Saying thank you to our troops is always important, but even more so during the upcoming holidays! Remember that many of them are far away from their homes, families and friends!
Thanks to Xerox sending out a Thank You card to our soldiers is simple, fast and free.
At this time of the year we can take some time out to teach our children about giving thanks and living in gratitude. The best way of course to teach gratitude is by being a good example of being in a thankful state of mind.
You can gather your children around your computer right now and go to this site:
All you do is click on the card you want to send and then click on what you want the words on the text side of the card to say. You don't even have to think to do this because it is all done for you. You just have to choose the card and the text out of the ones on the site. Then you just click send.
Xerox prints out the postcards and then these cards go into the care packages that Givetothetroops® sends to our soldiers. What a gift Xerox is giving to the troops. I really appreciate a company setting a great example like this. The cards have all been designed by children and are patriotic. There are many patriotic symbols and messages to choose from.
Here are some of the comments sent back by different servicemen and women:
To all who have supported us,
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you from myself and my fellow Marines. Your packages and well wishes have lifted our spirits at a time when we are so far away from our friends and family. I wish you could have seen the bright eyed looks and utter excitement from the Marines when opening the boxes. It was a true blessing that you made happen. It makes us proud to know that our fellow Americans care as much as we do. It makes the sacrifices we and our families make worth every minute we spend here. We Americans can stand shoulder to shoulder in unison on one thing - we're all proud of our country and we're all proud of each other. The effort you make on behalf of the troops is just as important as the work we are doing here and around the world.
- A Gunnery Sergeant
As I was leaving an un-eventful Valentine's Day today, one of the mail clerks yelled "Adams!! You have a package!!" A package, I thought to myself. I'm not expecting anything. What could this be? I took the box into my office and closed the door. As I opened the box, a flood of joy came over me as I looked over the cards from you and the young ones, one of my co-workers walked in to see tears rolling down my eyes. I had never received a gift with this much love, packed into one little place from someone that I've never known.
As I thought about what the cards talked about with soldiers giving their lives and privileges up to ensure the freedom of Americans, it was nice to know that someone out there does not take it for granted. I don't know who you are, but you are truly a gift from God. The gift that gives me the drive to serve my country proudly. As you pray that the Lord keeps the soldiers here safe and brings us home, I pray to the Lord that people like you do not die off from this world. Your contributions are nowhere near inadequate. Please never forget what this means to a soldier. Thank you for your love and thoughts.
Please be kind- take a moment out of your day to send a card for free to a soldier today. Please Reblog!
Q: I went under contract to buy a house on six months ago. This is a short sale, and I understand that multiple lenders are involved. But I have been more than patient. What can I do? I can’t seem to get anyone to listen to me. Don’t the banks want this to work out?
A: I’m sure that someone besides you wants this sale to work out – the seller! The problem is that each lender has to agree to the short sale and lenders are drowning with the numbers of short sales, foreclosures, and loan modifications that are stacked up.
For a short sale, the lender will require quite a bit of documentation from the seller to determine whether the short sale is legitimate and whether the seller has the ability to make up any deficiency. The lender also would want to determine if it would get more money if the seller simply defaulted on the purchase and the lender foreclosed on the property and sold it off.
While these are some of the considerations a bank may have, the underlying problem with lenders and short sales is time.
Banks have too few people on staff to handle the load of short sales and other requests being made since the start of the housing and credit crisis. The bank takes in the requests and then must evaluate each request to figure out how much of a hit the investors will take on the loan in a short sale. The lender also tries to figure out who else is losing money on the deal, like other lenders.
Credit card companies have taken a well-justified beating in the media lately for their shenanigans in raising customer's rates without cause, charging overdraft fees/over limit fees and other miscellaneous charges (until you challenge them on it); however with a little diligent research there are benefits to having certain credit cards.
Last week I received my Costco Membership bill and attached to it was a voucher from Costco for an amount, almost equal to the annual payment. This is a special feature of the Executive Membership - the more you spend the bigger the return. Well, this year was an exception due to the economy, but in the past we called it the "hundred dollar club" because we never left there without buying at least $100 worth of merchandise. That being said, it was a treat this year to receive the bonus voucher!
