What's to know about Kalamazoo?

Looking for information about the history of Kalamazoo? Want to know all the places you can get ice cream this summer? Or places to commune with nature? The following link is a good place to start:

http://www.mlive.com/kzgazette/answerbook/index.ssf/2009/05/answer_book_2009_whos_who_in_k.html

Or click on the "Why Live Here" button of our website at

http://www.jaredarnold.com/

Have a great Summer!!!!!!!!!

$8,000 Tax Credit As Down Payment

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS CAN USE THE $8000 TAX CREDIT AS DOWNPAYMENT!!!!

More great news for first time home buyers: Now, not only can you get an $8000 tax credit for closing on a new home by November 30, 2009, you can get that tax credit front-loaded into your down payment!

The Kalamazoo Parade of Homes

The Kalamazoo Parade of Homes is coming up soon! The dates are June 12 - June 20. It's a great way to stay current on:

• new developments in construction
• new colors
• new appliances
• new building materials
• design and decorating ideas

All in all, it's a pretty cheap date. DeAnna and I will be helping staff Cornerstone Construction's Parade Entry at 9145 Richland Woods Drive in Richland. We hope to see you there. For a list of builder participants and sceduled dates and times, see the Home Builder's Parade site at http://sites.google.com/site/kalamazoohomepage/parade-of-homes

A First-Time-Buyer's Perfect Storm

The conditions are just plain perfect for 1st time homebuyers right now:

1. Choices are many: Slow sales over the past few years have resulted in a large number of homes on the market.
2. Prices are low: Slow sales and the large volume of foreclosed properties and short sales have pushed prices down to 1999 levels!
3. Interest rates are terrific: 5% or better; the lowest rates in years!
4. An $8000 tax credit is there for the taking if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years: You only have until November 30, 2009 to take advantage, so don’t miss out! The following link lays out the whole program with a good section on frequently asked questions: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home.html You can even get a tax credit that exceeds your tax liability!!!!!!!!!
   
   Call us at 488-0236 (Jared) or 488-0102 (DeAnna) or email us at Team@JaredArnold.com for further assistance.
   
   

SHAPE THINGS UP . . . OR LEAVE IT TO THE NEXT OWNER?

Fixing things up prior to going on the market is ALMOST ALWAYS what you want to do. Not always, but nearly. Here’s why:

1. In today’s crowded real estate market, you need to compete well. There are lots of tired, cluttered,
houses in need of TLC out there already. Don’t join them!
2. Too many buyers have a difficult time visualizing what a home would look like fixed up, cleaned up,
uncluttered. Make your place easy on the eyes.
3. Many buyers do not have remodeling or redecorating skills—or the time, if they do have the skills. We
have seen home buyers breathe a big sigh of relief when they walk into something fresh and easy to move
into. Make yours that kind of experience!
4. Your hesitation to pre-judge what someone else would like (in paint and carpet colors, for instance) is a
misplaced concern. Just keep the colors neutral and you will save your buyer a hassle they didn’t want.
Think about it: You don’t want to hassle with it. Neither do they!
5. The cost of shaping things up doesn’t have to be huge. Check out the following link for good examples of
shaping up, cost estimates and “before” and “after” photos:

http://www.realtor.org/rmohome_and_design/articles/2009/0905_home_bestroommakeovers

As always, gives us a call (269-488-0236) for advice on your particular home. We’d be happy to come out and suggest low cost ways to make your home show its best.