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Home Buyer Tax Credit: 10 Things to Know
November 20th, 2009 9:16 AM

On Nov. 6, the president signed the new Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 into law. The centerpiece of this legislation is the extension and liberalization of what is now inaccurately called the first-time home buyer credit.

 

Here are the 10 most important things to know about the revamped credit.

1. New purchase deadline extends into 2010

The home buyer credit was previously scheduled to expire on Nov. 30, 2009. The new law extends the deal to cover purchases of U.S. principal residences that close by April 30, 2010. However, if a home is under contract on that date, the deadline for closing is extended to June 30, 2010.

2. Existing homeowners can now qualify

The new law allows a reduced credit for existing homeowners who buy a replacement U.S. principal residence after Nov. 6, 2009. The credit equals the lesser of: (1) $6,500, or (2) 10% of the price of the replacement home, or (3) $3,250 for a buyer who uses married filing separate status. The new existing-homeowner credit is only available for purchases that close after Nov. 6, 2009. To qualify, the buyer must have owned and used the same home as a principal residence for at least five consecutive years during the eight-year period ending on the purchase date for the replacement principal residence. If you’re married, your spouse must pass this test too (whether or not you file jointly).

3. Larger credits still allowed for first-time buyers

Before the new law, the home buyer credit was only available to so-called first-time buyers, which means someone who had not owned a U.S. principal residence during the three-year period ending on the purchase date for a home that will serve as the buyer’s new principal residence. If you’re married, both you and your spouse must pass the three-year test (whether or not you file jointly). These first-time home buyer rules still apply for purposes of claiming a larger credit of up to $8,000. Specifically, the credit for a first-time buyer still equals the lesser of: (1) $8,000, or (2) 10% of the home purchase price, or (3) $4,000 if you use married filing separate status.

4. Higher-income folks can now qualify

The home buyer credit is phased out (reduced or completely eliminated) as income goes up. However, the new law significantly raises the phase-out ranges so that many more higher-income buyers will now qualify.

* For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the phase-out range for unmarried individuals and married folks who file separately is between modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $125,000 and $145,000 (way up from the old-law range of $75,000-$95,000).

* The phase-out range for married joint filers is now between MAGI of $225,000 and $245,000 (way up from the previous range of $150,000-$170,000).

5. New $800,000 purchase price limit

For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the credit can only be claimed for a principal residence that costs $800,000 or less. So if your new home costs $800,001, the credit is completely off limits (but I doubt too many people will feel sorry for you).

6. No more credits for kids or dependents

For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the home buyer must be at least 18 years old on the purchase date to qualify for the credit. Also, no credit is allowed for a buyer who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s Form 1040 for the year of the purchase. These new rules are intended to shut down the practice of claiming the credit for youngish buyers who really don’t even have incomes of their own (like college students who use money from their parents to buy a pad near campus).

7. New anti-fraud rules

A recent government report said the IRS has already identified over 100,000 returns with potentially fraudulent home buyer credits. This is hardly surprising when the government is willing to give away up to $8,000 in free money to anyone who files a return, even when that person reports no income. Believe it or not, absolutely no documentation was required to claim the credit, until now. For credits claimed on 2009 and 2010 returns, buyers must attach a properly executed real estate settlement sheet to the return. Also, the IRS can now simply disallow credits in fishy circumstances (like when it appears the $8,000 credit is being claimed by someone who already owns a home).

8. Credits can still be claimed on prior-year returns

Under the revamped rules, you can still claim the credit for a 2009 purchase on your 2008 return (although you would now generally have to file an amended return to do so). You can also claim the credit for a 2010 purchase on your 2009 Form 1040. This allows you to cash in on the credit sooner rather than later, and it may also allow you to claim a larger credit if your income in the year of purchase is higher than in the preceding year.

9. Credits must still be repaid in some cases

Under old-law rules for homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008, buyers are generally required to repay the credit over 15 years. However, this repayment rule is generally eliminated for purchases after 2008. That said, you might still have to repay the credit if you sell your home within three years of the purchase date or stop using it as your principal residence during that period.

