Quad Cities Favorite REALTOR®
Lucky Lang
November 2009 
Call Lucky for all of your Davenport, Iowa and surrounding Quad Cities Real Estate needs at (563) 676-9031Copyright © 2009 Realty Times
All Rights Reserved.
Vital Information For
First-Time Buyers
The first-time homebuyer Federal tax credit for $8000, record-low interest rates, and nationwide median home prices dropping to the lowest point in five years, makes this an enticing time to consider buying a home. By the way, that tax incentive isn't truly just for first-time buyers -- it's defined as those not having owned a home in the last three years. Research and knowing your options are critical. Check with your tax accountant for more details. It's increasingly likely that Congress will extend and expand the popular home buyer tax credit, which will expire at the end of this month.
Mortgage Rates
U.S. averages as of October 29, 2009:
30 yr. fixed: 5.03%
15 yr. fixed: 4.46%
1 yr. adj: 4.57%
30 yr. jumbo: 6.98%
View current rates
According to an article in August in the Raleigh News & Observer, 10.8 percent of buyers are motivated to buy due to Federal and state tax incentives. So far only 1.14 million buyers have filed
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Wondering What Your Home Is Worth?
Let me show you.
Relieving the Stress of Packing 
Packing can be stressful time for every member of the family. To ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible, try the following tips!
Pack a "Red Box"
Since one in five American families moves every year, that means 22 million families may be searching for their TV remote controls!
One of the pitfalls of packing for a move is you can't always anticipate what you'll need when you arrive at your new home, and movers typically list only the obvious such as dishes, glasses, bedding, etc. The miscellaneous items you need in the first few hours invariably wind up on the bottom of a random box.
To start, you may want to create your own "red box" as some moving companies ("Removers") do in Great Britain. This is the last box loaded and the first one off the truck. The one universal item in the red box is the tea kettle (perhaps this would be the coffee maker in the U.S.). This is also the place CONTINUED >>>
Making Your Home Age Appropriate Creates Appeal 
All of us have something in common with our homes. Sure, style, design, and location are at the top of the list, but how about age? As we age, buyers, especially the baby boomer generation, are looking to transform their homes into a place that they can stay in for as long as possible or they're hoping to find one that's already equipped for them to age-in-place.
So how old your home and you are, are reason to give some thought to if your home needs age-appropriate adaptation in order for you to be most comfortable. And, in doing so, you may actually make your home more valuable to a wider audience of buyers, should you ever sell it.
According to the National Homebuilders Association, making a home suitable for the golden years is economicaly sound. The baby boomer generation (77 million people) makes up 28 percent of the U.S. population. Assisted living for this generation can cost more than $60-thousand per year, not counting moving expenses.
That's pretty pricey. So, if you've taken some steps to make your home an age-in-place sanctuary, then make sure you highlight those renovations if you ever CONTINUED >>>
Read My Blog!!!
You can find many great Davenport real estate agents and loan officers on ActiveRain.com Lucky Lang is a proud member of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network, a free online community to help real estate professionals grow their business.
Is Your Home Wired Properly?
We all know that as things age, they often need replacing but sometimes homeowners neglect to take care of their home's electrical wiring and that can set them up for potential danger. Electrical consumption since the middle of the last century has increased in most homes on average about 400 percent.
If you're tripping your main safety circuit box that could be a sign that you're overloading the electrical outlets and an indication that an electrical contractor should examine your wiring. Oftentimes, homes are renovated several times without any electrical wiring updated. Yet, this is a part of the house that can cause huge problems if it isn't kept up-to-date.
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Local Market Conditions
Daily News and Advice
Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.
Lucky Lang, REALTOR®,SRES®
E-mail: Lucky6769031@gmail.com
Web: http://www.LuckyLang.com
(563) 676-9031Mel Foster Co.
(563) 823-2213
3211 E 35th St. Ct.
Davenport, IA 52807
Equal Housing Opportunity
LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR®
Lucky Lang, SRES®
Licensed in Iowa & Illinois
Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA 52807-2585
Cell: (563) 676-9031 Fax: (563) 459-6720 Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 2213
Don't let this great Real Estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!
Surprise! Men and women differ in home-buying process!
It often seems as though men and women are from different planets, but every day millions of couples navigate through day-to-day and even life-altering decisions. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC surveyed 1,000 individuals to discover how much men and women differ in the home-buying process.
Below are some key highlights from the Coldwell Banker Real Estate study:
Women may be inclined to make up their mind more quickly than men ...
* When asked how long it took before they knew their home was "right" for them, almost 70 percent of women had made up their mind the day they walked into the house, vs. 62 percent of men. Conversely, significantly more men needed two or more visits: (32 percent of men vs. 23 percent of women).
Women would rather live closer to their extended family than to their job ...
* 55 percent of women find it more important to be closer to their extended family (those that do not live in their household) than to their job, compared to only 37 percent of men.
