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Anita S Zahn CDPE, Highlands County RE Source, 2009 Realtor of the Year!

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit 2009/2010.

This is what we all have been waiting for.

Its even gets better, all those current home owners that wanted a Tax Credit. ITS HERE!!!

Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?

  • First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
  • 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 consecutive years within the last eight.

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.

If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Which Properties Are Eligible?

The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.

How Much Is Available?

The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.

The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.

How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?

Each home buyer's tax credit is determined by tow additional factors:

  1. The price of the home.
  2. The buyer's income.

Price

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.

Buyer Income

Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is 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.

These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.

If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?

Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the 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.

Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?

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.

Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?

No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

Highlands County Florida Profile

County Seat: Sebring
Nearest MSA: Lakeland-Winter Haven MSA
Largest Cities: 1 Sebring
2 Avon Park
3 Lake Placid
Miles* To:
Tallahassee ................................... 271
Orlando ................................... 69
Tampa ................................... 72
Jacksonville ................................... 197
Miami ................................... 140
Atlanta ................................... 468
Chicago ................................... 1056
Dallas ................................... 987
New York ................................... 1005
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Time Zone: Eastern
Local Area Code(s): 863
Highlands
1980: 47,526
1990: 68,432
2008: 100,011
2015(p): 109,400
2030(p): 129,800
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,328,340
20,955,900
25,340,700
Average Temperature High Low
January: 73 49
July: 93 72
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation ........................... 53
Average Annual Rain Days ........................... 112
(2007)
In-Migration 5,285
Out-Migration 3,986
Net-Migration 1,299
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2008)
Labor Force 41,585
Labor Force % of County Population 41.6
Number in County Unemployed 2,919
Unemployment Rate 7.0%

Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
N/D = No Data Highlands Florida
(2007)
Average Annual Employment 28,528 7,945,162
Natural Resources & Mining N/D
Construction 7.2% 7.5%
Manufacturing 3.3% 4.9%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 19.4% 20.9%
Information 0.8% 2.0%
Financial Activities 3.4% 6.8%
Professional & Business Services 10.5% 16.6%
Education & Health Services 16.6% 18.9%
Leisure & Hospitality 9.5% 11.8%
Other Services 2.4% 3.2%
Public administration 6.0% 5.9%
Unclassified 0.0% 0.1%

Average Annual Wage
(2007)
All Industries $28,315
Construction $27,779
Education & Health Services $36,228
Financial Activities $33,773
Information $39,892
Leisure & Hospitality $14,987
Manufacturing $39,177
Natural Resources & Mining N/D
Other Services $22,824
Professional & Business Services $24,738
Public administration $38,267
Trade, Transportation and Utilities $25,781
Unclassified $13,494
Highlands Florida
2005 $23,653 $34,709
2006 $25,036 $37,099
2007 $25,717 $38,417
Major Private Sector Employers

Florida Hospital Heartland Division
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,200

Wal-Mart
Business Line: Department Store
Number of Employees..................................................... 560

Highlands Regional Medical Center
Business Line: Healthcare
Number of Employees..................................................... 450

Cross Country Automotive Services
Business Line: Roadside Assistance Call Center
Number of Employees..................................................... 375

Palms of Sebring
Business Line: Assisted Living Facility
Number of Employees..................................................... 278

Highlands Greenhouses
Business Line: Ornamental Plants
Number of Employees..................................................... 266

Lake Placid Heath Care Cente
Business Line: Nursing Home
Number of Employees..................................................... 205

Alan Jay Automotive
Business Line: Automobile Dealership
Number of Employees..................................................... 200

Home Depot
Business Line: Home Improvement Supplies
Number of Employees..................................................... 160

Georgia Pacific
Business Line: Corrugated Boxes
Number of Employees..................................................... 140

Federal Interstates 1 to 1.5 hours to I-4, I-75, Florida's Turnpike
Federal Highways US-27
State Highways SR 66, SR 98
Railroads CSX
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service: Orlando International Airport (80 miles)
# Runways 790
Longest Paved Runway(ft.) 12000
General Aviation Airports Sebring Regional, Avon Park Executive, Placid Lakes

Local Deep Water Port
Miles to Closest Port 70
<!-- <tr> <td>Local Communications Service Tax</td> <td align="right">2.4</td> -->
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government 7.3544
Schools 7.6640
Special 0.0000
Total 15.0184

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Yes
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option) 1.00
Federal Enterprise Zone No
State Enterprise Zone EZ-2801
STATE
<!-- <tr> <td>Intangible Tax (per $1,000)</td> <td align="right">$.50</td> </tr> -->
Corporate Income Tax 5.5%
Personal Income Tax 0.0%
Retail Sales Tax 6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • Progress Energy
  • Glades Electric Cooperative

  • Natural Gas Companies:
  • Coker Fuel
  • Sebring Gas Systems
  • TECO Peoples Gas Company

  • Telephone Companies:
  • Sprint

  • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • Municipalities


  • Existing Industrial Zoned Land Yes
    Number of Acres 2,070
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel 180

    Industrial Parks Yes
    Number of Acres 812
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel 180

    Foreign Trade Zones Yes
    Zone Number(s) 215
    Public
    Schools
    Teachers Enrollments
    Elementary: 9 350 5,996
    Secondary: 7 370 6,449
    Totals: 16 720 12,445

    Private Schools Available: Yes
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • Warner Southern College
  • Webber College
  • Florida Southern College

  • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • South Florida Community College
  • Indian River Community College

  • Vocational/Technical Schools:
  • South Florida Community College
  • Indian River Community College

