Military Relocation Connection Network

Hi readers I know it has been a little while before I posted on the Blog, I was on leave for a short time, but now I am back. I wanted to cover a little bit about the $6500.00 tax credit after receiving question from a reader, there are special rules for Military families. I have enclosed several, if you would like more information please just drop me a line.

Congress has acknowledged the unique circumstances affecting members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community by making the following exceptions that apply to both the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and the $6,500 tax credit for repeat home buyers.

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Gary Keller of Keller Williams was just on Good Morning America talking about selling your house in this kind of market. Please take a look at the video, it should be very helpful. When you are looking to sell your house please don’t forget your friends at the Military Relocation Connection Network. Not only can we sell your current house, but we can get you in touch with a Realtor that will help to find you a new home in the city you are relocating.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/YourMoney/selling-house-real-estate-market/story?id=9948405

I thought with everyone trying to pinch pennies I would share this article that I had found, it even comes with a recipe attached.

Please when you are ready to relocate because you have your next PCS move coming up think of your friends here at the Military Relocation Connection Network.

RISMEDIA, February 27, 2010—According to a recent survey released by Whole Foods Market, 68% of adults say the economy has affected their cooking and eating habits. More than 50% of consumers say they are eating dinner at home more often to save money. But cutting costs on dining out doesn’t mean giving up on the joys of great company and delicious foods.

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Folks before you know it the tax credit will be gone, there are two months and a few days left. If you are thinking well I have until April 30th to get under contract, that is a very dangerous way to think, something could happen and the contract fall through and this tax credit will not transfer to another property. Remember you have to be under contract by April 30th, and settle by June 30th and this is on the same house. I also put in this little article I found that can help you with getting a loan if you have weak credit.
Home buyers who are eager to close the deal before the tax credit expires should be prepared to deal only with lenders who will respond to the need for speed.

Even buyers without A-plus credit should be able to get a loan. “If you go to enough lenders, you can typically get a loan even with a low credit score. The terms, of course, are not as attractive,” says Spencer Rascoff, chief operating officer of Zillow.com.

Another possibility is to propose a lease-purchase deal or land contract to the seller. If the deal is structured properly, both buyer and seller could walk away winners.

Source: CNNMoney.com, Jean Chatzky (02/15/2010)

This is a great article about saving energy, there are a lot of great tips. I hope you enjoy this article today and please when you get your orders for your next PCS move and have to relocate your family, think of your friends here at Military Relocation Connection Network.

RISMEDIA, February 13, 2010—The Alliance to Save Energy offers the following no-cost/low-cost energy efficiency tips for homeowners across the country who are looking to reduce their home heating costs while maintaining comfort.

Conduct a “draft check.” Your heating dollars could be going out your windows, doors and electrical outlets. Check for air leaks throughout your home; check around doors, windows, fixtures, electrical outlets, wiring, plumbing and fireplace dampers. Draft-proofing is the least expensive energy efficiency investment with the biggest payoff.

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This agent spotlight is going to be about me the founder of the Military Relocation Connection Network. As you know my name is Lynn Nichols and I am Realtor in Maryland, I work mainly Anne Arundel, Howard, Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil counties. I am a GRI which is a graduate of the Real Estate Institute. I’ve been in Real Estate for several years and love what I do. Taking people around to see houses that one of them will be their new home is very exciting for me, what is even more exciting is when we get up from the settlement table.

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Hi Everyone I found this great article and s0mething that could really help home owners, after you read the article take a look at the website. Please when you are ready for your next PCS move, don’t forget your friends here at the Military Relocation Connection Network. Many of our agents offer great Military discounts, as one of our Agents say “we take care of our own”.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® this week launched HouseLogic, a new, comprehensive consumer Web site designed to help home owners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their homes. HouseLogic will help consumers take responsible actions pertaining to what is likely the largest investment of their lives.

“Backed by the resources and industry insights of NAR and its REALTOR® members, HouseLogic will engage and involve consumers throughout the lifecycle of homeownership,” said NAR PresidentVicki Cox Golder. “It makes sense that, as the first, best source for real estate information, NAR should collaborate with today’s consumers to help them make the most out of owning a home. HouseLogic will help us do that.”
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Selling a property in this tough market can seem like a challenge. Here are four factors that actually make this a good time to post a For-Sale sign.

1. Sell low and buy low. Because all property values are down, the loss on the property a home owner sells is really only a paper loss because the next property he buys also will be a bargain. If he buys smartly, when prices come back up in a few years, he’ll be in better shape.

2. Down-payment help is widely available. While nothing-down loans have disappeared, it is easy to find down-payment assistance for lower-income and first-time home buyers. Programs vary all over the country, but one good way to find them is to search online for “down-payment assistance programs” and the name of your region.

3. Your uncle has money to share. Besides the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit and the $6,500 move-up credit, there are an array of energy tax credits that can make home improvements pay off in cash.

4. Good help is available. Really talented real estate practitioners, contractors, and designers are available and eager for business.

If you are looking to sell don’t forget your friends here at the Military Relocation Connection Network.

Source: McClatchy Tribune, Kate Forgach (02/07/2010)

Well, as I have said before I am from Maryland, I live in Anne Arundel County close to the Fort Meade base and to say the least what a mess of snow we have. We had over 24 inches and now we are bracing ourselves for another 20 inches today. For everyone her on the east coast area that is getting all this snow be careful out there. I have included some pictures of the snow and you can see what looks like a tunnel that my dog is walking through.

Well here it is Super Bowl Sunday and I am so excited. Of course I am from the Baltimore area and are arch rivals are the Colts, but I know if any Baltimore people read this they are going to hate me, but go Colts!!!!!

watch?v=mv2nTqMpvJk

Just a little video to get you going!!