This month we have included the latest version of Market Snapshot, an award-winning, real-time MLS graphical report. The industry’s most current online real estate report has a new look and layout which offers even more market information on one page. Key comparative MLS data charts, including Asking price VS. Selling Price, Selling Times, and Neighborhood Inventory, are now available on the front page, through convenient collapsible sections. These enable viewers to remain in one web window and not have to toggle back and forth to compare data. You can have up to 100 of the closest active and sold listings displayed on the map for the Seller’s Market Snapshot as well as the Buyer’s.

Shopping for a home is a big undertaking, but add a few hundred (or thousand) miles and you've got a long distance headache. But luckily, with today's technology, home shopping across the miles is much easier. Here are some tips to help you find your new home:

Look online. You'll be able to search for homes in the city you're moving to based on price, size, neighborhood, and many other factors that might make or break a housing decision. Looking online and in the classified section of the city's newspaper should help narrow down some choices. Once you've narrowed your choices down, you'll be able to make an appointment with a realtor to view the properties that meet all of your specifications, saving you valuable time and effort.

When it comes to finding a realtor, if you're moving for work, you may be assigned a relocation specialist whose company will have an agent they usually work with. However, if you're not getting help with your move, you'll need a real estate agent to represent your interest as a buyer; so ask your new employer, or a friend, or a family member that lives in the area for a referral. If you don't know anyone in your new town, ask your local realtor for a referral. Realty is a profession that thrives off networking, so chances are your local realtor can connect you with someone in your new town.

One note of caution: hiring a good real estate agent is important in any situation, but it's particularly important when you're shopping for a home long distance. Your realtor should be a good communicator, keep in touch with you, and be attentive when you discuss your wants and needs. Especially if you're under a time constraint, your realtor should only contact you about the kinds of properties you've expressed interest in.

Lastly, don't trust your agent too much--even with the availability of useful tools like virtual tours, buying a house sight unseen is just not a good idea. Your research and real estate agent may have given you a lot of information on a house, but there are factors like walking through a neighborhood to get a feel for it, and visiting the schools your children will attend, that you should check out first. After you've done your research and found some homes you're interested in, you and your family should plan a weekend where you can go to your new town and tour houses. As a family, you should pay special attention to the neighborhoods, the distance from work, schools, the gym, the mall, museums, etc.

Shopping for a new home and moving to a new city should be exciting, so try not to get so distracted by the destination that you don't enjoy the journey along the way. As long as you do your research, keep the lines of communication open with your realtor and family, and be cautious before making any major decisions, you'll find the perfect new home--whether it's a few states away or on a different continent.

Moving is a big decision, not to mention a lot of work. But once you've put in the required notice at your rental office, or you've sold your home and found the perfect living space in your new city, the planning should begin. Preparing for a move can be a very stressful undertaking, but, if properly planned, you can definitely simplify the process, making the transition from your old home to your new one much smoother.

Be prepared. Having adequate supplies will make your move easier, so you'll want to have more than just boxes. You'll need packing tape to seal your boxes, permanent markers to label them, newspaper to insulate breakable objects, and bubble wrap to protect your more fragile belongings. You should be able to obtain boxes from your local grocery store, but if they're out of boxes, try fast food restaurants. You may consider purchasing some plastic storage boxes if you have items you won't be using soon after the move. If you have a few boxes of items that are going to go straight into the attic, for example, plastic boxes might be a wise investment.

Start early. Sorting through your belongings will help you decide if there are some things you can part with -- without missing it later on. Even if you end up keeping everything you own, take advantage of the fact that there are items you only use part of the year. If it's summer, you can pack your skis and your winter clothing first, as you won't be needing those items for a while. The early phase of packing is the time to pack up that stack of books you've been meaning to read, Christmas lights, holiday decorations, and any other items you can comfortably live without until you've moved into your new place. If you're finding you have a lot of items that are in good condition that you want to be rid of, have a moving sale. You can use the profits to help you with moving expenses, and you can donate the items left over to a local charity.
 
Clearly label boxes. When labeling boxes, try to be as descriptive as possible. Instead of labeling sheets and pillowcases "guest bedroom," for example, label them "sheets and pillowcases- guest bedroom," and so on. This will not only help you know where to place the boxes on moving day- it will also help you locate an item if you find yourself needing it before you've completely unpacked.

Plan, plan, plan. If you're not planning on hiring a moving company, start recruiting the help of friends and family members early on. Usually, they'll be happy to help as long as they've been given enough notice, and you'll likely have plenty of time beforehand to ask them in advance. Make sure you call or send an email reminder a week before moving day to remind them. On the day your helpers arrive, make it a goal to have all your belongings packed in boxes, and disassemble the furniture that can be disassembled.

Remember that everything you can do ahead of time will make your move simpler for everyone, and considering the fact that moving is naturally stressful, the more you can prepare yourself for a smooth moving transition, the better.

Tax Credit for Home Buyers
First-time home buyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit. Remember a tax credit is very different than a tax deduction – a tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income.

The tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.

Additional Housing-Related Provisions

Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs — This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.

Landmark Energy Savings — This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.

Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing —This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly, disabled, and Section 8) to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and frames.

Expanding Housing Assistance — This provision increases support for several critical housing programs. It includes $2 Billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help communities purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant properties.

More Help for Homeowners in the Future
Another thing to keep an eye on in the coming weeks is President Obama’s plan to help struggling borrowers before they are faced with a default on their mortgage.

According to reports, the Obama administration is discussing plans to help borrowers who are struggling to stay afloat, but who have not yet fallen behind on their payments. At this point, details are scarce; however, reports indicate that President Obama is looking to spend approximately $50 Billion to directly help homeowners before they face foreclosure and financial disaster.

While this is good news for individual homeowners, it will likely be good for the housing industry as a whole. That’s because, assisting struggling borrowers before they default should help stop the wave of foreclosures, which are estimated to top two million this year. That, in turn, will help stabilize home prices.

The Economic Stimulus Plan is huge, and impacts a number of industries. I’ve highlighted some of the major provisions that may impact you now and in the future.

Keller Williams LA Harbor Realty
Catherine Bennison - Realtor Associate
Direct: (310) 707-2162
Cell: (310) 748-7889
Fax: (310) 519-1882
E-Mail: CBennison@KW.com
Website: www.CatherineBennison.com