Never save something for a special occasion.

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:

'This, he said, isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion.'

'Well, I guess this is it.'

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.

He turned to me and said:

'Never save something for a special occasion.'

'Every day in your life is a special occasion.'

I still think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.

I spend more time with my family, and less at work.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.

I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day...

I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

The words 'Someday....' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.

If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now...

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.

I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.

She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.

I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food.

It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

If you got this, it's because someone cares for you and because, probably, there's someone you care about.

If you're too busy to send this out to other people and you say to yourself that you will send it' One of these days' , remember that 'One day' is far away... or might never come...

Don't keep this message.

Want the $8000 Tax Credit?

One of the most unusual -- and generous -- programs ever rolled out by the Federal Government is the recent $8000 tax credit for home buyers.

Who is eligible?

* first-time homebuyers
* anyone who has not owned a principal residence in the last three years

READ MORE...

Owning a home during the holidays

It’s great owning a home during the holidays!

First, it’s great having Thanksgiving at your house, especially when you enjoy a potluck dinner with your friends. With everyone to bringing something, it reduces the amount of cooking you have to do…

[read more...]

House votes to expand homebuyer tax credit

House votes to expand homebuyer tax credit... Senate extends home-buyer tax credit and jobless aid.

First-time homebuyers — or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years — would still get up to $8,000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010.The measure is expected to be approved by the House and signed by Obama within days. It is aimed at giving the real estate market an added boost and would expand the credit to existing homeowners.

The legislation was approved unanimously on Wednesday by the Senate, which added two unrelated provisions to extend and liberalize tax breaks that were in this year’s $787 billion economic stimulus package. One provision will continue for five months a popular $8,000 credit for many first-time home buyers, which was to expire Nov. 30, and create a $6,500 credit for some homeowners who want to buy a new residence.

READ MORE...

Senators differ on extending homebuyer tax credit

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Democrats in the Senate are pressing a plan that would extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers but gradually phase it out over the course of next year.

Read More...

Proposed items...
Extend through April 2010 (close by end of June)
Repeat buyers who owned their home for 5+ years with a dollar limit of $6500

America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009
[introduced 7/14/2009]

Some key points to read and note:
· Exempts businesses with payrolls below $250,000 from such requirement.
· Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on: (1) an individual without coverage under a health benefits plan; and (2) an employer that fails to satisfy health coverage participation requirements for an employee.

READ MORE: America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009


Need to buy or sell a home?
Contact me, Gary Wasylenko TODAY!
Visit: http://YourHomeStL.com
or call: 314-336-1988 NOW...

Kitchen Redo: Turning a Room from Dated to Dazzling

By Karen Alley
(of ListingBook fame... CLICK HERE to "Search the MLS like a Real Estate Agent")

Updating a kitchen can make your house more enjoyable for your family, but it can also rank high on the list of projects that will get you the most money at resale time.

A minor kitchen remodel ranks third among 16 projects that bring the most resale value to a home, according to the 2006 Cost Versus Value Report by Remodeling Online, the Internet edition of contractor trade magazine Remodeling. The study reports that homeowners recoup 85.2 percent of the cost of a minor kitchen remodel.

The same source shows a major kitchen remodel comes in at seventh place among the projects; it gives at least 80.4 percent of the value back.

Whether you’re a home’s new owner looking to customize the kitchen to your family, or an existing owner who has recognized the need to update, planning can be the most important part of a kitchen renovation.

1. First, decide on the best timing for your remodel. One family ListingLife talked to found that spring was best because they could cook out on the grill while their kitchen was under reconstruction. Another strategy is to break the job into several phases.
2. Next, choose a contractor. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry, outlines a code of ethics and best practices for its 7,000 members in the United States. NARI also offers homeowners a wealth of advice. For a free copy of the brochure “How to Select a Remodeling Professional,” call NARI’s consumer hotline at 800-611-6274.
3. Finally, start making the choices that will turn your wish list into a plan. Some will be functional—such as the room’s layout and the placement of utility outlets. Others will be aesthetic. Think about how to make the new kitchen look harmonious with the rest of your house.

