AARP recently finished a survey and found that 1 in 4 boomers are planning a move from their current home, due to desiring a better house, better climate or a home that is closer to their families and friends.  Right now 79% are wanting to stay in their homes for as long as possible. The ones that do plan to move say they will be looking for a single level that is more comfortable and convenient.  Sounds like a plan!

Keller Williams Realty International announced this week that we are the third-largest real estate company in the U.S., moving up from position #4 last year and trading places with Remax.    Due to the economy, all companies have lost agents but Keller Williams has lost at a slower rate than others, causing us to gain in market share. 

With the mission of being the company of choice in our market, we in the Willamette Valley continue to offer great service and would love the chance to help in any way we can.

 This info is taken from a RISMEDIA article Jan 29, 2009

Keller Williams Realty Bucks Real Estate Norms

Bailout. Credit crunch. Foreclosure. Despite these words coming from the media, there are companies out there moving forward - even in real estate. Keller Williams® Realty Inc., the fourth largest real estate company in North America, announced that it outpaced the market in 2008, while remaining free of debt, and gave back more than $30 million in profits to its agents.

“Our strategy is no secret. We faithfully follow the sound financial model of leading with revenue - the same model our market centers follow,” said Mark Willis, CEO of Keller Williams Realty Inc. “As we watch companies throughout the country take on billions of dollars of debt, we are proud to say that our company has not one dollar of financing debt and we remain strong and financially sound. It is our joy to be able to give back to our agents during these times.”

For the first 11 months of 2008, existing home sales for the United States fell 17% when compared to the same period the year before. By comparison, Keller Williams Realty is poised to outdo those numbers by 10 percentage points, and in addition, the company experienced a much smaller contraction in its agent base compared to the National Association of REALTORS®, who saw a 10% decline in membership.

“Keller Williams was founded 25 years ago during one of the toughest markets on record - when interest rates were higher than 18 percent. We continue to urge our agents to zero in on lead generation and reducing expenses so they can thrive during this market,” said Mary Tennant, president and COO of Keller Williams Realty Inc. “We admire our agents’ spirit, tenacity, and dedication to their businesses. They just keep powering forward.”

Throughout 2008 Keller Williams Realty launched new products and services specifically to boost its agents’ businesses, including two new books: Your First Home: The Proven Path to Home Ownership for first-time home buyers, and SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times. Both books are written by Gary Keller, co-founder and chairman of the board of Keller Williams Realty, who also authored national best sellers The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The Millionaire Real Estate Investor.

For more information, visit www.kw.com.

Tax Credit for Homebuyers

Yesterday President Obama signed into law the Economic Stimulus Package.  Here are some of the highlights:

This is the biggie right now.  First-time homebuyers who purchase homes from the start of this year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit.  Remember a tax credit is very different than a tax deduction – a tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income. The tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000.  Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.

The $819 billion stimulus packaged passed by the House on Jan. 28 would eliminate a requirement that the $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers be repaid over a period of 15 years, a change that the National Association of Realtors says could boost residential sales by 10 percent this year. The tax credit is for individuals who have not owned a property for the last three years and plan to buy a home as a primary residence; singles earning up to $75,000 and couples earning double that can take the full credit.

Q: We're buying our first home.  What are the biggest mistakes people make?

A: Looking at homes you can't really afford.  Talk to a lender and start smaller to be a little conservative realizing utility costs, taxes and repairs are inevitable.  Another mistake is not planning for your future.  With economic issues down the road it is likely people will own homes longer and thus planning for at least 10 years of ownership is prudent.  Trying to time the market is the latest potential mistake.  With interest rates this low, your monthly payment will be so much less, it is a good investment and waiting may cost you dearly.  Study the market and find a great real estate agent to negotiate for you.  Call with any of your real estate needs.   Sue Long 766-0262

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Think about "New Year’s Resolutions"

While the origin of New Year’s resolutions goes back as far as 153 B.C., in modern day times, they usually evoke feelings of guilt. Most verbs associated with resolutions are restrictive in nature, including “to quit, stop, lose, reduce or eliminate.” The implication is that you need to improve, fix or repair something that’s broke or not complete. By its very nature, people see New Year’s resolutions as a difficult exercise at best, requiring discipline, determination and willpower…which are not exactly energizing words. As a result, most people “make” the resolutions January 1, and usually begin to “break” them by February 1 as their commitment fades and enthusiasm for attainment wanes. Case in point: The extreme increase in traffic at a health club the beginning of the year, which quickly subsides as the weeks and months progress.

Well here’s an idea: This year, consider creating New Year’s “reVolutions,” transformational actions that will lead to breakthrough results. New Year’s reVolutions can energize and invigorate by the thought of “what’s possible.” By definition, which one of the below would inspire you to get out of bed January 1?

- A resolution - a solution, accommodation or settling of a problem

- A reVolution - a drastic and far reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving

New Year’s revolutions are personal and broader in scope than the traditional resolutions. The framing of your revolutions requires stepping back and deciding what do you want to be as opposed to what you need to do. If someone were to introduce you to a large crowd recognizing you for your accomplishments, what would you want your bio to say? Are you on track to be that person? If not, what actionable steps can you take today that will help you get there tomorrow?

What are we waiting for?  History tells us that the people that do well are those that don't listen to the media, and don't join the collective "people think".  They are the contrarians who do what others are not doing.  Buying stocks when others are scared of the market gets them a great deal.  People like Buffet who avoid the frenzy of hi tech stocks when others run them up beyond value and get stung, teach us the better way to behave. 

Now look at the real estate market across the country: Global Insight, an economic and financial analysis forecasting firm's current housing statistics indicate that the US housing market as a whole is undervalued by 3.8%. They analyzed 330 metropolitan areas in the US and found that 241 metro areas experienced price declines in the 3rd quarter of 2008.  The markets that were the hardent hit were in areas that were the most overvalued 3 years ago.  This study represented 78% of all existing housing units in the US.

Low interest rates and increased affordability make today's market a buyer's dream!

Christmas is so wonderful because it reminds us all about love and giving.  The picture of the newborn baby Jesus stirs up all the feelings of tenderness, joy and love in its purest form.  Lets keep the spirit of neighborly love alive all year round...

Wonder how this low interest rate affects you?  For every 1% change in interest rate, you can buy 10% more home with a 30 year mortgage.  That means since the beginning of November  where we have experienced nearly 2% interest rate drop here in Oregon, you can buy nearly 20% more house.  So If you were looking for a  $200,000 home, you can now shop for a $240,000 home!!  Same monthly payment as before too!  Talk about a great deal...  Time to make your move and buy the home you've wanted.  You may be wanting a great deal, and trying to time the market, but this may be more impactful.  It may even stimulate buying enough that we have already hit bottom---who knows? Your real expert in the Willamette Valley can help you find the best deal.  Give me a call 766-0272.