Another nice honor we “Ann Arborites” can add to the long and growing list of benefits of living in our great town, is the naming of the Ann Arbor District Library, as one of the top libraries in the country! The study of 7,115 libraries nationwide was based on data for circulation transactions per capita, including checkouts and renewals, visits to library buildings per capita, computer sessions per capita and program attendance per capita.

The top libraries in each category organized by ranges of operating expenses were then assigned five, four or three stars. Of the 7115 libraries evaluated for the report, 256 received the highest possible ranking of five stars. The AADL was one the 10 libraries with a five star ranking in its budget bracket(annual budget of $10million to $30 million) In Michigan, 376 libraries qualified for evaluation, but only two received stars. The other was Canton Public Library, which earned three stars in its budget bracket. For more info on the study go to http://www.libraryjournal.com/

So, way to go AADL for doing such a fine job! You make Ann Arbor a better place to live, work and play.

If you have any questions about relocating to this great city of Ann Arbor or the Washtenaw County area please feel free to contact me at the The Wickland Group Realtors at Keller Williams Realty in Ann Arbor. We’ll make it our mission to make your Ann Arbor relocation as stress free as possible because… Your Move Matters To Us!

By Steve Wickland
Jo Mathis of AANews Contributed

Did you know that home-ownership if done correctly, can be one of the best investments one can make? Well in case you haven’t heard the news-The First-Time Home Buyer Credit has been increased to $8000.00! Combine that with today’s LOW interest rates, lots of inventory and motivated sellers, you have quite possibly the best time in decades to finally purchase that home you’ve been dreaming of.

• 1: 1st Time Buyer Credit Expires 12/1/2009
• 2: Credit amount has been increased to $8000.00
• 3: Credit is available for 1st Time Home Buyers only
• 4: Available for home buyers with Adjusted Gross Incomes not exceeding $75,000 and $150,000 on joint return – Phases out above these caps($95,000 and $170,000)
• 5: No repayment of credit for purchases on or after 1/1/2009 and before 12/1/2009  
• 6: Single Family-Condo-Co-op-Townhomes used as a principal residence qualify
• 7: If home is sold with first 3 years of purchase, entire amount of credit is *recaptured on sale of property. *2009 purchased homes only
• 8: All changes to Home Buyer Tax Credit are effective as of 1/1/2009

By Steve Wickland