Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone!!!

Hello everyone, Urban Realty wants to wish you all very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays this year. We thank you all for making Urban Realty as special and unique as it is! We love you all and thanks for a great year!!!!! Bring on the New Decade as we welcome 2010!!!

Ice Skating in Uptown has returned again!!!!!

We are all so excited to see the return of the ice skating rink at "The Green" in the premiere location at the Ratcliff in Uptown Charlotte. My son has enjoyed this every year and is now quite good at it. He is 7 years old and loves just watching all the "big people" fall. He laughs out loud with his full belly convictions. So come have some family fun and skate around Charlotte. It will stay around unil January 9, 2010. Tickets are $7.00.

Save a Bundle with this home to-do list!

Christopher Solomen of MSN Real Estate explains that energy-efficient upgrades mean lower utility bills, but they can also earn you tax credits - this year or next year. Read more by clicking on the title above.

National Green Building Code is in the works

The construction zone is basically the entire country. The builders are a variety of specialists, including architects, plumbers, masons, and lighting, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning experts. Since July, they have been meeting in cities - they were in Philadelphia, PA last month - to construct not with bricks and steel beams, but with words. The goal: a code to guide all development of green commercial buildings in the United States. The international Green Building Code would, as its name implies, also be available to other countries. Read more at the link.

Tax Credit Extension has Passed!!!

Earlier today the House of Representatives passed legislation to extend and expand the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, which was approved by the Senate this week. The legislation will be sent to the President, and upon his signature, made law. NAMB strongly advocated for an extension and expansion of the homebuyer tax credit, and considers this a victory for consumers, the housing industry, and NAMB.

Under the legislation, homebuyers will qualify for the tax credit until April 30, 2009 (as long as they have entered a binding contract), and have an additional 2 months (until June 30, 2009) to close the transaction. Borrower income limits have also been increased to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for couples (up from $75,000 and $150,000 respectively under the current program). The legislation also includes a tax credit not exceeding $6,500 for move up buyers who have owned their current homes for at least 5 years.

Halloween Safety

Halloween is just around the corner, and this year it will fall on the best of days: Saturday! What a great year to go all out with your Halloween decorations and host a Halloween party!

Here are some tips from the Fire Department to keep you, your guests, and all your little goblins safe as you create your own “Monster Ball” or get ready for a night of trick-or-treating:

1. Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns away from curtains, decorations, and other combustibles.
2. Never leave candles unattended.
3. Make sure indoor or outdoor lights have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Check wiring and extension cords for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
4. Don't overload extension cords or electrical sockets.
5. Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns away from high traffic areas to avoid being knocked over.

Other safety tips include:
• Look for “Flame Resistant” labels on costumes.
• Make sure masks do not hamper the visibility of the wearer.
• Choose costumes made with bright colors to make them visible to motorists.
• Give Trick-or-Treaters flashlights to help them see better at night.
• Costumes should be well fitting to prevent tripping or falling.
• Children should use crosswalks and not run into the street from between parked cars.
• Parents or other responsible adults should accompany children.
• Parents should closely examine the treats collected by the children to ensure that they are safe to eat.

VA Loans extended $8000 TAX CREDIT

For one more year, veterans will be able to receive the $8000 Tax Credit for first time home buyers announced yesterday!!!! Call Urban Realty for more details. 704.377.8212