How Do Home Sales Help the Economy?

Last week, the Federal Reserve announced it would attempt to keep mortgage rates low until 2015 to help spur housing and the economy, but the trillion dollar question is, "Will the Fed's move achieve that goal?"

The Fed said it will nearly double its purchases of mortgage-backed securities, bringing the total purchased each month to $85 billion each month, at least through the end of the year. The Fed's statement indicated there could be larger purchases

.

It's widely believed the Fed's $1.25 trillion in mortgage bond purchases, that ended in March 2010, substantially lowered mortgage interest rates.

Mahesh Swaminathan, a Credit Suisse senior mortgage strategist, says the latest Fed action could further lower rates, bringing them down to 3.25 percent

Lower mortgage rates should help in two ways.

·  By reducing the cost of buying a home -- Here's a rule of thumb: every 1 percentage point drop in mortgage rates lowers the cost buying a home 10 percent! That helps buyers qualify for larger mortgage and a larger home. Lower rates also mean lower monthly payments that could help buyers who couldn't qualify for a larger payment.

·  By increasing disposable income for homeowners -- By refinancing into a lower rates, current homeowners can save several thousand dollars every year. The Fed hopes that homeowners will spend those savings on discretionary purchases and help prime the economic pump.

The Fed's effort to stimulate the economy focuses on housing because housing is a cornerstone of the economy. Housing's contribution to job creation and the economy can't be overstated.

According to the National Association of Realtors:

• For every two homes sold, one job is created.
• Each home purchased pumps up to $60,000 into the economy.
• Home ownership accounts for more than $2 trillion of the U.S. gross domestic product.

For more information, contact:

Dianne Dunn

Keller Williams Realty, New Bern NC

DDunn@DDunn.com

252-671-1932

What Do Home Buyers Want Today?

What Do Home Buyers Want Today?

History of Leap Year

In case you were wondering who invented Leap Year and why ... we thought we would share a little trivia with you. Julius Caesar introduced Leap Years in the Roman empire over 2000 years ago, but the Julian calendar had only one rule: any year evenly divisible by 4 would be a leap year. This lead to way too many leap years, but didn't get corrected until the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar more than 1500 years later.

However, the Gregorian calendar has only 365 days in a year, so if we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours off our calendar every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days! Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds (a tropical year) – to circle once around the Sun.

Did you know there are also some interesting traditions for Leap Years. In Britain and Ireland, it is a tradition that women may propose marriage only on leap years. In some places the tradition was tightened to restricting female proposals to the modern leap year day, February 29. In Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky. One in five engaged couples in Greece will plan to avoid getting married in a leap year.

What are your chances of being born on leap day? About 1 in 1,500. A person born on February 29 may be called a "leapling" or a "leaper". In common years they usually celebrate their birthdays on February 28 or March 1. In some situations, March 1 is used as the birthday in a non-leap year since it is the day following February 28. Today, we celebrate Leap Day and the birthdays of "Leapers".

Has the Real Estate Market Bottomed?

I read an article this morning which said that most Americans believe the housing market has hit the bottom and that it's a good time to buy, in part because many also think rents will rise faster than home prices.

Fannie Mae's latest nation housing survey found that 70 percent of Americans think it's a good time to buy a home, up from 64 percent in January.

By an overwhelming majority, 78 percent, also believe home prices will either hold steady or increase over the next year, compared to 85 percent believing the same thing about rental increases.

While Americans expect rents to rise by 3.6 percent on average, home prices are expected to turn up only 0.9 percent, Fannie Mae found.

Also, the winter months are a good time to consider purchasing ... sellers might be willing to negotiate more after they've been through a slow spring, summer and fall.

It's a Buyer's Market, so let the advantage work for you!

Dianne Dunn

http://www.newbernhomes.com/

Real Estate Outlook Promising

According to national cyndicated columnist, Ken Harney, after a few weeks in August, where the economic and housing outlooks have been a little sobering, the numbers at the beginning of September are looking increasingly positive.



The latest Commerce Department study finds that consumer spending is on the upswing, and just registered the biggest upswing in four months.



On the housing front, there are even more encouraging numbers:

1. Pending home sales, which had been sliding since the phase out of the tax credits last spring, rose by 5.2 percent according to the National Association of Realtors.


2. Standard and Poors/Case-Shiller index reported home prices in the top 20 metropolitan areas gained 4.2 percent over last year.

As long as rates remain in the mid four percent range -- the Federal Reserve Chairman says he's committed to keeping them low. Housing should look increasingly attractive to first-home buyers and move up buyers, who find they can now afford much more house than they might have imagined.