10. Special rules for military service members

For military service members on extended duty outside the U.S., the new law lengthens the deadline for closing on home purchases for an extra year, to April 30, 2011 (or June 30, 2011 for homes under contract on April 30, 2011). The new law also waives the credit repayment rules for service members who are forced to move due to receiving new orders. The same special rules apply to members of the foreign service and intelligence communities


Posted by Lisa Menton on November 20th, 2009 9:16 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Senators Agree To Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit - Proposed Plan Would Give Repeat Buyers Reduced Tax Credit
October 29th, 2009 10:29 PM
Senators Agree To Extend Homebuyer Tax Credit

Proposed Plan Would Give Repeat Buyers Reduced Tax Credit

 
Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers.

The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but is set to expire at the end of November. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that new home sales fell 3.6 percent in September, and some industry representatives blamed uncertainty about the tax credit.

Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

The tax credits would be available to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes, according to a summary of the legislation being circulated among lawmakers.

Senators were still negotiating the expansion of a separate tax credit that lets money-losing businesses get refunds for taxes paid in previous years, providing them with an immediate source of cash.

Senators in both political parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as Thursday, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.

Popular bills like the one to extend unemployment benefits often attract amendments that would have a difficult time passing on their own.

Republicans were demanding that they be given a chance to offer amendments to restrict federal aid to the beleaguered community activist group ACORN and on requiring that people receiving unemployment insurance be processed through E-Verify, an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.

Majority Democrats have refused to add the amendments.

If the Senate passes the bill, it would go to the House, which passed a similar bill extending unemployment benefits last month. House leaders have also said they support extending the tax credit for homebuyers.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., has been negotiating for several weeks with Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., to craft an extended tax credit for homebuyers that would pass the Senate.

Lawmakers didn't release a cost estimate for extending the tax credit, though similar proposals were projected to cost about $10 billion.

Industry representatives said uncertainty about the tax credit is hurting new home sales. September's decline was the first since March.

It takes 45 days to 60 days to close on a house, making it unlikely a sale made today would be consummated by the end of November, said Lucien Salvant, spokesman for the National Association of Realtors.

"Buyers right now have an incentive to hold off, not knowing whether the credit will be extended," Salvant said.

About 1.4 million first-time homebuyers have qualified for the credit through August. The National Association of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not have purchased their homes without the credit.

The tax credit for money-losing businesses is a favorite among Republican lawmakers. Businesses could get tax refunds by using losses from 2008 and 2009 to offset taxable profits made in the previous five years. Under current law, they can only offset profits from the previous two years.

The provision would help a variety of industries, including retailers, manufacturers and home builders, though it's expensive.

"It's clearly a way to put cash in the hands of some major economic players," said Clint Stretch, a tax policy expert at Deloitte Tax.

A similar proposal that was ultimately dropped from the economic stimulus package enacted in February would have cost nearly $20 billion over 10 years. Lawmakers are working to reduce the price tag.

Because people are so strapped for cash, this is a good way to get refunds when businesses need them for operating expenses, said Rachelle Bernstein, vice president and tax counsel for the National Retail Federation.

Posted by Lisa Menton on October 29th, 2009 10:29 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Cash For Clunkers Goes Indoors: Tax Credit To Be Available When Buying Energy-Efficient Insulation, Windows, Heaters
September 5th, 2009 11:12 PM

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Cash For Clunkers Goes Indoors: Tax Credits To Be Available When Buying Energy-Efficient Insulation, Windows, Heaters

By JANICE PODSADA

The Hartford Courant

September 6, 2009

Is your water heater or oil furnace an energy glutton? There's hope — even better than hope, federal tax credits — if you replace it with an energy-efficient product.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the same federal stimulus program that produced Cash for Clunkers, provides tax credits to consumers who purchase qualifying energy-efficient products, including insulation, storm windows and metal and reflective asphalt shingles.

