Posted by Elizabeth on December 28, 2009
With the expected expiration of the $8000 first-time home buyers tax credit, home sales soared to over 44% from last year’s figures.
In St. Louis’s 11 county region, 2747 single family homes were sold in November 2009 – a 44% increase from last year’s numbers.
First-time home buyers rushed to purchase properties in lieu of the expected expiration of the $8000 tax credit in November. While exciting news for the St. Louis area, it’s been overshadowed by skeptics questioning of the validity of these numbers.
The Facts…
The National Association of Realtors announced that November’s home sales were at the fastest pace since February 2007. November was in fact, the third straight month that St. Louis home sales have increased over the previous year. The median price of homes sales was 8% higher than 2008 in St. Louis County, and 71% higher in St . Louis City.
Will It Last?
Now that the $8000 tax credit deadline has been extended, many people are left wondering if home sales will continue to increase.
Truth be told, the numbers were significantly higher due to the tax credit, but isn’t that still a sign that the housing market is getting better? Home sales may slow or plateau in the next few months but it’s important to remember that homes are being sold – and slowly but surely, American’s will be able to get up, brush the dirt off their knees, and be up and running again.
Posted by Elizabeth on December 23, 2009
You’ll never forget how it felt to walk through the doors of your first home, it was yours and was the perfect place to start a family. You raised your children, celebrated countless birthdays, made memories in that house.
Now your children are all grown up – beginning to buy their first home, and you realize you’ve got a little more house than you need.
Downsizing
The word “downsizing” comes with such a negative connotation, and you may not think you’re ready to emotionally detach from your spacious property. Sometimes, there’s just isn’t a need anymore for a large home. Maintenance becomes more of a hassle and frankly, a big empty home can seem a bit lonely.
Look at the upside, your rent or mortgage payment could go down; you may also cut back on some living expenses like energy costs. You will have more free time to do the things you love because you’ll have less house to maintain.
Things to Consider When Becoming an Empty-Nester
-Proximity
How close or far away would you like to be from your family?
Do you want to live close to highways, grocery stores, and shopping malls?
-Property
Do you own land that you’d like to build a custom home on?
Do you want to maintain your yard or would you prefer to live in a maintenance-free residence?
-Community
Would you enjoy living in a quaint walking community or a luxury gated sanctuary?
Would you like to live lakeside or in rolling hills?
Downsize With Elegance
Relax and Enjoy Life, Now it’s Time to Indulge Yourself
Fischer and Frichtel’s home options range from a low-maintenance Condominium or Towne Home, to a manageable Luxury Home or Signature Home. Whether you enjoy life in the suburbs, or you’d prefer to live a few miles out, a plethora of options awaits you.
It’s important to decipher what type of neighborhood you’d like to live in; close-in luxury locations are available as well as relaxed country club environments.
Take time to walk through the housing options so you can get a better feel of the space and communities that will suit your needs the best.