10 Staging Tips to Help Sell your Home!

Remember … “Decorating” is personalizing to your taste, while “Staging” is depersonalizing, to appeal to a larger percentage of the public.

1. Visit model homes and examine shelter magazines for inexpensive decorating ideas. Always keep in mind you are not decorating for yourself but for the general public.

2. Start with the outside. Give the house a fresh coat of paint, add shiny hardware to the front door and plant a few flowers to send a subliminal message the house is loved and well cared for.

3. Declutter every room to make it look larger. Get rid of family pictures, trophies and knickknacks. Closets and drawers should be no more than 30% full.

4. Invest in eco-friendly but bright lights. Open the drapes or remove them completely. “Light, bright rooms give the impression this is a happy place—and everyone wants to move into a happy place.”

.

5. Feature only a few pieces of furniture with mainstream appeal. Pull pieces away from walls to make rooms look bigger.

6. Make sure a room’s primary use is obvious. A bedroom should look like a bedroom, not an office, hobby center or gym.

7. Bedrooms and kitchens are difficult to stage because they are in daily use, but make the effort. Clear everything off the counters and nightstands, roll up the rugs and hide the laundry hamper. Buff the cabinets with car wax and clean under the sinks. Invest in pristine white bed linens and towels.

8. Minimize the “pet effect.” Remove food bowls and litter boxes to the utility room. Deodorize thoroughly.

9. Organize the utility room and garage. Hang up the bicycles, roll up the hose. Renting a storage locker is worth the cost if it helps you sell faster and for a higher price.

10. Once your house is staged, invite your friends or Realtor over and walk them through to get an objective opinion.

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty
New Bern, NC

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website:

Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Need a Loan? Pre-Qualification Guidelines for FHA

You'll hear many people say that loans are not available during these recessionary times. That's not true!

Home loans are READILY available with certain criteria.

According to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), their pre-qualification essentials include:

* Having a steady employment history, at least two years with the same employer.
* Consistent or increasing income over the past two years.
* Credit report should be in good standing with less than two thirty day late payments in the past two years.
* Any bankruptcy on record must be at least two years old with good credit for the two consecutive years.
* Any foreclosure must be at least three years old with good credit for the past three years.
* Mortgage payment qualified for must be approximately 30 percent of your total monthly gross income.

Other lenders' ideas regarding pre-qualification are all similar to those outlined above. A mortgage lender will look at your credit report, earnings, debts, and savings in order to see how much home you really can afford.

Why is this important? In recent years there has been a “mortgage crisis,” where the industry was rampant with fraud and with loans that put homeowners into situations they could not afford. As payments rose, homeowners found themselves unable to meet their monthly obligations. According to Realtytrac.com and their U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, in January 2010, one in every 409 households in the country had received a foreclosure filing.

Since pre-qualification for a home loan typically costs you nothing, but gives you both a goal of what homes are in your affordability range, as well as how much money you should look to have saved for a downpayment, you can hardly wait to take this step.

During the pre-qualification process, you will be expected to provide the following information:
** Your gross monthly income
** Your total monthly payments (car payments, credit cards minimums, child support payments, student loan payments, any other monthly debts)

The lender will be looking to see that your debt to income is below about 40 percent, and the lower the better. So, if you are looking to buy in the near future, be sure to get "Pre-Qualified".

Contact your local Realtor Professional, who can give you the names of lenders who have very competitive rates.

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty
New Bern, NC

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website:

Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), February 1 through February 28 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

Under $99,999 = 07
$100K-$139,999 = 13
$140K-$179,999 = 22
$180K-$219,999 = 07
$220K-$259,999 = 04
$260K-$299,999 = 02
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 00
$400K-$499,999 = 01
$500K-$999,999 = 02
Over $1,000,000 = 00

Total February 2010 = 60
Total February 2009 = 89
Total February 2008 = 125
Total February 2007 = 158

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", February 1 through February 28 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)

For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Don't Forget the April 30th Deadline for Tax Credit!

Hi Folks,

This is a great opportunity for many people, whether you're a first-time buyer or currently own a home. The following are the basic guidelines of the program:

Tax credit: 10% of the purchase price of a primary residence, up to a maximum of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers. First-time homebuyers are defined as people who have not owned a home in the previous three years. Repeat buyers must have owned their current home at least five years. The credit cannot be used for houses costing more than $800,000.

Deadline for qualifying: Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.

Military deadline: The deadline is extended by a year for members of the military who have served outside the U.S. for at least 90 days from Jan. 1, 2009, to May 1, 2010.

