Suzanne's Blog

The New Home Buyer's 2009-2010 Tax Credit

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:09:54 -0600

Congress heard our plea to extend and expand the First Time Buyer's Tax Credit. Here are the details:

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold as a principal residence for 5 consecutive years within the last eight.

To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.

The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer's tax credit is determined by two additional factors:

The price of the home.
The buyer's income.

Price

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit.

If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income-over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

House Rental 116 Earlington Road, Havertown, PA

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:03:08 -0600

Suzanne Strickler | Long & Foster Real Estate | s.strickler3@verizon.net | 610-658-8903

116 Earlington Road, Havertown, PA

Finished basement with wet bar and powder room.

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

$1,750/month

Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Parking	3 dedicated
Pet Policy	No pets
Deposit	$3,500

DESCRIPTION

Neutral wall to wall carpeting throughout house. All rooms freshly painted. Award winning Chatham Park Elementary School. Lots of room, lots of closets. MBD has walk in closet that measures 3'6" x 6'6". Central Air. Gas heat. Finished downstairs with wet bar. Shadowbox fenced backyard for privacy. Small pond beside covered back patio. Attached one car garage with storage space. Off-street parking. Close to public transportation, shopping centers and the Blue Route.

see additional photos below

RENTAL FEATURES

- Air conditioning	- Central heat	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Living room	- Bonus/Rec room
- Dining room	- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator
- Stove/Oven	- Basement	- Washer
- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside	- Yard
- Cable-ready

LEASE TERMS

Available starting December 1st, 2009

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Front steps	LR and stairs
Kitchen	Kitchen
Main Bedroom	Exterior back

Contact info:

Suzanne Strickler

Long & Foster Real Estate

s.strickler3@verizon.net

610-658-8903

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 29, 2009, 12:00pm PDT

New Polling Places for Tuesday's elections in Haverford & Marple Townships

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:07:49 -0500

Elections for judicial, county, school district and municipal positions will be held this Tuesday, November 3, 2009.

Haverford Township · 1st Ward, 3rd Precinct, Haverford Nursing and Rehabilitation, 2050 Old West Chester Pike (Community Room) ·

1st Ward, 4th Precinct, Manoa Fire Company, 115 South Eagle Road (Board Room) ·

2nd Ward, 4th Precinct, Manoa School, 201 South Manoa Road (LGI-Cafeteria). Be aware that this is the NEW Manoa Elementary School.

Marple Township Note: All three precincts in the third ward for which polling was previously held in the Community Hall on West Chester Pike have new polling locations. ·

3rd Ward, 1st Precinct, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 220 Lawrence Road (Pope John Paul II meeting room) ·

3rd Ward, 2nd Precinct, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 220 Lawrence Road (Pope John Paul II meeting room) ·

3rd Ward, 3rd Precinct, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 220 Lawrence Road (Pope John Paul II meeting room)

Darby Creek Valley Association 25 year Celebration Dinner

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:27:27 -0500

Darby Creek Valley Association: Celebrating 25 Years of Connecting and Protecting In the Darby Creek Watershed

DCVA will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a Luncheon on Sunday, November 15th, 2009. Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, former US Congressman for Delaware County, will be a guest speaker at the event.

The luncheon will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the McCall Golf and Country Club, 201 North Lynn Boulevard, Upper Darby, PA 19083. More information about the venue can be found at www.mccallgolf.com. If interested, please reserve a seat by October 31st.

For reservations and more information, please contact Robin Mann at robinlmann@gmail.com (or by phone at 610.527.4598), or Jan Marie Rushforth at rushforth@comcast.net.

More information can also be found at http://www.dcva.org.

5223 Westbrook Drive, Clifton Heights, PA 19018

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:07:24 -0500

Suzanne Strickler | Long & Foster Real Estate | 484-343-5717

5223 Westbrook Drive, Clifton Heights, PA

This has a WOW factor of 10!!!

