Carol Moson

WOW! Just came back from NAR and you can go to four sessions regarding the economy and hear four opinions. They range from doom and gloom to moderate decline to a second dip to a modest recovery. Here's what this agent blogger believes...

The extension of the $8000 tax credit for first time home-buyers and the expansion of the tax credit to current homeowners, with VERY few conditions, could be a tremendous opportunity for the market to recover, at least modestly. Current homeowners do not have to sell their present home to buy another one. They will receive the $6500 tax credit as long as they have been in their home for the last 5 of 8 years and the home they are purchasing will be the new primary residence. The only other restrictions are that the price of the newly purchased home must be under $800,000 and there are income limits up to $145,000 for single people and $245,000 for married couples. The home being purchased must also be in contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.

Okay, so think about this. What if someone could contract a home to begin construction now for completion by June, 2010, couldn't that help stimulate the new construction market again?

What if someone who has been thinking about selling and buying can rent their current home and still qualify for a loan on another one?

This IS a market of opportunity! You can either seek out the negative or look for the opportunity. Those that look for the opportunity WILL find it.

What will you do to take advantage of the current opportunities? See the link below for the complete IRS rules on the tax credit.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Carol

Did you know that according to many studies, the gens X and Y will be the dominant force in our market? No matter what your generation, think about understanding the others. The Internet has made the gap between generations more significant than in the past so embracing it may be something to think about for those of you that want to stay current in your business. Since all the Social Networking has caught fire, how we communicate has changed in leaps over a VERY short period of time.

What does this all really mean? It means that if you are working with our Seniors, don't be frustrated if they don't text or check email on a regular basis, if at all. This is not to say that Seniors do not use the Internet, many of them do. All I'm saying is to be able to make that shift. If you are a Boomer, you probably know how to use a lot of the networking and Internet resources but your younger clients expect things instantly because they have grown up with all the information in the world, literally, has been at there fingertips within seconds.

The study has been very interesting to me and I have learned volumes. There is a way to deal with everyone if you take a minute and try to understand where they are coming from but no doubt we are in a quick evolution in the world of communication.

If you haven't seen the YouTube Video "The New World Of Work" take the time to view it. Sums it up pretty well. Here is the link if you haven't seen it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oL6GTqvtYHM

What are your thoughts?

Carol

Carol Moson, CRS, ABR. e-Pro, GREEN, SRS, SFS, EAH Certified
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta
770-973-9700 x 289

Ask 10 people what Green means to them and you'll get at least 10 different answers. It's all about perspective and your willingness to make at least, minor changes. Being Green does not mean you have to make drastic changes in your lifestyle. A broad definition of Green would be to use less resources so we can leave more for the future. Look how easy it can be . Last week I taught the Green Designation course in Marietta and before we started we went around the room to answer the question, "Right now, today, what could you go home and do that would make a difference?" Not one person had to think too hard and here's what we came up with:

• Change out lightbulbs now, or as they blow out to the newer long lasting bulbs. Yes, they are more expensive but they last 4-8 years. Also they have started to make them look more like regular bulbs. Yes they have a very tiny amount of mercury - they are working on that as well. Overall, the energy saved and the loss of waste due to the longevity of the bulbs, more than compensate.
• Use less paper towels and more cloth rags. How many times have you thrown away an old T-shirt or an old towel? You can also buy a large quantity of white washcloths for a very low price in the bulk stores like Costco, Sams or BJ's. Wash them and re-use them. The waste from the laundry will be less than adding to the landfill
• Use paper and preferably glass when drinking . Buy a non-degradable plastic container for your water instead of taking plastic water bottles with you and throwing them away every day.
• Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth.
• Don't let the water run when washing dishes or just buzzing around the kitchen.
• Get a thermal jacket for your hot water heater.
• Lower your thermostat just one degree in the summer and raise it in the winter.
• Make sure the dishwasher is full before running.
• Use truly, organic cleaning products.

This came from 8 people in less than a minute and the only one with a cost is the thermal jacket for the hot water heater and maybe the rags. Really, will it seriously change your life to if you don't wastefully run water?

So you see, it's NOT hard to do just one or two things. If every one of us did just one or two things, imagine how the world will be impacted! You may not believe in Global Warming but there is hard evidence the ice caps are melting and I don't think it's the Polar Bears scraping them away.

What do you think? We'd love to have you share.

See some pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenhaven_home/

Carol

Carol Moson, CRS, ABR, e-Pro, GREEN, SRS, REALTOR®
Sales/Instructor/Trainer
Nationally Certified Instructor
EAH Certified
678-414-0760
carol@carolmoson.com

If you really stop and think about it Susan Boyle sent a shot that has been heard around the world! Something we all know, something we all pray about but something few of us follow through with in life. That message? - NEVER make judgement about anyone until you take a minute to get to know them. All the judges admitted that they expected her to be a joke or as Larry King politely put it - what came out is not what people expected to hear.

How many opportunities are missed because of the way someone looks? Are you guilty? Everyone loses.....

We should all applaud the courage that it took for Susan Boyle to audition for You've Got Talent in Scotland, if for no other reason than her age. It just so happens that an unsuspecting soul decided to "go for her dream" and this beautiful soul also happens to have the voice of an angel!

The lesson is for both sides. No matter what people think about you, if you have a dream and you know it's right you should go for it. It also shows us to at least say hello and look into someone's eyes (which shows their soul) before we judge and even then, we shouldn't judge.

Good luck Susan Boyle - no doubt you will be successful!

http://carolsworld.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/whatithink/

Thinking that the media is making us nuts!

If your head is spinning - join the club. Here we are selling houses and getting lots of calls from people itching to get in on this market and the media says "housing confidence is still low". Well the problem is much of the information that is coming out today is a result of surveys done last month - before the stimulus was rolled out!

Americans want GOOD NEWS! So America - here it is. Mortgage applications for purchases ( not refi's) are up. There are some narrow indicators in certain regions that suggest the bottom may be about here and aside from the up to $8000 federal tax credit to first time buyers, many states are introducing state tax credits for first time buyers and some have tax credits for all buyers. In addition, throughout the country, millions of dollars have been granted for the purchase and rehab of vacant, foreclosed properties so a first time buyer can move into a "ready to live in" home. These local programs may also involve down payment assistance and closing cost assistance - yes, I said down payment assistance.

Check your state and your area for funding programs that are available . Learn how to take those programs and bring them to the public!

Check out these links for more information:

Click here programs through HUD
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment/programs/rc/hera.cfm

(If you want the entire stimulus package:)http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf

Fox New has a good easy to understand article on the $8000 tax credit
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/time-home-buyer-tax-credit-available/

Bye the way....if you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, you are considered a first time buyer for the Federal tax credit of up to $8000!

Carol