The Hottest 2009 Gifts -This is Cool – Save Time and Energy Shopping For Gifts -Top Ten Lists
December 7, 2009
….decorating…sending Christmas cards…baking…cooking…having holiday parties….going to holiday parties..holiday school plays………..whew, I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
These are all unavoidable parts of the holidays. Add figuring out what people WANT for the holidays, searching for deals, shopping and wrapping into this equation, and there is hardly anytime to ENJOY the holidays, and more unnecessary stressers!
How would you like to fill out a 30 second profile for the person you are shopping for and be given a list of great gift ideas that match their age, gender and personality! I’m not a big online shopper, but this site has given me a whole new hope for ENJOYING more time with my family.
- Shop by budget, pricepoint, PERSONALITY, category, what’s hot, brand
- Shop good deals, use coupons
- Have gifts wrapped
- FREE Gift tags with purchase
- HAVE THEM DELIVERED TO THE PERSON OR YOUR HOUSE (ahh. No more holiday rush at TJ Maxx)
Top Ten Gifts For Boys
Top Ten Gifts For Girls
Top Ten Gifts For Babies
Top Ten Gifts For Woman
Top Ten Gifts For Man
HAPPY SHOPPING!
2009 Holiday Events for Bradenton, Sarasota & Lakewood Ranch
November 30, 2009
Holiday Events
December
Friday 4th
Lighting of the Tree, 6pm – 9pm at St ARmonds Circle in Sarasota
Friday 11th
Winter Wonderland, 4pm in Downtown Bradenton
Holidays Around the Ranch, 5pm on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch
Saturday 12th
Winter Wonderland, all day in downtown Bradenton
Holiday Boat Parade on the Manatee River at Sunset
23rd Annual Boat Parade of Lights in Sarasota, Bay Front Park in Sarasota at Sunset
A Night Before Christmas, GT Bray Park in Bradenton, 4pm
Saturday 19th
A Smokey Mountain Christmas Story, St James UMC in Sarasota at 7pm
Sunday 20th
A Smokey Mountain Christmas Story, St James UMC in Sarasota at 4pm
DID I FORGET MANY IMORTANT EVENTS? PLEASE, LEAVE A COMMENT, AND I WILL ADD THEM!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE BURISH AND SERENA TEAM
First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit Extended
November 9, 2009
November 6th, 2009, President Obama signed the proposed extension on the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit! The new Bill extends the $8000 tax credit for First Time Home Buyers AND is extending a $6500 tax credit to buyers who have owned their current home for at least 5 years.
The new bill allows for home buyers to claim the credit on any contracts written before April 30th, 2010 that close before June 30th, 2010.
Income limitations have been increased to $125,000 for single filers and $225,000 for joint filers. The purchase price of the home must be less than $800,000.
While the extension was controversial, and the estmated loss to the government in tax revenue is $10.8 billion, at the end of the day, Washington couldn’t deny that the tax benefit was pushing qualified home buyers over the fence, and into a new home.
“The substantial rise in home sales we’ve seen over the past few months proves that the tax credit is working and is being used by buyers who were waiting for the right opportunity to get into the market,” said NARPresident Charles McMillan, a broker with ColdwellBanker Residential Real Estate in Dallas-Fort Worth. “This important incentive is helping to stabilize the housing market, stimulate the economy and create new jobs in communities all across our great nation. Extending and expanding the home buyer tax credit will enable even more families to take advantage of current low interest rates and affordable prices to invest in their future through home ownership.”
An estimated 1.4 million people took advantage of the tax credit in 2009, helping absorb tens of thousands of bank owned properties, and keep people working in the real estate industry in business!
For answers to frequently asked questions reguarding the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit – Click Here
For answer to frequently asked questions reguarding the $6500 Tax Credit for Repeat Home Buyers – Click Here
Start Looking For Your Dream Home Now!
Posted by:
Jamie Bullock
The Burish and Serena Team
Possible Chinese Drywall Relief?
November 5, 2009
Since the release last week,that the federal task force on Chinese drywall found elevated levels of sulfur and strontium in most samples, but no concrete evidence of adverse health effects have been legitimized, Senators from states hit hardest by the phenomena are calling for action from mortgage lenders.
The senate resolution proposed Wednesday asks that lenders and mortgage companies delay or suspend mortgage payments and penalties to all homeowners with legitimate claims and issues from Chinese Drywall.
Senators say that more than 1300 homeowners are displaced and paying more than one payment for housing due to alledged health issues from the Chinese drywall in their homes.
