Real Estate Blog

Don't let the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit Pass you By
April 23rd, 2009 12:22 PM

If you are thinking about purchasing a home, don't wait. Now is a great time, especially if you are a first-time home buyer.  Part of the economic recovery plan includes a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $8,000 if you purchase a home January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009.  This is a CREDIT, not a deduction. That means that the amount of taxes you would owe the IRS for year 2009 are decreased by that amount.  Below are some of the basic highlights of the tax credit and here is a link to the IRS web page with detailed information. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

Please always see your tax professional for advice.

  • The tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
  • The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
  • The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
  • The credit is available for homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
  • Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

If you're not a first time home buyer, you may be thinking "Is now a good time for ME to buy an investment property, vacation home, or my retirement home?"  YES YES YES!  With prices lower than they've been in many years and interest rates at historic lows, it's a great time to buy. First step is to call your lender (if you are will need financing) and see if you will qualify for a second home and then call your Realtor. If you're in Peoria, AZ (or anywhere in the Phoenix area), please contact me and I will be happy to send you listings that will fit your housing needs, now or in the future!

NOTE: I am not a tax professional, this information is provided as general information and not intended to take the place of advice from you tax professional or account. 


Posted by Lisa Bartlett on April 23rd, 2009 12:22 PMPost a Comment (0)

Sun Village, Surprise, Arizona - Condominium in Golf Resort for Sale
April 28th, 2009 12:17 PM

Fully Furnished Vacation Condo for Sale - Already has renters scheduled for early next year - almost like instant income potential! Don't miss an opportunity to invest in the Sunny Arizona housing market for your vacation needs or an income investment property while the prices are still low.

Low maintenance vacation or rental home in Sunny Arizona? Then look for further, your search is over. This little gem is nicely updated and comes FULLY FURNISHED! You get everything you see, including dishes, washer and dryer, appliances, beds, etc. You even get tenants! The unit is rented to vacationers for January - March 2010.

Remarks: FURNITURE AND ALL INCLUDED!! Beautifully updated condominium in Sun Village Golf Resort. This unit far outshines anything else on the market in this community. Lush landscaped grounds, golf, large community pool and spa for relaxing and socializing. Great investment opportunity for a vacation home with rental income potential. MUST SEE THIS GEM!!! Furniture, linens, kitchen items, and all appliances included.

Please click below to see the full listing and contact Lisa Bartlett 623-760-8390 for showing appointment or more information. It is really a wonderful home!

Follow this link to see the page:

Click to view listing(s)


This link will no longer be available after 5/28/2009.


Posted by Lisa Bartlett on April 28th, 2009 12:17 PMPost a Comment (0)

What does SPDS and CLUE mean? Real Estate Abbreviations
April 27th, 2009 1:58 PM
There are a lot of acronyms and other "lingo" used in real estate listings.  Two of which I get asked about often are: CLUE and SPDS.
 
When a person is selling a house, they usually provide a SPDS, which is a Seller's Property Disclosure Statement.  It's a document that the seller fills out stating all the information they know about their property that would possibly affect a buyer's desire for the property or affect it's value, such as previous water damage, termite treatment, etc.  Rules governing what must be disclosed by law differ from state to state.  When a property is being sold by a lender, they do not provide a SPDS since they don't really have any information to provide on the home.
 
CLUE is an acronym for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, which is really just a large database. The database is a collection of "insurance claims" against homes and automobiles and the like. Even an inquiry to your insurance company regarding POSSIBLE water or storm damage could result in a submission to your home's CLUE report. A CLUE Report shows all claims made on the property in the past 5 years, which is very useful information when buying a home, which is why buyer's may request this. Lenders selling a foreclosed property will not likely provide this.
Sometimes a Short Sale, which technically IS being sold by the owner and is not yet a foreclosure, also will not provide these documents because they're not making any money, so they are not motivated to do so.   
 
I hope that helps.  It's the norm for foreclosed properties and pre-foreclosure (short sale) properties to be sold without these documents.  The listing will say "No CLUE or SPDS provided."  Even if the property says it is being sold "as is," you still have a 10-day inspection period in which to discover any major problems with the property. So, don't let the lack of these document deter you from looking at foreclosures and short sales.
 
If you would like more information on these or any other documents involved in purchasing a home, please don't hesitate to call or email me.
  Lisa

Posted by Lisa Bartlett on April 27th, 2009 1:58 PMPost a Comment (0)

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