Buyers’ Negotiating Power On the Upswing!

Great news if you’re looking to purchase a home: For the second month in a row, real estate Web site Zillow.com is reporting that in early 2010, homebuyers across much of the U.S. negotiated larger discounts off the listing price of homes than they did the prior month.

Buyers in the United States paid 2.8 percent less than the last listing price in January—more than the 2.7 percent discount in December and 2.6 percent in November. December was the first month in which buyers actually regained negotiating power; during most of 2009, buyer discounts shrank.

A year ago, in January 2009, buyers were able to negotiate a median 4.5 percent off the last listing price of homes for sale.

According to Zillow, the biggest discounts are in Florida—Vero Beach and Punta Gorda yielded discounts of 8.6 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively—while Toledo, Ohio and Flagstaff, Ariz. ranked high as well. But discounts can be had all over the nation. New York, N.Y. buyers got 5 percent off the last listing price in January, Chicago, Ill. buyers got 5.1 percent and Cleveland, Ohio buyers got 5.8 percent.

Sellers did well in some markets, however. Most buyers in places like El Centro and Stockton, Calif., for example, actually paid more than the last listing price of homes sold in January.

To speak with one of our REALTORS about current real estate opportunities today, contac us at 626.358.1858 or 626.963.7621.

Are Your Ready to Connect 2 the 1?

Quite simply, Connect 2 the 1 means connecting current buyers and sellers to the one agent, one home, one neighborhood, one school that's right for them.

With April kicking off the busiest home-buying season of the year, CENTURY 21 offices like CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes will focus on the home seller with a powerful tool to help them in their transition to a new abode. While the government is giving consumers up to $8,000 tax credit for buying a home until April, 340, 2010, our brand is giving home sellers a chance to earn $8,000 in cash for listing their home with a CENTURY 21agent through June 30, 2010!

We at CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes are excited to locally bring this opportunity to sellers in the San Gabriel Valley. At our offices, open houses and on-line you'll able to reach out to one of our skilled-professionals and learn why its time to list your home for sale with our office.

In the months to come our team invites you to Connect 2 the 1 CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes agent who will be able to help you achieve your goals. There is no better time to understand our emerging market and we have the tools and incentives to make the most out of your home. Learn more today by contacting our agents at 626.358.1858 or 626.963.7621.

There’s Still Time to Claim Up to an $8,000 Tax Credit on a Home Purchase

The federal homebuyer tax credit is set to expire at the end of April, but there’s still time for first-time homebuyers, and even existing homeowners, to take advantage of this substantial incentive to purchase a home.

First-time buyers may qualify for as much as an $8,000 credit, and buyers who already own a home can claim up to $6,500, providing they sign a binding purchase contract on or before April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.

Remember--these are tax credits, not simply tax deductions, so they reduce the amount of federal income tax owed dollar-for-dollar.

Special rules apply for U.S. military personnel, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community, who have an additional year to buy and close if they are on a period of official extended duty.

The credits apply to the purchase of a principal residence. Buyers may qualify as long as their income doesn’t exceed $125,000 for single buyers or $225,000 for married couples. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to $8,000 for first-time buyers, or up to $6,500 for move-up or downsize buyers.

It’s important to remember that “first-time buyer” does not necessarily mean someone who has never owned a home. Under the law, a buyer is eligible if he has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to purchase.

The tax credit, combined with historically low interest rates and an appealing inventory of available homes, has created a unique opportunity for buyers who have been waiting for the right time to jump into the market. But that opportunity will expire on April 30.

For more information about the tax credits, or to learn about available properties in your area, call our CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes today at 626.358.1858 or 626.963.7621.

*This is not meant to be tax or legal advice. Consult a tax professional for details.

Congratulations - Karen, Joe, Linda Jo & Jacen!

Capping off a year of challenges, hard-work and lots-of- coffee the team at CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes finished 2009 in a positive note and with a healthy outlook for 2010. Many of our newer associates have begun to reap the rewards of the hours they have invested in their clients and that momentum is starting to pay-off in this new year. Because of this, the forecast for achievement in the next months is sunny and bright.

Now, as CENTURY 21's award season begins, four company stand-outs are receiving special recognition from the brand's top-brass. In 09, our own Karen Taylor-Straley, Joe Garcia, Linda Jo Pyle and Jacen Crehan distinguished themselves individually as they posted outstanding sales stats and off-the-charts customer satisfaction marks.

In addition to brand trophies and company commendations, which will be presented at our yearly award banquet, "the four" have been invited to an exclusive Top Agent retreat later this year at Atlantis: Paradise Island resort in the picturesque Bahamian islands.

They will join hundreds of other nationally recognized CENTURY 21 real estate pros who have amassed their own respective achievements. The three day event is chock-full off educational and networking opportunities for attendees. There they will have the opportunity to brain-storm and showcase that many ways in which they are making strides through this challenging market.

On behalf of the entire management team at CENTURY 21 Adams & Barnes we'd like to
congratulate, Karen, Joe, Linda Jo and Jacen for all they have and continue to accomplish. We look forward to all the wonderful snap-shots they are sure to share when they return.

Make us proud and come back with a healthy Bahamian tan.

Tax Credit Is Ending: Act Now

As the days and hours tick-by, the time to take advantage of the $8,000 Homebuyer Tax Credit is coming to an end.

Act now and find yourself in a home of your own, contact our agents today at 626.963.7621 or 626.3581858.