Credit card companies responding to consumer concerns in a troubled economy, not to mention their tarnished image, are reportedly redesigning their reward programs to help consumers pay down their debts and even save money for retirement.
Here are a few of the innovative programs:
1) Cash back credit cards that automatically apply the rebate toward outstanding loan balances
2) Cards that funnel rebates earned on purchases toward retirement accounts
3) Cards that offer "529" college savings awards
4) Consolidating high interest debt into a fixed rate personal loan
5) Planners are offered to calculate the time required to pay down balance and project how a major purchase might affect the balance of an account.
What's in it for them? Well, consumers who can't pay down their debts and default aren't much benefit to the banks. It is more profitable for them to have consumers who are being helped than hurt by their programs. Looking for a credit card? Do the research and find out what rewards are being offered. You might just pay for your next vacation with some of the rewards earned!
To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com. Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!
I know it is still early for holiday shopping, but never too early to practice safe shopping. It was reported recently that in 2008 nearly 10 million Americans were victims of identity theft. The tips below should provide you precautions to make sure that you are not added to the list, whether shopping at your local mall or hitting the send button on your computer:
At home:
Monitor your credit.
Look over your credit card statements as soon as you receive them for unauthorized purchases.
Be discrete about leaving personal information around your home. Unfortunately, many victims knew the person who had taken their personal information and often times it was a relative or family member.
Copy both sides of your credit card. In case of loss you will have all the information to provide authorities.
At the shopping center:
Carry a debit card, in lieu of cash, but be careful of someone "shoulder surfing" you when you are at an ATM. Shoulder surfing is when someone can see your PIN and bumps into you taking your card and cash.
Credit cards are good to carry because you can alert the credit card companies immediately in case of theft.
Be aware of your environment and try not to be distracted by the sights and sounds of the season displayed at the mall.
Be selective about the types of identity documents you carry, if you don't plan on writing checks - leave your checkbook at home.
Safeguard your receipts when you make purchases. The information contained on your receipts included credit card numbers and often times your signature.
Shop safe and enjoy the upcoming holiday season!
To view La Quinta developments, custom estates & golf course communities visit our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com. Contact us at 1-760-567-9100, we are here to help you find the desert home of your dreams or sell your home for top dollar!
Today November 6, 2009, President Obama signed a bill to extend the tax credit for first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) through June 30, 2010. The bill also opens up opportunities for others who are not buying a home for the first time.
To learn what the new tax credit means to you and your clients, take a look at the concise overview below.
TAX CREDIT OVERVIEW
Who Gets What?
First-Time Homebuyers (FTHBs): First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.
Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.
What are the New Deadlines?
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.
What are the Income Caps?
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.
Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible
Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.
What is the Maximum Purchase Price?
Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.
What is a Tax Credit?
A tax credit is a direct reduction in tax liability owed by an individual to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In the event no taxes are owed, the IRS will issue a check for the amount of the tax credit an individual is owed. Unlike the tax credit that existed in 2008, this credit does not require repayment unless the home, at any time in the first 36 months of ownership, is no longer an individual’s primary residence.
How Much are First-Time Homebuyers (FTHB) Eligible to Receive?
An eligible homebuyer may request from the IRS a tax credit of up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price for a home. If the amount of the home purchased is $75,000, the maximum amount the credit can be is $7,500. If the amount of the home purchased is $100,000, the amount of the credit may not exceed $8,000.
Who is Eligible fort FTHB Tax Credit?
Anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title, is eligible.
This applies both to single taxpayers and married couples. In the case where there is a married couple, if either spouse has owned a primary residence in the last 36 months, neither would qualify. In the case where an individual has owned property that has not been a primary residence, such as a second home or investment property, that individual would be eligible.
As mentioned above, the tax credit has been expanded so that existing homeowners who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years are now eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500.
How Much are Current Home Owners Eligible to Receive?
The tax credit program includes a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.
Can Homebuyers Claim the Tax Credit in Advance of Purchasing a Property?
