Jay & Jewell Kaiser

Below is a shorter recapped version of what we have been hearing about the first time home buyers tax credit.

Sen. Johnny Isakson's (R-Ga.) office forwarded some additional details of the $8,000 tax credit deal that Senate negotiators worked out last night: The tax credit would be $8,000 for first-time home buyers and $6,500 for move-up buyers.

The new tax credits will be available from December 1, 2009 to April 30, 2010. The tax credit will sunset on April 30, 2010, but as long as you have a binding contract by that date, you will still qualify to complete the transaction within 60 days. Move-up buyers are eligible, as long as the home they're leaving has been used as their principal residence for 5 years or more.

Income limits for both first-time home buyers and move-up buyers would be $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples. The home being purchased may not cost $800,000. (The tax credit is structured that you will get 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and $6,500 for trade-up buyers, but if you're buying a $1 million house, you're ineligible to get a tax credit.) For purchases made in 2010, taxpayers can claim the tax credit on their 2009 income tax return. Home buyers would not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their principal residence for 36 months after the purchase date.

The amendment includes a military waiver provision, meaning the recapture provision would not apply in the case of a member of the Armed Forces, military intelligence or Foreign Service who is on qualified official extended duty. In addition, members of the military who have been deployed overseas for 90 days or more in 2008 or 2009 would have until April 30, 2011 to claim the home buyer tax credit.

The amendment also includes anti-fraud language that gives authority to the IRS to do greater oversight during the processing of the return rather than waiting for an audit situation. The amendment requires the taxpayer claiming the credit to be 18 years of age or older (no more 4-year olds filing for the tax credit), as well as requiring a HUD-1 settlement statement to be attached when claiming the credit.

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Morrow insurance a Brevard NC local agent was kind enough to send me this month's tip. Interesting that they check your credit score and interesting the finidings.

Tip of the month for November 2009: I recently read that you should never go beyond 30% of your credit card's limit each month, even if you pay it off each month, it hurts your credit score. Check and see what your credit card limit is and make sure you don't go over the 30%. If the card has a low limit, you can request that they increase it for this reason.

I sometimes get comments from customers who question their insurance score (which is based on one's credit and affects their insurance premium), even though they pay off their cards every month and are never late, etc. This may be one reason their insurance score is not as high as it should be.

As I have mentioned before, an insurance score is not the same as a credit score that a bank uses. An insurance score is not as in depth and does not show as a hit on a person's credit account. Some other factors that influence an insurance credit score are: bankruptcies, number of credit cards and/or credit card applications made (don't apply for the credit card in the store just to receive the discount off your purchase), net worth, and liquid assets available.

Thank you, Priscilla Tinsley, CISR

Morrow Insurance Agency, Inc

Just wanted to send a quick update - this afternoon Oprah pulled out of having the finalist on her show. We are all disappointed because we really felt Little Bitsy would be in the final 4 and the Oprah audience would LOVE her!

The Contest has gotten in touch with the 12 finalist today and decisions on how to proceed are being made. Most of us have asked for them to go ahead and announce the top 4 finalist. I'm hoping an announcement will be made soon. Also hoping Little Bitsy is in the final 4!

The web site now is still set up for voting and if you'd like to add a comment on the blog cheering Little Bitsy on - please do! Voting link below: http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/semifinals.cfm Thank you all for your continued support throughout all of this.

We have come a long way! Little Bitsy is the 12th week winner of the hardest week to win! Amazing what we can accomplish with everyone's help! She ended the week with over 9,000 votes - Wow!!

Go Little Bitsy Go!! Thank you all so much, Sylvia Little Bitsy's owneria

As you know Little Bitsy can win the big one and help sheltered animals in our county with a one million dollar prize. I ask our active rain community to do all you can to help this good cause. Pleae vote for Little Bitsy! And thanks in advance! Below is a note from Sylvia Evans Little Bitsy's new parents.

Jay

Little Bitsy won this final week!! Week 12 !!!! I want to thank everyone who supported Little Bitsy and animal rescue with your votes. We could not have done this without you!! Wow! I am amazed - she got over 9,000 votes!!!! The contest is asking for One More Vote. Please - get on and vote Cute for Little Bitsy One More Time. Your favorite out of the 12 finalist!!! Again, Thank you , Thank you!!! Sylvia Evans

Here is the voting link for today!!
http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/semifinals.cfm

Congratulations to Little Bitsy who is the next $500 semi finalist and is in contention for the one million dollar grand prize. If Little Bitsy wins, she vows to donate the money to Animal Rescue in Western North Carolina.

"If I win and all the funds going to animal rescue in WNC, just imagine how many animals we could help!" Little Bitsy