Susan McQuaide

The Ravenwood Community is conveniently located off Woodruff Rd near Five Forks.

• Craftsman Style Ranch & Two-Story Homes
• 3, 4, and 5 Bedroom Plans
• Swimming Pool with Cabana
• Convenient to Shopping & Dining
• Homes start in the $200's
• When complete there will be 124 homesites

Located just minutes from I-85, I-385, And Greenville/Spartanburg Airport, Ravenwood is surrounded by Beautiful Simpsonville. Ravenwood is designed for families who want the most of everyday living. Romantic, craftsman style ranch and two story home plans with covered front porches line sunny streets.

If you are interested in homes in this community, please call me for a tour.

According to Realty Times, pending sales are way up! It seems we may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. These new numbers should only improve as first time buyers may start to take advantage of the $7500 tax credit. I have been sending this information to every renter I can find, as I am sure most are not aware this is available to them. From the Realty Times:

On a national basis, the index jumped by 5.3 percent last month. But more importantly, it rose in every region of the country, suggesting that the turnaround underway is broad-based -- even if it's likely to proceed slowly and modestly in the months immediately ahead.

The index -- which measures signed sale contracts that haven't yet gone to closing -- is a leading indicator of home sales for the coming two to three months. You can bet on solid increases in sales in the South, where the index was up by 9.3 percent, and in the West, up by 4.6 percent. Pending sales in the Northeast states were up by 3.4 percent and in the Midwest by 1.3 percent.

First time home buyers! Now is the time to buy!

It means a lot if you are in the market to be a first time homebuyer -- up to a $7,500 tax credit if you purchase before July 1, 2009. And there's more good news. First time homebuyers is defined as, "a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase."

In order to receive the tax credit you must have purchased your home -- single-family detached, townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes, and houseboats -- between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. Purchase being the closing date.

You must also meet income requirements. But even if you are over the modified adjusted gross income level of $95,000 (single) or $170,000 (married), you may be able to receive partial tax credits.

And getting started with the tax credit program is simple. You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. That's it. It doesn't require any other confusing, fancy paperwork.

What's tricky about this Act -- its a tax credit, meaning that you must repay the government either over the next 15 years (no interest charged), or when you sell the home, if there were sufficient capital gains from the sale. It will be about $500 per year when you file your taxes.

MyPieceOfGreenville.com

Congratulations to the Simpsonville Stars who just won the Little League World Series!

Down to their last two outs, the Stars rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth inning and defeated the East 9-5 to win the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Ore.

Simpsonville, representing the South, completed play in the World Series with a 6-0 record after handing the East -- from Robbinsville, N.J. -- its first loss.

Way to go girls!

The Fountain Inn Farmers Market opened July 5 at the old train station depot, 102 Depot St., which the city plans to turn into the Fountain Inn History Museum and Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce.

The farmers market runs from 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays, and the city plans to retrofit an existing structure and add more stalls to make the market a permanent home in the city.

Fountain Inn signed a contract with DP3 Architects last week to design the Fountain Inn Commerce Park and Historical Center. The entire project could be put to bid in 90 days, said Eddie Case, city administrator.

I spoke to one of the vendor a few days ago and she said the place was packed! There is nothing like the fresh local fruits and veggies from a good farmers market! Make sure you check it out!