There are 2 tax credits available:

1. The first time home buyers tax credit (which most do know about).  This is an $8,000 credit for a first time home buyer, the government definition of a first time home buyer is anyone who has not been an owner occupant for the last 3 years minimum.  So it pertains to anyone who was a previous homeowner who sold their home a minimum of 3 years ago and have rented for the past 3 or more years, and of course someone who has never purchased a home before.

2.  The repeat buyers tax credit of $6,500, this is the one that very few know about and certainly should as it pertains to 70% of American homeowners according to the National Govt.  This tax credit is made eligible to anyone who has been a homeowner for at least 5 out of the previous 8 years and decides to sell and move their primary residence.  It doesn't matter if you were to upgrade, downsize or move across the country, if you qualify you get the credit.

These 2 tax credits are very good and many are starting to realize them and take advantage of them, but there is a time limit attached.  For eligibility of either tax credit, one must be under binder/contract of the home they are purchasing by April 30th, 2010 and have closed on the property (or take possession of) by June 30th, 2010.

This is the primary info that you need to know about the government tax credits, please call or email with any further questions or if you are not sure you qualify for one of the programs.

The Holiday Ready house:

"The fire's blazing, the hors d'oeuvres tasty, the tree a-twinkle...but if your guests slip on a wet floor or shiver through dinner, no one will remember those lovely details. Use our cheat sheet to help make your home comfortable for everybody, from your baby niece to Great Uncle Harry."  See The Holiday Ready house.

We have all heard the pros and cons of buying now versus waiting. You have been consulted by the experts at your company by the water cooler and your family’s Thanksgiving table. The facts are:

1. INVENTORY is high.

2. INTEREST RATES are low

3. INCENTIVES are high. Government tax credits have resulted in a significant increase in buyer activity in late 2009. The extension of the same will push buyers off the fence as they begin to buy before April 30, 2010. This level of buyer will cause a domino effect of move-up buyers.

4. PRICES are low.

The combination of these four major factors results in an environment that is absolutely ideal for real estate buyers.

Remember, real estate has led us out of the last two significant economic downturns (the S&L crisis and post 9/11/01).

When you are ready to discuss prudent buying strategies, contact me at (203) 520-0355 or Firda@sbcglobal.net

Sales - Trumbull Sales in October were 40. This is down 13.0% from 46 in October of 2008. Sales/list price ratio in October moved up to 94.4% from 90.7% in September. Prices Median price in October was $494,500. This is down 10.7% from $554,000 in October of 2008 in Trumbull. Average sale price (most recent 3 months) is $722,573, down moderately from $795,965 in 2008 in Fairfield County. Inventory Inventory is 564, up moderately from 496 in 2008. New listings of 101 in October were way down from 131 in September but up considerably from 75 in October of 2008 in Trumbull. Market Time Days on market of 98 in October was up just slightly from 96 in September and up somewhat from 89 in October of 2008. Months of supply in October moved up to 15.8 from 15.3 in September in Trumbull.

courtesy of Raveis.com

Very important and powerful information when deciding to buy or sell real estate.

•  
  • the area code 475 will be added in the southwestern CT region (currently all 203)
  • the area code 959 will be added in the rest of Connecticut (currently all 860)

Phone numbers for these two new area codes will be interspersed with numbers in the existing area code in each region. Therefore, the same 7-digit phone number could exist locally in both the 203 and 475 area codes (i.e., your number might be 203-327-6666 and your next door neighbor could be 475-327-6666). As a result, everyone will need to change the way all local Connecticut calls are dialed.

Example of Dialing Local Calls in CT
Formerly: 846-7000
Now: 203-846-7000 (you do NOT need to dial a lead 1 for local calls)

AT&T is providing a transition period between now and November 8 during which a local call can be dialed using either 7-digits or 10-digits so that everyone can adjust to the new dialing procedures.

Remember to update any speed dials that you have on your phone devices (including cellular & faxes).

Don't let your shrubs and trees aid and embed thieves.  Trees should be trimmed so that their lower branches are a minimum of six feet off the ground.  This allows doors and windows to be visible to your neighbors and from the street.

If you have flower beds or shrubs near your windows, consider filling the beds with gravel.  Not only can this add a decorative touch to your garden but the noise made by stepping on the gravel is a good deterrent for intruders.  Burglars will target homes that can provide visual as well as auditory cover.  If trying to get in a window means stepping on noisy gravel, the burglar won't bother.

Plant thorny shrubs under windows.  The sharp thorns will keep intruders at bay, their mind set will be "why bother" and they will move on.

Be creative.  Protecting your home can be quite attractive.

Pending sales of previously owned U.S. homes raced to a two-year high in July, a real estate trade group said Tuesday, providing more evidence the housing market was on a steady recovery path.

The National Association of Realtors said its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed in July, rose 3.2 percent to 97.6, the highest level since June 2007, from 94.6 in June.

Pending home sales contracts have risen for a record six straight months.

