
Houston Association of Realtors
As expected, President Obama has signed the unemployment insurance bill containing an amendment that extends and expands the homebuyer tax credit. The National Association of REALTORS has prepared a chart that explains qualifications at http://www.realtor.org/fedistrk.nsf/file s/government_affairs_tax_credit_ext_char t_110409.pdf/$FILE/government_affairs_ta x_credit_ext_chart_110409.pdf

Source: www.bankrate.com
While you may think it's crazy to tackle the huge task of homebuying during the schedule-jammed holiday season, the holidays are actually a great time to find real estate deals in today's new economy.

Source: online.wsj.com
Home-mortgage rates fell this week, with the average rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages retreating back below the psychologically significant 5% level.

Houston Association of Realtors
Following Senate approval on Wednesday, the U.S. House has voted to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, with the bill now awaiting President Obama's signature -- expected on Friday. The measure extends through April 30 the popular $8,000 tax credit, while creating a new $6,500 credit for homebuyers who have bee...n in their current residence for the last five years or more. The credit, which many say has boosted home sales in recent months, was set to expire after Nov. 30. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/house-ext ends-unemployment-benefits/story?id=9007 141Read More
Source: abcnews.go.com
House Follows Senate in Passing Unemployment and Housing Credit Extensions

Houston Association of Realtors The extension of the $8,000 tax credit hasn't happened YET. And it will still require the Senate version to be reconciled with the House version, which did not contain the extension. The House Majority Leader has stated that the House would approve what "has been discussed" in the Senate.
Source: www.bloomberg.com
Congress could approve extensions of an $8,000 first-time homebuyers’ tax credit and unemployment benefits as soon as Nov. 3, Senate Majority Leader [bn:PRSN=1] Harry Reid [] said.

Houston Association of Realtors A plain-worded Q&A about the PROPOSED extension and expansion of the tax credit.
Source: blogs.wsj.com
Here’s a primer on who might be able to get the expanded home buyer tax credit, and what it might do for the housing market.

Houston Association of Realtors Single-family home sales up 32 percent in Houston compared to September 2008, the month of Hurricane Ike. Details at http://www.har.com/newsroom.

Houston Association of Realtors Locke cites his endorsement by HAR, as well as the Houston Police Officers Union, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association, Houston Apartment Association and others.
Source: www.khou.com
Visit Khou.com for Houston news, Houston weather, forecasts, Texas breaking news, headlines and Houston local TV news

Houston Association of Realtors
Watch Gene Locke debate his opponents tonight on FOX 26, 9:00 PM-11:00 PM. FOX 26 will also conduct an online poll on its site (http://www.facebook.com/l/460bb;ow.ly/u0 es), during that same time so please make sure you vote and let everyone know that REALTORS support Gene Locke for Mayor.
Source: ow.ly
FOX 26, in partnership with the Turqoise Council of Americans and Eurasians, will host a mayoral candidate debate on Monday, Oct. 12. The debate will air on a tape delay at 9 p.m. For more information about attending the debate in person, click here. ...

Houston Association of Realtors
Congratulations to Taqi Rizvi for winning the 2009 REALTOR(R) Technology Spotlight Award in the "Visionary" Category. Way to go Taqi!!!
http://blog.realtors.org/crt/2009/10/06/ and-the-winners-are/ http://blog.realtors.org/crt/2009/10/06/ and-the-winners-are/
Source: blog.realtors.org
CRT’s communications

Houston Association of Realtors
Why don't you post your housing trends email newsletter to your Facebook page?
Here is an example
http://vickifullerton.housingtrendsenews letter.com/
Sign up here
http://www.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/ dispSignup2.cfm?market_id=1 http://vickifullerton.housingtrendsenews letter.com/
Source: vickifullerton.housingtrendsenewsletter.com
real estate news, real estate market trends, buying or selling real estate, housing data, active listings, neighborhood information, real estate statistics, real estate information, real property

Houston Association of Realtors HAR is proud to support Gene Locke for Mayor. Please go to www.genelocke.com to learn more about Gene and his vision for the City. He was cited as being "head and shoulders" above the other candidates during the HAR screening process. Only 22 days until early voting so make an informed choice...Gene Locke for Mayor.
Source: www.genelocke.com

Houston Association of Realtors
Seasonal Summer Home Shopping, First-Time Home Buyers Buoy Houston Real Estate Market in August. Details are here: http://www.har.com/mls/dispPressRelease. cfm?MONTH=09&YEAR=09
Source: www.har.com
MLS Press ReleaseMultiple Listing Service of the Houston Association of Realtors® includes residential properties and new homes listed by 26,000 Realtors

Source: online.wsj.com
Squeezed by a drop in fees, some appraisers are compensating by driving long distances to handle more assignments. Their wanderings are raising questions about whether they know enough about the neighborhoods to accurately assess the value of homes.

Houston Association of Realtors
Voting has begun for the 2010 HAR Board of Directors Election. Members may review the list of candidates and go to the bottom of the ballot page to cast their vote. All members are notified they can vote via a transition page when they log in, on the members only page through a banner ad and via individual email announcement.
Voting concludes at 5pm on Monday, August 3rd at which time the results will be posted.
Source: www.har.com
I have been licensed since March of 2004 and working as a full time Prudential Gary Greene Realtor® in the Katy/West Houston office ever since. With my extensive background in real estate both professionally ...






















