Guide to choosing your first home

Purchasing your first home can be both a thrilling and daunting experience. Once you have settled on a budget, your options will become more clear. To help you make heads or tails of house hunting, here is a guide on what to consider when finding your first home.Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/03/12/guide-to-choosing-your-first-home/?intcmp=features#ixzz1oupwdKaQ

Are you timing the market to sell?

Most people sell their home because of the time of their lives, not because of the timing of the market! You know better than anyone why you are considering selling your home. Is it the size of your home, a job transfer or maybe a family situation?
Whatever the reason for selling your home, you need to time it for your life.
Call me so we can sit down together and discuss your personal situation and your options. You know why you need to move; I just want to help you get there faster. Call me today to make sure your timing is right for you!

Presidents Day

One holiday for two great presidents, Lincoln and Washington. Each of these presidents was great enough to have their own holiday. And at one time, they did.
But in our rush to institutionalize holidays, and make them fit in school and bank schedules, we may have accidentally improved on two great holidays. By making one day devoted to all great presidents.
One great president proved his high expectation for the country and each of us in one sentence.
"The ablest man I ever met is the man you think you are."
- Franklin D. Roosevelt.
As we celebrate Presidents' Day, let's acknowledge that it's really a tribute to all greatness. To all leadership.
Enjoy the holiday!

$25 Billion Mortgage Settlement "Just the 'First Step' - ABC News

$25 Billion Mortgage Settlement "Just the 'First Step' - ABC News

Deducting mortgage interest, as well as interest on home equity loans Read more

If you want to deduct all of your mortgage interest, there are limits on both how much money you can borrow and on what you do with the money you get. You also need to itemize your return to reap the benefits of these deductions. Calculations can be complicated, so consult a tax adviser.
Read more: :

Business is good (though market is slow)

With the real estate market down, have you considered how it offers a great opportunity to "move up" because the values of higher-priced homes have come down more than yours has?
I also wanted to say that although the market is slow, I'm still doing well. The reason? Integrity, experience, and I use all the latest high-tech tools to maximize a home's market exposure. In addition, I've come to the conclusion that the best solution to a softer market is harder work.
So if you've considered selling, or if you hear that any family, friends or neighbors are, please call or email me any time.

This Month in Real Estate

2012 shows signs of an improving housing market as the U.S. economy continues its forward-moving yet slow road to recovery. Although there are economists projecting housing prices will decline further, aided by distressed property sales that sell at a greater discount, these prices are expected to rebound considerably later in the year and continue into 2013. Factors that continue to impede a speedier recovery in the housing are consumer confidence, job-growth uncertainty, and tough lending standards that keep many otherwise qualified buyers from financing a home purchase. However, consumer confidence may be showing signs of improvement according to a report released by Fannie Mae on December 7, which revealed that consumer sentiment toward home prices is stabilizing and that, for the first time in six months, more people believe that prices will soon begin to rise. This is an encouraging development, as much of our economic vitality depends upon the overall confidence of the consumer, and could trigger even stronger home sales as more people feel confident that prices will go up.As the new year begins, many consumers appear to be in a holding pattern, waiting to see how the economy reacts to the different demands both here and abroad. Yet with steadily increasing sales and record-breaking affordability, now is the time to take advantage of these opportunities to buy or sell a home.Sources: Fiserv, Fannie Mae