TAX CREDIT EXPLAINED

The National Association of Home Builders has launched  a Web site to help first-time home buyers understand the tax credit provision of the recently enacted Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Only homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, are eligible to earn the credit.

The site, www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com, is divided into four sections: an overview of the tax credit and eligibility requirement; frequently asked questions;  the law's other provisions; and home buyer resources.

Market Report (11/1/08-11/30/08)

MARQUETTE COUNTY

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	33	28
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$110,000	$107,700
DAYS ON MARKET	113	120

CITY OF MARQUETTE,

MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP,

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP,

SANDS TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	14	12
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$155,000	$145,950
DAYS ON MARKET	134	120

CITY OF NEGAUNEE,

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	4	4
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$92,500	$121,950
DAYS ON MARKET	86	85

CITY OF ISHPEMING,

ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP,

ELY TOWNSHIP,

TILDEN TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	9	10
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$58,760	$68,750
DAYS ON MARKET	55	96

The Elf on the Shelf

Last year at this time...Christmas time...a package arrived for my granddaughter, Ryleigh.

It arrived in a shipping box covered with stamps from all over the world, how exciting....for a six year old!

Her face was something to behold as she carefully opened the box...as carefully as a six year old could.

Inside was a simple elf, yes that's right an elf...and a book!

The premise of the story is that this elf comes to you at Christmas time to watch over you....he goes up to the North Pole each night to tell Santa about your day...good or bad...and each morning the elf returns...only to be in a different place in the house! What an exciting way to start your day, searching for an elf!

My granddaughter feels like she has a way to directly communicate with Santa!

Each night she writes him a note or draws him a picture that the elf, whom she named "Jimmy", delivers to Santa, and in return Santa leaves her a small thank you note!

As the Christmas season comes to an end...so does the Elf's time in the house...a very sad time for Ryleigh...she gets so attached to her "Jimmy"....one day he will just be gone....but to return the next Christmas season.

So...to the present Christmas..."Jimmy" came the day after Thanksgiving...arriving in the same shipping box with stamps from all over the world....she looked out onto the front porch to see the exciting package...she was thrilled to see "Jimmy" come home!  To this day she has not let him out of her sight....

SUCH CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

Time to Give Thanks!

Can you believe it's that time already...Halloween is over...The candy has been all given out...The leaves are off the trees, well almost all of them...and it's time to GIVE THANKS...

I give thanks each and every day for my family...my three sons, Scott, Christopher and Jimmy, as well as my two beautiful grandchildren, Tyler and Ryleigh. I find it hard to believe that Tyler is already 14 years old! I remember when he was just a young leopard that I would chase down the hallway! Ryleigh is a big 1st grader now...doing lots of reading...I am so proud of them both!

I am also thankful for all of my past and present clients! This has been a challenging year for the real estate market as we all know, for both sellers...and buyers, but I am of the belief that things will change...for the better...it just takes time!

All My Appreciation and Thanks!

Cheryl

Carrot Bars

 

CARROT BARS

2 Cups of Sugar

1 Cup Vegetable Oil

4 Eggs

3 Small Jars Baby Food Carrots

2 Cups Flour

2 teaspoons Baking Soda

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Salt

Beat Sugar, Vegetable Oil, and Eggs.

Add in Baby Food Carrots, Flour, Baking Soda, Cinnamon and Salt.

Bake in 2 (9x13) Pans for 20 minutes at 350°

FROSTING

2 Cups Powered Sugar

1 (8oz.) Package Cream Cheese

¼ Cup Butter or Oleo

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Combine ingredients and ice cooled bars.

Boiled Raisin Cookies

1 cup of Raisins and 1 cup of Water...boil slowly until water is gone.

1 ½ Cups Sugar

1 Cup Shortening

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

3 Cups Flour

3 Eggs Beaten

Cream Sugar and Shortening...add Eggs and Vanilla...add Sifted Dry Ingredients...Last add Raisins.

Roll teaspoon fulls into a ball...roll ball in granulated sugar...press down on cookie sheet with fork...Bake at 375° until golden brown.

Cranberry-Nut Bread

1 ½ cups cranberries

2 ½ cups flour

¾ cup sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ cup milk

1 egg beaten

4 Tablespoons butter

½ cup nuts

1 Tablespoon orange peel

¼ orange peel

 

 

Sift dry ingredients together, combine milk, egg and shortening...add cranberries,  nuts, peel and juice. Add liquid to dry mixture...just till moistened. Bake in loaf pan at 350° for 40 minutes.

Aly's Pumpkin Cookies

 

Most everyone has this recipe, or a version of it...but if you don't... this is a must have for the Thanksgiving Holiday!

PUMPKIN COOKIES...

2 cups of flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

dash of mace

dash nutmeg

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup shortening

1 cup pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, mace and nutmeg in a bowl and set aside.

Next, in a separate bowl, mix sugar, egg, shortening, pumpkin and vanilla.

Fold in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Place tablespoon fulls onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 12 minutes.

GLAZE...

3 tablespoons butter

4 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup brown sugar

In a saucepan bring all ingredients to a boil.

Boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Cool.

Stir in a cup of powered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.

Frost cooled cookies.

Market Report (1/1/08-10/31/08)

We all know that the national media has painted a grim picture of the housing market as of late, in response I have put together a series of year to date statistics comparing the 2007 and 2008 markets. I have provided an overview of all Marquette County as well as select areas. Please feel free to give me a call at 906-226-4663 or email me at cheryljackson@remax.net if you would like a personalized market report for your area!

 MARQUETTE COUNTY

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	486	445
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$120,000	$119,500
DAYS ON MARKET	92	111

    

CITY OF MARQUETTE,

MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP,

CHOCOLAY TOWNSHIP,

SANDS TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	224	247
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$147,000	$153,000
DAYS ON MARKET	90	103
LISTINGS SOLD OVER $300,000	28	17

CITY OF NEGAUNEE,

NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	69	57
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$96,000	$108,000
DAYS ON MARKET	90	112

CITY OF ISHPEMING,

ISHPEMING TOWNSHIP,

ELY TOWNSHIP,

TILDEN TOWNSHIP

	2007	2008
NUMBER OF SALES	98	83
MEDIAN SOLD PRICE	$72,250	$75,000
DAYS ON MARKET	90	106