Travis Evans - Self-proclaimed Blogger

Trinity In-Home Care, a local United Way agency committed to various respite programs thorughout the community, is preparing to open a new facility...

Imagine Drop-In Childcare

Imagine's mission is to offer relief to parents by providing low-cost, arts-based childcare by the hour. Scholarships for services are available to low-income families.  The facility is wonderfully crafted to stimulate creativity in kids while giving parents the break they need to recharge or just run a few unexpected errands. 

An unashamed plug for my wife and all her staff there at Trinity...but this will be a great resource for Lawrence and a stepping stone for great things to come from Trinity.

For those of you who are parents, I'm including a coupon below for Imagine...I hope you'll take advantage of this bit of help in your daily grind as a parent. 

Check out their website at www.imaginechildcare.com for more information!!

Take care!!

Travis

I've been keeping a close eye on the government as the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit deadline nears.  Many people have seemed fairly certain that it would be extended.  It looks as though that is the case, though they are also expanding the credit to existing homeowners.  Folks who have owned there home for more than 5 years may become eligible for a $6500 credit for buying a new home. 

Check out this link to read the AP story...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091105/ap_on_bi_ge/us_homebuyers_tax_credit

We'll keep an eye on things...could be a big boost to our market in the spring.

Take care!!

Travis

 Everybody's talking about it, but do you fully understand it?  Could you explain it to a friend or relative who may be eligible to save big bucks on their first home purchase?  The current market conditions certainly favor buyers who don't need to sell anything first.  For first time buyers, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit could well be the incentive they need to finally get moved into that home they've been dreaming about. 

Let me preface this blog entry with this...one should always consult their accountant with tax matters.  I'm not an accountant, I'm a Realtor.  I hope you find this info helpful, but don't leave it at that and make a move that you haven't discussed with your accountant and fully understand.

With that said, I want to point out a few notable items on this updated tax credit.

-A First Time Home Buyer is anyone who has not owned a home in the 3 years prior to the purchase date

-The purchase must be for the primary residence and close between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 1, 2009

-The credit does NOT require repayment in most cases

-The credit can be claimed on your 2008 or your 2009 tax return

For more info on this tax credit, I've included a few links below.  If I can help you navigate info, answer questions, or help you find the perfect first home...give me a call!!

Chart Highlighting the Major Modifications to the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit>

Frequently Asked Questions>

NAR's Presentation: The 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

Travis Evans

Whatever happened to small talk being centered on the weather?  It seems like a new sheriff's in town on common conversation and it's the housing market.  This isn't anything new at this point...it's been this way for nearly a year now.   Many agents seem to think it's best to give people what they want to hear?  The thing people most want to hear is that it's getting better.  Is it? 

Only time will tell.  It's all about finding a bottom to bounce off of.  Same as the stock market, and nearly every other market at this point.  At the beginning of 2008, many people thought we had found the bottom...but the rest of the year left them a bit surprised to find otherwise.  The end of 2008 left it hard to judge, with wintertime and the holidays generally being the slowest part of the year regardless of economy.  The spring market is just about here with much anticipation.

Optimism tells us that we've had enough and that things will get better.  Some local market statistics have suggested improvement...but it will likely be slow and steady.  Things almost always take longer to fix than they did to break. 

There are some things for home buyers to figure out in this new market.  What does it take to borrow money?  What are the details of the new tax credit for first-time buyers?  When will prices hit the bottom where the best deals will be had?  As these questions find answers, and nerves settle...the market will certainly recover.  The truth is, regardless of conditions, people still need to move.  Babies are born, layoffs happen, relationships end and promotions lead to relocations.  A soft housing market doesn't influence those things. 

Rather than making excuses and blaming the market, now is the time for Realtors to look ahead and work diligently with every ounce of expertise and integrity they have.  People need guidance in these times...whether it's buying and selling a home or just needing advice on how to handle their investment in real estate.  It's our job to be the expert and bring clarity to the market.  Help people understand the things they can and can't control. 

I intend to do exactly that.  People don't want a flowery perspective of the market that is bloated and unrealistic.  They want the truth from a professional that they can trust.  I hope that this market, if nothing else, will produce a new generation of Realtors with that kind of attitude.

