Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate

Case-Shiller index improves for second consecutive quarter Home prices improved in the third quarter of 2009, posting their second quarter-over-quarter gain in three years, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, released yesterday. See the complete data here.

New Opportunities for Qualified Home Buyers! Federal tax credits of $8,000 or $6,500 are available now. There’s good news for you and for qualified home buyers. Effective now through April 30, 20101, qualified first-time and repeat or move-up home buyers may be eligible to receive a federal tax credit from their new home purchase. Below are some of the key program highlights: • Up to $8,000 tax credit for qualified first time homebuyers • Up to $6,500 tax credit for eligible repeat / move-up homebuyers • $800,000 maximum purchase price (primary residences only) • No repayment of tax credit required3. Weichert, Realtors – Hoshaw & Associates is committed to responsible and professional real estate representation. As buying, selling, financing, bank owned and distress sales specialist, you can count on us for up-to-date information, and clarification of all your questions and concerns for your best situation and outcome. For a personal consultation about your rea

The new tax credit is an improvement over the existing one which expires on Nov. 30. Some of the enhancements it includes are: The $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, as long as they have lived in the home they are selling as a principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. Time has been added to allow for closing the home purchase. As long as buyers have a binding contract by April 30, they will then have until June 30, 2010, to close the transaction. Income limits for eligible buyers were increased to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The passing of this legislation is very positive news for anyone looking to buy or sell a home. Both first-time and move-up buyers can now take advantage of the new tax credit in addition to today's historically low interest rates. We'll help you stay

Myth #2 – You Must Be Behind on Your Mortgage to Negotiate a Short Sale While this may have previously been the case, today lenders are looking for verifiable hardship, monthly cash flow shortfall, or pending shortfall and insolvency. If you meet these three requirements and believe that you soon may be unable to afford your mortgage, act immediately. Any delay could limit your options. Do not wait until the countdown clock to foreclosure has started and you have even less time left. No matter how many payments you are or not behind please call me right away to discuss you personal situation. When we talk will review all your options and advise you with answers to all of your questions, and update you on current laws and rights available to you.

America Recycles Day— November 15 th America Recycles Day is an annual campaign to encourage Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. As their slogan says, “it all comes back to you.” Even a small shift in your attitudes and actions, multiplied many times over by others accepting this challenge, can change the world. Maybe you’ll throw those soft drink cans in the recycle bin. Or buy recycled content products. Or participate in an America Recycles event. Even organize one yourself! The more you do, the better. But even a little helps a lot. Getting Back to Basics Recycling is really just common sense, and until the “modern era,” it was a common household activity. Before the 1920s, 70% of U.S. cities ran programs to recycle certain materials. Because of concern for the environment, recycling is again on the upswing. The nation’s composting and recycling rate rose from 7.7% of the waste stream in 1960 to 17% in 1990. It’s currently up to around 33%.

CASH for Appliances— Coming Your Way SOON!! By the end of 2009, consumers nationwide will be able to take advantage of a federal "cash for appliances" program offering rebates on purchases of a wide array of home appliances certified as energyefficient by the EPA's Energy Star program. Backed by an initial $300 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state-run rebate program is intended to help make American homes more energy-efficient while further stimulating the economy. Who Will Run the Program? Each state will administer its own cash for appliances program. The states will be free to select which residential Energy Star qualified appliances to include in their programs and the individual rebate amount offered for each appliance. What Can You Buy? The Department of Energy (DOE) has recommended that the states focus their cash for appliances rebate efforts on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters as these products