Labor day marks the end of summer for most...

But did it really even get here this year? I'm not sure it was the exceptionally long winter or the unseasonably cold and rainy summer, but I'm just not ready to go to fall so soon.

The only redeeming factor is that despite the lack of heat outside, the real estate market is beginning to really get hot. I have been very busy this last month or so. Some of the increase is due to the fact that once you find a nice home for someone... there's an offer on it already, so it's back to work. This is a great thing for the economy, but buyers are suddenly finding it challenging to get the perfect house. I've even experienced multiple offer bidding on a few homes recently, something we haven't seen in several years consistently.

I have to believe that it's the first time home buyer credit expiration date (Nov. 30, 2009), but this might be just the feeding frenzie we need to propel us into better days.

Speaking of the first time home buyers credit... it's 10% of the home sale price up to
$ 8,000.00 given at tax time next year... get it while it's hot... Call me, I can find you that home, I've even perfected locating homes that are not short sale or foreclosures, because we all know... getting involved in those is a long process, and will definately put you in jeopardy of missing the credit.

You have a window of between today and October 25th (ish) to buy and close to get your 8K.

As for the fam...

All are doing well, we had a great time on our staycation over Labor Day. The pool was warm and the sun was sort of out. Bella started pre-school this week, and I'm sure is doing way better than all the rest of the kids there. Lauren began her new career at Lamphere schools, and quickly discovered she was working with the wife of someone David was in Iraq with... it is truly a small world. David had a little stomach surgery this month and is recouperating like a champ.

Jessy & Anthony are doing well, Jessy started her new job in Chicago a couple weeks ago... we haven't heard much about it yet, but we are heading to Chicago tomorrow for their engagement party and I'll be able to gice you a pretty full report next blog.

Kell & I continue to plug along but we've both been so busy that there's not much free time activities to report on... that's a good thing.

As always, thanks so much for your referrals. I truly appreciate the support you continue to give.

Dave

The Dog Days of Summer are here...

I've probably said that phrase dozens of times in my short lifetime, and never gave it much thought. As I began to type it in the title I wondered what the heck does that mean? So in my never ending quest to assist you in your day to day life through my blog... here's an interesting nugget of information to get you through your day... The term "Dog Days" was used by the Greeks, as well as the ancient Romans after Sirius (the "Dog Star"), the brightest star in the heavens besides the Sun. The dog days of summer are also called canicular days.

The Dog Days originally were the days when Sirius, the Dog Star, rose just before or at the same time as sunrise. The ancients sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather. Now you know :0) (source Wikipedia)

Speaking of Sirius... Siriusly Good news in real estate... Pending home sales are up for the fifth consecutive month, the first time in six years for such a streak, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in June, rose 3.6% to 94.6 from an upwardly revised reading of 91.3 in May, and is 6.7% above June 2008 when it was 88.7. The last time there were five consecutive monthly gains was in July 2003. This is good news for our area for sure. There's still a lot of real estate to be sold before we see any significant increase in home values, but we have to start somewhere, and (knock on wood) it appears that we are beginning the slow climb out.

Be sure to check out my listings link above... there are several homes I currently have on the market that need a good owner.

The fam is doing well... Kelly loves her new job, and has spent a lot of time traveling the first month. Not sure if getting a break from me is the major contributing factor to her love of job or not though. We haven't spent a lot of time on the motorcycles these days. The weather has been uncooperative at best, seems like whenever we get a break in the action to ride... Mr. Rain is threatening and we decide to stay home.

Lauren accepted a position with Lamphere Schools this month, and is beginning her new career in the next couple weeks. Jessy is just about finished with her summer off between school and beginning her career in Chicago. Anthony is starting his coaching debut with a local (to Chicago) private schools football team. David continues to accel at his career with TACOM... it's hard to belive it's been almost a year since he returned to us from the Army.

Bella continues to brighten our home, and at 3 she can just about swim end to end in our pool without adult assistance.

We really appreciate your help as we continue to grow the real estate business. Without your referrals, this tough market would have been a lot worse... Thanks so much for your help.

See you next month.

Dave, Kelly & the rest of the occupants at Club Hendo