Thursday, February 19, 2009

NEW $8000. First Time Buyer's Tax Credit and Obama Foreclosure Plan!

Good afternoon :-)

Today we have some great news for all buyers, and especially first time buyers. We now have a NEW $8000 First Time Buyer's Tax Credit! You will find information and links below for the details on this exciting new incentive.

The basics are that the new stimulus package gives an $8000 tax credit to first time buyers and applies to principal residences purchased between 01/01/09 and 12/01/09.

The best thing about this tax credit over last year's 7500 first time buyer tax credit is that it does NOT have to be repaid.

The $7500. credit was more of a no interest loan and this is an actual credit if you stay in your home at least three years.

Another very important point to note is that the definition of a first time buyer is someone who has not owned (or spouse has not owned) a home in the past three years prior to the purchase.

The tax credit is for 10% of the homes purchase price, up to $8000. maximum.

Real Estate is ON SALE...which is GREAT news for ANY buyer!



Each day I review the new and changed listings on our MLS HOT SHEET in my area, and I am just AMAZED at what homes are listed for and selling for. It just makes me shake my head that there are not more buyers taking advantage of this market. And, by taking advantage, I do not mean taking advantage of other peoples misfortunes. I have so many really nice clients that I work with, and more than one has expressed that they are not interested in foreclosures, distressed sales, REO, or short sales, because they felt badly profiting from another person's misfortune. I can certainly understand and appreciate that viewpoint, but if you share this very compassionate concern, you really must know that one of the best things for this housing market and home values and prices is to move all of these homes OFF the market by selling them! This WILL help stabilize the market, which not only helps the Real Estate market, but the overall economy we are now facing.




Please see the links below to read all of the details of this new housing stimulus plan and how this may apply to your personal situation. There are inclusions, exclusions, exceptions, income limits, etc., of course. I would also strongly advise that you consult your tax professionals for the details.



From NAHB: $8000. Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

And.....Frequently asked questions regarding the Home Buyer Tax Credit

And....The Laws Other Provisions


From THE WHITE HOUSE BLOG: Help for Homeowners


From RISMEDIA: Obama Unveils Plan to Stem Foreclosures

And......Will the Stimulus Benefit Homeowners and Buyers?


From H and R Block: Breaking News President Obama Signs $787 Billion Economic Plan, Most Sweeping Rescue Package In Decades. So what is the 2009 stimulus plan and how might if affect me and my family?

AND......Economic Stimulus 2009: Frequently Asked Questions


To Search Homes For Sale, Please Contact Me Directly Or Feel Free To Search On My Website!



I hope you find this information useful. I am only a phone call or email away of you need more help:-)




If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

It will be my pleasure!

By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them.

My business is over 87% referral and repeat clients and I am so grateful it keeps growing from your loyalty and referrals:-)

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

How is the current real estate market in Crystal Lake, IL?

We are still experiencing a Buyer's Market in Crystal Lake. It is a GREAT Time to buy!

Crystal Lake is located in McHenry County in Northern Illinois.






As of this morning, per MRED MLS, for the past 3 months:

We currently have 539 Single Family homes on the market in Crystal Lake that are active and available.

***70 of the 539 Single Family Homes on the market in Crystal Lake, IL are either Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures, Short Sales, REO's or Bank Sales.

* They have been on the market for an average of 264 days.

* The average list price is $370,660.

During the past 3 months, 58 Single Family homes have successfully closed with the help of their Realtors.

They took an average of 230 days on the market to be SOLD.

* The average list price of the SOLD Single Family homes for sale in Crystal Lake, IL is $314,943 and the average SOLD price is $284,752.

So, on the average, Single Family homes in Crystal Lake, IL have been getting an average of 92% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.





We currently have 143 Attached homes on the market in Crystal Lake that are active and available.

***16 of the 143 Attached Homes on the market in Crystal Lake, IL are either Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures, Short Sales, REO's or Bank Sales.

* They have been on the market for an average of 216 days.

* The average list price for attached homes for sale in Crystal Lake is $174,701.

During the past 3 months, 20 Attached homes have successfully closed in Crystal Lake, IL with the help of their Realtors.

They took an average of 153 days on the market to be SOLD.

* The average list price of the SOLD Attached homes is $164,415 and the average SOLD price is $155,085.

So, on the average Attached homes in Crystal Lake have been getting an average of 94% of their list prices, with the help of their Realtors.



Information deemed accurate and reliable but not guaranteed. Source MRED MLS.



