JACE The Real Estate Company

REAL ESTATE SCHOOL

2009-12-01T17:06:00.000-08:00

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE FOR FREE REAL ESTATE CLASSES!

JACE The Real Estate Company has opened enrollment for local residents to attend real estate school. Offering both fundamental courses for people who want to start a real estate career, and advanced training for established real estate professionals, JACE is offering discount rates for enrollment to celebrate the new school.

The real estate courses are approved by the state and are part of an on-line education program that is widely recognized to be the best in the state, and supplemented by classroom training.

According to Jace Schmitz owner of JACE The Real Estate Company, “It appears that our real estate market is showing the early signs of a recovery and people who have been thinking about starting their real estate career might be interested in starting now. Between the economic climate, and the new real estate licensing laws going into effect in 2010, we thought that now was the best time to create this opportunity.”

New laws going into effect in 2010 will make obtaining a Washington State real estate license more expensive and more time consuming by requiring more class hours and additional training.

Designated Broker Eileen Schmitz adds, “JACE The Real Estate Company has always been committed to education. Jace earned his Degree in Real Estate & Finance and by being a satellite school for the #1 real estate program in Washington, we are able to attract the type of quality agents already associated with our company. Real estate is a rewarding career both professionally and personally – to do it right it takes brains and hard work and integrity. Being a Realtor also allows you to make a huge difference in people’s lives and in the local community.

Real Estate courses are offered on-line and supplemented by classroom training in both Sequim and Port Angeles. For additional information on enrollment, or to participate in Career Day at JACE The Real Estate Company contact Eileen Schmitz at 360-565-2030 or register online HERE.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended!

2009-11-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, the Senate voted to extend the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers through the first six months of next year. The bill passed 98 to 0! Thank you all, who wrote to you Federal Senators! Today, the bill should reach the house floor, and be passed. It will then go on to the White House for Pres. Obama's signature.

First time home buyers of homes under $800,000 (!!) must have a contract signed by April 30, 2010, and close it by June 30, 2010. Those who buy a new primary residence, who have owned their current home for at least five consecutive years in the last eight years, can get a $6500 credit!

People who make more than $125,000/yr or couples who make more than $225,000/yr are not eligible.

Federal legislators are NOT expected to extend these tax credits beyond the six months.

To take advantage of this buyer's market and get your tax credit, call JACE. 360.565.2030 or email jace@olypen.com .

Distressed properties gallop, home prices stumble

2009-05-26T16:16:00.000-07:00

According to a report just released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the steep slide in home price accelerated at a record pace during the first three months of 2009 in the largest year-over-year decline in the 30-year history of the report. The national median home price of single family homes sold during the first quarter fell 13.8% to $169,000 year over year, and 6.2% compared with the last quarter 2008. NAR says that first-time homebuyers, who are often entry-level buyers, accounted for about half of all purchases during the quarter, and that many buyers took advantage of the deeply discounted prices of foreclosed properties and short sales.

These "distressed properties" typically sell for 20% less than traditional homes, according to NAR, and accounted for about half of all transactions. "Traditional homes in good condition have held their value much better, so owners shouldn't be overly concerned about median prices," said NAR president Charles McMillan, in a prepared statement. NAR's chief economist, Lawrence Yun, characterized it as a lull before an upturn. "Housing affordability conditions are at record high levels," he said, "and we expect a measurable increase in home sales during the second half of the year, which would help stabilize prices in most areas."

Are you a Twilight fan?

2009-05-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Click Here or Contact JACE to get your free Twilight brochure & map - Mailed from the Olympic Peninsula!

Do you have questions about the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit??

2009-05-12T16:08:00.000-07:00

JACE answers!

