The Voice of Orange County...Michael A. Caruso's Blog

As the year is coming to an end, I thought it would be appropriate to think about all the good things that happened. Sure it was a tough year, but we must be thankful for the sales made, homes sold, clients helped, relationships built, and blogs read.

And, like many fellow Active Rainers have been mentioning, now is the time to start planning for 2010. Set your goals high and let's make it a good year!

Looking back on this year, or even just the past 2 months, what are you thankful for?

And Thank You for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange COunty Association of Realtors

www.michaelcarusorealestate.com

Did you know that your Governmental Affairs staff at the California Association of Realtors monitors almost 3,000 pieces of proposed legislation each year that may have a direct impact on the real estate industry and your ability to conduct your business? They make sure the right legislation is passed or vetoed to keep our industry strong and make sure you have all the proper tools to do business with east.

It is more important now than ever to become involved in the political process. I know it is still a couple weeks away but please MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Don’t forget to exercise your right to vote November 3rd!

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection!

Michael Caruso, ABR ABRM CRS CRB GRI GREEN

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

949-753-7900

Every day gets louder and louder. Ipods, radios, television, lawnmowers, car engines, phones ringing and construction. The more technologically advance we are becoming, the louder it is getting. 

This is bad news because noise has been proven to raise stress levels, which in turn can potentially cause heart and immune system problems, and raise blood pressure. 

      

REALTORS® from all around the country recently got in front of a camera to send Congress an important message: the $8,000 first time homebuyer tax credit is working..

Watch this video and send your own message to Congress. We need to tell them to extend and expand the tax credit. So far over 92,000 people have taken action!

Click HERE to easily send the following message to your congressman and senators:

"Subject: Homebuyer Tax Credit: Extend and Expand

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

As a Realtor and a constituent, I can assure you that the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit has definitely been a success. Homebuyer interest and housing sales increased almost as soon as the ink was dry on the tax credit legislation.

Today's lower prices and interest rates appeal to consumers, but it's been the tax credit that has attracted people to open houses and to homeownership. That progress could grind to a halt sooner than you think.

Congress must act NOW to extend the credit through 2010. Otherwise, uncertainty will return and the market might again be frozen -- possibly as soon as October. A homebuyer is eligible for the tax credit only if the home is "purchased" before December 1, 2009. That means that buyers have to find a house, complete a contract, satisfy any contingencies, secure financing and go to closing by November 30. Accomplishing those tasks by November 30 will become more difficult with every passing day. In today's market, it generally takes between 45 and 60 days to go from contract to closing.

The market has improved, but it has not yet fully corrected itself. The credit needs to be extended for an additional period of time and expanded in order to build upon the progress that's been made. Uncertainty about the future of the credit will dampen consumer demand. The best way to assure continued housing activity is to extend and expand the credit and to do that NOW.

We can't wait until late in the year to see what happens.

Consumers will drop out soon if they can't predict what's in their future.

Please act NOW to extend and expand the credit through 2010.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

[Your address] "

And thank you for making me Your Orange County Real Estate Connection.

www.MichaelCarusoRealEstate.com

Best regards. Michael Caruso, Broker ABR ABRM CRB CRS GREEN GRI

2007 President, Orange County Association of Realtors

(949) 753-7900