Suzanne's Real Estate Blog

April 30th is fast approaching……… that’s the deadline date for the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit, as well as the tax credit for repeat buyers. You have to have a signed and ACCEPTED contract by the 30th of April and closing NO LATER THAN June 30th.

Interest rates are still pretty good right now, tax credit is there…….. so what is holding you back? Do you like paying rent to someone else, paying their mortgage rather than your own? Does the thought of home ownership not interest you? If so, you’re missing out on a great opportunity to share in the AMERICAN DREAM! The inventory is there for every price point, from starter homes, your “forever” home or for that investment home. If you want to buy a home, we can help you find it.

If you need help, have questions, need a GREAT buyer’s agent that will look out for your interests and needs? Please give me a call! Or, you can have your pick of great agents here at Specialty Properties in Fayetteville, NC (home of Fort Bragg and Pope AFB).

Tick, tick, tick, tick…………. time is running out!!

Specialty Properties is offering workshops for home buyers and sellers that are looking to educate themselves a little with the real estate process. It's always good to have a Broker/Realtor to represent you in any real estate transaction, someone that will look out for your interests and needs....... but it's also nice to gather a little information and education so that you can go into this process with some knowledge so you know what to expect and know that your Broker/Realtor is working for you.

Below is a list of dates for our "workshops" and the subject that we will be going over at each session:

January 14th- "Credits and Loans" and "First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit"

February 11th- "ABC's of Home Buying" and "First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit"

March 11th- "Selling/Staging Your Home for Sale" and "First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit"

April 8th- "Credit and Loans" and "First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit"

May 13th- "ABC's of Home Buying"

June 10th- "Selling/Staging Your Home for Sale"

July 15th- "Investment Properties"

August 12th- "Credit and Loans"

September 16th- "ABC's of  Home Buying"

October 14th- "Selling/Staging Your Home for Sale"

November 11th- "Investment Properties"

December 16th- "Credit and Loans"

Workshops are from 6:00pm to 7:00pm and we will have some of Specialty Properties best brokers there , as well as a representative from American Security Mortgage, at each session. We will also have a minimum of one broker there that speaks spanish fluently to help those that may need it.

The address is: 2504 Raeford Road, Suites A-B

                       Fayetteville, NC 28305

We are looking to add an additional topic to each session starting in May, so we'd love to hear what you'd like to know more about.

So please feel free to give us a call if you need more info, have questions or need directions. We'd love to see you here at Specialty Properties! We're here to help and to let you know that we "specialize in ALL of your property needs".

It's now 2010 at Specialty Properties and we are looking forward to moving ahead with new ideas and new projects that will help us to better assist our buyers and sellers in their upcoming real estate needs.

One of those new projects is our monthly "Workshops" for buyers and sellers, those that are new to the buying and selling process and would like to gain some knowledge so that they are better informed  of the steps and the process that they are looking to undertake. We had our first workshop in January, "Credit and Loans" and "The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit", along with our mortgage partner American Security Mortgage. Our next workshop will be this coming month, February 11th, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. This workshop will go over "The ABC's of Home Buying" and "The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit". We would love to see you come by our offices to attend the workshop, meet some fabulous brokers and a great mortgage company. We'll be there to help you to understand the intricacies of home buying and be on hand to answer any questions you may have afterward. Some other topics we'll address at future workshops will be "Home Staging and Selling Your Home", "Purchasing Investment Properties" and we're open to suggestions as to other topics that you may want to know about!

Another thing that we want to make everyone aware of is the "First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit", because though it has been extended, it hasn't been extended indefinitely! The time is NOW to take advantage of that tax credit...... interest rates are still low and the inventory is out there for you to find that dream home.

So many things are happening and we want to share it with you. As we go forward in 2010 the brokers here at Specialty Properties will be working hard to make you aware of our great company, our knowledge, our professionalism and our expertise in the real estate market. Let us help you......... if you're looking to buy, sell or relocate to the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area........ CALL US! We specialize in ALL your property needs!

