Sellers and Buyers make their opinions known

Welcome to The Pescatore/Avrit Team blog. After reading the Dallas Morning News report about the top picks for Buyers and Sellers in the DFW market, we felt that it would be exciting to share the results with you, the bloggee!

A new consumer curvey asked buyers and sellers to rank national residential sales companies and guess who came out on top?? Okay, Keller Williams and Coldwell Banker!!

J.D.Power measured customer satisfaction by asking about experiences with individual agents, the company's office, and additional services provided. They found that the agent is still the most important driver of overall satisfaction. (We coulda told you that!)

The research also showed that more than half of homebuyers are now first timers. The government tax incentives have been doing their job. That is encouraging news for the market and indicates that the market is returning to more normal activity, with fewer spectators.

Anyway, the survey used a 1000-point scale and heres how we faired:

Coldwell Banker   815
Keller Williams     801 (whoohoo!)
Re/max                   784
Century 21            770
Prudential             753

Remember, if your in need of real estate services, Call us, the Pescatore/Avrit Team and we will provide you with stellar service!

Changes to the Tax Credit

Good Afternoon! Greetings from The Pescatore/Avrit Team! As many of you have probably heard, the government has chosen to extend the Homebuyers Tax Credit. YAY! However, the dynamics of the new tax credit extension has changed somewhat. Here is we have been told about it…call us if you have any questions…



1) The tax credit is is now available to move-up buyers as well as 1st time home buyers.


2) Now extended to homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and before May 1, 2010. However, home purchases subject to a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010 will qualify for the tax credit provided closing occurs prior to July 1, 2010.


3)  Refundable tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time buyers (must not have owned a home within the last three years)

4)  Move-up buyers who have owned and lived in the same home for at least five of the last eight years are eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500


5)  The maximum income to qualify for the tax credit has been increased to $225,000 for married couples filing a joint return and $125,000 for those who file single or head of household. Married couples who earn between $225,000 and $245,000 or single / head of household taxpayers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 are eligible to receive a partial tax credit. The credit is not available to taxpayers who earn more than these income limits.

6)  For military homebuyers serving on qualified official extended duty service outside the U.S. for at least 90 days after December 31, 2008 and before May 1, 2010, the deadline for the tax credit is extended an additional year (through May 1, 2011)

7) To qualify for the tax credit, the purchase price must be less than $800,000. All homes qualify including newly constructed or re-sale and single family detached, townhomes or condominiums. However, the home must be used as the customers primary residence as second homes and investment properties do not qualify.

8) All U.S. citizens who file taxes are eligible to participate in the program.


9) The tax credit is a true credit and does not have to be re-paid unless the customer sells or stops using the home as their primary residence within 3 years after the purchase.



As you can see, this is great news! Remember, if you need to buy or sell a home, now is as good as time as any. Mortgage rates are still low, new loans are coming back available, and housing prices arent going to get much lower in our area! Consider calling The Pescatore/Avrit Team to find out more information about how you can take advantage of this great opportunity!