3BR/1.5BA Townhouse

offered at $189,999

Year Built	1949
Sq Footage	1,152
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	1 Covered spaces
Lot Size	1,916 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Completely updated and kept meticulous. You have got to see this dream house to believe it. Everything has been replaced with new and energy efficiency from top to bottom: floors, doors, windows, lighting, plumbing. Additions: wooden deck access thru french doors from Dining Room area, Pergo floor, chair rail great view to the back yard. Pickled oak kitchen cabinets, corner sink, refrigerator and being installed this month steel dishwasher, gas stove and microwave hood. 8x12 Storage shed. C/A.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Family room	- Living room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Stainless steel appliances	- Basement
- Washer	- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside
- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Yard	- Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

COMMUNITY FEATURES

- Covered parking

- Storage space(s)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Exterior front	Exterior back
Deck	Dining area to deck
Living room	Shed

Contact info:

Suzanne Strickler

Long & Foster Real Estate

484-343-5717

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Oct 23, 2009, 11:49am PDT

To all things there is a season.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:59:47 -0500

I just passed my Broker's Exam! Talk about 'a long time coming'. I took the classes years ago by going the slowest route possible, one day a week for 18 months. I was fortunate that the school had them available that way. I was a single mom with a mortgage, selling real estate in a booming market. There had to be time to be with my family, my clients and settlements.

Passed all 8 finals one after the other, then the market boomed and there was no time to think about preparing for and taking the exam.

A few years passed, the boom busted and here we are in a better atmosphere to concentrate on the Broker's Exam. To all things there is a season.

Got all my paperwork together. Found all my past Brokers of Record to sign off on my transactions. I was grateful that they were all cooperative and wished me well. After all was said and done with paperwork, phone calls and checks; I passed with flying colors.

I can only compare that feeling of elation and relief like the day after my income taxes are done and mailed. Another major hurdle has been cleared.

If anyone else is working their way through the classes, homework and exams, KEEP PRESSING ON. This is a great time to become a real estate broker. When the market booms again, we'll be riding the crest instead of paddling like crazy.

First Time Buyer's Extension

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:50:15 -0500

The National Association of Realtors estimates that over 85,000 people would NOT have bought a house without the tax credit.

If you want to have a voice in the decision to extend the first time home buyer's credit, go to

http://takeaction.realtoractioncenter.com/campaign/hbtc?qp_source=dotorg

I support this tax credit because I'm professionally involved and deeply committed to helping my clients achieve the American Dream. What I don't waste my time thinking about are people who want to scam the system. If you are an honest person, you probably think honestly. Spending time mastering plans to rip off other people is not on my To Do List at all.

The following CBS article opened my eyes to what problems Congress has to consider about the bill extension

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/22/ap/congress/main5408507.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Some people abusing the tax credit already have a house, some are illegal aliens, some are under age. It takes all kinds.

Havertown's Farmer's Market open until November 25th

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:31:21 -0500

Buy Locally Grown...It's Thousands of Miles Fresher!

The Oakmont Farmers Market in the Oakmont section of Havertown PA is a producers-only market featuring locally farmed vegetables, fruit, cheese, eggs and poultry, bison, beef, lamb and flowers. It is located in the Oakmont Parking Lot at 2419 West Darby Road, just one-half block northwest of the Darby and Eagle Roads intersection.

In 2009, the market is every Wednesday from 3 to 7 PM, from May 20 to September 2. After Labor Day, from September 9 to November 25 (the day before Thanksgiving) the market will be from 2 to 6 PM. Rain or shine, come out and Buy Fresh, Buy Local!

Contact to sign up for weekly updates at oakmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com

Charming 3 Bedroom Brick Ranch, Broomall, PA

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:12:08 -0500

Suzanne Strickler | Long & Foster Real Estate | s.strickler3@verizon.net | 484-343-5717

