FOREST - CLOSE TO BEACH AREA. SELLER IS A REALTOR

Hello All!

According to National Association of REALTORS (NAR) survey, more there are 140,000 REALTORS currently work in resort area and second home markets.

NAR stated we are the first in the Poconos and are 2 of over 500 from across the globe that have the RSPS designation. Below is more information about the designation:

Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist Certification

RSPS certification is offered by NAR Resort for resort and second-home professionals around the world. REALTORS® specializing in resort and second-home markets and interested in demonstrating their knowledge and expertise should pursue the RSPS certification. The RSPS core certification requirements include the NAR Resort & Second-Home Market Course and the RLI Tax-Deferred (1031) Exchange Course. RSPS applicants will also choose from nine different elective choices including courses from the NAR Education Matrix and the NAR Resort Symposium held every 18 months.

Visit the NAR Resort Web site.

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:

October 2007

Jeff and Heather Rickert

New Resort Certification to Serve Growing Second-Home and Resort Market

City, State, Date -To better serve the growing second-home and resort real estate sector, a new certification for REALTORS called the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) is now offered by the National Association of REALTORS . This certification program was launched in January 2006.

"The RSPS certification program recognizes the vitality of the second home market," said Dennis Johnson, 2007 chair of the NAR Resort & Second-Home Committee. "Serving the resort and vacation real estate market has come of age at a time when the second home market has never been stronger and savvy buyers increasingly demand the expertise of a real estate professional with proven knowledge of resort and second-home market conditions."

The program consists of two core courses and two electives. REALTORS or consumers interested in learning more about the program may log on to www.Realtor.org/Resort or contact NAR Resort Specialties at 800/874-6500, Ext. 8393.

An NAR study of second-home buyers showed substantial growth in the second-home market. The study indicated that investment property and vacation homes make up a significant portion of the overall housing market, accounting for more than one-third of residential transactions. Acquiring a second home has grown in popularity over the last 10 years and in particular since 2003. Sales of second homes increased 16 percent in 2004 from the year before. NAR also estimates in a study of second-home owners that the typical vacation-home owner is 59 years old, while the median age of the investment property owner is 55.

Jeff and Heather Rickert, RSPS Poconos of PA Real Estate Vacation Homes/Vacation Rentals New Home Construction Sales Investment Properties

Keller Williams Real Estate 601 Bethlehem Pike Building B, Suite 100 Montgomeryville, PA 18936 Main Office: 215-631-1900 Direct: 215-850-9640 · Contact Form

This week Hundreds of Realtors gather from across the globe at the 2009 National Association of Realtors(NAR) Resort Symposium. It was held at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, this annual networking event brought Realtors who specialize in the resort, vacation and second-home markets together for a unique educational and networking opportunity.

First symposium was in Los Cabos, Mexico in 2003. 2010 symposium will be help in Lake Tahoe.

This year's symposium, Sunshine Connection, features two and half-days of receptions, education sessions and networking/referral opportunities. NAR's First Vice President Ron Phipps opened the conference to welcome the more than 200 expected attendees from 31 states and three countries. The Mayor of the City of Naples, Bill Barnett, and Collier County Commission Chair, Donna Fiala, Also was on hand to welcome attendees to the symposium.

In addition to the education sessions and networking opportunities, attendees choose from four unique property tours within the Gulf Coast area, offering views of luxurious waterfront properties, breathtaking golf courses and historic areas. We choose the sunset cruise. The properties we cruised by were in the millions. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.realtors.org/resorts/resort_symposium.

See you at next years.

Jeff and Heather Rickert, RSPS Poconos of PA Real Estate Vacation Homes/Vacation Rentals New Home Construction Sales Investment Properties

Keller Williams Real Estate 601 Bethlehem Pike Building B, Suite 100 Montgomeryville, PA 18936 Main Office: 215-631-1900 Direct: 215-850-9640 · Contact Form

If you have not signed up here is your reminder.

2009 NAR RSPS Symposium in Naples, FL March 29 -31st

As a member benefit, they are waiving the $350 registration fee to the Symposium for RSPS (Resort and Second Home Property Specialists).

The Resort Symposium is March 29-31, in Naples, Florida.

This premiere networking event will allow you the opportunity to enhance your expertise and connect with other successful resort and second-home specialists from around the world.


For more information regarding the Symposium use these links:

http://www.realtor.org/resorts/resort_symposium/resortsymposiumlandingpage

Register for the Resort Symposium Here.

Jeff and Heather Rickert, RSPS New Home Construction Sales Resale Home Sales Investment Properties

Keller Williams Real Estate 601 Bethlehem Pike Building B, Suite 100 Montgomeryville, PA 18936 Main Office: 215-631-1900 Direct: 215-850-9640 · Contact Form

My mortgage guy sent me this info.

Last week, Mr. Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which contains nearly $800 million in economic stimulus spending and tax relief designed to help individuals and businesses in the current economic climate. The following is a list of some of the major provisions of the new law without significant details which will follow as rules are issued. Note that many of the benefits are temporary and/or are phased out for higher income individuals.

Higher Loan Limits. Conforming and FHA mortgage limits in high-cost areas were temporarily raised back to the limits which expired at the end of 2008. This will mean an increase from $625,000 to just under $730,000 in higher cost of living areas such as Northern California and New York City. The bottom line will be lower rates in these areas because "jumbo" loans carry a higher rate.

"Making Work Pay" Tax Credit. For 2009 and 2010, the Act creates a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for working individuals or $800 for couples with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) that does not exceed $75,000 or $150,000 respectively. An additional credit was passed for those who do not work, such as the retired and the disabled.

AMT Exemption Raised. The Act raises AMT exemption amounts above 2008 levels to $70,950 for joint filers and surviving spouses (up from $69,950 in 2008); and $46,700 for single filers and heads of households (up from $46,200).

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The Act expands the low-to-moderate income first-time homebuyer tax credit, originally enacted under the Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008. The maximum amount of the credit is increased to $8,000 and the Act eliminates the repayment obligation for qualified principal residences purchased from January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009. To be exempt from repayment, the homebuyer must stay in the home for three years.

New Car Deduction. Effective for new vehicle purchases on or after February 17, 2009, the Act allows qualified taxpayers an above-the-line deduction for all state, local sales and excise taxes paid relating to the first $49,500 of the purchase price of a new car, light truck or other vehicle through the end of the year.

Education Tax Credit. For 2009 and 2010, the Act expands and renames the existing HOPE education credit, increasing the credit amount (subject to income limits) from $1,800 to $2,500 a year and applying the credit to all four years of college. The Act also makes 40% of the credit refundable and adds course materials as qualifying expenses.

Bonus Depreciation. The Act extends the first-year 50% bonus depreciation enacted under the 2008 Economic Stimulus Act for new business equipment purchases through December 31, 2009. The Act also extends through 2010 bonus depreciation for other qualified property.

Net Operating Loss Carryback. The Act enables qualified small businesses with average gross receipts of $15 million or less to carry net operating losses back for up to five years. The carryback provision applies to any NOL for tax years beginning or ending in 2008

Heather A. Rickert, Realtor, RSPS
Keller Williams Real Estate
PA License #RS295398
215-850-9640 cell
215-631-1900 office
215-631-1999 fax
e-mail: jeffheather2@verizon.net
Website: www.jeffrickertteam.com

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