Travis Evans

A few of us from the Hedges Realty Executives office are going to be tailgating for the Jayhawk football games this fall and our first outing is this Saturday's game. 

We'll be out near 11th and Missouri on somebody's lawn around 3:00 p.m.. 

Look for the Realty Executives banner!!

Stop by to say hi!!  Have a cold drink and a brat before the game!!

If you have any trouble finding us, give me a call:  785-766-4608

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!! Go KU!!!!!!

Lawrence Free Methodist Church Fall Kickoff Celebration!!

31st St. and Lawrence Ave. in Lawrence, KS

Sunday, Sept. 21st 12:30-3:00 p.m.

Visit www.lfmchurch.org for more information...

This is a great annual celebration that is put on by a local church.  Immediately starting after the 11:15 worship service, the Fall Kickoff begins all around the church grounds.  Food and fun are purchased through tickets at $.50/each so bring a little cash.  Burgers, hot dogs, chips, drinks...lunch can be purchased for about $2.50 per person.  A dunk tank featuring church staff, large inflatables for the kids to romp around in, and all kinds of games for the whole family.  There will also be some live music provided by some church musicians.  If you're free Sunday afternoon, come out for a visit. 

It looks like the weather is going to be beautiful!!  What a great way to spend the afternoon!!

See you there!!

Travis

This is a great hideaway with the convenience of town close by.  Baldwin City city limits are just across the road.  Tucked nicely back in the trees is the 3 bedroom/2 bath Dutch Colonial home.  20 acres total, an orchard of all types of apples and other fruit.  Plenty of pasture space for horses, and even an old 2 stall stable that can be restored to use.  1.5 acres in the NE corner of the parcel are zoned agricultural for use as a former orchard business.  That corner has several outbuildings and a large greenhouse for year-round produce.  You just have to visit this place to really understand how wonderful it is.

Come have a look!!

Travis Evans    785-766-4608

C. Brown Group - Hedges Realty Executives

This is a great new listing on Eagle Pass Ct. in NW Lawrence.  Over 3300 square feet with master and two bedrooms on main level, and two additional bedrooms in the finished daylight basement.  Great location for commuters to Topeka or Kansas City with easy access to I-70.  Neat and simple landscaping in front and back.  Nice front porch for evening visits with the neighbors.  Covered patio in the back is nice for cookouts...rain or shine.  The finished basement features a large, open family room/rec room area along with a fully enclosed concrete storm shelter. 

Come have a look!!

Travis Evans  785-766-4608

C. Brown Group - Hedges Realty Executives

There are a few key topics that really strike my attention these days, and I found an article in the paper this morning that appealed to two of them...raising my kids and saving the earth.  It was an article titled "Global View" in the Lawrence Journal World written by Christy Little.  The article describes a local group that is making a start to educate parents in making their family earth-friendly. 

Lawrence is a great community, and you don't have to hang around here too long to realize that there are a lot of people in this town that care about the environment.  Sometimes that overshadows the fact that there are even more people in Lawrence that are just starting to think about going green and have no clue where to start.  This group seems like a great place to learn.

The green parenting interest group "Eco Parents" is having an initial meeting Thursday August 28th 7p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont.  The group is connected to the Lawrence Sustainability Network and is open to even the newest beginners in earth-friendly living.

We certainly have responsibilities to take care of what we've been given, and I think that making those decisions as a family will have a positive impact on the character of our kids.  I think I'll be heading out to the Eco Parents meeting this Thursday to see what it's all about...maybe I'll see you there!!

Travis

This is a great opportunity for an easily managed rental investment.  All of these townhomes are located within a block of eachother on two streets.  There is management and maintenance on site that can be carried over to new ownership if needed.  All of these units were built between 2001 and 2003 so they are in great shape.  The roofs were just replaced in 2007.  All units are currently rented out, and they are in a great location for commuters, just north of the country club and 1.5 miles from I-35.  For more information and rental info, please contact Travis at 785-766-4608 or send me an e-mail at travis@cbrowngroup.com