Interest Rates are the Lowest in History

Hello Folks.

By now you may have heard, interest rates are the lowest they have ever been in history. The government is doing their very best to stimulate the economy and give it a jolt; they are doing a great job!

I have been telling all of my past, current, and potential clients that now is the absolute best time to purchase a home. The same rings true for investors. The folks that purchase a home now and hold onto it for at least five years will reap the benefits at sales time. Everyone that allows this precious time to slip away will look back in the rear view mirror with tears in their eyes asking- WHY?

Talk to your accountant or financial advisor about capital gains taxes. The laws are different for owner occupied property and investment property. In most states, capital gains on owner occupied property are not taxed if certain guidelines are met. I always encourage you all to be informed and to educate yourselves so that you make the proper choices, especially in business matters and when it involves your money.

Most folks that buy right now are going to make a great profit when they sell in the next few years. The home will be bought today at a great price with an unbelievable interest rate, and those folks will make money later. If you are thinking about buying a home, please know that the time is now! Do not sit on the fence and allow these opportunities to pass you by!

I encourage you to read this article about current interest rates. Hopefully it will stimulate you and get you moving! Find a good, resourceful Realtor and go get yourself a deal on a great home!

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20081219_rates.htm

Make it an outstanding day!!!

Now is the time to buy your home, folks!

Hello All!

I know what the media is saying about the housing market in the U.S. Please, do not let that hinder you. If you allow this opportunity to pass you by, in a few you will be sick when you think about how much money you 'could have' saved.

Despite what is seen on the tube and heard on the radio, I am out there grinding everyday! I see the closings, the listings, the sales and negotioations. I am not talking about investors scooping up their fair share, but first time homebuyers and folks moving from a first to a second home--people they are getting great deals.

I am attaching an article that was sent to me. It is informative and it hits home. America is not in the most positive situation right now, but I encourage each of you to let that be to your benefit. Now is the time folks, now is the time!

As always, make it an outstandingly productive day!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/business/yourmoney/06money.html?_r=1

Time to prepare for the New Year! Already?!

Hi you guys! I was browsing the web this A.M. and realized something- Thanksgiving is gone! Christmas is knocking at our door and after that is New Year's. WOW!

Business people and entrepreneurs, guess what that means? You've got it. It is time for us to put the finishing touches on our business plan for 2009. Many of us, myself included, do not take the time to plan for our businesses as we should. This is an imperative ingredient in our 'Manage my Business Recipe'. Planning in business is like the eggs in the macaroni and cheese- if we neglect to include it or we use too little it will eventually fall apart.

I am attaching an article from a fellow business person that I found very helpful. It is targeted to and resourceful for everyone, not just real estate professionals.

Have a good read and remember, make it an outstanding day!

http://www.e-myth.com/cs/user/print/post/10-ways-to-prepare-for-the-new-year

Inexpensive Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Hello All!

We are all trying to figure our ways to increase the value of our homes. In these times, though, we need those ways to be 'pocketbook friendly'!

In this attached article we are discussing 10 ways to increase the value of your home that are fairly inexpensive. The article touches on the areas that are important to most buyers. Even if you are not planning to sell right now, bookmark this article for future reference.

As always, I pray you will have a great day!! MAKE it outstandingly productive- the choice is ours!!

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/152/10-home-upgrades-that-pay-off/

Contact me with any questions or concerns!

NAR Legislative Proposals

Hello All!

I wanted to give you all some exciting information! Please take your time to review these recommended changes from the National Association of Realtors. They will benefit all of us that plan to purchase a primary residence in the near future.

If there are questions or concerns, please feel free to call or write me!

Make it an outstanding day!

NAR Recommendations

NAR recommends Congress pass new housing stimulus legislation that includes the following priorities:

• Remove the requirement in the current law in which first-time homebuyers repay the $7,500 tax credit, and expand the tax credit to apply not only to first-time buyers but also to all buyers of a primary residence.
  
• Revise and make permanent the FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 2008 stimulus loan limit increase. The Economic Stabilization Act, enacted in February, made loan limit increases temporary, and subsequent legislation reduced the loan limits and made them permanent. This has broad implications for homebuyers in high cost areas.
  
• Urge the government to use a portion of the allotted $700 billion that was provided to purchase mortgage-backed securities from banks to provide price stabilization for housing. The Treasury department should be required to use the newly enacted Troubled Assets Relief Program to push banks to:
  
• Extend credit down to Main Street, making credit more available to consumers and small businesses
  
• Expedite the process for short sales
  
• Expedite the resolution of bank's Real Estate Owned (REO) properties
  
• Make permanent the prohibition against banks entering real estate brokerage and management, further protecting consumers and the economy.
  

Gaylord said that NAR will strongly pursue those proposals and is calling on Congress to return to enact housing stimulus legislation in a lame-duck session after the national elections in November.

No Real Estate Today- Let's Destress....

Good Morning everyone.


Now that it is a little cooler we all intend to slow down a little. The warmer months are full of activity, hustle, and bustle- which is a good thing. There are times, though, that we need to just chill, sit back, and take it all in.


I am attaching a wonderful article that I hope you will find useful, not only for today but days to come. It discusses the key organ in the body that controls stress, ways to cleanse and keep it healthy, and techniques to calm yourself so you lead a happier and healthier life.


Please, take a few special moments from this precious day and take care of yourself. This is the first October 31, 2008 you have ever been given, and it is only one you will ever see!


