Attention CA home buyers:

Everyone is hearing of the $8000 federal tax credit applicable to first time homebuyers across the nation. Well now the state of California has signed into place a new, state specific tax credit of its own.

As of March 1, 2009 CA homebuyers who are eligible can receive TWO tax credits, totaling up to $18,000, if they choose to purchase a new home in the state of California. The state will be giving up to $10,000 (or 5% of purchase price, whichever is less) tax credit to purchasers of new, previously unoccupied homes. There are restriction so be sure to check out the link.
A few basics:
- you must be planning to live in the home as your primary residence for two years
- you DON'T have to be a first time homebuyer ( you do for the $8000 from federal plan)
- it will be credited at $3,333 for the next three years
- once the $100,000,000 earmarked for this project is gone, there will be no more credits available (if the average new home sells for $200,000, that means only 10,000 homebuyers will be able to apply for the credit) so don't wait too long if you are on the fence!

here is a link to answer more questions:

http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/New_Home_Credit.shtml#def3

Call or email me if you have any questions,

Adam Dalton, Realtor
Century 21 M&M and Associates
adalton@c21mm.com

 

Although it is still the middle of winter, locally, our least favorite summer pests have begun their assault and our vying for our blood.  The nice weather and the moist ground have brought about the early on-set of mosquito season here in the central valley.  Reports from other agents and from my own experiences while out showing this week have left their mark, literally.  Its time for agents to get their "OFF" ready for themselves and their clients if they are going to be out in the field for any amount of time.

From the Center for Disease Control here are some preventive tips:

Protect yourself from mosquito bites:

• Apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Generally, the the more active ingredient a repellent contains the longer it can protect you from mosquito bites. A higher percentage of active ingredient in a repellent does not mean that your protection is better-just that it will last longer. Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors.
  • Repellents may irritate the eyes and mouth, so avoid applying repellent to the hands of children.
  • Whenever you use an insecticide or insect repellent, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's DIRECTIONS FOR USE, as printed on the product.
• Spray clothing with repellents containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing. Do not apply repellents containing permethrin directly to exposed skin. Do not apply repellent to skin under your clothing.
• When weather permits, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants whenever you are outdoors.
• Place mosquito netting over infant carriers when you are outdoors with infants.
• Consider staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and in the early evening, which are peak mosquito biting times.
• Install or repair window and door screens so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.

Help reduce the number of mosquitoes in areas outdoors where you work or play, by draining sources of standing water. In this way, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

• At least once or twice a week, empty water from flower pots, pet food and water dishes, birdbaths, swimming pool covers, buckets, barrels, and cans.
• Check for clogged rain gutters and clean them out.
• Remove discarded tires, and other items that could collect water.
• Be sure to check for containers or trash in places that may be hard to see, such as under bushes or under your home.

As I drove around today, I had my station tuned into 680 KNBR listening to the Giants/Cubs exhibition team wishing that the A's were a larger market team in my area so their game against the Brewers would get picked up.  So anyway, as I laughed at the Giants as they seemed to be lost on how to get people out and let 8 runs score in the first 3 innings, little did I know that my beloved A's were also drowning in the middle of Phoenix.  A lackluster showing with only 1 run scored by a solo homer from Dan Johnson, the A's left everyone else on base after 10 hits.  Vets Mark Ellis and Jack Hannahan each had a pair of hits, and newbie Carlos Gonzalez picked up 2 as well.  Final score 7 to 1.  Joe Blanton allowed 6 earned in the first two innings with 3 SO and 1 BB.  They will face off against the Brewers again tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel.

 

A twisting delve into the world of drugs, corruption, and the search for justice - Gone Baby Gone starring Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman is an intense and thought-provoking film.  A young girl of a single strung out mother goes missing and her family turns to private investigator Casey Affleck and his partner for extra support.  The search takes the duo through the depths of child abuse, drugs, and police corruption.  Ed Harris is also great in this movie as lead investigator.  Without giving away the ending, every one who sees this movie will be asking themselves "What would I have done?"

Disclaimer:  Very intense violence. language, child kidnapping, and drug content. Definitelt not recommended for any younger viewers.

On Friday, I had my first draft in my first fantasy baseball league.  I had no idea what I was doing but I think I did pretty well. It was definitely not Billy Beane style as I would have put up some big bucks for some of these guys.  If any of you have any tips on playing fantasy baseball or you know of any of my players that might be injured ( I tried to check) let me know.  And if you want to post your team, I'd like to see how I compare to the veterans picks.  Spring training games Thursday!! 

PosPlayerPoints

P	Diamondbacks	1426
C	J. Varitek	379
1B	K. Youkilis	490
2B	D. Pedroia	426
3B	G. Atkins	560
SS	D. Jeter	542
OF	A. Rowand	565
OF	V. Guerrero	600
OF	J. Cust	445
Bn	Athletics	1326
Bn	T. Glaus	364
Bn	J. Bartlett	395
Bn	J. Drew	430
Bn	J. Guillen	506
Bn	J. Thome	512

I had some nice rest this President's Day weekend and got to watch a good share of movies.  The latest one was "We Own the Night" with Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, and Robert Duvall.  I believe it was supposed to be set some time in the late 80's (best guess) in Brooklyn.  The premise is Robert Duvall, who plays the chief of police, has two sons.  One is moving up in the ranks of the department (Wahlberg) and one is the right hand man of a popular night club owner that is ripe with shady dealings.  I can't really say much more without giving away part of the story but the russian mafia and drugs are involved so it is definitely full of action.  I thought that it was really well done and had some good twists to keep the viewer engaged.  Probably not for the younger audience, there is a lot of drug use, violence, language and sex sexual content.  Happy viewing!

Not quite a week in and there is a lot of positive feelings flowing throught the Oakland A's spring training camp.  Most everyone who will check in have checked in, pitchers are working off the mound, and Bob Geren is hopefully learning all the names of his newbies.

Some of the highlights being reported:

• A's newest starting catcher, Kurt Suzuki has bulked up over the off season and is a bigger, more agile backstop that he was last year after he took over starting catcher in the wake of Kendall leaving.  He is making strides as a catcher and a team leader.  According to Geren, the pitchers are happy to throw to the young vetand to receive his feedback.
• Jack Cust has also bulked up and is working hard to imporve his skills as the team's returning DH.
• Harden and Blanton are throwing well, Gaudin is stretching it out and will be throwing off the mound in March.
• Justin Duchescher will likely be added into the starting rotation along with Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden.
• Announcing his retirement from the game, Jeremy Brown (of catching and Moneyball fame), he was replaced with Matt Lecroy as a minor league catcher who could possibly be brought up at some point..
• The 40th anniversary of the Athletic's being in Oakland could surprise a lot of people.

Anyone who has a chance, check in with some news on how spring training is going for their favs!