Spotlight on Boston real estate: Tax Credit Used for Down Payment?

A recent article on WashingtonPost.com looked at a new use of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit: a down payment. Yes – it looks like qualified buyers with FHA-insured loans will be able to use the $8,000 tax credit as a down payment. This may make it a little easier for interested buyers to get financing. In fact, officers at the National Association of Home Builders estimate that the number of sales stimulated by the credit may double!

To read the complete article, go to WashingtonPost.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Spotlight on Boston real estate: Preparing to buy a home?

A recent article on msnbc.com explored the current climate for purchasing a home and created a very helpful list for first-time homebuyers who are looking to take advantage of the federal tax rebate. If you are preparing to buy your first home, there are a number of things that you can do to better prepare yourself for it. From polishing your credit report to considering the maintenance costs of a particular property, there is much that a new homeowner can do to avoid unpleasant surprises.

To read the complete article, go to msnbc.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Spotlight on Boston real estate: The State of the Market

Joe Wolvek of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty has released another State of the Market report for Boston’s neighborhoods. The bottom line is that Under Agreements are up. Why? Well, Wolvek sites a few reasons, including low interest rates, the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit and a recent slight boost in consumer confidence.

To find read more of Joe Wolvek’s State of the Market report, go to bostonrealtyweb.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Spotlight on Boston real estate: Learning about your neighborhood

Have you ever wondered who your City Councilor is? Or, have you ever gotten confused about where you are supposed to cast your vote? There is a handy site on the cityofboston.gov website to help you identify that and more.

To find more details about your neighborhood, go to cityofboston.gov.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.

Spotlight on Boston real estate: Pending home sales up over last year

There was some good news this week. The National Association of Realtors has indicated that March’s pending home sales were up 3.2% over February. But, even better, that number was also up 1.6% over March 2008. Year-over-year improvements are welcome news to sellers and it seems to be continuing. Open house attendance has risen in Boston.

To read more of the story, go to cnn.com.

For more information on the Boston real estate market, go to Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, Boston's real estate experts.