Happy Birthday America! I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy 4Thof July holiday!
A news release was sent out from The Federal Housing Authority regarding fraudulent loan modification companies. HUD Secretary Donovan said “We have families on the edge of foreclosure that are being offered things that are too good to be true, and we will take every measure we can to educate and protect consumers and homeowners, bring these scams to light, and work to prevent con artists from exploiting the housing crisis. There are legitimate people, places, and agencies that American families can turn to when they are facing foreclosure, starting with MakingHomeAffordableand the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE for free foreclosure counseling assistance.” The California Department of Real Estate recently issued a fraud warning alerting consumers about loan modification scams and informing consumers of what they can do to protect themselves. The alert is available in both English and Spanish. Last July, the Department of Real Estate had fewer than 10 complaints involving loan modification companies; today the department has 750 pending investigations. In addition, since last October, the Department of Real Estate has filed more than 200 view the list at The California Department of Real Estate if the Desist and Refrain Orders. If your thinking about contacting a Loan Modification Company please do your home work first!
Its that time of year again! The San Joaquin County Fair Opens today! Its five-day run starts today with emphasis on the old (a return of horse racing) and the new (the theme this year is “We’re going green”).
The gates open at noon, with the horse-racing post time at 12:45 p.m.
Tickets are $5 before 5 p.m. today. Regular ticket prices are $6 in advance for adults and $9 at the gate; $3 in advance for children and $5 at the gate.
The 2009 County Fair features several contests centered on green technology plus the usual agricultural, floriculture, arts and crafts, science and technology, and livestock judging.
After a one-year separation from the fair, horse racing has returned. It will continue through Sunday.
Now that you have purchased a HOME! Here are some things that you should be thinking about before you move in. Especially in today’s market; most of the homes sold in our area (Stockton California) are bank owned homes (REO),(foreclosed homes). In most cases, a buyer will purchase a home in its present “as is” condition. Which means you probably got a great buy, but your new home will probably need TLC…………..Some things to consider!
1. Exterior Paint. Peeling paint is one of the most common problems associated with purchasing a home that is not new construction (resale). Refreshing the exterior paint is a good ideal… Dark colors fade faster than light colors and absorb heat-something to consider in warmer climates. Light, neutral colors are your best bet for resale purposes or, if you are renting or selling in a vacation area, consider colors that complement the area, such as light or bright colors near the shore and earth tones in the mountains.
2. Electrical Work. Electrical safety is critical in the resale or rental of a property. Consult a licensed electrician to perform repairs or improvements. Consider installing safety products such as GFCI outlets and AFCIs. GFCI outlets automatically cut power if a ground fault occurs, meaning they will save your life if you somehow end up on the receiving end of an electric current. AFCIs are another safety measure that you install into the wiring itself. They detect arc faults that are a common cause of electrical fires, and break the circuit before fire breaks out.
3. HVAC Repairs. Consult an HVAC contractor to make sure air-conditioning systems are in good working order, a must for any prospective buyer or renter. Make sure the air-conditioning unit is working at optimal efficiency, as this will translate into savings on monthly utility bills.
4. Plumbing. Make sure all leaky faucets are repaired and parts, such as worn washers, springs and “o” rings, replaced. Then check to see if water flow is at all hindered in the property. A stopped drain in a bathroom or kitchen sink plumbing system is often the result of a clogged pipe. First, try chemical drain cleaners, then remove the elbow piping if necessary, to further investigate the clog.
5. Landscaping. Many resale properties often fall victim to overgrown lawns, shrubs and weeds. Start by mowing and pruning, and then address more serious issues, such as dead tree branches that could land on the home or power lines. An easy way to provide a clean and updated look to the landscaping-and add curb appeal to the property-is to edge the borders. Consider wood edging, brick or stone edging, metal edging or plastic edging.
6. Pests. Many abandoned properties develop pest problems due to stagnant water and general lack of upkeep. Immediately empty all stagnant water, find the source of any moisture that might be in the home and use over-the-counter repellants to rid the home of small pest problems. Hire a professional for any pest problems that are more serious.
7. Windows and Doors. Replacing doors and windows should be done ASAP, unless you have broken or cracked windows they should be replaced immediately.
8. Floors and Stairways. Rotting wood in floors, doors, staircases and railings, a common issue found with resale homes. Rot sometimes occurs in areas that are not visible to home inspectors, so this job may require the consultation of an expert in the area.
9. Interior Walls. Ripped wallpaper and chipped paint are not uncommon in foreclosure properties. Take down all wallpaper and repaint the interior in one or a series of neutral colors. Using bright, unusual or darker colors narrows the pool of interested parties.
10. Appliances. Your new home may or may not have appliances. Homes that have appliances may be older and need to be replaced.
News you can use: U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan recently announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow home buyers to apply the administration’s new $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit toward the purchase costs of a FHA-insured home. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers home buyers a tax credit of up to $8,000 for purchasing their first home. Families can only access this credit after filing their tax returns with the IRS. Home buyers using FHA-approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closing costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate.
Here is an over view straight from the Internal Revenue Service:
1st Time homebuyers may be able to take advantage of a tax credit for homes purchased in 2008 or 2009.
