Morgantown Homecoming

Don’t forget that first-time home buyers purchasing this year are eligible for up to $8,000 in federal tax credits. Tax credits aren’t deductions. They are credits that come off of a tax payer’s total tax liability. If your tax liability is less than the credit, you receive the remainder as part of your tax refund.

So if you’re interested in 540 Elmina Street, this tax credit essentially bumps the price down to $99,000. That’s one clean little house for that price. And on 436 Center Street the credit takes the price down to $171,000.

Here’s more information on the first time home buyer tax credit:

• The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
• The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
• Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The Fairmont-Morgantown Housing Authority welcomes Chris Eckhardt, new Morgantown Development and Sales Coordinator. Chris is replacing Jessie Reckart, Morgantown Homecoming Coordinator, as she leaves the Authority as of July 31.

You can reach Chris Eckhardt at ceckhardt@fmhousing.com.

1028 Charles Avenue is boss. It’s the most popular dude in Morgantown. A local Realtor showed the home to his clients Friday evening, I showed it Sunday morning, and I’m showing it again tonight. Maybe it’s the seductive T-111 siding, or the sultry two-car garage. Maybe it’s the .23 acre lot. Whatever it is, 1028 Charles Avenue is working it. It must be tough to be that popular.

In other Morgantown Homecoming news:

• 540 Elmina Street is getting a visit this afternoon
• 806 Madison Avenue went under contract last Thursday
• 458 Morgan Street is steadily progressing towards closing
• 228 Green Street finally has a closing date set for this Wednesday.

Don’t forget: the Greenmont Neighborhood Association Block Party is this Saturday, June 27 from 4-7PM.

Here’s an article that appeared in The Christian Science Monitor nearly two years ago about Marianne Cusato’s partnership with Lowe’s to mass-produce and market Katrina Cottages. Why am I thinking about Katrina Cottages? I’m in the process of searching out attractive and affordable home plans to fit on in-fill lots. It’s not easy, I’ll tell you that much.  No Katrina Cottage is more than 26′ wide, easily fitting on narrow, urban lots. Plus, I’m a sucker for a big front porch.

A stylish cottage for Katrina country is a hit all over

By Ron Scherer | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS. – A model home here that gives Katrina’s displaced an alternative to trailer living is starting to take the country by storm. The Katrina cottage – with living quarters about the size of a McMansion bathroom – is now appealing to people well beyond the flood plain. Californians want to build one in their backyards to use for rental income to help with the mortgage payment. Modestly paid kayakers in Colorado see it as a way to finally afford a house. Elsewhere, people envision building one so a parent can live nearby.

(more…)

I was on vacation last week, and so wasn’t available to take calls or show homes. But, I’m back now and ready for action! To view our homes or learn more about Morgantown Homecoming, please call (304) 212-8575.

~Jessie

A lot of stuff, that’s what. And that’s how we like it. Try to keep up if you can:

Sunday, May 17 ~ Open house at 458 Morgan Street, Wiles Hill

Friday, June 5 ~ FMHA staff plant flowers across our service area

Saturday, June 6 ~ Day of neighborhood greening here in Morgantown. Look for it in Greenmont and Wiles Hill. Details on projects to be posted soon.

Saturday, June 27 ~ 2nd annual Greenmont neighborhood block party and music festival.

Also, we should close on the sale of two homes in June, so those will be big days, too.

Morgantown’s in the news again. A really nice piece shot entirely in the Blue Moose Cafe (right across the street from the Morgantown Housing Authority office, and an easy walk from 540 Elmina Street). I’m having some trouble embedding the video from CNN, but you just have to follow this link and you’ll see this really cool, calm story where Morgantonians talk about why we think our town is leading the country in employment.

Which is a good reason you should consider buying a home here. Thought I should bring it round to real estate sooner or later.