Belfair, WA

As winter is upon us, it seems we are waiting for the appraisar,or Obama to sign something,or the check in the mail, or fill out our taxes, or vacation,

I guess what I am saying is lets not forget to take care of ourselves, whether its a snow day, down time or just not answering our email and phones for a while,

We need our breaks more than ever!

Yes it is true and official.... Obama signs extended Tax Credit Into Law. And it's not just for First Time Home Buyers anymore.

What's it about? Here's a quick run-down:

The First Time Home Buyers Tax Creditpretty much remains the same - $8000 credit ($4000 if married filing separately) with a new deadline of April 30, 2010 to have a written binding contract in place to purchase a home that will close no later than July 1, 2010.

The Expanded part is that now a current homeownercan sell or who has sold a home that has been used as their principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years can receive a $6500 credit ($3250 if married filing separate) for purchasing a new principal residence so long as they are in a written binding contract to purchase by April 30,2010. They too will have until July 1, 2010 to close on the new home.

What do you have to do to claim the credit? You need to attach documentation of the purchase to your tax return. Now how simple is that?

Great News! So what are you waiting for? Let's go SHOPPING FOR YOUR NEW HOME!!!

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If you would like more information regarding the homes for sale in Belfair WA, drop me a line, or give me a call. I would love to help you achieve your real estate goals. Remember real estate is LOCAL.

I also offer a FREE comparative market analysis for sellers tailored specifically for your home or property. If you would like more information on selling your home in this market, please give me a call, drop me a line, or stop on in! I believe in building relationships for life... YOUR SUCCESS IS MY SUCCESS!

We believe homes are where memories are made and living takes place!

~~Valerie~~

Associate Broker

Windermere Peninsula Properties : My Belfair WA Real Estate Blog : www.BelfairWARealEstate.com

My Website : www.valspaulding.mywindermere.com Email : vlsallyn@windermere.com

Direct Cell : 360-710-5622 Fax # 360-277-5006

Congress has extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit. The modifications in the column labeled
"December 1 - April 30, 2010" become effective when President Obama signs the bill. All changes made
to the current credit become effective on that date, as well.
FEATURE Jan 1 - November 30, 2009
Rules as enacted
February 2009
December 1 - April 30,
2010 Rules as enacted
November 2009
Firsttime
Buyer -
Amount of Credit
$8000
($4000 married
filing separate)
$8000
($4000 married
filing separate)
Firsttime
Buyer -
Definition for Eligibility
May not have had an interest
in a principal residence for 3
years prior to purchase
Same
Current Homeowner -
Amount of Credit
No Provision $6500
($3250 married
filing separate)
Effective Date -
Current Owner
No Provision
Date of Enactment
Current Homeowner -
Definition for Eligibility
No Provision Must have used the home
sold or being sold as a
principal residence
consecutively for 5 of the
previous 8 years
Termination of Credit Purchases after
November 30, 2009.
(Becomes April 30, 2010 on
Date of Enactment.)
Purchases after
April 30, 2010
Binding Contract Rule None So long as a written binding
contract to purchase is in
effect on April 30, 2010, the
purchaser will have until
July 1, 2010 to close.
Income Limits
(Note: Increased income
limits are effective as of
date of enactment of bill)
$75,000 - single
$150,000 - married
Additional $20,000 phase out
$125,000 - single
$225,000 - married
Additional $20,000 phase
out
Limitation on Cost of
Purchased Home
None $800,000
Effective Date of Enactment
Purchase by a Dependent No Provision Ineligible
Effective Date of Enactment
Antifraud
Rule None Purchaser must attach
documentation of purchase
to tax return

We've all had those long and dreary days, filled with miserable rain outside and miserable and whining kids, inside. "What's there to do?" they ask every five minutes. "Why can't we go outside?" "Will this rain ever stop?"

Well, rainy days may ruin some cheerful plans of outside activities, but it doesn't have to be dull, boring, or frustrating inside. With a few careful preparations ahead of time, you can plan on the next rainy day being a day the kids will remember. In fact, they may be wishing for more days of rain.

· Play "I Spy" or "20 Questions". It's quite easy. Each person takes a turn and picks out something in the room. Then, without letting the others know what it is, the person says, "I spy" or "I have something in mind." Then, the others take turns trying to guess what the object is.

