We were extremely surprised when Joanna Krupa went home last week, as she and Derek had done so well in the past few weeks.
Tonight the three remaining couples are Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson, Mya and Dmitry Chaplin, and Kelly Osbourne and Louis Van Amstel. Hopefully Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne will be there to cheer on Kelly; I really home Marie Osmond will also be there as a support to Donny. It would be nice to see both of Mya's parents there also.
I think Mya will probably win, unless something goes terribly wrong. I really like her, however Donny and Kelly both have such cute personalities. After Joanna losing last week, being so very talented and getting such high scores, it's anyone's guess who will take home the trophy.
See you on the coach tonight at 8.
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew Awesome Tampa FL Real Estate Agent www.TampaHomeBuy.com Tampa Home Buy Realty 991-1355 office 624-3332 cell
TAMPA, Fla. - Nov. 17, 2009 - Real estate agent Ken Brownlee's phone stopped ringing last month once clients figured they would be unable to close before an $8,000 federal tax credit expired.
Most of his buyers were first-timers looking for a sweet deal on a short sale or foreclosed home.
"They all want to grab a deal," said Brownlee, an agent with Keller Williams.
Those buyers now have another chance since Congress extended the program earlier this month. Real estate agents say it could mean a boon for sales.
First-time buyers can get a credit up to $8,000 and other buyers are eligible for a credit of $6,500, as long as they've lived in their home for at least five years. Congress also expanded it to include some buyers who already own homes.
Business picked up immediately, Brownlee said.
"As soon as it passed, I started to get a lot more phone calls and website hits on my listings," he said. "This tax credit will likely carry us through the normally slow season."
That's good news for the Bay area's fragile housing market. As the area continues to see improvement in home sales, real estate agents say the tax credit is essential in selling off inventory. Home prices have plummeted and that has enticed buyers to act, but many are still on the sidelines.
Home sales in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area increased 20 percent in the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30. Experts credit the increase mainly to first-time buyers trying to take advantage of the tax credit.
There were 7,795 sales in the quarter, up from 6,502 during the same period a year ago, according to the Florida Association of Realtors. At the same time, the median sales price fell 17 percent to $140,400.
One reason is that so many people feel stuck in their homes. They want to take advantage of deep discounts, but they have to sell their existing home in order to move up. With nearly half of Tampa Bay's homeowners owing more than their home is worth, many can't afford to move.
That's why the tax credit will help, said Stephanie LeFew, a real estate agent with Tampa Home Buy Realty. She's had a number of clients decide to stay in their homes because they couldn't sell for enough to make a move worth it.
"For some people, the credit will be just enough of a boost," she said.
Mike Larson, an analyst with Weiss Research, said home sales would likely continue to improve, even without the tax credit. Even so, he expects the credit to lure more people into the market.
"The credit is the icing on the cake, not the cake itself," he said. "What's really leading to improvement is that homes are affordable again. If you throw an expanded credit into a market that already has good fundamentals, the market will respond."
To take advantage of the credit, a prospective buyer's home has to be under contract by April 30 and the deal must close by June 30.
When my husband and I were seriously dating we had visited a home where the mother had a regular school room set up in her home, I got very excited. I always wanted to have children and the thought of home schooling them really excited me. My husband agreed. We were married.
When our daughter was born I quit my regular full time job at a bank and came home to raise both of our children. Now that my income was gone, my husband and I wondered what would replace my income. We were living in our modest townhome and kept our expenses low.
The Lord led us into real estate. We began learning about shortsales and worked together in the field. I then took a class and got my real estate license in 2002. This year I took another real estate class and got my Real Estate Broker's license and started my own realty, Tampa Home Buy Realty.
Amongst all that we do, we have learned what works best for us in working in our children's learning which is so very important.
In the morning, I get the kids fed and start them off with their spelling, and then onward towards literature, history, science, math and Bible study. During the day if I have showings scheduled or need to talk with customers I do that in between their lessons. It all gets done, and done well.
I am really excited at how this year is going!
Have a wonderful day of learning!
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew Real Estate Sold in Tampa Bay Florida www.TampaHomeBuy.com Awesome Realtor, at your service :) 813-624-3332
President Obama signs into law -- Current homeowner tax credit:
An existing homeowner who purchases a home may now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500. To qualify, that owner must have owned and used the same residence as a principal residence for any consecutive five-year period in the previous eight years.