Income limits: Individuals with annual incomes up to $125,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full credit. Individuals with incomes up to $145,000 and joint filers with incomes up to $245,000 qualify for reduced credits.

How to apply: Taxpayers can claim the credit on their federal income tax returns. If the credit exceeds their tax bill, the government will issue a payment. Taxpayers who want immediate refunds can amend their tax returns for 2008 to claim the credit.

If you need any help, please feel free to contact us!

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty
New Bern, NC

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website:

Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), January 1 through January 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)
Under $99,999 = 04
$100K-$139,999 = 07
$140K-$179,999 = 12
$180K-$219,999 = 16
$220K-$259,999 = 03
$260K-$299,999 = 04
$300K-$349,999 = 05
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 00
$500K-$999,999 = 03
Over $1,000,000 = 00

Total January 2010 = 55
Total January 2009 = 55
Total January 2008 = 97
Total January 2007 = 144

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", January 1 through January 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)

For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Building Trends for 2010

The survey's from two recent articles in RISMedia said that Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday’s most popular rooms—such as home theaters—from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show.

The penchant for smaller homes will necessitate some design changes. Builders, attempting to respond to those consumer demands as well as hold the line on prices, told the NAHB surveyors that they were most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

What's "In" for 2010?
-Walk-in closets in the master bedroom.
-Laundry rooms.
-Insulated front doors.
-Great rooms.
-Energy-efficient windows.
-Linen closets.
-Programmable thermostats.
-Energy-efficient appliances and lighting.-
Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms.
-Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor.

Among the things that builders said they were least likely to add to houses in 2010:
-Outdoor kitchens.
-Outdoor fireplaces.
-Sunrooms.
-Butler’s pantries.
-Media rooms.
-Desks in kitchens.
-Two-story foyers.
-Eight foot ceilings on the first floor.
-Multiple shower heads in the master bath.
-Smaller kitchens.

It seems like the new trend is "down-sizing", with certain conveniences!

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website:

Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Top 10 Must-Have Features in Today's Home

I just read an article, where surveys were conducted by an architectural firm, inquiring what buyers want most today.

Americans want smaller houses and they are willing to strip some of yesterday’s most popular rooms—such as home theaters—from them in order to accommodate changing lifestyles, consumer experts told audiences at the International Builders Show.

Buyers today want cost-effective architecture, plans that focus on spaces and not rooms, and homes that are designed "green" from the outset. The key for home builders is finding the balance between what buyers want and the price point. It’s all about family togetherness—casual living, entertaining and flexible spaces.

Paul Cardis, CEO of AVID Ratings Co., which conducts an annual survey of home buyer preferences, said there are 10 “must have” features in new homes:

1. Large kitchens, with an island. “If you’re going to spend design dollars, spend them where people want them—spend them in the kitchen,” McCune said.

2. Granite countertops are a must for move-up buyers and buyers of custom homes, but for others “they are on the bubble,”.

3. Energy-efficient appliances, high-efficiency insulation and high window efficiency. Among the “green” features touted in homes, these are the ones buyers value most, said Cardis. While large windows had been a major draw, energy concerns are giving customers pause on those. The use of recycled or synthetic materials is only borderline desirable.

4. Home office/study. People would much rather have this space rather than, say, a formal dining room. “People are feeling like they can dine out again and so the dining room has become tradable,” Cardis said. And the home theater may also be headed for the scrap heap, a casualty of the “shift from boom to correction."

5. Main-floor master suite. This is a must feature for empty-nesters and certain other buyers, and appears to be getting more popular in general. That could help explain why demand for upstairs laundries is declining after several years of popularity gains.

6. Outdoor living room. The popularity of outdoor spaces continues to grow, even in Canada. The idea of an outdoor room is even more popular than an outdoor cooking area, meaning people are willing to spend more time outside.

7. Master suite soaker tubs. Whirlpools are still desirable for many home buyers, but they clearly went down a notch in the latest survey. Oversize showers with seating areas are also moving up in popularity.

8. Stone and brick exteriors. Stucco and vinyl don’t make the cut.

9. Community landscaping, with walking paths and playgrounds. Forget about golf courses, swimming pools and clubhouses. Buyers in large planned developments prefer hiking among lush greenery.

10. Two-car garages. A given at all levels; three-car garages, in which the third bay is more often than not used for additional storage and not automobiles, is desirable in the move-up and custom categories.

Dianne Dunn

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website:

Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

$6500 TAX CREDIT!

Did you know that if you contract on another home by April 30, 2010, and close by July 2, 2010, you may be eligible for the $6500 Tax Credit?

