Travis Evans

Trinity In-Home Care, a local United Way agency committed to various respite programs thorughout the community, is preparing to open a new facility...

Imagine Drop-In Childcare

Imagine's mission is to offer relief to parents by providing low-cost, arts-based childcare by the hour. Scholarships for services are available to low-income families. The facility is wonderfully crafted to stimulate creativity in kids while giving parents the break they need to recharge or just run a few unexpected errands.

An unashamed plug for my wife and all her staff there at Trinity...but this will be a great resource for Lawrence and a stepping stone for great things to come from Trinity.

For those of you who are parents, I'm including a coupon below for Imagine...I hope you'll take advantage of this bit of help in your daily grind as a parent.

Check out their website at www.imaginechildcare.com for more information!!

Take care!!

Travis

I've been keeping a close eye on the government as the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline nears. Many people have seemed fairly certain that it would be extended. It looks as though that is the case, though they are also expanding the credit to existing homeowners. Folks who have owned there home for more than 5 years may become eligible for a $6500 credit for buying a new home.

Check out this link to read the AP story...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_bi_ge/us_homebuyers_tax_credit

We'll keep an eye on things...could be a big boost to our market in the spring.

Take care!!

Travis

Times are tough for some, and while it may be a good time for some to buy a home...others are just trying to survive. If you're struggling to make ends meet, you're certainly not alone. There seems to be a hint of optimism in the nation, and maybe a little help is on the way.

Many are talking about low interest rates for home-buyers, but yesterday we got a nod from the President to look into refinancing. He announced a government website to help folks to see if they have any options to reduce their monthly mortgage payment.

The website is www.makinghomeaffordable.gov. It's a simple site, that can quickly help you determine if you may be eligible for a refinance or modification program to get you back on your feet. It only takes a minute and it may be well worth your time.

If you don't qualify for these programs, you could certainly check with your lender to see if it makes sense for you to refinance and take advantage of decade-low interest rates. I normally post things for prospective buyers and sellers, but I figure it's only fair to keep posted those who are digging in and staying put for awhile.

All the best!!

Travis

Everybody's talking about it, but do you fully understand it? Could you explain it to a friend or relative who may be eligible to save big bucks on their first home purchase? The current market conditions certainly favor buyers who don't need to sell anything first. For first time buyers, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit could well be the incentive they need to finally get moved into that home they've been dreaming about.

Let me preface this blog entry with this...one should always consult their accountant with tax matters. I'm not an accountant, I'm a Realtor. I hope you find this info helpful, but don't leave it at that and make a move that you haven't discussed with your accountant and fully understand.

With that said, I want to point out a few notable items on this updated tax credit.

-A First Time Home Buyer is anyone who has not owned a home in the 3 years prior to the purchase date

-The purchase must be for the primary residence and close between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009

-The credit does NOT require repayment in most cases

-The credit can be claimed on your 2008 or your 2009 tax return

For more info on this tax credit, I've included a few links below. If I can help you navigate info, answer questions, or help you find the perfect first home...give me a call!!

Chart Highlighting the Major Modifications to the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit>

Frequently Asked Questions>

NAR's Presentation: The 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Travis Evans

Whatever happened to small talk being centered on the weather? It seems like a new sheriff's in town on common conversation and it's the housing market. This isn't anything new at this point...it's been this way for nearly a year now. Many agents seem to think it's best to give people what they want to hear? The thing people most want to hear is that it's getting better. Is it?

Only time will tell. It's all about finding a bottom to bounce off of. Same as the stock market, and nearly every other market at this point. At the beginning of 2008, many people thought we had found the bottom...but the rest of the year left them a bit surprised to find otherwise. The end of 2008 left it hard to judge, with wintertime and the holidays generally being the slowest part of the year regardless of economy. The spring market is just about here with much anticipation.

Optimism tells us that we've had enough and that things will get better. Some local market statistics have suggested improvement...but it will likely be slow and steady. Things almost always take longer to fix than they did to break.

There are some things for home buyers to figure out in this new market. What does it take to borrow money? What are the details of the new tax credit for first-time buyers? When will prices hit the bottom where the best deals will be had? As these questions find answers, and nerves settle...the market will certainly recover. The truth is, regardless of conditions, people still need to move. Babies are born, layoffs happen, relationships end and promotions lead to relocations. A soft housing market doesn't influence those things.

Rather than making excuses and blaming the market, now is the time for Realtors to look ahead and work diligently with every ounce of expertise and integrity they have. People need guidance in these times...whether it's buying and selling a home or just needing advice on how to handle their investment in real estate. It's our job to be the expert and bring clarity to the market. Help people understand the things they can and can't control.

I intend to do exactly that. People don't want a flowery perspective of the market that is bloated and unrealistic. They want the truth from a professional that they can trust. I hope that this market, if nothing else, will produce a new generation of Realtors with that kind of attitude.

Travis Evans