Ann Hayden's Real Estate Blog

It's Official Missouri Home Buyers: President Obama Signed Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion and Extension!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:23:51 -0600

It's Official Missouri Home Buyers: President Obama Signed Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion and Extension TODAY!

Here is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1) The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.

2) Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction. A home buyer must have a sale agreement in hand by April 30 and close escrow by June 30, 2010.

3) A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify for this provision, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.

4) Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

5) The maximum allowed home purchase price is $800,000.

6) Military personnel, deployed overseas for a minimum of 90 days in 2008 or 2009, would have until April 30, 2011 to claim the tax credit.

If you know anyone looking to buy their first home or take advantage of the new credit in the St. Louis area, please contact Ann Hayden today. Interest rates are still very low and prices are good.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

St. Louis Missouri Breaking News...House and Senate Pass Bill to Extend and Expand Home Buying Tax Credit

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:25:16 -0600

St. Louis Missouri Breaking News...House and Senate Pass Bill to Extend and Expand Home Buying Tax Credit

The House passed the extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit 403 to 12. The bill has now made it passed both the House and the Senate and is on its way to the President's desk and could be signed as early as tomorrow.

Here is a summary of the new modifications in the extension and expansion of the tax credit:

1) The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time purchases before May 1, 2010.

2) Prospective purchasers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.

4) Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.

If you know anyone looking to buy their first home or take advantage of the new credit in the St. Louis area, please contact me today. Interest rates are still very low and prices are good.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Moonlit Wildwood, Missouri... A Great Place to Call Home

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:46:39 -0600

Moonlit Wildwood, Missouri... A Great Place to Call Home

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Home Buyer Tax Credit to be Extended and Expanded!......Maybe

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:17:44 -0600

Home Buyer Tax Credit to be Extended and Expanded!.....Maybe

It looks like we could know today if the tax credit will be extended and expanded. This seems to be a move in the right direction for the home buyers that did not find a home within the allotted time to close by November 30th, 2009.

The new bill expands the tax credit to include home buyers who have owned a home for 5 years but they are eligible for $6500.

The Senate passed a cloture motion to end debate by a vote of 85-2. The bill will extend and expand the tax credit until April 30, 2010. This bill is likely to find it's way to floor votes in both Senate and the House by the end of today.

So buyers, you better get hopping and get looking again. You do not want to miss the party this time!

Stay tuned, I will update the situation as it unfolds.

Contact Ann Hayden to get started today!

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Missouri Drivers... New State Law See Attached PHOTO

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:14:57 -0500

Missouri Drivers... New State Law See Attached PHOTO

State Law: Headlights on when windshield wipers are required.

Since we have been inundated with rain for the past month, wake up Missouri. This law is a good one. It may save your life because other drivers are having a difficult time seeing you in the rain.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Speechless Sunday...Welcome Back..We Missed YOU!

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:05:03 -0600

Speechless Sunday...Welcome Back..We Missed YOU!

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Six Flags St. Louis Fright Fest...World's Largest Halloween Party

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:47:00 -0500

Six Flags St. Louis Fright Fest...World's Largest Halloween Party

If you want a scare this Halloween visit Six Flags St. Louis, MO Fright Fest. There will be kid friendly rides as well as scary ones with trick or treating too.

Park will be open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Map of the park link.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

How to Blog to Connect with Existing Clients and Prospects

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:52:54 -0500

How to Blog to Connect with Existing Clients and Prospects...This article presented to hopefully meet Bob Stewart's challenge. Thanks Bob! I am so happy to have "found" this potential way of garnering massive amounts of Active Rain points and an opportunity to help others who have not used their posts to enhance their client relationships.

So here is my post concerning "Using my blog to connect with existing clients and prospects".

For me sending posts to clients and prospects makes perfect sense. I post lots of photos and information about the areas in and around St. Louis, MO. Hopefully, others find what I post informative, creative or at least entertaining.

I have printed and emailed my posts to my sellers. These particular posts detail how to get your home ready for sale, how to make your house look the best for a buyer, what to do in the event your home is not selling, market reports or hyper link posts about businesses in the area. Sometimes these recipients are current clients and at other times they are potential clients.

I believe posting my listings here gives my sellers an edge in the process of selling their home. So far, everyone is very happy to have their home posted in many places on the Internet especially Active Rain because 160,000+ professionals are here in the Rain. The more exposure a listing gets, the more likely it will sell. I have emailed links or posts to my clients and friends and/or my SOI concerning new listings, open houses, price adjustments, sales, events, etc.

Working with many buyers, I give them a packet of information to start the home buying process. At the first meeting with a new client/buyer, they receive a complete packet of what to expect in the process. I have posted articles about the home buying process and what to expect. I will email links to potential Internet clients as well. My buyer's questions, issues, satisfaction and problems are fair game for posts.