· This new tax credit is effective immediately. Eligible homebuyers do not have to wait until Dec. 1 to close in order to qualify.
· Personal income limits, maximum home value, and contract/closing deadlines are the same as those for first-time homebuyers - Here is what is what is in place for First time home buyers :income limits rise to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples; up from limits effective through Nov. 30 of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The tax credit phases out incrementally at each $20,000 increase in income. Effective immediately: The maximum home value purchased cannot exceed $800,000. Prior to the law being signed, first-time homebuyers had no limitation on a home's cost.
Long-time Florida homeowners who enjoy discounted property taxes resulting from the state's Save Our Homes amendment qualify for property tax portability.
Considering a move up? Call me about current real estate for sale in your favorite neighborhoods.
First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit of 2009 has been extended into 2010.
Most details for first-time homebuyers mirror the rules currently in existence. The maximum tax credit remains $8,000 ($4,000 for married individuals filing separately), and anyone who has not owned a home within three years is considered a "first-time buyer."
· A purchase must be under contract by April 30, 2010.
· A purchase under contract by April 30 must close no later than June 30, 2010.
· After Dec. 1, 2009, income limits rise to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples; up from limits effective through Nov. 30 of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The tax credit phases out incrementally at each $20,000 increase in income.
· Effective immediately: The maximum home value purchased cannot exceed $800,000. Prior to the law being signed, first-time homebuyers had no limitation on a home's cost.
This is wonderful news for those that needed a little extra time in getting ready to purchase a home.
With Tampa Real Estate prices so low, as well as very favorable mortgages with low interest rates, and the extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, all indications are that now is the best time to take advantage of the market conditions before home prices rise.
There are also 100% Financing Available in some large areas in Tampa Bay Florida. Other options are 97 1/2% FHA Financing, as well as 100% Financing on VA Loans. Your closing costs can be rolled into your loan or paid by the seller. It's a Win Win Win situation.
Please let me know if there is any way that I can assist you in finding a home of your very own so that you can personally attain Your Dream of Home Ownership.
Give me a call on my cell phone. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Real estate investors are moving back into the market, according to a recent survey --
12.1 percent of home buyers today plan to buy a home as an investment property, compared to 5.6 percent in March 2009. The survey found that 15.8 percent of those interested in investment property were men and 8.1 percent were women and 52.6 percent of the investment buyers were between ages 35 to 49.
Of the 25.3 percent of buyers who are focusing on foreclosure properties, 42 percent regard the purchase they are considering an investment and don't plan to live in the property themselves; 13.2 percent plan to rent out the property; 11.3 percent are going to fix up the property and resell it; and 17.4 percent plan to house a family member until the property can be sold profitably.
Of the 9.8 percent of buyers who say that they plan to purchase and live in a property in the next two years, 5.4 percent plan to purchase in the next 12 months; 48.3 percent are first-time buyers; 52.8 percent are women, and 44.1 percent are men.
Buyers of investment and personal property say they are motivated by these factors:
Prices are as low as they will go, 23.6 percent.
Foreclosure prices are a bargain, 18.7 percent.
Great selection of homes for sale in their target community, 21.2 percent.
Concerned interest rates will rise, 14.2 percent.
Interested in investing in the Tampa Bay Florida Real Estate? Call me so that I can let you know about the current mls listings of shortsales, bank owned homes or REOs, and new home builder inventory.
Our Services are FREE to buyers. Also Buyer Incentives are Available when you use Tampa Home Buy Realty when you purchase a home.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
813-624-3332 cellular
813-991-1355 office
Tampa Home Buy Realty
Tampa Realtors and Tampa Investment Properties from fixer uppers to Luxury Waterfront
Your options: Keep paying or try to change your loan's terms.
But some people wonder, what if I just stop paying the mortgage? It may be a tempting idea, but it quickly leads to trouble.
Here's what could happen if you don't pay the mortgage.
Credit bureau
If your payment does not arrive, your lender or servicer will report this late payment to the credit bureau by the first day of the next month. This will put a negative mark on your credit report and your credit score will drop.
