I am constantly asked about the tax credit buyers get when they purchase real estate. There are actually two credits. One ennacted in 2008 which involves $7500 and one that kicks in for 2009 purchases of $8000.  The links below explain in more detail how each works. 

This Announcement contains several new and updated servicing policies, as itemized below:

 Delinquency Status Reporting to Begin at 30 Days Delinquent

As you all know, Congress finally passed a recovery plan to help boost our economy and help get us all out of the financial mess we are finding ourselves in.  This time, it has been big enough as to be very closely compared to what we experienced back in 1929 during the Great Depression.

The years that followed, between 1930 and 1933 marked the worst time in American economic history.  This is exactly what the concerted effort around the world has been trying to address - to help avoid making the same wrong mistakes of 1929 that could bring us to the next (or 2nd) Great Depression.

I for one favor some sort of recovery plan, with the idea that the corporate AND government ying-yangs that got us here don't see a dime of it and even face reprimands, prosecution or absolution as the case may be.

After all, this $700Billion Recovery Plan, which could very well end up costing a lot more than $1Trillion after the effects of our mismanagement creates ripples around the world which come back to us for a 1-2 punch to our economy, could still be a waking giant.

Unfortunately, it seems that Golden Parachutes were substituted by Camuflaged-chutes in the 110 page proposed plan, according to some comments I heard in the news today, prompting so many to vote against it (among other things).

It is no longer a secret that we are in a new market.  This 'Shift' is the essence of a new book titled Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, written by Gary Keller of Keller Williams Realty and co-authored by Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan.

These are the same individuals who wrote the best selling books The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor.  Two must read books for any real estate professional or investor.

The new book now in print, "is drawn from the experiences of hundreds of top performing agents and outlines the 12 tactics to surviving and thriving during a market shift." (Find out more by visiting http://www.millionairesystems.com/msys/index.html).

The 12 proven tactics you will learn about in this book are:

This sentiment is quite unfortunate.  I often hear people who are feeling the financial squeeze and emotional toll when faced with foreclosures, that they tell me they're ready to throw the towell and let the lender take the property. 

Their argument becomes one of desperation, stating that they no longer care if their credit gets worse - "after all...how worse can it get?" they say.

So, when you say you've decided to let it go in foreclosure, do you mean you intend to do nothing and just let it go?  Well, consider the following:

If you're defaulting on your mortgage, even if you have two or more loans, I believe (take it with a grain of salt - I don't know how the FICO algorithm will ultimately score this), stopping payments on both will not worsen the effects to your credit score more than the foreclosure will. 

Not only can a day impact your life, in our business, being with the right company can help make it even sweeter!

As a member of RAMB and Keller Williams Realty, I consider myself to be extremely lucky (though I feel luck is simply when preparation meets opportunity).  Keller Williams is so training intensive, it provides countless hours of video and other type of online training to their associates.

In addition, there are workshops called camps (like Camp 4.4.3 and Camp 36.12.3), that help newbie and seasoned Realtors take control of their business like no other company can.  Of course, KWs corporate culture is to offer all training with open doors to anyone from any Realty company with the intent of bettering our industry and sharpenning our agents in order to properly compete in this and any market.

I tend to attempt to paint a positive picture about our real estate situation that seems counterintuitive or even hype to some. 

My goal however, is to persuade buyers to get off the fence by bolsting about the positive strides we're making in our Miami real estate market, to ensure they take advantage of what is available NOW, but which will not last too much longer. 

Remember, we've been at this for arguably about 3 years and in my opinion, we may have 6 months to a year more to go, if that long at all.

You see, overall, and although inventories have continued to rise over the last 6 months, we have also seen a steady increase in the number of sold properties as well as those pending (under contract). 

I often receive information requests for advise on how to handle landlord-tenant matters.  Well, here's an article recently published in a newsletter I receive online from www.completelanlord.com.  Although short and that I have not used their services, I felt that the information was relevant and good. 

The only thing I changed are the hyperlinks which go to Wikipedia for a definition instead of to ordering the particular form online at their website.  Of course, you can click the above link and purchase the forms from them.

Though quite general, follow the next 10 steps as a guideline on how to prepare for homeownership.

1. Decide how much home you can afford. Generally, you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.  A mortgage professional can help you get pre-qualified.

2. Develop a wish list of what you’d like your home to have and a list of what you must have in your home. Then prioritize the features on your list.