2724 Hillview Road, Broomall, PA

3BR/1.5BA Single Family House

offered at $299,999

Year Built	1952
Sq Footage	1,232
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	1 Car garage
Lot Size	.46 acres
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Be ready to move in to this Brick Ranch style home. Spend summer nights sitting on the screened in porch or having lots of friends over for BBQ's in your huge backyard. LR is sunny and bright with neutral painted walls & carpeting. Woodburning FP set in a red brick wall with a white wooden mantelpiece. 3 generous sized bedrooms and full bath on the mainl level. Lots of closets and storage in attic. Large eat-in-kitchen with a double oven. Formal DR with archways. Replacement windows. Hardwood floors under all the carpets. Full Basement with workroom, half bath, wood stove and bar. Outside entrance leading to driveway and garage. Mature lush landscaping all around property. Convenient to shopping and transportation. Valley View neighborhood.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central heat	- Fireplace	- Hardwood floor
- Tile floor	- Living room	- Dining room
- Dishwasher	- Refrigerator	- Stove/Oven
- Attic	- Basement	- Washer
- Dryer	- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio
- Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Exterior Front	Exterior Back
Porch	LR with FP
Eat in Kitchen	Twin beds

Contact info:

Suzanne Strickler

Long & Foster Real Estate

s.strickler3@verizon.net

484-343-5717

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Aug 27, 2009, 8:47am PDT

Things seem to be slowly improving.

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:30:35 -0500

As a real estate instructor, over the last year I've seen the number of students in Pre-Licensing Classes dwindle. Several area real estate schools have reduced the number of locations. It's hard to justify paying for empty classrooms. When I was teaching between 2003-2005 the classroom was packed with happy people who got their license, went to a brokerage and took orders from buyers like hamburgers at a fast food joint. Life was good!

Then Katrina hit. Then oil prices rocketed. Then the mortgage industry went down fraudulently. Then the Iraqi war. Then jobs hemorrhaged out of our country. Then the stock market plummeted. Then listings sat on the market for months devaluing. Life was hard.

Over the last few months more and more students have been enrolling to become licensees. Trulia is sending me emails that my listings are inching upward. Workers who don't want to be underemployed anymore are forging out on their own starting small businesses. God Bless the American Entrepreneurial Spirit!

Things seem to be slowly improving.

Pennsylvania Money Available for Energy Improvement Projects

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:39:42 -0500

"The Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program" will provide $100 Million to fund solar projects for PA homeowners and small businesses. Funding is in the form of reimbursement grants awarded on a first-come first-serve basis to approved applicants.

"The Keystone HELP Residential Energy Efficiency Program" will provide low interest loans and rebates to residents for home energy improvements. To qualify the PA applicant's annual household income must be $150,000 or less.

To find the complete list of PA programs and their guidelines visit http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/energindependent/site/default.asp and click on 'funding'.

This is NOT a Buyer's Market.

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:43:42 -0500

Neither is it a Seller's market. Confused? You are if you have had a deal stopped dead in the water by the Underwriter's need for MORE paperwork from your buyer. With the explosion of FHA loans over the past 6 months, paperwork has become king. But that follows since we are now dealing ever closer to the government which is known for their never ending forms.

One transaction I am involved in has been delayed by the underwriters for what we're told is more FHA forms. They have delayed us so long that my buyer has to get more recent forms since the original ones provided are now out of date for FHA approval.

I have run into 3 separate situations where the listing agent has left their property listed as ACTIVE in the MLS when in fact there was an agreement in limbo. It is evidence of the chaos in the mortgage realm. Buyers can't feel good about making an offer with that hanging over their heads. Sellers can't feel good about waiting weeks even months after the settlement date passes them by.

What I'm doing is holding on for dear life to ride this out because I know this too shall pass.

And prayer....lots of praying.

24 Waverly Road, Havertown

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:43:53 -0500

Welcome to a fantastic first time buyer's twin. Built when they used plaster for walls. Wooden laths. Red oak hardwood floors and subflooring in ALL the rooms. Wooden doorjams. Cast iron drainpipes. Welcome to a home you can feel safe in and be proud to own. 3 sunny Bedrooms. Gas fireplace. Central Air conditioning (summer is coming I just know it). Visit http://www.postlets.com/res/1731914 for more details and photos.

You Tube Video to explain the $8000 tax credit.

