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Michelle Bowman-MD Realtor-Kent Island ,Keller Williams-Pasadena, MD/Ft Meade

First Time Homebuyers - It's time to be stimulied!

From the Desk of Rich Shull.......................

The stage is set for the signing of the Stimulus Bill on Tuesday, February 17th 2009. Once President Obama puts his signature on it, money will start to fly everywhere (OK, maybe not everywhere)! Now for First Time Homebuyers, there's a significant piece of this stimulus bill that you should be well aware of and you should know how it works.

First Time Homebuyers will be able to claim $8000, or 10% of the home's value (whichever is less) on their 2008 or 2009 taxes.

To qualify for this credit, you must purchase between 01 January - 30 November 2009.

In addition, there are restrictions to how much income you make - $75,000 if you're single and $150,000 for couples.

There are many implications for this tax credit and I will be looking deeper into the credit in the following days.

Never forget that freedom is not free. There are many men and women who are sacrificing for us at this very moment. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, while others are recovering from injuries sustained fighting overseas. Here's one way you can help these heroes: http://www.anysoldier.com. Thank you to all the men and women at Fort Meade, The Naval Academy, Andrews Air Force Base, and everywhere around the globe for your patriotism and sacrifice.

Rich is a licensed assistant to Michelle Bowman of Keller Williams Realty in Severna Park, Maryland. To learn more about Michelle Bowman, including contact information, please visit her website at www.michellebowman.com.

Using the VA Home Loan Guaranty Program!

From the Desk of Rich Shull...........

In the January 2009 issue of VFW Magazine, there is an article called "Homes for the Brave" by Kelly Lanigan. The article deals with Veterans using their VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.

A very interesting fact that I read in this article is that in 2008, VA-backed loans were up 31% nationwide compared to 2007. Now the author credits this information was reported by the newspaper the Las Vegas Sun. Here's a quote from the VFW article:

"In 2007, about 135,000 veterans, service members, and surviving spouses received guaranteed loans valued at nearly $24 billion. As of October 24, 2008, some 180,000 home loans through VA were issued, valued at about $36 billion."

In addition to that information, the article states "90% of these loans were made without down payments."

This is very important information to take in. VA loans are still on the rise and over 90% of them were done with no down payment.

What does that mean? Using the VA benefit, if you're a qualifying service member, veteran, or surviving spouse makes sense in today's market!

Never forget that freedom is not free. There are many men and women who are sacrificing for us at this very moment. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, while others are recovering from injuries sustained fighting overseas. Here's one way you can help these heroes: http://www.anysoldier.com. Thank you to all the men and women at Fort Meade, The Naval Academy, Andrews Air Force Base, and everywhere around the globe for your patriotism and sacrifice.

Rich is a licensed assistant to Michelle Bowman of Keller Williams Realty in Severna Park, Maryland. To learn more about Michelle Bowman, including contact information, please visit her website at www.michellebowman.com.

Michelle's Favorites - Second Hand Rose

From the Desk of Michelle.............

We've often heard it said that people deserve a second chance. At Second Hand Rose, everything from books, to furniture, to clothing, to jewelry gets a second chance.

A consignment shop found on Kent Island, Second Hand Rose is owned and operated by Rose and her daughter Jessica.

You will find a wide variety of goods at great prices and in great condition. Second Hand Rose is not your typical consignment shop. It doesn't look like or gives the feel like your typical consignment shop. Just take a look around and you see what I mean.

With Christmas just around the corner, no shopping trip could be complete without a stop at Second Hand Rose on Kent Island.

Holiday Happenings on the Eastern Shore!

From the Desk of Rich Shull....................

Need help getting into the Holiday Spirit? The following events on the Eastern Shore are sure to get you in the Christmas mood:

December 6 - The Old Tyme Holiday Parade in historic downtown Easton features a parade of floats, horses, and much more. The decorations in town and in storefront windows will get your holiday spirits moving.

December 6 - The Heck With the Malls in Centerville offers hand-crafted, unique gifts from local artisans that include jewelry, mosaics, photography, fashion and home accessories, holiday ornaments, and much more.

December 6 - The Lighted Boat Parade at the jetty in Rock Hall.

December 12 - 14 - Christmas in St. Michaels. The weekend events include breakfast with Santa, a traditional holiday dinner, Santa's Wonderland for Children, Christmas Boutique and Bazaar, a Gingerbread House competition, and tours of local historic homes.

December 14 - The Dorchester County Holiday Candlelight Tour features decorated historic homes throughout communities within the county.

Let's not forget the men and women who will be serving overseas this holiday season. Thanks to Kelly Willey's blog, I found the following website, www.LetsSayThanks.com. All you have to do is go to the site to send a free thank you card to a service member serving in Iraq. You can choose to send one from the list or personalize it yourself.

Michelle's Favorites - Swan Cove Day Spa and Salon

From the Desk of Michelle.................

Swan Cove Day Spa and Salon, located in Stevensville, MD, is exactly where you want to go when you need to get away for a few hours and pamper yourself. Their motto says it all - Relax...Renew...Rejuvenate. This 3750 square foot facility offers a full range of services for hair, skin, nails, massage, makeup, and spray tanning.

How many out there are thinking right now how much they deserve to spend some time at the spa.......

No screaming children, no rush hour traffic, no angry customers, just peace and quiet.......

You're almost there now...........

Simply walk through the door and leave the world behind......

The friendly staff await to lead you to Shangri La....................

Have a seat in the waiting area as your professional prepares for your appointment(s)...........

You're whisked away to the back where you prepare for your full body massage. Delicately lite room with soothing natural sounds greet you as you slip under the blankets for what can only be described as 60 minutes of bliss!

Now you feel like jello as you move over to the pedicure station. The jets gently massage your feet as the soft hands of the pedicure professional carefully handle and caress your feet.

Time for a manicure....what color do you choose? You can't even think straight right now....life is sooooo good.

What's next? Facial? Shampoo and Hair Cut? Who knows but who cares...you're pampering yourself right now!

OK - the virtual tour has come to an end. What are you waiting for? Get over to Swan Cove Day Spa and Salon! (www.swancovespa.com or info@swancovespa.com).

Never forget that freedom is not free. There are many men and women who are sacrificing for us at this very moment. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice, while others are recovering from injuries sustained fighting overseas. Here's one way you can help these heroes: http://www.anysoldier.com. Thank you to all the men and women at Fort Meade, The Naval Academy, Andrews Air Force Base, and everywhere around the globe for your patriotism and sacrifice.