Cupertino, CA

San Jose, Saratoga, Santa Clara & Cupertino Open Houses with Cupertino Schools for Sun., Jan. 31

by Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

Following is a list of San Jose Homes for Sale in Santa Clara with Cupertino Schools, including Cupertino High Homes, that have open house for Jan. 31 with these high-performing Cupertino Schools: Lynbrook, Monta Vista & Cupertino High in the following Cities: San Jose, Cupertino, Saratoga & Santa Clara.

Be sure to stop by and see our *2* New Get RE$ult$ Team Homes!

Thinking of buying a home in 2010...in San Jose...Saratoga...Santa Clara? Considering buying a home within Nationally-Recognized Cupertino Schools? Curious about first-time homebuyer tax credit expiring April 30...existing homeowner tax credit expiring April 30...the tax-free capital gain benefit expiring December 31...mortgage payments...short sales...foreclosures...FHA loans...where to start...who to trust?

Come to a Get RE$ult$ Team open house and see how real estate consultants work differently ... and why we're the Lynbrook Cupertino Schools Experts!

You're Invited to *2* Get RE$ult$ Team Open Homes! Sun., Jan. 31st, 1:30-4:30 20644 Oak Creek, Saratoga . 3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara

3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara - Stylish & Spacious! Stylish & Spacious !! Westwood Oaks! GORGEOUS BULLNOSE GRANITE SLAB!! Recessed Lights !! 5 Skylights !! THICK Crown Molding & Baseboards !! Glowing Hardwood !! Tile Baths !! Lg. & Lovely Updated 3 Br! ~1674 sf HUGE ~7700sf Lot !! Cupertino Schools! Westwood Oaks Beauty! Santa Clara w/ Cupertino High! 3735 Pruneridge

20644 Oak Creek, Saratoga - Hidden Jewel! Hidden Jewel! Privacy! Prestigious Saratoga! Prime Cupertino Schools! SINGLE-LEVEL END UNIT !! SOARING CEILINGS !! Gleaming Hardwood Floors! GORGEOUS GRANITE SLAB Kit.!! Stainless Appl.!! Skylights !! Nationally-Recognized CUPERTINO Schools !! Blue Hills, Kennedy & Monta Vista High! Hidden Jewel! 20644 Oak Creek, Saratoga! Open Homes in Cupertino Schools Jan. 31, 2010

San Jose, Saratoga, Santa Clara & Cupertino Open Houses with Cup

Stylish & Spacious Santa Clara Home with Cupertino High only $828K!

You're Invited to a Get RE$ult$ Team Open House in Santa Clara Home, Sun., Jan. 31st, 1:30-4:30

By Michelle Carr-Crowe of the Get RE$ult$ Team,

Your Lynbrook & Cupertino Schools Experts

Come to a Get RE$ult$ Team open house and see how real estate consultants work differently ... and why we're the Lynbrook Cupertino Schools Experts!

You're Invited to *2* Get RE$ult$ Team Open Homes! Sun., Jan. 31st, 1:30-4:30

20644 Oak Creek, Saratoga . 3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara

3735 Pruneridge, Santa Clara - Stylish & Spacious!

Stylish & Spacious !! Westwood Oaks! GORGEOUS BULLNOSE GRANITE SLAB!! Recessed Lights !! 5 Skylights !! THICK Crown Molding & Baseboards !! Glowing Hardwood !! Tile Baths !! Lg. & Lovely Updated 3 Br! ~1674 sf HUGE ~7700sf Lot !! Cupertino Schools! Westwood Oaks Beauty! Santa Clara w/ Cupertino High!

3735 Pruneridge

Just Call 252.8900 !!

How a Winter Holiday Weekend Can Help Buyers Negotiate (and GET!) a Great Home Buy

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe, ABR, ALHS, ASP, CDPE, PME, RECS, SRES

Did you know it's estimated about 30 percent of the population in Santa Clara County leaves the immediate Valley during most holiday (three-day) weekends? Even in this fiscally conservative environment time, people still plan to get away to visit friends or relatives, as well as campgrounds, beaches, theme parks and pre-paid timeshares. What does this mean for the Buyers who stay in town?

