Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Happiest U.S. States Pinned Down

Source: LiveScience.com
By Jeanna Bryner, Managing Editor
posted: 17 December 2009 02:00 pm ET

A new study found that a person's self-reported happiness matches up with objective measures of state-level happiness.

The results are based on an examination of two data sets, one that included personal reports of happiness for 1.3 million Americans and the other that included objective measures, such as how crowded that state is, air quality, home prices and other factors known to impact quality of life.

Click here to learn more about the survey and what it means.

Here are the 50 U.S. states (and the District of Columbia) in order of their well-being:

1. Louisiana
2. Hawaii
3. Florida
4. Tennessee
5. Arizona
6. Mississippi
7. Montana
8. South Carolina
9. Alabama
10. Maine
11. Alaska
12. North Carolina
13. Wyoming
14. Idaho
15. South Dakota
16. Texas
17. Arkansas
18. Vermont
19. Georgia
20. Oklahoma
21. Colorado
22. Delaware
23. Utah
24. New Mexico
25. North Dakota
26. Minnesota
27. New Hampshire
28. Virginia
29. Wisconsin
30. Oregon
31. Iowa
32. Kansas
33. Nebraska
34. West Virginia
35. Kentucky
36. Washington
37. District of Columbia
38. Missouri
39. Nevada
40. Maryland
41. Pennsylvania
42. Rhode Island
43. Massachusetts
44. Ohio
45. Illinois
46. California
47. Indiana
48. Michigan
49. New Jersey
50. Connecticut
51. New York

Move Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit

The Worker, Home ownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for
qualified ed move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009
and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010).
The following questions and answers are from www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com and provide basic information about
the tax credit. If you have more specif c questions, we strongly encourage you to consult a qualified ed tax advisor or legal
professional about your unique situation.

Who is eligible to claim the $6,500 tax credit?
Qualified move-up or repeat home buyers purchasing any kind of home are
eligible to claim this credit.

What is the definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer?
The law defines a tax credit qualified move-up home buyer (“long-time
resident”) as a home owner who has owned and resided in a home for at
least five consecutive years of the eight years prior to the purchase date.
For married taxpayers, the law tests the home ownership history of both
the home buyer and his/her spouse. Repeat home buyers do not have
to purchase a home that is more expensive than their previous home to
qualify for the tax credit.

How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a
maximum of $6,500. Purchases of homes priced above $800,000 are not
eligible for the tax credit.

Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000
for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced
for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above those
limits. The phaseout range for the tax credit program is equal to $20,000.
That is, the tax credit amount is reduced to zero for taxpayers with MAGI
of more than $145,000 (single) or $245,000 (married) and is reduced
proportionally for taxpayers with MAGIs between these amounts.

How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress enacted in July of 2008? How is this different than the rules established in early 2009?
The previous tax credits applied only to first-time home buyers and were
for different amounts of money.

How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?
Are there documentation requirements?
You claim the tax credit on your federal income tax return. Specifically,
home buyers should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax credit
amount, and then claim this amount on line 67 of the 1040 income tax form
for 2009 returns (line 69 of the 1040 income tax form for 2008 returns). No
other applications are required, and no pre-approval is necessary.

HUD is now allowing "monetization" of the tax credit. What does that mean?
It means that HUD allows buyers using FHA-insured mortgages to apply
their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase immediately rather
than waiting until they file their 2009 or 2010 income taxes to receive a
refund. These funds may be used for certain downpayment and closing
cost expenses. Under HUD’s guidelines, non-profits and FHA-approved lenders are
allowed to give home buyers short-term loans of up to $8,000. The
guidelines also allow government agencies, such as state housing finance
agencies, to facilitate home sales by providing longer term loans secured
by second mortgages.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Move-Up/Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit
Please see www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com for more detailed answers and more FAQ.

Source: www.FederalHousingTaxCredit.com
Information accessed: 11/8/09

Thursday, December 24, 2009

I just found a property and wanted to share it with you!


I just found a property and wanted to share it with you!

Posted using ShareThis

MLS #209043584 and 200920602
$675,000
Fort Myers Beach Florida
Waterside at Bay Beach - Dolphin Pointe

Dolphin Pointe-the name of the building speaks for itself!! From this 9th floor beauty at the point of Bay Beach, you can see dolphins, and much, much more. Enjoy the "traffic" of Big Carlos Pass-manatees, dolphins, herons, boats, and kayaks. Priced to sell, and way below the neighbors, this residence is decorated and ready for you to get here and enjoy the winter in Florida. Hurricane shutters make locking up and leaving a snap, and the amenities are so accommodating-social room, fitness, guest suites are right inside the building, while outside are the pool, tennis courts, DEEDED BEACH ACCESS, and PUBLIC golf course. This home is easy to show, easy to love, easy to buy-make it yours today!!

I just found a property and wanted to share it with you!


I just found a property and wanted to share it with you!

