MARY IACOVELLI

WOW, Its October already. I remember as a kid when October came that meant Octoberfest in Helen GA and the Sound of Music Play! I will never forget those days! Now I live in the Greenville Metro Area of SC. A friend asked me the other day if I would be going to Octoberfest and all those child hood memories caming flooding back.

Tomorrow, October 4th in Downtown Greer the festivities proceed. Some of the Festivities include the Foothills Oompah Band from 4:30 to 8:30 at Randall and Trade Streets.

German Food, German Beer, Arts & Crafts including Glass, Jewelry, pottery, wood working, drawings, etches and prints.

I tried to put the other bands picture in here but it did not work so well. Ill keep trying to be a good blogger so bare with me until it happens!! If you want to see more info on Octoberfest in Greer, SC please go to http://www.mainstevents.com/Greer%20Events/oktoberfest.html .

Nest up will be Fall for Greenville and I will try to let you know about that one BEFORE it happens! Thanks and have a great Fall!! Mary

I have found it difficult to find info on this subject that is reproducible that's why I want you to know.

New Homes are more energy efficient. Builders use the most up to date products and strive to make a better home each and every day.

Not all new homes are built alike. LEARN all you can about new homes; construction materials, methods, warranties and usability. Construction methods and materials are localized. If your clients are moving to a new area and you are referring them, let them know what to expect when they get there.

New homes are less maintenance. No one elses problems, warranties, up to date materials that are chosen for livablility. MOST new homes in my area use vinyl siding, vinyl windows & vinyl trim. Wood is not the best product for our area.

New homes offer great incentives to use the lender and closing agent, usually making the buyer more comfortable with less money out of pocket for them.

Competetion between builders makes pricing more attractive.

Options and floorplan are exactly what you wanted. Find the lot of your dreams and the neighborhood /area right where you want to be.

Appliances are new, under warranty and updated almost yearly. Builders buying power will normally reduce the prices that you can buy the appliances.

Appreciation is normally greater in new neighborhoods. Builders raise their prices on a regular basis as they are reevaluated on a regular basis and bid out.

New homes may not always be an option or even the best option for your client. The choice is their's!!

Feel free to contact me about any issues. Mary

Greenville Housing Fund Launches Homes for Teachers Initiative

Greenville, S.C. (September 4, 2008) - Greenville Housing Fund (GHF) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Homes for Teachers Initiative. This innovative financing program, made possible by a generous $250,000 grant over two years from the Community Foundation of Greenville, is designed to provide local teachers with the much needed down payment and closing costs which enables them to become first-time homebuyers.

Homes for Teachers targets first-time homebuyers by providing forgivable loans up to $5,000. The loans may be used for all or a portion of closing costs, for all or a portion of a down payment or to reduce the principal amount of a first mortgage. The loan is forgiven if certain conditions are met and the homebuyer remains in their home for more than a five-year period. In addition to benefiting individual teachers, this program is a key element in an overall effort to promote economic stability and growth in Greenville.

The Greenville County Schools (GCS), which hires more than 750 teachers each year, is pleased to partner with GHF to enable new teachers to become homebuyers. This program, in turn, will assist in GCS's overall recruitment and retention efforts by offering teachers financial assistance for establishing roots in Greenville.

Greenville Housing Fund

The Greenville Housing Fund (GHF) is a non-profit organization established in 2008 to provide for an increase in the availability of affordable housing in Greenville County. GHF offers a variety of assistance programs including: deferred payment loans; low- or no-interest amortizing loans; grants of forgivable loans; down payment and closing costs; owner-occupied rehabilitation loans; and emergency home repair. Major funding support for GHF includes contributions from public and private sources. The Greater Greenville Association of Realtors (GGAR) is a proud supporter of GHF.

Purpose

GHF will provide non amortizing subordinate mortgage loans to lower the purchase price of a home for qualified teachers in Greenville County on a first come, first ready basis. GHF will provide a 5 to 1 match up to $5,000 per homeowner. Applications are accepted and evaluated continually throughout the year. Funding is limited.

Eligible Sponsors

Applications for Homes for Teachers will be accepted from local employers, realtors, nonprofit developers, for profit developers, government entities, nonprofit/for profit developer partnerships, and current GHF lending partners.

Eligible Buyers

The buyer must

· Contact an eligible sponsor to apply to the program.

· Be a first time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the past three years.

· Meet the income requirements. Annual household income must not exceed 120% of the area median income.

· Complete a home buyer's education seminar acceptable to GHF.

· Secure a 30-year, fixed rate first mortgage.

Eligible Properties

· New and existing properties in Greenville County are eligible.

· Fee simple ownership is required.

· The home must be the buyer's principal residence. Rental property is not eligible.

Eligible Uses

· Loans may be up to $5,000 and are subject to homebuyer securing the maximum affordable first loan mortgage that the lender will allow

· Funds may be used when purchasing a home:

- for all or a portion of closing costs

- for all or a portion of a down payment

- to reduce the principal amount of a first mortgage

Terms

· Funds will be released to the closing attorney.

· GHF subsidy will be a 5-year non amortizing subordinate loan at 0% interest. The loan will be forgiven after 5 years if certain conditions of affordability are met.

· The GHF loan will be secured by a promissory note and a mortgage lien on the property.

Fees

· A $200 loan origination fee will be due at closing.

The Upstate is GREAT!!

WOW the Upstate of SC is a Great Place to live and work! New home sales are stong, resales are gaining equity eventhough they are selling a little bit slower. Most people come here and think we are the same as the rest of the nation...NOT. We have a unique market, strong and vibrant, neutral - not a buyer's market or seller's market, equity growth and lots of people still moving in buying. THANKS to the people of the Greenville Metro area that had the forsight to bring big business here and change this from an industrial town to what we have today. I LOVE GREENVILLE!! Now is the time to buy a home because you cannot gain equity in the housing market without purchasing a home. Most very sucessful people have done so with REAL ESTATE. See you soon!!

This is from a link to a Website that I was Sent. I live in Greenville SC. In my opinion, Greenville SC is the BEST Place in the WORLD!! There are some people that feel that way and others that do not. That's ok, it's not for everyone! We have 4 seasons, a Great Climate, low taxes, cultural activites, streets that you can walk on and not be shot and so much more! If you have any interest in Greenville, SC - come visit!

Below is the link if you would like to see the whole site as the following is only a small portion of what they have to say.

"Relocate-America's^TM Top 100 in 2008

Welcome to Relocate America's 100 Top Places To Live! 2008 marks our tenth year compiling our list of the best places to live in the United States. This is the only list that is determined by statistics and feedback of the people who live, work & play in these communities. We're proud of our list of best places to live in 2008, and we're showing that by honoring each and every community listed here.

Throughout the calendar year, we accept nominations for cities & towns throughout the country to be considered as a "great place to live". The nominating parties must include their own reasons why they feel their city should make the list. The nominations, along with key data regarding education, employment, economy, crime, parks, recreation and housing are reviewed, rated & judged by our editorial team. Special consideration is taken on the Top 10 Cities as they are listed in a ranked order of America's Top 10 Places to Live."

http://top100.relocate-america.com/

Look me up if you are coming here!! thanks, Mary