A White Christmas for Payson Arizona.  The fattest flakes you have ever seen began to fall about 3:30 this afternoon and didn't slow down until about dark. 

The good part is that I ordered it.  Yep, ordered it last week.  And here it is.  The Mogollon rim is white and more snow is expected tomorrow.  Santa should have an easy time delivering gifts as roofs all across Payson primed with snow and ready for the sound of his reindeer's hooves. 

 

 

Merry Christmas In Many Major Languages..

Ever wondered what "Merry Christmas" sounds like in other languages.  I've mastered Spanish and German, but no others. 

Just ran across a website that lists how to say "Merry Christmas" in many languages.  Thought it might be fun to study them in 2010 and dazel all my friends next Christmas....or maybe not.  :)  It looks pretty hard to me.

http://christmas.newarchaeology.com/merry-christmas.php

He Stands Watch Instead of Me (and I'm glad he does).  I received this in an email.  I don't know who wrote it, but it really touched me.  First time I read it I cried.  The second time I received it I cried again.  Now it's your turn, my friend.  God, I love this Country and our soldiers.

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
 I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
 My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
 My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
 Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
 Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

 The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
 Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
 My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
 Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
 In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
 So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

 The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
 But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
 Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
 sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
 My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
 And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

 Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
 A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
 A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
 Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
 Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
 Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

 "What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
 "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
 Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
 You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
 For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
 Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

 To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
 Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
 I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
 "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
 That separates you from the darkest of times.

 No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
 I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
 My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
 Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
 My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
 And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

 I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
 But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
 Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
 The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
 I can live through the cold and the being alone,
 Away from my family, my house and my home.

 I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
 I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
 I can carry the weight of killing another,
 Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
 Who stand at the front against any and all,
 To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

 "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
 Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
 "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
 "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
 It seems all too little for all that you've done,
 For being away from your wife and your son."

 Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
 "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
 To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
 To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
 For when we come home, either standing or dead,
 To know you remember we fought and we bled.
 Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
 That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Sellers in Payson, Arizona, please begin your short sale as soon as possible.

A recent announcement states that FREDDIE MAC and FANNIE MAE will no longer delay foreclosure dates even when there is a short sale working. It has been their practice in the past to delay the foreclosure date when the seller had an offer on the property and was negotiating a "short sale".

This is not good news for those involved on either the buying or selling side.

SELLERS, be sure to begin early in the "Short Sale" process to ensure that you have enough time to close escrow before the foreclosure date. 

If you are behind in your payments and see no way to catch them up, call Sandra Scott, Four Seasons Realty,  928-978-9047.  We can help.

 

 

 

Both FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC and CITIGROUP will not pursue foreclosure evictions in Payson, Arizona, or any other state for homeowners or renters from December 19, 2009, ‘til January 3, 2010.  It's a great time for out lenders to show some holiday spirit.  Mickey thinks it's great, what do you say?

Way to go, Guys!

 

 

Gingerbread Houses in Payson Arizona are taking shape everywhere you look.  Mothers, grandmothers, aunts anyone who loves children are gathering in kitchens all over the Rim Country creating the most adorable gingerbread houses imaginable. 

I lay awake at night going over past gingerbread houses, etc.  that I have been a part of.  I think this grandmother has more fun that anyone. 

The first gingerbread house I made was with my nephew.  He was living with me and was 18 at the time.  We spend hours building a two-story house with all the furniture included for his girlfriend.  That was 20 years ago and I still have the pattern. 

So when my grandsons came along that was one of the first traditions we started.  Then the next day I'd bake gingerbread cookies and cut them out in shapes of trains, trees and reindeer. 

Such fun at Christmas....

Beware of the Facebook Virus.  Another virus has raised it's ugly head. 

This one is tricky.  Really tricky! 

I received an opportunity to jack up my computer really good one morning this week when I received an email form Facebook. (Well, it looked like it came from Facebook.)

It said my password had been changed and that if I had not changed it, to click on the link. 

I was so busy that day that I simply deleted it.  Soooo glad I did.  My computer technician friend (he's not easily fooled) got the same email and clicked the link.  Luckily he had great anti-virus software (AVG...the free version) and watched it delete the virus as he sat in amazement.

So be careful, my little rain drops.  If you get an email that appears to be from Facebook saying your password has been changed, remember this Post.  Hit the DELETE button.  Quickly.

Payson Arizona Town Christmas Tree Lighting was held in Green Valley Park tonight.  The Town of Payson recently planted a lovely tree which will have the honor of being the Town of Payson Christmas Tree. Hundreds of Payson residents attended the lighting ceremony.  Santa Clause was gracious enough to come by  to "throw the switch".

