Our Sonora High School Golden Regiment Marching Band traveled to San Diego to participate in the 29th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 14th. Congratulations to the band which placed 1st! The judges ranked the bands on routine, performance, sound, uniforms, selection of mucic & audience response. The band was even invited back to participate in next year’s parade. Way to go Sonora California!
Great news for first-time home buyers. The Federal Stimulus Bill of 2009 provides great incentives for those interested in purchasing homes this year. While many homes are at an all-time low price, this is the time to get serious and start looking. While prices might drop slightly as the market turns, the home of your dreams may be purchased by someone slightly quicker to make a move. Don't delay any longer if you are seriously interested in finding your dream home.
The jest of the new law is as follows:
1. Up to Eight grand for new buyers: This credit is equivalent to 10 percent of the purchase price of the home--although it's capped at $8,000--and applies only to first-time home buyers and principal residences. This credit does not have to be repaid.
2. First time buyers defined: For the purpose of this legislation, a "first-time home buyer" is someone who hasn't owned a principal residence for three years before buying a house. (The date of purchase is considered the day that the title is transferred.) That means if you've owned a vacation home--but not a principal residence--within the past three years, you would still qualify for the credit.
3. 2009 buyers only: Only those who purchase a home on or after January 1 and before December 1, 2009 are eligible for the credit. Anyone who bought a home last year won't be able to take advantage of it.
4. Income limits: The tax credit is subject to income limitations. Single buyers need a modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less to qualify for the full credit, that's $150,000 for married couples. Those earning more than these thresholds may be eligible for reduced credits.
5. Refundable: Because the tax credit is "refundable," qualified buyers can take advantage of it even if they don't have much tax liability.
6. Recapture: Buyers have to own the home for at least three years in order to capitalize on the credit. If they sell the home before then, they will have to return the credit to the government. (Exceptions will be made in certain cases, such as death or divorce.)
So, if you are ready to take advantage of this opportunity, contact me immediately. The sooner we start looking, the more inventory from which to choose.
Quickly Find Out What that Home Down the Street Sold For, By Email, for Free.
If you are considering selling your Columbia, Twain Harte and Sonora, California home, you are probably wondering what other homes in the area are selling for.
There might be one home in particular that you'd like to know the sale price on, or you might be interested in all the homes that have sold recently in your Columbia, Twain Harte and Sonora neighborhood. I can help!
I can tell you exactly what any home sold for in your area. I will furnish you with a list of homes that have recently sold on your street or in your neighborhood. I can also tell you about homes similar to yours that are currently for sale.
This service is entirely free, without obligation. As a top Columbia, Twain Harte and Sonora REALTOR®, this is part of the service that I provide to home sellers on a daily basis.
Find out what a home or property sold for, by email, for free! It's my job to help you determine real estate values in Columbia, Twain Harte and Sonora! There's no obligation, and I promise to get back to you quickly...
Originally started 25 years ago, the Sierra Reparatory Theatre has 2 theatres (East Sonora Theatre and Fallon House Theatre) with a wide variety of live shows throughout the year. Over the years, these performances have received top ratings for artistic and management excellence from the California Arts Council and the National Endowment of Arts. Sierra Reparatory Theatre
The Museum and History Center is built in the old jail and houses local historical displays, genealogical research and Tuolumne County History Collection. Tuolumne County Museum and History Center
Originally started 25 years ago, the Sierra Reparatory Theatre has 2 theatres (East Sonora Theatre and Fallon House Theatre) with a wide variety of live shows throughout the year. Over the years, these performances have received top ratings for artistic and management excellence from the California Arts Council and the National Endowment of Arts. Sierra Reparatory Theatre
The Museum and History Center is built in the old jail and houses local historical displays, genealogical research and Tuolumne County History Collection. Tuolumne County Museum and History Center
In my area there are many homes on Well water. A good water filtration system is a neccessity. That's where WetterWater.com comes in. Not only are their products MADE IN THE USA, they remove up to 99.9% of water contaminants commonly found in well and tap water. This system is easy to install. Additional features include:
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<!-- Trivia Group 2 v2 #43 --> What famous Art Deco skyscraper is decorated with eagle hood ornaments, hubcaps and abstract images of cars?
A
New York's Chrysler Building, designed by architect William Van Alen in 1930, was one of the first buildings composed of stainless steel over a large surface area.
Are you still writing those checks to your landlord every month to keep a roof over your head, but not accumulating any home equity? If you are still renting because you think you still need a fortune to get into your own home, you should investigate today's real estate market.
Interest rates are still relatively low, which means that mortgage loans are affordable, with payments potentially in the range of your current monthly rent. Qualifying for a loan was never easier, especially since lenders have increased in large numbers and are competing for your business. Even if you couldn't qualify to buy a home just a few years ago, you may be able to qualify today. There are a number of government programs and mortgage packages which require small down payments, in the three to five percent range--and that is not even talking about the tax advantages! Think about it the next time you write a rent check.
Twain Harte is located in a beautiful area, near a lake and surrounded by trees-very inviting! Twain Harte originally developed as a summer community for a few hundred and since the end of World War II has grown to permanent homes for several thousand. Today Twain Harte is one of the fastest growing areas in Tuolumne County.