* Applies to purchases that close after April 8, 2008 and before Dec.1 2009.
* Applies only to homes used as a taxpayers principal residence.
* Reduces a taxpayer’s tax bill or increases his or her refund, dollar for dollar.
* Is fully refundable, meaning the credit will be paid out to eligible taxpayers, even if they owe no tax or the credit is more than the tax owed.
(Please check with you tax advisor regarding any tax eligible questions)!
The credit is claimed using form 5405
For 2008 Home Purchases
The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 established a tax credit for first-time homebuyers that can be worth up to $7,500. For homes purchased in 2008, the credit is similar to a no-interest loan and must be repaid in 15 equal, annual installments beginning with the 2010 income tax year.
For 2009 Home Purchases
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 expanded the first-time homebuyer credit by increasing the credit amount to $8,000 for purchases made in 2009 before Dec. 1.
For home purchased in 2009, the credit does not have to be paid back unless the home ceases to be the taxpayer’s main residence within a three-year period following the purchase.
First-time homebuyers who purchase a home in 2009 can claim the credit on either a 2008 tax return, due April 15, 2009, or a 2009 tax return, due April 15, 2010. The credit may not be claimed before the closing date. But, if the closing occurs after April 15, 2009, a taxpayer can still claim it on a 2008 tax return by requesting an extension of time to file or by filing an amended return
Support our local track!Remember everyone to support are local race track! The New Stockton 99 Spreedway! Lets keep the stands full. It has been very exciting! Check out the website for this weekend Events, Times and prices!
“Whelen All American Series” - Western Late Models,
ALSC/Street Stocks, Legends of the Pacific, Mini-Stocks/Mini-Trucks
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the civil war), it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action. Please take a few minutes this weekend to honor our Military!
I would like to say Thank You to all our military service people!
United StatesNational Cemetery
Summer is fast approaching! Here in the valley we will be reaching the 100 degree and over mark this weekend! Here are some tips to help cool yourself and your home down!
- Set your thermostat to 78. Go higher, if the humidity is low enough and you feel comfortable. Turning a thermostat down to cool a room quicker doesn’t work, by the way — it makes the a/c run longer, not colder.
- Wear short-sleeved, loose clothing. You dress lightly to go out on a summer day. Do the same indoors. Absorbent, wickable cotton (organic, of course!) is the hot weather classic.
- Drink lots of water. This is good practice, anyway. Cold drinks drop your body’s core temperature and cools you down quickly.
- Draw your drapes. Keeping you blinds, shades, and curtains closed — particularly on the west side of the house — helps keeps heat from getting inside in the first place.
- Turn off unnecessary heat-producing devices. Incandescent light bulbs are a big heat generator. Shut down electronic gear when you’re not using it.
- Use the microwave. Conventional cooking dumps heat in the house, but microwaves cook the food directly.
- Wash and dry clothes when the day is cool. Do laundry early in the day and late at night. Don’t forget clotheslines: they generate no heat in the house.
- Skip your dishwasher’s dry cycle. Rack your dishes and let them air dry, instead.
- Open the bathroom window when showering. Vent heat and humidity outside, rather than back into the house. Obviously, you don’t want to put on a show for the neighbors. If you have privacy concerns, open up after dressing. Keep the bathroom door closed.
- Run your air conditioner fan on low. This is particularly helpful in areas with high summer humidity. The low air volume helps your a/c dehumidify.
- Keep heat-producers away from your thermostat. Don’t allow a closely located TV or water heater to convince your thermostat that it’s hotter than it really is.
- Check your refrigerator settings. The fridge takes heat out of your food and transfers it to your kitchen, so be sure you’re running efficiently. The refrigerator is best set between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the freezer around five degrees.
- Turn off your furnace pilot light. You can always re-light it next autumn.
- Close the fireplace damper. Don’t send cool air up the chimney. If your fireplace has a glass door, shut it.
It’s time for all of us to join in and Recycle. Recycling benefits us all in some way. It reduces pollution, saves landfill space, creates jobs, and can save you money…….. By choosing to recycle, you are improving your environment today. You are helping to ensure that future generations have clean air to breathe, water to drink and more land for parks and playgrounds (by reducing the need for landfills). Here are some interesting facts.
• Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for 3.5 hours (Source: DEP). • Americans throw away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet………. • • Americans discard enough glass containers to fill the 1,350-foot twin towers of New York’s WorldTradeCenter every two weeks! • You can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to make one new can. • Incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates 1 job, land filling the same amount creates 6 jobs, recycling the same 10,000 tons creates 36 jobs. • Everyday Americans buy 62 million newspapers and throw out 44 million. That’s the equivalent of dumping 500,000 trees into a landfill every week. • American’s throw away enough office and writing paper annually to build a wall 12 feet high stretching from Los Angeles to New York City…………… • One tree can filter up to 60 pounds of pollutants from the air each year. • It takes 75,000 trees to print a Sunday Edition of the New York Times. • One ton of recycled paper uses 64% less energy and 50% less water, creates 74% less air pollution, saves 17 trees, and creates five times more jobs than one ton of paper products from virgin wood pulp. Now that makes you want to recycle!
Featured Properties
- $50,000
- Beds: 3
- Baths: 2
