Monday, May 31, 2010

Interest Rates-Tax Credit for Military Personnel

Interest rates are very attractive. The 30 yr. loan is approximately 4.875% The 15 yr. loan is approximately 4.375 It is a great time to buy a house.

In fact, I was reading about the tax credit still being available for those military personnel who were stationed overseas from 1/1/09-4/30/10. The tax credit extends 1 yr. for them.

Do you know anyone who can take advantage of that?

Friday, May 28, 2010

Tour of Missouri

The Governor of our beautiful state canceled our international bicycle race, The Tour of Missouri. From what I understand, his decision made the New York Times and USA today. I wonder, did he understand the nation was watching this? Did he understand the magnitude of this event????

He has spent the money on other things. Will this bring in substantial revenue? Please show me so I can understand. My next gubernatorial vote depends on it.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Pricing

Interestingly enough, I had two separate individuals call me yesterday and today asking why their properties are not being shown. Each individual is listed with other Realtors. The first seller has been on the market for over 2 years! The second seller has been listed for 3 months. I told each one the same thing. They need to call their Realtors and drop the price. What I told them is "The best strategy for obtaining the most money is to price the property a tad more than those recently sold, that are comparable, and a bit less than those actively on the market that are similiar. Then they create the illusion they are priced below market. Consequently they have more interest, activity, and enthusiasm. Then they stand a much better chance of receiving a full price offer or one that is somewhat close to full price."

I hope each home owner has contacted their respective agents and lowered the price. The market speaks loud and clear!

Monday, May 24, 2010

New Listings

Today is a great day. We listed two properties. One is something people always ask for. It is a very private small home with 2-4 acres and detached garage. Farms surround it. The asking price is $105,000. Won't last!

The second property is a lovely 1+ story home at 1565 Sky View with 1 acre of privacy in the back. Lots of amenities: Family room, rec room, office, breakfast room, formal dining room, work room, storage room, 2 car attached garage. Every bit worth $189,900. Oh, by the way, that's the asking price, too!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Escheat

I learned a great deal from my past client. She called in asking for $950.00 in her escrow account. This was from a closing 6 years ago. I checked my records and found no escrow account nor did I find any evidence of one being established on her behalf. The buyers' loan came through the MHDC grant program. The HUD statement showed the seller giving her $1500 for closing costs. But still no separate escrow account for a new deck and roof ventilation system showed on the HUD. I have no way of knowing what happened. I have asked MHDC if there was a limit on how many dollars the seller could grant the buyer. Am waiting for an answer.

In the meantime, I talked with a title officer and she mentioned a rule about unclaimed property. Delving deeper I found escheat. For those of us living in the State of Missouri, this rule may be helpful. Escheat, according to Wikipedia, states "In some jurisdictions, escheat can also occur when an entity (such as a bank) holds money or property (such as an account in that bank) and the property goes unclaimed. In many jurisdictions, if the owner cannot be located, such property can be revocably escheated to the government.

In business, it is the process of turning over unclaimed or abandoned payroll checks, or stocks and shares whose owners cannot be traced, to a state authority (in the United States). Every company is required to file unclaimed property reports with state annually and to make a good-faith effort to find the owners of their dormant accounts. The escheating criteria are driven by individual state regulations."

Missouri gives an entity 5 years to turn over unclaimed property to the Secretary of State. Then the records are purged.

In my particular case, if the escrow account had been established, the unclaimed property would have been returned to the owner, in this case the seller, after 5 yrs. I should say if the owner could be found the funds would have been returned.


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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Open House

Remember to come to our open house at 2319 Knight Valley this Saturday from 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. It's a nice home with a little different floor plan. When you come into the garage with groceries, it is very handy to carry the groceries into the kitchen. Very convenient. The owners have replaced carpeting; have aggressively cleaned, have a new roof, new siding, etc. There is even a hot tub room on the back overlooking a very private back yard. Behind the back yard is a golf course. What a great place to live!

Tour of Missouri update

I am soooo.....excited. Lance Armstrong is coming to Missouri. With Lance here, the Tour of Missouri revenue doubles! I hope the Governor will give our Tour a favorable vote.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Yellow Rose Luncheon

The Zonta Club of Jefferson City is sponsoring the Women of Achievement Yellow Rose Luncheon, Women's Expo & Scholarship Program tomorrow. Every year it is a magnificient event. For your information, Zonta is a worldwide service organization of executives in business working together to advance the status of women. Zonta means "honest & trustworthy".

Open House

We are having an open house at 2319 Knight Valley Saturday between 11 a.m.-12 p.m. It is a brand new listing at $120,000. Great quiet street, lots of trees, open kitchen with a hearth room. Priced below appraisal! Hope to see you there.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Tour of Missouri

The State of Missouri and the Tour of Missouri had the rapt attention of the world when we had the major cycling event for 3 consecutive years. The Tour was on a par with international races like the Tour de France. Missouri had the priviledge of having the elite of the elite race between Kansas City and St. Louis. The good news is that the State Legislature approved supporting the race a 4th year. Now we have run into a stumbling block; the Governor has dismissed that request.

There were so many benefits to having the race in Missouri. The obvious was economical - studies proved there was a great return on the State's investment. The second benefit was increased interest in cycling for health and wellness. With the increased interest, the public bought bicycles. People exercised and had fun while exercising. Families got together, and went out and rode their bikes. A third benefit is that visitors became aware of what a beautiful state we have. Perhaps they would like to return for a vacation. Finally, a youngster here could realize that he, too, can become an outstanding athlete. The world class athletes riding in the Tour of Missouri are very approachable.

The Governor and the Division of Tourism want to put the money into marketing for other programs like, ummmmm, what? Anybody? They have been doing this for umteen years; can anyone think of a program? The state of Missouri can continue promoting whatever they have been promoting or we can have something special like the Tour of Missouri. My choice is the Tour. Let's make our choice known to the Governor.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Second post!

Thanks to Steve for hooking this up for me.

Jefferson City MO real estate

We have a brand new listing located at 2319 Knight Valley for $120,000. It is so new it's not on MLS or the internet yet. I will hold it open Saturday, May 22nd, from 11-12 p.m. Come out and see me and the house.