Buying new windows and doors? Replacing an old water heater with a solar-powered water heater? Putting a new roof over your head? You may be eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of materials, up to $1,500 for qualifying products placed into service between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 31, 2010.

And the best part about this "clunker" program is that you don't have to physically trade in your old drafty windows or central air conditioning unit. Just save your purchase receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement.

Here's how it works:

A tax credit reduces the amount of taxes you owe. For example: If you owe $2,000 in federal taxes, a $1,500 refundable tax credit would lower your bill to $500.

In most cases, qualifying home improvements must be made to your primary residence. In some cases, you may receive tax credits for improvements to a second home.

So what's on the list?

In some cases, not only is the product eligible for a tax credit, but the installation costs also are covered by the program. If they meet the criteria, the installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, biomass stoves, water heaters, solar panels, geothermal heat pumps, wind energy systems or fuel cells are covered by the tax-credit program. The tax credit is 30 percent of the total cost (the product plus installation), up to $1,500.

Installation costs are not covered by the tax credit for roofs, insulation, windows or doors.

And if you can't make the improvement this year or next, remember that some tax credits are available until 2016 — at 30 percent of the cost, with no upper limit — for geothermal heat pumps, solar panels, solar water heaters, small wind-energy systems and fuel cells.

For a complete list of restrictions and requirements, go to www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

Appliances

The recovery act also provides $300 million nationwide in consumer rebates for qualified Energy Star appliances, including central air conditioners, boilers, dishwashers, refrigerators, oil and gas furnaces and other appliances.

Connecticut has applied for $3.4 million in energy rebates for state residents. Under the program, each state has been asked to develop an Energy Star rebate program, allowing leeway to select which appliances are to be covered and the amount of the rebate.

The state plans are due Oct. 15. State officials said they are still developing the plan, but it will be available on the governor's recovery agency website — www.recovery.ct.gov — on Oct. 15.

It's expected that the list will include some or all of the following Energy Star appliances: central air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, room air conditioners, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, water heaters and clothes washers.

New Car Tax Rebates

If you didn't have a clunker to cash in, this still may be a good year to buy a new vehicle. The stimulus program allows taxpayers to take a deduction for state and local sales taxes and excise taxes paid on the purchase of a qualified new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycles.

The deduction is allowed on new vehicles purchased from Feb. 17 through Dec. 31 of this year. The deduction is limited to the first $49,500 of the price. The deduction begins to phase out if you earn more than $125,000, or $250,000 if you file a joint return. For details on the program, go to www.irs.gov/newsroom, and click on "Money Back for New Vehicle Purchases."

Note: Some hybrid-fuel vehicles, diesel-fueled vehicles and other vehicles that use alternative fuels may be eligible for federal tax credits: For more information, go to www.fueleconomy.gov, and click on "tax incentives."

The website lets you compare mileage ratings, estimated annual fuel cost and the carbon footprint of various vehicles.

Posted by Lisa Menton on September 5th, 2009 11:12 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 433 Johns Creek Pkwy Saint Augustine, FL 32092
September 2nd, 2009 10:41 PM
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$274,000.00
433 Johns Creek Pkwy

Saint Augustine, FL 32092



Beds: 5.0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 3.00 Sq. Ft.: 3580.00
Garage: 2.0 Built: 2005
 

Amazing spacious home in Johns Creek on CR210! Soaring Ceilings, Large formal living and dining rooms boast wood floors, roomy kitchen with large eat-in area, adjoining sunroom for extra space, big family room. One bedroom/office on main floor with full bath w/access to outside. All bedrooms are generously sized, one is often designated the Media Room! If you want space this is the home for you!
This is a new listing that
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images, and much more.
 

If you have any questions
about this property or
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please feel free to call.

Lisa Menton
Watson Realty Corp
9049230678
lisamenton.agentxsites.com



 
  Visit this listing at Here

Posted by Lisa Menton on September 2nd, 2009 10:41 PMPost a Comment (0)

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15 Ways to Save on Homeowners Insurance:
June 28th, 2009 10:12 PM
15 ways to save on homeowners insurance:

It takes work, but shopping around is the best way to get a good deal. Here are 14 other ways to reduce your premiums.

