New Used Book Store in Marysville

From time to time, my friends and clients will start a business and I want to trumpet their fabulous ideas! The Cartwrights, Adam and Sierra, have started a new used book store in Marysville, adjacent to and just south of Cristiano's Restaurant in the Safeway Plaza on the corner of Grove and Old Highway 99. They have great looking space, a kids area, Open Mic night, local artists and great books! 425-232-2164!

I don't want people to starve!

The 2009 Snohomish County Realtor Food Drive has begun. Please bring your food items and/or cash into our office and help us win the Food Drive for the 5th Straight Year! Just bring in your stuff, if you need me to pick it up, let me know. We are in some seriously tough times in our Country right now. My best college friend told me she reckoned noone would starve and let's make sure that she was telling the truth! Let's Not Let Anyone Starve! Our address is 801 State Avenue, Marysville. Tell the people at the front desk that you're bringing the food for the Food Drive!

Potential Change in FHA Regulations!

Hello Buyers-if you think having to save for 3.5% for a Federally Insured FHA loan is tough, there is currently a bill in Congress that will require a 5% down payment for FHA. This means to me that you should run not walk to purchase a home as quickly as you can qualify and find one, aside from the $8000 tax credit, to save yourself not only a little money but get a fabulous 30 year fixed interest rate.

Is NOW the time to Invest in Real Estate?

MSN Money says it is. Interest rates are still at historical lows or thereabouts, and you should read this article.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/RealEstate/its-time-to-invest-in-real-estate.aspx

A Short Video regarding the $8,000 Tax Credit!

This is a GREAT VIDEO (short) of the $8,000 Tax Credit and should be watched by anyone looking for a home and wondering if they qualify. Washington Realtors have produced this video and the video will guide you to their link for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIVb2ordwNQ

Remember, I work from mid-Skagit County South to Seattle, East to Start up, MOnroe, Bellevue, Eastside and Darrington, and have even sold homes in Kitsap County. If you know of anyone thinking about buying a home right now, I can assist them to locate a fabulous lender as well as locate, secure, and navigate the deep channels of home buying.....call me at 425-356-9177.

IRS Rules for Debt Forgiveness on a Short Sale

This article will apply to you if you have sold a home as a short sale, meaning you owed more than what your home was worth at the time of sale. In years past, the difference could have been considered as taxable income. Now there is some tax relief for those individuals as outlined in the linked section to the IRS rules. Check it out for more specific information.

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html

New Data on Housing Market Indicates we're Bouncing on the Bottom

Depending on your neighborhood, you may have noticed home sales improving and you've certainly read about those facts. We're still a ways from the absolute bottom and stabilization in my opinion. Despite the fact that home sales have increased in the 2nd Q of 2009, still, we're waiting to see that kind of improvement in homes priced over $300,000 in Everett North to Skagit. In a normal housing market, you'd have move up buyers by the scad loads from selling their lower end homes, but due to short sales and foreclosures, the typical move up buyer can't move up. However, there is more good news every day. Check out this AP Article about the Nationwide Trend.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,536124,00.html