Hi all!

There weather here has been fantastic the last week or so--it is warming up enough to go to the beach and not freeze any more. The water is still cool, but I guess that's all relative. My sister came to visit me one November from Minnesota. I was freezing and turning blue, and she was basking in the Gulf--amazed at how warm it is here in November. It's all relative!

I hope the weather is great wherever you are as well!

I have put together a Teleseminar for first time home buyers that will take place on June 9th. This is a free teleseminar loaded with all kinds of information! So what will this teleseminar cover you ask? Briefly,

• What to do first when buying a home
• What an adjustable rate mortgage is (how to figure out when they ARE a good idea)
• $8,000 IRS Tax credit and how it works
• First Time Home Buyer Programs
• What to look for when you do buy a house (i.e. size, location, features)
• Inspections
• There will also be a question and answer period at the end

This is a no-obligation, FREE teleseminar.

So, how do you sign up? Go to www.7ThingsEveryFirstTimeHomeBuyerShouldKnow.com and click on the sign-up button. You'll be glad you did!

Valerie Sullivan
Broker, GRI, e-Pro
www.ValerieSullivan.net
www.7ThingsEveryFirstTimeHomeBuyerShouldKnow.com
 

Hi all!

Spring break is still on in many parts of the state and country, and state legislators are trying to come up with a program where first time home buyers can use the $8,000 tax credit they will receive buying a home prior to December 1, 2009 as their down payment for the home they do buy.

The point being that as a first time home buyer, you will be receiving the credit when you file your 2009 tax return. This could be a good idea, create more jobs, and put money back in to the economy this year instead of next--AND also allow people to get in to homes that will qualify for a loan, but do not enough for a down payment.

Keep in mind that the home needs to be owner-occupied, and the first time home buyer cannot have owned a home in the last 3 years.

While this would be a great idea, due to the time it takes to pass new legislation, there is a slim possibility that it will happen. For more information and the latest information, go to the article here:

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/n4-040309.cfm

The good news is that VA (veteran's administration) loans still allow for 100 percent financing as long as you qualify. Rural Housing loans are currently the only other program that allows for 100 percent financing.

With interest rates at an all-time low, the $8,000 tax credit, and how many houses are available for sale right now--THIS is the time to buy!

Looking at the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors Multiple Listing Service, there are 97 homes under $100,000 currently on the market in Fort Walton Beach. Increase that area to the rest of Okaloosa county, and that number goes up to more than 250 homes available for sale under $100,000. Increase the price to $150,000, and there are 268, and 901 available homes in Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa county respectively. Defnitely plenty to choose from!

So for those of you in other areas, please take a moment to share with us what prices you are experiencing--we're all interested in what is going on around the country!

Until next time!

Valerie Sullivan
Broker, GRI, e-Pro
Sullivan Enterprises, LLC
Valerie@ValerieSullivan.net
www.ValerieSullivan.net