All of my posts are sent to Facebook unless they are a Members Only post. I post my articles to other blog areas as well as on my personal website. My posts can let you know what to do this weekend. I post information about area events and fun.

I have sent my posts to the agents in my office as a way to get the word out about a particular event happening in real estate or to bring attention to current laws as they apply to our business. When posting issues, I have received invaluable help from others in the Active Rain Community.

To all those who do not see a benefit here, take a chance and jump in the puddle made by the Rain. Here in the Rain we do not care if you get muddy just join the community and participate!

I am going to stay tuned to the posts in this challenge. I am always searching for ways to enhance my client's experience and make my blogging efforts pay off.

I prefer to experience the "droplets of knowledge" here in the Rain..... And you never can tell what you will find at the end of the rain...a rainbow?

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Foto Friday.... Flash Flooding in Missouri

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:33:50 -0500

Foto Friday.... Flash Flooding in Missouri

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Wordless Wednesday.....Scary Halloween Decoration

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:47:15 -0500

Wordless Wednesday.....Scary Halloween Decoration

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009.

Trick or Treat on Main Street St. Charles MO

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:06:00 -0500

Trick or Treat on Main Street St. Charles MO

Friday October 30th, 2009

3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Children 12 years and younger

Spend the afternoon trick or treating at select businesses in St. Charles, Missouri along historic Main Street in Olde Town. I have attended this event for many years. It is very much fun. Some of the attendees dress up in awesome costumes as well as some of the business owners.

This event maintains a non-scary environment taking place during daylight hours. Halloween does not have to be scary. Halloween should be fun and safe...

© Ann Hayden, 2008-2009. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ann Hayden, real estate agent with Prudential Select Properties Chesterfield, Ballwin, Wildwood Office. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

St. Louis Home NOT Selling? Here are some ideas...

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:23:22 -0500

St. Louis Home NOT Selling? Here are some ideas...

1) Paint a neutral color on the walls. Paint is inexpensive and gives a fresh new look to walls. Buyers view a fresh neutral home as a blank canvas they can put their mark on.

2) Clean out the clutter. You are going to move anyway, so pack everything not essential. Yes, Everything! While cleaning out the stuff, consider staging the rooms. Yes, remove some of the furniture.

3) Hire a professional cleaning company. Your home needs to be Q-tip clean. No, you do not live this way but a buyer is impressed with a clean house. Remember new construction is spotless. After the initial cleaning, keeping the home looking great is not so difficult.

4) Look at your home the way buyers do. What do buyers see when they pull up to your house? If you cannot see what they do, ask a trusted friend, neighbor or your Realtor. They should be able to tell you what they see. Do not be hurt by what they tell you. The idea is to see the home through another person's eyes. How can you "fix" the issues you find? If the carpet is old, replace it with a neutral color.

5) Consider offering some creative financing terms. Most buyers are interested in the bottom line, what they will pay monthly for your home. So consider buying down the interest rate to make the home more affordable to the buyer. You may be considering a price reduction but a rate buy down for a specific time period may be more beneficial to both you and the buyer.

If you would like help with the above ideas, please give Ann Hayden a call 636-399-7544.

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

Why You Should Buy a Home NOW!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:39:49 -0500

Why You Should Buy a Home NOW!

This is a great market to buy a home! Interest rates are extremely low. If you are in a position to make a purchase, now is the time. The Federal Reserve has cut the rates as much as possible and they are seeing signs the economy is turning. If you wait, you may miss a chance at a great rate. Paying a higher rate, lowers your purchasing power. The lower the rate, the more house you can afford.

So what if you are waiting until prices bottom out. How and when will you know this has happened? Align yourself with a real estate professional and find out about YOUR market. Most agents will help you if you ask.

In waiting, you may also miss the home you would have loved to be in. You can make money on a home buying and selling. Think about this, "if I live in a home for 10 years and sell it for the same price I paid, I will have lived there building equity for all those years." Renting does not offer this benefit.

In conclusion, all markets are different. In Missouri, we did not experience the double digit appreciation of the east and west coast markets, subsequently our market has not declined as other areas in the country have. There are great deals to be negotiated!

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you

Time Is Running out on the First Time Buyer Tax Credit.

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

Speechless Sunday... Am I Two Faced?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:13:54 -0500

Speechless Sunday... Am I Two Faced?

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com

Are YOU Afraid of the Big Dogs?

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:02:12 -0500

Are YOU Afraid of the Big Dogs?

Real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com . For all your real estate needs in the St. Louis area. Updated daily. Sign on for FREE! Whether you are buying or selling, let me help you!

Ann Hayden Realtor St. Louis Missouri

For All Your real estate needs: www.SelectAnn.com