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Lisa Wiseman

Haunted Lab

10-24-09
Lisa Wiseman

Sunday, October 18th, after 11pm:

Said 'Normal' dog, before retiring, for no reason at all, and in the presence of two family members,
is suddenly transfixed by the light above the family kitchen table.

Said dog proceeds to methodically place her feet on chair, then both front feet on table,
while gazing fixedly and intensely at light as though responding to something.
Light was not on, and no bugs or other distractions to be seen.
Incident was less than 2 minutes long.

Photos of dog after incident

As of today, October 23rd, no other incidents have been reported, with the exception
of said dog periodically gazing up at light in question.

Stay tuned...

Almaden Reflections

10-18-09
Lisa Wiseman

Sometimes it feels like you're walking through time when on a long hike through Almaden's Quicksilver Park. When it's quiet, you can imagine the sounds of the Ohlone celebrating their life here.

Here are some beauriful scenes from my walk there today

Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension??

10-09-09
Lisa Wiseman

This just in: it's very likely that the credit may be extended. We are all lobbying for this.
It will allow more first time home buyers who haven't been able to purchase due to
multiple offer situations in a low inventory market to get their dream home, and help
stimulate the economy.View article

Save on Your Property Taxes?

10-07-09
Lisa Wiseman

By now most people are aware that they had the opportunity to appeal their
property taxes with the reduction in property values. However not everyone is aware that this opportunity exists, but with a Homestead Exemption,you could save money on your property taxes.

Detailed information on this for Santa Clara County and San Mateo County is below:

Homeowners' Property Tax ExemptionHomeownership builds strong communities and represents an excellent long-term investment for millions of Americans.

Owning a home also provides significant financial and tax advantages. California, for example provides for a Homeowners'

Property Tax Exemption. This $7,000 reduction in the taxable value of a qualified owner-occupied home could save at

homeowners at least $70 each year on their property taxes and is one of the many benefits of homeownership that

Realtors® can advertise to prospective buyers. Courtesy of Betty Yee, Acting Member of the California Board of Equalization,

here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the exemption and information about how to apply

for the exemption if you or your clients are not already receiving it.

Q: Who is eligible for the homeowners' exemption?

A:

Homeowners who own and occupy a home in California as their principal residence on January 1st of the year for which

they are claiming the exemption.

Q: What type of dwelling units can qualify for the homeowners' exemption?

A:

Any of the following can qualify if it is your principal residence and is subject to property tax: a single family residence,

a condominium, a unit in a cooperative housing project, a houseboat, a manufactured home, or a mobile home. However,

manufactured homes and mobile homes that are subject to the California vehicle license fee instead of local property tax

do not qualify for the homeowners' exemption.

Q: How do I know if I am already receiving the homeowners' exemption?

A:

Your annual property tax bill should reflect a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value of your home if you are receiving

the exemption. It is always a good idea to double-check your tax bill each year, even if you have received the exemption for

many years.

Q: How do I apply for the homeowners' exemption if I am not already receiving it?

A:

Your county assessor will provide you with a simple form to complete, free of charge. San Mateo County residents

should contact Warren Slocum, San Mateo County's Assessor at 650-363-4500 or assessor@smcare.org. Santa Clara

County residents should contact Larry Stone, the Santa Clara County Assessor at 408-299-5500 or

assessor@asr.co.scl.ca.us. If you were receiving the exemption for your home in previous years but did not receive it this

year, contact your county assessor to make sure your exemption was not removed in error. However, if you failed to apply

for the exemption in previous years, it cannot be granted retroactively.

Q: What is the deadline for filing a homeowners' exemption claim with the county assessor?

A:

To receive 100% of the allowable exemption, you must file an exemption claim form with your county assessor by

February 15th. If you file between February 16th and December 10th, you can still qualify for a partial exemption of the

lesser of $5,600 or 80% of the taxable value of your principal residence.

Q: Will I need to reapply for the homeowners' exemption each year?

A:

No. Once you have qualified for the homeowners' exemption, you should automatically receive the exemption for each

year you remain eligible. You should double-check your annual property tax bill just to be sure.

Q: Can I receive two exemptions if I own two homes?

A:

No. Only your principal residence can qualify for the homeowners' exemption. If you are receiving the exemption for a

home that no longer qualifies, it is your responsibility to notify your county assessor in a timely manner that your home is

no longer eligible for the exemption.

Q: Can I receive a homeowners' exemption if I receive Homeowner Property Tax Assistance?

A:

Yes. If you otherwise qualify for the homeowners' exemption, you can receive both benefits.

Homeowner Property Tax Assistance is provided to qualified homeowners based on the amount of property tax assessed

and paid on their home. You may be eligible for property tax assistance if you are 62 years of age or older, blind or disabled,

own and live in your own home, and meet certain household income limitations. For additional information regarding

homeowner property tax assistance, contact the California Franchise Tax Board at 1-800-868-4171.

Q: My home was damaged or destroyed in a recent natural disaster. Can I still qualify for the exemption even

though I am not currently living in my home?