  • Other Schools:
  • none

  • Local Radio Stations:
  • WWOJ - FM
  • WWTK - AM
  • WZSP - FM
  • WAVP - AM
  • WITS-AM
  • WZZS-FM
  • Local Television Stations:
  • Trianon Broadcast Company








  • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • Lake Placid Journal
  • The News-Sun
  • Highlands Today

  • Number of Banks: 30

    Number of Savings and Loans: 0

    Number of Credit Unions: 2
    <!-- <tr> <td align="center" colspan="2">(Population Weighted Category Indices)</td> </tr> -->
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2007)
    Florida State Average = 100
    Sample
    Total 91.02
    Food 97.68
    Housing 82.80
    Medical Care 90.76
    Personal Goods and Services 96.81
    Transportation 99.76
    Medical Services:
  • Florida Hospital Heartland
  • Florida Hospital Lake Placid
  • Highlands Regional Medical Center

  • Recreational Opportunities:
  • BMX Track
  • County Parks (18)
  • Golf Courses (15)
  • Highlands Hammock & Lake June Scrub State Parks
  • Lakes (95)
  • Public Boat Landings (43)
  • Tennis Courts (31)

  • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Avon Park Depot Museum
  • Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
  • Lake Placid Historical Museum
  • Military Sea Services Museum
  • Sebring Historical Museum
  • Sebring International Raceway

  • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • Avon Park Springtime on the Mall Festival, March
  • Highlands Fine Art Festival, Sebring, November
  • Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Country Fair, February
  • Lake Placid Caladium Festival, August
  • Roaring Twenties Arts & Crafts, Sebring, February

  • HIGHLAND COUNTY FLORIDA MARKET ACTIVETY FOR AUGUST 2009

    The market activety had surelt improved from a year ago. We a definatly seeing more activety.

    These are the latest stats for the month of August.

    August MLS Stats:

    8-1-09 - 8-31-09

    120 sold listings; 38 of them Short Sale, Foreclosure, Bank or Corporate Owned

    Average DOM 166

    Median List: $99,900

    Median Sold: $92,750

    Welcome to Lake Placid, Florida!

    "Florida's Lake Country" offers 27 clear, freshwater lakes with some of the best fishing anywhere. This southern portion of Central Florida, also known as "The Ridge," is one of the most scenic areas of the Sunshine State. Our hospitality and the beauty of our lakes and rolling hills makes Lake Placid a perfect vacation destination.

    Any season of the year is a good time to visit Lake Placid. Our moderate temperatures and sunny days assure plenty to do year-round. With our pristine freshwater lakes, it's no wonder that many recreational pursuits around Lake Placid are water related. Watersports, swimming, boating, sailing and fishing are popular activities with visitors and residents. Our blue skies, stately cypress, and beautiful lake views are perfect for picnics and hiking.

    Large mouth bass are plentiful in the lakes, with six to eight pounders caught regularly. Bluegills, shell crackers and crappies are plentiful as well and provide excellent eating.

    The Mural Society contributes to the beauty of our town and helps preserve our colorful history. 42 murals grace the sides of buildings around town and even the trash containers have color and style.

    Color brochures containing mural history and location maps are available from local retailers or at the Society's offices located in the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center.

    19th AnnuLake Placid Chamber of Commerce Visitor's Center. - August 28, 29 & 30

    13th Annual Antique & Classic Car Show - August 29, 2009

    Anita S Zahn, P.A. Realtor

    ERA ADVANTAGE REALTY

    743 US 27 South

    Sebring, Fl 33870

    (863) 840-1420 Direct

    (866) 863-6999 Fax

    Realty411@comcast.net (email)

    www.AnitaZahn.com (web site)

    Why Choose a Certified Short-Sale Proffessional Agent?

    What is the right choose for you?

    Whether choosing a Certified Sort-Sale Professional or an experienced Realtor with some short sale

    experience. Make sure this is the right person to help you.

    Today you don't have to give up and walk away to go into foreclosure.

    There is an alliterative. Short Sale.

    Save yourself from Foreclosure with a Short-Sale. Use an agent that knows how to have the Lender release and

    Satisfaction of the Mortgage.

    The world of real estate is ever changing and never seems to remain constant for more than a brief period. Just a few years ago few agents or homeowners even knew what a short-sale was. Today the real estate landscape has changed dramatically and the time has come to bring in the certified professional.

    A key element in the selling of a property short is knowing who makes the ultimate decision and making sure your proposal will take the least amount of time to process. With the market conditions in some areas causing a flood of short-sale properties having an experienced and well trained guide will make the process much smoother.

    The reason you should choose a Certified Short-Sale Professional is similar to the reason you would select a brain surgeon over a family practitioner to perform brain surgery. This very complex balancing act of selling your home in a short-sale position is so far away from what the normal real estate agent has experienced. The risk involved of not completing a short-sale transaction properly is much worse than a situation that an agent is used to ... in a normal transaction if the deal does not close the consumer loses mostly just time ... in a short-sale if the deal does not close properly you can be foreclosed upon. With this said a CSP designated agent has two goals:

    1) Work with your lender to assist you in resolving the imbalance between home value and mortgage
    debt and

    2) Sell your home quickly and as painless as possible.

    CSP real estate professionals are expert facilitators of the short-sale transaction - from beginning to end. Those agents that have earned the CSP Designation recognize the impact that a short-sale can have on the sale of a home and have been prepared to provide that value added service for their clients. Who better to work through the issues of short-selling your home than the one that is assuming responsibility for the marketing of your home? Equipped with the knowledge and skills to ensure that your home is fully prepared to present a proposal to the lender, the CSP real estate professional will ensure you have an edge.