There are fabulous buys on the market....now is a GREAT time to buy real estate in Crystal Lake, IL, especially for MOVE UP Buyers, Waterfront Buyers, Vacation and Second Home Buyers, Investors and First Time Buyers!

If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

It will be my pleasure!




By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them. My business keeps growing from your referrals.

My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760 I look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

February 2009 McHenry County Real Estate Market Report

It is a GREAT TIME TO BUY REAL ESTATE in McHenry County, Cook County and Lake Counties in Northern Illinois. There are fabulous homes for sale at great prices *especially for first time buyers, investors and move up buyers.* !




Overall,What is happening so far, this year, in McHenry County this past month?

Single-family homes:

2594 single family homes are for sale in McHenry County with an average list price of $347,460 and an average market time of 271 days.

74 homes have closed so far in 2009 with an average list price of $230,905 and an average sales price of $213,676 with an average market time of 208 days. The successful sellers, with the help of thier Realtors have realized an average of 93% of their asking prices in the past month.

248 homes in McHenry County are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.



So......some homes ARE selling!!



Now...Let's take a look by areas to narrow it down.

Cary / Oakwood Hills, IL:

11 homes in Cary are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

199 homes in Cary, IL are for sale with an average market time of 175 days.

2 homes in Cary have closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $305,000 .



Crystal Lake / Lakewood / Priarie Grove, IL:

14 homes in the Crystal Lake areas are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

176 homes are for sale in Crystal Lake, Lakewood, Prairie Grove with an average market time of 159 days.

11 homes in Crystal Lake closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $216,655.



McHenry / Johnsburg / Sunnyside / McCullum Lake / Holiday Hills / Ringwood / Lakemoor, IL (also including some areas of Bull Valley):

534 single family homes are for sale in McHenry, Johnsburg, Sunnyside, McCullum Lake, Holiday Hills, Ringwood and Lakemoor with an average list price of $339,938 and an average market time of 277 days.

17 homes have closed so far in 2009 in the McHenry areas with an average list price of $191,774 and an average sales price of $178,615 with an average market time of 62 days.

The successful sellers in McHenry, with the help of thier Realtors have realized an average of 93% of their asking prices in the past month.

37 homes in the McHenry areas are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.



Algonquin, IL:

176 single family homes are for sale in Algonquin with an average list price of $350,587 and an average market time of 259 days.

11 homes in Algonquin have closed so far in 2009 with an average list price of $222,364 and an average sales price of $216,655 with an average market time of 109 days. The successful sellers, with the help of thier Realtors have realized an average of 97% of their asking prices in the past month.

15 homes in Algonquin are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.



Lake In The Hills, IL:

30 homes are under contract in Lake In The Hills either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

209 single family homes in Lake In The Hills are for sale with an average market time of 142 days.

9 homes in Lake In The Hills closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $204,822 .



Fox River Grove, IL:

4 homes in Fox River Grove are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

41 single family homes are for sale in Fox River Grove with an average market time of 166 days.

2 homes have closed so far in 2009 in Fox River Grove with an average sales price of $271,950 .



Barrington, IL (McHenry County Areas of Barrington Only):

0 homes in Barrington (McHenry County) are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

41 homes are for sale in the Barrington areas of McHenry County with an average market time of 199 days.

1 home in the McHenry County areas of Barringon closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $400,000.



Huntley, IL:

25 homes in Huntley are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

224 single family homes are for sale in Huntley with an average market time of 186 days.

4 homes in Huntley closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $241,350.



Island Lake, IL:

6 homes in Island Lake are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

49 homes are for sale in Island Lake with an average market time of 162 days.

0 homes have closed so far in 2009 in Island Lake.



Woodstock / Greenwood / Bull Valley, IL (including some areas of Bull Valley):

21 homes in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Greenwood are currently under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

276 single family homes are for sale in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Greenwood with an average market time of 169 days.

7 homes in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Greenwood have closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $251,900.



Wonder Lake, IL:

11 are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

158 single family homes are for sale in Wonder Lake with an average market time of 288 days.

7 homes in Wonder Lake have closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $175,986.



Marengo / Harmony, IL:

8 homes are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending' in Harmony and Marengo.

116 homes are for sale in Marengo and Harmony, IL with an average market time of 173 days.

3 homes have closed so far in Haermony and Marengo in 2009 with an average sales price of $111,667.



Alden / Harvard / Chemung / Lawrence, IL :

9 single family homes in Harvard, Alden, Chemung and Lawrence are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

102 homes are for sale in Harvard, Alden, Chemung and Lawrence with an average market time of 202 days.

1 home closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $160,000.



