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!