MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

This Christmas and Holiday Season has been heart warming for me and all of us at Becky Hancock Realty. A great group to work with as seen in the picture and my Sailor (son) is coming home with his son. So we will have Christmas with all of our children and grandchildren this year. We are excited!

Merry Christmas to you!
Becky

This and That

Click here for our new web feature "This and That." This page will feature the lighter side of real estate. We hope you enjoy it!

We don't slow down at the holidays - please feel free to contact us with any questions about renting, buying or selling a home.

One more thing! Come taste our award-winning chili at the annual AAA Chili 5-K and Family Fun Run at Fort Rucker this Saturday, November 7!

The Cat Rap

Many of you have asked about my brother, Jeff's, rap song that he wrote and performed way back when. I've been able to get it loaded online and post it here. Without further adieu: here it is... Jeff White The Cat Rap.

YAY! You get $8,000 Just for Buying a House!!

Most people who have not owned a home in the last three years qualify!

Really, there's not much to gripe about when it comes to the tax credit. The government handing you a check for buying a house you needed to buy anyway - that's a pretty cool opportunity….don’t ya think?

Here's the kicker - The Sellers KNOW you are getting up to $8,000 free for buying their house and they DON'T get one for selling it to you and buying their next place. Their loss, right? Wrong! Now more than ever, I am seeing sellers who WILL NOT budge. And the reason is…………….....yes, the BUYER’S tax credit.

Well, if the buyer is getting $8,000 and Sellers are not. They feel the Buyer can use that money to make up the price and closing costs and/or décor or home inspection repairs.

Let’s think about this………….

Sellers:

• Just because they're making you an offer on a lower-mid end home does not mean they qualify for the credit. They may have previously owned or be married to someone who previously owned! So don't assume they get $8,000!
• Even if they do qualify for it, that does not mean they have to take it. This is not a forced credit, they have to ask for it!
• This is a tax credit - not a closing credit! They won't get that before closing to use and they won't get it until they amend their 2008 taxes or file their 2009 taxes, which will be next year!
• And NO, the tax credit does not make your house WORTH $8,000 more! Yes, there are Sellers trying to do that!

Buyers:

• Realize that you are indeed getting a government gift for buying a house. Maybe not now, but you will get it if you qualify and ask for it. So keep that in mind when eyeballing repairs, updates, and more.
• Know that the seller knows about the credit too and they will use this as leverage if your offer "sucks" in their eyes.

Think this isn't common?

So keep in mind that you're getting a great tax credit for purchasing
but the Seller might be wanting to participate in the tax credit during your negotiations!

Children's Festival

Visitors to the Becky Hancock Realty booth at Fort Rucker's Children's Festival on April 4 got to paint their own birdhouses! Becky and a few other agents were able to set up so that hundreds of children got to give their birdhouse a custom paint job and take it home to enjoy.

Come see us at Children's Festival in the Park. Click here for more details.

Now that some birds have new homes take a look at our listings or contact us to find your new home at Becky Hancock Realty.

Happy Becky Hancock Realty Day - March 26, 2009

In honor of Make Up Your Own Holiday day we declare March 26 Becky Hancock Realty Day! On this day we celebrate the wonderful people who make up the Becky Hancock Realty Team. You can celebrate too, by sending some red and white flowers (with black accents) to your favorite person tomorrow. Have a wonderful Becky Hancock Realty Day!

Dauphin Junior High's Relay for Life Brings Interesting Decor to BHR

Dauphin JR. High is putting a purple potty on business and residential door steps to raise funds for the upcoming Coffee County Relay for Life. The lucky recipient donates $10 to have it removed, $20 to have it removed and sent to someone else, or $30 to have it removed, sent to someone else with a guarantee that it won't return. All proceeds will go to Relay for Life and The American Cancer Society.

Today, we found the infamous purple potty on our front porch here at Becky Hancock Realty. We were happy to make a donation to ensure its permanent removal.

But not before posing for some photos!