Homebuyer Tax Credit Has Added Benefits for Armed Service Members - 11/30/09 09:04 AM
Armed Service men and women are often hindered by hardships from full participation in the American Dream of homeownership because their duty disrupts them in the buying and selling of a home. In the past, traveling for active duty made it difficult for members of our armed forced to qualify for the tax credit without penalties.
Thankfully, two special provisions in the present tax credit law assist members of the military, intelligence, and foreign services in taking advantage of the homebuyer tax credit:
Armed services members, intelligence service members, and Foreign Service personnel who are on active duty and out of the … (2 comments)

The Real Reason You Should Sign A Buyer Representation Agreement - 11/28/09 09:06 AM
A great blog entry about Buyer Representation Agreements. These are becoming more and more common in the Rochester area. I've begun using them as a way of solidifying my relationship with my buyers!
Via Lindsay Walls - Oakville Ontario Realtor (RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage):

If you have spoken to a Realtor about buying a home, you should be familiar with the Buyer Representation Agreement. Like any contract, the Buyer Representation Agreement outlines commitments that your agent promises to make in exchange for commitments you promise to make. Under this Agreement, agents are committed to provide you with the following duties: … (1 comments)

Giving Thanks... For So Much! - 11/26/09 12:05 PM
With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I decided to take a moment and reflect on what I'm thankful for this year.
 
I'm thankful for having a job that I truly love and look forward to doing every day. Some people dread getting up and going in to work, and I know I'm blessed to do something I'm passionate about.
I'm thankful for my family and friends, who are always there to love and support me. I couldn't ask for better people in my life.
I'm thankful for my dog, Bear, who brings me happiness and companionship. I've had him for a year and a … (3 comments)

Are the Buyers "Snug in Their Beds" Yet This Holiday Season? Not in Rochester! - 11/16/09 07:46 PM
It's the week before Thanksgiving. It's the time of year when people start snuggling in for the holidays and stop thinking about buying or selling their homes until next spring... right?
WRONG! At least that's not my experience this November!
I'm sure the market in the Rochester area will slow down over the holidays, but it hasn't happened yet! My buyers are still actively searching for homes, and a surprising number of the listings I've called to show in the past week have accepted offers.
Plus, I held an open house at a townhouse in Penfield yesterday, and I had 17 parties through! … (0 comments)

Tips for Saving for a Down Payment for a Home - 11/12/09 06:53 PM
I wanted to share these fantastic ideas from Charity Shehtanian, a mortgage broker in Livermore, CA. Affording the down payment on a home can be easier than you think!
Via Charity Shehtanian (First Priority Financial):
Many renters may have the income to qualify for the payment on a home, but the tough issue is coming up with the money for the down payment.    And with the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit deadline only a few months away,  you may be looking for ways to save money faster.  Here are a few great suggestion to help you save that down payment faster.
1.   Find out how … (4 comments)

Sellers, Be Prepared for These Common Inspection Pitfalls! - 11/07/09 06:44 PM
When you've been in the real estate business a while, you get used to the issues that come up in home inspections. There are about a handful of problems I've heard mentioned over and over again. I've gotten so that I can predict them before the inspector even opens his or her mouth.
If you're planning to put your home on the market, knowing about common inspection issues can be a huge advantage. If you fix them before listing your home, it makes the home inspection process go more smoothly and lessens the probability that the buyer will get nervous and try to back out. It … (4 comments)

Silly Saturday: Get Out Your Sunblock! - 11/07/09 09:46 AM
I know we're expecting warmer weather in the Rochester area this weekend, but is there going to be a supernova I haven't heard about??

Time to get out your SPF 1,000 sunblock!!
… (6 comments)

Fixing Your Home with... Duct Tape?! - 11/02/09 07:50 PM
Have you ever seen the Red Green Show? If so, you know that duct tape is a wonderful invention. It has a multitude of uses when it comes to building and handywork.
On the Today Show last week, I even discovered that it's great for creating last-minute Halloween costumes!
Still, I couldn't help but shudder when I saw the latest use of the sticky wonder. This is what I saw in the basement of a home I was showing this evening:
 

 
That's right, there was duct tape holding the basement wall together!! There was a crack running across most of the foundation, … (7 comments)