Homebuyer Tax Credit of $8,000!

 

            

 

The $787 billion stimulus bill that President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday includes an $8,000 tax credit to first time homebuyers.  The good news about this credit is that it does not have to be repaid like the previous $7,500 tax credit required.   Here are a few points to remember about the tax credit:

 

1. The credit applies to first time homebuyers.  To qualify as a first time homebuyer you need to be someone who has not owned a primary residence in the past three years.  If you have owned an investment property but not a primary residence then you will still qualify. 

2. The credit only applies to first time homebuyers who purchase a home between January 1, 2009 and November 30th, 2009.  So, if you made a purchase as a first time homebuyer anytime so far this year you qualify to receive the credit!

3. There are income limits on who can receive the credit.  As a single buyer your modified adjusted gross income must be less than $75,000 and as a married couple the limit would be $150,000. People who make over these amounts may qualify to receive a partial credit.

4. In order to not have to repay the credit you must own your home for at least 3 years.

5. Even if you do not owe much in taxes you can still take advantage of the credit since you are able to receive it as a tax refund!

6. The tax credit is 10% of the purchase price up to $8,000. Therefore any home purchased over $80,000 will receive the full $8,000 tax credit.

I do not know of a time that has been better than now for a first time homebuyer to purchase their first home.  Even without this $8,000 tax credit the timing would still be perfect with the low interest rates available and low home prices.  Now with the $8000 tax credit it almost does not make sense not to purchase a home!

 

If you would like more information about the tax credit, mortgage options, and what homes are on the market please give us a call at 919-556-6459 or email us at alice@aliceray.com.  The Alice Ray Team has helped first time homebuyer’s for over 30 years purchase their new home and have the knowledge you need to make sure you make the best choice for you and/or your family.  Start your home search today in the Raleigh, Wake Forest, and surrounding areas by clicking here.

 

Are you a current homeowner in the Raleigh, Wake Forest, and surrounding areas who is wanting to take advantage of the low interest rates and low home prices?  Call us to provide you with a free Comparative Market Analysis on your home.  Now may be the perfect time to put your home on the market for a potential first time homebuyer to purchase and then you can move up and buy that bigger home!  Email Alice today at alice@aliceray.com or give us a call at 919-556-6459.

3 Open Houses in Wake Forest, NC

Tax Time

Mortgage Rates

Wondering how to go about buying a home and whether or not you need a Realtor to help you?  The answer is yes and the Alice Ray Team is the Realtor you want.  Here are a few things to consider:

 

1. Need help to know where to start?

a.       What price home should I be buying?

b.      How do I choose a mortgage program and get qualified?

c.       Where do I look for the home I want?

d.      How do I make an appointment to see the home I want?

You may have many more questions and that is expected.  The Alice Ray Team can help answer your questions and guide you through the home buying process.

 

2. You need an experienced agent to help represent your interest and help you get the best deal.  If you were going to a doctor you would want to find one with years of experience & knowledge in taking care of your needs.  The same is true when buying a home.  It is one of the biggest investments most will make and you need to have the guidance of an experienced professional.

 

3. Are you looking at new homes and talking to the on-site agent who represents only the builder?  If so you need the Alice Ray Team to represent you and make sure your best interests are looked after and not just the builders.

 

4. Are you not sure what it costs to have a buyer’s agent?  When working with the Alice Ray Team as your buyer’s agent there is no cost to you!  The listing company pays the buyer’s agent at the time of closing. 

 

5. Thinking you can get a better deal by going directly with the listing company? Sellers have already signed a listing agreement that designates how much commission will be paid to the listing company.  The listing company then offers a portion of that commission to any buyer’s agent that represents the buyer in the transaction.  If there is not a buyer’s agent then the listing company keeps the entire commission and may not represent you as best as they should.

 

6. Searching for homes on the internet?  Make sure you are searching a site that has every listing available.  Certain sites only include their company’s listings or listings that have paid to be on that site.  Our website, www.AliceRay.com, has every home for sale in the Triangle MLS system.  We continually receive compliments on our search and on the extra information we provide for all of our team’s listings found in the Featured Home section of our website.

 

6. Want to have a search set up so that you can see full copies of the MLS sheets as they are seen in the MLS system?  We can set you up with a custom webpage that will provide you listings that match your search criteria.  This search provides you with the more information than any other search can since every other search system pulls its information from this one. You will automatically be emailed when a new listing that matches your search goes on the market so you can be certain that you are seeing the new listings with no delay.  Email us today you search criteria and we will set your search up for you: alice@aliceray.com.

The Alice Ray Team is here to assist you 7 days a week.  We are full time professional realtors and have the experience you need in today’s market.  Call or email us day or night at 919-556-6459 and at alice@aliceray.com!

Selling your home and moving can be one of the most stressful events that can happen in your life.  That is why it is important to make sure you choose the right real estate agent to help you.  Here are a few reasons why you need the Alice Ray Team as your agent:

 

1. We are full time Realtors.
2. This is our “Hometown” area and we are natives of the area.
3. Alice has 25+ years of Real Estate experience. She has been a licensed broker since 1979.
4. We have a staff of full-time real estate professionals.
5. We will help inform you what to do to get your home ready to go on the market for sale to maximize your return.
6. You will be provided with a true market value of homes that have sold recently in your area that will be used to help price your home.
7. We will provide a market value of what your home should be priced in order to sell quickly.
8. Internet Exposure - Where do 90% of buyers go first to look for a home? Yes the Internet.  We are proud of the exposure provided to our listings on the internet and the pictures & virtual tours we provide to customers on their home.
9. We will educate you on viewing offers on your home and assist in negotiating your offers. 
10. Once your home is under contract we will guide you through the sales process and look out for your best interest.  From contract to closing is one of the most important times to make sure you have an experienced agent that knows how to handle any of the situations that can occur. 
11. We will help you to plan & organize your move.
12. Our team will assist you in locating and buying your new home or help you in searching for a realtor if you are moving to another state or area.
13. “Available” – That is what the Alice Ray Team is for you. We are here to assist you in all your needs to sell & buy a home.
14. Experience.  Alice is one of the owners of RE/MAX Hometown.  She graduated from High School & College here.  Her children graduated from High School & College here.  Alice has been a top selling & listing agent for this area. She holds the following designations:

    Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

    Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

    Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS)

    Member of the Historic Real Estate program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

    Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame

    Lifetime Achievement Award from RE/MAX International.

    15. The greatest compliment we continually receive is referrals from our friends, family, & business associates who we take great pride in representing. Let us help you as we would for someone who was referred to us in buying or selling your home, land or commercial property. 

 

Call Alice today to begin the process of getting your home ready to go on the market.  You can reach Alice on her cell at 919-906-5794.

 

First Light Wake Forest 2009 Schedule of Events Join us at the first ever First Light Wake Forest scheduled to take place on December 31st, 2008 on South White Street in downtown Wake Forest. This is the town's new

Welcome to the Wake Forest real estate report for homes in Wake Forest, NC for the week of 12/29/2008. This report covers homes for sale with a Wake Forest address.