$8,000 tax credit for home buyers was EXTENDED!!

The incentive of up to $8,000 in the from of a tax credit for first time home buyers has been extended to June 2010 and now includes those buyers who have owned and occupied a home for at least five years out of the the past eight years. These new group of buyers could claim up to $6,500 in their tax credit if they have a contract signed and accepted before April 30 and closed no later then June 30, 2010.

Income limits for qualifying buyers were increased to $125,000 for single buyers and to $225,000 for married couples.

Short sales are now likely to become an atractive target for buyers, waiting time will no longer be such a deterrent factor for the next six months. In the worst case scenario, a wait of five months still will make you elegible for the tax credit.

FHA loans will get you into your new home with just 3.5% of down payment and it allows the seller to pay for some of your closing costs. Cash offers will place you in a good position price wise and will minimize drastically you closing costs. Conventional loans are always welcome but you need 20% or 25% down depending on lender and credit.

Contact me, we could work together to find your best option.

Congress, extend and expand the Tax Credit for First Time Home Buyers

The deadline is approaching, that means if you want to claim the $8,000 Tax Credit you must close no later that November 30Th 2009.
If you want to play safe, present your offer no later than October 20 so you close on time, the last two weeks of November are very busy.

Tax Credit for first time home buyers ends in 73 days.

The incentive of up to $8,000 in the from of a tax credit for first time home buyers ends November 30. This means if you are in the market looking for your new home , you need to close no later than the deadline but to be sure no surprises arise due to the holidays you want to close no later than the third week of November, leaving you with just 63 days left from today, September 18.

FHA loans will get you into your new home with just 3.5% of down payment and it allows the seller to pay for some of your closing costs. Cash offers will place you in a good position price wise and will minimize drastically you closing costs. Conventional loans are always welcome but you need 20% or 25% down depending on lender and credit.

Short sales are very unlikely to be your target properties right now, there is no warranty that the lender holding those mortgage will approve your offer and it be able to close within the next 63 days unless a price has been approved.

If you want to take advantage of this credit then you need to have an offer accepted by the seller no later than October 20, 2009.

Contact me or your Realtor to find properties likely to close within that time frame.

CasaBlanca East Condo Sold

Sold July 17/09 $ 76,000 FHA.

Brighton Park condo sold July 24th

Sold price $105,000 CASH.

Market monthly beat in the Gainesville- Alachua County area.

Single Family residential listings:

February 2009
New Listings:299
Sold Listings: 83
Sold Percentage: 27%
Average Price: $140,816
Median Price: $135,000

March 2009
New Listings: 370
Sold Listings: 145
Percentage Sold: 39%
Average Price:$161,673
Median Price: $188,000

Increase of residential listings sold from February to March 2009: 12%

Attached listings (condos, townhouses):

February 2009:
New Listings: 112
Sold Listings:15
Percentage sold:13%
Average Price: $100,337
Median Price: $125,200

March 2009:
New Listings: 106
Sold Listings: 26
Percentage sold: 24%
Average Price: $101,677
Median Price: $116,700
Increase of attached units sold from February to March 2009: 11%

Based on information from the Gainesville-Alachua County Association of REALTORS or its Multiple Listing
Service for the period Feb 1 2009 through _March 31, 2009. Neither the Association nor its MLS
guarantees or is in anyway responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Association or its MLS may not
reflect all real estate activity in the market.

2 bed 2.5 condo in pool community

This very well cared for townhome brings newer carpet and paint, upgraded blinds, tiled foyer, washer/dryer, alarm, and a 1 year Home Warranty. It is located on an end building which provides a quiet environment for relaxing and studying. It is walking distance to the bus stop on routes to UF, Shands, and Vet school. Although it is settled on a convenient and secluded location it is minutes away to shopping, restaurants, theaters, post office, hardware stores and I-75. The two master suites are located upstairs and for added convenience a half bathroom is located downstairs. Full time off-site management takes care of the sparkling pool, common areas and exterior maintenance.

Short Sale condo 1 bed 1 bath ( 1 or 6 units).

Short Sale. Unit #10 in good shape and ready to be occupied. Newer roof. Stove, refrigerator, microwave,washer/dryer. Five more units for sale #s 3,9,14,29,34 at $59,000 each. Four units are currently rented. "As Is" conditions. Seller willing to negotiate individual units or as a group.
This is a short sale and listing price has not been approved by the lender.

MLS display for this property HERE.

Tax Credits for First Time Home Buyers

Important information about tax credits for those first time home buyers who bought since April 9 2008 can be found at www.irs.gov or directly at the following link http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=202107,00.html

Remember, you still have until June 30 2009 to qualify.

March 2009 Newsletter

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

End of January 2009 real estate report in Alachua County.

Our MLS is finishing the month with 3,525 active listings for sale in Alachua County. These numbers do not include reantals or leases.

There were 617 new active listings in the month of January compared with 1,039 a year ago; a -40.62% change.
There were 88 sold listings this month compared with 181 a year ago; a -51.38% change.

The average sale price for the month was $184,064 compared to $156,685 a year ago; a +17.47% change.

I will keep posting all of my listing with video tours and updating any changes. I will appreciate your comments or questions.

Seller just bought new living and dinning sets and she is including on this 2 bed 2 bath 2 story townhome in Brighton Park in SW Gainesville. Just bring your bed. Staging and decor also included!!.You need to see it. End unit,laminated wood floor on the first level,tile,black Kenmore stove,refrigerator and microwave in 2007,new carpet Sep/08 in stairway and second level. Wired for alarm. Two master suites,walk-in closets,2 full baths, one with with jetted tub, half bath in living area.Steps from the pool,on bus line to UF, Shands, Vet school, shopping, restaurants, I-75.

This 3 bedroom 3 bath condo in Rockwood Villas was just reduced to $149,500. The only end unit for sale on a cul-de-sac. Tiled floors in kitchen, living bathrooms.Brand new carpet in stairs , upper hall, bedrooms. Screened back porch with privacy and view of the natural wooded area.

Just created this Blog

I created this blog to assist buyers and sellers in the Alachua county area. If you are local, planning in moving to Gainesville, Florida and would like to know the local real estate market this is the right place to start.

It is a buyer's market out there, lots of inventory meaning lots of choices. It is the time for Buyers to get in first gear and start making decisions.

We are getting ready for Spring season and buyers are getting more confident about commitment. If you are a buyer let me know your real estate needs, I will help you find, select and negotiate the best available option.

If you are looking for a loan talk to your bank, mortgage broker or ask me about referring you to great lending professionals in town.