Here is the latest news regarding the HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CHANGES on November 5, 2009.   The National Association of Realtors has provided this table showing the changes.  This has passed the Senate and the House and NAR assumes the President will sign the bill within the next few days. UPDATED...as of 3pm on November 6, 2009 - The President "has" signed this bill.The chart shows the "EXPANDED" features of the bill, that now includes current or previous homeowners.  It will now provide credit to those buyers who want to "move up" or "downsize". It's a great time to buy real estate in Gainesville, Florida! 11/06/2009

Real Estate Market Snapshot - Monday, November 2, 2009 - Gainesville, FL The month of November is off to a great start! And what AMAZING weather we had today - hopefully winter is finally here to stay. 30 yr fixed rates ticked down to 5.16%. Here's a re-cap of what happened today in the Gainesville, FL real estate market: New Listings 18Price Changes 22Pending Transactions 3Contingent Transactions 2Withdrawn Listings 3Expired Listings 9Closed Transactions 15 Home photos and listing data copyright © 2009 Gainesville Multiple Listing, Inc ("Gainesville MLS"). All rights reserved. Data provided by Allison Ables ("Gainesville REALTOR") and is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Information provided only includes transactions in Gainesville, FL. If you or someone you know is thinking abou... 11/02/2009

Real Estate Market Snapshot - Sunday, November 1, 2009 - Gainesville, FL A quiet day here in the Gainesville real estate market! I guess everyone is recovering from an exciting weekend with football rivalries, candy overdoses, and a time change. 30 yr fixed rates ticked up to 5.18%. Here's a re-cap of what happened today in the Gainesville, FL real estate market: New Listings 3Price Changes 2Pending Transactions 0Contingent Transactions 0Withdrawn Listings 0Expired Listings 32Closed Transactions 0 Home photos and listing data copyright © 2009 Gainesville Multiple Listing, Inc ("Gainesville MLS"). All rights reserved. Data provided by Allison Ables ("Gainesville REALTOR") and is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Information provided only includes transactions in Gainesville, FL. If ... 11/01/2009

Gainesville MLS - Bad Photo of the Day - Sunday, November 1, 2009 Thanks to professional photographer Scott Lawler for his commentary. What most agents would emphasize as an important selling feature is being used here to support miscellaneous odds and ends. These personal items should have been removed to showcase the fireplace properly. Obscuring the feature with random clutter is not flattering. A little staging goes a long way! Attention Gainesville Agents: Do you want your listings to stand out from the crowd? We are here to create professional photographs that will attract more potential buyers. The average MLS pictures pale in comparison. Check us out at http://www.livingvisionsphotography.com/real_estate.html Attention Gainesville property owners: Thinking about selling your Gai... 11/01/2009

Real Estate Market Snapshot - Saturday, October 31, 2009 - Gainesville, FL Happy Halloween - hopefully all of you had a safe and candy-filled holiday evening! Wow, what a game in Jacksonville and congratualtions to Tim Tebow for his record-breaking performance. AND Don't forget to change those clocks!  Here's a re-cap of what happened today in the Gainesville, FL real estate market: New Listings 3Price Changes 2Pending Transactions 1Contingent Transactions 0Withdrawn Listings 0Expired Listings 8Closed Transactions 1     Home photos and listing data copyright © 2009 Gainesville Multiple Listing, Inc ("Gainesville MLS"). All rights reserved. Data provided by Allison Ables ("Gainesville REALTOR") and is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Information provided only includes transactions ... 10/31/2009

Real Estate Market Snapshot - Friday, October 30, 2009 - Gainesville, FL This weekend brings Halloween, Florida-Georgia, and a clock change. Buyers are scrambling to get under contract in time to get the first time home buyers tax credit and mortgage rates are low, low, low! Here's a re-cap of what happened today in the Gainesville, FL real estate market: New Listings 20Price Changes 9Pending Sales 2Contingent Sales 3Withdrawn Listings 4Expired Listings 3Closed Sales 15 Home photos and listing data copyright © 2009 Gainesville Multiple Listing, Inc ("Gainesville MLS"). All rights reserved. Data provided by Allison Ables ("Gainesville REALTOR") and is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Information provided only includes transactions in Gainesville, FL. If you or someone you know is t... 10/30/2009

Our biggest fundraiser of the year was held last night and it was great fun.   RE/MAX Professionals Inc. makes this our premier event called " Art Through the Eyes of A Child".  This years theme was "Under the Big Top". All the kids at Shands Hospital create wonderful peices of artwork, pottery, scupltures & more. These kids put their heart and soul into this artwork.  Each piece has a story of the child that did the artwork.   All of these pieces are displayed at become part of our SILENT AUCTION and LIVE AUCTION once a year. There are so many volunteers that make this happen, not to mention all the hardwork. Our local celebrity Auctioneers were Storm Roberts, host of 98.5 KTK Radio Show, Ilene Silverman, of the Ilene Silverman Show, and Amanda Butler, Head Coach UF Gator Women's Baske... 10/30/2009

