Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR REALTOR

Positive headway is being made to extend the first time home buyers tax credit. Today, the Senate tentatively agreed to extend the credit. This is great news for those buyers who could not close on a home by the original deadline date of November 30th - just a month away. Under the agreement to extend the credit, home buyers must be under contract by April 30, 2010 with a close date deadline on or before June 30th, 2010. This proposal still faces votes in the full Senate and House, and House leaders have already said they support the extension.

Washington Lawmakers also added a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past eight years. Plus, raise the qualifying income limits to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for joint taxpayers.

This year's first-time home buyers credit has accomplished its intended purpose. Approximately 1.4 million first-time home buyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit. The $8000 tax credit extension is a critical part of continued economic recovery as we begin to see a positive movement in the housing market.

If you are a looking to make a home purchase, this could be your best ever opportunity. The tax credit, low interest rates and prices of new and resale homes won't always be to your advantage.

Call or email me today and let's get you started down the path of a home purchase.

Karen Staha CRS, GRI,ABR, REALTOR (512) 217-2435 kmstaha@aol.com www.karenstaha.com Selling Texas since 1995! Gaston & Sheehan Realty - serving Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, Cedar Park, Leander and beyond!

I've written contracts in some out-of-the norm places but this past Friday was a definite first when I wrote up a contract with my buyers sitting at a kitchen table in the middle of a street cove - literally. So how did the kitchen table set get there? My clients were moving it from one vehicle to another and we spontaneously decided it was as good a place as any to sign the contract.

I just love real estate - every day brings something new.

Gaston & Sheehan Realty held our 3rd annual "We Care and Share" Food Drive this past Saturday and I'm pleased to say that it was a great success. We collected over one ton of food goods after delivering over 2500 food collection bags in several area neighborhoods a few days prior.

All food donations benefited The Storehouse Food Panty, an local community outreach center.

A sincere thanks to our co-sponsors who helped make this drive possible with their generous donations to help offset the grocery bag printing costs. And a very special thank you to all those who donated food.

My son, Ryan, helped me deliver bags from door to door and pick up the donated foods on Saturday.

Here's me with a bulging bag of food.

One of our Realtors, Sandy with a truck load of food.

Dropping off the food at The Storehouse outreach center

Tracie and Shawn

Information provided by: Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR - Selling Texas Since 1995- Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Call me direct: 512-217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com

Today I was missing in action from my normal real estate activities, but it was still a day all about real estate. I attended Austin Board of Realtor's 'Realty Round-Up,' the largest real estate related trade show in Central Texas. This day-long event is a once a year opportunity to browse the latest industry products and services, attend a variety of well-informed seminars, and network all under one roof.

I had a great time. It was an active scene throughout the day with over 2,000 attendees toting bags full of industry related goodies collected from booth to booth and dropping business cards in plastic pumpkins for a chance to win lunches, gifts cards and more. Honestly, I think we looked much like a bunch of kids trick-or-treating on Halloween.

This years event featured a ‘Super Hero' theme and the ABOR affiliate members, sponsors and exhibitors didn't hold back embracing the concept. Superman to Catwoman and colorful decorations were plentiful throughout the exhibit hall.

The after event celebration in the grand ballroom was fun way to top off the day, sip on a favorite drink, enjoy the band and visit with colleagues.

I've attended the Realty Round-up for 17 years and looking forward to being there again next year. But until then -- back to my normal real estate business activities.

Do we look like we could be sisters? That we are! Darlene is a Realtor in Austin also.

Who is that masked man?

This gal won a change to catch $1, $5, $10 & $20's as they blew around the booth she's standing in.

Doing the locomotion train dance...."Come on baby, do the locomotion"

Excitement is growing as we count down to March 30, 2009, the scheduled date for The Capital MetroRail service to begin transporting commuters in comfort and style along the Red Line. This long awaited project, approved by voters in 2004, is a 32-mile passenger rail system built on pre-existing freight rail lines that will run between Downtown Austin and the city of Leander.

The Red Line will serve nine stations providing convenient service every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon rush hours. The 9 stop station locations are Leander, Lakeline, Highland, Plaza Saltillo, Howard, Burnet/Kramer, Crestview, MLK Jr., and Downtown/Convention Center Station. The two main termini are Leander Station and Park & Ride (north) and Downtown Station (south)

Stations in more suburban settings will feature special shuttle buses to whisk you to your final destination; more urban locations will be accessible by foot, bike and bus. Each station will feature an accessible platform with varying canopy designs, ticket vending machines, bike racks, and informational displays.

The MetroRail vehicles have a capacity of 200 passengers, 108 seated and 92 standing. Daily ridership is projected at 2,000 boardings per day which means about 1,000 people a day round-trip.

Priority seating areas are available for wheelchairs. A "VIP section" with room for laptop use with WiFi access is also included. Bike racks, luggage racks, high back racks, and low floor entry for easy access.

Fares as shown on the Capital Metro website:

• MetroAccess 10-ride Ticket Book $7.00
• MetroRail Adult (1 Zone $1.00, 2 Zones $1.50)
• MetroAccess-certified individuals, seniors (65 and older), disability fare card holders, children under six: FREE

Travel Time In Minutes: LINK

The MetroRail project costs stands at approximately $105 million. Included in the price is $32.3 million for six self-propelled diesel-electric rail cars. The entire project is funded from an existing one cent sales tax that Capital Metro reaps from the region it serves, government grants and rider fares.

The MetroRail Trains are Built by Stadler in Germany with design and engineering provided by Interfleet Technology, the GTW--2 is loosely based upon NJ Transit's RiverLINE Stadler/Bombardier GTW--but our trains are a lot bigger and features a totally new carbody.

• Owner/Operator is The Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Each train runs on two 400HP diesel electric engines.
• Overall length 134 feet, 1.8 inches
• Overall width 9 feet, 8 inches
• Projected operating speed: 60 - 75 miles per hour

With the growth in Austin and surrounding cities, it's clear future rail expansion will be necessary. Two potential future lines have been identified as being good fits for MetroRails: The Mocan Corridor could extend from Austin out to Round Rock. The Austin-Manor Station could extend from Austin as far as Elgin and Manor.

If you are relocating to our area or already here and would like more information about neighborhoods or assistance in buying or selling a home, I welcome your call or email. I know and specialize in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander or Hutto.

Karen Staha, CRS,GRI,ABR, REALTOR - Selling Texas Since 1995 - Gaston & Sheehan Realty - Call me direct: 512-217-2435 email: kmstaha@aol.com website: www.karenstaha.com