No. The IRS has recently begun prosecuting people who have claimed credits where a purchase had not taken place.
Can a Taxpayer Claim a Credit if the Property is Purchased from a Seller with Seller Financing and the Seller Retains Title to the Property?
Yes. In situations where the buyer purchases the property, even though the seller retains legal title, the taxpayer may file for the credit. Some examples of this would include a land contract or a contract for deed.
According to the IRS, factors that would demonstrate the ownership of the property would include:
1. Right of possession, 2. Right to obtain legal title upon full payment of the purchase price, 3. Right to construct improvements, 4. Obligation to pay property taxes, 5. Risk of loss, 6. Responsibility to insure the property, and 7. Duty to maintain the property.
Are There Other Restrictions to Taking the FTHB Credit?
Yes. According to the IRS, if any of the following describe a homebuyer’s situation, a credit would not be due:
They buy the home from a close relative. This includes a spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild. (Please see the question below for details regarding purchases from “step-relatives.”)
They do not use the home as your principal residence.
They sell their home before the end of the year.
They are a nonresident alien.
They are, or were, eligible to claim the District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit for any taxable year. (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)
Their home financing comes from tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)
They owned a principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase of your new home. For example, if you bought a home on July 1, 2008, you cannot take the credit for that home if you owned, or had an ownership interest in, another principal residence at any time from July 2, 2005, through July 1, 2008.
Can Homebuyers Purchase a Home from a Step-Relative and Still be Eligible for the Credit?
Yes. As long as the person they buy the home from is not a direct blood relative, the purchase would be allowed.
If a Parent (Who Will Not Live In The Property) Cosigns for a Mortgage, Will Their Child Still be Eligible for the Credit?
Yes, provided that the child meets the other requirements for the tax credit.
If you live in a climate where freezing temperatures occur, you will need to perform certain maintenance tasks in order to keep your home in top operating condition.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for winter conditions - and avoid some of the common mistakes made:
Sump Pumps
If you have a sump pump, we recommend installing a battery back-up sump pump, especially if your basement is finished. The battery back-up pumps beep when they are in use, alerting you that there is a problem with your pump.
To prevent freeze ups or damage to your sump pump, remove exterior discharge hoses.
Hoses and Hose Bibs
Before the first frost you will want to follow these simple steps to ensure that your hose bibs do not freeze and consequently leak. Please keep in mind that hose bib leaks due to improper winterization are not covered by your warranty.
Remove hoses from the garage and exterior hose bibs to prevent water pipes from freezing within the wall.
Wrap the pipes and the pressure reducing valve at your main water shut off to provide additional protection against freezing.
Shut off the main water supply to the hose bibs.
On the exterior open the hose bib and drain the water from the line.
Push upward on the anti-siphon ring to ensure that all of the water is drained from the line.
On the interior open the bleeder valve at the shut off. (Make sure you have something to catch the water in.) Be sure this valve is tightened again after the water is drained.
Make sure that the black washer is in the cap.
Push upward on the anti-siphon ring to ensure that all of the water is drained from the line.
Gutters and Downspouts
Clean gutters and downspouts frequently throughout fall to prevent build up of leaves and other debris. Neglected gutters can lead to wood rot problems, pest infestations, wet basements, foundation damage and many other expensive complications.
Be sure water is not coming down behind gutters and that all support brackets are securely in place.
Check to ensure water drains properly and doesn't pool, which can cause damage to foundations, driveways, and walkways.
Windows and Doors
Inspect and repair any loose or damaged window or door frames.
Install weather stripping or caulking around windows and doors to prevent drafts and lower heating bills.
Clean and lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and tracks and be sure screws are tight.
HVAC Systems
It is generally recommended that you hire an HVAC company to regularly maintain your HVAC system.
Change your furnace filters on a regular basis.
Consider having a heating professional check your heating system to ensure optimal performance and discover minor problems before they turn into costly major repairs.
Adjust the dampers if necessary. A little heat to the unused rooms of your home should be left on during the cold winter.
Clean your ducts to better your heating system's efficiency as well as to reduce household dust and to provide relief to those with respiratory problems. Also check for air leakage especially around joints.