GAINESVILLE MLS - BAD PHOTO OF THE DAY - October 30, 2009 Thanks to professional photographer Scott Lawler for his commentary. Not only are the walls not adjusted for vertical alignment, the whole room is askew. Its a poor perspective of the room - looks like it was cut in half. The couch cushion should have been straightened out and personal affects on table removed. Overall, not a horrible picture. But it's just a picture. It doesn't come across like a professional photograph. Do you want your listings to stand out from the crowd? We are here to create professional photographs that will attract more potential buyers. The average MLS pictures pale in comparison. Check us out at http://www.livingvisionsphotography.com/real_estate.html 10/30/2009

Life in Gainesville's Town of Tioga Located along the UF/Shands corridor of Newberry Road, Gainesville's Town of Tioga seems to be weathering the choppy economy better than most. According to a spotlight article on the Town of Tioga which appeared in the August 28, 2009 edition of the Gainesville Sun: "Despite the recession, new retailers and restaurants have cropped up in short order to replace those that have closed. Second- and third-story office space is nearly full. The Flats apartments that opened last fall are 98 percent full, while in Gainesville many complexes are struggling with their worst occupancy rates ever. The KidWorks preschool expansion was full before its recent opening and has a waiting list to get in."   Based upon the principles of Smart Growth, the Town of Tioga o... 10/30/2009

Let's all have great fun for Halloween this year!  We should have good weather, and it would be great if we had a touch of fall weather.....(come on cold front, send us a cool breeze). I never get any trick or treaters at my home, so I will be at my mom's neighborhood, helping give out the treats to all the kids in South Pointe! Watch out for all those little trick or treaters in your neighborhood!     And here is a cute HALLOWEEN FUNNY that I got via email today......you may have already seen this one but it just cracked me up!! 10/30/2009

UNDER CONTRACT: 929 NE 7th Ave, Gainesville, FL after 26 days on the market and multiple offers! Congratulations to one of my sellers in the Duck Pond area of North East Gainesville, FL. After 26 days on the market and a tough start with several new foreclosure listings, we are under contract and closing before the end of November. Real Estate Market Activity Report for the Duck Pond area in Gainesville, FL - October 2009 The Difference Professional Photography Makes - Gainesville Real Estate Listing Example Gainesville, FL Real Estate - New Listing - 929 NE 7th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 in historic Duckpond community To learn more about buying or selling in the Duck Pond area, visit our website to view homes for sale in Duck Pond, or contact a local Gainesville Realtor. 10/28/2009

Halloween Happenings around Gainesville   Looking to expand beyond tooth decay on Halloween?  These local Halloween events around Gainesville just may fit the bill:   Friday, October 30 (in case one day is not enough)   Historic Halloween Haunt: Matheson Museum, 513 E. University Avenue (378-2280). Tours at 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM.  The 5:30 PM tour is for children.  Trick-or-treat and learn about area history in historic downtown Gainesville. Treats, refreshments, palm readings and more.  Cost: $5   Dracuween Kids Party: 6 P.M., Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, UF campus (371-2986). A Halloween party put on by the Dance Alive National Ballet with punch, cookies and a costume contest. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $15   Saturday, October 31 (Happy Halloween!)   Boo... 10/28/2009

While driving out Millhopper Road yesterday, I saw the most unique Halloween decoration in someone's yard.....and I didn't have my camera with me.   So, today I made sure I  had my camera.   I thought it rated a photo to share. I don't know the owners that live in this home, but it sure get's "two thumbs up" for creativity !! What a creative way to paint and decorate a roll of hay !!  So take a drive out Millhopper Road and this home is on the south side before you get to CR 241.  They deserve a decoration AWARD !   10/27/2009

Educating Real Estate Agents On How To Use Modern Technologies To Better Their Business Will Never Be The Same! On November 17th, 2009 dozens of the most respected educators in the real estate industry converge to host the first of its kind, Virtual Real Estate BarCamp. Virtual Real Estate BarCamp is a 1-Day Learning Extravaganza.From 9am until 4pm PST, three concurrent webinar "rooms" will each host 9 different sessions, for a total of 27 different presentations.There is something for everyone and everything for someone, and best of all, IT IS FREE and attendance is unlimited! Click below to:Register.Learn more.See who is coming.Check out the Session Calendar.Get sponsorship info. Attendance is projected to be at least 1000 agents, nationwide.Do not miss out on being part of this grou... 10/26/2009

