30 year fixed 5.00% with a 5.181 apr....USDA 0 Down 5.5% rate with 5.692% apr....Fha 30 year 5.375% with a 5.519% apr

Great time for buyers to jump in the market with prices having fallen, great rates and the $8,000 tax credit which is available to those who haven't owned a home in the last three years or are first time homebuyers.

 

If you haven't owned a home in the last three years you are considered a first time home buyer. The $8,000 tax credit that the goverment is offering will only be available until November 30th of this year. Buyers need to get in there and buy now. Interest rates are at historical lows, prices are great and a tax credit to boot!

Income thresholds, $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers. After those limits the credit begins to phase out. If you bought a home this year and expect your income to be lower than next year's, it makes sense to file for the credit this year using a 2008 amended return.

Go for it!!

 

It's easiest to become a millionaire in Angola, where $10.54 converts to 1 million units of Kwanze currency. Please send me an email when you become a millionaire and I will find you the perfect home.

The market in Oregon is picking up, sales are up and listings are plentiful. 1st time home buyers need to get on the bandwagon and start using the $8,000 tax credit that the goverment has made available.

Did you know that George Washington is the only US president to be voted in unanimously?

Did you know that 84.4% of Nevada's land is owned by the federal government, more than any other state?

Did you know that half of all American's live within 50 miles of their birthplace? Give me a call and I can sell you that home!

 

The rules have now been changed for the 1st time homebuyer gift from the goverment. They will now allow FHA loans to accept it as a down payment or if the buyer would rather they can just get their $8,000 when filing their taxes or amend their tax return from last year and get a check for their credit now. It is certainly a great time to buy. Interest rates are low, tax credit available and prices are lower than they have been for awhile.

I am finding that affordable Condos are becoming harder to find all the time. The city has recently developed higher end units but we need more affordable Condo's. We have all kinds of buyers for them including retired people, single people and couples that just don't want yard and exterior maintenance. Many times buyers are leary of them and think that they are hard to sell but that is not the case here in Salem. It is becoming more common for people who live out of state to buy these Condos and live in them while they are in town. We do have a few available if anyone is interested!

Now is the time to start your gardening here in Oregon. Fortunately we shouldn't be having anymore freezing problems and plants can get a great start with our spring rains. Flowers can add so much to the curb appeal on yur home. If you are doing a vegetable garden make sure that your tomatoes are in the ground before Memorial Day weekend. There is nothing like a home grown tomato for flavor! Keep your lawn edged and mowed for appeal and pull any weeds.

I once sold a home for and to a gentleman named Graham. He was the most interesting client that I ever worked with and is to this day. Graham had been an executive for Union Carbide in his younger days and worked many years in India. Oh the stories that he told about his opulent life there that he shared with his family. Graham would always take me to lunch before we would go out looking at properties and always enjoyed a wine with his meal. One year we had an extreme amount of ice and snow but that didn't stop Graham from wanting to get out for lunch and then look at homes. After looking at one of the homes on that day, we shut the door and ice fell off of the gutter and hit Graham on the head. Thank goodness for the wine!! He was relaxed and it didn't bother him a bit. After he sold one home and purchased another we stayed on touch by meeting for lunch occassionally, Graham, myself and his wife Janie. I enjoyed many long phone conversations with him and he would drop articles by the office for me regarding real estate. Sadly Graham has passed away now but he was quite a guy and will forever by in my thoughts.

Did you know that there are home loans still available with no money down and the sellers can pay your closing costs? There are stipulations on all loans that are available in todays market but you would be surprised to find out what is available and how easy it still is to get into a home and make your dreams happen!

Call or email me today for more information.

I am optimistic for the housing market to turn around. For the last several months sales on existing housing has been up and now with the $8,000 tax credit in full swing I think things will really start moving forward. What a great forecast.

With all of the sunshine that we have been enjoying here in the valley and home prices being better than they have ever been I look forward to working with you in the future!!