Marylanders are Living Well!

With the recent publication of Forbes.com list of "America's Top 25 Towns to Live Well" Maryland has a lot to celebrate! Boasting 6 towns on the list of 25, it appears that many Marylanders are indeed living well! Topping the "living well" list is Columbia, garnering the 7th spot. Columbia is credited with being "packed with restaurants, parks and music venues" and "exceptionally small business friendly".

Other Maryland towns who made the list include Rockville #8, North Potomac #13, Germantown #17, Silver Spring #20 and rounding out list Potomac #23.

For a more in-depth analysis of how these towns were chosen, check out:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html

The 56 Hour Open House

The 56 Hour Open House

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New $8,000* Tax Credit; Home Buying Seminar

For 2009, Congress has enacted an $8000 credit specifically to help first-time homebuyers. To qualify, you can earn no more than $75,000 as an individual or $150,000 as a married couple that files a joint tax return. If you do qualify, you will be able to deduct the full $8,000 from your federal tax liability. Or, if you owe less than $8,000, the government will subtract the amount you owe from $8,000 and send you a check for the difference.

Only first-time homebuyers who purchase their principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible. You will also be considered a first-time buyer if you have not had any ownership interest in such a home in the three years previous to the day of your 2009 purchase.

RSVP Required: Please email info@newcolonyrealtors.com by June 9, 2009.

Valuable information to share with buyers and sellers

The economic stimulus plan signed into law in February included a financial incentive for first-time buyers -- an $8,000 tax credit, that unlike past versions does not need to be repaid. Combined with historically low interest rates and more affordable home prices, the tax credit has made the decision to purchase real estate an easy choice for many buyers.

Review the following information to see if you are eligible to take advantage of the tax credit:

• The home purchase closed/will close on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.
• The home is being used as a principal residence.
• You have either never owned a home, or have not owned a home in the last three years.
• Your modified gross income is less than $95,000 for single tax payers or $170,000 for married filers.

Weichert has a resource for first-time homebuyers on its Web site that includes the most up-to-date information on the $8,000 tax credit. Click here or visit http://newcolonyrealtors.com/contact.buy.htm today to learn how this incentive can help you achieve the American dream of homeownership.