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:52:44 -0500

Here is an excellent You Tube video explaining the First Time Buyers Tax Credit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suiAfys53aU&feature=channel_page

Robert Dietz, National Association of Home Builders Tax Economist, answers questions on several pressing issues about the $8000 Tax Credit such as:

•1. Who is eligible?

•2. What if you're buying the house with someone else?

•3. What kind of homes qualify?

•4. How is the amount determined?

•5. Any income limits?

•6. If you bought a house in 2008, do you qualify?

•7. If you qualify and buy a house in 2009, can you apply the tax credit against your 2008 tax return?

etc.

It is 7 minutes of clear, concise answers by Mr. Dietz.

For more information to read, go to the NAHB website: www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

24 Waverly Road, Havertown

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 14:34:33 -0600

You are in the NEW state of the art Manoa Elementary School district. Keep warm tonight beside the ventless, gas Fireplace in the living room. Oak Hardwood floors throughout the house. LR & DR floors have walnut inlay around perimeter. Updated eat-in-kitchen. Central Air conditioning with electronic air filter for bacteria removal. Anyone with allergies will breath easier in here.

Walk up attic can be used for storage or a study. Bathroom tub insert on upper level. Freshly painted bedrooms and basement walls. Crown molding in MBD. Freshly painted garage with new shingled roof. Fenced level backyard. Convenient location to public transportation and shopping on West Chester Pike. Close to Blue Route entrance. Not much daily traffic.

3 Bedroom Twin. $235,000. Great first home or rental investment.

Feed a Rescue Animal for FREE

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:54:53 -0600

Recently we rescued a 3 month old Black Labrador Retriever. Since then the Animal Planet is fast becoming a favorite, in fact, I memorized the channel number already.

By surfing around the web looking for information about puppies and Labs, I came across a website that will feed a rescue animal for FREE. All you have to do is hit the purple button that says "Click here to Give - It's FREE". The Animal Rescue Site provides food and care for an animal at a shelter.

If you are a pet lover, this is your chance to step up to the plate for the cost of a minute of your time to feed a hungry animal.

The website is:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

Rocco and I thank you, in advance.

Read this book if you have any problems communicating

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:54:40 -0500

Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott. At the beginning is a quote "Gradually...then suddenly." from Ernest Hemingway's 'And the Sun Also Rises'. Which if you think about it is what happens alot. Things are going along one way in your life. You are working on changing your situation or planning on changing your situation. Time is passing as you are planning or working on your plan, BOOM suddenly it changes and not for the better. Then the regrets sink in and the mental torture starts, "I should have done this" and "I should have said that". We all do it.

This book was an eye opener and an inspiration to learn the right questions to ask to take stock of reality. Questions like "What is impossible to do that if it were possible would change everything?" My answer was, "To have every prospect I contacted become a client both sellers and buyers." That would certainly change everything in my business right now.

That got me thinking. How could I get a better conversion rate? How should I change my presentations to ensure better results? How can I get more referrals to make presentations to warm leads? Before I knew it I was working on making possible what I had been unconsciously telling my self was impossible.

Another chapter dealt with leadership. This hit home because I have several leadership roles in my life just like you. For example a leader of a real estate team, a school committee, a Bible Study group, a Boy Scout Troop, etc. As the leader, you will get what you tolerate so clearly communicate what is expected.

That got me thinking of all the times things were botched because communication was poor. It's upsetting to me to lose time by doing a job twice. Just last week I had to get my seller to sign an updated office form because the staff person left some old forms in the folder. The team leader (manager) didn't take the time to communicate how important it was to purge the old forms for the sales agents. All of us who grabbed the old form had to deal with that twice.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to walk away from a conversation feeling good about themselves and the outcome.

A new way to get cancer... from granite countertops.

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:36:45 -0500

One of my clients recently asked me if I heard the latest buzz about granite countertops giving off radon gas.

My first reaction was of doubt. "How could the most popular countertop product be unsafe? Don't they check these things before they sell them to the public."

In my PA real estate pre-licensing class I teach that Radon gas is generated from the breakdown of uranium which is embedded in the granite bed that Pennsylvania is known to cover. When it decays it turns to radium which decay into radon gas.

