Spring Market - Tax Credit

As spring approaches, the federal tax credit enacted by Congress will expire unless Congress decides to extend it one more time.  Overall, the housing market took a real hit in 2009 with values dropping in most cities.  The forecast for this year is also expected to be slow and steady.  The U.S. economy is trying to recover and the federal government is now working on a new job bill to help stimulate the economy.  As jobs return, so will consumer confidence, but don’t expect miracles or a surge in pricing. Expect interest rates to continue to remain low.

In Broome County, NY residential homes sales were down about 9% from the previous year.  For the last 4 years the market has declined in the number of homes sold despite being named one of the most affordable places to buy in the country.

We can all hope that homes values will continue hold their value, but there is no certainty.  It comes down to supply and demand, interest rates, consumer confidence, needs of buyers, etc..  So if you are planning to sell this year, get your home on the market early and see what the market brings.  Buyers on the other hand will have to choose from the  inventory available and should try to take advantage of the tax credits while they last.

The current economy has forced many residents to rethink their housing situation.  Many homeowners are choosing to downsize as taxes and utilities have skyrocketed.  Many empty nesters do not need as much home as they once did.  Where are you in the spectrum?  Upsizing or Downsizing? 

Today, we are seeing many homeowners in trouble as housing values have plummeted.  We are seeing smaller homes built with nicer amenities.  As lifestyles change, baby boomers will look for new alternatives.  How are you being affected? 

A Changing Economy 

Young folks are more mobile than ever and marrying later in life.  They are focusing on their careers.  Education carries a higher price. Many Americans now work two jobs without health benefits. The real question is how much debt can one acquire before feeling the pinch?  Smart investors live within their means and live a productive lifestyle.   What are your priorities and how do you want to live?  

Going Green and building smaller homes with nicer amenities will be the trend for most Americans.  Nothing remains static.  Observing the past and enjoying modern day conveniences changes our way of thinking.  What does the future hold for you?

Purchasing a home is not for everyone, but it can be rewarding if you find the right property.  Most buyers should consider their needs and determine what price range they can afford before making a purchase.  By completing our household budget you will be able to determine how much home you can afford. 

Selecting a home comes down to evaluating your needs.  How big is your family?  How many bedrooms, baths, garages do you need?  Where do you want to live?  In the country or city?  What school district, if any, is important to you?  What kind of maintenance is required?  What are the utility bills?   What features are you looking for?  How much yard?  Would a townhouse, ranch, 2story, or condo be the best for you?

Take time to think about what is important and what you can afford, then call an experienced Realtor to help you find the right property.  Sure you can view properties online, but you still need to verify taxes, negotiate and make sure all paperwork is handled properly. 

If you are looking for more information or how the current tax credit applies to you, contact us.

Looking to sell or buy?  Don’t make the mistake of hiring just any agent.  Hire a Top Producer!  We sold more homes in 2010 than just about any agent on the local board of Realtors.  How did we do it?  We provide professional service, charge affordable fees and we have over 20 years of experience.  Our state of the art website is also a big plus!

Top producing agents know what’s going on in the marketplace and they know how to handle all aspects of each transaction.  Your agent should know their job, be an expert, and be easy to reach.  Your agent should provide you with comparable sales, demonstrate their knowledge, be familiar with the necessary forms, and have a good website that displays your property in a favorable fashion. 

If selling, you will want your property listed on the MLS for extra marketing exposure- for that is where the real action is.  When you list with us you can save a lot of money with our discount MLS fees.  Our low overhead helps us control your marketing expense and gives you better service for less money. 

If you need help, give us a call, and we’ll listen to your needs and develop a plan to make buying or selling easier for you.  Buying or selling does not need to be difficult or expensive!  Let us show you how we can help streamline the process.  Call Eric Strong at 607-725-3742 or Caren Strong at 607-760-2110 and let us make 2010 a good year for you!

With the uncertainty of today’s real estate market, you should always look at cash flow!  Income minus expenses equals cash flow.  While some investors may be looking for market appreciation, you cannot always count on it.   Good locations and well maintained properties are more apt to appreciate, but you never know, so be sure to examine a property’s cash flow and take a careful look at deferred maintenance, rents and expenses to see if there is any room for improvement. 

With utilities and taxes generally going higher, you must make smart forecasts.  Look at unemployment rates and buy low, sell high or hold for cashflow.  How many people fail to follow this advice?  Believe me there are many who don’t and few can time the market cycle perfectly.  Everybody wants to be a millionaire but not all investors realize how complicated it can be when a market turns in the wrong direction.  Everything has some risk, but by limiting your risk you can reduce your headaches and save thousands of dollars.

If you need help selling or want to know how to invest wisely, give us a call and we will help you evaluate your project.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.    Reading the Bible gives us much insight of what we can expect from our Heavenly Father.   It gives us great comfort to know our Lord shall return and reign over earth.  We are to worship God daily.  Following God’s ways teaches us how to treat each other.

While many people suffer from depression, anger or some other kind of affliction, our belief in Christ can soothe us.  God has sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us.  Those who believe in Him shall receive His gifts.  If you want to be healed, come to the Lord and receive Him; He will heal you of all your pain.   It may be difficult for some to understand, but the Lord’s grace frees us of sin and allows us to enjoy and appreciate prescious life to its highest degree.  All suffering on earth cannot be fully eradicated until Christ’s return or second coming.  However, when we come to God, we can know His peace and joy.  His presence brings us peace.

