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Thursday, February 25, 2010

The kitchen is the heart of the home.
* Sand the butcher block and re-oil.
* Caulk the backsplash if there are gaps.
* For wood cabinets, you can strip the finish and re-staining or painting
* Buy new knobs for the cabinet doors. New hardware will transform the appearance of your cabinets.
* Replace an old kitchen faucet.
* Remember to trade out the fluorescent bulbs they have a funny look in some fixtures.

Monday, February 22, 2010

One reason to buy now.

One reason to buy now.

A factor to consider is that FHA is tightening their guidelines. FHA is a loan program that has become increasingly popular over the last year. Buyers only need a 3.5% down payment and minimum 620 credit score. The Up Front mortgage insurance that is required is currently 1.75% of the loan amount, but will be increasing to 2.25% of the loan amount on April 5th. That’s a significant difference when looking at a mortgage! Along with the home buyers credits now is the time to make your move to home ownership.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Repeat Home Buyers Credit $6500

Did You Know?

The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit summary

* To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
* The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
* The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.
* The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
* The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.
* Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Interest rate for 30yr mortgage on the secondary market is steady at 5% and a 15yr is 4.4%. Take advantage of the historically low rates.

Friday, February 12, 2010

$8000 First Time Home Buyers Credit

$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
• The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
• The tax credit does not have to be repaid.
• The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
• The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
• The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
• For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
• For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Here is the site to get information in the home buyers credits, or call me. 608-214-9844

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