Northridge, CA

What a great help this tax credit will be for buyers who are having difficulty affording their first home. With all the headlines about the so called credit crisis, it is nice to see that there are incentives being put in place for first time homebuyers.

The Housing Stimulus Bill is offering a $7500 tax credit that would be available for any qualified purchase between April 9, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The credit is repayable over 15 years (making it, in effect, an interest free loan)

Combine this tax credit with the current down payment assistance programs available in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura Counties to get 100% financing and upto a $7500 tax credit. Let's spread the word.

I took a listing in Northridge California from a nice lady that has some, albeit them applicable, concerns about safety. With my Law Enforcement background I had informed her that I want everyone to use the lockbox to obtain access, even if the seller is out on the front porch when the prospective buyers come up. This is so I can have a record of who visited, just in case.

I also told her to keep any and all valuables out of sight. I informed her not to let anyone come in that is not with a Realtor that can access the box. And not to let anyone else in while one is showing. When the one that is showing finishes, make sure they place back the key and the agent waiting remove the key with their Access key.

Plus a lot of other stuff.

I get a panicked phone call from my client two days ago. Telling me that she received a hand written letter from a husband and wife (per the return address label). That said that they wanted to buy her home. It then listed a (310) area code (Los Angeles) with a physical address and a please call me note.

There was no disclaimer to "disregard if her home is listed for sale". There was no other information related to this being other than what it appeared to be, some real people that wanted to buy her home.

So I called. It was a call answering center, the lady told me that she needed to get further information from me before she could put me into contact with the couple that mailed me the letter. I gave her my name and my phone number and stopped. I asked who the man and woman that mailed the letter to me were. She said she does not know and is not with them, but she is in a call center. She further commented that they are in investment company but knew nothing else.

I received a call about 1 hour later from a (310) area code from a man that seemed to have a speech impediment while talking he smacked his lips after each sentence. I returned his call and acted like my seller. I told him that I received his letter and that I am ready to have him purchase my home. He wanted to know the address. I told him that he should know it. He said that he sent a few letters in the same neighborhood, due to him and his wife wanting to be in that school district.

I then came clean because he was not. I told him that he was soliciting a home that is already for sale under another broker. I further explained that my seller was very distraught that he obtained her information from the MLS possibly and to please explain. He was taken back a bit and said that there was nothing that could be done, by either myself, my company or my seller and everything that he was doing is quite legal. I asked him how could he make such claims? He told me that if someone does not know how much their home is worth and they can get in for way under market then they have people in place that will make such a purchase. They are the middle men that had this idea.

In this case the prey are probably the elderly I would guess... (which happens to describe my client - Interesting)

Misleading, to say the least. But the thing that work well is on Active Rain to educate each other with what we find out in this industry that is not Kosher. - Connor with HONOR

DID YOU KNOW?

Report Illegal Dumping and You Could Receive a $1,000 Reward!

Illegal dumping harms the environment and defaces our neighborhoods. It is against the law. You can help stop illegal dumping. Call 3-1-1 and report illegal dumping if you see it. If your tip leads to an arrest and conviction, you can receive a $1,000 from the City. To report illegal dumping or for more information, call 3-1-1.

Do You Need to Dispose of Bulky Items? Call 3-1-1.

The Bureau of Sanitation will pick up large items such as Refrigerators, mattresses, couches and other furniture.

Do you Have a Real Estate question? Ask your Northridge Real Estate expert

Start your home search here My home search

Are you looking to buy, or sell a home in Northridge, Granada Hills, or Burbank Contact Dan Tobias

would you like to know what your homes value is?

Your Northridge Real Estate Expert Granada Hills, Burbank, 91324, 91325, 91326, 91344, 91505, 91506

*The above information has been Copyright © 2008 By Dan Tobias and may not be copied

It is that time of year. The girl scouts are out and selling those wonderful cookies.

The varieties of cookies they are selling are as follows: Samoas, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Do-So-Dos, Trefoils, Lemon Chalet Cremes, Sugar Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, All Abouts. All boxes of cookies will cost $4.00 this year. Right now they are in the Pre-Orders stage. This means that they will be taking orders for the cookies until February 23, 2008 and this is the date when they will start selling outside the stores.

For more information:

Girl Scouts of the San Fernando Valley

(818) 886-1801

http://www.girlscoutssfv.org/

Do you Have a Real Estate question? Ask your Northridge Real Estate expert

Start your home search here My home search

Are you looking to buy, or sell a home in Northridge, Granada Hills, or Burbank Contact Dan Tobias

would you like to know what your homes value is?

Your Northridge Real Estate Expert Granada Hills, Burbank, 91324, 91325, 91326, 91344, 91505, 91506

*The above information has been Copyright © 2008 By Dan Tobias and may not be copied

Free Tax Preparation Services for seniors...

The IRS and AARP have created a joint effort, to offer free tax preparation and electronic filing services for low and middle-income seniors. From now through April 11 you can set up an appointment.

Appointments are being held at Wilkinson Senior Center in Northridge, Council District 12 Field Office in Northridge, New Horizons in North Hills, and One Generation Senior Enrichment Center

To set an appointment please calls the following numbers below:

Wilkinson Senior Center

8956 Vanalden St.

Northridge, Ca. 91324

Call for Appointments: (818) 756-7741.

Council District 12 Field Office

18917 Nordhoff St. Suite 18
Northridge, CA 91324
Please note: All appointments and inquiries for this location are made through Wilkinson Senior Center Please call (818) 756-7741

New Horizons

15725 Parthenia Street
North Hills, CA 91343-4999
Call for Appointment: (818) 894-9301

ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center
18255 Victory Blvd
Reseda, CA 91335

Call for appointment: (818) 705-2345

Do you have a Real Estate question? Ask your Northridge Real Estate expert

Start your home search here My home search

Are you looking to buy, or sell a home in Northridge, Granada Hills, or Burbank Contact Dan Tobias

would you like to know what your homes value is?

Your Northridge Real Estate Expert Granada Hills, Burbank, 91324, 91325, 91326, 91344, 91505, 91506