Gorgeous home with beautiful hardwood flooring in entry, living, dining, family, master and hallways.  Tile in kitchen, bathroom & laundry.  The open floor plan has a fireplace in the living room. Large windows accompany the back of the house to enjoy view of the backyard. This large corner lot has mature trees, a huge pergola a professional landscaping.  Master bedroom closet has Container Store shelving - you will love it! Stove, microwave, hot water heater and disposal have all been updated.  This property is located in The Vineyards, North San Antonio.  For more pictures and information go to www.myboehmteam.com  MLS#810359 $249900.00

How many times have you driven past that house, you just love it, kind of like the proverbial "doggie in the window", but can you afford it?  Well let's take a moment and see.

If you were a bank the way they would make the decision that you can afford that "puppy" is with the housing expense to income ratio.  That is 28% of your income can be used for a house payment, insurance and real estate taxes.  This assumes that you are putting 20% down.  Next you need to figure out what your other household bills such as credit cards, college loans, car loans etc. add up to.  You need to keep this amount along with the house payment at or below 36% of your monthly income.  For instance if you make $5000 a month, you could have a $1000 house payment (insurance and taxes included) as long as your other bills are not more then $800 a month.

Here's a tool on my website to figure out a mortgage payment and then you can use this information to find out if you can buy that cute little "puppy".  MORTGAGE CALCULATOR

And of course as always please contact your favorite lender to make sure that you have all the current information.

Great HOA includes access to the Guadalupe River, Tennis Courts, Park, Trails and a club house.  Friendly Neighborhood.  Easy access to I-10, 281 and Boerne.  Beautiful mature trees. MLS#809773 $37,500.  Located just off FM3351 between Bergheim & Kendalia. For more information and pictures go to www.myboehmteam.com

Last week I wrote about the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit being extended and the addition of the Current Homeowners Credit.  Now that it is signed and ready to go I thought I would let you know what the differences were from that blog to the actual signed extension.

One of the changes is that the Current Homeowners Credit was called a refund, now it is a credit. 

Clarification of the amount of the tax credit for First Time Homebuyers is the credit is for 10% of the purchase price of the house up to $8000.00.  If you are a single income filer then you can receive up to the full amount if you earn up to $125,000.  You can receive a partial amount if you earn over that but less then $145,00.  If you file jointly you can receive up to the full amount if you earn up to $225,000, and a partial amount if you earn up to $245,000.  Please be sure and consult your lender to get the full scoop on this.

So you now are asking what good will this tax credit do me?  Well for one, know that you will not go to the closing table and receive the credit on your HUD statement nor will you receive a check at closing.  The benefit of the tax credit is at tax time.  You will receive a dollar for dollar credit on the amount you owe the IRS.  If you owe $8000 and get the full credit, then you will owe the IRS nothing.  If you owe the IRS $4000 and get the full credit you will receive a refund check for $4000.  If you owe the IRS $9000 and receive the full credit then you will only have to write a check for $1000.

For more information on this credit, go the link above.  But for the very best in depth information go to your lender to see what you qualify for and how best to implement it. 

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Lora Carlisle, Adminstrative Assistant for The Boehm Team was recently named to the National Association of Professional Women.  Amy, Dona & Rita of The Boehm Team all agree that this is an award well deserved.  We love having Lora's smiling face in the office and know that things will not fall through the crack as long as Lora is there.  She takes care of all of us from helping us find our way when we are out showing to making sure that all the paperwork is in the title company and ready for close.  Thanks from The Boehm Team

The Senate voted to 98-0 to extend the First Time Homebuyers Credit to April of 2010.  It should be sent to the House for a vote sometime today.  First Time Homebuyers will need to have a contract in place by the last day of April with a close by the last day of June to qualify.

In addition on this bill they have added $6500 refund for homeowners who will be buying a new homestead property.  If the buyer has owned a primary residence for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8, they will qualify with some stipulations.  The purchase price of the home can not be more then $800,000 and their income can not be more then $125,000 for an individual or $225,000 for a couple. 

A homebuyer will also be able to claim the credit on their 2009 income tax even if they do not close until 2010. 

So now we just sit back and wait to see if it passes the next stage. 

