Debbie DiFonzo - Lebanon, Marshfield, Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

This year, the Marshfield Missouri Realtors are joining forces - there is power in numbers!

Together we are forming the 2009 Marshfield Area Realtors Team!

We've hit the ground running and hope you'll join in our fundraising efforts.

Relay For Life Webster County will be held on June 19th - June 20th, 2009

There is No Finish Line...
Until We Find a Cure!

Until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of Donkey Basketball.

I know, I know, where have I been?

Putting together a post last week on free or nearly free activities in Lebanon Missouri, I realized Donkey Basketball was coming to Lebanon as a fundraising event. Donkey basketball? You mean real, live donkeys? people ride the donkeys? in the gym?

I had to see this!

I can assure you this was worth more than the $6 ticket price - joining the donkey's were students and business men and women from Lebanon. It was rather fun to see a few of our local bankers out there on the floor, trying to ride a donkey in the middle of a gym.

If you have the opportunity, donkey basketball is an inexpensive way to have a few laughs while raising money for a good cause.

If you're looking for a community fundraiser, this may be the one for you! There are a variety of companies out there, however, here in Lebanon MO they used Circle A Donkey Ball Company at Donkeyball.net

Photos and video by Debbie DiFonzo, United Country VIP Realty, Lebanon MO
Feb. 2009

Do you remember the Pep Rally?

It's been a long time since I've given any thought to the Pep Rallys we held in school. I don't remember grade school get togethers. I doubt we had any since my grade school split into at least three different high schools. But, I do remember my high school, Benet Academy, and the Friday pep rally.

I especially remember "We Are the Champions" by Queen pouring into the hallways from the loud speakers. To this day I do not know who allowed such a song to be played in our Catholic prep school hallways, but it is a vivid memory -- one I know I'll ever forget.

So why the trip down memory lane? Ezard Elementary in Conway Missouri held a pep rally this past Friday. Conway is a self contained campus - with all 12 grades on the same grounds. My daughter is in sixth grade and neither one of us remember having another pep rally. If she's had one in the past six years, she doesn't remember and neither do I.

This was Homecoming weekend and to celebrate the power of being a Conway Bear, the elementary school kids dressed in their best spirit wear, with prizes being awarded in each of the classrooms to the child showing the most spirit. Red, white and black hair was the norm on Friday. Hat, shirts, pants and shoes - all a sea of red, white and black. I'm confident every child had a bear or at least a bear print some where on their body!

At the actual rally, the varsity cheerleaders performed, the Sugar Bears danced, the high school girls basketball team stopped in as did the boys basketball team. Both coach's said a few words of wisdom and of course, invited everyone to the game.

Some of these kids may not have understood the power of being part of this Conway Team, but I know they all felt it - and I'm confident they will remember it.

The gym was alive and oh, so very, very loud!

It truly was a great day to be a Conway Bear!

If you're a First Time Homebuyer in Missouri - this post is for you!

Recently, there have been so many changes in First Time Homebuyer Tax Credits I know many of you must be confused - I know I have been. Between the political party's taking, the media blabbing and then the actual changes, what we have in force has been difficult to keep track of.

As of today, I think you're safe in following this summary for the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit of 2009:


1. A First Time Homebuyer is defined as someone who has not purchased a primary residence in the last three years.

2. The Federal First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit is now $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home.

3. This tax credit applies to people who purchase homes from the start of 2009 through the end of November 2009.

4. This is a tax credit which means just that -you get a credit.

5. This is not a reduction on tax liability.

6. The tax credit can be used for your tax liability - if you owe $5,000 in taxes, you can offset that with money from your $8,000 tax credit.

7. The credit applies to your principle residence. (house, townhouse, condo)

8. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their home within three years.

9.There are income guidelines! To receive the full credit, first time buyers who are single should have an income of $75,000 or less; couples $150,000 or less.

10. Missouri Tax Credit Loan Program - As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Missouri will assist you with your down payment and closing costs, up to 6% of the purchase price. Missouri is then paid back when you file for your Federal tax credit. There are many more details but this is an amazing opportunity!


Whew! Got all of that??

This may help --

The first I heard of this chart in a post written by Missy Caulk, a fellow Realtor from Ann Arbor, MI. The chart was created by the National Association of Realtors (www.realtor.org) and I think it does a great job of putting "it" all together.

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Contact Debbie DiFonzo, Broker, United Country VIP Realty to buy property in Lebanon, Conway, Marshfield, Buffalo, Bennett Springs and the surrounding areas. I specialize in country homes, hunting land, river front property, dairy farms, large acreage and commercial property in Southwest Missouri. 417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office phone or email: missouriagent@msn.com

Copyright © 2009 By Debbie DiFonzo, All Rights Reserved. Are you a First Time Homebuyer in South Central Missouri?

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Information subject to change without notice.

FREE and Low Cost Events in Lebanon Missouri

* The Lebanon High School Magnetic Theater Company Presents: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, show times are Saturday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m.

* Donkey Basketball will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Carr Gym at Lebanon High School. Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. All proceeds go to LHS After Prom 2009.

* LHS Project Grad will hold a Snowball Softball Tournament on Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Atchely Park in Lebanon MO. Entry fee is $100 per Team. For more information or to register your Team, contact Sam Judy at 417-532-9754 or 417-664-4710.

* Ladies’ Night Out, a FREE, educational and fun evening for women of all ages. February 19th, 2009 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon MO. More than 50 vendor booths, cooking demonstrations, free samples, give-aways, prizes and more!

* Informative luncheon at St. John's Hospital in Lebanon MO. Cost is $5.00 and includes a healthy lunch. Seating is limited; call to register 417-533-6009. Program begins at noon and will be held in the first floor conference room. This Wednesday, February 18th, 2009: "Get behind the scenes look at St. John's Hospital in Lebanon, the Sisters of Mercy and St. John's Health System"

* Missouri Division of Tourism in partnership with the Missouri Travel Council will present, "How to promote your business without spending a Nickel" on March 17th, 2009 from 9 am until 3 pm at the Ramada Oasis & Conference Center in Springfield MO. Continental breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m., with the workshop beginning at 9:30 a.m. Refreshments at breaks and lunch are provided. Space is limited! RSVP to Pat Amick, CMP, Executive Director of the Missouri Travel Council, at pat-amick@socket.net by February 27, 2009.

* SCORE is ready to assist Lebanon area small businesses in evaluating their 2008 results and make recommendations for 2009. As always, SCORE counseling is a free service. Want to set an appointment for a "free" business check-up? Call Tim Blake at 417-532-8251. SCORE will offer appointments on February 20 or 27th, March 6th or 13th at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce offices at 186 N. Adams in Lebanon MO. Remember, cost is FREE!

* The Laclede County Office of Emergency Management will be conducting their annual Weatherspotter Training, in conjunction with the National Weather Service – Springfield and Regional Radio KJEL on Monday, March 2^nd 2009 at 6:30 PM at the Laclede Electric Co-op Facility at 1400 East Route 66 in Lebanon, in the Community Room. This class is free, and registration is not required. The National Weather Service will be presenting the training, and there is no obligation to become a weatherspotter when the course is complete. The general public and anyone with an interest in severe weather are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact OEM at 417-532-6992.

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Debbie DiFonzo, e-PRO, GRI, SRS
United Country VIP Realty
417-532-2031 Lebanon MO office
417-468-5900 Marshfield MO office

Your South West Missouri Real Estate Voice

By Debbie DiFonzo. The information provided herein is obtained from multiple sources and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. "February Evenst in Lebanon Missouri - many free!"