2010 is off to a GREAT start and many buyers arerushing to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit due to expire less than justtwo months from now.  I am rejoicing as we see the banks starting torelease some of their bank-owned homes.  These properties offer manygreat opportunities for buyers.  The best part is you can often moveinto these properties pretty quickly. From the "hip" areas ofTampa, to the popular communities in the suburbs, to homesoverlooking the water, there are numerous bargains to be found!

Reflecting back, 2009 was year that filled myheart with much joy.  I was so thrilled to get to help so many first-timehomebuyers fulfill their dream and obtain the coveted $8,000 taxcredit.  It was interesting to see the wide variety of homebuyers - asingle young man, a retiree from the cold North, newlyweds just beginning theirlife together, a growing family and many renters all who decided to takeadvantage of the scaled-back housing prices and the historically lowinterest rates.  It was such a joy to see some truly great people get someamazing deals on the biggest investment of a person or family's life.  Iwas even able to help some of these buyers obtain 100% financing.  Many ofmy clients chose to embark on the short sale "journey" with me andthey soon discovered patience and persistence were the keysto keeping their sanity throughout the worthwhile process.  Butat the end of their short sale "journey" all were so pleased with thegreat deals they were able to obtain on life's biggest investment, and not justmonetarily, but also sentimentally as it is such a big step for a family tohave a house of their own to call home.  

One of my favorite families from 2009 is stillwaiting to close in 2010.  And after a few short sale detours and birth oftheir beautiful new baby it looks like they will be moving their family into abrand new home with all the bells and whistles very, very soon.  There is so much to rejoice andto celebrate with this young family.  I cannot fully express to youhow much I sincerely treasure such an opportunity to be a part of this and manyfamilies' journey to home ownership at such a joyful time in their lives.

If you know anybody looking to buy or sell ahome, I would greatly appreciate your referral.  I would love to put my 24years of experience to work to help save them time and money!