You can save money on homeowners insurance if you know how. Discounts from your insurance company are available for a variety of reasons, ranging from the type of building material used to build your home to how close you live to a fire station.

Here are 12 ways you can save money on your homeowners policy:

Shop around. Check with several different insurance companies to get rate quotes. Do your friends or family members like their insurance company? Get online quotes from sites like MSN Money.

Raise your deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance kicks in. Typically, deductibles start at $250. Increase your deductible to:
$500 and save up to 12% on your premiums.
$1,000 and save up to 24%.
$2,500 and save up to 30%.
$5,000 and save up to 37%.
Just make sure you can afford to pay the higher deductible if something should happen.

Buy your home and auto policies from the same company. Many companies will give a discount if you buy both homeowners and auto coverage from them.

Consider insurance consequences when buying a home. If you're looking at buying a home, think about the cost of insuring the home. A newer home's electrical, heating and plumbing systems, and overall structure are likely to be in better condition than those of an older home. This can lead to a discount on your premiums.
Also consider the construction of the home and your geographical location. If you live on the East Coast, you'll want the house to be able to stand up to wind damage; on the West Coast, you need to keep earthquakes in mind.

Insure your home, not the land. Although your home and its contents are at risk from fire, theft, windstorms and other perils, the land your house sits on is not. Don't include the value of the land in deciding how much homeowners insurance you need to buy.

Improve security and safety. Items such as deadbolt locks, burglar alarms and smoke detectors often bring discounts of 5% each, depending on the company. Your insurance company may also offer a significant discount of 15% or 20% if you install a sophisticated home-security system. If you're thinking about buying such a system, check with your insurer to see which systems they recommend and which will earn you a discount.


Stop smoking. Smoking accidents account for more than 23,000 residential fires every year. Some insurers offer to reduce premiums if no one in the home smokes.

Try senior discounts. Insurance companies have found that retired people stay at home more and spot fires sooner than working people. Older people also have more time for maintaining their homes. If you're at least 55 years old and retired, you might qualify for a discount of as much as 10%.

Ask about group coverage. Alumni and business associations often work out insurance deals with an insurance company, which includes a discount for association members. Ask your association's director about any such deals.

Stay with an insurer. If you've kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive special consideration. Several insurers will reduce their premiums by 5% after you've been with them for three to five years, and some companies will discount you as much as 10% after six years.

Check your policy annually. You want your policy to reflect the value of your home and belongings. If you review your policy every year, you will be able to make the necessary adjustments. If, for example, you just sold a valuable painting, you won't need the same amount of coverage. But if you added a garage, you'll need to increase your coverage.

Look for private insurance first. If you live in a high-risk area (one that is especially vulnerable to coastal storms, fires or crime) and think you'll be forced to buy homeowners coverage from your state's high-risk insurance pool, check first with an insurance agent. You may find that you can still buy insurance at a lower price in the private insurance market than from the insurer of last resort.

Make payments electronically. Many companies now charge up to $5 for mailed payments, so have your payments automatically deducted to shave that cost. Sometimes the deductions can come from your credit card, so you don't have to worry if the money is in your bank account when payment time comes.

Check your credit rating. Many companies check your credit and base your policy on the information they find. Make sure your credit is in good shape, and if it's not, seek out companies that do not run credit checks.

Get replacement-cost coverage. Actual-cash-value coverage reimburses you for the cost of your property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible. This can result in a lower claim payout than you expect. If your TV is worth $50, for example, that's all you'd get to buy a new one. Replacement-cost coverage will reimburse the full value of an item based on the cost of purchasing a new one. The upfront cost is greater, but you are more likely to receive accurate compensation for your possessions.

Posted by Lisa Menton on June 28th, 2009 10:12 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Bank of America revises short sale policy
May 31st, 2009 8:32 PM
NEW YORK – May 19, 2009 – Bank of America, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders, says it is loosening its policies on short sales in response to the U.S. Treasury Department’s announcement last week that it would increase incentives for lenders to work out short sale deals.