Clean your thermostat's heat sensor, contact points, and contacts. Check accuracy and replace if necessary.
Lubricate hot water heater's pump and motor. Bleed air from radiators or convectors.
If leaving on vacation, do not turn the thermostat below 65. This practice will help protect your pipes in the wintertime.
Keep your outside condenser unit clear to prevent freezing.
Ventilation
Be sure attic insulation doesn't cover ventilation vents in the eaves to prevent winter ice dams on the roof.
Be sure ridge vents and vents at eaves are free of plants and debris.
Check bird and rodent screens for attic vents to prevent any unwanted guests.
If your home has foundation vents, they should remain open at all times except in the event of extreme cold.
Landscape and Yard Work
Although grass appears to stop growing in the fall, the roots are actually growing deeper to prepare for winter. Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn.
Prune your trees and shrubs after the leaves turn to encourage healthy growth in the spring.
Trim any tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines or the roof of your house. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage in the winter.
Deicing Tips
Do not use rock salt on concrete surfaces. The use of salt can lead to concrete deterioration, which is not covered by your warranty.
Do not use kitty litter on concrete driveways. The use of this product will have an adverse reaction to the concrete. Please consult your local hardware store for a deicing agent that they recommend.
If you wash your car to remove salt or deicing compounds placed on local streets, please remember that it is equally important to hose down your driveway afterwards to remove any harmful compounds.
General Tips
During extremely cold weather, you may consider leaving indoor faucets located on exterior walls dripping.
Place the emergency numbers for the electrician, plumber, and heating contractor in a convenient location. When the holidays arrive, some of these contractors will be open for emergencies only.
Remember to open the damper on the fireplace when using it. As you leave the room, be sure to close the glass doors on the fireplace to keep any sparks created by the fire in the firebox.
Remember always to keep drain covers open at your areaways (also called welled exits or walk ups).
If you are going to be away longer than a week, turn your water heater to the "Vacation" setting.
Be sure to check out Lennar on these social media sites:
La Jolla has once again been proclaimed the "most expensive real estate market in the country"! The criteria, used by the brokerage performing the analysis, was limited to a 4 bedrooms/ 3.5 bath home with approximately 2,200 square feet. La Jolla's average price was $2,125,000 up 16.6% from last year.
Great news for those of us living and selling real estate in La Jolla, however the overall average sales price for a detached home in La Jolla is $1,930,190 - average size of 3 bdrms/3 ba and 2,810 square feet. In 2008, the average sales price was $2,373,889 for the same size home.
The Los Angeles Times and California Association of Realtors are reporting that credit account disputes on your credit report could stall mortgage applications! For more information read below:
Some consumers with exceptional credit reports and high FICO scores are being denied mortgages by Fannie Mae's automated underwriting system because there is a notation in the credit report that the consumer has disputed an item.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumers are guaranteed the right to dispute inaccurate information on any account in their credit files. Once a consumer disputes an item in their credit report, a notation to this effect is made in the file. Until the notation is removed, most credit-scoring system generally will not factor the disputed item into the computation of the consumer's score.
However, with the recent surge in companies claiming to "clean up" and "erase" blemishes on consumers' credit reports, some lenders are finding that these credit companies are disputing accurate, but negative items, hoping the consumer will qualify for a loan before the dispute is resolved.
Applications that are denied through Fannie Mae's automated underwriting system, which is used by virtually all lenders doing business with Fannie Mae, are sent back to the lender for manual underwriting. It is then up to the lender to determine and document whether the disputed information is accurate and underwrite the borrower's credit accordingly.
Fannie Mae, however, says it is reviewing its policy, so maybe there's a chance for a change. In the meantime, you might ask your lender what their policy is toward credit disputes.
This time of year you tend to see a lot of ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and witches on the streets of the Lakes Region of NH. There are also a lot of haunted houses and scary mansions with dark and dusty dungeons full of cobwebs, musty smells, and sinister shadows. It kind of reminds me of Halloween, but I am talking about real estate and the buyers, sellers, and agents involved in this frightening business.
