Something for Buyers & Sellers

Autumn is a great time to buy


Great Time to Buy FloridaORLANDO, Fla. – Sept. 10, 2008 – This fall could be a particularly great time for first-time buyers or those who have been out of the market for at least three years to jump in, say a variety of real estate professionals.



Here are the reasons why:

• Property prices are probably as low as they are going to go as the market stabilizes, thanks to the government takeover of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

• Interest rates are likely to decline as Freddie and Fannie get government help.

• The Federal Housing Administration recently boosted its loan limits to $729,750 in expensive areas. It’s going to take some of that back on Jan. 1, 2009, when the loan limit shrinks to $625,500.

• The FHA allows down payments of as little as 3 percent, but that will rise to 3.5 percent as of Oct. 1. People scraping dollars together for a down payment should try to set their closing for the end of this month.

• The federal tax credit recently approved will shave $7,500 off a first-time buyer’s federal tax bill due April 15. Buyers who don’t owe tax will get the money as a refund. The government’s definition of a first-time buyer is anyone who hasn’t owned a home in the last three years.



Source: The Washington Post, Elizabeth Razzi (09/07/08)© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda



SET THE STAGE FOR A SALE



Simple fixes and staging practices can focus buyers' attention in the right places and keep them from getting sidetracked by personal items in the home. Here are some staging suggestions from Deborah Ehrlich-Layne of Tampa, Fla.-based Staging Plus, Handyman Matters, and HGTV's show, "The Stagers."



• Eliminate countertop clutter. A countertop covered with small appliances and utensils looks crowded, not spacious.•


Pack up the too-personal. Don't leave toiletries on the counter. Stash family photos.

• Be prepared for snoops. Prospective buyers pull open drawers, look in closets and peek behind the shower curtain.

• Make sure things work. Dripping faucets, burned-out light bulbs and squeaking hinges detract from the home's appeal.

• Think "white-glove clean." Mop, dust, vacuum, clean baseboards and wash windows. Make sure the house looks fresh and smells neutral.

• Make sure the front door is clean and the hardware polished. Power-wash walkways.

• Store furniture that makes rooms feel crowded.

• Show every room for the kind of room it is. Maybe you've turned your formal dining room into a home office. Get rid of the desk and computer, and bring back the dining table and chairs



.Source: The Dallas Morning News (09/05/2008)© Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda



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Rob Skeel

Realtor

Century 21 Prestige Realty Group

305-393-6300800-541-5019

http://www.robskeel.com/

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