The government’s plan is a boon to banks, says David Sunline, BofA’s real estate management executive, because it provides guidance when there are multiple liens, a potentially litigious issue for lenders.

In the past, the bank followed Fannie Mae’s policy of giving second lien holders about 10 percent of the second mortgage balance in a short sale. Now when it holds the second lien, BofA will accept 5 percent of the net proceeds of the short sale, Sunline says. When it is the first lien holder, it will offer 5 percent to the holder of the second lien.

Sunline says homeowners considering short sales should contact the bank within five days of getting an offer on the home and expect its cooperation as long as the offer is within the range of other sales in the area and the borrower can demonstrate financial hardship.

Source: The New York Times, Bob Tedeschi (05/15/2009)

Posted by Lisa Menton on May 31st, 2009 8:32 PMPost a Comment (0)

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For 2009 Home Purchases: Information on $8,000 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
May 1st, 2009 11:12 PM

For 2009, Congress has increased the credit to $8000, removed the repayment feature for some buyers, and made several additional improvements. This revised $8000 tax credit applies to purchases on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

For home purchasesbetween Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2009...
You may be eligible for a $8,000 tax credit. Please review detailed information on this page to determine eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What's this new homebuyer tax incentive for 2009?

The 2008 $7500, repayable credit is increased to $8000 and the repayment feature is eliminated for 2009 purchasers. Any home that is purchased for $80,000 or more qualifies for the full $8000 amount. If the house costs less than $80,000, the credit will be 10% of the cost. Thus, if an individual purchased a home for $75,000, the credit would be $7500. It is available for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

Who is eligible?

Only first-time homebuyers are eligible. A person is considered a first-time buyer if he/she has not had any ownership interest in a home in the three years previous to the day of the 2009 purchase.

How does a tax credit work?

Every dollar of a tax credit reduces income taxes by a dollar. Credits are claimed on an individual’s income tax return. Thus, a qualified purchaser would figure out all the income items and exemptions and make all the calculations required to figure out his/her total tax due. Then, once the total tax owed has been computed, tax credits are applied to reduce the total tax bill. So, if before taking any credits on a tax return a person has total tax liability of $9500, an $8000 credit would wipe out all but $1500 of the tax due. ($9,500 - $8000 = $1500)

So what happens if the purchaser is eligible for an $8000 credit but their entire income tax liability for the year is only $6000?

This tax credit is what's called "refundable" credit. Thus, if the eligible purchaser's total tax liability was $6000, the IRS would send the purchaser a check for $2000. The refundable amount is the difference between $8000 credit amount and the amount of tax liability. ($8000 - $6000 = $2000) Most taxpayers determine their tax liability by referring to tables that the IRS prepares each year.

How does withholding affect my tax credit and my refund?

A few examples are provided at the end of this document. There are several steps in this calculation, but most income tax software programs are equipped to make that determination.

What are the filing options to consider?

The filing options to consider are:

File an extension. Taxpayers who haven't yet filed their 2008 returns but are buying a home soon can request a six-month extension to October 15. This step would be faster than waiting until next year to claim it on the 2009 tax return. Even with an extension, taxpayers could still file electronically, receiving their refund in as few as 10 days with direct deposit.

File now, amend later. Taxpayers due a sizable refund for their 2008 tax return but who also are considering buying a house in the next few months can file their return now and claim the credit later. Taxpayers would file their 2008 tax forms as usual, then follow up with an amended return later this year to claim the homebuyer credit.

Amend the 2008 tax return. Taxpayers buying a home in the near future who have already filed their 2008 tax return can consider filing an amended tax return. The amended tax return will allow them to claim the homebuyer credit on the 2008 return without waiting until next year to claim it on the 2009 return.

