Gary White FlexIt Realty~Real Estate & Updates, Grand Rapids & West Michigan

First Time Buyer Tax Credit $7500.00!

The original bill was a loan that had to back over 15 years, interest free.  It said, "First Time Buyer Tax Credit" but that was Congress playing language games.

Well the new bill is part of the $819 billion dollar bailout changes the 15 year interest free loan part of the bill to a "NO Payback" buyer credit...meaning first time buyer can get the money to use with restrictions of course...but if you qualify...you NEVER have to pay it back!

This is what I call a bonus program for "First Time Home Buyers" that have been on the fence.  Here is a link to the information.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/29/real_estate/tax_credit_near/?postversion=2009012907

This was reported on CNNMoney.com this morning and I could be happier for my first time buyers and
clients. 

If you have been waiting you may not want to wait any longer the home that you have always wanted could be someone Else's!  Take advantage of a program that allow you to have a rare opportunity to own the home you really want.

If you are a First Time Buyer and want to know how you can qualify "FREE" Information!  Call or Email if you are not represented and live in Michigan, drop me an Email garywhite@flexitrealty.com or Call Toll Free: 877-667-4669

Great Information that could put you in your dream home!  Always confidential and never pressured.  We have qualified buyer agents waiting to help you.  Using a professional Buyers Agents costs nothing out of your pocket!

This is one of the question that every Realtor is asked when they list a property....HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SELL MY HOME?

We have market averages to quotes if you keep up with those statistics.  We have our own time on market data that we can also share but this is date...facts.

Homeowners don't care about the facts they want a specific answer for their situation and their home.  Here is some specifics that are important and apply to every listing.

Location, Condition, Price.

• Location, is going to attract more buyer if it is in a better location a home by train track or with a lot that backs up to woods...which with have more showings?
• Condition, if buyers have to do repairs and another home in the same price range does not have any repairs, the home without repairs is likely to sell first.
• Price, this is one that everyone argues about.  If you price anything low enough it will sell!  True, but if you price your home fairly within the market you are in just below the competition...the other help sell your home.  You get all the same buyers looking at your home that would look a comparables in the price range.
• Marketing, getting your property in front of buyers.  More buyer exposure a faster sale....simple!

Seller's have to help sell homes.  They have to help with the condition, doing repairs, staging the home, making showings easy, having the property ready to show.  They have to use the market information to set the selling price right from the beginning to sell faster for top dollar results.   

Realtors have to do their part with the marketing of the property to get the buyer exposure to meet the efforts the sells have done.

Bottom line when will your home sell?  When you expose your property to the right buyer at the right price.  How long will it take?  We can tell you the facts...and give you the numbers but it will be directly related to the Big 4, Location, Condition, Price and Marketing.

Take out any one of these items and your home will sit on the market good times or bad!

Hope this helped you understand some of the market issues that can help your property sell faster.

The day of carrying  a bunch of paper to each listing, showing buyers all the background printed materials is long gone for most of us.

The New Tools of the Trade....we pack a laptop with WiFi...replacing the yellow pad.  We pack a cell phone with our data securely embedded...our day planner a thing of the past too.  Although some still cling to their yellow pads and day planners the fact is there are much easier ways to deal with data.

We carry listings and buyer contact information not in a spiral notebook...or contact card or Rolodex, they are in our data program on the laptop and in our cell phones.

Property previews for an out of  town client can be done and photos forwarded at lightning speed.  Gone is the day when carrying all your files in the trunk of your care just in case you need one.  Today a laptop and small portable printer can dazzle clients and give everything you need at your finger tips.

I wear a Bluetooth remote phone headset.  Today a gentleman about my age (sorry to say) stopped me and said...what is that in your ear a hearing aid?  I politely said...NO that is my remote phone headset.  I didn't dare say my Bluetooth....he would want to check my teeth!  "Really", was his response, "what will they come up with next?"  He walked across the parking lot shaking his head.

I carry a flash drive with all my listings and virtual tours on it.  I carry all my forms on my flash drive as well.  Also a little portable printer in my communication bag. 

My phone allows me to text, thanks to a Kris Wales post about 8 months ago, I learned from my 15 year old niece the ins's and outs of texting.  Kris's daughter taught her.  I use it if clients communicate that way...I also can email from my phone and laptop.

What will be the next tools of the trade added to our tool boxes?

Most of think of being green as reserved for new construction.

New construction may have it's advantages because you start with a goal, a budget and fit the construction to your lifestyle.

When working with a green builder their are several questions to ask.

1. Have you built green homes before?
2. Are you willing to share the names of your past clients for me to speak too?
3. Can I have the names of some of your suppliers?  You want to make sure your project doesn't end with a construction lean!
4. Ask the contractor if he has any certifications like, "LEED", any questions check here: http://www.usgbc.org
5. Ask the contractor for some recommendations.

Now the fact is if you already own your home and it doesn't have in floor heating like this home. Adding it can be a very expensive and mostly prohibitive venture.

Living GREEN is easier than you think! 

Being GREEN can be as simple as updating your:

• Windows, Replacement Windows 
• Furnace, Energy Efficient, Geo Thermal
• Setback Furnace Thermostat 
• Flooring materials  
• Using Thermal blinds
• Exterior Door Moldings
• Attic & Side Wall Insulation
• Roofing Materials
• Low Flow Water Savers, Toilets, Showerheads, On-Demand Water Heaters  

This can save you energy and pay for itself. 
Did you know you could qualify for energy tax credits by turning green...now that is some green!