Luxury materials and custom cabinetry and tilework can be beautiful, but they also add significantly to cost, NARI warns. You’ll be happiest with your kitchen if it sticks to the budget you and your contractor plan at the beginning.

Search the MLS like a Real Estate Agent.

Listingbook is a powerful tool that allows you to search all properties listed in the Multiple Listing Service.

Get a client account that provides full access to all Listingbook features. This lets you search the MLS just like real estate agents! You can get all photos, virtual tours, schools, area sales and loan calculator.

Finding your dream home has never been easier!

Click here for a DEMO.
(lets YOU make and change searches)
[name: demo password: demo]

Click here to REQUEST AN ACCOUNT.
(fill out the sign up box... top right of page)

Orig. Web Portal Demo
(I set up the searches, but an EASY interface)

House Buying Tips: Finding a House in a New City

Here are some house buying tips to help you approach finding a house in a new city with confidence. Finding a house in a new city is a common occurrence in today’s mobile society. Everyone seems to be moving across the country for a new job or opportunity. But it can be intimidating to figure out which neighborhood is best for you.

Read more here...

Need to buy or sell a home?
Contact me, Gary Wasylenko TODAY!
Visit: http://YourHomeStL.com
or call: 314-336-1988 NOW...

How to Carpe Diem in This Buyer's Market

Believe it or not buying a home hasn’t been sweeter. Despite the dismal unemployment rate and unpromising stock market, for some this is the perfect time to buy a home, explains Diann Patton, the Coldwell Banker consumer real-estate spokesperson.

"This is a buyer’s market," Patton says. "For one, the number of homes on the market is at an all-time high. State and federal governments are offering a number of tax breaks that make many nervous buyers feel right at home. Interest rates have hit lows that we haven’t seen since 1964. And home prices are at levels that were seen in 2003."

Read the entire article.


Need to buy or sell a home?
  Contact me, Gary Wasylenko TODAY!
    Visit: http://YourHomeStL.com
    or call: 314-336-1988 NOW...

DEADLINE: $8000 Tax Credit - Only 81 Days Left

The federal tax credit is set to expire December 1, 2009.
Keep in mind...
  Dec. 1st is a Monday (what a busy day that will be)
  Thanksgiving is the week prior (not much will get done that week - lol)
  So... if you don't have a contract scheduled to close by Nov. 20th... it will be tight!!!

Read more from Realtor.com
Read more about it at IRS.gov

How the Federal First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Works:
   • First-time homebuyers receive a tax credit worth 10% of their home purchase, up to $8,000. The credit is claimed on the homebuyer’s federal tax return. The credit is refundable, which means that the homebuyer receives a refund for the amount of the credit minus any federal tax liability.

How the MHDC Tax Credit Advance Loan Program Works:
   • MHDC makes a second mortgage to the homebuyer at the time of closing worth up to 6% of the home purchase price or a maximum of $6,750, which is used to cover downpayment and closing costs. The tax credit advance loan is... Read More...

Visit Mo. Housing Dev. Commission [www.MHDC.com]

Need a loan? Need a Lender? Need a Pre-Approval to start home shopping?
Heartland Premier Mortgage Co is a full service lender. They offer Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA and first time homebuyer financing through MHDC.

 * Competitive Rates and Closing Costs
 * Quick Approval Process
 * Personal Attention and Commitment to Quality Service
 * Common Sense Underwriting
 * Construction and Construction Perm Financing

For more information on mortgage loans contact a Heartland Premier Mortgage Co Representative today.
Call Andrew Biro at 314-221-0292
or visit: www.HeartlandPremier.com
Click here for Heartland Premier's Pre-Qualification Application

Need to buy or sell a home?
  Contact me, Gary Wasylenko TODAY!
    Visit: http://YourHomeStL.com
    or call: 314-336-1988 NOW...