We find buyers coming to the Halloween home buying party with many different costumes on. Sometimes they try to hide their true identity, but most of the time their costumes reflect who they really are. One popular costume this holiday season is that of the outlaw legend Jesse James. Cowboy outfits have always been popular for kids and buyers, but this year they are focusing in on one of the greatest robbers ever. Most of these buyers are from south of the border (the flatlands) and I think that the popularity is a result of reading too many articles in the Tombstone Gazette about people stealing property all over the country. While there are some great deals out there, these outlaws need to learn that they can't steal everything.
It seems that the number one outfit is the old fashioned ghost costume. Buyers this year usually materialize right before your very eyes and then disappear just as quickly like mist on Lake Winnipesaukee early in the morning. Equally as popular this year is the costume of the NFL great, Brett Favre. I'm not just talking about a cheese head Green Bay Packer uniform. It could be a New York Jets or Minnesota Viking uniform or combination thereof. He can't make up his mind if he really wants to play or for whom. Buyers this year have the same problem deciding what and if they want to buy which explains the rising popularity of this scary get-up.
Sellers, to our dismay, often dress up as riverboat gamblers thinking they can bluff their way to a higher sales price with poker faces and sly grins. Many don't realize until it is too late that the buyers hold the best cards right now. The morbid result is another bludgeoned deal to be off hauled to the cemetery. I could say some sellers dress up as ghouls or witches, but that wouldn't be nice! Fortunately, there are other sellers dressed up as princes, princesses, damsels in distress, or Monty Hall saying "Let's Make a Deal".
Like buyers, real estate agents have gravitated toward the ghost costume this season. Many sellers unfortunately have unknowingly listed their property with one of these phantom agents. Their picture in the company brochure looked worldly and real enough, but it seems that many agents are caught in that eerie netherworld between the living and dead. Half in the business and half out. Although I didn't believe in ghosts before this year, I visited many of the dark, foreboding, and genuinely haunted real estate offices in the area and saw the empty, deserted desks of agents departed and felt the overwhelming odor of dead deals and expired listings. Really spooky.
You might also see some new agents dressed as babies and some well seasoned ones as the old standby Father Time. There are a few agents dressed as medicine men or sorcerers. But the ones that are likely to win the top prizes for the best costumes are the many strong agents who are out there every day as Fairy Godmothers or Super Heroes fighting the darks forces on All Hallows' Eve. It may take a while for them to be recognized. It usually occurs after a long, persistent battle through dark times that culminates with a home sale to a very nice lady dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
And finally, just remember that the cold feeling you get in your parlor is probably just a drafty window, that the banging sounds on the middle of the night is probably air in your hot water pipes, and that the blood curdling moaning you hear in the basement is probably your spouse lamenting about the 673 days your home has been for sale! Have faith though, Christmas is coming. That's another holiday entirely and you know, I still believe in Santa Claus. Do you?
WASHINGTON -- Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers and to offer a reduced credit to some repeat buyers.
The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers but is set to expire at the end of November.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time homebuyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
The tax credits would be available to homebuyers who sign sales agreements by the end of April. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes, said a congressional aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly discuss the deal.
Senators were still negotiating the expansion of a separate tax credit that lets money-losing businesses get refunds for taxes paid in previous years, providing them with an immediate source of cash.
Senators in both political parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as Thursday, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.
Popular bills like the one to extend unemployment benefits often attract amendments that would have a difficult time passing on their own.
Republicans were demanding that they be given a chance to offer amendments to restrict federal aid to the beleaguered community activist group ACORN and on requiring that people receiving unemployment insurance be processed through E-Verify, an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.
Majority Democrats have refused to add the amendments.
When you choose us to handle your VancouverWashington real estate needs, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in ClarkCounty and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and Battle Ground. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the VancouverWashington area. Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here.
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.
Q: I went under contract to buy a house on six months ago. This is a short sale, and I understand that multiple lenders are involved. But I have been more than patient. What can I do? I can’t seem to get anyone to listen to me. Don’t the banks want this to work out?
fits to having certain credit cards.
mall or hitting the send button on your computer:
;)
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