Living Green isn't just for new construction.  Although the new materials are far superior and the construction methods have seen some vast improvements.  Living green can be done on a daily basis impacting our environment for generations we will never meet!

Have you thought of using only recyclable products?  Look at your shopping habits does the container recycle?  When you are pushing your shopping cart down the isle can you see what will be left behind in land fills?  Will the containers, packaging and wrappers degrade back to earth friendly components or become part of an ugly landscape?

Thinking of helping your heat bill and the furnace is already 90% efficient; windows updated?  Look at your insulation...attic and side walls, hot water heater, hot water pipes, insulation where your home and foundation meet.  These projects don't need to be done all at once, you can make a list and do them as your finances allow in order of importance and investment return.  Look at what allows you a tax credit and lowers your living costs first.

Will these things make a difference?  You bet, both in your daily living and our environmental lives.  Look at your hot water heat temperature setting...turn down a few degrees...you'll hardly notice but your gas or electric consumption will drop and so will our national fuel usage and foreign oil dependency, IF each one of us turned back the dial a few degrees imagine the impact!

Look at the molding around your entry doors, you think "its a little drafty but it'll do"...think again.  That draft could be costing you a $100.00 a year in energy costs!  Think the only time you use energy is in the winter months?  What about your air conditioning?  Lighting is another area that canimpact your budget.  You think energy efficient bulbs cost to much?  Read the side panel...see the saving and life expectancy you may rethink that position too!

Living Green isn't just for NEW construction...existing homes can get a good dose of Green too!  All you have to do is look at your home from a new perspective and reap the benefits.  Kermit the Frog said, " It isn't easy being GREEN".  Today with modern technology and a little work being GREEN is easier than ever!

Having GREEN thoughts...hope this helped you see how being GREEN can help you in your daily life even when your home isn't new construction.

Gary White, Associate Broker FlexIt Realty, Grand Rapids, Michgian              Tell me about your GREEN projects.

Did you know you could get help for your perscription drugs with a discount card in Kent County? 

What does it take to qualify? ANY Kent County resident is eligible.  Best of all...there is no income or age restrictions.

Here is what you do...go on line to www.accesskent.com/OnlineServices/rxcard.htm or the Kent County Website www.aaawm.org (Area on Aging of West Michigan).

What pharmacies will accept the card?  Most of the major chains will take the card.  There are over 2000 participant pharmacies in the program.

How do you use the card?  As your pharmacy if they accept the card.  Then when you are getting a prescription or a refill tell them you want to use your Kent County Rx Discount Card. 

This could save you 35%!  Here is another way to get the card.  www.michiganrxcard.com/index.php 

One last tip for those that have friends and they don't have a computer...call: 616-988-5081 and leave a message...they will call you back with a distribution center for the card.  You can find the closest location nearest you.

The elderly will find this card particularly helpful if they enter the "donut hole" this could give them discounts during the time they don't have coverage.

 Hope this helps you and your loved ones in these tough times.

Sometimes we meet that young couple that just makes you smile.  They are full of energy....just waiting for the world to say hello.

I met that couple this week.  But they grew up fast....they have four children ages 5, 4, 3 and 6 months!  God knew what he was doing giving young people children...I am tired just thinking of them running in all directions.

They don't have much money...as you can expect.  They do have the dreams, the energy and will to meet their family needs and goals.  You have to admire them for their foresight.

They went to a lender and are pre-qualified, they identified their budget...real budget so they would not live for a house payment.  They know their needs and wants list for a property.  They are realistic to a point.  They want more than their budget, like many...but in this market they may be surprised!

I generated them from my on-line marketing programs.  My drip campaign does what is supposed too.

Tomorrow we are looking at a home for the second time.  My competition for the home is an investor...but the seller has a soft spot...he wants a family in his fathers home.  They grew up in the home...it has been in the family for over 50 years and the sons want another family in the home.  I was told with a wink and a nudge by the seller, "we'll work with these kids...they are really nice and have a need for a wonderful home like this."

Music to my ears!  The kids just want to make sure before making the offer.  They are coming from a mobile home and this is their first stick built home on a city lot.  They know life will change for the kids, they know their lives will change too....it is a big step.  You should see them smile when they look at this home!

The truth is they would never have been able to purchase a 4 bedroom 1.5 bath home with a 2 car garage in any other market and get an interest rate of 5.25% fixed for 30 years for under $60,000.  Taking advantage of the market to get their dream is what it is all about. 

I showed them 10 homes physically...and 48 on line.  By using a needs and wants list we narrowed the search and focused on the right homes for them.  Now we are down to one.

Anyone made you smile lately? 

If you live in West Michigan and are not under contract and would like to sell or buy a home....give me a call it could save you thousands in your next real estate transaction.  FlexIt Realty designs selling and buying programs to meet our clients needs.  Your call is always confidential and you are never pressured.

"Help is only a Call or Click away!"©2006-2009

Call Toll Free:  877-667-4699
Local: 616-784-2360 
Email: garywhite@FlexItRealty.com