This credit is available to ANYONE, provided you have lived in your principal residence (home being sold) consecutsively for 5 of the previous 8 years!

The following two links by the National Association of Realtors will explain the bill in more detail:

NAR Issue Brief
Questions and Answers

Let us know if you need some assistance:
Toll Free: 888-781-8800

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), December 1 through December 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)
Under $99,999 = 09
$100K-$139,999 = 17
$140K-$179,999 = 17
$180K-$219,999 = 13
$220K-$259,999 = 04
$260K-$299,999 = 04
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 00
$500K-$999,999 = 01
Over $1,000,000 = 00

Total December 2009 = 68
Total December 2008 = 80
Total December 2007 = 119

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", December 1 through December 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)

For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Happy New Year from Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern!

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

The holidays have come and gone and you've probably just finished cleaning up from your New Year's party! Now it is time to get started on your New Year's Resolutions! Here are a few helpful websites with tips on the 3 top New Year's Resolutions. I hope you find them helpful. Good luck!

New Year's Resolution #1 - Get In Shape

If a grip on fitness and diet is in your New Year's Resolutions, these sites might help you chart a course of action...

Nutricise: a great online health and fitness resource
Lifelines: resources for improvement of health, productivity, and effectiveness
HealthFinder: a gateway consumer health and human services information website
DietWatch: has a calculator and will help you monitor your intake.
The Mayo Clinic: has a section on healthy tips, coping with grief, and keeping stress in line.
American Dietetic Association: your link to nutrition and health information
Ask Dr. Andrew Weil: brought to you by Dr. Weil himself

New Year's Resolution #2 - Get Organized

Being organized means more than filing papers, using a daily list and knowing what time to be where. It's a habit, much the same as any other skill you master. Tips from this site will help you organize your home office, get ahead, take control of projects and maintain balance in your life.



New Year's Resolution #3 - Create a Financial Plan

How do you invest to meet your goals? There are no one-size-fits-all investments. Of course, the best investment you can make (and enjoy) is in your home. Today's interest rates are the lowest in 30 years, there are extra Tax benefits, homes are affordable, the property taxes are moderate, the cost of living is competitive, and the quality of life is excellent!

Create a Financial Plan. A personal financial plan provides strategies for dealing with periods of personal hardship and helps develop a prudent economic agenda for you and/or your family.

Chart Your Financial Future with these Top 10 Financial Resolutions from Smart Money.

Some Extra Fun Tidbits!

Celebrations!
Find out the History of the New Year from Babylon to Times Square with a soft rendition of "Auld Lang Syne". How familiar are you with the "history" of the song? This encyclopedia views various versions of the popular ballad. Yes, the celebration is still on! With over 100 celebrations for New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York City is bigger than ever. Speaking of large celebrations, the Chinese New Year is considered the longest festival. Check out Chinatown Online!

Throwing a Party?
Check out some traditional New Year's Recipes for Luck!

Calendars, Celestial and Astrology!
Have some fun visiting the Calendar Zone and Astrology.com for some fun predictions this upcoming new year.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Dianne

Feel free to forward this page to your family and friends, and please recommend me as your Realtor for both New and Resale Properties. Thank You!

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty
New Bern, NC

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website
Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) recently released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.71 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending December 3, 2009, down from last week when it averaged 4.78 percent.

Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.53 percent.

The 30-year has never been this low since Freddie Mac began its weekly survey in 1971. It's a great time to buy real estate!

Dianne Dunn
www.NewBernHomes.com
www.SearchNewBernHomes.com

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), November 1 through November 30 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

Under $99,999 = 13
$100K-$139,999 = 24
$140K-$179,999 = 26
$180K-$219,999 = 12
$220K-$259,999 = 09
$260K-$299,999 = 05
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 02
$500K-$999,999 = 01
Over $1,000,000 = 00

Total November 2009 = 95
Total November 2008 = 69
Total November 2007 = 121

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", November 1 through November 30 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)

For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!

Happy Holidays from Dianne Dunn & Team New Bern!

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

This holiday season is a special time to reflect on the year that is nearly over, and to be thankful for those closest to our hearts. I hope that you'll enjoy the information in the web site links that follow.

Planning a Holiday Meal?

Don't have time to plan dinner? Meals.com has done all the planning for you with over 15,000 recipes!

Sill feeling overwhelmed? Here is a list of tips, and some printables to help you in planning your holiday meals.

The holidays can be a tough time for families, especially families dealing with diabetes. This site has all the help you need.

Need a cookbook? Here is access to name brand recipes and great ideas for a holiday meal.