Claim the credit in 2009 rather than 2008. For some taxpayers, it may make more financial sense to wait and claim the homebuyer credit next year when they file the 2009 tax return rather than claiming it now on the 2008 tax return. This could benefit taxpayers who might qualify for a higher credit on the 2009 tax return. This could include people who have less income in 2009 than 2008 because of factors such as a job loss or drop in investment income.

The IRS reminds taxpayers the amount of the credit begins to phase out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is more than $75,000, or $150,000 for joint filers. Taxpayers can claim 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.

Is there an income restriction?

Yes. The income restriction is based on the tax filing status the purchaser claims when filing his/her income tax return. Individuals filing Form 1040 as Single (or Head of Household) are eligible for the credit if their income is no more than $75,000. Married couples who file a Joint return may have income of no more than $150,000.

How is my "income" determined?

For most individuals, income is defined and calculated in the same manner as their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on their 1040 income tax return. AGI includes items like wages, salaries, interest and dividends, pension and retirement earnings, rental income and a host of other elements. AGI is the final number that appears on the bottom line of the front page of an IRS Form 1040.

What if I worked abroad for part of the year?

Some individuals have earned income and/or receive housing allowances while working outside the US. Their income will be adjusted to reflect those items to measure Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Their eligibility for the credit will be based on their MAGI.

Do I have to repay the 2009 tax credit? NO. There is no repayment for 2009 tax credits. Unless they sell within 3 years of closing using this credit.

How do I apply for the credit? ?

There is no pre-purchase authorization, application or similar approval process. All eligible purchasers simply claim the credit on their IRS Form 1040 tax return. The credit will be reflected on a new Form 5405 that will be attached to the 1040. Form 5405 can be found at www.irs.gov.

I have a home under construction. Am I eligible for the credit? Yes, so long as you actually occupy the home before December 1, 2009.



***HERE IS A PERFECT 1ST HOME FOR YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMAZING TAX CREDIT***





617 Johns Creek, St. Augustine, FL 32092
Price: $198,000
MLS #: 449070
Bedrooms: 3
Full Baths: 2
Half Baths: 0
Agent:
Lisa Menton
Description
ANOTHER AMAZING LISTING BY TOP PRODUCING REALTOR:
LISA MENTON
WATSON REALTY CORP - 904-923-0678

Absolutely perfect cul-de-sac home in Johns Creek. Beautiful exterior with stone accents and pavered walkway greet you as you enter a lovely three bedroom, two bath home that backs to a private preserve. Everything has been meticulously maintained, thoughtfully cared for and this home shows extremely well. Cozy kitchen, spacious family room, gorgeous master suite, covered lanai. Just perfect!
Additional Info
Type: Residential
Subdivision: Johns Creek
Square Ft: 1505
Taxes: 0.00
Parking: 2 Car Attached Garage
Elementary: Timberlin Creek
Middle School: Switerland Point
High School: Allen D. Nease



Posted by Lisa Menton on May 1st, 2009 11:12 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Existing Home Sales - April Report Updated: 4/8/2009
April 24th, 2009 12:20 AM

Existing Home Sales - April Report
Last Updated: 4/8/2009

Home Sales Pace

Sales of existing homes perked up in February, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. The number of sales grew to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 4.72 million units, up from 4.49 million in January. The current pace is still down however; over February 2008, figures when sales reached a seasonally adjusted 5.03 million units.

The national median home price actually increased in February for the first time in seven months. The price rose to $165,400 from $164,800 in January, led by strong gains in the Northeast. One year ago, the national median price was higher at $195,600.

The NAR defines existing homes as all previously owned single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, and co-ops. The group “seasonally adjusts” the sales numbers to factor in things like inclement weather, school sessions, winter holidays, etc to smooth out the trends. The NAR also describes its sales data based on an annual pace. The monthly figure represents the total number of housing units sold in one year if the current rate were to continue unchanged.

Sales Pace by Region

Home sales were up across the board in February for an average 5.1 percent nationwide, with the Northeast leading the way. Sales there increased by 15.6 percent to 740,000 units, up from 640,000 the previous month. From the February 2008 sales, however, the numbers are still down 14.9 percent.