“Many homeowners are stuck with contaminated drywall in their homes and they need all the help they can get,” said Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, who has been pushing the Consumer Product Safety Commission since February to investigate imported drywall. “This is just one more way we’re trying to get them some relief.”
The results of additional tests are expected later this month.
Sens. Nelson and George LeMieux from Florida; Mary Landrieu and David Vitter of Louisiana; and Mark Warner and Jim Webb of Virginia introduced the resolution.
Stay tuned to our blog for recent updates on Chinese Drywall.
Posted by:
Jamie Bullock
The Burish and Serena Team
To Rent or To Own….That Is The Question
October 26, 2009
With a large inventory of homes for sale, including foreclosures and short sales, bargain-basement prices on homes, and record low-interest rates, now is the right time to stop renting and start owning.
Waiting to purchase a home could cost you. Many people with the income capability and credit score necessary for mortgage approval are still on the fence about buying their first home. Some are nervous about the investment in general, and others are waiting for prices to go lower. The truth is, waiting could be a bad idea.
Let’s assume you are interested in a home, but are waiting for the price to drop by 5 more percent. By the time the home’s price decreases (assuming it doesn’t rise!), it is very likely that mortgage rates have shifted. If the interest rates rise a single percentage, the mortgage payment on the home would have been cheaper at the slightly higher price.
THE NUMBERS HAVE ALIGNED FOR FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS!
- Lots of selection
- Low interest rates
- down-payment help
- Tax credits
- Low prices
As of October 26, there were 4,951 active properties for sale in Manatee County alone! Todays mortgage rate on a 30 year fixed mortgage is 5.15%, up from last weeks rate of 5.07%.
Currently the average list price of a home in Manatee County is in the mid $300’s, and the Median home price is in the low $100’s.
At an average of $78/sq ft, the price is right. In most cases, you cannot build or replace for that price including the land!
For more information on purchasing your first home, or moving up, call us and ask about our Free Book & First Time Home Owner seminar!
The Burish & Serena Team
941-704-4223
Reserve Your Seat Now for This FREE Seminar for First Time Homebuyers in Manatee and Sarasota County
October 12, 2009
Are you intersested in purchasing a home in Manatee County, East Manatee County, Lakewood Ranch or Sarasota? Are you a FIRST TIME HOME BUYER looking for answers to questions about purchasing a home?
Join us for the next available seminar at the Keller Williams Realty of Manatee office located at:
5260 SR 64 East, Bradenton, FL 34208
Speak directly with representatives from Title Companies, Lenders and Real Estate agents in a panel format about buying a home in Manatee County, East Manatee County, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.
Learn about the home buying process, how to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit, how to quality and what loans are available, how to prepare for home ownership, what you should know about our local housing market, how a real estate agent can assist you with your search for a home, what is the escrow and closing process?…and more.
Posted by Jamie Bullock
The Burish & Serena Team
Update Re: Chinese Drywall – Manufacturer Found in Default
September 28, 2009
Judge Eldon Fallon issued a default judgement against Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. in a Class action lawsuit, last Thursday in New Orleans for not responding to a prior lawsuit filed by an Alabama home builder.
Their mistake is an early victory for the hundreds of home-owners who are seeking restitution and repair compensation (at minimum) for damage done to their homes, and in some cases, damage done to their health over the suspect Chinese Drywall.
The 150 plus lawsuits against drywall manufacturers, importers and retailers have been consolidated into a large ‘bellweather‘ trial being ruled by Judge Fallon.
The judgement found against Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd. will prevent them from defending themselves against the hundreds of accusations that the drywall they manufacture emits sulfuric gases, causes respiratory problems and ruins electrical components in the home.
Update Posted by
Jamie Bullock
The Burish & Serena Team
Chinese Drywall Answers to Come in October?
September 21, 2009
Since the onset of the health and structural effects being caused by the suspect Chinese drywall in many US homes, legislators are working hard to organize solutions and find answers.
As of September 11, 2009, the commission has received 1,192 incident reports about drywall from 24 states. Florida holds the highest number of complaints, followed by Louisiana and Virginia.
New Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said her agency hopes to issue a report on indoor air quality and health assessments in homes with Chinese drywall in late October.
Recently an internal commission task force made an investigative trip to China to meet with industry and government officials. Details of their investigation are yet to be reported.
Currently there is no official ban on the product in the US, but the public and industry awareness alone from the publicity Chinese drywall has stirred, has all but stopped it from being ordered, used and imported. Once all agency’s investigations have been conducted, measures may be taken to ban the product entirely.
