Greg Miller/ Warsaw & Syracuse, In. Home Mortgage Lending -Conventional, FHA,USDA

Have you ever had one of those moments in time that was so wonderful that it will be forever ingrained in your mind? One of those moments that you will replay in your mind for years to come. One of those moments that no matter if you live to be a hundred years old, you will never forget that moment. It will always make you smile.

Yesterday , I had such a moment. It started out very normal. My wife Sharon & I were to watch our 8 year old granddaughter Aubrey, who was not going to school because of a bully issue from a classmate.Mom and dad were going to school to address that issue. As we already had some errands planned and a lunch date set, we decided to go ahead and just have her tag along.

We have five grandchildren all together ranging from 2 to 10, so it is special when you just have one of them to spend quality time with. After lunch we came home and Sharon(grandma) takes a nap. Aubrey and I (Papa to her)take our dogs for a walk at the game preserve and then at home are sitting alone talking.

Out of thin air her inquisitive mind begins asking questions about God. Then with each answer, she goes deeper with her next.

• "Papa : If a tree was falling, could God stop it?"
• "Papa : If he could, why wouldn't he?"
• "Papa : Could you tell me about being Baptized?"
• "Papa : How do you know you will go to heaven?"

Then after about thirty minutes of answering her questions, I got the question that made my moment.

"PAPA : Would you help me say that prayer, so Jesus will live in my heart???"

At 2:00 yesterday I had the privilege of helping my 8 year old granddaughter enter into God's kingdom by helping her recite a prayer for salvation and give her heart to Christ.

• Because of Jesus - Her name is now written in the book of life
• Becuase of Jesus - This one moment means eternity.

I give praise to God that he gave me all the right words to say that she understood, I praise God for his perfect timing & I praise God that he used me to be a part of that special moment.

I now pray that he will give me( actually anyone) 4 more special moments. One for each of the other grand-kids.

          A Hint of Spring on Lake Wawasee

 

    The trees are still bare, the piers are still sitting on the shore, 

but the beauty of Lake Wawasee is priceless. As we strolled along  

the public access shore line with our Shepherd and terrier, how 

awesome it was to see the ripples flowing across the lake made

 by the wind and the three fishing boats (yes Boats).

 Today it was 65 degrees and to think just 3 days ago our lake

 was completely covered with ice.

     Goose poop has already arrived and the dogs did not hesitate 

to wash their feet at the public boat ramp Brrrrrrrr!! Although the 

ground is still soft from the melting snow the lake is open and 

boats are floating, fishing lines are out and the smell of spring is

 in the air. 

After a long cold winter nothing is more beautiful than to see our

 Lake Wawasee open and waiting for our water activities. 

  Copyright by : Sharon Miller

First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Guidelines have been announced. Below you

will find the highlights of the program

* Seek advice from a professional tax advisor for specific tax calculations and

timing for claiming the tax credit.

Should you need any assistance or simply have a question, feel free to Contact us at sharonandgreg@Century21.com

FEATURE		FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDIT: EFFECTIVE FOR PURCHASES ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009 AND BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2009
Amount of Credit		The amount of the homebuyer federal income tax credit is the lesser of 10% of the cost of the home bought or $8,000.
Eligible Property		Any single-family residence (including a condo, co-op, or townhouse) may be an eligible property under the homebuyer income tax credit, provided it will be used as the homebuyer's principal residence.
Refundable		This homebuyer income tax credit reduces income tax liability. The $8,000 tax credit is a clean refundable credit, unlike the one that was passed last summer, which required a repayment. If you qualify as a first-time buyer (i.e., haven't been a homeowner in the past 3 years), then you can claim the $8,000 to reduce your tax burden. If the $8,000 is greater than the tax you owe, then you will get a refund check for the difference. Example: you owe $2,000 in taxes on April 15, 2010. But if you bought a home before the stimulus expiration on Dec. 1, 2009, then you will get a tax refund check for $6,000 from the IRS.*
Income Limit		In order to be eligible for the homebuyer income tax credit in full, the homebuyer can have an annual adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on a joint return). A homebuyer with an annual adjusted gross income above that level and up to $95,000 ($170,000 on a joint return) is eligible for a reduced tax credit.
First-time Homebuyer Only		The homebuyer income tax credit is designed for first-time homebuyers, which means the homebuyer (and/or the homebuyer's spouse) can not have owned a principal residence in the 3 years prior to purchase of the eligible property.
Revenue Bond Financing		A homebuyer who utilizes revenue bond financing may be eligible for the homebuyer income tax credit.
Repayment		There is no repayment of the homebuyer income tax credit by the homebuyer.
Recapture		However, if the eligible property is resold within three years of purchase, the entire amount of homebuyer income tax credit is recaptured on the sale.
Effective Date		The First-Time Homebuyer Federal Income Tax Credit is effective for purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. This guide reflects a modification from the First-Time Homebuyer Federal Income Tax Credit, which remains in effect for homes purchased by eligible homebuyers between April 9, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008.

Wawasee sales Report
2008  was a real mixed bag of results for the housing markets and our Syracuse area was no exception. This area is blessed with many lakes and because of this factor, we really have two housing markets within one.

The homes that do not have any access to one of our lakes, we refer to as non - water. The homes that do are of course referred to as water properties. This includes lake front, channel front, Assigned pier spaces, deeded boat lots, community piers.

For purposes of area for this report. I have included all the geographical area that is in the Syracuse Elementary School District & Syracuse mailing address. This two areas were combined to include the East & South Sides of Lake Wawasee, as well as Papkeechie, Syracuse, Bonar & portions of Dewart.

	2007	2008	+ - %
# Sold Homes Non-water	79	45	-43%
# Sold Homes Water	105	61	-42%
Total Sold Homes	184	106	-42%
Total Sales Volume	$45,707,043	$23,004,535	-50%
Avg.Sales Price Non-water	$106,330	$134,532	+27%
Avg. Sales Prices Water	$359,267	$289,863	-19%
Avg. Median Sales Price - Non-water	$96,900	$105,900	+9%
Avg. Median Sale Price - Water	$250,000	$195,000	-22%
Avg. Days on Market Non-Water	138	114
Avg. Days on Market Water	172	174

  As of 02/19/09 The Active Listings for sale in the area  were 173 homes.
53 Non-Water & 120 Water properties, with 9 pending sales.  A normal supply of homes for sale in a stable market is considered to be a number that can be absorbed in a 6-9 month period. 
 In our next article we will detail the local lakes and subdivisions  activity and home values. Should you wish information on your home or neighborhood , feel free to contact us.

 Your  local  housing experts,

 Sharon & Greg Miller

Syracuse Realtors