Posted using ShareThis

MLS #209043126 and #200959957
$175,000
Bonita Springs Florida

This is a Short Sale subject to existing Lender's Approval, which may result in delays. Take this opportunity to own acreage and room to move at a great price & in town location. Near shopping, dining, schools & more. Home has comfortable size yard to run & play.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

New Listing in Waterside at Bay Beach






4191 Bay Beach Ln 252
Fort Myers Beach, FLORIDA 33931
Price: $489,900
2 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
1445 Square Ft.
Listing # 200957852

Water as the eye can see-and from EVERY room in your home!! Super view and value come together in this waterfront beauty! Spectacular Estero Bay views offer opportunities to watch nature all day long-see dolphins leap and play, manatees meander by, and boaters going in and out on their journeys. Water, water, water...and boating beaching, shopping, dining, walking, biking-it's ALL here!! Take an opportunity to live in a luxury, gated, waterfront community for an off water price. Furnishings included, so you can come on in, and get on out to the fun! Great contemporary style, in a non-cluttered design focuses your attention on the views! Make it yours today, so you can use it THIS winter. This Seller has a boat slip at Hibiscus Pointe available for additional purchase, & boat slips are available for all sizes up to 60' for additional purchase. Boat here-beach here-shop-golf here-you'll NEVER want to leave here! Easy to show-easy to own-make it your before the winter is here!!

Bathrooms: 2 Bedrooms: 2
Amenities: BBQ - Picnic,Beach Access,Community Pool,Community Room,Exercise Room,Extra Storage,Fishing Pier,Golf Course,Sauna,Sidewalk,Streetlight,Trash Chute
Total SqFt: 1445
Assessment Fees: Yes
Boat/Water Access: Dock Purchase
Cable Available: Yes
Carport: Attached
Condo Fee: 1885.00
Condo Frequency: Quarterly
Community Type: Boating,Gated
Construction: Concrete Block,Stucco Siding
Cooling: Ceiling Fans,Central Electric
Den: No
Dining Description: Breakfast Bar,Dining - Living
Equip/Appliance Included: Dishwasher,Disposal,Dryer,Microwave,Range,Refrigerator,Smoke Detector,Washer
Elevator: Common
Exterior Features: Shutters Electric
Furnished: Furnished
Flooring: Carpet,Tile
Foreclosed/REO: No
Guest House: No
Gulf Access: Yes
Heating: Central Electric
Interior Features: Fire Sprinkler,Smoke Detectors,Walk-in Closet,Window Coverings
Irrigation: City
Lanai: 11x10
Maintenance Includes: Cable,Irrigation Water,Lawn/Land Mainten,Manager,Master Assn Fee Incl,Pest Control Exter,Sewer,Streel Lights,Street Maintenance,Water
Master Bath Description: Dual Sinks,Jetted Tub,Separate Tub/Shower
Master Bedroom: 17x13 Level:
Carports Spaces: 1
Parking: 1 Assigned,Covered,Deeded,Under Bldg Open
Pet Comments: LIMITS
Possession: At Closing
Private Pool: No
Private Spa: No
Rear Exposure: NE
Restrictions: Deeded
Additional Rooms: Great Room,Laundry in Residence,Screened Porch/Lanai
Roofing: Built-Up or Flat
Security: Entry Phone,Entry TV,Gated,Guard at Gate
Sewer: Central
Special Info: Deed Restrictions,Title Ins Provided
Short Sale: No
Total Tax Bill: 5685.86
Total Floors: 11
Units in Building: 58
Units in Complex: 400
Unit Floor: 5
View: Bay,Water
Water: Central
Windows: Picture,Single Hung
Waterfront: Yes
Waterfront Description: Bay,Navigable
Single Family Type: High Rise (8+)
Building Description: End Unit
Year Built: 1998

Tax credit to boost winter home sales

CHICAGO — House shopping usually slows down in the winter, as people put their home searches on hold to trim the tree, buy presents to put under it and avoid the chilly weather.

This winter, however, might be different, thanks to the extended — and expanded — first-time home-buyer tax credit.

“We’re going to see far more interest in the fourth quarter than we generally do because of the tax credit,” said Heather Fernandez, vice president of Trulia.com, a real estate search engine. Traffic surged on the site on Nov. 5, the day Congress approved the credit extension, she said.


The new law extends the tax credit for first-time home buyers and opens it up to some existing homeowners as well: The credit is now 10 percent of the home price, up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers.

All buyers must have a binding contract on a house in place on or before April 30. The sale must close on or before June 30.

To be considered a first-time home buyer, an individual must not have owned a home in the past three years. And to be eligible, existing homeowners need to have lived in the same principal residence for five consecutive years during the eight-year period that ends when the new home is purchased. The credit is only for principal residences.

Income limits have risen as well. According to the IRS, the home-buyer tax credit now phases out for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes between $125,000 and $145,000, and between $225,000 and $245,000 for people filing joint returns.


The inclusion of move-up buyers might inspire homeowners to take action and list their house if they’ve been putting it off, said Carolyn Warren, a Seattle, Wash.-based mortgage broker and banker and author of the book “Homebuyers Beware.”


“If somebody loves their home, it’s not going to entice them to sell. If they’ve had it on the back of their minds and really would like to move up, it might push them into doing it sooner than later,” Warren said.