The investigative task force put together by Tenenbaum has conducted air sampling field work in 50 homes and hopes to release a report by late October with initial air sampling test results and a preliminary health assessment.
Special attention is being given to this issue in the House. “It’s making many families in Florida sick. Families should not have to worry that building materials in their homes emit toxic fumes”, said Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.
In conclusion, there is no conclusions yet! The legal, legislative and agency processes ARE hard at work to provide the people with answers and solutions. In October we will no more, and which way this issue is headed. Stay tuned to our blog!
Jamie Bullock
The Burish & Serena Team
De-Mystifying Short Sales & Credit Score Impact
September 14, 2009
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If I do a short sale will my credit score be impacted?
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Is it better to foreclose on a property?
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Will bankrupcy ‘fix’ my credit score after short-sale or foreclosure?
These are common questions asked by sellers in financial distress looking for options.
A recent study released by VantageScore Solutions (whose risk prediction scores are being used by a majority of financial institutions rather than FICO) stated that loan modifications and refinancing of negative-equity mortgages can actually INCREASE a borrowers score, even though they were in delinquency before agreements were made! The best and first step always is to work with the lender.
When homeowners negotiate a short sale, often the assumption is there will be little impact on their credit because the loan is ’successfully’ paid off. This is a false assumption. According to VantageScore, short sales can trigger large drops in scores (120-130 points). The lender loses money, which is a derogatory event. The key to Short Sale is TO ACT EARLY TO PROTECT YOUR CREDIT.
Do not fall several payments behind before pursuing loan modification or a short sale. Start the conversations and processes early in the game. Timing is key!
What happens to borrowers credit who foreclose or walk away? VantageScore says you can count on a minimum score drop of 140-150 points immediately and negative marks on credit score files (the big three) for up to 7 years.
Bankruptcy can be the most damaging of all options. When a borrower files for bankruptcy protection over all debts (auto loans, credit cards, mortgage, etc), the credit score declines are on average 355-365 points! Bankruptcy remains on credit bureau files for a minimum of 10 years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? Do you have questions about Short Sales and the Short Sale Transaction process? The Burish and Serena Team are Short Sale experts in the Bradenton and Sarasota markets. We have informational literature available to people looking for options.
(941) 704-4223
Posted by Jamie Bullock
The Burish & Serena Team
Recycling Plastic
September 8, 2009
To most people…plastic is plastic. Most of us who recycle, just throw our plastic in our recycle bin and think, “Job well done!”
Many people don’t realize that the plastic they are ‘recycling’ is NOT recyclable in their area recycling center, and it is being discarded when it gets to the plant! A survey conducted by www.Earth911.com showed that 75% of the recycling centers in the US only accept Plastics 1 & 2 (See list), and only 25% of recycling centers process Plastics 3 thru 7.
Are You Rinsing Your Plastic Containers? Are You Discarding the Lids Before Recycling? YOU SHOULD BE!
The numbers located on all plastic containers tell you what their original use was for, and what recycle possibilities they possess.
Check with your area recycle center to see which plastics they do and do not process – save them some time, and find other uses for the plastics they DON’T recycle.
Decoding the numbers:
#1
Original Uses: Soft drink bottles, water bottles, plastic food jars
Recycled Uses: Carpets, fleece jackets, food & drink containers
#2
Original Uses: Detergent & bleach bottles, milk bottles, shampoo bottles, grocery bags, cereal box liners
Recycled Uses: Nonfood containers (such as household cleaners and motor oil), outdoor decking, recycling bins
#3
Original Uses: Shrink-wrap, siding, window frames, medical tubing
Recycled Uses: Pipe, decking, gutters, mud flaps
#4
Original Uses: Newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, produce & bread bags, shrink-wrap, toys
Recycled Uses: Shipping envelopes, furniture, trash cans
#5
Original Uses: Takeout meals, yogurt, deli foods, medicine bottles, bottle caps & closures
Recycled Uses: Garden rakes, storage bins, ice scrapers, oil funnels
#6
Original Uses: Egg cartons, hot beverage cups, packing peanuts, plates, protective packaging for furniture and electronics
Recycled Uses: Egg cartons, thermal insulation, protective packaging for furniture and electronics
#7
Original Uses: 3 and 5 gallon reusable water bottles, oven baking bags
Recycled Uses: Bottles, plastic lumber
DID YOU KNOW? YOU CAN RECYCLE YOUR PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS AT ANY PUBLIX?
Posted by Jamie Bullock
The Burish and Serena Team
