Many of you may know by now that, after 14 years with RE/MAX Austin Associates, I moved my license this past week to become a Broker/Associate at Austin Real Estate Partners.  While my time at RE/MAX Austin Associates was both profitable and experience filled, providing educational and professional growth, it is now time for change, and Austin Real Estate Partners offers a dynamic office with increased tools and support to help me serve my clients even better than before, and to enhance my professional growth.  You will still reach me at the same mobile number and email address as before, and you will still receive personalized customer service as always, to meet your needs as you desire.
 
Recently I have asked you all to become “fans” of my Facebook business page, to keep in touch and stay informed about real estate information, products, and home listings and just realized that with a business name change, one cannot just change the name on the Facebook page and keep moving forward.  A new page must be created and new invitations to join or to “like” must be made, so we have created a “fan” page for Les Sherman, Realtor® at Austin Real Estate Partners and hope that you all will join me there.  My apologies for any inconvenience but I look forward to seeing you all again soon.  The old page will be up for a little while longer but our short term plans are to delete it as soon as everyone has switched to the new page.  Thank you for your support.  Additional contact information about the new office  is below and will be available on the new fan page.   Thank you for your loyalty and referrals.  My success cannot exist without you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Les  Sherman, ABR,CRS,CNE
Austin Real Estate Partners
9600 Escarpment Blvd., ste.H-930
Austin, TX 78749
512-288-8088 x354 office
512-947-8333 direct mobile
www.Les-Sherman.com
Les@Les-Sherman.com

Literally GREEN and structurally GREEN, quality GREEN… It’s not easy being GREEN! … Take a look at this… Thanks to Michelle at GnM Lohr Homes for giving us a tour of one of Austin’s finest GREEN properties!

April 15th: Google Analytics Training - 8:30a at New Horizons Computer Learning Center, Austin TX

April 16th: Harvey - 7:30p at The Georgetown Palace Theatre, Georgetown TX

Soul Track Mind, Chili Cold Blood, The Brimmers - 10:00p at Hole In the Wall, Austin TX

April 17th: Hotel Hotel, Petals, Red Leaves, Lean Hounds - 9:00p at The Mohawk, Austin TX

April 18th: Hideout Showcase - 7:00p at Hideout Theatre, Austin TX

April 19th: Talent Connect and Job Fair4/19 – 9am – 10 am at Hill Country Bible Church, Austin TX

April 20th: Angella Nazarian - 7:00p at Harry Ransom Center, Austin TX

April 22nd: Quanto Dura o Amor? (Paulista) - 4:00p at Regal Metropolitan 14, Austin TX

El informe Toledo (The Toledo Report) - 8:00p at Regal Metropolitan 14, Austin TX

April 23rd: Sean McConnell - 10:30p at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q and Waller Creek Amphitheatre, Austin TX

Action Pack presents The ‘Glee’-Along - 7:00p at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown at the Ritz, Austin TX

Muamba (Petty Smuggling) - 10:00p at Regal Metropolitan 14, Austin TX

April 24th: SIFE Race for Relief 5K - 8:00a at River Ridge Business Park, San Marcos TX

Backyard Habitat - 9:00a at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls TX

Useful Wild Plants of the Refuge-12:45p at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls TX

Nature Tours- 7:30a at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls TX

Monitoring Backyard Birds- 1:30p at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, Marble Falls TX

Spring Love - 8:00p at Travis County Expo Center, Austin TX

April 25th: Looking for Palladin - 2:00p at Regal Metropolitan 14, Austin TX

April 26th:  Austin Unemployment Group - 6:30p to 8:00p at  Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Austin TX 

April 27th: Online Reputation Management - 11:00a at Dave, Austin TX

April 28th: Donde estan sus historias? (Where Are Their Stories?)  - 10:00p at Regal Metropolitan 14, Austin TX

April 30th: Remarkable Creatures: Epic Adventures in the Search for the Origins of Species - 7:00p-8:15p at  University of Texas – Welch hall, Austin TX

With a little less than a month before the homebuyer tax credit expires, now is a great time to go ahead and take advantage of this opportunity.

To get the refund, buyers have to submit their contracts by the end of April, and close the transaction before July 1st. First-time homebuyers are eligible to receive up to $8,000 and those who are upgrading can receive as much as $6,500.  According to sources at CNNMoney.com, this credit will most likely not be extended a third time, so this is your best opportunity to claim the refund!  In addition, financial experts are predicting that interest rates will begin rising when the government ceases to invest funds into the bond market to support higher bond prices.

Who qualifies to receive the credit?

1. Homebuyers who have not owned a home for the past 3 years can receive up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is lower.
2. Buyers who have owned a home for 5 consecutive years of the past eight qualify to receive up to $6,500 in tax credit refunds.
3. Income limits are $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for couples.
4. Anyone paying more than $800,000 for the home cannot claim the credit.
5. Homebuyers who are under 18 or are listed as dependents on the tax returns don’t qualify.

There are minor variations that apply to certain situations, so please talk to your Realtor or tax preparer to see how you may be affected.   

Buyers who qualify for the credit get the full amount of the credit they’re due even if that exceeds the amount of taxes they owe. If your total tax bill for the year is $6,000, you get that amount back plus an extra $2,000. 

Call Les Sherman at (512)947-8333 if you have any further questions.