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Kathy Hyatt

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5 Easy Steps to Adding your Active Rain Blog to your Facebook Profile

11-18-09
Kathy Hyatt

5 Easy Steps to Adding your Active Rain Blog to your Facebook Profile

1. On your profile page click on the “Notes” tab and mouse over to settings, drop down and click on “Application Settings”

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2. A new window will open called “Applications” and click on “Notes”1

3. Your Note Window will open and to the right you will see a new box called “Note Settings”1

4. Click on that and a new window will open called Import and External Blog, here you type in your Active Rain Blog URL Address ie. www.activerain.com/blog/username1

5. A new Window will open with a Preview of the Blog and you just click Confirm.1

That’s it, now all your blogs will auto populate into your Notes in your Facebook Profile. Enjoy!

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6 Easy Steps to add your Realtor.com Listings to your Facebook Profile

11-18-09
Kathy Hyatt

6 Easy Steps to add your Realtor.com Listings to your Facebook Profile

1. Go to the website of www.seemylistings.com and click on "Add my Listings"1

2. You will then be asked to Login into Facebook

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3. Facebook message comes up and click "Allow"

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4. Fill in your MLS Board Information Realtor ID

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5. Next screen will say "Show Your Listings on Facebook", Click on "Add to Profile"1

6. A new window pops up asking you to Confirm, click on "Add"

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That's it, now all your Listings will Auto Populate from MLS to your Facebook Page. Enjoy!

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Homeowners Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

11-17-09
Kathy Hyatt

Homeowners Tax Credit Extended and Expanded

1The (Not Just) First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, Expanded & Explained

After much speculation by the general populace (and the real estate industry) and much consternation by Congress, the much-anticipated extension of the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has been passed.

Passed, not to mention greatly expanded.1

The original tax credit, which was a part of the economic stimulus package put into effect in February 2009, was made available to first-time homebuyers (people who hadn't owned a home for three or more years) and applied to home purchases that closed on or before November 30, 2009. With the passage of the expansion bill into law, that credit has been extended to purchases made by May 1, 2010 and that are closed prior to July 1, 2010.

For first-time homebuyers, the credit amount, as it was in the original plan, remains at 10% of the purchase price, up to a maximum credit of $8,000. Originally, to be eligible for the credit, single (not married) purchasers could have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of no more than $75,000/year; married couples with an AGI of $150,000 or less were eligible. Under the new plan, singles with an AGI of up to $125,000 and married couples with an AGI of up to $225,000 are eligible.

1For many of the homeowners who had previously been ineligible to claim the credit at all because they already owned a home, there is good news for them. Under the new plan, homeowners who have lived in their homes for 5 consecutive years of the past 8 years are eligible to receive a credit toward a new home purchase. Meant to give a boost to "move-up" buyers, this credit amount can be 10% of the purchase price, up to $6,500. The income caps referenced above are the same.

The members of the Armed Services and who were/will be deployed outside the United States for at least 90 days between December 31, 2008 - May 1, 2010, may claim the credit until May 1, 2011 (with settlement all wrapped up before July 1, 2011).

One peculiarity of which it's important to take note: even if one purchases a new home in 2010, they can claim the credit on their 2009 tax return. If they file for an extension of time to file their income taxes, or if they amend their already-filed 2009 tax return, they may include the tax credit (this would put the cash in their pocket much sooner than if they were to claim the credit on their 2010 tax return). Be sure, however, to take heed of the income limitations, as they apply to the year in which they claim the credit.1

Finally, it's important that you understand that if the purchase price of the home exceeds $800,000, no tax credit may be claimed, regardless of the income levels. The credit only applies to primary residences. Investment properties or vacation homes don't qualify.

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First Day of Autumn 2009

09-22-09
Kathy Hyatt

treeFirst Day of Autumn 2009

Can you believe, three quarters of the year of 2009 is now behind us? September is my favorite month as this is the month that brings the last day of Summer and the first day of Fall.

The September equinox is where the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west. This is also true for both the fall and spring equinoxes. So on two days of the year people will find the exact cardinal directions of East and West by using the sun.tree

The autumnal equinox for the northern hemisphere is the vernal equinox for the southern hemisphere. Another nifty way to say this is that when fall begins for the northern hemisphere at the same time, spring begins for the southern hemisphere. Keeping this in mind will help you understand why we have seasons. If part of the globe has opposite seasons than the other half, is not because of how close or far away we are from the sun. This is related to the tilt of the Earth on its axis.

As the North Pole begins to tilt away from the sun, cooler weather comes to the northern hemisphere because the sun is no longer giving its direct rays to this part of Earth. In winter when the North Pole is tilted it's farthest away from the sun, we have the least amount of daylight hours and the coldest weather. You can even notice the angle of the sun and how it never gets as high above the horizon.

treeHere is an interesting fact, while some would believe that we would have even days and nights, however, this is not the case. In the Northern Hemisphere on the fall equinox, daylight hours will still be longer than nighttime by about seven to 10 minutes. A couple days after the equinox, day and night are finally equal. You can check for the exact dates and time visiting the Naval Oceanography Portal.

Kathy Hyatt is a Native South Floridian, give her a call with any questions you may have on Real Estate or visit www.KathyHyatt.com

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Awesome South Florida Living

02-15-09
Kathy Hyatt

1Awesome South Florida Living

I have been corresponding with a Buyer who lives in Massachusetts and is interested in moving down to South Florida. He has lived in Massachusetts for about 15 years and is tired of the snow. He has even made a list of pro and cons about Florida Living which I have to tell you I found completely humorous.1

The one thing that may hold this Buyer back is our High Cost of Living. It is true, Real Estate Taxes and Home Owner's Insurance alone is Real Pricey and before you know the Mortgage Payment has escalated higher than most people's comfort level.

1However, you must consider this. South Florida has a much diversified culture attracting people from all around the world. Throw in our Beautiful Weather, Many Shops and Fabulous Amenities and it is easy to see why South Florida is the place to Live.

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