The South also showed a significant increase in sales, with numbers growing to 1.74 million units, up 6.1 percent from 1.64 million in January. In year-over-year comparisons, sales in the South are still down 11.2 percent though.

The West had a slower monthly growth rate, with sales rising 2.6 percent to 1.2 million from 1.17 million the previous month. Compared with last year, however, sales are up an incredible 30.4 percent!

The Midwest saw a slight increase in sales in February, with a 1.0 percent up-tick to 1.04 million homes, from 1.03 million in January. Sales in that region are still down 14.0 percent over February 2008 figures.

Home Prices

The median home price, the point at which half of all homes sold for more and half sold for less, rose in February in the Northeast and South, stayed constant in the Midwest, and fell in the West.

The median price in the Northeast jumped up to $251,200 from 227,000 in January, but it is down 4.8 percent from a year ago when the price was $264,000.

The South experienced a median price growth to 146,700 from 143,300, although the price is down 10.0 percent over the previous year.

In the Midwest, the median price remained $131,000 for the second month, but it is still down 4.8 percent from February 2008.

The median price took a deep plunge in the West in February, falling to $204,600 from $215,500 the month before. The current price is down 30.3 percent over last year, a sign of how over-inflated Western home prices grew during the housing boom.

Inventory

The number of existing homes for sale rose 5.2 percent to 3.8 million units from 3.6 million in January. However, at the current higher sales pace, the homes on the market represent a 9.7-month supply, the same amount as the previous month. Total housing inventory has still fallen 5.5 percent in the last year.

Next Report

Data for March existing home sales, prices, and inventory will be available at the end of April.


Posted by Lisa Menton on April 24th, 2009 12:20 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Choosing A Mover........
March 23rd, 2009 9:36 PM
Choosing a Mover
Careful consideration is needed when deciding whether to hire a moving company or do it yourself.
There are several types of household goods moves — which one is right for you?
Full-Service Moving Choosing a moving company may seem like an overwhelming task. Where do you start? What qualities should you look for? Planning well in advance makes it more likely you'll find a good company, and also gives you time to figure out how much the move will cost. Start your research at least eight to 10 weeks before the move. Most companies give free estimates, so be sure to ask ahead of time. If the estimate is not binding, however, the final cost may differ. Factors that might affect the cost of the move include:
  • Size: The weight of your move. The more weight, the more cost.
  • Distance: The number of miles you're traveling and the states of your old home and your destination. Some carriers only serve certain states.
  • Time: The time of year you decide to move. Moving during peak times, such as the summer or holidays, means that you'll pay more for your move.
  • Packing: Many moving companies will help you pack, but keep in mind that help costs money. If you want to save money, pack as much as you can on your own, leaving only the hardest tasks for the movers.
  • Appliances: Many movers will disconnect major appliances (for example, washing machine, ice maker) at your old home and reconnect them at your new home. However, movers typically charge for this service.
  • Staircases: Do you love your new four-story house? Movers won't. Expect additional costs based on the number of staircases they need to use.
  • Pianos: Despite the beautiful music they make, pianos are big, unwieldy objects. Movers typically charge extra for each piano they move. Many companies will provide quotes online.
For more tips and articles about moving, click here.
Self-Service Moving The newest, and quickly proving most popular, way of moving is commonly called "do-it-yourself" or self-service moving. In self-service moves, the company transports your belongings from old house to new, but you have to pack and unpack everything at both ends. Most of these companies move or ship locally, nationally and internationally and may offer basic minimum insurance coverage at no cost to you. If your small move is within the same state, an hourly charge is generally applied. Additionally, most can provide safe and secure storage in the event that your destination is not ready, but make sure to check with your mover in advance of the big day.
Read tips on loading and unloading a moving truck. For more tips and articles about moving, click here.
Small Moves Small movers specialize in moves and/or relocations that are too small to meet commercial van line minimums. They also offer shipping services for consumers who need to ship items that are typically too large or cumbersome for conventional mail services. In a nutshell, think of small movers as an alternative to using self-service movers or the do-it-yourself option with the advantages of full-service movers. If you want the benefits offered by a full-service mover, but don't meet the requirements, or simply want to move a treasured item to another location, "small movers" are a good answer. Their typical list of services includes:
  • No minimum weight requirements
  • Prices are usually based on item weight
  • Local, long distance or international moving and shipping
  • Estate distribution
  • Corporate relocation
  • Air freight delivery
  • Full households, partial loads and single items
  • Antiques and precious heirlooms
  • Pianos
  • Automobiles and motorcycles
  • Oddball items
  • Packing and crating
  • Storage
For more information about small moves, click here.