Haile Plantation Fall 2009 Events: Halloween Hauntings at Haile Pasture Saturday October 31st 4-8pm Free admission! Didn't get tickets to Florida-Georgia? Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? Join us at the Haile Pasture for a Haunted Trail Walk, Hot Cider, Yummy Chili, and lots of Games and Prizes! This event is free and open to the public. Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Allison Law @ 352-338-0606 or Jan Benet @ 352-538-3067 Visit our website to learn more about Haile Plantation. 10/26/2009

"It's Like Christmas in October": The Haile Village Oktoberfest   The Haile Village Oktoberfest is the biggest private party held in the area each year (not counting Gator tail-Gators, of course).  Drawing approximately 4,000 visitors a year, The Haile Village Oktoberfest lights up the night of this neighborhood square, featuring live bands, lots of food, lots of drink, and lots of fun for the kids.  Area businesses turn on the lights and open their doors late for this community event.  This year's Oktoberfest featured The Danscompany of Gainesville's staging of a show-stopping performance of "Thriller" to a jam-packed crowd lining both sides of the street.       10/25/2009

Real Estate Market Activity Report for the Duck Pond area in Gainesville, FL - October 2009 The Duck Pond area is in the historic district of North East Gainesville bordered by University Ave, N 8th Ave, Main St, and Waldo Rd. There are currently 19 homes for sale in the Duck Pond area. Since October 1st, the following homes were newly listed, price-dropped, under contract, or closed. New Listings: 535 NE 12th CtGainesville, FL 326011231 Sq Ft3 bed / 1 bath$47,900  Foreclosure 541 NE 12th CTGainesville, FL 326011192 Sq Ft3 bed / 1 bath$74,900  Foreclosure 929 NE 7th AveGainesville, FL 326011240 Sq Ft3 bed / 1 bath$169,900   Price Changes: 1035 NE 3rd AveGainesville, FL 326011958 Sq Ft4 bed / 3 bath$225,000 $219,000    New Contracts Pending:  810 NE 4th AveGainesville, FL 326011456 Sq Ft... 10/23/2009

Updated Gainesville, FL Market Conditions and Sales Reports now Available on AllisonAbles.com Looking to buy or sell a home in Gainesville, FL? Get a closer look at current market conditions in your area, including a complete breakdown of the last 12 months of sales by bedroom and type of home. For example, the report below is for the area just north of UF where homes sell for an average of $222,249 after 6.7 months on the market. A report like this is available for all of the major Gainesville area. We update this list at least every 4 weeks. The most recent data is from 10/15/2008 to 10/15/2009. Updated Market Conditions and Sales Reports Now Available: Northwest Gainesville - West of I-75Northwest Gainesville - Millhopper Road AreaNorthwest Gainesville - Between 43rd St and I-75South... 10/23/2009

Southwest Gainesville Real Estate - Homes Sold During September 2009   During the month of September, there were 36 homes sold in Southwest Gainesville, with sold prices ranging from $125,000 for a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home in Valwood to $724,000 for a 4 bedroom/4.5 bathroom home in the Stratford Ridge neighborhood of Haile Plantation. Median sold price in Southwest Gainesville for the month of September was $238,438 (half of homes sold during the month sold for more than $238,438, and half sold for less).       SOUTHWEST GAINESVILLE AREA/NEIGHBORHOOD BREAKDOWN OF HOMES SOLD:   Arredondo/Kanapaha Area: 11 Kanapaha Pines (1) Leeaire Estates (1) Longleaf (1) Meadows on the Prairie (3) Mentone (2) Willow Oak Plantation (3)   Haile Plantation area: 16 HP/Albury Round (1) HP/Carlton Court (1... 10/22/2009

Northwest Gainesville Real Estate - Homes Sold During September 2009 Forty-five (45) homes sold in Northwest Gainesville during September, selling anywhere from $55,000 for a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom home in Oak Park all the way up to $475,000 for a 5 bedroom/4.5 bathroom home in Turnberry Lake.   Median sold price in September for Northwest Gainesville was $175,000 (half of the homes sold for the month sold for more than $175,000 and half sold for less).   NORTHWEST GAINESVILLE AREA/NEIGHBORHOOD SALES BREAKDOWNS North Jonesville Area: 2 Los Trancos Woods (1) Turnberry Lake (1)   NW Gvl W of I-75: 7 Brookfield (1) Eagle Point (1) Fletchers - The Retreat (1) Hills of Santa Fe (1) Weatherly (1) Wellington (2)   NW 39th Ave. Area: 5 Emerald Woods (1) Not in Subdivision (1) Suburban Heights (1)... 10/22/2009