farmhomesrealty

I recently received a forwarded email from a friend of mine.  My friend thought I would enjoy it because I’m from Missouri.  Once you read it you’ll understand.  Enjoy!

“Phones in Church”

A man in Topeka, Ks decided to write a book about churches around the country.  He started by flying to San Francisco and started working east from there.

Going to a very large church, he began taking photographs and taking notes.  He spotted a golden telephone on the vestibule wall and was intrigued with a sign which read “Calls: $1000 a minute”. Seeking out the pastor he asked about the phone and the sign.  The pastor replied that this golden phone is, in fact, a direct line to GOD.  The man thanked the pastor and continued on his way.

As he continued to visit churches in Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Milwaukee and many other cities and towns all around the United States, he found more phones, with the same sign and received the same answer from each pastor.

Finally, he arrived in Missouri.  Upon entering a church in the beautiful Ozark region of Missouri, behold, he saw the usual golden telephone.  But this time the sign read, “Calls: .35 cents”.  

Fascinated, he asked to talk to the pastor.  “Reverend, I’ve been in cities all across the country and in each church I’ve found the golden telephone.  I’ve been told it’s a direct line to Heaven and that I could talk to GOD.  But in the other churches the  cost for the call was $1000 a minute.  Your sign reads only 35 cents a call.  Why?” 

The pastor smiled broadly and replied, “Son, you’re in Missouri now…..You’re in GOD’s country so it’s a local call”.

Since I’m from Missouri I understood completely!

American by birth – Missourian by the Grace of God,

Barb  

P.S. Why do Missourians go barefoot? – Because when you’re in Missouri you’re on holy ground!

The National Association of Realtors has issued a “call to action” for all realtors to contact their local and state representatives to extend the $8000 first time home-buyer tax credit.

Officials have cautiously suggested that we may be recovering from the recession. This is partly due to the rebound of the real estate market. If we want this trend to continue, it is very important that we support the effort to extend the first time home buyers credit and possibly expand it to include all home buyers.

We all recognize the impact real estate has on our economy.  The first time buyers tax credit has played a part in stimulating the real estate market.  In order to continue the current recovery it is essential that the first time buyers tax credit be extended for at least 6 more months.   

 The current deadline for this valuable program is fast approaching.  As it stands now you must have your home bought and the transaction closed by November 30.  On average, most home closings are taking 30-45 days so it may already be too late for some.   We are asking everyone to contact your state representatives, congressman and senators to get to work NOW to extend the first time buyers tax credit.  Time is running out.

Let’s let our voices be heard in Washington and do our part to  keep our economy growing!

School has started all across the Ozarks!  Please use extra caution in the mornings and afternoons and watch out for the little guys.

Growing up in a small town is an experience that most of us cherish for the whole of our lives. In many of the small towns across  southwest Missouri, school children walk and ride their bikes to school.  Parents feel safe letting their youngsters take the short walk or ride to school  then back home

. 

As the children pour out of the school,we are assured that some day they too will look back on fond memories of growing up in small town U.S.A. – Houston, Missouri.

We always welcome new neighbors so if you’d like to experience the good life in a small town give us a call at 417-967-2221 or visit us on the web at www.farmhomesrealty.com.

Where did the summer go?

School starts in 1 week!
The anticipation of the first day of school is building for school children everywhere! New shoes, fresh haircuts, and best of all – SCHOOL SUPPLIES!
We feel fortunate to live in a small town where the school is the hub of the community. Because of this, it seems everyone shares the excitement of back to school.
In one short week we’ll see children walking to school, waiting for the school bus or hopping out of the family car carrying backpacks, greeting old friends and anxious to make new ones as they burst through the doors to a new year of wonder, excitement and hopefully some learning – ha!

www.farmhomesrealty.com

Time is running out on the first-time home buyer tax credit!  November 30 is the current deadline to qualify for the credit.  Figures released for June show a substantial rise in home prices and sales.  The tax credit could be the reason for the up beat in figures.  Overall we are hopeful that this is a good sign that the real estate market is improving nationally. 

Because the homes in our area were never over-inflated, our local market has remained steady.  This is an added incentive for buyers to take advantage of the first-time buyer tax credit. 

A recent survey conducted by the Re/Max network in northern Illinios found that  most qualified buyers only understand a few of the program’s details.  Being a government program, the details can be confusing at best.  

Did you know….

* With the real estate numbers improving slowly, we hope the program will be extended.  However, at this time to qualify for the tax credit, the purchase must be closed no later than November 30, 2009. 

* You  CAN have owned a home previously, as long as you have not  owned a home for 3 years before making a home purchase that qualifies for the tax credit.

*Qualified buyers will receive the FULL benefit of the tax credit to which they are entitled.  For example, if a buyer qualifies for the full $8000 credit but owes only $3000 in income taxes for the year, their entire tax bill would be paid and they would also receive a tax refund check for $5000.

*Individuals with an adjusted gross income up to $75,000 can qualify for the full $8000 credit.  Couples with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 can also qualify for the full $8000 credit.  Qualified buyers with higher incomes can receive a smaller tax credit.  The credit phases out at $95,000 for individuals and $170,000 for couples. 

