St. Louis region ranked in top 10 best housing markets #stlnews - 03/29/10 07:44 AM
Our area is also a “best-bang-for-the-buck” and home prices edge up.It seems as though St. Louis has a lock on the good news department lately. Our region was selected for two Forbes.com lists and home prices are moving up. If you’re shopping for a house, St. Louis is one of the best markets, according to Forbes.com. The magazine recently released their list of Top 10 Best Housing Markets and St. Louis landed in the number eight slot. The list is based on the stability of each metro area as measured by affordability rankings and foreclosure rates as an indicator of a … (2 comments)

Down payment assistance makes home ownership easier - 03/24/10 11:01 AM
Homebuyers can take advantage of a variety of tax credits to choose the perfect home. An array of financial assistance for home purchase is available for qualified buyers in just about every income level. Of course there’s the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers, which expire on June 30, but potential buyers can also look for help with the down payment. Here’s a run down of what to expect: The city of St. Charles– The HOME St. Charles Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance Program helps low to moderate income purchasers to become homeowners. HOME St. … (0 comments)

MAR transfer tax on real estate sales - 03/12/10 12:34 PM
Say YesToSaveHomes.com and no to a transfer tax on real estate salesYet another tax on real estate transfers is double taxation. A petition drive to prohibit the tax would protect buyers and sellers from additional expense.With deficit budgets and declining revenues, legislators are looking for new sources of revenue and a transfer tax on real estate sales is potentially viable. The Missouri Association of REALTORS® (MAR) is working proactively to prohibit such a tax in Missouri by sponsoring a grassroots petition drive to place a state constitutional amendment on the November ballot prohibiting such a tax.A transfer tax is a tax … (0 comments)

Home staging is vital for quick sell, best price - 03/08/10 10:30 PM
Staging increases your chances of a quick sell, reduces the time on the market, and supports your asking price. Making your home alluring for potential buyers is a smart move in today’s real estate market. In fact, staging your home is now almost a must-do for a quick sell and the best price. The Internet has drastically changed how potential buyers initially shop for a home, and crisp, bright photos on a webpage are essential. Home staging can take many forms, from the homeowner staging for little or no money, to hiring a professional stager to using the virtual staging technique. … (0 comments)