Pending home sales rose with many first-time buyers taking advantage of historically good housing affordability conditions, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

Nationally, the Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in March, increased 3.2% to 84.6 from a level of 82.0 in February, and is 1.1% higher than March 2008 when it was 83.7. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said it should take a few months for the market to gain momentum. ”This increase could be the leading edge of first-time buyers responding to very favorable affordability conditions and an $8,000 tax credit, which increases buying power even more in areas where special programs allow buyers to use it as a downpayment,” he said. “We need several months of sustained growth to demonstrate a recovery in housing, which is necessary for the overall economy to turn around.”

Locally we are seeing an increase in sales (some would even say a supermassive increase in sales). For more information, contact JACE today!

Celebrating the 57th Annual American Home Week

2009-04-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

Real Estate Agents all over America are holding special Open Houses this weekend in celebration of American Home Week. American Home Week is a nationwide celebration of the right to own property, the importance of protecting that right, and the responsibility of homeownership -- maintenance and improvement.

Call a JACE Agent for a private showing of our area Open Houses. Port Angeles 360.452.1210 or Sequim 360.681.7979.

Click here to see our Open Houses for the weekend of April 18th-19th, 2009.

2009-04-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

First-Time Home Buyer?

Choose When to Claim Your Tax Credit

With the deadline for filing federal tax returns fast approaching, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has made information available for qualified home buyers about how and when to claim the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

The basic eligibility requirements for the credit are: the home must have been purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2008 and before Dec. 1, 2009; the buyer may not have owned a home in the three years prior to the purchase; and the buyer must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) less than $95,000 for single tax payers or $170,000 for married filers.

Two factors affect the amount of credit qualified buyers can claim: it can only be equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to a maximum of $8,000; and it is reduced for buyers with a MAGI between $75,000 for single taxpayers ($150,000 for married filers) and the upper income limit.

To claim the credit, buyers must complete IRS Form 5405 to calculate the amount of the tax credit, and enter it on line 69 of the IRS 1040 income tax return.

Qualified buyers have several options for when to claim the tax credit, but they can claim it only after the purchase of the home is complete, which in most cases happens when the title of the property transfers.

Buyers who complete their home purchase prior to April 15, 2009, can claim the credit on their 2008 income tax return. If the qualifying home purchase will be completed shortly after April 15, buyers can file an extension for tax year 2008 and claim the credit when they file their 2008 return, which must be done by Oct. 15. Or home buyers can claim a qualified purchase on their 2009 income tax return, which they will file in 2010.

Some things qualified buyers should take into consideration when deciding whether to claim the credit on their 2008 or 2009 returns include how quickly they need the refund and their expected income for 2009. There are no restrictions on how home buyers use the money, but they may want it quickly to pay for expenses related to the home purchase such as moving costs, furniture or remodeling. If homeowners expect their income to change next year due to factors such as retirement or a salary bonus, they should calculate how the income limits will affect their credit amount.

This information is provided to familiarize consumers with the first-time home buyer tax credit, and is not intended to serve as tax advice or as a legal opinion on tax status or consequences. Individual tax considerations will vary, and it is recommended that a tax professional be consulted to determine how this information applies to particular circumstances.

For more information, visit http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/ . RISMEDIA

Home Show

2008-03-03T12:38:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who visit our booth at the recent KONP Home Show in Port Angeles. For those who missed it, every year we give away FREE Douglas Fir trees, $$$ CASH $$$, Home Warranties & Inspections and art from the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center.

See you next year at the Home Show!

Experienced Realtors Wanted!

2008-01-17T11:48:00.000-08:00

Want a Career that makes you PROUD to be a Realtor?

Join JACE The Real Estate Company!

* In-House Training & Goal Setting
* Your-Choice Commission Schedules
* Exceptional Support Staff
* Non-Competing Broker Focused on Your Success
* Locally Owned and Franchise-Free to Serve You
* Making a Difference in Our Community
* Friendly Offices in Sequim and Port Angeles

Learn all about JACE The Real Estate Company on our website http://jacerealestate.com

New Year, New Listings!

2008-01-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Want to look out on a secluded beach while you paint a masterpiece or write a novel? Or maybe you prefer to watch the local bald eagles, whales and breathtaking sunsets from the privacy of your rustic beach cottage?

