Bechtelhomes's Blog

“COAT THE COMMUNITY” Saturday, Oct. 16 9:00-Noon, County Market Parking Lot at Kirby Ave. & Duncan Rd, Champaign

bechtelhomes — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:55:46 +0000

Online Shopping this Holiday Season? Read these tips!

bechtelhomes — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:27:49 +0000

As online shopping becomes more popular this holiday season, it is important to know some important tips regarding your online security. When you enter a website you must check if they use encryption technology. So how can you tell if a website uses this technology and if your information is safe?

1. When you look at the web address make sure you see “https://” at the beginning of the address. In this example, the most important item to focus on is the “s”. This is the symbol which indicates security. Please note that on some websites you will only see this on the order page.

2. When you look at the bottom of the page you will also see a closed padlock, if this is open you can consider the website unsafe.

Now that you know what to look for in terms of security, another important measure you can take is to make sure you use a credit card vs a debit or check card. If something goes wrong while you are using your credit card, you are protected by the Federal Fair Credit Billing Act and can dispute unknown charges. When using a debit or check card you will not have the same protection, and online thieves can get access to your account information. Note this is only in the circumstance you run into trouble.

Please view http://bechtehomes.com to search all homes in Champaign County.

Illinois Text Messaging Ban in 2010

bechtelhomes — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:55:47 +0000

Effective January 1st, 2010 Illinois will have a new text messaging law in place. While operating a motor vehicle on a roadway, it will now be against the law to use an electronic device to compose, send or read an electronic message. In this case, the term “Electronic Message” includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text message, an instant message, or a command or request to access an internet site.

Please visit the following link at http://www.drivinglaws.org/ill.php for more information on this law.

Please visit http://www.BechtelHomes.com to search all homes in Champaign County.

Good News for Natural Gas Customers the Heating Season!

bechtelhomes — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:59:56 +0000

With lower natural gas prices in our future, we are looking at some good news for our heating season. These lower prices are a result of a drop in worldwide demand for energy. Ameren Illinois Utilities are anticipating that the 2009-2010 heating season prices will be on average 26 percent less than last year’s heating season.

Search all Champaign County Homes at http://www.BechtelHomes.com

Home Buyers Tax Credit information

bechtelhomes — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:54:55 +0000

The legislation for the Home Buyers Tax Credit has officially been passed as of November 7, 2009. The first-time home buyer credit of up to $8000 has been extended until April 30, 2010. The law has also been expanded to include current homeowners who have lived in their home at least five consecutive years in the last eight.

Please visit www.BechtelHomes.com to search all homes in Champaign County.

Update on Extension of Home Buyer Tax Credit

bechtelhomes — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:02:43 +0000

Today, the House voted 403-12 to extend and expand the tax credit to include many buyers who already own homes. The Senate already approved on Wednesday, and the White House said President Barack Obama would sign it Friday.

Not only will the $8000 Tax Credit be extended till June 2010 for First-Time Home Buyers but it will aslo be expanded to include existing homeowners who have lived in their home at least 5 years. They would be eligible for up to a $6500 Tax Credit.

Visit: www.bechtelhomes.com for the latest real estate news.

Likely Extension of the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

bechtelhomes — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:18:59 +0000

Although the extension of the first-time home buyer tax credit is still uncertain, according to an article from The Wall Street Journal, Senate negotiators have reached a tentative deal to extend the tax credit.

If passed, the new agreement would extend the already existing $8000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, and in addition offer a new credit of up to $6500 for some existing homeowners. In this case, existing homeowners would be defined as the following: those who have been in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period in the past Eight years.

The extension would apply to all contracts entered into by April 30, 2010 and closed before July 1, 2010. Income limits would also be increased broadening eligibility.

Visit: www.BechtelHomes.com for your real estate needs.

Coat the Community 2009

bechtelhomes — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:46:49 +0000

This year we reached our goal of a 1000 coats collected! Thank you to everyone who helped us with the event this year including the Salvation Army, WCIA, 92.5-The Chief, County Market, and Herriots! Also a special thanks to everyone that donated gift certificates for our contest including Atlanta Bread Company, Buffalo Wild Wings, County Market, EL Toro, Monicals, Pet Supplies Plus and Tripe T Carwash! Congratulations to all our winners!

Thanks to the generosity of our community, many local families in need will have warm coats this winter.

What is Home Staging?

bechtelhomes — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:02:27 +0000

When preparing your home for sale it is a great idea to think about “staging” your home. Staging will set the scene in your home to create immediate buyer interest in your property. This will then lead to your home selling for the highest possible price in today’s market.

Staging can be especially important in vacant homes with no furniture. When a vacant home is staged with even a few furniture pieces and accessories in can make all the difference in the world, and get the right buyers attention.

Visit www.BechtelHomes.com to search homes in Champaign County and more!

Home Buyer Tax Credit Possible Extension!

bechtelhomes — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:39:31 +0000

As it stands the $8000 Home Buyer Tax Credit is set to expire December 1st 2009. Lawmakers are currently trying extend the program through June of 2010 removing the first time home buyer requirements as well as to raise the eligibility income limits.

According to the Associated Press, nationally first time home buyer sales have increased roughly 25%. The program has worked to stimulate home sales activity, and lawmakers feel that it is necessary to extend the credit to keep up sales activity and most importantly consumer confidence.

Locally in Champaign, we have seen an increase in homes sales in the last 3 months over the same time period in 2008. This program has been great for potential buyers on the fence of whether or not to move forward with their home purchase. We are hopeful for the extension as it would continue to build consumer confidence as well as boost sales activity locally as well as nationally.

Please visit us again for any updates on the potential extension of the Tax Credit.

Visit http://www.BechtelHomes.com to speak with your local real estate professional today