One can study, World History, Natural History, but you should also study Biblical History.  The History of the Bible teaches us about how the earth was created and about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit.  It reveals much about Jesus’ ministry on earth, His death and resurrection, and foretells of His return.

So why do Christians celebrate Christmas?  Christmas marks the birth of Christ, the King of the Jewish people, the Prince of Peace, who taught the Jews about His Father, the eternal God.  Christ walked this earth over 2000 years ago, and in his sermons, he taught us how we should live.   His message is still popular and relevant today as we study the Bible.  Learn to love thy neighbor.

God promises us the return of His Son.  Leading up to that point we can expect much turmoil because the Bible says nations shall rise up against nations.  We need to be prepared.  As a new Christian, there is much more to learn, and one can do so by reading the Bible, both the old and new testaments.   It is a worthy read, especially if you want to understand  why you are here.   It is by God’s grace that we are forgiven for our sins and through confession and repentence that we can be Saved.  Jesus means, “He Saves.”  For more about the Gospel begin in the new testament with the reading of the book of John.  For more about the early Christian church, read the book of Acts. 

I pray that all mankind will come to accept Christ as their Savior, and that all of mankind will be restored.  That all corrupt governments shall be destroyed, so we can live on earth as in heaven.

Peace be with you!

Buying property?  Do you have the knowledge you need before you make a big decision?  Information is everywhere today, but how accurate is it?  Where are the projections?  What are the carrying and maintenance costs?   Are there any environmental concerns?  Will your return on investment be what you think?

Here’s the point:  Before you make any big decision in life, you need to know the facts and have asked the right questions.  Not all real estate agents are alike.  You need straight talk and that is what you will get when you hire us.  Be careful your agent isn’t looking just to earn a commission.  An agent should spend plenty of time getting to know you and your particular needs.

If you are planning to sell, the same is true, you need a skillful agent who can advise you well.  It’s more than just placing your home on the Internet, it is also about pricing, staging, patience, persistence and market conditions.  

If you’re looking for answers, choose your agent carefully.  Knowledge, wisdom and integrity go along way in business.  Find an agent you can trust, and make sure he or she is serving your interests and not their own.

Happy Holidays from us to you!

The real estate market has been sluggish and you should be able to find a good deal this winter!  Homesellers are just waiting for offers.  With the recession in full force, many homesellers are getting nervous about selling.  Afterall, carrying taxes, utilities, insurance and mortgage payments on a vacant property is not pleasant.

Find a Buyer agent and let him or her go to work for you.  Take advantage of the good interest rates and tax credits.  If you are in a position to do so, this may be one of the best times to buy in recent years.  

It you have a question, or need a buyer agent, contact us.

Have you ever prayed and heard a response from God?  Is it possible? You will never know until you receive His Holiness and try!  Some days we feel paticularly closer to God than on other days.  When we feel close to God, God often speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.  God leads us to Him and teaches us what He wants us to know.  He reveals something about His Greatness. 

If we need something, sometimes we just need to ask, “God what is it you are trying to teach us?”  If we hesitate long enough, we will always receive a response.  Believers know this to be true.  The response we receive is not what is always expected, but it is a response that we need to hear and pay close attention to.  

This morning I awoke from my sleep and asked myself, “What pleases God?”  I was led to the passage of Ezekiel, chapters 2 and 3.   I had expected to be led to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Matthew Chapters 5, 6 and 7, where Jesus taught his disciples about some important principles to live by.   

I thought for a minute, God wants us to be obedient and to help the needy.  He wants us to be kind and considerate to each other, and he wants us to be accountable to Him.    

But as I said, I was led to read the passage by the prophet Ezekiel whereby God sent Ezekiel to the house of Israel to do a difficult task; God asked Ezekiel to tell the house of Israel to not be rebellious to Him. 

Sometimes God asks us to do something that we may not like to do, but we need to remain obedient and have enough faith to follow His instructions.  Growing spiritually does not always come easy, but if we remain close to God and listen to His ways, we will be rewarded.  His way is the Truth and He knows what is best for all of us.  He is consistently trying to teach us lessons that we need to learn. 

We must digest the Word of God often, especially if we want to stay spiritually connected to Him. We must be consistent and faithful or we will be prone to fall from His Grace.  When we are not obedient to His authority, we often pay the consequences.  This is the message God shared with me, which I have chosen to share with you. 

Stay close to God, read and study His Word regularly, and may God’s Blessings be with you always.

For most of us, this winter will be different from years past.  Therefore, it is important to reflect on how good we have it in America as opposed to other people around the world.  We always should give thanks for what we have.

While our economy is not what it once was, many consumers are finding new ways to keep peace and joy in their hearts.  Years ago, our forefathers worked long hours and experienced shortages too.   Many of our parents had to go without gifts but were lucky if they had the basics such as food, shelter and clothing. 

Today, we all need to be more sensible with our spending and we need to appreciate what’s really important.  We need to dig a little deeper in our pockets to help others.   I hope this Holiday season will be joyful for you and hope that you will find the things that really make you happy.  That which matters most is our health, faith, friends and family. 

Find joy in each day and give a little to those who are less fortunate.

Holiday Blessings from all of us!