December 2009

Moving to Bonita Springs, Fort Myer or Naples FL - tax credit

Franziska Smith

Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 7:48am. 121 Views, 0 Comments.

Do you Want to ‘Move-Up’? The Clock Is Running!

While you’ve probably heard a lot in the media about the government’s efforts to rejuvenate the housing market with the first-time home buyer tax credit, you might have missed the fact that the most recent expansion of the legislation also includes a $6,500 credit for current homeowners who want to purchase a new home…commonly referred to as “moving up.”

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I’ve worked with many homeowners who have wanted to move to a new home over the past year, but have stayed put due to a lack of confidence in the market. Now, however, thanks to the tax advantages of the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, these homeowners are moving off the sidelines and…

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Moving Tips

Franziska Smith

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 4:31pm. 62 Views, 0 Comments.

10 Time-Saving Tips to Take the Stress Out of Moving

When it comes to moving, a little preparation goes a long way. As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, my experience tells me that tons of time and energy can be saved by planning ahead, staying organized and focusing on details. 

Here are 10 great, time-saving tips to make moving fast and efficient, courtesy of HGTV’s FrontDoor.com:

1. Make a moving schedule. Starting 60 days before the move, use a week-by-week checklist to keep the process on track. The tasks to accomplish further from moving day might seem trivial at first, but staying on schedule will prevent last-minute headaches. 

2. Hire a quality moving company. Resist the temptation to hire a company that offers a too-good-to-be-true rate.…

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Home Buyer Tax Credit - parent co -signer

Franziska Smith

Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 8:08am. 123 Views, 1 Comments.

The Home Buyer Tax Credit is pretty straight forward if you have never owned a home before. It can get a little more complicated however for everyone else.

The IRS has posted a series of facts and Q. & A.s to answer some of the scenerios.

What if you are a first time homebuyer, but you need a parent to join on the mortgage and the deed in order to qualify for the loan? Can you still get the credit? According to the IRS you can.

Taxpayer A is a single first-time home buyer. Taxpayer B (parent) cosigns for A and does not qualify. Both names are on the mortgage. Can Taxpayer A claim the credit and, if so, how much? 

A. Yes. Taxpayer B is not a first-time homebuyer and cannot claim any portion of the credit, but A may claim the entire credit ($7,500…

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