Well now we know.  President Obama did sign the bill so we are on our way.  Call your favorite realtor or lender and find out how this can work for you.

Have you been approved for an FHA loan but all the houses you have been seeing just seem to need a lot of work.  Then it is time for you to go back to your loan officer and ask if you might be able to qualify for the FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan. 

This loan keeps you from having two separate loans on your new home, no more short term loans to pay for repairs at an interest rate you don't even want to think about.  As always there are rules and regulations on what repairs qualify, so you will have to work closely with your realtor, inspector and loan officer to make sure that this is going to work for you.  But you could receive up to $35000 in additional loan money to improve or upgrade your new home before move-in.  All combined in your original mortgage loan at the interest rate you applied for. 

So give your favorite loan officer a call and see what they can do to help you.  As you know our favorite loan offiers are Jay Gilmore with W.R. Starkey and Sarah Nelson at Wells Fargo Bank, Boerne.  So give one of them a call or someone you know and trust.

Willkommen zum WURSTFEST

A unique celebration rich in German culture and full of Texas fun!
49th annual "Salute to Sausage" - Wurstfest
October 30th through November 8, 2009 in the German heritage center of Texas,
NEW BRAUNFELS

There is so much to do and so much to eat and drink at Wurstfest you just have to go or you would never believe that so many people could have so much fun in lederhosen.  Over here in Boerne we have a lot of fun at Berges Fest, Father's Day Weekend, but the celebration in New Braunfels eclipses all festivals. 

Some of the things you can do besides have some great sausage and beer, not to mention dancing The Chicken Dance are:

• Visit Sophienburg Museum and check out the handblown German glas ornaments.
• Tour the Conservation Plaza where they have 19 restored and furnishe dto period structures..
• Heritage Village that showcases furniture by German Cabinetmakers
• Circle Art Theatre featuring the melodram "Batwurst: Teh Adventures of Bratman & Robin"
• Kenderhalle with special entertainment for the 5-12 year old set.
• ARToberfest- area artist featured
• The Wurst Craft Show & Sale in Texas

Not to mention all the live entertainment.

• BOERNE VILLAGE BAND

  Alex Meixner Band
• Alpenfest
• Gator the Clown
• Joe Rogers Big Band
• Kerry Christensen - Master Yodeler
• and so many more!!

Your best bet is to go to this website for times and information, directions and an Admission Coupon.  www.wurstfest.com

Oompa!!

Be sure and check out the Free events below plus all the other fun things to do in Boerne.

November 7, 14, 21, 28  Honey Creek State Natural Area Guided Tour

November 7      1860 Style Vintage Base Ball - Boerne will host a home tournament called the Veteran's Cup at Herff Farm.  Come out with your family and friends to enjoy a FREE afternoon event of old time baseball.

November 13-15       2009 Kid N Ewe Festival  Celebrate the 21st Birthday Party for the Festival at the Kendall County Fairgrounds FREE

November 14            2nd Saturday Art & Wine 5-8 p.m. at the galleries of Boerne

November 14-15       Boerne Market Days, Downtown Boerne

November 15            Enchanted Springs Ranch Concert featuring Mike Blakely

November 15-23      Czech Pastry and Baking for the Holidays.  Little Gretel Restaurant every day 7:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  Free Demonstrations

November 21           Boerne Dance Festival & Arts and Crafts Bazaar - Boerne Convention & Community Center

November 27-28      Dickens on Main, Festivities in downtown Boerne include food and drink booths, costumed shop keepers, wassail, arts and crafts, caroling, Santa, Biergarten, live entertainment and some late night shopping.

November 28          Thanksgiving Gratitude Ceremony, Cave Without a Name 6 p.m. muscial event

Come on over to Boerne for a fun day of Halloween Events at the Boerne Visitor's Center in front of Walmart.  Something for everyone, young and young at heart.  Then make your way down to the Haysterical Maze at Fabra Elementary on Johns Road for where you have to find your way through a Hay Maze.  This benefits Fabra Elementary PTO.  Also the Pumpkin Patch on Main Street at Veteran's Park will be selling out the last of its pumpkins and gourds.  Help the First United Methodist Youth fund their mission trips and ski trip.