Real estate sales rebound in 2011, prices nearly flat

The National Association of Realtors anticipates that sales of existing homes, after falling 4.8 percent in 2010, will rise 7.9 percent this year, to 5.3 million, and another 4.5 percent in 2012, to 5.53 million. 

The median price of existing homes, meanwhile, rose 0.3 percent in 2010 after a 12.9 percent drop in 2009, and is expected to rise 0.5 percent this year, to $173,800, and another 2.4 percent in 2012, to $177,900.

Safety

You can't stop crime but there are things you can do to help prevent
being a victim. Follow these tips for making your home a lot less
attractive to burglars.

1.  Let there be light… lots of light. Thieves hate light at night, so
give them a healthy dose of it. Motion-activated lights placed in
strategic spots discourage bad guys, and using electric timers to turn
on lights while you're gone suggests that somebody's home. Even
a porch light that illuminates the most vulnerable break-in spots is
helpful.

2.  Eliminate their hiding places. Just like bugs in the dark, thieves love
nooks and crannies where they can hide. Keep your shrubs and bushes
trimmed in places where they may cover a window or door.

3.  Be alarmed, and advertise it. Alarm systems are a highly effective
deterrent because thieves usually take the path of least resistance.
Make sure your alarm company gives you signs and window stickers to
advertise you're protected. Even if you don't have an alarm
system, get some signs and stickers that suggest you do—it can't
hurt.

4.  Make the house secure. Here's a simple fact: the stronger the door
and its locks, the safer your house. Avoid flimsy, hollow veneer doors
that beg to be kicked in and use 1-inch deadbolt locks for added
security. Sliding glass doors are easy targets, so put a stick in the
track to make it impossible to slide open from the outside. Sadly, lots
of burglaries occur when thieves walk right in through unlocked doors,
so make sure you use the locks.

5.  Ask for help. Ask neighbors to keep your front steps or driveway clean
of newspaper and flyers so you're not telling the world you've
gone out of town. If you're going to be gone for more than a couple
of days, tell your newspaper to stop delivery and do the same at the
Post Office—thieves love to steal mail, too, especially credit card
statements and other stuff they can use to steal your identity.

6.  Keep it safe. Purchase a home safe for important documents and other
valuables and place it in a spot that's not easily found. Make sure
the safe is fireproof.

7.  Consider a canine. Burglars hate dogs because they make noise that
attracts attention. If they approach a house and hear a husky bark, many
thieves simply move on.

8.  Document just in case. If, despite your best efforts, you do get
burglarized, you'll be glad you prepared yourself for an insurance
claim. Use a video recording of the contents of your home and describe
what it is you're taping. Also, make copies of receipts of
big-ticket items and appraisals of expensive jewelry and other
collectibles. Keep the tape and copies in a safe deposit box or a family
member's house. This extra step also comes in handy if you have a
house fire.

Arkansas Home Sales Down in August

Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK - Homes sales in Arkansas were nearly 15 percent lower in August than the same month a year ago, the Arkansas Realtors Association reported today.
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, said the housing market in Arkansas is still adjusting to the end of the home buyer tax credit.
"The housing market is trying to recover on its own power without the home buyer tax credit," Yun said in a news release. "Despite very attractive affordability conditions, a housing market recovery will likely be slow and gradual because of lingering economic uncertainty."
In Arkansas, despite the decline from 2009 to 2010, sales so far this year are up slightly by .84 percent, according to state Realtors association.
Statewide, 1,897 homes sold in August, the last month for which totals were available, compared to 2,223 in August 2009, a 14.66 percent drop.
The total value of homes sold in August was $289 million, down 10.74 percent from $324 million in August 2009. The average sale price across the state dropped 4.6 percent to $152,466.
Of the 41 counties included in the report, Pulaski County had the most home sales in August with 304, followed by Benton County with 284, Washington County with 165, Saline County with 111 and Faulkner with 102. Sebastian County ranked 7th with 94 homes sold and Jefferson and Crittenden counties tied for 14th with 37 homes sold in August.
Sharp County had the highest average sale price in August at $225,000, up 166.35 percent from a year earlier. Next were Garland County, up 15.22 percent to $188.968; Benton County, up 12.78 percent to $188,836; Pulaski County, up 3.52 percent to $187,465; and Cleburne County up 4.6 percent to $152,466.
Sebastian County was ranked 6th with an average sale price of $158,552, up 25.83 percent from a year earlier. Jefferson County was 35th at $79,3261, down 9.95 percent from August 2009.
To view all available properties, go to www.sdahl.ExitRealtyDeaton.com

Spending Smart

http://rismedia.com/2010-09-27/spending-smart-money-myths-may-be-costing-you/

Useful Tax Credit Website

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php#

Go to this link if you need more info about the First Time Homebuyer's Tax Credit.

1st Time Homebuyer's '09 Tax Credit

Most people have heard of the tax credit for first time homebuyer's by now. You might be wondering who qualifies, what does it include, and do I have to pay the money back? I will try to answer these questions.

The IRS defines 'First Time Homebuyer' as anyone who hasn't owned a principal residence for the past 3 years. That means if you have purchased a home in the past, but have not owned a home in the past 3 years then you will still qualify. It's for anyone who has purchased a first time primary residence from January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009. The credit can be claimed on '08 or '09 taxes. Of course you can only do '08 if you bought the home before April 15, 2009.

This years tax credit is different from the $7500 that they came out with last year. That one was more like a loan than a credit. You had to pay back that money over the years on your taxes. This year's credit is $8000. The homebuyer will receive 10 percent of the purchase price of the home, not to exceed $8000. For example, If a first time homebuyer is due back a $3000 refund from the government and they purchased a home for $100,000, he can claim the full $8000 credit. That means they will get a check for $11,000. WOW! That is awesome.

One of the only 'catches' is that you have to stay in the home for 3 years and if you don't you will have to pay the money back. The other thing is there are income guidelines. The full credit is available to people making under $75,000 a year and for married couples making $150,000 or less. That shouldn't be a problem for most of us:) Then the credit starts to phase out the more you make over $75,000 and they say that for individuals making more than $95,000 it's not available.

I hope this info helps. Spread the word about this awesome incentive and if you have any questions, call, text, or email me!

Interest Rates

Wow! Interest rates have been so low lately. They have dropped to below 5 % and that is the lowest since 1971. Mortgage rates have been dropping since late Novemeber. And you know what that means? It's a great time to buy or to refinance. Freddie Mac reported that the average rates on a 30 year mortgage were 4.96% this week. A year ago they were 5.69%. The average rate on a 15 year mortgage has been around 4.5%. Call or email me if you need any more info on any of this.