The credit isn’t expected to have as large of an effect on move-up buyers as it has on first-time buyers, according to the Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance Monthly Survey of Real Estate Market Conditions. The maximum tax credit is about 4 percent of the average purchase price for first-time buyers, but about 2 percent of the average purchase price for move-up buyers.


“We estimate that the first-time home-buyer tax credit will result in a 10 percent increase in home sales from March through November of 2009,” said Thomas Popik, research director for Campbell Surveys, in a news release. “We’d expect the effect of the proposed tax credit for current homeowners to be about half as large — from December until the tax credit expiration in the spring of next year, it might be 5 percent of 3 million transactions, or about 150,000 incremental home sales. Incremental sales to first-time home buyers could be an additional 300,000, for a total of 450,000 incremental sales due to the tax credit extension.”

Source: McClatchy News Service • November 22, 2009

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

New Listing on Fort Myers Beach




4141 Bay Beach Lane #472 MSL # 209040984 / 200956899

Waterfront living with views to spare!! Enjoy back bay vistas of Estero Bay, from this 7th floor residence-see boats, dolphins, manatees, and more from the comfort of your home. Huge terrace is the whole width of the home, so you can let the breezes and light in! Largest floor plan in the building has room to move and entertain. Master suite has the great terrace and water views, while the two guest bedrooms have their own private suite area with bathroom. Separate family and living rooms make entertaining easy! Kitchen is centrally located to all gathering areas. Gated enclave of Waterside has manned guarded entrance, deeded beach access, private boat slips (for additional purchase), fishing pier, tennis courts, social room, fitness center, in-building guest suite, under building parking and storage, and more! Community amenities of Bay Beach also include a golf course that is open to the public or offers memberships. More Information Schedule Showing Printable Version Share PropertyMap Location Calculator Virtual Tour Basic Features:

Area: FB05
City Name: FORT MYERS BEACH
County Name: Lee
State: FLORIDA
Subdivision: WATERSIDE AT BAY BEACH
Zip: 33931-1903
Bathrooms: 2
Bedrooms: 3
Square Feet: 2119
Additional Features:
Amenities: BBQ - Picnic,Beach Access,Bike And Jog Path,Bike Storage,Clubhouse,Community Pool,Exercise Room,Extra Storage,Guest Room,Sauna,Sidewalk,Streetlight,Tennis Court,Trash Chute,Vehicle Wash Area,Community Room,Fishing Pier
Application Fee: 100
Approval: Application Fee,Buyer
Total SqFt: 2618
Bedroom Description: Split Bedrooms
Building Number: 4
Boat Access: Dock Purchase,Gulf Access
Community Type: Boating,Gated,Golf Course
Condo Fee: 1673
Condo Fee Frequency: Quarterly
Construction: Concrete Block,Stucco
Cooling: Central Electric
Development Name: WATERSIDE AT BAY BEACH
Dining Description: Breakfast Bar,Dining - Living
Dining Room Dimensions: 11x10
Directions: Estero Blvd to Bay Beach Lane (on south end of island)go on Bay Beach to end of street to guard house. after proceed through guard gate, go to 3rd bldg on left (4141), 7th floor.
Days On Market: 9
Elevator: Common
Equipment: Dishwasher,Disposal,Dryer,Microwave,Range,Refrigerator,Smoke Detector,Washer
Exterior Features: None
Family Room Dimensions: 12x10
Flooring: Carpet,Ceramic Tile
Furnished Description: Furnished
Garage Description: Attached
Great Room Dimensions: 25x14
Heating: Central Electric
HOA Description: Mandatory
Interior Features: Fire Sprinkler,Cable Prewire,Laundry Tub,Smoke Detectors,Walk-In Closet,Window Coverings
Irrigation: City
Kitchen Dimensions: 13x11
Maintenance: Cable,Irrigation Water,Lawn/Land Maint,Manager,Master Assn. Fee Included,Pest Control Exterior,Rec Facilities,Trash Removal,Water,Sewer,Street Lights,Street Maintenance
Master Bath Description: Dual Sinks,Separate Tub And Shower
Master Bedroom Dimensions: 16x15
Master HOA Fee: 570
Master HOA Fee Frequency: Quarterly
Total Floors: 11
Units in Building: 58
Property SubType: Condo
Parking: 1 Assigned,Covered
Pets: Limits
Possession: At Closing
Price Per SqFt: 283.15243039169
Private Pool: No
Private Spa: No
Property Location: Not Applicable
Rear Exposure: NW
Restrictions: Deeded
Roofing: Built-Up or Flat
Rooms: Den - Study,Family Room,Great Room,Screened Lanai/Porch,Laundry Room in Residence,Guest Bath,Guest Room
Second Bedroom Dimensions: 12x11
Sewer: Central
Taxes: 7337.05
Tax Description: City And County
Tax Year: 2008
Terms: Buyer Finance/Cash
Third Bedroom Dimensions: 15x11
Unit Floor: 7
Units in Complex: 400
View: Bay,Landscaped Area,Pool/Club,Water
Waterfront Description: Bay,Gulf Access,Navigable,Salt Water
Year Built: 2003
Foreclosure: No
Short Sale: No
Property Map