First and foremost is OPPORTUNITY due to temporarily reduced competition! Especially in the more competitive market segments, such as under $900,000 for single-family in Lynbrook High, under $600,000 for Cambrian with Branham or Leigh High Schools or almost any single-family home under $400,000.

The three-day holiday weekend effectively removes about one-third of your potential competition. Those on holiday are likely "taking a full mental break" and also unplugging from the phone and Internet.

The flip side of course is those who remain in town during a holiday weekend are the most committed and/or motivated to buy in the near future.

Secondly, a three-day weekend gives you as a buyer that third "weekend" day to re-visit the home(s), go over the pros and cons and just think things over without immediately rushing back into your usual work and school routine.

For example, if you saw our Spacious & Stylish Westwood Oaks Beauty with Cupertino High that's open on Saturday and Sunday, and requested a disclosure package, you could possibly negotiable a great deal - before it even goes on the Multiple Listing Service! How's that for a superb opportunity?

Thirdly, for Buyers who are truly prepared (pre-approval letter already on file, clear goals and a defined plan), it's a chance to leap ahead by making an offer while others are relaxing. As in Aesop's Fable, this is that window of time when the hare, who had run so far ahead of the turtle he is now off napping-which means this is the time when the turtle can take advantage and beat the hare to the winner's circle!

If you're pre-approved, prepared and know precisely what you want to buy-and see it available this weekend, this may be your big chance to hop ahead of the competition and secure a great home buy.

Cupertino Home Buyer Questions Answered About the NEW Tax Credits

FAQ's Answered About the NEW Home Buyer Tax Credits

By Michelle C. Carr-Crowe

U.S. Congress passed an extension and expansion of the federal home buyer tax credit that runs from December 1, 2009 until April 30 of 2010. First-time home buyers may receive up to a $8,000 tax credit. Under the expanded credit, repeat buyers who qualify may receive up to a $6,500 tax credit. Below is a quick outline of the updated rules.

Definition of First-time Home Buyers:
• To qualify as a "first-time home buyer" the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
• Available for purchase of home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
• The maximum allowable credit is $8,000.

So a married couple first-time homebuyer making $180,000 per year could easily qualify for and purchase the lovely 3 bedroom home at 2180 Cheryl Way in exclusive Willow Glen at the asking price of $560,000; and if it became a bidding war, could still buy it at $615,000. At $560,000, the tax credit would be $5,600; at $615, it would be $6,150.

Definition of Current Home Owners:
• Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five (5) consecutive years within the last eight (8) years.
• In order for married purchasers to qualify, both individuals must have lived in the same residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight. If one spouse has lived in the house for five years and the other moved in later, after they were married, then they are both excluded from the buyer tax credit.
• The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

A senior couple who've raised their children and no longer need the Cupertino Schools or their large 2-story home could sell it for $1,000,000 and keep up to $500,000 tax free in capital gains, as well as transfer their low tax basis for that same home at 2180 Cheryl Way. At the $560,000 price they would qualify for the $5,600 tax credit; if at $615,000, it would be $6,150. This is the only time in recent history the government has extended a tax benefit to entice existing homeowners to make a move.

As the current capital gains tax benefit sunsets (expires) December 31, 2010, this is a smart move for seniors to consider: taking advantage of every possible government tax benefit currently available.

Financial Qualifications:
• Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
• Credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
• Credit, which became effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 - may receive the maximum tax credit.
• The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income - over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.
• 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.
• According to the IRS, in situations in which two unmarried buyers purchase a residence together where one qualifies for the $6,500 repeat buyer credit and the other qualifies for the $8,000 credit, a repeat buyer cannot receive a tax credit higher than $6,500 and the total amount claimed by both buyers cannot exceed $8,000. For example, the repeat home buyer could claim $6,500 and the first-time home buyer could claim $1,500. Alternatively, both buyers could claim a $4,000 tax credit.

If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, you will fall under a different set of rules that can be found at the following site: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Recently, California also took a step closer to considering a similar tax credit. During his State of the State address, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his 2010 proposals for California, which included a recommendation to set aside $200 million for a new round of $10,000 state tax credits for first-time home buyers. The proposal expands upon the initial $10,000 state tax credit by including both new and existing homes. Last year's tax credit applied only to new homes.