Another picture from the field today.

Ya gotta love this. Here is a shower I saw in a house today....complete with an electrical box and a no smoking sign-because obviously they are concerned about their health. :)
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Wanted-house or vacant lot in Dunlap-urgent!

Looking for a house or vacant lot in the Dunlap School District, preferrably the Ridgeview Elementary area. Can close as quick as a week or as late as Jan. 1st. For a house-price range between $225K and $500K, for a vacant lot-price varies on how nice of a lot. Can close immediately on a lot. If you or someone you know has a property that matches this description, please contact us immediately. If you are already working with an agent, just have your agent contact us and we'll get something set up right away!

One step closer to finalizing the home credit extension.

The House of Representatives has voted to pass legislation extending the home buyer tax credit until April 30, 2009.

Last night the Senate voted 98-0 to pass the legislation. Next the bill will head to President Obama to be signed into law on Friday.
While the bill extends the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, it also makes available a tax credit to home owners who have lived in their current residence for at least five years. The credit for these buyers will be capped at $6,500.

Income levels will be extended from the current limits of $75,000 for a single purchaser and $150,000 for couples to $125,000 and $225,000 respectively. Above those limits there are diminishing credits available.

Housing interests, especially the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors, has pushed strongly for the extension and the Obama administration has also lobbied heavily for its passage. However, not everyone was in favor of it.
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Senate Approves Homebuyer Tax Credit Extention

The Senate today voted unanimously Wednesday night to extend the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers beyond its scheduled November 30, 2009 expiration date. The credit would be available until April 30, 2010. Under the new legislation the credit will also now apply to home buyers who are buying their second or subsequent home. The credit currently applies only to first time home buyer.The Senate vote was 98 to 0Under a compromise reached late last week, the tax credit for veteran homeowners will apply only to those who have lived in their current residence for at least five years. The credit for these buyers will be capped at $6,500 while first time buyers will continue to receive $8,000.Income levels will be extended from the current limits of $75,000 for a single purchaser and $150,000 for couples to $125,000 and $225,000 respectively. Above those limits there are diminishing credits available.The bill was passed as an amendment to legislation extending unemployment benefits. The House is expected to vote on the bill before the end of the week.

Client Appreciation Party

Every year, Jennifer and I host a few different client appreciation parties. This is for everyone that is currently a client of ours, as well as anyone that has been a client of ours-ever. Usually each fall we host an outing at Apple Blossom Farm near the Shoppes at Grand Prairie in Peoria but this year the time and weather got away from us, but we are looking to replace that with something else still this year. We're looking for ideas-any suggestions?

Looking for land.....

I've got a client that is looking for either 1) land with acreage to build a house on or 2) a house that has land with acreage already, in the north Peoria or Dunlap areas. If you happen to know of any land or house with land that could be available for a showing that is not already listed (we've looked over everything that is already listed), just give me a call and we'll see if something can get worked out. How much land? The more the better, of if it even backed up to large tracts of land that could work as well.

September Stats

For a very detailed look at the Central Illinois market as a whole, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/monthlyindicators/2009/200909.pdf

For one page summary of all of the different markets, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/2009_Sept_Summary.pdf

For the Bartonville area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Bartonville.pdf

For the Canton area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Canton.pdf

For the Chillicothe area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Chillicothe.pdf


For the Dunlap area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Dunlap.pdf

For the East Peoria area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/East_Peoria.pdf

For the Edwards area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Edwards.pdf

For the Germantown Hills area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Germantown_Hills.pdf

For the Mackinaw area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Mackinaw.pdf

For the Metamora area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Metamora.pdf

For the Morton area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Morton.pdf

For the Pekin area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Pekin.pdf

For the Peoria area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Peoria.pdf

For the Peoria County area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Peoria_County.pdf

For the Peoria Heights area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Peoria_Heights.pdf

For the Tazewell County area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Tazewell_County.pdf

For the Washington area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Washington.pdf

For the West Peoria area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/West_Peoria.pdf

For the Woodford County area, click here.
http://www.paarealtors.com/members/news/statistics/MarketUpdates/200909/Woodford_County.pdf

"Area home sales take a dive" -Peoria Journal Star 10/27/09

Click http://www.pjstar.com/business/x1768143209/Area-home-sales-take-a-dive to see the latest article on the local area housing market. A quick summary says that home sales were down 16% for the 3rd quarter compared to the 3rd quarter of 2008. For the first nine months of the year, sales are off 22% compared to the same time last year.

For myself and Jennifer, our sales for the 3rd quarter are up 15.5% over last year and year to date (first 3 quarters) our sales are up 17%. Our market share of sold volume is up 42% for the 3rd quarter compared to the 3rd quarter last year. For the first 3 quarters, our market share of sold volume year is up 69% compared to the same time last year.