Your Rich Uncle Sam Wants to Give You $8,000!*

IRS.Gov reports that for 2009 owner occupant home purchases, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit by increasing the credit amount to $8,000 for purchases made in 2009 before Dec. 1, 2009.

A first-time home buyer is one who has not owned a home in the last three years.

*For home purchased in 2009, the credit does not have to be paid back unless the home ceases to be the taxpayer’s main residence within a three-year period following the purchase.

First-time homebuyers who purchase a home in 2009 can claim the credit on either a 2008 tax return, due April 15, 2009, or a 2009 tax return, due April 15, 2010. The credit may not be claimed before the closing date. But, if the closing occurs after April 15, 2009, a taxpayer can still claim it on a 2008 tax return by requesting an extension of time to file or by filing an amended return. News release 2009-27 has more information on these options.

 The IRS reminds taxpayers the amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers. Taxpayers can claim 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.

For more information on the tax credit, visit here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

For more information on property listings that meet your real estate needs, call me at 704.562.1030.  I’ll get an idea of your big picture and send emailed property listings that meet your criteria and introduce you to a lending officer who can guide you through pre-qulaifying and credit repair, if needed. 

Rates are low, list prices are low, and inventory is high.  It’s a great time to buy low for future increased home equity when the market recovers.

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A Charlotte area native, and licensed in NC & SC, Chrystal is very experienced with international relocation, home buying and selling and with rental portfolio development and holds MASTERS Designation specializing in New Construction, Finance, Marketing, Objection Handling, Relocation, and Technology and is a member in good standing with Charlotte Regional Association of REALTORS®, North Carolina Association of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®

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N.C. foreclosures fall 42% in 1Q

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 9:48am EDT

According to data from RealtyTrac Inc., the state had 5,988 foreclosures in the latest quarter, with one in every 689 homeowners receiving a default notice, auction-sale notice or bank-repossession filing.  North Carolina ranked 36th in the nation for foreclosure filings in the latest quarter.  Nevada, Arizona and California posted the top foreclosure rates.  Foreclosure filings in North Carolina fell 40 percent in March from the same period last year. Filings were down 3 percent last month from February. 

Across the country, foreclosure filings rose 24 percent in the first quarter from a year ago. There were 803,489 foreclosure filings, which affected one in every 159 U.S. households. Filings rose 46 percent in March from a year ago and 17 percent from February. Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac tracks default notices, auction-sale notices and bank repossessions.

Its figures exceed those compiled by the N.C. Commissioner of Banks. The company counts every foreclosure filing, including multiple filings for a single household, while the commissioner counts each household only once, regardless of the number of filings it receives.

Rates are low, listings high, prices slashed.  Now is the time to make your move to buy low and sell high, when the market recovers.  Call me to discuss your big picture and for a full listing of foreclosed homes that meet your criteria.  704.562.1030/800.243.6670 x 110

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Living, playing, and working in south Charlotte for over 27 years, and with over 14 years experience in the real estate field as an investor and Luxury Home Specialist, I have the knowledge, experience and discretion you need to maximize your return on investment whether for your personal home, investment portfolio, or small business property.  Contact me at Chrystal.Safari@gmail.com

Builders’ Confidence Brightens on Outlook

Daily Real Estate News  |  April 16, 2009  |   

Home builder confidence was in the double digits in April for the first time in six months.

The index rose to 14 from nine last month. That was the largest single-month increase since May 2003. An index number below 50 means most respondents view conditions as poor.

“After a very long period of extreme distress, it’s given the builders some sense of reaching a bottom,” says David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders, which compiles the index along with Wells Fargo.

The confidence index was up all over the country, with the largest increases in the Northeast at 16 and the West at 9.

Source: CNNMoney (04/15/2009)

Meet Me at Montreux

 Montreux Old World Estates Luxury Living means

Leaving the world behind…As the drive home takes you to a world away… Nestled among the hardwoods and evergreens.

Rivaling Old World Europe, the craftsmanship of your estate home is an unparalleled destination, personally handcrafted by the area’s finest builders. 

Imagine your home, tailor-made and filled with fine features not found in similar homes including custom French Traditional, European Manor and Tuscan Villa  Architectural Design, 10 – 12 foot ceilings, 9 foot doors, exquisite paneled libraries, unique faux paint finishes, copper and beam ceilings, glazed or alder wood soft-close cabinetry, professional series appliances, double wall ovens, microwave drawers, warming drawers, wine or beverage coolers in the butler’s pantry and media rooms, furniture finish doors, elegant barrel ceilings, double balconies, dramatic curved stairways, card room with fireplace that adjoins the billiard room, media rooms with wet bar. 

Create lasting and impressive memories entertaining friends and family in your outdoor scapes with full outdoor Viking kitchen and outdoor fireplace on the covered veranda that rival indoor living spaces, or just get away on your own to enjoy the tranquility of the moment and of nature.

Five Fully Custom Model Homes are available for sale and preview.

Experience the outdoors and discover your neighbors at the stately Montreux Tea  House and picturesque waterfall as you mingle and enjoy tranquil moments among the fragrant, colorful gardens and panoramic views amid gas lantern lit streets.

Membership is included!  As a gift to buyers, initiation to membership for nearby Tim Wilkinson Sports Complex Swim and Fitness is yours.  More is available at your command, including tennis classes and private lessons by Tim.  The Family Fitness Center is loaded with state of the art computerized Cardio Equipment, Weight Machines, and Free Weights.  A knowledgeable, certified staff offers Personal Training and Nutritional Consultation as well as  yoga, Pilates, and aerobics for all ages and fitness levels. 
 
A nationally recognized Tae Kwon Do School is available for all ages to hone self-confidence and self-discipline.
 
The Junior Olympic Swimming Pool, and a child-friendly beach entry pool is  topped  off  with  a  double  enclosed waterslide and poolside cafes.

Hot Tubs, Saunas, and Steam Rooms complete the pampering experience.
Shopping, recreation, places of worship, public and private schools, and acclaimed medical care are just moments away.

Allow me to introduce you to our fine Builder’s Guild who will detail your custom home stone by stone to bring your vision to fruition.

All Lots Released ~ Select Your Prime Lot Today.  Register to receive periodic updates and more info on Montreux at: Chrystal.Safari@gmail.com

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Living, playing, and working in south Charlotte for over 27 years, and with over 14 years experience in the real estate field as an investor and Luxury Home Specialist, I have the knowledge, experience and discretion you need to maximize your return on investment whether for your personal home, investment portfolio, or small business property.  Contact me at Chrystal.Safari@gmail.com