The late payment report whacks your credit rating. Your credit score starts to drop, by up to 200 points, if this is your only late or missed payment.
Cards are closed, rates rise
In the next 30 days, you can expect your other creditors to notice the late mortgage payment and to take action. They can raise your interest rates, shut off your credit card entirely, or lower your credit limit. Auto insurance, student loans and other forms of credit are related to your credit score.
Tightening of credit lowers your Credit Score
Credit scores feed on themselves. If your credit card limits are lowered and you are carrying a balance, you are then using more of your available credit, something known as your utilization rate. When that goes up, it lowers your score some more.
The negative mark stays on your credit report for seven years. But the impact on your credit score lessens over time. The biggest impact is for the first two years.
Mortgage Company response
The phone will start ringing. Your lender will try to contact you, try to persuade you to go into a loan modification of some kind.
But after 90 days, you cannot just start making payments again. The lender may actually send your payment back, if you send it this late and have not been in contact.
What happens next? After a couple or more months of not paying your mortgage, you will likely be served with a foreclosure notice.
According to attorneys, if you don't respond within 20 days, then the lender, in the following 60 days, will ask a court to issue a judgment against you.
A county sale will be arranged 50 to 120 days after the judgment. Next, 120 days after the sale, the sheriff will be at the door. Ten days after that, you'll be thrown out of your home. (All time frames are approximate.) Many things to consider.
Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Realtor www.TampaHomeBuy.com 813-624-3332 Tampa Home Buy Realty
Here is some interesting information - Borrowers prefer short sales because Fannie Mae requires them to wait only two years to own another home or even less than that if they were not delinquent. By contrast, those who lost their homes to foreclosure have to wait five years.
Call me about Selling your Home by Shortsale please. Treating you with Dignity and getting the job done.
It is a very good idea to have things in order before making an offer. That includes having the financing firmed up and writing a clean offer - for example, asking for new oven racks as part of the deal could make you seem like a demanding buyer who will be annoying to deal with. The bank would much rather work with another buyer and will do so if the listing agent or the bank get a vibe that you will be a pain to deal with.
Most bank-owned properties are sold "as is." If there is something you want fixed, it's best to just factor that into the price you're offering, but don't expect to bargain the listing price way down, as Banks typically price their properties at a 20 percent to 30 percent discount anyway. If the property has been on the market for a week or two, don't expect the bank to drop the price; if the listing is older, we may be significantly negotiate on the price.
Banks also require the potential buyer to get pre-qualified with the bank that owns the home so that they can get a feel on how strong a buyer is. That does not mean that you have to go with that lender however.
Whatever directions are given to your realtor however, like a specific amount that is needed as an earnest deposit and prequel letter, specific contract provided by the bank or instructions about the offer need to be followed as the bank has "the cookie" and they want to sell that cookie to the person that can follow directions and not be a nightmare to deal with.
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew Tampa Home Buy Realty www.TampaHomeBuy.com 813-624-3332 cellular phone My Services are FREE to Buyers! Buyer Incentives Available
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is giving struggling borrowers an opportunity to deed their property over to the lender in exchange for up to $2,000.
Under the Cash for Keys program, borrowers with FHA-backed loans who agree to a deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure do not have to repay the mortgage.
To qualify, owners must face long-term financial hardship, put the house on the market at a fair price for at least 90 days, face no additional claims or liens other than the first mortgage on the house, and leave the property clean and in good condition. This is one possibility for homeowners behind in payments.
I really believe it is really hard for homeowners to make this decision. If a homeowner can ride out and keep making payments on their home and not fall behind in payments, many would say that would be the moral and right thing to do. Please don't just stop making payments because you feel like you have a bad mortgage product or are frustrated about falling housing values. It is a frustrating feeling, to be sure. A home buyer who is falling behind in payments and considering selling their home by shortsale, please pray through your decision, and do what you think is right. You may want to consider consulting with an attorney or accountant.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you if you are looking to sell your home. Be sure, I will treat you with respect and dignity. I will work hard to negotiate your shortsale. My commission is paid by your bank is a part of the negotiation process.
Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Tampa Home Buy Realty
Pre-Foreclosure experience since 2001
Tampa Bay Florida Realtor specializing in Shortsale Listings and Sales
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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