A:

Yes. Recent law changes allow you to continue receiving the exemption even if you are not presently living in your home

as a result of specific natural disasters for which the Governor has declared a state of emergency. However, it is best to

check with your county assessor as to whether the natural disaster that damaged or destroyed your home was included in

the recent law changes. As you can see, the homeowners' property tax exemption can be an important and valuable benefit

to qualifying homeowners. If you are unsure about whether you qualify for the exemption or if you have additional

questions, please contact the San Mateo County Assessor's office at 650-363-4500 or assessor@smcare.org. Santa Clara

County residents should contact their Assessor's office at 408-299-5500 or assessor@asr.co.scl.ca.us

Buying REOs

09-26-09
Lisa Wiseman

If you want to take advantage of of the $8,000 TAX CREDIT, you will need to be in contract
no later than mid October! DON'T DELAY! This means that short sales are no longer
an option for you at this time. LEARN THE BEST WAY TO GET YOUR OFFER ACCEPTED.

THERE ARE OVER 300 REO PROPERTIES IN SANTA CLARA COUNY. Don't miss out on your opportunity to buy in San Jose.

Below are a current list of San Jose single family REOs as of September 26th.

2188 PETTIGREW DR

2702 CAMINO ECCO

5082 DEREK DR

1290 FREMONT ST

281 STAPLES AVE

1308 THORNBURY LN

3051 CUNNINGHAM AVE

698 PLATTE RIVER CT

1918 EVERMONT CT

5899 ETTERSBERG DR

5134 GALLANT FOX AVE

283 MCDONALD AVE

2967 VANPORT DR

380 BAY ST

2592 ABORN RD

3301 MONCUCCO WAY

10100 ENDFIELD WAY

3222 FALLEN OAK CT

5865 SOUTHWIND DR

3199 RUSKIN DR

540 INDEPENDENCE DR

1234 PIEDMONT RD

152 HERLONG AVE

3837 RAMIREZ CT

2969 VIVIAN LN

1918 SHULMAN AVE

13141 PFEIFLE AVE

540 CONTI CT

376 S WILLARD AVE

4079 FILAN WAY

3365 SAN RIVAS DR

3351 WOODSIDE LN

385 GREY GHOST AVE

3383 SAN PABLO AVE

740 AMANDA DR

1930 OROLETTE PL

3075 THURMAN DR

476 CROSSLEES DR

2350 SLEEPY HOLLOW LN

401 RAYOS DEL SOL DR

233 OLIVE HILL DR

1560 YANKEE POINT CT

3135 TERRYWOOD CT

4920 KENSON DR

2559 GUMDROP DR

4144 MIRA LOMA WAY

812 LOCUST ST

5589 CARRYBACK AVE

2740 OTHELLO AVE

322 LEIGH AVE

3314 HICKERSON DR

5804 COMANCHE DR

2143 LAUSETT AVE

1213 BOYNTON AVE

5775 RIBCHESTER CT

5380 LIGURIAN DR

1812 VOLLMER WAY

1676 MOCKING PLACE WAY

2718 CAMINO ECCO

984 PACIFIC AVE

417 IRVING AVE

532 CARVER ST

1823 WALKER CT

2915 SAMUEL DR

5366 WOODSTOCK WAY

4204 KINGSPARK DR

468 N WHITE RD

1129 PINE AVE

6045 PINELAND AVE

10298 MURTHA DR

2194 EBBESEN AVE

1135 PINE AVE

548 BLUEFIELD DR

2013 WONDERAMA DR

1021 FLEMING AVE

15207 STRATFORD DR

2877 GLEN HEATHER DR

14105 CANDLER AVE

5961 SHAWCROFT DR

1485 BAHAMA WAY

15330 CHARMERAN AVE

4063 PAYNE AVE

410 COYOTE RD

3727 PLEASANT VISTA DR

1281 CITY VIEW PL

3965 YOLO DR

2723 CHERRY AVE

2691 BON BON DR

3015 JULIO AVE

1901 FOREST AVE

1652 CROSS WAY

919 REDBIRD DR

2058 MUIRWOOD WAY

961 CAROLA AVE

906 WILLOWSHIRE WAY

908 WILLOWSHIRE WAY

910 WILLOWSHIRE WAY

1163 CURTISS AVE

1675 KINGMAN AVE

2438 RUBY AVE

5370 AVENIDA ALMENDROS

1769 JONATHAN AVE

14530 CLAYTON RD

5539 STONEY CREEK PL

3960 AGATHA WAY

170 SENTER RD

14441 STORY RD

686 POTOMAC CT

3320 PEPPER TREE LN

1612 SALAMONI CT

2017 SULLIVAN AVE

10291 LOCHNER DR

252 S KING RD

428 WASHINGTON ST

2788 WOODMOOR DR

Visit http://www.bayareahomesforyou.com/custom/content/7529 to view them all. Sign up to receive REO ALERTS and information on buying REOs.

View http://www.bayareahomesforyou.com/custom/content/7529 for REO and short sale information