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Stacey McCarthy @ SmartGirlsOwn.com

Tax Credit info for first-time homebuyers SmartGirlsOwn.com

1st time buyers should take advantage of this $7,500 15-year interest free loan from the government, especially to pay off high interest debt.

EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2009

Who is eligible?

First-time homebuyers or any homebuyers who have not owned a principal residence in the last three years

How does it work? Eligible purchasers can claim the $7,500 credit on their annual tax return form.

Amount of credit: 10% of cost of home or a maximum of $7,500

Repayment:

  • Two years after the credit is claimed, the homebuyer will have to start paying it back.
  • 15 equal annual installments will have to be paid back to the IRS every year.

6.67% of the borrowed amount or a maximum of $502

    • If home is sold before 15 years, the remainder of the loan will have to be repaid to the IRS upon the sale.

Part of the liability can be forgiven if the gain on the sale is less than the amount of the loan.

Restrictions:

    • Home purchase time limit: Homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009
    • Home must be a single family residence (including condos, coops) that will be used as a principal residence.
    • Home must be located in the United States.
    • Home cannot be financed through mortgage revenue bonds.

Income restriction:

To qualify for full $7,500 credit, the taxpayer must make no more than

  • $75,000 for single returns
  • $150,000 for joint returns

To still qualify for credit but at a lesser amount, the following income caps apply

  • $95,000 for single returns
  • $170,000 for joint returns

For more information on the tax credit go to www.SmartGirlsOwn.com

Shocking Forclosure Story in Newtown, PA (near Philadelphia)...

Between home searches on the MLS, I had a couple extra moments this morning to check out some listings on craigslist.

Honestly, I was really looking for a playhouse for my son and typed in "house" in a section that I did not expect to see this word: FORCLOSURE!

I can't seem to escape it! It is everywhere - even in the toy section. FORCLOSURE!So it seems even Barbie's Dreamhouse is being forclosed on! What a pity.

This is the "story" that accompanied the listing: "Barbie's spending habits have gotten the better of her. Due to imminent threat of foreclosure, she has to put her dream house up for sale."

Barbie's a smart girl for putting her house up for sale. It's much better than it getting forclosed on. Hopefully Barbie will find a nice condo somewhere, maybe in Villiage Shires, since she can get a cute little condo on the cheap.

Too bad about the Dream House though. On the bright side, it will be recycled and loved by another Dream House covet-er. Hopefully in time for the holidays.

Looking for your Dream House? Or just a modest condo?

www.SmartGirlsOwn.com

Congratulations Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Champs!

phillies_worldseries.jpg phillies world series image by M_I_C_K_E_Y

My husband, Big Joe, never watched so much baseball up until this recent Phillies season. I didn't understand why. I would listen to him spew statistics... actually scratch that... I would PRETEND to listen to him WHILE he spewed statistics since the spring training...

... I started to believe it could happen after driving behind a car that skidded off the road in a freak snowstorm Tuesday, as giant golfball size snowflakes came crashing to the earth and landing... after cleaning my car off of snow and sleet in October... BEFORE Halloween, mind you... while the leaves were still red and gold and orange, I thought to myself, "Hell has frozen over...

... Continued here on my Blog

YUM! Pumpkin Water Ice on the Menu at Rita's in Bensalem, PA

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." ~Seneca

There were many reasons why I chose Parkwood to live. Among the many reasons was that I would be a stone's throw away from Bucks County, where I spend a considerable amount of time. I work in Langhorne, play pool in Andalusia, and my sister cuts and dies my hair at Patty's in Levittown. But I just found another good reason...

Being a regular Philadelphian, I am a huge fan of water ice and celebrate the first day of spring every year with the iced treat. I also consider myself an unusually lucky person... an opportunity magnet, if you will. Imagine my luck when a YEAR-ROUND RITA's WATER ICE opened up last year in the Showcase Plaza in Bensalem. Year-Round! 2 minutes from my house! Needless to say, my family and I spend a lot of time there indulging on the icy delights. (Water ice is a fat free food if you didn't know.)

This fall brought about an unusual flavor of water ice at Rita's in Bensalem. Pumpkin! I am a fan of pumpkin. I like pumpkin pie. I like pumpkin spiced lattes from Starbucks. But I was sceptical at first. I couldn't resist and had to have a little taste. I have to say, I love it! It tastes like a really cold pumpkin pie. Totally YUM!

So, move to Parkwood or Bensalem and you can enjoy a Pumpkin Ice with me!

Visit Rita's at the Showcase Plaza
2822 Street Road
Bensalem, PA 19020

Rita's Ice Keep 'em coming Rita's! This one's a winner! Be Cool. Eat a Rita's!

Fall Fun at Shady Brook Farm's Pumpkin Fest Starting September 27th

My son went on his class trip to Shady Brook Farm this spring and although we've been to the farm on several occassions, we didn't know how much Shady Brook had to offer besides really, really sweet corn.

I have taken my son there just about every week this summer to play on their "playground" and treat him to Uncle Dave's delicious home-made ice cream. We pick up some fresh, locally grown produce and sometimes grab a sandwich at the deli.

Comming soon is their Pumpkin Fest which is the best $10 you will spend this fall...

  • Hayrides to the Pumpkin Patch to pick-your-own pumpkins (pumpkins not included)
  • Inflatable Amusements Saturday & Sunday
  • LIVE Entertainment Saturday & Sunday
  • Themed Play Areas
  • Straw Maze
  • Barnyard Animals
  • Farm Learning Center
  • Pig Races Saturday & Sunday
  • Giant Corn Maze, and more!

Open Sept. 27 & 28
DAILY from Oct. 4 to Nov. 2
11 AM to 5 PM

www.ShadyBrookFarm.com

Gem mining, pony rides, sand art, face painting, paint ball, Monster truck rides and some other activities not included with admission.

hay maze

pumpkins

pony rides

rides