Patricia DelaMotte

What an outstanding opportunity to buy a home! Congress has enacted legislation by providing a tax credit of up to $8,000 for any first time home buyer (a first time homebuyer is considered any buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to purchase). The home purchase must occur on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. This tax credit does not have to be repaid!! The tax credit is equal to 10% of the homes purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000. Wow!

Ever wonder what to do with used American Flags? Worn American flags that are no longer suitable for display can be dropped off at the Manahawkin Elks Lodge #2430, 520 Hilliard Blvd. between 12 noon and 8:00 p.m. each day. The Elks know how and will properly dispose of the flags. We thank them for this service.

Hello Fellow REALTORS! Just back from attending the State Convention in Atlantic City. I always enjoy this convention. It fires me up for the upcoming year. Can't rest on your laurels in this business. If you did well in 2008, congratulations, but 2008 is almost over and it's time to do it all again.

I enjoyed the networking, the convention floor and the giveaways (my shoulder is still sore from carrying those bags with all the goodies around!) and I'm already hearing from those vendors who attended.

I think they had some great classes this year. Took several technology classes with Amy Chorew. Thought she was excellent and I picked up a few pointers.

Thing about this convention is there were so many classes I wanted to attend, but because of conflicts with other classes and time constraints, could only fit so many in. But I thought the ones I did attend were great!

Anyone who attended, would like to hear your opinion.

"TODAY'S BUYER'S MARKET IS TOMORROW'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY"

Believe the above says it all. I'm working with lots of buyers who just won't commit to buy because they don't know if the market has bottomed out. Trouble is, when it is evident that the market has bottomed out, they have missed their opportunity, because the market will already be on an upswing! When have you seen a market that has good interest rates, plenty of inventory, and more than reasonable prices all together? This is prime time for those investors, second home buyers, first time home buyers, basically anyone who is in the market to buy a property. Getting them to commit, well that's another blog altogether!