Birgit Stubblefield

Demand for the USDA Guaranteed Rural Housing Program remains strong and has hit record setting levels. As a result, USDA Rural Development has advised Lenders that funds for the program is not available at this time. In the same announcement, USDA Rural Development has confirmed that the Agency will continue to accept and process application packages. As has been done previously when program funds are not available, USDA Rural Development will issue their loan approvals (Conditional Commitments) "subject to receipt of Congressionally appropriated funds". Once funding is appropriated by Congress and has become available to the Agency, USDA Rural Development will be able to issue Loan Note Guarantees for Conditional Commitments that were issued "subject to receipt of Congressionally appropriated funds."The "Hope" is that funds will be available in the near future but it is not guaranteed.

Try it, it works!

Here is something you will want to have and use ! I still remember when the telephone company charged me $1.50 to get a phone number from information !

My compliments to Google !

Just leave it up to Google to come up with something like this!!!

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. This is an awesome service from Google, and it's free -- great when you are on the road.

Don't waste your money on information calls and don't waste your time manually dialing the number. I am driving along in my car and I need to call the golf course and I don't know the number. I hit the speed dial for information that I have programmed.


The voice at the other end says, "City & State." I say, " Garland , Texas ." He says, "Business, Name or Type of Service." I say, Firewheel Golf Course." He says, "Connecting" and Firewheel answers the phone. How great is that? This is nationwide and it is absolutely free!


Click on the link below and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.

http://www.google.com/goog411/

Q: Who is eligible to claim the $7,500 tax credit?

A: First time home buyers purchasing a new or existing home are eligible for the tax credit. To qualify, the home purchase must close on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. Single taxpayers with gross adjusted incomes up to $ 75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $ 150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

Q: What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?

A: The law defines "first time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year-period prior to closing.

Q: How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?

A: You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. No other applications or forms are required.

Q: What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?

A: Any home purchased by an eligible first-time home buyer will qualify for the credit, provided that the home will be used as a principal residence and the buyer has not owned a home in the previous three years. This includes single-family detached homes or townhouses or condominiums.

Q: Are there any circumstances for which buyers whose incomes are at or below the $ 75,000 limit for singles or the$ 150,000 limit for married taxpayers might not be able to claim the full $ 7,500 tax credit?

A: in general, the tax credit is equal to 10% of the qualified home purchase price, but the credit amount is capped or limited at $ 7,500. For most first-time home buyers, this means the credit will equal $ 7,500. For home buyers purchasing a home priced less than $ 75,000, the credit will equal 10% of the purchase price.

Q: What is the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?

A: A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what the taxpayer owes. That means that a taxpayer who owes $ 7,500 in income taxes and who receives a $ 7,500 tax credit would owe nothing to the IRS