Last Fall Congress approved the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. This extended the deadline for the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit from Nov. 30, 2009, to April 30, 2010, and expanded it to include repeat buyers
• What’s the deadline?
To qualify, first-time and repeat buyers must have a binding written contract by April 30 and close by July 1.
How much money is available?
The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum for repeat buyers, also referred to in the legislation as “long-time residents,” is $6,500.
• What properties are eligible?
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
• How do buyers get the benefit?
Buyers can apply the credit to their 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010; file an amended 2009 return; or apply the credit on their 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011.
• Who qualifies?
To qualify as a first-time home buyer, the purchaser or his or her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase. To qualify as a repeat buyer, current home owners must have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.
• Are there income limits?
The new law raises the income limits for people who purchase homes after Nov. 6, 2009. The full credit will be available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers. Those with MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000—or $225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers—are eligible for a reduced credit. Those with higher incomes do not qualify.

Do you know why we change our clocks? It originated during World War 1 as a way to conserve energy for war production by taking advantage of the longer daylight hours between April and October. Daylight saving time allows us to use less energy in lighting our homes by taking advantage of the longer and later daylight hours. Since 2007 daylight savings time is 4 weeks longer due to passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005. The hope was that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during the daylight hours. I really enjoy the extra daylight!

Less than 620: it will be tough to get a loan.

Difference between the top score and the bottom one? Over $60,000 in real savings.

http://remaxshowcase.sikku.com/app/signup/new.aspx?ipid=259941 to register.

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1. Surroundings that make you smile.  Spend more time with optimistic people and in places that lift your spirit.  The positive energy is contagious. 
2. Interrupt bad thoughts.  One negative thought that can lead to others, causing your imagination to run wild.  So stop them before they create a domino effect.
3. Savor success.  Don’t be modest, take time to celebrate your achievements.  If you don’t, who will?