Real Estate Information

Each year, Hollywood Hills UMC, along with community sponsors like RE/MAX Executive Realty, hosts "Snowfest," to celebrate and benefit local families and children who may be in need, especially during the holidays. Snowfest was held Saturday, Dec. 5^th and featured a parade, entertainment, music, games, rides, vendor booths, a silent auction, 30 tons of snow and a special appearance by Santa and his elves. While the day-long event has passed, event organizers are still collecting toys and food through Dec. 21^st, which will be distributed to needy families.

Snowfest Donation Collection
Now through Dec. 21st
RE/MAX Executive Realty
1939 Hollywood Blvd
Hollywood FL 33020

Real estate agent Ellen Bithell of the Bithell-Stalmach Team at RE/MAX Executive Realty has been a proud sponsor and supporter of Snowfest for more than ten years and also volunteers for Susan B. Anthony, the Broward Outreach Center and Childnet. Bithell will help to sponsor 50 children and their families for Snowfest this year and RE/MAX Executive Realty will be accepting donations on behalf of Snowfest at their office located on Hollywood Boulevard.

The following toys are on the donation wish list: Nintendo DSL video game, Dora doll with stroller, power wheel, remote control car, talking Elmo, Barbie cash register, bikes, learning toys, clothes and more. For a complete list, contact RE/MAX Executive Realty.

For more information on Snowfest or to become an Angel Sponsor, call (954) 292-6412.

For more information about RE/MAX Executive Realty, visit the Bithell-Stalmach Team's web site at www.homeinsouthflorida.com or call 954-862-2631.

About RE/MAX Executive Realty

RE/MAX Executive Realty specializes in South Florida real estate including Hollywood, Hallandale, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Aventura, Miami, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, and southeast Broward County. The Bithell-Stalmach Team, collectively, has more than 30 years of real estate experience from the United States to Canada and speaks seven different languages.

RE/MAX Executive Realty

1939 Hollywood Blvd.

Hollywood, FL  33020

Contact

Ellen Bithell, CRS, CREO

Ellenbithell@remax.net

954-862-2631

The holiday shopping season is in full swing and many online stores are offering price-protection guarantees. If the price falls within 30 days or so, you can request a refund. But who has time to check prices on gifts we've already bought?

Price Protectr can help! Just enter your recent purchases and a few details. You'll be notified of price drops! Price Protectr doesn't work with all shopping sites. But it does support more than 160 popular ones.

And for the best deal when buying Miami FL real estate give us a call. We'll put our negotiating skills to work for YOU!

See Ellen in the news.

Don't forget our 19^th Annual Snowfest to Celebrate, Collect Food and Toys for Local Families being held this Saturday. We're still looking for Angel Sponsors.

This week's HOT home buys...

19^th Annual Snowfest to Celebrate,
Collect Food and Toys for Local Families

WHAT:           
Each year, Hollywood Hills UMC, along with community sponsors like RE/MAX Executive Realty, hosts "Snowfest," to celebrate and benefit local families and children who may be in need, especially during the holidays. Snowfest is a day-long event featuring a parade, entertainment, music, games, rides, vendor booths, a silent auction, 30 tons of snow and a special appearance by Santa and his elves. Event organizers will also be collecting toys and food which are later distributed to needy families at an Angel PJ Party night.

Hollywood Hills UMC is looking for more community members and organizations to become "Angel Sponsors" for only $30 per child or $125 for a family, or to become a Snowfest Snow Sponsor. Volunteers, entertainers and vendors are also needed. 

WHEN/WHERE:

Snowfest
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hollywood Hills UMC
400 North 35^th Avenue
Hollywood, FL 33021
(954) 989-8304 

WHO:             
Hollywood Hills United Methodist Church participates in a number of community outreach programs throughout the year.

Real estate agent Ellen Bithell of the Bithell-Stalmach Team at RE/MAX Executive Realty has been a proud sponsor and supporter of Snowfest for more than ten years and is happy to accept donations on behalf of Snowfest at the RE/MAX Executive Realty office located on Hollywood Boulevard. 

Donations are being collected at:

RE/MAX Executive Realty
1939 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, FL 33020

For more information on Snowfest or to become an Angel Sponsor, call (954) 292-6412. For more information about RE/MAX Executive Realty, visit the Bithell-Stalmach Team's web site at www.homeinsouthflorida.com or call 954-862-2631.

Angel Tree Wish List

The $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit was scheduled to expire in just a few short weeks…Nov 30, 2009. I say ‘was’, because the Senate voted unanimously to extend the credit on Monday and the House of Representatives approved the extension yesterday afternoon by a vote of 403-12. The extension includes an expanded tax credit to repeat home buyers. The new and improved bill now goes to the President for his signature which is expected to happen today.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion and Extension  

• The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time home buyers through May 1, 2010.  

• A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years. 

• Prospective buyers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.  

• Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return. 

• Limitation on the cost of a purchased home is $800,000. 

If you know anyone looking to buy their first Miami home at a time when prices and interest rates are at 3-5 year lows, or if you are thinking of buying another Miami home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today.

