Ray Zwart, CRS, ABR, SRES Lower Hudson Valley Real Estate

The stimulus package has now been signed into law and the tax credit for first time homebuyers will be a topic that everyone wants to know more about. Below are the new changes.

$8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit:

1. First time homebuyers only

2. NO longer has to be repaid

3. Tax credit is equal to 10% of purchase price up to max of $8,000.

4. Credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009

5. Single Tax payers with incomes up to $75,000 and Married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify

Please take time to visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com <http://mail.homefundingfinders.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/> for some immediate answers to frequently asked questions.

When you do your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to

this address.If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many

cards these wonderful special people who have sacrificed so much would get.

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier

c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center

6900 Georgia Avenue,NW

Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

"CATCH THE DREAM"

Does the price of a home seem out of reach for you or a client? There are several options available in todays market. As a renter you are already spending a pre determined amount for housing. Ever thought of some one assisting to pay your mortgage? One of the best opportunities for renters, is the purchase of a 2 family or multi- family home. You may qualify for the mortgage payment on a single family residence at a low price but the costs of taxes and insurance may exclude you. Why not consider a rental income property as an alternative solution. It would be your primary residence and in two years you can use the equity for your next home and pay no capital gains or keep it as an investment property and keep parlaying your equity into real estate investments.

JOIN US at "Catch the Dream" Buyer's Expo and attend a class on purchasing 2-4 family homes.

Join Us Sunday, May 4th 2008
10:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the
SUNY Orange Middletown Campus
for a Free Home Buyers Expo

2007 Quality of Life Report for Orange County

The Orange County Citizens Foundation published the first-ever Orange County Quality of Life Report in September 2007. This bi-annual report establishes and track community indicators that help determine where we are as a community, where we are going, and what areas need attention.

We hope the community - including policymakers, government officials, business leaders, and individuals - will use the information contained in this report as a baseline for future research and studies.

The information in the Quality of Life Report is organized into the following sections:

• Introduction
• Education
• Economy
• Environment
• Arts, Culture & Recreation
• Social Well-Being
• Public Safety
• Health
• Government
• Transportation
• Table index and Sponsors

As mentioned above, this report is the first for Orange County. As such, it is constantly developing. The Citizens Foundation will publish the printed report once every two years. However, the information on our website may be updated as new and updated information becomes available. Please check this website periodically for updates.

As a report that strives to outline quality of life for the entire community, we want input on content and design from everyone. Please contact us if you believe we are missing important information that could provide a more complete snapshot of quality of life in Orange County. We are open to suggestions and would like to include your voice whenever possible and appropriate. Click below to view the complete report.

MARCH MADNESS

The Riverside at Walden, a Beezer Home development is offering anyone in the Military or Veteran a great purchase opportunity March 14-22.There are 4 quick delivery homes available for move in, in 2 weeks up to 3 months. Prices start at $405,000. A buyer will receive $25,000 flex dollars and a FINISHED BASEMENT Rec room, or use the cost of finished basement towards design selections. Also, 1%( up to $5,000) of your base purchase price will go towards closing costs when using Countrywide as your lender. As a Veteran or in the Military you will be given an additional $2,000 toward design selections.

Call or e-mail me for more information or to set an appointment.

Raymond Zwart, CRS, ABR, SRES
Associate Broker, Buyers Agent
RJ Smith Realty
55 Main Street
Pine Bush, NY 12566
Office: 845-744-2095 x 201
Cell: 845-699-9378