LOCATION
Twain Harte is located on Highway 108, in Tuolumne County in the Stanislaus National Forest. It is northwest of Yosemite National Park. It is east of Columbia. It is further east of Stockton.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Twain Harte can be reached via two small airports in the area-Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake Airports. The larger San Francisco International Airport is only about a 2-hour drive away. The Fresno Yosemite Airport is less than an hour and a half away. Many California highways and interstates get you to Twain Harte from any destination around the State. During the winter months be sure to carry chains and check with CalTrans for travel information in and around the Sierra Nevada foothills and nearby State Parks. Sonora Pass on east side of Yosemite Park is access to Twain Harte from Nevada and other states east.
BRIEF HISTORY
Twain Harte area was originally used by the Mi-Wuk Indians. Their lived near the natural landmark called �the Rock�, a sweeping expanse of granite, in a lakeside camp. As more and more white settlers moved into the foothills looking for gold, the Indians moved. After the gold rush, the lumbermen and cattlemen moved in. Apple and pear orchards also were started. In 1861, a road was authorized by the US Congress to go from Twain Harte over the Sonora Pass with a tollbooth at either end.
In 1923, Keturah C. Wood bought 240 acres which he subdivided in 1924 and named Twain Harte Lodge after two famous authors, Mark Twain and Bret Harte. This was believed to be the first private recreational subdivision in the Sierra Nevadas. The Twain Harte dam was started in 1927. The first school opened in 1928. By 1934, Twain Harte was a thriving summer community. The subdivision clubhouse hosted all the community activities including meeting hall, social hall and church for all denominations. Today Twain Harte has at least 6 subdivisions and hosts a population of several thousand as year round residents.
ABOUT EDUCATION
Tuolumne County serves the 8,500 children in Tuolumne County. They cater to the diversified population of children within the 12 public school districts, which includes one unified school district, two high school districts, and a community college. Tuolumne County office of Superintendent provides guidance and leadership for a strong instructional program in the schools from kindergarten through high school. There are also 4 private schools with an enrollment of over 50. Twain Harte has two elementary schools-Twain Harte Elementary and Pinecrest Elementary.
Columbia is a famous gold rush town, which began in March of 1850 when gold was first discovered there. By the month�s end, more than 1,000 prospectors had moved into a tent and shantytown housing. At first, the town was called American Camp, but was later changed to its permanent name, Columbia. In 1945, California legislature appropriated money to preserve Columbia as the gold rush town it had been with the creation of the Columbia State Historic Park in downtown Columbia.
LOCATION
Columbia is located in Tuolumne County in the middle of California�s Gold Country. It is off of Highway 49, north of Sonora and west of Twain Harte. It is 140 miles from San Francisco and 76 miles from Yosemite Valley. Highway 108 at Modesto is the one to travel off of Highway 99 in order to get there. Then take J59 to Highway 49 right to Columbia and Columbia State Historic Park.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Columbia can be reached via two small airports in the area-Columbia and Pine Mountain Lake Airports. The larger San Francisco International Airport is only about a 2-hour drive away. The Fresno Yosemite Airport is less than an hour and a half away. Many California highways and interstates get you to Columbia from any destination around the State. During the winter months be sure to carry chains and check with CalTrans for travel information in and around the Sierra Nevada foothills and nearby State Parks.
BRIEF HISTORY
Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth and his brother, George and others had made a camp nearby and first found gold in Columbia in March of 1850. Thousands of miners flocked there and by the end of the month a shantytown was established. By the end of the first year, water, which the miners used extensively, was about to run out. No natural supply existed in the area. In June of 1851, Tuolumne Water Company was formed to bring water to the area. Since their rates were so high, in 1854 miners banded together to form the Columbia and Stanislaus River Company, which built a 60-mile aqueduct. This system wasn�t completed until 4 years later when most of the miners were moving out. Then Tuolumne Water Company bought the million-dollar system for $150,000. Meanwhile the town was being developed and by 1852 there were more than 150 shops, stores, saloons, and other businesses and the streets were laid out. For a while, Columbia was the 2nd largest city in California.
A few fires during this time burned down many wooden buildings that were quickly rebuilt with brick and other fire preventative materials and volunteer fire companies emerged. Between the 1850�s and the 1870�s, gold mined there equaled one-half a billion dollars at today�s value. During the 1860�s population declined and during the 1870�s and 1880�s there were only 500 residents remaining. Columbia was never completely deserted. Finally in 1945, California State funds and public monies refurbished the historic buildings in the old downtown district of Columbia to create Columbia State Historic Park where the gold rush era can still be enjoyed today.
ABOUT EDUCATION
Tuolumne County serves the 8,500 children in Tuolumne County. They cater to the diversified population of children within the 12 public school districts, which includes one unified school district, two high school districts, and a community college. Tuolumne County office of Superintendent provides guidance and leadership for a strong instructional program in the schools from kindergarten through high school. There are also 4 private schools with an enrollment of over 50. Columbia has Columbia Elementary and Shaws Flat Campus.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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