Which Properties Are Eligible?

Hard to think of moving, let alone getting of your house with all this snow around. Wow-what a winter! Record snowfall, a lagging economy-why in the world would you even consider buying a home?

Well, you most certainly have heard about the tax breaks set to expire in 2010. If not, here is a terrific link from NAR (National Association of Realtors):

http://www.realtor.org/home_buyers_and_sellers/2009_first_time_home_buyer_tax_credit

Key points:

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.

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.

Oh yeah and if you are buying a home more than 800K, sorry you are out of luck:) Well, you probably have had some luck if you are buying a home valued at 800K or more:)

I specialize in assisting first time home buyers, so if you are looking for someone that will have your interests first without fee or hassle, contact me: DarrylCShawgo@gmail.com. I can get you setup on listings for 2010 right away! Happy House Hunting!

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2009/03/09/daily22.html?ana=e_du_pub

As predicted on this blog, Maryland’s unemployment rate hasn’t been hit as hard as other parts of the nation. The addition of military bases and government expansion should help us moving forward.

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/article/202783/Market-to-Obama-Put-Bad-Banks-Out-of-Their-(and-Our)-Misery?tickers=%5Edji,%5Egspc,SPY,DIA,XLF,BAC,C

I find Jim Cramer entertaining, but often I find his advice to be overly-hyped. He, like many financial advisors and stock pickers, use revisitionist history to toot their own horn.

However, I really applaud this letter. He talks about his support for Obama and the Democratic party, but his current lack of leadership of this financial crisis is unacceptable. The lack of pro-growth policies is frightening:

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10468397/1/cramer-my-response-to-the-white-house.html

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.reregulate20feb20,0,1182240.story?track=rss

I think the term “de-regulation” is insulting our intelligence. There was nothing free-market about this change, more bad politics. Write your local repsentative and voice your opinion.

Some good food for thought. I do own some of the T Rowe Price Corporate Income Bond Fund-good choice:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/29412820

50% Jump in the Dow?

http://www.cnbc.com/id/29350894

Don’t know if you field for the tax reduction in York County?

go to http://www.syc.k12.pa.us Click on Tax information under “Tax Office”-left hand side, click on Homestead/Farmstead Information. There will be a link where you can type in your name and/or street address to see if you applied and were granted or denied the exemption.

You can also call the district tax office at 717-235-4811 extension 7300.

This information was found in a neighborhood newsletter, so I wanted to be sure nobody missed it.

Enjoy!

Evidently a last ditch effort has emerged on the internet to delay foreclosure proceedings:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=12191382&ch=4226720&src=news

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0709/gallery.heating_bill.moneymag/index.html

Great article on cutting those energy bills. Southern PA-don’t get too comfortable-de-regulation is coming your way too so expect a 30-60% increase in energy prices in the next couple of years.

A lot of people are hearing and asking me about energy audits. The energy company may charge upwards of $500 or more to come out an assess your home. Their equipment may look similar the equipment used in the Ghostbusters and provide analysis to where the leaks in your home might be.

Our home inspector can provide the same service for less than $200. Not bad.  Email me at Darryl@PlayBaltimore.com if you want his contact info.

The good news-winter will be over soon enough:)

Very powerful article. It also cites why the Swedish method (suggested by the Economist among others) will not work here.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123543631794154467.html