If your idea of a holiday meal doesn't include meat, you can get some vegan holiday feast ideas from the The Low Fat Vegetarian and the Vegetarian Resource Guide. The Vegetarian Kitchen has a great selection of recipes too.

Mrs. Claus has lots of great holiday recipes for you to enjoy!
Click on each image and you will go directly to her cookbook!

Stressing About the Holidays?

Worried about gaining weight this holiday season? Join WebMD's weight loss clinic and party without adding pounds. The holiday season and all that comes with it can cause a great deal of stress for you and your children. Find out how to relieve it at Parenting.org.

Check out this site for the Top Ten Holiday Lists.

Want some great ideas for keeping collected after the holidays are done? Post-Holiday Cleanup has the "Best Hints for Undecorating and Packing Away Your Christmas Decorations."

Where do you go to ship that gift last minute? Help is here! Here are some packaging tips and services:

United States Postal Service
UPS.com
FedEx.com
DHL.com

Still Don't Know What to Give?

What to get for him....still don't know? Does he love history? Give him a distinctive gift package tailored to his historical interest. Find gifts for him for all occasions.

And now for her! Want to give her something unique? These gifts ideas are loved by Courtney Cox, Renee Zellweger & more stars! Give her something to snuggle up in from PajamaGram.com, and you don't have to wrap it! Or, give her something that will make her heart and her eyes sparkle from BlueNile.com.

Giving gifts to your co-workers or your employees can be a tricky business...this site can help. Do you know picky people who only like the best.

Looking for Hanukkah gifts? FTD.com has baskets, figurines, toys and more.

Send Holiday Cheer with an e-Greeting

Send your friends and loved ones Holiday cheer with a Holiday e-card from:
123 Greetings - Hanukkah
123 Greetings - Christmas
Blue Mountain Greetings


Holidays for the Kids

To keep the kiddies occupied before and after the holidays, there are games and entertainment galore at these sites:

The Holiday Spot has crafts, games, quizzes, and tons of fun stuff for all ages.
Billy Bear makes the holidays fun for all ages.

At Santa's Countdown to Christmas, the kids can send their very own email to Santa!

In the mood for Christmas caroling? Check out this website for some popular sing-along songs!

Discover the spirit of the season as the four Theme Parks of Walt Disney World Resort present magical holiday celebrations for the entire family. Join the festivities and ring in the holiday season with millions of lights on a studio backlot, stunning Candlelight Processionals, snow at Magic Kingdom Park and, of course, holiday parades featuring Santa. Come celebrate at the "Merriest Place on Earth."

If you enjoy viewing Christmas trees in all of their splendor, then head to New York City's Rockefeller Center to see the most famous tree of all!

Best Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday!
Dianne

Feel free to forward this page to your family and friends, and please recommend me as your
Realtor for both New and Resale Properties. Thank You!

Dianne Dunn and Team New Bern
Keller Williams Realty
New Bern, NC

Email Dianne!
Visit our Website
Search All Properties in the New Bern area.

Breaking News - Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended and Expanded!

Earlier this week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit. The House of Representatives approved the agreement reached in the Senate by a vote of 403-12, and the bill was signed by the president!

Below is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1) The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.

2) A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.

3) Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
4) Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

The following two links by the National Association of Realtors will explain the bill in more depth:

NAR Issue Brief
Questions and Answers

If you know anyone looking to buy their first home at a time when prices and interest rates are still down, or if you are thinking of buying another home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today ... we're glad to help!


Dianne Dunn
www.NewBernHomes.com
www.SearchNewBernHomes.com

Local New Bern News - Market Update

This column is customized each month so that I can share with you, the current monthly statistics. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Or, visit my website at www.NewBernHomes.com.

HOMES SOLD (Closed), October 1 through October 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)
Under $99,999 = 12
$100K-$139,999 = 14
$140K-$179,999 = 28
$180K-$219,999 = 15
$220K-$259,999 = 09
$260K-$299,999 = 04
$300K-$349,999 = 02
$350K-$399,999 = 01
$400K-$499,999 = 01
$500K-$999,999 = 00
Over $1,000,000 = 01

Total October 2009 = 87
Total October 2008 = 104
Total October 2007 = 128

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "SOLD", October 1 through October 31 (from NRRAR MLS Service)

NEIGHBORHOOD PROPERTIES "FOR SALE" (from NRRAR MLS Service)



For the BEST Internet Marketing, and the Most Responsive Service in New Bern, Contact DIANNE! Email Dianne (252) 636-3301 or Toll Free: (888) 781-8800

www.NewBernHomes.com

Search ALL Properties in New Bern!