Tips For Effective Home Staging

Here is a great video filled with tips on home staging from Cathy Hobbs of Metro Residential. Check out Metro Residential every Sunday morning at 11am on Channel 11.

more about "Tips For Effective Home Staging ", posted with vodpod

 

What Is Motivating Homebuyers To Purchase?

What is motivating prospective homebuyers to come off of the fence and purchase real estate in these current market conditions?  Is it the favorable interest rates, is it the newly extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit?  Well according to a recent article by Luke Mullins of U.S. News & World Report the 2009 profile of homebuyers and sellers by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the tax credit was the fourth leading reason why first time homebuyers made their purchase.  The aspiration to own their own home was the number one reason at 62%, followed by the current affordability of homes at 10% and lastly at 8% it was a change in family situation. 

Based on these statistics it seems that homebuyer motivation is the major indicator that has spurred the latest increase in real estate sales.  At the end of the day it is a mixture of things that motivates buyers to purchase.  It is the Feds program to keep mortgage rates low, it is the homebuyer tax credit to help generate some form of savings for purchasers and it is the current market conditions making properties more affordable today than they were a year ago. 

Click here to view the updated First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. 

 

Congress Extends and Expands Homebuyer Tax Credit

Today is a great day for all homebuyer’s.  Both the House and the Senate have passed an extension and an expansion of the homebuyer’s tax credit, something that many realtor associations across the nation have advocated for.  President Obama is expected to sign the bill Friday, November 6, 2009.  Some key provisions of the bill are as follows:

1. A tax credit of up to $8,000 is extended for first-home buyers who are in contract to purchase a home by May 1, 2010 and close by July 1. 
2. A tax credit is also available to homebuyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years of up to $6,500.
3. The credit is available for the purchase of principal residences costing up to $800,000 (the prior tax credit did not set a limit on housing price).
4. Income limits for claiming the credit are raised to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples.

With the extension and expansion of this homebuyer tax credit it is a great time to purchase real estate.  Get out there and work with your local real estate professional and see what is available.  Tour the different unique neighborhoods that this great city has to offer and uncover and claim your very own piece of the American dream.  I hope to see you out there.        

 

The Extending and Expanding of the Homebuyer Tax Credit – Almost There

The extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit is the pending business in the Senate.  After a long week of negotiation on the credit, an agreement on the scope of both expansion and extension has been reached.  The extension is part of a larger bill that has not yet gone to a vote, however.  A Senate vote on the underlying bill will occur in the Senate during the week of November 1.  The package will then go back to the House.  The house is expected to accept the Senate amendments, vote on the package and send it to the President for signature.  The underlying bill is an extension of unemployment benefits.  Other provisions in the bill include expansion of the net operating loss carryback rules, new requirements for some tax return preparers and noncontroversial provisions that “pay for” these changes.  The agreement on the extension and expansion of the credit is as follows:   

• Credit available for purchases before May 1, 2010.  Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction. 
• Credit remains at $8,000 for first-time purchasers.  No change to definition of first-time purchaser.
• New $6500 tax credit for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010.  Repeat buyers must have lived in their homes consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. 
• Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.  Current law $20,000 phase-out retained.
• New anti-fraud limitations are imposed.

The White House has indicated that President Obama will sign the legislation. 

 

First-Time Homebuyer Credit Provides Tax Benefits to 1.4 Million Families to Date

 

As you may or may not know the first time homebuyer tax credit will come to an end December 1, 2009.  The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the IR–2009–083 reporting that 1.4 million taxpayers have filed or amended their 2008 income tax returns claiming the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.  Click here to read a great informative article about program and you will also find helpful links to videos and other resources that describe the program in greater detail.  If you are a first-time home buyer now is the time to act.  In order to take advantage of the program you must close on your property before the December 1st expiration date.   

 

FHA Loans Hit Record Numbers for the Month of June

The Federal Housing Administration guaranteed nearly 186,000 mortgages in the month of June up from their previous record high of 157,000 in October.  FHA loans are pretty much the only mortgages in the marketplace that allows you to put down a very low down payment.  This is the highest number of loans endorsed by the FHA in it’s 75 year history.  For those of you who could qualify for a FHA Loan now is a good time to take a hard look at your purchasing power and begin prospecting some of the great deals out in the marketplace.  Click here to read the Wall Street Journal article about the Federal Housing Administration’s recent accomplishment and here to learn more about FHA Loans.  

 

2nd Qtr Brooklyn and Queens Real Estate Market Reports

It is very important in these current economic times to have the most up to date and timely information as possible.  This information will allow you to make better decisions that can save you valuable time and resources.  Here are links to the 2nd quarter Brooklyn and Queens real estate market reports produced by Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate with Appraisal firm Miller Samuel.  Brooklyn and Queens. Enjoy

 

Are You Renting?

 

Amid a weakening New York City real estate market renters are gaining an upper hand as market rate rental prices steadily decrease.  Landlords across the board can no longer turn a deaf ear to the current economic environment and are forced to make the necessary adjustments to remain competitive in this volatile marketplace.  Landlords are reducing rents and providing incentives that would have not been considered in recent years past.  With that being said there is realistic opportunities for the fiscally savvy renter.  If you are renting or thinking of renting a residential property in New York City well I have some valuable information for you.  The New York State Attorney General’s office has put together a very informative booklet to help all tenants and prospective tenants know their rights.  This booklet can be used as a trusty reference tool.   The guide can be found online here in pdf format:  Tenants Rights Guide or you can also order your own hard copy of the booklet from the site as well.  

 

Welcome

Welcome to Ryan’s New York Real Estate Blog.  My name is Ryan Roberts and I am a licensed real estate salesperson helping consumers buy and sell real estate throughout the New York tri state area.  I have lived in New York all of my life and I sincerely appreciate the diverse beauty of this great city.  This blog is meant to provide a glimpse of the real estate industry from an interesting perspective, from the inside out.  It is meant to share ideas and provide helpful, insightful information to everyone involved.  If you see something that peeks your interest comment on it and share your point of view.  Your point of view my might assist someone in making an important decision.  Above all, this blog is about you.  Comment on things you might like to see, ask questions about things you don’t see and I will do my best to uncover it for you.  Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to getting to know you and be of service to you.