· Play cards. You can play the traditional games, or you can invent whole new games for the kids.

· Play "let's pretend" games. Let the kids pretend to be teachers, doctors, nurses, policemen or firemen. Let them dress up in whatever you may have on hand. Then let them play the roles. You might even volunteer to be the patient or bad guy that has to be arrested and taken off to jail.

· Have a picnic or camp out on the living room floor. Let the kids gather blankets and pillows, and whatever they think makes the perfect event. If you have a fireplace, it would be perfect for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Be creative and be a little flexible. Sure there will be a mess, but it can be cleaned up. This is the time to let go and let everyone have some fun.

· Have a scavenger hunt or clue hunt. Compile a list of items the kids must find, or, write up and hide a bunch of clues they must solve in order to find the next clue. Let the kids scamper off in search of these otherwise ordinary household items. For that day, the items are much sought after treasures they are collecting. Make it fun, and leave a few rewards for them to find along the way.

· Plan a cultural feast. If you have a handy kitchen nature, and you're knowledgeable about different cultural foods, prepare a cuisine that the kids will love. Let them help. Then, while you are preparing and eating the foods, you can help the kids learn more about these different cultures.

· Have a party. Let the kids pick out some music, then pull out the chips or make some popcorn. Let them dance around the room. Then, let them fall all over themselves with laughter, when you show them how it was done when you were a kid.

· Create simple science projects. You might even have everyday items around the house that you can use. But this is one project you must prepare ahead of time. You need to research the different projects, and make sure you not only have the items you will need, but also make sure it is perfectly safe for the kids.

· Have a fashion show. This is a take-off of the dress-up, but the kids get to try on many different clothes. Let them pick out their own unique and imaginative styles and combos, then model them for you to admire. Let them strut their stuff, and watch them beam with pride as you "oooh" and "ahhh" over their new styles.

· Tell old family stories. The kids always seem to love hearing about the "good old days." Tell them what you did on rainy days when you were a kid. Share the stories your parents used to tell you, and let the kids get to know their ancestors a little better.

· Let the kids build homemade ships and try out their sailing skills in the bathroom. You might even want to let the kids go "swimming" in the tub, while they're at it. After all, you can be sure all of you will end up at least a little wet, by the time all of the ships have been tried and tested on the waters.

· Gather an assortment of items from around the house and let the kids get creative, trying to build some new and ingenious sculpture or object from the different things. If they will be using tape, glue, or other permanent adhesives, you might want to use only those items that you don't mind the kids keeping or discarding.

· Finally, if the weather is only wet, but no thunder or lightning threatens, let the kids take a walk out in the rain. Either take an umbrella, or just let all of you go out, barefooted, and enjoy traipsing through the falling rain and jumping in all of the puddles you encounter. Kids are so used to parents telling them to come in out of the rain, they are sure to love and appreciate a rare opportunity to go out and play in it.

Whatever you do, if you make some advance preparations, the next rainy day at your house is sure to be something more than just another dull and dreary day for the kids - and for you. Let them be themselves, and learn how, where and when you can be flexible. Make the day a special one, and the kids may not ever dread another rainy day again.

Looks like Congress will be extending that homebuyer tax credit afterall. First time homebuyers, known to the IRS as people who haven't owned a home in the last three years, have been frantcly trying to get into contract on a house in time to get an $8,000 federal tax credit due to expire on Nov. 30. But some of them have had such a hard time outbidding cash buyers that they despaired of making the deadline.

Well, they're in luck. The Senate just passed a cloture motion to end debate on this bill, 85-2. that will extend the tax credit to April 30, 2010. The bill should find it's way through floor votes in both Senate and the House by the end of tomorrow, if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has his way.

But the bill will not just be extended, it will also be expanded.

Get this-

Homebuyers who have lived in their prior residences for at least five years could receive a credit of $6,500 under the plan. Couples earning as much as much as $225,000 and individuals earning up to $125,000 would also qualify. That's up from the current $75,000 limit for individuals and $150,000 for couples.

Also, anyone taking the credit from a home purchased in 2010 would be able to take the credit in 2009. Wow what a deal!