Complete Self-Moving The two essential ingredients of a successful move are "personpower" and hauling capacity. Whether you rely on friends and borrowed vehicles or hire local college students and rent a truck to do the job, you need not only enough strong helpers but also the right hauling capacity. If you lack either of these, it's best not to self-move. Consider whether moving yourself actually makes economic sense. If you are moving a long distance, calculate the cost of travel: gas, tolls, meals, lodging, and so on. Add in the costs of renting a truck large enough to handle all your belongings, insuring valuable possessions, hiring additional help, and even the cost of pizza at the post-move party. Then get some estimates from professional moving companies and decide how costs compare with a self-move. Following is a guideline for estimating how much truck you'll need:

  • 10-foot truck: 1 to 2 furnished rooms
  • 14- to 15-foot truck: 2 to 3 furnished rooms
  • 18- to 20-foot truck: 4 to 5 furnished rooms
  • 22- to 24-foot truck: 6 to 8 furnished rooms

Storage

Many times a move will involve storage, whether for an "in-between" time while you are looking for a new home, or just for those extra household goods that don't make it to the new home. Through the RPS Relocation Storage Facility Locator, you can get pricing, facility and container information from a vast number of self-storage providers

Posted by Lisa Menton on March 23rd, 2009 9:36 PMPost a Comment (0)

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FIVE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME GREEN IN 2009!!
March 11th, 2009 10:28 PM

Five Ways to Make Your Home Green in 2009 

Green living is catching on. Home builders are building energy efficient homes and green communities, and individuals across the nation are taking steps to make their homes conserve more. Knowing your energy and water conservation options is half the battle, below are five things you can do to make your home greener in 2009.

1.    CFL Light Bulbs – Compact florescent light bulbs.  Probably the most popular (and easy) thing to do in your home TODAY. By replacing five of the most frequently used incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs you could save about $100 a year on your electric bill. And going for Energy Star qualified CFL bulbs can last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs and use 75% less energy. This means that just one bulb can save you $30 or more in electricity costs in its lifetime. 

2.    High Efficiency Toilets – Toilets make up about 30% of your home’s indoor water usage. Advancements in technology have helped produce toilets using 20% less water than standard and past models. Models like those found at Kohler and TOTO offer both high water efficiency and high performance. 

3.    Water Efficient Faucets – Using water efficient faucets throughout your home can save about 3-5% of your indoor water usage. Doesn’t sound like much, but energy savings though reduced hot-water use will repay the cost of the faucet within the year. According to the EPA, if every American home used a WaterSense faucet, we would save 60 billion Gallons of water annually.

4.    Energy Star Appliances – From the water heater and fridge to the DVD player and computer you use every day, even the smallest plug-in appliances waste energy and electricity. Using Energy Star certified appliances guarantees the appliance is as energy efficient as possible. Energy Star certified computers can use 70% less energy than one that is not certified. Certified televisions can use about 25% less. When making a new purchase, check for the Energy Star label/certification. 

5.    Efficient Washing Machines – Washing machines can be big water wasters. Replacing your old washer with a newer, more efficient model can decrease your water usage by up to 60%, saving your family about 7,000 gallons of water each year. You will also save on detergent and energy. In addition to saving water, the newer front load washers get clothes cleaner than the standard washers. 


Posted by Lisa Menton on March 11th, 2009 10:28 PMPost a Comment (0)

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