Feeling Nosy about DC? MD? VA?

Ok, I know you're probably not planning on moving this very second, but here's this week's list of interesting-looking listings that have just come on the market. Mind you, they may not actually be my personal listings --- just intriguing properties I've come across this week.

Feeling nosy about the District of Columbia?
Feeling nosy about Virginia?
Feeling nosy about Maryland?

If you know someone who might be interested in this list, please forward it on to him or her. And if there's a listing that you're curious about yourself, just let me know ... and I'll show it to you ... just for the hell of it ... no obligation ... *I promise*. Really. (One of the perks of being the friend of a real estate agent ought to be that you get to freely snoop around other peoples' homes!)

Another Big Condo Auction in Rockville

It appears "The Fitz at Rockville Town Center" has decided to auction their final 40 unsold units. There is a great website which gives details on floor plans, minimum bids for specific units and more. Visit www.TheFitzatRockville.com for more information, you will need a password, just use the word "auction" if you don't want to register yourself. The auction is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th at 1 pm at the Bethesda Marriott and they have several times before then when you can get out and see the units and the complex for yourself. The Fitz is located at 501 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD, 20850.

If you are interested in my experiences with real estate auctions, please feel free to contact me at Michael@RealAstute.com.

Feeling Nosy about DC? MD? VA?

Ok, I know you're probably not planning on moving this very second, but here's this week's list of interesting-looking listings that have just come on the market. Mind you, they may not actually be my personal listings --- just intriguing properties I've come across this week.

Feeling nosy about the District of Columbia?
Feeling nosy about Virginia?
Feeling nosy about Maryland?

If you know someone who might be interested in this list, please forward it on to him or her. And if there's a listing that you're curious about yourself, just let me know ... and I'll show it to you ... just for the hell of it ... no obligation ... *I promise*. Really. (One of the perks of being the friend of a real estate agent ought to be that you get to freely snoop around other peoples' homes!)

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

As most of you have heard, a new stimulus bill was recently passed. Included in the bill was an $8,000 tax credit to first time home buyers who qualify. Read some specifics below (provided by NAR).

According to NAR, this new bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

To learn more about the differences between this years credit and last years, click here or on the image below to view the full size chart.





















As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me (Michael@RealAstute.com).

Feeling Nosy about DC? MD? VA?

Ok, I know you're probably not planning on moving this very second, but here's this week's list of interesting-looking listings that have just come on the market. Mind you, they may not actually be my personal listings --- just intriguing properties I've come across this week.

Feeling nosy about the District of Columbia?
Feeling nosy about Virginia?
Feeling nosy about Maryland?

If you know someone who might be interested in this list, please forward it on to him or her. And if there's a listing that you're curious about yourself, just let me know ... and I'll show it to you ... just for the hell of it ... no obligation ... *I promise*. Really. (One of the perks of being the friend of a real estate agent ought to be that you get to freely snoop around other peoples' homes!)

Changes to Home Buyer Tax Credit in Final Stimulus Bill

It appears a deal has been reached on the Stimulus Bill. While the compromise does not go as far with the Home Buyer Credit as the Senate Amendment, it is still a great opportunity for first time home buyers. Here are the details as we understand them to this point:

a. The tax credit does not have to be repaid.

b. The size of the credit is $7,500.

c. There will be income limits ($75,000 for an individual; $150,000 for a couple).

d. First-time home buyers only.

e. Tax credit expires in September 2009 (probably the 1st of September) and we are trying to confirm that it is retroactive to January 1, so people do not have to wait for the President to sign the bill to close.

So if you are sitting on the fence and thinking of becoming a first time buyer, this may be just the incentive you need! Let me know if you want to learn more about buying by contacting me at Michael@RealAstute.com.

Feeling Nosy about DC? MD? VA?

Ok, I know you're probably not planning on moving this very second, but here's this week's list of interesting-looking listings that have just come on the market. Mind you, they may not actually be my personal listings --- just intriguing properties I've come across this week.

Feeling nosy about the District of Columbia?
Feeling nosy about Virginia?
Feeling nosy about Maryland?

If you know someone who might be interested in this list, please forward it on to him or her. And if there's a listing that you're curious about yourself, just let me know ... and I'll show it to you ... just for the hell of it ... no obligation ... *I promise*. Really. (One of the perks of being the friend of a real estate agent ought to be that you get to freely snoop around other peoples' homes!)

Home Buyer Incentives to Expand with Stimulus

On Thursday the Senate passed an amendment to the stimulus package being debated in Congress that would greatly enhance the current Homebuyer Tax Credit.

Specifically, it would increase the credit to $15,000 and if the homeowner does not sell the house for the first two years of ownership there would be NO repayment.

I have a great chart which shows the current Homebuyer Tax Credit as well as the proposed changes, click HERE to see the chart.

Of course this is not law unless it is included in the final stimulus package signed by the President, so stay tuned!