Here I sit in Grand Rapids, Michigan and it is one of the Chamber of Commerce days.  You know the type - the sun is bright, the sky blue with little wisps of white clouds dashed in for effect and the tempurature are awesome.

I was thinking that today is a great day for someone to participate in the real estate market.  One of the comments I keep hearing is "I am waiting to make sure we are at the bottom of the market".  

I am glad to say, It appears that we have passed it!  First let's go back to the fall on 2008.  Both the University of Michigan and an Economist from Comerica Bank said that we, West Michigan, would start its' recovery in about a year.  GUESS WHAT FOLKS, IT'S BEEN ABOUT YEAR!!

Just in the last several days, Ford reported an increase in sales for the first time in two years.  The office furniture index is showing improvement.  It was announced yesterday that Michigan firms will divide up $1 Billion to make Electric cars and batteries.  Homes sales in the Grand Rapids Area are up for the sixth straigh month.  Nationally the home sales are up for the fifth straight month.

All of this is great news!  What I think it means is that we have reached the bottom.  Interest rates, while still are great, are starting to creep up.  Homes are getting multiple offers and in some cases over the list price - one of our clients won out by a single dollar!!!

This tells me that the gap between the listing price and the actual sold price will be closing.  Great deals are still out there.

If you don't get in now your are almost about ready to lose $8,000 automatically.  The first time home buyer tax credit is set to expire November 30th.  The house has to close by then.  It may take 45 to 60 days from the date of an accepted offer to close - so you should have an accepted offer no later than the end of September.  It may take a while to find a home that you like - you need to get looking now.  You don't want to miss that money if you are entitled to it.

Even if you are not a first time home buyer and you have a house to sell; maybe it would be home to be bought by a first timer.  I guessing that they will take a break from the market until February or so.  They will have missed the $8,000 tax credit and wait to see what, if anything, the government will do to help them.

Get out there and start participating in the real estate market.  It's a beautiful day to do real estate!!!!