TIME IS TICKING!

The $8000 tax credit has provided an incentive for many first-time buyers to enter the housing market. Personally, I've had an opportunity to assist five couples with the purchase of their first home this year! Should the tax credit be extended??? I'm curious what readers think!

clipped from rebac.net ECONOMISTS ENCOURAGE TAX CREDIT EXTENSION When Congress passed an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers last winter, it was intended as a dose of shock therapy during a crisis. Now the question is becoming whether the housing market can function without it. As many as 40 percent of all home buyers this year will qualify for the credit. It is on track to cost the government $15 billion, more than twice the amount that was projected when Congress passed the stimulus bill in February. In the view of the real estate industry and some economists, all that money is well spent. They contend the credit is doing what it was meant to do, encouraging a recovery in the housing market that is gathering steam. Analysts say the credit is directly responsible for several hundred thousand home sales. Skeptics argue that most of the money is going to people who would have bought a home anyway.

Watching for signs!

clipped from www.dispatch.com Home price index shows first quarterly gain in 3 years Tuesday,  August 25, 2009 9:22 AM ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK -- A closely watched index shows home prices posted their first quarterly increase in three years, signaling the housing market has turned a corner. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller's U.S. National Home Price Index released today rose nearly 3 percent from the first quarter, though was still down almost 15 percent from the second quarter last year. Home prices are at levels not seen since early 2003. The monthly index of 20 major cities increased 1.4 percent from May to June, the second straight month the index registered a gain. It was still 15 percent below June a year ago.

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

Great fun for everyone with over 300 artists. Most popular item each year are the Amish made brooms... always a sell out. In addition you'll see beautiful ceramics, painting, photography & much more!

clipped from www.ua-ohio.net Date: Monday, September 7, 2009 Place: Northam Park, Upper Arlington Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: Free Welcome to the premier one-day arts festival in Ohio, the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival! Located in the 22 acres of Northam Park and presented by the City of Upper Arlington’s href="http://www.ua-ohio.net/parksrec/arts/default.asp">Cultural Arts Division, the Festival showcases the exceptional works of nearly 200 local, regional and national artists. Throughout the day, you can peruse a variety of art media including ceramics, glass, painting, photography, sculpture, wood and more. All artwork on display is available for purchase and we encourage you to take this opportunity to purchase a new piece of art for your home, or gifts for friends and family, to show your support for our participating artists.