ShirLee McGarry's Page - Real Estate Global Network

ShirLee McGarry's Page - Real Estate Global Network

Wahooo! Sales up 24%

According to a report from the Salt Lake Board of Realtors

October Home Sales Climb Twenty-Four Percent

The Salt Lake Board of REALTORS stated sales of existing homes and condominiums climbed 24% in October. There were 1,061 homes/condos sold in October compared to 855 sales in October 2008. In a story, the Salt Lake Tribune quoted SLBR President Ryan Kirkham, and Board of Director member, DeAnna Dipo.

Full story is available at the Salt Lake Tribune at: www.sltrib.com/business/ci_13851384. Salt Lake Board of REALTORS Press Release available at slrealtors.com.

Are You Prepared?

Hand in hand with buying your new home, another topic enters into reality. How do your fair in being prepared for an emergency? What if a power outage occurred during a storm and you were without electricity? Besides trying to eat up all the ice cream in your freezer, would you know what to do next?

An emergency can occur at anytime in your area. The extent of an emergency can range from those situations that affect only you and your family, which could include a home fire or a medical emergency, or loss of job. An emergency could also be a situation that affects your entire community like an earthquake or flood.

Here is a basic list of what you should know:

• Know how your local authorities will communicate during a disaster…where will you get information? Such means could be through local radio, TV, weather radio stations or channels or NOAA or local emergency non-profit organizations like the Red Cross.
• Know the difference between weather warnings and watches and what action should be taken in each situation.
• If and when a major disaster occurs... your community, as you know it, can change in an instant. You or your loved ones could be hurt and emergency response could be delayed.
• Know basic first aid. You or a member of your household should be trained in first aid and CPR and know how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Any training is useful in emergency situations.
• Know what is needed for basic food survival and start working on basic storage such as water, water pill purifiers, basic first aid kit, temporary means of lighting, heating (candles, propane lanterns, cooking stove (outside use only) , matches, lighters, etc), warm coats, blankets, enough basic food staples for a 3-months; beans, rice, sugar, honey, grains, etc. Dehydrated and packaged foods are great!
• Inform your family, friends and neighbors of what you have learned and encourage them to also be prepared.

You can get an Emergency Contact Card for All Household Members available at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/ECCard.pdf.

• Print out one card for each family member.
• Fill out the card and write all contact information for each household member; work school and mobile phone numbers.
• Keep the card with you so it is available in case of a disaster or other emergency

Here is a basic emergency Check List:

• Water supply (one-gallon for one person per day) store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify storage date and replace every six months
• A supply of no-perishable packed or canned food
• Non-electric can opener
• A change of clothes, warm coat, rain gear and sturdy shoes, warm socks
  
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• A first aid kit and prescription medication
• An extra pair of glasses
• A battery powered radio
• Flashlight
• Plenty of extra batteries various sizes
• Credit cards and cash
• Extra set of car keys
• List of family physicians
• List of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers
• Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members
• Mylar blanket

Thanksgiving...food for thought

Thanksgiving 8000 calorie poem

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
-Unknown

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
--Irv Kupcine

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
--Erma Bombeck

Thanksgiving is so called because we are all so thankful that it only comes once a year.
--P. J. O'Rourke

Lower Your Heating Costs

Lower Your Heating Costs

Lower Your Heating Costs This Winter by Weatherizing Your Home Winter is right around the corner. So there's no better time to prepare for the season by making energy-efficient upgrades.

Typical energy improvements include air sealing, insulation, ventilation systems or the installation of green appliances approved by Energy Star. Many upgrades are encouraged by state or federal programs that provide tax credits or rebates.

"These programs raise consumer awareness of the types of upgrades that are needed to make homes more energy-efficient," says Neil Parsons, a vice president at Mark of Excellence Remodeling in West Long Branch, N.J. "Weatherization" is a term that describes various improvements made to buildings and homes to optimize energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by about $350 per year at current prices.

