I was considering my blog entry as the snow fell last Saturday. Sitting next to the fireplace in my big comfy chair, my mind began to wander to those families less fortunate than mine who were struggling to stay warm in their homes, or worse had no home at all.

I wondered if any of those people had lost their home to foreclosure. Perhaps these thoughts were due to the fact that Strategic Real Estate Investments works with short sales and foreclosures everyday, meeting with and advising clients as they make the kind of hard decisions that result in the loss of their American dream.

Much like the combination of cold temperatures and rain lead to the perfect conditions for record snow fall, a combination of market conditions and economics have lead to the perfect conditions for record home loan defaults.

We know we can’t control the weather or the real estate market. But, much like digging out from the Bizzard of 2010, SREI is helping clients to plow ahead, clear a path and move forward.

www.strategicshortsales101.com

Now that the holidays are over, we are left with memories of family and friends…bills and clutter. While that may not sound like an optimistic way to start the new year, I believe it is an accurate one for most of us!

Every new year brings the opportunity to look back and reflect and to look ahead and plan. A chance to rid ourselves of the clutter left behind from the holidays and the clutter that has preoccupied our minds since late November. It is also a time to reevaluate personal finances and determine whether 2010 is the year you choose to purchase your first home, move up to a larger home or buy real estate as an investment in your family’s future.

To that end Strategic Real Estate Investments is happy to announce two belated holiday gifts to you. The first is Market Watch, a publication that analyzes current real estate trends and provides statistics for your area. The second, Energy Smart, is a newsletter designed to supply home owners with eco-friendly ideas to both increase the value of their home and decrease their carbon footprint.

If you are already on our mailing list, you will automatically start receiving these soon.   If you are not on our mailing list and would like to receive them, you can add your name by completing the information page on this site, sending me an email at sheri@strategic-realestate.com, or giving us a call.

It is our desire to become your realtor long before you need one. If you have a question about land, residential, or commercial real estate, would like information on short sales or just want to know what the house up the street sold for…give us a call, we are never too busy to help.

Have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!

Purchasing real estate is a complex business transaction that should not be taken lightly.  What used to be done in five pages is now over 20 pages of legalese with sellers, buyers, lenders, title companies, appraisers, and home inspectors all involved.

Strategic Real Estate Investments has teamed with Southern Trust Mortgage and Monarch Title to present a comprehensive workshop designed to educate consumers on the home buying process.  The event is free of charge and will cover everything from repairing credit and applying for a loan through closing of the transaction. 

Following the seminar, participants will have the advantage of a panel of experts to answer their questions and give advice regarding their particular situation. 

Join us on Saturday, October 24th at 1pm in the offices of the Dulles Association of Realtors, 802 Sycolin Road, Suite 222 in Leesburg.  To pre-register fill out the contact us form on this site or call our office at 703-777-7790.  Pre-registration is appreciated but not required.

We want to be the people you come to for answers. So please, if you are a first time home buyer, haven’t purchased real estate in a while, or are taking advantage of the current buyer’s market, you don’t want to miss this. Nothing to buy…just information!

In my last entry, I talked about some of the indicators that we are moving toward a recovery in the real estate market. So, I thought I would give you a little more good news!

According to the National Association of Realtors, the Pending Home Sales Index reached 94.6 in June, its highest in 2 years and a considerable improvement from 80.4 in January or 09. If buyer contracts continue to settle at this rate, home sale closings would be in the 5.2-5.5 million range for the year. Compare that with last years 4.9, and the fact that in June existing home sales increased for a third consecutive month, and I believe even the most pessimistic of us would have to agree…that’s great news!

One of the reasons for the increase is the Economic Stimulus Plan’s First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. While I am not a tax professional, I can answer some of the basic questions and the ones I hear most often.

Q. Who is eligible?
A. Only first time buyers are eligible. This is defined as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three year period prior to purchase. In the event you are married, neither you nor your spouse can have owned a principal residence in that time

Q. How is the tax credit determined?
A. The tax credit is equal to 10% of the homes purchase price, not to exceed $8000.

Q. How do I claim the credit?
A. You will claim the credit on your federal income tax return.

Q. Do I have to purchase a single family home?
A. No, the credit applies to any home used as a principal residence.

Q. When must I pay back the credit for a home I purchased in 2009?
A. The obligation to repay would be  only if the homes ceases to be your principal residence within 36 months from the date of purchase. Then the full amount of the credit received becomes due on your tax return for the year the home ceased to be your principal residence.

Q. What is the deadline for the credit and will Congress extend it?
A. The deadline is November 30, 2009.  There is a lot of speculation that the credit will be extended, but with Congress currently in recess, no one knows for sure.

So, with all of that in mind, I have three equally important tips.  First, time is of the essence if you want to take advantage of this opportunity. Secondly, I strongly suggest you consult a tax professional for your specific accounting needs. Thirdly, I suggest that you call Strategic Real Estate Investments,  your real estate professionals, for your real estate needs!

Welcome, to the first installment of my blog! I will use this forum to  discuss things that I find interesting, educational and hopefully even entertaining. 

First lets talk about what everyone is talking about.  Whether I am at the ball park, the grocery store checkout line or on the street, everyone asks, “How’s the market”?  There is not a simple answer to that question.  Most real estate professionals agree, the  free fall has ended and we are seeing signs of improvement. For instance, the number of homes listed compared with the number of homes sold is nearing a balance we have not seen in a while. The days a home spends on the market has shortened, and most importantly, prices are stabilizing.  Is this the end?  No, but it is certainly a beginning.

There is no doubt these are difficult times, but these are the times we have! We must therefore make the best of them.  Our challenge is to look for opportunity in new places and think outside the proverbial box. SREI is currently exploring creative ways to help you build wealth. From single property purchases as an investor or first time home buyer, to joint venture partnerships with other investors. We do, and always have, believed in the power of real estate.

Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any questions regarding real estate. We are never too busy to help.  Thanks for your time, I hope you check back with us often to see what’s new!