Sit back, destress, then make it a prosperous day- in your own way!! Take Care!



Utica A. Bridges





http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/16392/7-ways-to-slash-stress/

The numbers are in and the survey says....

Home sales rose in September!!


According to recent reports in Mortgage News Daily the US saw a 2.7% increase in home sales in September. This is sure proof that now is still a great time to buy or sell a home despite some of the not so positive information we see ans hear from the media.


It is my job as a professional to keep my customers and clients informed. I must admit, I am ECSTATIC to deliver this news to you all today. Please take a moment to read this article. It is a short read and well worth it!


Remember folks, stay informed! As always, make it an outstanding day!!!



http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/10272008_new_home_sales.asp

Bank of America

Hi Folks!

Today let's talk about the banking industry. Who is the strongest out there? The title says it all!

BOA has made some major moves the past few months. This industry leader headquartered in Charlotte, NC is literally taking over Wall Street! I am proud to say they are my company's preferred lender!

If you have any questions about your mortgage, interest rates, or the banking industry in general do not hesitate to contact me. If I need to research the question I have a direct pipeline to the industry leaders in mortgages, deposits, automobile financing, and credit accounts!

Visit this link to see Bank of America's CEO on 60 minutes as he discusses BOA's position in the banking industry.

Thanks so much for visiting and as always- Make it an outstanding day!

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4531397n

SELLERS- Let's Stage!!!

Hello All!



OK- so in the last post we decided that now is still a great time to sell, right? Well, how do we facilitate a quick sale?



There are lots of opinions about that question. Some of the most popular are de-clutter, price reasonably in the beginning, offer buyer perks, and the most popular STAGE THE HOME!



Folks, let's face it- if you are living in the home while trying to sell keeping it staged is difficult. If there are children in the home it is very difficult!



This article will provide you with some simple tips on staging your home. I hope you will find it useful and please, comment!

http://pages.exacttarget.com/page.aspx?qs=773ed3059447707d2c71b28e5c254214c0b7deb37e6c1124467e9b452e140e8003ce96e6b33304ed0e93665178d76c03614f494ecaaf0c1585768676035f4037

25 top cities ready to rebound- quick turnarounds!

(Enlarge image to see Columbia, SC at position #7!)

Hello All!

I am delighted to bring you fantastic news today! Smart Money has named 25 cities that will turnaround quickly in 2009. Columbia, SC is city number 7!

I am telling you folks, now is the time to sell and buy Columbia, SC has a very strong and stable market. I can assist you in taking full advantage of it!

Please, read the article and leave comments. We should all stay informed at times like these so we can make the best choices!

Make it an outstanding day!!

Utica A. Bridges

http://www.smartmoney.com/smartmoney-magazine/

'Going green' in real estate- what's it all about?

Hello Friends! Here is your piece of Real Estate news for today.

We have all heard the term 'go green' at some point the past few years. Most of us are attempting to do our part to preserve the earth, our home. Addressing issues like Global Warming has become the core of our communities.

Over the past 6 years the sales on energy efficient vehicles like the Honda Insight have risen to all time highs. Well, the automobile industry is not the only one jumping onto the 'green' bandwagon. Realtors® and homebuilders are doing our part to become more knowledgable about this movement in an effort to accomodate our clients that support this issue. We are committed to 'stepping outside of the box' to serve our community!

Below is an article about our efforts as service people to address the concerns of all clients. If environmental issues are important to our clients we are going to address those issues. This article explains how we as Realtors® and homebuilders have committed to taking classes and becoming certified on this issue. It matters!

Please take the time to read this information. I encourage you to post comments!

http://www.inman.com/news/2008/10/14/going-green-in-real-estate

Make it an outstanding day!!

$7500 Tax Credit- Be Informed!

Hello Everyone!


Today, I am going to provide you information on the new $7500 tax credit that is available to first time homebuyers.


First, let's have a little Q&A that will help you be more informed when reading the information:

1. Can everyone claim the tax credit? No. The tax credit is limited to first time homebuyers?



2. Who is a first time homebuyer? A first time homebuyer is defined as an individual that has not owned a home within the past 3 years.



3. Is the credit available to singles and couples? Yes. Income limits have been imposed on the single buyer and the couples. Those are discussed in the message below.



4. May I claim the full $7500 credit? Possibly. You can claim up to 10% of the homes value. The maximum is $7500 regardless of the homes purchase price.



5. Can this credit generate a refund or eliminate my tax liability? Yes. Please refer to the information below.

I feel these pointers will help you better understand the article. If there are questions or concerns, do not hesitate to write me at Utica@UticaBridges.net


Make it an Outstanding Day!




http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/pages/News2008100807?OpenDocument&LID=RONav0019

August 27, 2008

Hello everyone. My name is Utica A. Bridges and I am a Real Estate Professional in Columbia, SC.

This blog has been created to network, inform, and empower! We have some buyers out there that are afraid to purchase a home. This fear may have a number of different sources but I am here to help you all remove those strongholds and move forward with your process. Buyers, NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU!

A new Housing Stimulus Bill was passed a little over one month ago and there are many benefits for first time home buyers. I would love to share this information with you in depth and encourage you to ask questions.

Every other day I will post a message with information about a specific portion of the bill. Please read and retain the information as it will be most useful to you.

For more information about me, my company, and my practice please research my website. Here is the address:

http://www.UticaBridges.net/


Have an outstanding day!!