Copyright 2009 Reuters

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I wanted to re-post this to get the word out.

In New England many people have oil heat, which means summer is the time to schedule the free system cleaning that most oil companies include with any paid service contract.  It's also likely that you might be thinking about having your chimney cleaned to get your home ready for the heating season ahead. 

The CT Better Business Bureau recently issued a warning to alert consumers about many unlicensed companies trying to scam people by advertising a low cost cleaning, which then results in a recommendation for costly, unnecessary repairs. Click this link for the full warning from the better business bureau.  http://ct.bbb.org/article/connecticut-better-business-bureau-warns-consumers-about-chimney-cleaning-con-game-11653

Always check the reputation of a chimney cleaner at www.ct.bbb.org before hiring them for work.  Many oil companies are starting to offer this service as well.  If you're happy with your current provider, it's worth inquiring about having them do it for you. 

 "Louisville, Colo. topped the list, with its mix of affordable housing, low taxes, historic downtown and proximity to the recreational resorts that dot the Rocky Mountains. Tolland, at #27, was the highest ranked town in Connecticut. Somers (55), Simsbury (57), Cheshire (72), and East Lyme (75) also made the list. Connecticut, with six towns ranked in the Top 100, shared top honors with Massachusetts, Ohio and Texas."

For additional information call 1-800-898-6355 ext. 105 for 24 hour pre-recorded information or contact me for a private showing.

www.80Ironwood.com

For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                                  For Further Information Contact:

                                                                                                                                                                Dan Firda

                                                                                                                                                                (203) 520-0355

Home Buyers Get Money-Making Advice At Free Community Workshop

Anyone contemplating buying a home soon should attend a free workshop offering unique advice for saving money and finding the right home at the right price.  The 45 minute presentation by Dan Firda, a locally recognized educator and consumer advocate will be held on June 30, 2009 at 7:30P.M. in the Training & Education Center at 105 Technology Drive, Trumbull.

Firda will cover such topics as: how to buy more home than ever thought possible using a little-known home search and financing techniques, how to unlock the secrets for buying foreclosures, government, and bank-owned homes, how to avoid legal traps and negotiate the best deal possible, how to lower or even eliminate closing costs, and much more.   He even shows how renters can own a home for less than rent, even with “marginal” credit.

Firda volunteers his time 2 days a month for these workshops and insists” unlike most workshops offered by professionals, there’s no selling allowed here.  I want people to feel comfortable and to leave with valuable knowledge and tools,” he says.  For anyone who cannot make the workshop, Firda also offers a Free Home Buyers Guide showing helpful tips for finding, buying and financing your next home.  To register for the workshop or get a free Home Buyers Guide you can call 1-800-898-6355 ext. 4002  24 hours a day.

This home cannot be duplicated today at this price.

For more online information click the link below:

http://www.ctlistingexpert.com/property/30-Balsam-Circle-Shelton-Connecticut

For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                                        For Further Information Contact:

Dan Firda                                                                                                                                           (203) 520-0355

Free Home Seller Workshop Reveals A New Approach For Getting A Fast, Top Dollar Home Sale

Anyone thinking about putting their home on the market should attend a free workshop offering valuable advice for getting a fast, top dollar sale.  The 45 minute presentation by Dan Firda, a locally recognized educator and consumer advocate will be held on June 18, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. in the Training & Education Center at 105 Technology Drive, Trumbull.

Firda will cover such topics as: How to pick the best “timing” to sell your home when the market wants to buy, techniques for attracting a flood of qualified buyers to your home, 44 ways to “dress” your home for a top dollar sale, how to reduce sales and closing expenses, how to sell your home, even without an agent, and realize maximum profits, how to minimize legal risks and liabilities…and more.  The workshops fill up quick, and space is limited, first come first serve.

Firda volunteers his time 2 days a month for these workshops and insists” unlike most workshops offered by professionals, there’s no selling allowed here.  I want people to feel comfortable and to leave with valuable knowledge and tools,” he says.  For anyone who cannot make the workshop, Firda also offers a Free Home Sellers Guide showing helpful tips for getting the most money the market will pay for your home.  To register for the workshop or get a free Home Sellers Guide you can call 1-800-898-6355 ext. 4001  24 hours a day.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pending-home-sales-rebound-in-cnnm-15412067.html?.v=2

For those looking to upgrade their home, now is probably the best time in the history of the U.S. real estate market to do it.  I am giving a workshop on the subject on June 18th @ 7:00 p.m. in the Learning & Education Center at 105 Technology Drive, Trumbull.  Call 1-800-898-6355 ext. 4001 24 hours a day to reserve your spot.

The bedroom is a personal space for the buyer.  Creating a great bedroom isn't just about the furniture, but it's about turning an ordinary bedroom into a place that will comfort a buyer to escape from the rest of the world.  So spend a little time and energy to really look at the bedroom from a buyer's eye and your house will sell faster.”