What is everyone asking when they think of Real Estate today? ARE HOMES
SELLING??? The answer is YES THEY ARE!! Here is the Good News:

. TOTAL SALES VOLUME IN ST. CLAIR COUNTY IS UP 10.21% OVER 2009

. TOTAL SALES VOLUME IN MONROE COUNTY IS UP 13.87% OVER 2009

These numbers are YTD figures compared thru August 31, 2010 obtained from
the Southern Illinois Regional Multiple Listing Service.

Wow what a fabulous idea.  Shiloh’s only master-planned community is now open.  D&F contracting has 14 floor plans to choose from starting at $169,900.00 and is offering outstanding incentives for a limited time.  Hurry and Choose One of these Valuable Buyer Incentives.

• Free 14′x14′ Room Finished in Basement
• Free Brick Front (to gables)
• $5000.00 in Free Upgrades
• Free Covered Patio
• Free 4′ Aluminum Fence enclosing Back Yard
• Free Granite Counter Top

The Villages at Wingate is an all inclusive, multi-generational community offering hometown feel with modern convenience located on over 170 acres on Green Mount Road in Shiloh, Illinois. The Villages at Wingate offer an onsite Mascoutah District elementary school, to a variety of housing choices ranging from senior-living facilities to full service villas and ideal starter homes to executive homes. Some of the many amenities include 30 acres of Green Space, walking and biking trails, on-site clubhouse, playground and pavilion.  Imagine, the kids can walk to school, visit grandparents and the entire family can enjoy dinner out at one of the many restaurants planned for the community.

Visit our website at REagentswhosell.com and click on The Villages at Wingate, or just stop by our Display home at lot 78 Addington Village.  We are Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 12:00 to 5:00.

What your mortgage company doesn’t tell you. Save thousands of dollars. You can pay off your mortgage in half the time without doubling your payments. Build equity faster.

Here’s your step by step instructions on how to pay off your mortgage in half the time or even quicker!

1. First you must find out from your lender if your loan is pre-payable. Most are. Ask if your loan has a pre-payment penalty, pre-payment privilege, or a minimum additional principal payment requirement. Also request an amortization schedule from them.

2. You need to understand the different elements of your monthly payment. PITI stands for principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Many mortgages require an escrow account for the purpose of paying taxes and insurance when due. This account is separate from your actual loan but is paid monthly as part of your payment. Principal (amount of debt), and interest (money charged for the use of money) are the 2 elements we will work with under this system.

3. In the beginning of the term of the mortgage loan the interest paid is much higher than the principal. Let’s take an example of a loan of $100,000 at 6% interest for 30 years(360 months). Your payment is $600/mo. The first payment has a principal of $100 and the interest is $500. If you simply make an extra month of principal payment of $100, you will save $500 in interest and reduce the term of the loan by 2 months not 1 and you don’t have to stop there. Keep track of the next month’s principal on your amortization schedule it increases slightly with each payment. At month 222 is when the principal and interest are equal $300 each. That is why it is so important to pre pay at the start of your loan.

Build Equity Faster. Prepay your mortgage every month! For more info and calculate your payments click here.

An effort to stimulate the economy and revive the housing market, Congress has passed legislation providing a tax credit of up to $8,000.

I have been selling real estate since 1986 and this is tax credit is certainly historical. What an opportunity for homeownership. Buyers are excited and we are too. Here’s a quick summary of what the tax credit includes:

• Applies to homes purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009.
• First-time home buyer and anyone who has not owned a home for three or more years.
• Tax Credit does not have to be repaid.
• The tax credit is equal to 10% of the home purchase price up to $8,000 maximum.
• Applies to single taxpayer with a income up to $75,000 and married couples with an income up to $150,000.
• You may choose to claim you tax credit for the 2008 or 2009 tax year. If you have already filed for 2008, you can file an amendment.

For complete details of the tax credit click here and always consult your tax advisor.