Feeling Nosy about DC? VA? MD?

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!)

Join us for an Open House – 1732 Girard Street NE

OPEN SUNDAY 2-4 pm

Listed at $325,000

Light and bright! Move right into this totally renovated and beautiful townhouse with a lovely view of the park. New everything! Recessed lighting, handsome hardwood floors, new high-end kitchen & bath including granite counters and tile floors. The finished basement is a haven with lots of light and a full bath. Large backyard. Block from library and close to METRO. Welcome home! See more at www.1732GirardStNE.com.

Feeling Nosy about DC? VA? MD?

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!)

Make Hyattsville Home!

The Hyattsville Mayor and City Council recently adopted a new stimulus program for new home purchases within the City of Hyattsville.

Eligible homeowners who purchase a home after October 1, 2009 may apply for a $1,000 payment. Homeowners must close on their property and receive their Prince George's County Tax ID number before applying.

Current funding is set at $20,000.

If you have recently purchased a home in the City of Hyattsville, please download the application by clicking HERE.

For more information, contact the City's Finance Department at 301/985-5000 or via email.

If you are interested in looking at homes in Hyattsville, the RealAstute.com Home Team is ready to help you. Just drop us a line at Hyattsville@RealAstute.com and our team will be happy to send you listings and assist you in the buying process!

Feeling Nosy about DC? VA? MD?

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!)

Join us for an Open House - Fort Dupont Street SE

OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 pm: 1507 Fort Dupont Street SE

Listed at $249,900

This beautiful renovation is back on market after the 1st buyer lost financing -- their loss is your gain! Light-filled 3 bed/1.5 bath semi-detached renovated head (new roof!) to toe (basement rec room). Open floor plan downstairs features open living room/dining room w/ recessed lights, beautiful moldings & gleaming hardwoods. Granite counters, stainless steel appliances, ceramic tile backsplash & floor in chef's kitchen. Lush landscaping & a 2 car off street parking in rear! See more at http://www.FortDupontHomes.com.

First Time Buyer Credit Extended!

The first time buyer credit has been extended - read the full article below!

President Obama Signs Extension of First Time Buyer Credit (From CNN.com)

Tax break for buying a home

The legislation also will extend the $8,000 homebuyer tax credit to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The controversial credit, which many say has boosted home sales in recent months, was set to expire after Nov. 30.

The bill also creates a $6,500 credit for those who buy a home after living in their current house at least five years. That measure will apply to contracts signed by April 30 and closed by June 30. The current credit defines a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a residence within the past three years.

The credit will be available only for the purchase of principal residences priced at $800,000 or less.

The bill will raise the adjusted gross income cap to $125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for joint filers. The amount of the credit currently begins to phase out for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers.

"It's gonna put people back to work, the home builders, put people in the real estate business," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn. "The kind of jobs that can make a difference."

The extension will cost $10.8 billion over 10 years, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.

Through mid-September, 1.4 million tax returns had qualified for the credit, according to the IRS. Some portion of those returns, which the IRS couldn't specify, represents buyers who took advantage of an earlier version of the tax credit, which was only worth $7,500 and has to be repaid over time.

By the end of November, the credit will have been used by 1.8 million homebuyers, at least 355,000 of whom would not have bought a house without the tax break, according to estimates by the National Association of Realtors.

"The data on the present home buyer tax credit show that the credit has had its intended impact -- sales have jumped in recent months to a projected 5.1 million for the year and housing inventory has been trimmed, thus stabilizing home prices noticeably," said Ron Phipps, the association's first vice president, in Senate testimony last month.

The credit, however, has also posed many problems. Critics say it's a waste of money because most of those claiming the credit would have bought homes anyway.

It's also been the target of fraud. Some 74,000 people claimed more than $500 million in credits even though they may not be first-time homeowners, according to Treasury officials. And more than 580 children, including some as young as 4-years-old, have claimed the credit.

"Some key controls were missing to prevent an individual from erroneously or fraudulently claiming the credit and receiving an erroneous refund of up to $8,000," said J. Russell George, Treasury inspector general for tax administration, before a House subcommittee last month.

Great news!