If this is your dream, you must see this rare .68-Acre property with 211 ft. of breathtaking no bank water frontage near Neah Bay. Live in the rustic cabin (with all amenities) and gaze at the Strait... or build your dream home on this beautiful property. Only $325,000. Always Call JACE for Land! MLS# 228247

View all our new listings and more on our website JACEREALESTATE.COM

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-25T16:37:00.000-08:00

From all of us at JACE!

Buy Land!

2007-11-29T10:30:00.000-08:00

Our current ad in the Peninsula Daily News.

3rd Annual Everything But Food Drive

2007-11-16T11:54:00.000-08:00

The JACE group after the Food Drive phone blitz

With the support of our community, JACE The Real Estate Company’s 3rd Annual Everything But Food Drive has helped the local food banks with much needed non-food items like shampoo, toothpaste, disposable diapers, dog food, and toiletry items.

Thanks to your donations, these small items make a huge difference in the lives of others and we are deeply grateful for the generosity you have shown us, and shown the food banks.

Thank you to our neighbors, friends, local business associates, and clients, for your tremendous generosity.

Mikki (Director, Port Angeles Food Bank) with Jace & Eileen

The community support of our Everything But Food Drive touches many lives in a powerful way – including ours. Thank you!

Early November Update

2007-11-09T10:53:00.000-08:00

During the fall and winter seasons, the real estate market typically slows down.

Historically, the worst time of the year to sell real estate is from Thanksgiving through Christmas – and yet many sellers are extra motivated to sell at the end of the year.

In addition, while many Buyers are salivating at the reduced prices from just a few short months ago, today’s consumers are being rewarded for their patience. Slowing sales and growing inventory mean sellers increasingly are offering an array of come-ons and “incentives” to potential buyers.

Buyer Survey Question by Househunt:

What is your number one incentive when buying a home?

Closing costs paid 77%
Free upgrades 9%
Free property inspection 6%
Free appliances 3%
Flooring credits 2%
Paid trip/vacation 2%
Landscaping credits 1%

Such an atmosphere differs considerably from just two or three years ago, when buyers competed with multiple offers, were outbid, and sellers declined to make concessions they now readily make.

Unlike homes, land has fewer seller bonuses to offer but with some of the amazing, unique, never-before-on-the-market parcels coming on the market now and in 2008, land Buyer’s are in a very sweet position.

People wanting elbowroom, forestry lands, or pristine fishing grounds are silently going west and taking their investment dollars with them. More significantly, our west-end offers a place to grow trees for personal, profitable, or environmental reasons.

For strictly environmental buyers, west-end timberland mitigates their carbon footprint – (a carbon footprint is a calculation of the CO2 fossil fuel emissions each person is responsible for, directly like transportation and energy consumption, or indirectly because of the manufacture and breakdown of products he or she uses.) In other words, buying a forest counteracts more of your energy consuming sin than driving a hybrid Prius.

As for outdoor enthusiasts, well, there isn’t enough me-and-only-me space in the country to still your soul the way 40, 80, 100 or 200 acres can – open space is where solitude reigns. Several pristine hunting and fishing grounds are on the market for the first time ever.

Exceptional, divine, private, tree-filled large parcels can be yours on the west end. And bigger ones are coming in 2008. Nothing tastes sweeter than the fresh air of wide-open spaces. Call me at 360.565.2020 or email jace@jacerealestate.com.

Jace

The R.E. Location Pages®

2007-11-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Email us for a FREE subscription to our local, The R.E. Location Pages - Local Real Estate, Local Flavor. This monthly publication is full of Real Estate listings, local business and artist interviews plus informative articles. Available in print or .pdf .

Email: acreage@olypen.com for your free subscription.

The TRUTH About Northwest Real Estate

2007-11-08T10:35:00.001-08:00

See this ad all month in the Peninsula Daily News