All Auctions are the same-not!

As an ABR, I have access to all kinds of useful information courtesty of the Real Estate Buyers Council (REBAC). Here is just one of many articles from their site:
"Not all auctions are alike! When an owner elects to sell their property by auction, they must decide which type of auction method they will use to conduct the sale. And the type of auction selected will provide early clues to potential buyers, indicating the extent to which the seller is motivated to sell. Following are the three most commonly-used auction methods.

Absolute auctions, minimum bid auction, reserve auction. See rest of article:
http://rebac.net/types_of_auctions.cfm

Home Buyers Toolkit-free!

As part of REALTOR designation month, I would like to mention one of the many things I can offer buyers as an accredited buyer representative (ABR). The Home Buyers Toolkit, published by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC), is a booklet containing 10 steps to choosing and purchasing your home. It has over 30 pages of useful information, including how to find a qualified buyer's representative, assessing your credit, how to shop for a home, how to negotiate terms, and much more.

REBAC offers this Toolkit as a service to help educate homebuyers in order to make the homebuying experience more successful. To receive a free toolkit, prospective homebuyers must contact an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). Virginia homebuyers need not look any further! As an ABR, I will be happy to send you that toolkit. If you are located outside Virginia, go to www.REBAC.net/ to find a REALTOR in your area with the ABR designation. I wish you the best of luck, and enjoy the home search process!

At The Door by Edgar Guest

This poem reminds us that, at the end of the day, we need to greet our family without all of the "stuff" we endured at work. Maybe we need a bit of a decompression routine?

"He wiped his shoes before his door,
But ere he entered he did more;
'Twas not enough to cleanse his feet
Of dirt they'd gathered in the street;
He stood and dusted off his mind
And left all trace of care behind.
'In here I will not take,' said he,
'The stains the day has brought to me.

'Beyond this door shall never go
The burdens that are mine to know;
The day is done, and here I leave
The petty things that vex and grieve;
What clings to me of hate and sin
To them I will not carry in;
Only the good shall go with me
For their devoted eyes to see.

'I will not burden them with cares,
Nor track the home with grim affairs;
I will not at my table sit
With soul unclean, and mind unfit;
Beyond this door I will not take
The outward signs of inward ache;
I will not take a dreary mind
Into this house for them to find.'

"He wiped his shoes before his door,
But paused to do a little more.
He dusted off the stains of strife,
The mud that's incident to life,
The blemishes of careless thought,
The traces of the fight he'd fought,
The selfish humors and the mean,
And when he entered he was clean."


- Edgar A. Guest

REALTOR alphabet soup?

Have you ever seen letters after a REALTOR's name and wondered if the letters were really important to you? Let me assure you they are important. I want to celebrate REALTOR® Designation Awareness Month by taking the time to explain the meaning behind my ABR designation. First of all a designation is an area of specialty, and my specialty is in representing buyers.

The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. Through successfully completing the designated curriculum, I have gained valuable real estate education that elevates my skills and knowledge. In order to earn this designation, I had to also meet specific criteria in my practical experience. I was awarded this designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®.

I receive monthly ongoing specialized information and and updates, so that I can stay on top of the issues and trends that are pertinent to home buyers. Of particular interest right now is the current tax credit legislation that benefits not only first-time home buyers, but also buyers looking to move up or settle that "empty nest".

To find available properties, go to www.bestroanokehomes.com/. You can also leave me a message there!

Home Ownership Dream Extended, Expanded

Wow! The time to buy your first home or your dream home is here for sure! President Obama signed legislation this week that not only extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 until April 30, 2010. The new tax credit also expands the credit of up to $6,500 credit to include current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

I think this is exciting news, because the tax credit benefits not only first-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. It also includes current home owners purchasing a home during the same time frame. With the current high inventory of homes available, combined with low interest rates and the available tax credit, this is the ideal time to make that move-up purchase.

Who qualifies? If the purchaser or their spouse have not owned a home within the three years prior to purchase, they qualify as a "first-time home buyer". Current homeowners, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight, qualify for up to $6,500. Single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops are all qualified properties for this credit.

There are some income limits, but they have been increased. Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.

I know I have been saying there is no better time to make that home purchase. I meant it at the time, but I really mean it now! The time is ideal. Go to www.bestroanokehomes.com/ and start looking for your first home, or for your dream home now!