Welcome!

I am an Atlanta native and made the decision in 2007 to leave my job as an architect/urban planner to get my real estate license. This was a difficult decision but has been great since my very first day in my new career and I am really enjoying it! It is so rewarding helping people find that perfect home, and it allows me to continue to satiate my love of good architecture and great neighborhoods!

I attended Georgia Tech (GO JACKETS!!!!) which is where I met my husband. For almost a decade we lived in one of Atlanta's fabulous in-town neighborhoods in a great 1920's Craftsman bungalow with our two dogs and two cats. Following the birth of our first child, we bought a foreclosure in the west Buckhead area and fully renovated it using an FHA 203k loan, which was a fun and sometimes daunting process. And just prior to the birth of our second child, we purchased and renovated a home in downtown Historic Roswell, completing our personal tour of some of Atlanta's best neighborhoods to live in!

I decided to create this blog in order to share useful information and resources about the real estate market and home buying process, as well as hopefully bring some humor and levity to what is often a complex and intimidating process. Enjoy!!!

Friday, November 6, 2009

It's Official! $8,000 Tax Credit Has Been Extended!!!

President Obama signed a bill Friday extending the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, making it applicable to contracts entered into by April 30, 2010, and closing by June 30, 2010. The bill also includes a new $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers who have previously owned a home, if that home was their primary residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. Both the $8,000 credit and the $6,500 credit have expanded buyer income limits, and the cost of the home being purchased is limited to $800,000.

Also Notable:

  • Third quarter Productivity increased 9.5%, the fastest pace of growth in six years
  • September Pending Home Sales jumped 6% to the highest level since December 2006
  • The Treasury will auction a record $81 billion in 3-yr, 10-yr, and 30-yr Treasuries next week
  • The Fed purchased $16 billion in agency MBS during the week ending 11/4
Read more!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Congress Poised to Keep $8000 Homebuyers’ Tax Credit!

After weeks of delay, it looks like the Senate and House are poised to agree on a compromise measure to extend the popular $8,000 tax credit for homebuyers. The Senate might pass its version as early as today, and aides to Congressional leaders say the House could accept it this week, sending the bill to President Obama to sign into law.

The homebuyers’ credit — enacted last year, expanded this year and scheduled to expire Nov. 30 — would be extended to cover homes under contract by April 30. Also, it no longer would be limited to first-time buyers; people who have owned a home for at least five years could get a $6,500 credit on a new residence. Income limits for eligibility would be raised, making many more people qualify. To qualify for the full credit, homebuyers must have adjusted gross income of less than $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly). In addition, the credit would only apply to homes sold for $800,000 or less. Contracts to buy a home must be signed by April 30, 2010, and the deals must close by June 30 in order for a buyer to qualify for the credit.

This is great news for buyers and will help the market rebound as people continue to take advantage of this wonderful program!

Read more about it here!
Read more!