Heather is the Training Manager for Listingbook, where she enjoys educating its employees about the product. In addition, she has trained thousands of real estate agents across the country in her role over the past two years. Prior to joining Listingbook, Heather spent 3 years working as a trainer for a national MLS vendor. She also received her MBA in 2006 and has over 15 years experience in Retail Management. Heather Garner-Smith
Heather is the Training Manager for Listingbook, where she enjoys educating its employees about the product. In addition, she has trained thousands of real estate agents across the country in her role over the past two years. Prior to joining Listingbook, Heather spent 3 years working as a trainer for a national MLS vendor. She also received her MBA in 2006 and has over 15 years experience in Retail Management. Facts about the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
Last year, the Federal Government enacted the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to help stimulate the housing market by giving a tax credit to first-time home buyers. The basic idea of the act is to bring a new group of buyers into the housing market to add additional sales; first-time buyers don’t have an existing home to sale, but sellers will more-than-likely need to find a new home once their property has sold.
Read on for some need-to-know facts about this credit if you are thinking about buying in 2009.
The Fed makes historic move
The Fed made a historic and agressive move on Tuesday, when it cut the federal funds rate from 1% to a range of 0% to 0.25%. The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge one another for overnight loans.
What this means for the consumer is that loans based on the prime rate, such as car loans, credit cards, and student loans, should also follow a similar path, making it more attractive for consumers to borrow.
More Americans Putting Down Roots
A survey finds that most Americans have moved to a new community at least once in their lives.
In 2008, only 12% of the American population changed addresses, down from 13% between 2006 and 2007. The reasons for this trend may be the slowing economy, the downward spiral of the housing market, and the increase of two-income families.
Habitat for Humanity Makes Home Ownership a Reality
With all of the recent talk about recessions, government bail outs, and layoffs, it’s nice to hear a little good news once in awhile. On SaturdayDecember 13, six families moved into their brand new townhomes, built by Habitat for Humanity.
Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has been building homes for low income families who could otherwise not realize the dream of home ownership.
Tales From the Listingbook Training Trenches
A typical reaction to Listingbook is: “There’s a great new application that will help transform your business. Yeah, Right!:
But once agents kick the tires a little, they begin to see how it can make a difference in their business.
I see this all the time as the Training Manager for Listingbook.