So my second reaction was of acceptance. "That's where it comes from alright."

Here is a CBS News website that has a video clip entitled "Are Granite countertops hazardous to your health?"

http://www.blinkx.com/video/are-granite-countertops-hazardous-to-your-health/cRPsamIOalvJOtKBc4WtNw

close up of a California mined granite

What to do at an Open House

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:41:59 -0500

The Fun and Games are for ME at an Open House. My rhythm has been either 5 couples coming thru at the same time -mayhem- or I'm sitting there for an hour alone -boredom.

I bring transaction paperwork to complete, there always seems to be another form to fill out. Real Estate articles that I promised my self I would read. That also looks industrious when the Mongol hord comes thru and sees me reading, "The Millionaire Real Estate Agent" by Gary Keller.

I have a canvas bag made up at all times with Open House paraphernalia like personal brochures, business cards, sign in sheets, pens, company information, crossword puzzles and sudokus all ready to go at a moments notice. Sometimes I volunteer to sit for another agent's listing in the office.

I took this idea from when my children were young. A bag of Fun and Games kept in the car at all times proved to be very helpful. Open House sitting is NOT my favorite way to spend an afternoon. But I do get to choose between work or Fun and Games. Doesn't that always seem to be the way?

Remember these Ads?

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:07:41 -0500

If you do then you're on the flip side of 50!!!

Camel non filters

Houses in the Weirdest Places

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:05:27 -0500

I would love to list one of these!

They keep getting better.

I've been Simpsonized!

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:46:36 -0500

If you want to get Simpsonized, go to http://www.simpsonizeme.com/. It's fun to have a caricature of yourself for your web page or emails. You need a 640x480 pixel, color photo of yourself, preferably a bust shot. This is being sponsored by Burger King for the release of the Simpson Movie. So don't take too long to decide to

Go Yellow!

FSBO's exempt from RELRA are not exempt from Seller's Disclosure Act

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 09:50:59 -0500

A friend of mine, who was a FSBO, is being sued by the unrepresented buyer of his property. The buyer is claiming the wet basement should have been disclosed in a seller's disclosure which he never received. A harmed party has 24 months to file these charges; the buyer served papers in the 23rd month.

I was surprised when I called our Pennsylvania Association of Realtor's Legal Hotline and found out that being a FSBO exempt from the State Commission's Licensure Act does not exempt them from the Seller's Disclosure's Act. So how did the buyer who had no agent even know about the Disclosure? Why an agent told him.

The real estate lawyer that my friend hired is pulling a Pontius Pilate claiming he just did settlement and had no fiduciary duties to look out for his client's interest by checking all the paperwork.

The buyer also didn't reveal in the lawsuit that after he took possession of the house he added a deck connected to house and plowed under the swail that channels the water away from the house.

I found this a valuable lesson for me when approaching FSBO's. There are so many ways they can get themselves into trouble. We can save them from themselves!

By the way, my friend didn't know me when this happened 23 months ago.

Pennsylvania now has Reciprocity with Maryland

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 17:50:21 -0500

Receiving a Real Estate license in Maryland has just gotten simpler. Reciprocity has been approved and is active between the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Thus, a Pennsylvania licensee who is interested in obtaining a Maryland license has significantly fewer obstacles (i.e. testing) to clear in the process. Maryland is now the eleventh state that has entered into a reciprocity agreement with Pennsylvania, joining among other neighboring states New York and West Virginia. Unfortunately, there are no new developments regarding possible reciprocity with New Jersey or Delaware. Source PA Real Estate Commission

Pennsylvanians say 'NO' to RTT increase

Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:37:13 -0500

Pennsylvanians say "no" to an increase in the realty transfer tax (RTT), according to a poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research. The poll, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR), showed an overwhelming percentage of Pennsylvanians (80 percent) oppose raising the realty transfer tax.

"Pennsylvania has one of the highest realty transfer tax rates in the nation and there is no public support to increase it," said Dominic Cardone, president, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR). "In most of the country, realty transfer taxes are 1/10^th of Pennsylvania's."

Source: PAR