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Pending home sales have increased for seven straight months, the longest in the series of the index which began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in August, rose 6.4 percent to 103.8 from a reading of 97.6 in July, and is 12.4 percent above August 2008 when it was 92.4. The index is at the highest level since March 2007 when it was 104.5.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said not all contracts are turning into closed sales within an expected timeframe. "The rise in pending home sales shows buyers are returning to the market and signing contracts, but deals are not necessarily closing because of long delays related to short sales, and issues regarding complex new appraisal rules," he said. "No doubt many first-time buyers are rushing to beat the deadline for the $8,000 tax credit, which expires at the end of next month." 

Condo/Coop/Townhouse/Villa Real Estate Sales Statistics in Miami FL

September 2009 Miami FL real estate sales statistics for condo/townhouses etc. showed an increase in sales with sold listings up by 58.8 percent compared to 2008. New listings decreased by 23.6 percent. The average sales price dropped 46.9 percent to $150,074 and the year-to-date sales price dropped 40.2 percent to $172,603.

Statistics provided by the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County and are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  

If you want to learn more about Miami FL real estate, please contact us at 888-SFL-TEAM or visit HomeInSouthFlorida.com. 

To begin searching for South Florida homes, please use our complimentary MLS search.  

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program is providing grants to the cities of Miramar, Pembroke Pines, and Coral Springs for the purchase of foreclosed or abandoned homes for rehabilitating, reselling or redevelopment in order to stabilize neighborhoods and stop the decline of property values. Purchase assistance is available to low-to-middle income families who wish to purchase foreclosed or vacant property as their primary residence.

Miramar has been allocated $9.6 million dollars for this program, which will go a long way in stabilizing families and communities. Qualified buyers can get a maximum $60,000 which can be used towards down payment, closing cost & principle reduction.

Give us a call or email us to learn how you can take advantage of this FREE grant money!

Contract activity for pending home sales has risen for six straight months, a pattern not seen in the history of the index since it began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, increased 3.2 percent to 97.6 from a reading of 94.6 in June, and is 12.0 percent higher than July 2008 when it was 87.1.  The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it was 100.7.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market momentum has clearly turned for the better.  "The recovery is broad-based across many parts of the country.  Housing affordability has been at record highs this year with the added stimulus of a first-time buyer tax credit," he said. "Other buyers are taking advantage of low home values before prices turn higher.  Nationally, the typical mortgage payment now takes less than 25 percent of a middle-income family's monthly income to buy a median priced home, with payment percentages so far in 2009 being the lowest on record dating back to 1970.  As long as home buyers stay within their budget, mortgage payments will be very manageable," Yun said.

Let’s take a look at the Miami real estate sales statistics for July compared to July 2008 to see how the market is looking in South Florida:

Condo/Coop/Townhouse/Villa Sales in Miami

August 2009 market statistics for condo/townhouses etc. in Miami showed an increase in sales with sold listings up by 35.8 percent compared to 2008. New listings decreased by 25.1 percent. The average sales price dropped 6.1 percent to $236,063 and the year-to-date sales price dropped 41.8 percent to $173,697.

Statistics provided by the Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County and are deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.  

If you want to learn more about South Florida real estate, please contact us at 888-SFL-TEAM or visit HomeInSouthFlorida.com. 

To begin searching for South Florida homes, please use our complimentary MLS search.  

We hope you are enjoying your long Labor Day weekend! It's the final summer weekend to enjoy the pool, cook out, and mix with family and friends. So, get out the grill, build some memories, relax and have fun. 

Fall is a great time to buy Miami real estate...this Fall especially! It is the last chance to take advantage of the $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit. All indications are the Miami real estate market has bottomed out, making home prices affordable and lower than what they will most likely be next spring. A recovering Miami real estate market and increased sales will bring with it higher prices. 

Enjoy the rest of your holiday and then give us a call. You don't want to lose out on buying your dream home during this incredible Buyers Market! 

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We hope you are not one of those unlucky people who has had their home equity line of credit unfairly reduced on their Miami real estate. But if you are, there is new booklet from the Federal Reserve Board that might shed some light on your situation. At the very least, it will tell you how to try to get your home equity loan restored.

It's called "Five Tips for Dealing with a Home Equity Line Freeze or Reduction." It's pretty rudimentary, but it should get you started. Check out the Fed's booklet.

Learn more about Miami real estate by visiting HomeInSouthFlorida.com.

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Summer is winding down and it the kids are heading back to school. Here are some fun websites to help get ready for the Miami Florida's opening bell: 

For the younger kids:
Crayola - fun site full of activities for the little ones
McGruff's Safety Tips - hints for your children's school days
Recipes  - for Brainy Breakfasts to After School Energy Boosters
Kids Domain - Back to School printable activity pages 

For the teenagers:
World Fact Book - a study resource
Fact Monster  - also for study reference
Geosense - online geography based game for two
MSN Learning and Research - homework center

For college prep:
Scholastic Training Systems - levels the playing field for all students
College Power Prep - free software, tips, trainers, and advice
SAT Math  - see exactly which areas need help the most
Vocabulary Syndicate - word puzzles, vocabulary games and competition for prizes makes education fun

While the kids are getting off to school is a good time to look into buying a Miami Florida home!

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