Even though each state has different programs and incentives, all provide benefits to homeowners. "Homeowners notice their return on investment in their utility bills instantly after making energy upgrades," says Parsons. "The other benefits are the rebates, the increase in home value from making the improvements, increased performance and durability and helping out the planet by conserving energy for future generations."

To learn more about your state weatherization programs, visit www.dsireusa.org.

Winter Maintenance Tip

As the winter months bring colder temperatures, make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulking windows and doors will help you save energy and money. If you have exposed pipes, be sure to insulate those to prevent them from bursting as temperatures drop below freezing.

Winter is also the prime time for illnesses such as colds and flu, so decrease indoor pollutants by cleaning and vacuuming dust from your vents.

Maintaining your thermostat is another important step to efficiency. Keep it set at the lowest possible temperature that will keep everyone comfortable (usually in the 68 to 72 degree range).

You may want to consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will adjust your temps automatically. Visit my website if you would like to know what properties are selling for in your area.

U.S. residents fight for the right to hang laundry

There is a growing number of people across America fighting for the right to dry their laundry outside against a rising tide of housing associations who appose the practice, despite its energy-saving green appeal.

The interest is represented by Project Laundry List, a group that argues people can save money and reduce carbon emissions by not using their electric or gas dryers, according to the group's executive director, Alexander Lee.

The adoption of clotheslines could significantly reduce the U.S. energy consumption, argues Lee, who said dryer use accounts for about 6 percent of U.S. residential electricity use.

Florida, Utah, Maine, Vermont, Colorado, and Hawaii have passed laws restricting the rights of local authorities to stop residents using clotheslines. Another five states are considering similar measures, said lee, 35, a former lawyer who quit to run the non-profit group.

'RIGHT TO HANG'

According to the article written by John Hurdle for Reuters, Lee's principal opponents are the housing associations such as condominiums and townhouse communities that are home to an estimated 60 million Americans, or about 20 percent of the population. About half of those organizations have 'no hanging' rules, Lee said, and enforce them with fines.

Carl Weiner, a lawyer for about 50 homeowners associations in suburban Philadelphia, said the no-hanging rules are usually included by the communities' developers along with regulations such as a ban on sheds or commercial vehicles. The no-hanging rules are an aesthetic issues, Weiner said.

"The consensus is most communities is that people don't want to see everybody else's laundry."

Eventually opposition to clotheslines may ease as more people understand it can save energy and reduce greenhouse gases.

"there is more awareness of impact on the environment, " he said. "I would not be surprised to see people questioning these restrictions."

To many in America, 'right to hang' is the embodiment of the American tradition of freedom.

I'm not called the 24-7 Realtor for nothing

My daughter wrote on her Facebook Wall the following comment: "Loved ZAP Band on the CMA's They're awesome...Go Lady Antebellum..."

I wrote her back and said..."To me a CMA means Comparative Market Analysis..."

My daughter makes a comment back..."Funny..guess they don't call you the 24-7 Realtor for nothing!"

So my question: "Is Lady Antebellum the new Diva in Real Estate?"

Obama signs Tax Credit Extension and Expansion

In a report from the NAR, the votes are in 98- 0 and 403 - 12. Both the Senate and House have respectively passed legislation that includes an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit. President Obama signed the legislation on Friday, November 6. Many parts of it take effect immediately.

As of the signing of the legislation, the income limits increase to $125,000 adjusted gross income on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return. In addition, the so-called "move-up" credit is also in effect as of November 6. Thus, individuals who have used a home as a principal residence for 5 consecutive years of the past 8 years will be eligible for a $6500 refundable tax credit for purchases completed between November 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

A summary of the new legislation is attached.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Summary

