Denham Springs, LA

USSSA QUALIFIER. DOUBLE POINTS WEEKEND!

May 16th & 17th, 2009

Walker Parks & Recreation

13740 Ball Park Road

Walker, LA 70785

Register at www.USSSA.com

225-485-8717 225-328-6334

www.louisianastixx.com

bclaverie@cox.net or info@louisianastixx.com

Are you pumped and ready to compete in baseball? You can enter this Baseball Tournament next weekent! Louisiana Stixx is hosting this USSSA Qualifier in Walker, Louisiana. Each age division will be spearated by class, if enough teams enter in the same class. All teams are welcome. Don't miss this opportunity for a fun 2 days!

If you are thinking about buying a home in Livingston Parish and are a first time homebuyer, there's some good news from the Economic Recoery bill receintly passed.

Two of the programs available to assist in purchasing a home are the rural development program (a federeal program) and Louisiana bond assistance. The rural development loan eliminates mortgage interest in yur monthly with a fee financed into the loan and gives a lower interest rate. The Louisiana LHFA bond can provide from 4% to 9% of the mortgage loan amount to be paid at closing to cover part of the down payment, closing costs, and prepaid items. There are income limits and home cost limits. And the program interest rates vary depending on which type of loan for which you quality. The HOME program gives a minimum of 4.5% and a lower interest rate. The assisted program gives 4% and a slightly higher interest rate. This program allows slightly lower credit scores than the present FHA lowiest limit of 620.

And even better news; you can use these programs and still get the $8000 1st time homebuyer tax credit if you close on an home BEFORE November 2009.

One of the great things about the new 1st Time Homebuyer tax credit is that it can be claimed as soon as you close on your home.

If you have already filed can file an amended 2008 tax return with a 1040X form. This can be done even if a home was purchased early in 2009 and the original tax return claimed the $7,500 credit from last year.

Specifically home buyers use IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit amount, and then claim this amount on Line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. You will want to be sure that you qualify under the limits of the 1st Time Homebuyer tests.

Now that the news is out about the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009 , many questions have surfaced about the $8000 first time homebuyer credit. I will discuss these this week. One of the first I get is "What Is a 1st Time Homebuyer and who is eligible to claim this tax credit?". A first time homebuyer is a person who has not owned a home in the last 3-year period prior to the purchase. For married taxpayers, the law tests the homeownership history of both the home buyer and his/her spouse. For example, if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years but your spouse has owned a principal residence, neither you nor your spouse qualifies for the credit. However, unmarried joint purchasers may allocate the credit amount to any buyer who qualifies as a first-time buyer. An example is where a parent jointly purchases a home with a son or daughter. In this case the person qualifying as 1st time homebuyer may take the credit. If 2 qualify it may ony be claimed by one or allocated beteen them.

Spring is here!!! Now is the time to enjoy outdoor fun and sunshine. Start with

St. Patrick Festivities this weekend in Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas. There will be the

annual St. Patricks Day parade Saturday, March 14 in Baton Rouge. See local newspaper for

parade route and time.

Now is the time to plan your summer travel as spring and summer are here. Choose your

favorite travel spots and make your reservations today.

And remember, this is the perfect time to check out your favorite parks and recreations for

summer time fun and camps.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer from the staff at Baton Rouge Area Homes!!!!!!!!