Meservier & Associates has just launched a their new MAIN website with a whole new look. Check it out at http://www.meservier.com

Beginning December 1, 2009, the revised Gift of Green promotion will provide all MaineHousing borrowers with $2,500 – to help with down payment, closing costs, and prepaid escrow expenses, after the borrower contributes 1% of the mortgage loan amount to the transaction. Eligible home buyers need to act quickly to take advantage of the current Gift of Green offer before it changes. Loans registered on or before November 30, 2009 will receive a grant of 4% of the first mortgage loan amount, up to a max of $5,000. Loans reserved on or after December 1, 2009 receive a grant of $2,500.

Info: http://www.mainehousing.org/NEWSPressReleases.aspx?PageCMD=newsDetail&NewsID=461

Information provided by: Maine Association of REALTORS

In a press release to the media today, MREIS reports single-family existing home sales are up 22.74% in September 2009 compared with the same month in 2008.  The median sales price for September 2009 is $167,000, a decrease of 6.05% from September 2008, but an increase from $162,800 in August 2009. The press release: http://mainerealtors.com/Statistics/2009PressReleases/MaineHousingReport-September2009.pdf

NAR reports that early next week the U.S. Senate will be voting on two amendments that would extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit. NAR is only supporting the Dodd-Lieberman-Isakson amendment because it will: provide the $8,000 tax credit to any buyer (not just first time); set income limits at $150,000/$300,000 for single/married buyers; make the credit available until June 30, 2010.

Great news for everyone!

Reported by MAINE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Fannie Mae has toughened guidelines on 2-unit homes, trailing spouses, retirement portfolios, and more: http://bit.ly/e0q8F

Today in a press release, MREIS, Maine Real Estate Information Systems, Inc. announced that Realtors sold 1,133 homes last month. — A 13.76 percent from one year ago. The median sales price of $170,000 is down 9.57% from June 2008, but up from the May 2009 median sales price of $160,000. For the complete press release, including county level statistics for the Second Quarter, go to: http://bit.ly/tDQcR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Home Buyer University

Contact

Contact Person                          Julia Hixon

Company Name                         Meservier & Associates, Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine

Telephone Number                     207-784-2525

Fax Number                              207-689-9801

Email Address                           Julia@meservier.com

Web site address                       www.meservier.com

 

 

Auburn, Maine, June 22, 2009 — Meservier & Associates of Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine is launching Home Buyer University (HBU), and offering its first free HBU workshop for home buyers to learn the ins and outs of buying real estate on Saturday, July 25 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. at their offices located at 34 Center Street in Auburn.

HBU is designed to educate today’s buyers on relevant issues in the home-buying process. Topics include understanding today’s buying process, information on the $8,000 tax credit available to first-time home buyers, mortgage options, the value of inspections before you buy, and understanding the legal aspects of home buying. Licensed, experienced professionals in the respective fields will present the topics and a free lunch will be provided. Following classroom time, attendees will be given the opportunity to participate in a tour of local homes to apply what they’ve learned. Anyone interested in purchasing real estate including first time home buyers and renters who want to explore what the home ownership process entails will benefit from this event.  Seating is limited. For more information, to request a flyer, or to register, please call Meservier & Associates, Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine, at 784-2525.

HBU is an initiative to educate today’s consumers in purchasing real estate by providing accurate information and practical application of that information through viewing local properties for sale. Meservier & Associates is a local established real estate team lead by Sue Meservier, a top producing agent and licensed team with a combined total of over 40 years of real estate experience.

For more information, please contact Meservier & Associates, Keller Williams Realty Mid Maine, 34 Center Street, Auburn, Maine, 784-2525.

Did you know …

• 56 percent of buyers used their savings as a down payment last year? This was up from 52 percent in 2007.
• 213 out of 330 markets in the United States were undervalued in the third quarter of 2008?
• The $780 billion economic stimulus package was signed by President Obama contained 35 percent in tax cuts and 65 percent in spending?
• Consumers can no longer access their Experian FICO credit scores as of February 14?

Did you know that timing the market is impossible?

The longer buyers wait for the real estate bottom, the more likely it is that they’ll miss it. As Jay Papasan, co-author of Your First Home, and a member of Gary Keller’s expert writing team, said in a recent article in the Boston Herald, “Many desperate sellers are slashing prices, paying buyers’ closing costs and throwing in home improvements. [But] once a few (potential buyers) get off the fence . . . you lose your leverage.”

Let’s repeat the end of that last sentence again.”…YOU LOOSE YOUR LEVERAGE”

I cannot express enough that leverage is the most important part of your negotiation. Sellers are motivated, inventory is at an all time high, Interest rates are still very low and for the first time home buyers, there is the 2009 tax credit up to $8000. It doesn’t get any better than this. Start your home search with the Maine MLS, get preapproved or read up on Maine real estate information at our blog at http://www.mainerealestateexperts.com

So, are you still saying….

• “I don’t feel comfortable buying right now.”
•  “Let’s hold out to get the best price.”
• “We’re going to wait for the market to turn around.”

We can help you find the right home.  Unsure of where to begin or don’t understand the home buying process? We got that covered too. Visit http://www.HowToBuyAHomeInMaine.com, the home buyers online resource to the home buying process. Still have questions? Call us at 207-784-2525. We’ve got answers.

Meservier & Associates offers exclusive buyer agency for your protection.