Email from NAR to ShirLee

Dear Shirlee, You did it. You’ve succeeded in achieving a huge victory for real estate. Congress heard you on the need to both extend and expand the homebuyer tax credit to continue stimulating the housing sector of the economy. The Senate voted 98-0 on Wednesday and yesterdaythe House voted 403-12 on legislation that includes the extension and expansion of the credit. The President is expected to sign the legislation, perhaps as early as today. Thank you for making this victory happen. Your letters in responseto our Call for Action made a very big difference, as did the thousands of REALTOR® phone calls, visits by Federal Political Coordinators— all members of NAR—in getting this legislation passed. This is a great victory for the economy, for homebuyers, and for all of you inreal estate. You made your case to Congress. We deeply appreciate your commitment and involvement on this issue and trust your continued support will follow in the weeks ahead on all our future Calls for Action. More information on the tax credit and what it means to you: Changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit Law Frequently Asked Questions About the New Bill Listen to NAR President Charles McMillan's Podcast About the Bill Passing See How the House Voted In Depth: 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Watch the Entries in the Tax Credit REALTOR® Party Video Contest

DON’T MISS OUT – THIS IS PROBABLY THE LAST TAX CREDIT EXTENSION

HOMEOWNERS IMPORTANT UPDATE

The House is scheduled to vote on the $6,500 bill TODAY!!!!!!

First-time homebuyers have been getting tax credits of up to $8,000 since January as part of the economic stimulus package enacted earlier this year. But with the program scheduled to expire at the end of November, the Senate voted Wednesday to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday.

WHAT THIS MEANS…

BUYERS who have owned their current homes at least five years would be eligible for tax credits of up to $6,500. First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000.

To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010.

"This is probably the last extension," said Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., a former real estate executive who championed the credits.

The real estate industry has been pushing to extend and expand the housing tax credit. About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit.

Extending and expanding the tax credit for homebuyers is projected to cost the government about $10.8 billion in lost taxes. While the measure passed the Senate by a 98-0 vote, Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., questioned its efficiency in stimulating home sales.

The credit is available for the purchase of principal homes costing $800,000 or less, meaning vacation homes are ineligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes above $225,000.

The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30, 2011, for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.

Contact me today to get on board to find your home to buy and qualify for these great tax incentives before they expire. ShirLee McGarry® – 801.856.6594

Existing SF Homes on Wasatch Fron climed 4% 3rd qtr comapred....

According to this report from the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, existing single-family homes across the Wasatch Front climbed 4 percent in this year's third quarter compared to the same period a year ago. The increase was the first time in four years that home sales showed a year-over-year increase during a third quarter.

Nationally, the good news is that home prices have stabilized and even started to rise. According to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Report, 17 of 20 major metropolitan areas showed house-price increases from July to August. Of the 20 cities tracked, only Charlotte, Cleveland and Las Vegas showed small decreases (Salt Lake City was not included in the report).

These developments, in part, led Moody’s/Economy.com economist Mark Zandi in a recent report to national home builders to declare that "the housing crash is history."

For home buyers, that means the bottom of the market has likely come and gone. And more personally, it means the worst is behind us.

Lower Your Heating Costs This Winter by Weatherizing Your Home

So there’s no better time to prepare for the season by making energy-efficient upgrades.

Typical energy improvements include air sealing, insulation, ventilation systems or the installation of green appliances approved by Energy Star. Many upgrades are encouraged by state or federal programs that provide tax credits or rebates.

"These programs raise consumer awareness of the types of upgrades that are needed to make homes more energy-efficient," says Neil Parsons, a vice president at Mark of Excellence Remodeling in West Long Branch, N.J. “Weatherization” is a term that describes various improvements made to buildings and homes to optimize energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on average, weatherization reduces heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by about $350 per year at current prices.

Even though each state has different programs and incentives, all provide benefits to homeowners. "Homeowners notice their return on investment in their utility bills instantly after making energy upgrades,” says Parsons. “The other benefits are the rebates, the increase in home value from making the improvements, increased performance and durability and helping out the planet by conserving energy for future generations.”

To learn more about your state weatherization programs, visit www.dsireusa.org.