Monday, November 30, 2009
Green Tip Of The Week - 11/30/09
This holiday season, try online greeting cards or opt for recycled paper and cards that get second lives in the garden. Some cards are infused with seeds, which recipients can plant. Visit http://www.greenfieldpaper.com to learn more about these and other eco-friendly greeting cards.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Green Tip Of The Week - 11/18/2009
You can put a stop to receiving your predecessor’s mail and save a lot of trees in one stroke. The service is free. Visit http://www.ecologicalmail.org/ or call (800) 620-3975.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Green Tip of The Week - 11/12/09
It's flu seasonIt’s flu season and you know you’re supposed to wash your hands, but don’t neglect your feet and your home’s indoor air quality. The germs on your shoes find their way into your home and carpets. According to one study, 27 percent of the bacteria in the home are the E. Coli virus. For a healthy home, leave your shoes at the door.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended & Expanded
November 5, 2009
Good news for consumers and the housing market recovery. Following the Senate’s favorable vote yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives just voted 403 to 12 to extend the home buyer tax credit, expanding the parameters to include existing homeowners and not just first-time buyers. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation in short order. As it now stands, the federal tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. First-time home buyers will continue to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners will be eligible for a reduced credit of up to $6,500. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, existing homeowners must have lived in their current residences for at least five years. The bill also increases the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 for joint filers to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively. The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000 in both instances.Under additional provisions included in the bill, taxpayers can claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The legislation maintains the provision that home buyers do not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their primary residence for 36 months after purchase, and waives this requirement for active duty military personnel who move due to a military order. Nationwide, more than 1.4 million first-time home buyers were given the opportunity to become homeowners as a result of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers. We expect that number to increase dramatically in the months ahead with this new legislation in place.
Good news for consumers and the housing market recovery. Following the Senate’s favorable vote yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives just voted 403 to 12 to extend the home buyer tax credit, expanding the parameters to include existing homeowners and not just first-time buyers. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation in short order. As it now stands, the federal tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. First-time home buyers will continue to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners will be eligible for a reduced credit of up to $6,500. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, existing homeowners must have lived in their current residences for at least five years. The bill also increases the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 for joint filers to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively. The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000 in both instances.Under additional provisions included in the bill, taxpayers can claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The legislation maintains the provision that home buyers do not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their primary residence for 36 months after purchase, and waives this requirement for active duty military personnel who move due to a military order. Nationwide, more than 1.4 million first-time home buyers were given the opportunity to become homeowners as a result of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers. We expect that number to increase dramatically in the months ahead with this new legislation in place.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
California Median Home Prices
September 09: $296,090 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region September 09: Santa Barbara So. Coast $750,000 (Source: C.A.R.)Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region September 09: High Desert $117,820 (Source: C.A.R.)
Green Tip of The Week - 11/5/09
Recycling cooking grease, especially if you're a fan of those giant turkey fryers, is a better option than clogging sinks and sewers. One use for it is powering biodiesel vehicles. To find recycling centers, visit www.earth911.com and type in “cooking oils.”
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