Payson Arizona Electric Light Parade was a great success.  Hundreds of fine Payson citizens braved the chilly weather to enjoy a good 'old down-home light parade.  Little ones were wide eyed as the floats passed them by.  A good time was had by all!

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, sometimes called the Move-up home buyer tax credit, has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009, and on or before April 30, 2010, (or purchased by June 30, 2010, with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010).

The following questions and answers provide basic information about the tax credit. If you have more specific questions, please consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.

1. Who is eligible to claim the $6,500 tax credit?

Qualified move-up or repeat home buyers purchasing any kind of home are eligible to
claim this credit.

2. What is the definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer?

The law defines a tax credit qualified move-up home buyer ("long-time resident") as a has owned and resided in a home for at least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. Repeat home buyers do not have to purchase a home that is more expensive than their previous home to qualify for the tax credit.

3. How is the amount of the tax credit determined?

The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of
$6,500. Purchases of homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for the tax credit.

4. Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?

Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above those limits. The phaseout range for the tax credit program is equal to $20,000. That is, the tax credit amount is reduced to zero for taxpayers with MAGI of more than $145,000 (single) or $245,000 (married) and is reduced proportionally for taxpayers with MAGIs between these amounts.

5. What is "modified adjusted gross income"?

Modified adjusted gross income or MAGI is defined by the IRS. To find it, a taxpayer
must first determine "adjusted gross income" or AGI. AGI is total income for a year
minus certain deductions (known as "adjustments" or "above-the-line deductions"),
but before itemized deductions from Schedule A or personal exemptions are
subtracted. On Forms 1040 and 1040A, AGI is the last number on page 1 and the
first number on page 2 of the form. For Form 1040-EZ, AGI appears on line 4 (as of
2007). Note that AGI includes all forms of income including wages, salaries, interest
income, dividends and capital gains

To determine modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), add to AGI certain amounts of
foreign-earned income. See IRS Form 5405 for more details.

6. If my modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above the limit, do I qualify for
any tax credit?

Possibly. It depends on your income. Partial credits of less than $6,500 are available
for some taxpayers whose MAGI exceeds the phaseout limits.

7. Can you give me an example of how the partial tax credit is determined?

Just as an example, assume that a married couple has a modifi ed adjusted gross
income of $235,000. The applicable phaseout to qualify for the tax credit is $225,000, and the couple is $10,000 over this amount. Dividing $10,000 by the phaseout range of $20,000 yields 0.5. When you subtract 0.5 from 1.0, the result is 0.5. To determine the amount of the partial first-time home buyer tax credit that is available to this couple, multiply $6,500 by 0.5. The result is $3,250.

Here's another example: assume that an individual home buyer has a modifi ed
adjusted gross income of $138,000. The buyer's income exceeds $125,000 by
$13,000. Dividing $13,000 by the phaseout range of $20,000 yields 0.65. When you subtract 0.65 from 1.0, the result is 0.35. Multiplying $6,500 by 0.35 shows that the
buyer is eligible for a partial tax credit of $2,275. Please remember that these examples are intended to provide a general idea of how the tax credit might be applied in different circumstances. You should always consult your tax advisor for information relating to your specifc circumstances.

8. How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress
enacted in July of 2008?  And how is this different than the rules established in early
2009?

The previous tax credits applied only to first-time home buyers and were for different
amounts of money.

9. How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application? Are
there documentation requirements?

You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. Specifi cally, home buyers
should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim
this amount on line 67 of the 1040 income tax form for 2009 returns (line 69 of the
1040 income tax form for 2008 returns).

No other applications are required, and no pre-approval is necessary. However, you
will want to be sure that you qualify for the credit under the income limits and repeat
home buyer tests. Note that you cannot claim the credit on Form 5405 for an intended
purchase for some future date; it must be a completed purchase. Home buyers must
attach a copy of their HUD-1 settlement form (closing statement) to Form 5405 as
proof of the completed home purchase.

10. What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?

Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit, provided the home is purchased for a price less than or equal to $800,000. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses and condominiums, manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes) and houseboats. The defi nition of principal residence is identical to the one used to determine whether you may qualify for the $250,000 / $500,000 capital gain tax exclusion for principal residences. It is important to note that you cannot purchase a home from, among other family members, your ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.), your lineal descendants (children, grandchildren, etc.) or your spouse or your spouse's family members. Please consult with your tax advisor for more information. Also see IRS Form 5405.

11. I read that the tax credit is "refundable." What does that mean?

The fact that the credit is refundable means that the home buyer credit can be claimed even if the taxpayer has little or no federal income tax liability to offset.  Typically this involves the government sending the taxpayer a check for a portion or even all of the amount of the refundable tax credit.