Debbie Ward-Terry

Archive for the ‘Buyers’ Category

Buying a house is one of the most exciting things you will ever do.  It is also one of the most intense and stressful times of your life.  So, before you get started, it’s a good idea to have a clear picture of the type of home you want.  That is not always as simple as it sounds.  Make a list of the qualities you want in a home, include everything you think is important.  You may not be able to afford everything that you want, but this will help you be able to prioritize what is most important.

Here are some of the items you should include on your list:

• Location
• Neighborhood
• School Districts
• Home Style (open floor plan, split bedrooms, etc.)
• Size of Home (square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, etc.)
• Home Features (pool, fireplace, media room, bonus room, etc.)
• Lot Size
• Price Range

As you start looking at home, your list can change.  You will find things that you never thought of, things you thought were important but may not be any more, things you thought you could afford but can’t, and things you didn’t think you could afford, but you can.  So don’t be afraid to make changes.

Tell me about your dream home.  Where would it be?  What amenities would it have?  Can I help you find it?  I love making dreams come true!

In a 409-5 vote, House lawmakers have passed a standalone bill that would extend for three months Wednesday’s deadline for closing on a home purchase in order to claim the federal homebuyer tax credit.  The Senate could vote as soon as tomorrow.  Without an extension, the National Association of Realtors estimates as many as 180,000 homebuyers who were under contract by April 30 may miss the June 30^th closing deadline, including 14,830 in Florida.  The Senate is already on record supporting an extension, having amended a bill on June 16 to push the deadline back to Sept. 30.  But other provisions of that bill, the “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010,” have proved controversial, prompting House lawmakers to introduce a standalone bill.  While some observers think HR 5623, “The Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act,” could sail through without further delay, there’s no guarantee.  Keep your fingers crossed.