Bechtelhomes's Blog

Good News for Natural Gas Customers the Heating Season!
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 [...]

Home Buyers Tax Credit information
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 [...]

Update on Extension of Home Buyer Tax Credit
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 [...]

Likely Extension of the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit
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 [...]

Coat the Community 2009
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, [...]

What is Home Staging?
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 [...]

Home Buyer Tax Credit Possible Extension!
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 [...]

Have an Investment Property?
Do you have an investment property, or are you thinking about purchasing one?  Do you handle everything by yourself or do you use a property management company?  Today I wanted to talk about some of the advantages of using a property management company to help manage a rental/investment property.  So what can a property management company do [...]

Top things not to do before making a home purchase.
Since it is a great time to buy real estate, I thought today I would focus on the most important items not to do before buying a home.   Making a large purchase that could affect your buying power, such as a Boat, Car or Furniture Opening any new revolving credit accounts as too many inquiries and new [...]

Exciting News in the Champaign County Real Estate Market
Our local market has some exciting news to share.  We have had three months in a row where sales in 2009 were better than in 2008.  In fact, September was a whopping 17.6% better than a year ago.  Interest rates continue to be low and the $8000 tax credit is still available for those who [...]