Remember this season for what it is, not for the commercial trappings that have become so common. This is a time for family and friends, keep them close and let them know they are loved.

A special Merry Christmas to our troops overseas, serving their country and making the sacrifice of being away from their loved ones during this holiday season. Pray for them and for their safety……. and a special prayer for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and will never be able to spend Christmas with their families again. You are my hero’s! God Bless You!

So, from all of us at Specialty Properties, here in Fayetteville, NC (PROUD home of Fort Bragg and Pope AFB), we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Suzanne Pampe

Broker-in-Charge

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. I hope that you and your loved ones enjoy this time together and remember how thankful we should be for each passing day.......... thanks to our troops for all their sacrifice to keep us safe. I know that being away from their families is not what I would wish for them, but I hope that they know how much they mean to us and that we pray for them every single day! You are my heroes!

So, from all of us here at Specialty Properties in Fayetteville, NC (home of Fort Bragg and Pope AFB), have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

And remember, if you need any help or assistance in purchasing or selling your home, please give us a call! We're here to make that process as stress free as possible!

I just wanted to wish a special thanks to all the VETERANS that have served their country, keeping us safe here at home. To those that served, to those still serving and to those that made the ultimate sacrifice, thanks is not nearly enough....... but know that you are loved and prayed for EVERY day!

Also, a big welcome home to 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team for making it home to Fort Bragg/Fayetteville! Glad you're home for the holidays!

Remember our troops (here and abroad) for all they have done and continue to do!

Awesome news, everyone! The tax credit extension has passed through the House of Representatives and will soon be sitting on the President's desk for signature.

1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit extension through June, IF a buyer has a CONTRACT by April 30th, 2010!

There is a new $6500 tax credit for those buyers that are selling their homes, provided they lived in it for 5 consecutive years within an 8 year period. 

Minimum income levels for individuals and couple increased, from $75k to $125K for individuals and from $150k to $225k for married couples. 

So lots of interesting news to report on in the coming days............. but the IMPORTANT issue is that it will soon be OFFICIAL!!! It's NOT too late to take advantage of that tax credit for purchasing a new home!

Call us at Specialty Properties of you have any questions or need some assistance in making your dream come true!! Here in the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg area, we have a home JUST for you!! So give us a call!

The United States Senate has passed today, with a vote of 98-0, an extension of the 1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. This bill has some additional items attached to it, BUT the big news is that it's now on it's way to the House of Representatives for a vote........ they look to be moving fast on this one, which will be great for the real estate market all over the country!

As I reported in a recent blog, the extension would be until the end of June, provided that the buyer has entered into a contract by the 30th of April. Also in this tax credit is the new credit of $6500 for those buyers that have owned and lived in their homes for 5 years consecutively within an 8 year period. AND the income limits for individuals and couples has been raised..... $75,000 now up to $125,000 for individuals.

So, that is where it is now......... once it gets to the House of Representatives we'll have a better idea as to exactly WHAT to expect....... so let's wait and see, I think we'll be hearing something VERY SOON!

Seems there is more news out there about the 1st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and the possibility of it being extended. We first heard about the House passing legislation (HR3590) to extend the $8000 tax credit for those that have been serving overseas in the military. Now today there is news that the Senate has been negotiating a deal to extend the existing tax credit worth up to $8000, as well as a new credit of $6500 for some existing home owners, the requirement being that these home buyers have to have been living in their current home for a consecutive 5 years within the last 8 years. It's a move to help bolster the weakened real estate market. There are a few more details being worked on, the length of the extension (from the current expiration date of November 30th, 2009 to all contracts entered into by April 30th, 2010 and closing by July 1st, 2010), to the income limits for individuals and married couples.

This is definitely something that we in the real estate business are keeping our eye on, gathering all the information we can so that we can keep you informed as to the latest news. And as news and information come out I will do my best to post it on this blog......

If you have any questions about this or any other real estate matter (like buying or selling, information on the Fayetteville/Fort Bragg/Pope AFB area), please feel free to contact me or any of our other great agents at Specialty Properties. We are eager to help you in all aspects of home buying or selling!