*The updated version of the tax credit DOES NOT have to be repaid – unless the home is sold within 3 years.

This is an excellent program that can benefit many people but time is of the essence!  Act now and take advantage of program. 

For more details and facts call one of our agents at 417-967-2221 or 1-800-753-0103.  We are always willing to work with you to help you find your perfect home.   Whether you’ve got questions about the first time home buyers credit, a property or any other real estate related question we are here for you.

The 4th of July is a time for everyone to get together and celebrate  how lucky we are to live in the greatest country in the world! 

We are especially lucky to live in southwest Missouri.  Celebrations began last weekend with a carnival, live entertainment and fireworks at the fairgrounds in Houston.  

Cabool is planning a fun filled day with live bands performing, a fiddling contest and venues for the kids.  An activity tent features candle making, homemade bread and butter and tie quilting.  Square dancing is also planned for the evening.  Fireworks will begin at 9:30.

These types of celebrations are just one of the reasons we feel we live in the best place in the best country in the world!Happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate and be safe!

The 2009 economic stimulus bill, passed in February, offers first time home buyers a nifty perk: A 10% tax credit up to $8,000.00 for home purchases made in 2009.
The tax credit is limited to buyers who have never purchased a home or those who haven’t owned a home in three years.
Last year Congress passed a similar tax credit but here is one significant difference between that one and this new credit: You don’t have to pay back the new credit.
In addition this new credit is ‘refundable.’ That means the credit pays for the taxes you owe and if the credit is more than the taxes owed, you get a check for the difference.
The tax credits made the decision of whether to rent or own a much easier one and it seems buyers are making their move.
Here’s how you qualify:
1. You cannot have owned a home for three years.
2. You must buy a home between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009
3. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
4. You have to agree to live in the house for three years.

The most recent home sales figures (from December 2008) show a 6.5 percent increse. This surge in home sales, especially in the midwest and south, suggest that tax credits, plus favorable buying conditions have made home ownership very affordable.
Right now interest rates are at 5% or lower while home prices are very reasonable. Some experts say the combination has made homes more affordable today than they have been in 20 years. That means you can own a great home sometimes for the same cost as renting.
Homewonership has been called “The American Dream” because homeowners take great pride in owning a slice of America. As a homeowner, you can make your home and your lot into exactly what you want, tailoring it to suit your tastes and life style.
What many non-homeowners do not realize is that their home, and the improvements they make on it, increase in value over time. That is one reason why homewoners are worth 35 times more than the average renter. According to David Bach, author of the Automatic Millionaire Homeowner, real estate is the best way to take an ordinary income and expand it.
“As long as you’re alive, you have to live somewhere. Whey not let where you live make you rich?”

For More Information

If you have not bought a house for three years, the United States government is about to hand you $7,500.

There is one catch. You have to invest in the American Dream and buy a house.

Luckily, if that is what you want to do anyway, you appear to have hit a miniature jackpot.

Last year’s Housing and Economic Recovery Act offered new homeowners a $7,500 tax credit if they bought a home before June 30. According to that plan the $7,500 tax credit would be repaid over 15 years with annual payments of $500 added from the borrower’s income tax bill. The credit is an excellent deal, since it offers home buyers what amounts to an interest free loan.

But the Congress and President Barack Obama have vowed to sweeten that deal by extending the credit and delaying repayment.

For first time homeowners, this promises to be a one-time bonanza during the best time in history to buy a home.

Here are just some of the reasons why the cost of housing will probably never be more economical.

1. Inventory of new homes is tightening.

That means there are fewer new homes for buyers to buy. It’s basic economics:

When the supply goes down, the price goes up.

2. Congress is moving to close off the dribble of foreclosures on pre-owned homes. Again, with fewer houses going on the market via foreclosure, the supply of homes will go down and price

increases will soon follow.

3. Interest rates are fantastic right now.

The best borrowers can now get 30-year mortgages at rates under 5 percent.

4. Obama’s promised new stimulus packages will likely extend and sweeten deals for homeowner.

The fact is that now might be the best time in your life to buy a home.

Soon the first crocus will break through the frozen ground giving us the reassurance that spring will arrive.   We still have weeks of cold weather to endure but there is hope and assurance that spring is on the way.

We complain about the cold of winter, the stress of the holidays, the heat of summer, the mounds of fallen leaves during the fall but rarely do we hear complaints about spring!  Year after year, spring brings the hope of a whole new beginning.  What a wonderful gift of nature!

There is always hope on the horizon.  Thanks to Mother Nature the hope  of spring is just a few short weeks away!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

There are very few of us that won’t be happy to see 2008 in our rear view mirror!  This has been a particularly tough year for all of us.  Each new year gives us the opportunity to begin fresh.  By December 31st of each year we are all ready for a fresh beginning! 

With the new year comes the new year’s resolutions: “I’m going to get in shape this year.”, “I’m going to quit smoking this year.”, “I’m going to start saving for next Christmas now!”.  By February we’ve usually set those resolutions aside.

We will go into 2009 with lots of great expectations and some will work out and some won’t.  The one thing I’m certain of is, we’ll be happy to see 2009 go and we’ll be hopeful for 2010!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!