Hebron, IL:

2 homes in Hebron are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

22 are for sale with an average market time of 297 days.

0 closed so far in 2009 with an average closed price of n/a.



Richmond, IL:

2 homes in Richmond are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

44 single family homes in Historic Richmond are for sale with an average market time of 228 days.

0 homes in Richmond have closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of n/a.



Solon Mills / Spring Grove, IL:

8 homes in Solon Mills and Spring Grove are under contract either 'contingent' or 'pending'.

106 homes are for sale in Spring Grove and Solon MIlls with an average market time of 154 days.

1 home in Spring Grove/Solon Mills has closed so far in 2009 with an average sales price of $155,400 .



Overall, even though we are seeing some positive changes in our market, we are still experiencing a Buyer's Market Market in Fox River Grove and the in most areas of McHenry County and in most of the surrounding areas of Northern Illinois.

Real estate is on sale in McHenry County, IL!





Rates are great, too!

(Yes, they are still giving loans!)

We are having a "HUGE sale" on our large inventory of VERY well priced HOMES! ;-)








If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me. It will be my pleasure! By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of service, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will make sure to follow up and take great care of them. My business keeps growing from your referrals. My Direct Number at the Office is 847.516.6760

Priced Below Market! Not a Bank Sale!




Why Buy And Wait For New? Better Than New Mint Condition Popular Potomac Model Over 1550 Square Feet. Tastefully Decorated And Upgraded. Less Than 4 Years Old, This Charming Largest Model Club Home Has 2 Bedrooms Plus A Den/Office, Living Room, Dining Room And Family Room. Great Curb Appeal With Stunning Brick Front! Move Right In And Enjoy Life In The Huge Open Kitchen With Center Island, Table Space, Tons Of Counter Space With New Tumbled Marble Backsplash And 42" Maple Cabinets, Extended Concrete Patio, Elegant And Spacious Master Suite With Coffered Ceilings, Circulating Fan, Bay Window, Private Bath With Dual Sinks, Maple Vanity And Huge Walk-In Closet. Experience The Resort Like 55+ Lifestyle, Beauty, Community And Activities Del Webb Sun City Huntley Has To Offer Now. Priced Below Market But Not A Bank Sale. What A Smart Buy!

Other Features:

-Bright and Open Floor Plan

-Great Room Concept Kitchen/Family Room/Eat-In Kitchen

-Kitchen Has Center Island With Electric, Large Pantry,

Tons of Counter and Work Space

-Upgraded 42" Maple Cabinets Kitchen

-Upgraded Elevation and Red Brick Front

-Upgraded Maple Cabinets, Dual Sinks and Corian Counters, Walk-In Shower With Two Seats in Master Bath

-Upgraded Fan, Coffered Ceilings and Bay Window in Master Suite

-Upgraded Maple Cabinetry in Both Bathrooms

-Upgraded Corian Counters in Both Bathrooms

-Extended Concrete Patio

-Upgraded Vinyl Flooring

-Upgraded Porcelain Kitchen Sink With Stainless Steel Faucet

-Upgraded 12" Faux Wood Blinds

-Built In Microwave

- High End Appliances All Included

-Professionally painted Faux Finish Master Bath

-Newly Added Tumbled Marble Backsplash

-Freshly Painted Throughout

-Upgraded carpeting/Pad Throughout

-Pull Down Staircase to Attic For Easy Access To Additional Storage

-220 Amp Electric In Utility Room

-Wash Tub In Utility/Mud Room

-Insulation Added in Attic Over Den

-Installed Humidifier on Furnace

-Custom Drapes Living Room and Dining Room

It is a GREAT time to buy, especially for first time buyers, investors and move-up buyers!!
If I can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I can be reached at my direct number at the office: 847.516.6760. I look forward to hearing from you!






Debra Kukulski RE/MAX Unlimited Northwest

Email: deb@debrakukulski.com

Phone: 847-516-6760

Fax: 847-639-6666

Web: http://www.debrakukulski.com

By the way, if you know of someone that could benefit from my high level of personal service and success in the current market, please call or email me with their name and daytime phone number and I will be sure to follow up and take great care of them. Thanks to you and your referrals, my business keeps growing





Information deemed accurate and reliable but not guaranteed. Source MRED MLS.Disclaimer: Information herein may come from various sources, some of which may not be reliable and may change without any notice. Debra Kukulski does not guarantee or is any way responsible for the accuracy of the information in this blog and information provided is without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Information on this blog represents the opinions and ideas of the author; comments by others may not express the views of the author. Copyright © 2008 By Debra Kukulski, all rights reserved.