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Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

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It Passed! Update on the Extended & Expanded Homebuyer Tax Credit

11-06-09
Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Did you hear it? That big woosh of air was all of those buyers, sellers, REALTORS, loan officers and title representatives that had a purchase agreement with a November 30, 2009 closing date breathing out a collective sigh of relief. An extension for the tax credit for first time homebuyers was approved by both the house and senate and is scheduled to be signed by the president today. Professionals in the industry were worried about the potential bottleneck of all the closings trying to happen before the original deadline because we all know, S*** Happens on the way to the closing table from time to time. (Yep that stands for STUF…wink, wink!) Most closings will go off without a hitch but occasionally there can be delayed a day or so. However, not closing on time could have cost some first time buyers big bucks had the extension not passed.

And, as many buyers, sellers and real estate professionals had hoped, the Homebuyer Tax Credit was not only extended but expanded to include homebuyers who have owned homes in the past. Specifically someone who has owned a home and lived in it for five consecutive years of the last eight, you could qualify for the up to a $6500 tax credit. There are guidelines and limitations so understanding the program is essential. Here are a few key details of the plan:

  1. First time buyers qualify for up to $8000.
  2. Current Homeowners qualify for up to $6500.
  3. Purchase agreements must be written by April 30, 2010.
  4. Closing must be finalized by July 1, 2010.
  5. Income Limits are $125,000 for a single person or $225,000 for married couples.
  6. Home must not cost more than $800,000

For additional details the NAR has two pdf links to additional information on their website:

NAR Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

NAR Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on the Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes

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Wordless Wednesday--The Beauty of Fall in Anoka County Minnesota

11-04-09
Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Maple leaf by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Fall and all of it's beautiful colors are all but a memory in Anoka County and the north and east Twin Cities metro area. While we have a few reminders as we rake, blow and mulch leaves off of our lawns, it won't be long until we are covered with that winter white stuff. Enjoy the beauty of fall while we can!

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Pohlad Grant Now FHA Approved but Deadline is Looming!

11-04-09
Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

The deadline is looming! Not just for the tax credit for first time homebuyer. Anyone interested in buying a home in the 55106 Dayton’s Bluff area, needs to pay attention to the December 31st deadline for this program too! It’s been a few weeks since I had checked the Dayton’s Bluff website for information on the Pohlad Homebuyer Assistance Incentive Program. This is the program that caused so much excitement for buyer’s in the 55106 zip code earlier this year. But this morning when I clicked over I got a very pleasant surprise! The funds are now approved for FHA financing! If you haven’t heard about it yet, this is a great program for homebuyers looking to buy in St. Paul’s 55106 zip code and available through the Pohlad Family Giving Foundation. However, they are not just giving away money here. The funds are distributed at the time of the purchase of the home as a forgivable loan. So it is not as simple as a homebuyer purchasing a house and walking in to the Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services of St. Paul to collect an $8000 check. That said, this is still an awesome opportunity if you want to live on the east side of St. Paul!

Here are some of the program's highlights:

*The funds up to $8000 are distributed in the form of a 7 year forgivable deferred loan.

*The loan will have an interest rate of 0%.

*Homebuyers must occupy the property as their principle residence for 7 years.

*Single family homes and duplexes purchases are eligible.

*The funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

*It is only available in the 55106 zip code in St. Paul or 55411 zip code in Minneapolis.

* The funds can be used for down payment and/or closing costs including prepaids.

*First time homebuyers will have to take an approved homebuyer education class.

*Successful, prior homeowners will not have to take a homebuyer class.

*Funds are available to both first time homebuyers and previous homeowners alike.

*There is no maximum household income for the program.

*All homes must close prior to December 31, 2009.

If you are a home buyer interested in buying a home in the Dayton’s Bluff area and want to take advantage of this program, you NEED to be working with a REALTOR® and loan officer that understand the details of how the funding will best work for you. Must of the application process is supplemented by information provided from the mortgage lender or loan officer. Be certain that the people you select to work with really understand how the program works so you don’t miss out on this opportunity. For a pdf document with specific program guidelines for the Pohlad Family Foundation Homebuyer Assistance Incentive Program, CLICK HERE.

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Speechless Sunday--LOLCat~Insert Cheezburger!

11-01-09
Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

LOL Cat Insert Cheeseburger by Teri Eckholm Realtor

While getting ready for vacation a few weeks ago, I tested out our new camera and datacard on our cat. Muffin once again does not want to have a photo taken and is frankly board with the whole process. He yawned just as I snapped the photo. According to my teens, there is an internet theme of lolcats and cheeseburgers so they assured me that "Insert Cheezburger" was the best title for this shot.

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October 2009 Twin Cities Real Estate Market Video Update—Not a Total Comeback but Still Moving Forward!

10-31-09
Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka County Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Althought it is the last day of October, there is still time to share this month's update from the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®.

The October Monthly Skinny points out that even in the cooler September temperatures, theTwin Cities real estate market was hotter than average for early fall. The Twin Cities area saw a 23.5% increase in pending sales in September 2009 as compared to September 2008. Many of these purchase agreements were for homes in the very affordable under $120,000 price range. No doubt due this surge in sales contracts were due to the soon to expire tax credit for first time home buyers. That credit has been such a boon to the lower priced homes that it has really worked down the amount of bank owned properties and there is considerably less inventory in that category going forward.

Short sale properties did not see nearly the same amount of action as there is often timeframe issues when placing an offer on a home that is in a short sale position. With the tax credit deadline looming few first time buyers want to take a chance on a short sale not closing prior to the November 30, 2009 expiration date of the credit as it stands today. Yes, the credit could be extended but it is obvious from the numbers that few buyers wanted to take that chance.

So how does this compare to the real estate market is that for single family homes in Anoka County, Ham Lake, Forest Lake and throughout the Twin Cities north metro? The north metro market has had a similar pattern to the rest of the metro area. We are still dealing with a stagnant townhomes and condo market and single family homes in the higher price points. In both of these catagories, there continues to be some amazing opportunities for buyers as compared to just a few years ago. Move up buyers and downsizers can benefit in this market if they own a home valued under $200,000, the price-point where most first time buyers are looking. Seniors who are down sizing from a reasonably sized/priced home can sell to first time buyers and obtain a condo at a steal of a price. Young families who have overgrown their starter home can move up to a larger home in the $250,000-$300,000 price range and have quite a selection to choose from.

Enjoy the video and remember that positive trends don't equate a comeback as there are still many challenges facing the Twin Cities real estate market. But we are moving forward.

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