Shari Crisp

AS A CONSUMER IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR THROUGHOUT THE HOME BUYING OR SELLING PROCESS. BUT EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE FOOTING THE BILL, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND HOW REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE PAID.

DID YOU KNOW.....

• Sales associates are self-employed, and receive no salary or benefits. They get no paid vacation time, insurance, company cars or expense accounts from the firm they work with.
• Sales associates are only paid for results - if and when they successfully complete a property transaction.
• Most sales associates are paid the same whether a buyer purchases a home listed by their broker or another company broker.
• As independent contractors, sales associates have ongoing out-of-pocket expenses similar to those of any small business.

BUSINESS EXPENSES:

• Property Advertising
• Advertising and marketing of their services
• Marketing materials and direct mail
• For sale sign deposit
• Lock boxes, open house signs
• Total inventory marketing fee
• MLS access fees
• Computer hardware and software
• Long distance, cellular and/or paging service
• Postage and courier fees
• Business cards, stationery, office supplies
• Business insurance, self-employment tax
• Continuing education courses
• Personal assistant (salary, taxes)
• Fuel costs, maintenance and mileage on vehicles
• And, some pay monthly office rent

So when you consider a real estate agent to help you when buying or selling a house please understand that it costs them considerably to work with you whether they end up closing a transaction with you or not.

<p>AS A CONSUMER IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, YOU WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERIENCED REALTOR THROUGHOUT THE HOME BUYING OR SELLING PROCESS. BUT EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY NOT BE FOOTING THE BILL, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND HOW REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE PAID.</p>
<p>DID YOU KNOW.....</p>
<ul>
<li>Sales associates are self-employed, and receive no salary or benefits. They get no paid vacation time, insurance, company cars or expense accounts from the firm they work with.</li>
<li>Sales associates are only paid for results - if and when they successfully complete a property transaction.</li>
<li>Most sales associates are paid the same whether a buyer purchases a home listed by their broker or another company broker. </li>
<li>As independent contractors, sales associates have ongoing out-of-pocket expenses similar to those of any small business.</li>
</ul>
<p>BUSINESS EXPENSES:</p>
<ul>
<li>Property Advertising</li>
<li>Advertising and marketing of their services</li>
<li>Marketing materials and direct mail</li>
<li>For sale sign deposit</li>
<li>Lock boxes, open house signs</li>
<li>Total inventory marketing fee</li>
<li>MLS access fees</li>
<li>Computer hardware and software</li>
<li>Long distance, cellular and/or paging service</li>
<li>Postage and courier fees</li>
<li>Business cards, stationery, office supplies</li>
<li>Business insurance, self-employment tax</li>
<li>Continuing education courses</li>
<li>Personal assistant (salary, taxes)</li>
<li>Fuel costs, maintenance and mileage on vehicles</li>
<li>And, some pay monthly office rent</li>
</ul>
<p>So when you consider a real estate agent to help you when buying or selling a house please understand that it costs them considerably to work with you whether they end up closing a transaction with you or not.
</p>

THE NEW KENTUCKY HOUSING TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN CHANGED! NEW CHANGES ARE VERY EXCITING! IT'S TIME TO FIND THAT NEW HOME.

INCREASE TO $8000 FROM $7500 (10% OF PURCHASE PRICE UP TO $8000)

NO PAYBACK - WAS TO BE PAID BACK OVER 15 YRS

CLOSING by DECEMBER 1, 2009 (DEADLINE WAS JUNE 30, 2009)

NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL AT 859-229-5945 OR EMAIL SHARICRISP@RHR.COM

SHARI CRISP
RECTOR-HAYDEN, REALTORS

I just wanted to say I am glad I live in a community where it is still welcome to hear "Merry Christmas" during the shopping season. Our little community of over 35000 dosen't seem to mind when you smile and say Merry Christmas and there are still a lot of decorations and stores that promote the Christmas theme. I just cannot understand why it is so hard to just ignore it if you don't believe the reason we celebrate this time of year. After all CHRIST is the reason for the season.

If you don't want to celebrate by buying gifts, having family around you with all the trimmings, great food and festivities then why not volunteer at a shelter or visit elderly in the nursing home or something charitable while you get the day off work (usually paid I might add).

I for one love it when I go into a store and they tell me "Merry Christmas" as I am checking out!

So here it is from me to you

MERRY, MERRY, MERRY, BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

You have probably been hearing a lot about a $7500 tax credit for First-Time Home Buyers and if so would like to hear more. The tax credit is intended to provide a financial resource for home buyers the year they buy a home and to stimulate the housing market and our economy by increasing home sales.

Yes, it is true if you purchase a home between April 19, 2008 and June 30, 2009 you may qualify for up to $7500 that can be deducted from you tax liability. This is not a deduction but a credit. So if you owe $8000 in taxes you will be able to reduce that liability to $500.00. If you don't owe anything you may get back up to $7500 when you file your taxes.

To be eligible you must not have owned a home in the past 3 yrs (you can have owned a home prior to 3 yrs ago) and the home you purchase must be a primary residence. Be a US Citizen who files a tax return. Close on the home between April 9, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

The full credit is based on 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $75000. The limit is $7500 but if your home only costs $60000 then you would expect a credit of $6000. If your adjusted income is $75000 filing single or $150000 filing joint your credit would be up to $7500 but a partial credit is available for adjusted income up to $95000 and jointly $170,000.

There is a pay-back provision though. If you claim the credit you will be required to repay at $500 a year for 15 years but it is waived for the first 2 years. If you sell the home before the credit is paid back it will deducted from your profit. If there is insufficient profit from the sale the remaining credit would be forgiven.

This could be a great way to pay off some debts or pay down your principal. The payback is interest free!

It is still a buyers market so give me a call 859-229-5945 and let's get started searching for your new home.

Shari

Disclaimer: This is not intended to provide legal, financial, tax or accounting advice only information so please consult your professional in these areas for more details.