He giveth and taketh away

By now you probably know that the economy is not in the greatest shape. Some places in the country are completely upended while others are doing quite well. Here in Conway, we seem to have a mixed bag.

There are quite a few businesses that have shut their doors here, but, on the bright side, there are a few that have decided to hang their shingles in Conway. Of the ones that have recently closed, there are:

• Mickie's Bluefish Grill
• IC Corp
• San Francisco Bread Co

I'm sure the employees and patrons of these businesses will sorely miss them.

On the flip side, though, we have some big names moving in and to Conway.  The most famous, of course, is HP (set to bring about 1,200 jobs).  There are some other developments in the works, too.  Here are some high points of economic development in the City of Colleges:

• Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield data center
• The Village at Hendrix
• Continued growth and development of retail space
• New restaurants like Logan's Steakhouse, Big John's Subs (located on Meadowlake and Donaghey), TGI Fridays, etc.
• Downtown Conway's continued success
• 501 Life magazine

"Take away my people, but leave my factories, and soon grass will grow on the factory floors. Take away my factories, but leave my people, and soon we will have a new and better factory.” - Andrew Carnegie

Little Rock Zoo info and Happy Thanksgiving!

This will be a short post...got to get ready for the Big Day tomorrow.

Here is some really good news. The Little Rock Zoo is giving a great deal on their membership rates. They will be selling their year-long passes at HALF-PRICE from November 27 through the end of the year!

The most expensive (and biggest) membership package is usually $95. In a couple of days, that rate will be $47.50.  I have my Christmas shopping done!

Here is a link to their website: littlerockzoo.com/ratesbenefits

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!

Thanks, Rotarians!

I was blessed to be invited to the Conway Rotary Club for their weekly meeting today. Being that I am a full-fledged Kiwanian, I thought it would be fun to see how the other civic clubs handle themselves. I was very impressed by the people I met and how kind and friendly they all are.

Like most civic clubs, they have speakers from the community (who may not have anything to do with the Rotarians normally) come to speak about their fields of expertise. Today, the presentation was a bit different. Twenty years ago this month, women were first allowed to join the Rotarians. The speakers were three former female members who had key roles in the early days of Rotary welcoming women. It was enlightening to hear about the struggles and obstacles they overcame.

Thanks to the Rotarians for welcoming me into their meeting!

Conway 2025 (Conway2025.com)

One of the reasons I became a real estate agent is because I wanted to be a part of taking Conway into the future.  I have lived in this city since 1992 (with a couple of summer breaks during college notwithstanding), and I have never since wanted to live anywhere else.

All of us who call Conway home have been given a chance to voice our opinions about its future.  The Conway Chamber of Commerce has created a project called "Conway 2025" (the web address is Conway2025.com).  The purpose of this site is to bring attention to a survey in which all voting-age adults are invited to participate.  You will be asked your preferences on what the city leaders should focused on during the next 15 years.

This is an opportunity that you should not pass up.  It literally takes less than three minutes and can provide valuable insight to folks who make the "high-level" decisions.

Conway2025.com

Watch how Channel 7 News covered the endeavor:

11 Tiger Trail - NEW LISTING!

Beautiful home built in 2000 and in great condition!  This home will not be on the market long.  Three bed rooms, two full baths, a generously proportioned family room, and large eat-in kitchen.  Enjoy watching the wildlife from the elevated deck in the wooded backyard.

See pictures and all the details at 11tigertrail.rodneygetsresults.com

OK, yes, now....

NOW, the Home Buyers Tax Credit has been extended.  And there is some cool stuff in it.

Not only can new home buyers still get $8000 from Uncle Sam just for buying a house, but those folks who have owned a house in the past should sit up and pay attention, too.  You may be able to join the party.

Here's the skinny:  Everything remains the same for you if you have never owned a primary residence (or haven't in three years).  Just keep on procrastinating like you have been; you have more time.  I recommend you get moving before the end of April, though.  You must now be UNDER CONTRACT by April 30, 2010.  You must also close your sale by June 30, 2010.  That gives you 60 days to close which is double what you had the first go 'round.

OK, here comes the cool part.  People who HAVE owned a primary residence in recent years can get a tax credit of up to $6500 if you meet certain requirements.  The biggie is that you have to have lived in your house for a consecutive five of the last eight years.  Note that this tax break doesn't apply to home sales.  But, what you may consider is that you have closing costs when you sell your home, buyers of your current domicile might ask you to pay their closing costs, and, if you hire a REALTOR, you will have commissions to pay.  $6500 might go a long way to covering those costs.

I really doubt that we will get another hand-up from Congress in 2010.  If you are thinking of buying a house or selling your current residence, now might just be the time.  While I will not suggest that you make such large changes in your life for a simple tax benefit, I will say that you should consider it when thinking about your options.

There are some income limitations, time requirements, and what-not, so read the IRS's take on the whole thing here:
The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009

NO NO NO!! Not yet anyway.

The New Homebuyer Tax Credit HAS NOT BEEN EXTENDED!!   yet.

(sorry for shouting)

There was a huge amount of DISinformation disseminated over the weekend about the tax credit being extended.  There are so many people desiring that this happen that many of those people bought into the rumor without any verification at all.  They just believed the hype.

I think the tax incentive will be extended (possibly improved).  There are a few things that kind of need to happen first, though.  A bill needs to be written, get out of committee, voted on, passed and then 'passed' to the other side of Congress, voted on again, passed again, and signed by the President.  Just formalities, right?

Congress is what it is.  Sometimes they get it right and other times, not so much.  I will be sure to post here when the tax credit does incur some changes.  Stay tuned!