www.BelitaShapiro.com

www.BelitaShapiro.com has a whole new look these days. I have changed the content and will continue to do so over the next couple of weeks to make it easier for clients to find what they are looking for when searching for a home. There will be many new features and helpful tips. Certainly, I am always here to help and answer any questions you may have.

Make sure to also visit www.BelitaShapiro.net

Best regards,
Belita

Housing Starts to be Affordable Again

Housing Starts to be Affordable Again

Housing affordability, helped by lower interest rates and house prices, closed out the year near its highest level in almost 20 years according to the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
The HOI showed that 70.8% of all new and existing homes sold in the final quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national median income of $64,000. This was slightly higher than the last quarter and near the record-high 72.5% set during the first quarter of 2009. That’s up from 62.4% during the fourth quarter of 2008.
Maybe we are finally getting back to where housing starts to be affordable again.

Marlboro, a great place to live

Marlboro is a great place to live. Coupled with the proximity to New York City and the Jersey Shore is the achievements of the young people and the effectiveness of the schools.

Just recently, David Rinder, a senior at Marlboro was named one of three top winners in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Being an American Essay Contest conducted by the Bill of Rights Institute.

How proud his family must be; living in a great country, a great state and a great town, Marlboro. Congratulations, David.

$8,000 Credit for First Time Homebuyers

Valentine Day will be very special this year when you find that perfect home and take advantage of the benefit of an ----

$8,000 Credit for First Time Homebuyers

So, do it now. Give me a call or just log on to http://www.belitashapiro.com/ to start looking and find that perfect home.

Happy Valentine Day to all

Exceeding your expectations.

Belita

Homeowner Tax Credit

There is still time to benefit from the Homebuyer Tax Credit. Speak to an accounting professional to see how it effects your personal situation and let's find you a home. Don't wait! Remember.... Time waits for no man.

Red Cross Appeals For $100 Million For Haiti

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is appealing for $100 million for Haiti. The appeal covers emergency relief and long-term recovery assistance for 300,000 people over the next three years.The International Red Cross Federation says its most immediate concern is to get lifesaving emergency aid to hundreds of thousands of survivors of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake. But Red Cross spokesman, Matthew Cochrane, tells VOA, the needs of people go beyond the immediate emergency response and that is what its $100 million appeal is meant to address."Lives have been absolutely destroyed. Houses have been destroyed. Community infrastructure has been absolutely destroyed and we are very much committed to being involved in the rebuilding of Haiti once the relief operation winds down in six to nine months," he said.

We all know how terrible the situation is in Haiti. Just remember if you want to help, go to a site such as the American Red Cross or others that are reliable.

Cold Weather is Good Weather

Cold weather is good weather. There is no doubt about it. Lots of people say "I'm going to wait for the Spring market". Well, guess what..... It is the Spring market. Buyers know they want to buy and you can be sure they are not waiting for March before scouring the internet and making calls about houses for sale. No. They are looking now and they may not realize it, but they are looking seriously. They may just think they are just preparing for their home search, but believe me, if they see a home they like, they will call now.

Let's not forget that if most people wait for Spring, the market will be crazy with new listings and yours will be simply one of the bunch. Now is the time to get your house listed. Remember the old saying, "He who hesitates is lost". Make sure you are among the "found".

In the meantime, stay warm, but remember, Cold Weather is Good Weather.

Belita