A home's security is a deal-breaker for both men and women ...
* 64 percent of women said that if they found the home of their dreams but had concerns about its security, they would no longer be interested. More than half of men agreed (51 percent).
Couples say that no one "wears the pants in the relationship" in terms of major financial decisions ...
* When asked who wears the pants in the relationship (when it comes to major financial decisions, such as purchasing a home), almost 70 percent of respondents living with their significant other said it's actually mutual.
* However, 23 percent think that they, themselves, wear the pants in the relationship, not their partner. More men than women said this (26 percent vs. 20 percent, respectively).
Men and women agree on how they would use a spare room, for the most part ...
When the respondents were asked how they would use an extra 12 x 12 room if it could be anything they wanted, men and women agreed on the top three most popular, and very practical, responses:
* Bedroom: 25 percent
* Office/Study: 15 percent
* Family Room/Den: 11 percent
Source: Real Trends, Inc. 8/18/09 e-mail update
For more information on Home Buying in Davenport, Iowa and the Quad Cities please call:
LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR®
Lucky Lang, SRES®
Licensed in Iowa & Illinois
Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA 52807-2585
Cell: (563) 676-9031 Fax: (563) 459-6720 Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 2213
Don't let this great Real Estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!
What requirements are there to become a Home Inspector? In Davenport, Iowa, there are no laws yet for licensing or continuing education. There are national companies to certify such as NACHI, NAHI and ASHI but no requirements in order to perform a Home Inspection.
Should a Home Inspector, who is expected to give a report on the strengths and weaknesses of possibly the single largest investment a person will make in their life be licensed? Should they be required to take continuing education in order to keep up on their trade? Should they just inspect the property without discussing anything with the Buyer? Wouldn't that be hanging them out to dry?
The most important part of a Home Inspection IMHO is the teaching that goes on. The teaching of how to determine safety concerns and what to do about it. The teaching of how to care for a house. The teaching of some routine maintenance.
Any Home Inspector can point out things that are obviously wrong with a property. It is what they do after the obvious that is important. I choose to refer Home Inspectors that do just that. Teach. Spend some time with the clients to help them understand their purchase so they don't feel like a deer caught in the headlights!
I've used Home Inspectors that tried to "kill deals" before. By this, I don't mean that they pointed out things that are wrong with the property. That is part of their job. What I do mean is that they tried to renegotiate the deal. That is NOT part of their job. When a Home Inspector starts a sentence with, "If I were you, I'd ask the Sellers to......" it's that time! Time to find another Home Inspector!!!
Should Home Inspectors be required to get a license?
Should they be required to do continuing education?
What say ye?
Lucky :)
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This is a great time to buy a home! Low Prices & Low Interest Rates!
For more information on this Sensational Property and other Homes for sale in Iowa and the Quad Cities please call:
LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR®
Lucky Lang, SRES®
Licensed in Iowa & Illinois
Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA 52807-2585
Cell: (563) 676-9031 Office: (563) 823-2213 Fax: (563) 459-6720 Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 2213
Don't let this great Real Estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!
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We are turning the corner! This is a great time to buy a home!
For more information on what this recent market information from the Quad Cities means to you please call:
LUCKY LANG, QUAD-CITIES FAVORITE REALTOR®
Lucky Lang, SRES®
Licensed in Iowa & Illinois
Mel Foster Co., Inc., 3211 E. 35th Street Ct., Davenport, IA 52807-2585
Cell: (563) 676-9031 Fax: (563) 459-6720 Toll Free: (800) 791-8132 Ext. 2213
Don't let this great Real Estate buying opportunity pass you by!!!
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Real Estate Buyers, Sellers, & Military Transferees in the Quad Cities (Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, & Rock Island) being licensed in both Iowa & Illinois and voted the Quad Cities Favorite Realtor!
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The first major change to the $8,000 home buyer's tax credit began moving through Congress the last week of September, giving hope to real estate and building groups pushing for extension of the entire program before it expires November 30, 2009. 
Perhaps the greatest influencer in getting your home sold is entering the market with a home that's priced correctly. 
You're moving. Again. And once again, your spouse's career takes precedence and yours is back at square one. Even if you are in total agreement with the move, you will still experience two of the highest stress factors in existence simultaneously - moving and unemployment. 
You're likely approaching moving day with equal parts excitement and dread. 
Before you start a company, the first thing you should do is market research to determine your target market. This important step will help determine how successful you ultimately will be. The same is true when it comes to selling your home. Understanding the buyer market and who might be a good fit for your home will help ensure that you highlight the most vital features. 
The House and Senate may have left Capitol Hill for their Summer break, but housing lobbyists are busy at work gearing up a major campaign to extend the $8,000 home buyer tax credit. 
It could be a good time to invest in real estate, given the abundance of foreclosures and other distressed properties with reduced prices. 
Homeowners who have either decided to stay in their homes or are considering selling may be helping to build momentum in the remodeling market. 