Pescatore Avrit Team

Welcome to The Pescatore/Avrit Team blog. After reading the Dallas Morning News report about the top picks for Buyers and Sellers in the DFW market, we felt that it would be exciting to share the results with you, the bloggee!

A new consumer curvey asked buyers and sellers to rank national residential sales companies and guess who came out on top?? Okay, Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker!!

J.D.Power measured customer satisfaction by asking about experiences with individual agents, the company's office, and additional services provided. They found that the agent is still the most important driver of overall satisfaction. (We coulda told you that!)

The research also showed that more than half of homebuyers are now first timers. The government tax incentives have been doing their job. That is encouraging news for the market and indicates that the market is returning to more normal activity, with fewer spectators.

Anyway, the survey used a 1000-point scale and heres how we faired:

Coldwell Banker 815

Keller Williams 801 (whoohoo!)

Re/max 784

Century 21 770

Prudential 753

Remember, if your in need of real estate services, Call us, the Pescatore/Avrit Team and we will provide you with stellar service!

The Pescatore/Avrit Team is excited to let you know about the changes to the Tax Credit! As many of you probably know, the government has decided to extend the Homebuyers Tax Credit! YAY! The dynamics of the new tax credit extension has changed somewhat. Here is what we know about it...call us if you have any questions...

1. The tax credit is is now available to move-up buyers as well as 1st time home buyers.

2. Now extended to homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.

3. Refundable tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers (must not have owned a home within the last three years)

4. Move-up buyers who have owned and lived in the same home for at least five of the last eight years are eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500

5. The maximum income to qualify for the tax credit has been increased to $225,000 for married couples filing a joint return and $125,000 for those who file single or head of household. Married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 or single / head of household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 are eligible to receive a partial tax credit. The credit is not available to taxpayers who earn more than these income limits.

6. For military homebuyers serving on qualified official extended duty service outside the U.S. for at least 90 days after December 31, 2008 and before May 1, 2010, the deadline for the tax credit is extended an additional year (through May 1, 2011)

7. To qualify for the tax credit, the purchase price must be less than $800,000. All homes qualify including newly constructed or re-sale and single family detached, townhomes or condominiums. However, the home must be used as the customers primary residence as second homes and investment properties do not qualify.

8. All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.

9.. The tax credit is a true credit and does not have to be re-paid unless thecustomer sells or stops using the home as their primary residence within 3 years after the purchase.

As you can see, this is great news!

Dallas ranks fifth among the top cities that are considered "recession-resistant" compared to many other cities in the United States.

Despite a global economic downturn, Texas paves the way alongside Oklahoma with several cities that are more likely to emerge from the economic downturn first according to a recent study by the Brookings Institution.

While the economy appears steady for Texas cities, the report does mention that even though Texas cities have managed to stay ahead of most hard hit recession cities, Texas based cities have not yet returned to a pre-recession state of employemnt or output.

TOP 10 Recession-Resistant cities:

1. San Antonio, TX

2. Oklahoma City, OK

3. Austin, TX

4. Houston, TX

5. Dallas, TX

6. McAllen, TX

7. Little Rock, AR

8. Baton Rouge, LA

9. Tulsa, OK

10. Omaha, NB

It is an encouraging report!! Keep in mind that our sales prices havent been hit nearly as hard as the rest of the country either. If your considering selling or buying a home, we would love to earn your business!!

Regards,

The Pescatore/Avrit Team

Do you know someone who has been thinking of buying their first home? How about someone who is ready to get back into home ownership after a three year period?

Jane and I have been working with a fabulous husband & wife lending team, David and Lisa Ann Lowe of W.R. Starkey. They're fantastic people and we've seen them work "miracles" for our clients. Recently we've had a buyer that needed to sell his house in order to buy with us. Lisa Ann and David took over a loan in the las minute in order to get his home sold and turned everything around in about 48 hours!

Here is some information from Lisa Ann about the new 90 Day Down Payment Assistance Program:

So if you, or someone you know, is looking to purchase a home have them give us a call to help them find it and David or Lisa Ann to finance it!

It's hard to believe that we're almost to the Fourth of July. Where oh where has the year gone?

On June 27thAllen will be one the first local city to celebrate our Nation's Birthday with it's all day spectacular Allen USA event. The festivities begin at noon on Saturday the 27th at Celebration Park, Allen's 106 acre community park. Since 1995 when Allen first started their largest event it's only grown larger and larger with an estimated 65,000 people attending the lively, fun event.

The best part of Allen USa, besides all the attractions, entertainment and the grand fireworks show, is that admission and parking are FREE! In our current economy, what's better than being able to enjoy an event like this for FREE?

With the expected crowds the City highly recommends using the free shuttle service from Allen High School to the event. If you want to park your car and walk to the event, you can park at Anderson Elementary or Story Elementary and walk to the event, although walking from Story will be a bit of a hike.

Gates Open at noon and the Kid Zone, Activity Zone and Food Court Vendors will open for business. Right now you can buy all inclusive wristbands for the Kid Zone inflatables and Kid Kraft Tent for just $20 at Joe Farmer Recreation Center or the Rodenbaugh Natatorium. If you purchase these wristbands on the day of the event it will cost you a little more, $25. or you could just pay for individual tickets at 50 cents apiece but most activities will cost you between 2-4 tickets.

Allen USA will provide two different stages for musical and entertainment acts throughout the day. On the Main stage you'll be able to listen to performances by Katrin, Cody Jinks, Shaylen and the Black Box Station, Moving Colors and the featured performers this year are Smashmouth on the main stage at 8:30.

At approxiametly 10pm the event will come to it's grand conclusion with a fantastic 30 minute fireworks show!

So if you're looking for free entertainment and a safe family friendly enviroment we highly suggest this great party. Our hats off to the City of Allen, the Parks and Rec department and all the sponsors who make this happen.