Jeff Launiere, P.A's Page

We have all heard about former President George Bush's $750 Billion Bailout Package and President Barack Obama's upcoming $850 Billion Economic Stimulus Package, which many predict will end up being over $1 Trillion. Of course many do not think about the fact that both of these packages will have to be paid for by the taxpayers over many decades.

Most people however are not aware of the fact that we presently are going through an Economic Stimulus Package that will not cost the taxpayers a sing… Continue

On a few real estate deals over the past years, I have had times where the buyer's make an offer with a series of counteroffers following. Suddenly, we are just a few thousand dollars or so apart. Most times we negotiate back and forth and come to an agreeable price.

However, in a few cases neither side will budge. Whether I am the listing or buyers agent, we often hear the same things over and over. The seller of course says their home is worth every penny and then some, and they just are not… Continue

Today it was reported by anonymous sources that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is considering purchasing many more mortgage backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that would be used to press the mortgage interest rates down to 4.5%.

Apparently, this would only be for new loans and not intended for refinancing. What could this mean for the depressed housing market. We will look at an example.


Presently the rate is approximately 5.75% for a 30 year conventional loan. For a $20… Continue

When I consult with a new client looking to buy a home, one of the first questions I ask is do they own a home right now? If not when is the last time they owned a home? If they say it was more than three years ago, then they qualify as a first-time homebuyer which allows them to get up to a $7,500 tax credit. The amount they actually get depends on income levels.

A single taxpayer making up to $75,000 gets the full $7,500 tax credit as do joint filers making up to $150,000. For those making mo… Continue

While showing new construction homes, I am often asked the question does this builder have a good quality home. I often send the link which is included below to my clients, or print out the chart for them, and it often lets them feel more comfortable with one builder over another. Although most builders have a high quality product there are occassions where the home is less than perfect, and it is then important to have a builder who stands behind their product and does the necessary repairs.
I… Continue