More Homebuyer Tax Credits, Courtesy of California
March 31, 2010
California may be broke but our legislators are working hard to give away tax credits to first time buyers and purchasers of never lived in homes. This is being done in order to stimulate the housing and construction industries. Governor Schwartzenegger signed into effect a law on March 25, 2010 that will run alongside the federal government’s soon to expire (4-30-10) current $8,000 first time homebuyer and $6500 long time resident homebuyer tax credits.
Under the combined state and federal provisions, a first time buyer who enters into a purchase contract for a principal residence before May 1, 2010 and closes escrow between May 1, 2010 and June 30, 2010, inclusive are eligible for up to $18,000 in combined tax credits. Home buyers who are not first time buyers but have lived in their residences for awhile may also take advantage of up to $16,500 combined tax credit if they purchase a home that has never been lived in. Federal benefit is up to $6,500 and California is up to $10,000.
The timing is critical on both of these programs. Also, California has a limit of $100 million in credits to be given to each program (first time buyer and new home buyer).
April Fool’s Day – 2010
March 31, 2010
April Fool’s Day came early this year as we all woke up this morning (3-31) to snow after a rather large winter storm passed through Truckee and Tahoe last night. We got about 6 inches of fresh powder and the temperatures dipped to the 20′s (f).
The skiers are happy, I am sure. It must be one of the best ski days of the year and those who happened to be up here — mid-week — were treated to a great little present from heaven. The thing about “spring” snow is that it melts off so fast that those who will wait til Saturday will be disappointed. However, the weather service is predicting some more snow before Easter but I wouldn’t count on it. Right now the sky is Tahoe Blue.
3035 Watson Drive, Tahoe City $499,999
March 26, 2010
Here is a Classic Bavarian style Lake Tahoe Chalet located close to the Lake and just a short distance from hiking and cross country skiing trails. The interior sports a comfortable and open floor plan with an efficient kitchen, spacious living room and dining room just made for entertaining. Master suite is located apart from the other two bedrooms with its own bath. A 2 car garage makes this package a super full time or vacation home.
Located just off the living area is a huge deck which affords nice peek views of Lake Tahoe and a place to barbecue or just relax in the sun in summer. Summer or winter this deck provides tons of sunshine and light to the living area.
Home is located in the Highland Green subdivision of North Lake Tahoe, tucked back off the street for privacy amongst the pines and surrounded by other nice homes.
- 3 bedrooms, one en suite
- 2 baths
- airlock entry
- woodstove
- 2 car garage
- lots of parking
- bear box
- apx 1670 sqft
- Price $499,999
Border Observations — Tijuana to San Ysidro
March 21, 2010
This post was originally written on the back of some directions given to us to help us find our way across the border from Baja to California. I am going to try to read my chicken scratch now and share these thoughts with you here.
Friday, March 12, 2010: My husband pointed out to me an interesting observation at the TJ-SY border today: How do you think you as a mother would be looked upon if your child were found strolling through 25 border crossing auto lanes, begging for pesos (or in our case — dollars)? How long do you think that practice would be allowed to go on in the United States and your child still be permitted to be with you? This is what happens here, everyday, all day, just a footstep from U.S. soil.
What an incredibly different world it is here. While waiting in line at the border — 2 hours to be exact — I watched a man washing his t-shirt in a huge concrete overflow culvert. He was beating it against the cement and dunking it into the water — doing a pretty thorough job of it, I might add.
I watched two amputees stationed in the midst of the multi-lane approach to the U.S. Customs– one in a wheel chair (he was actually applying sunscreen to his face) and one sitting on the asphalt (literally) having a congenial discussion (they were supposed to be begging but must have found each others’ company more satisfying).
I watched one soft drink vendor directing traffic, several women with small babies and a few ancient, unaccompanied women begging.
I saw vendors carrying all sorts of knickknacks, objects-d-art and even furniture up and down the lanes. They were commissioned salesmen(women) for the little temporary shops by the side of the road. All kinds of stuff, desks, candy, blankets, auto window shades and of course the ever popular Virgin de Guadalupe statues and pictures.
It is just the way they go to work everyday. I am sure that there is a social network here. If someone doesn’t show up to beg or work, I’ll bet the others start wondering what happened to them. Interesting thought, huh?
Yes these people are poor and yes they appear to be pathetic but if they didn’t have this place to go everyday, I am pretty sure that they would just dry up and die. They have no health insurance, no retirement savings, no vacation pay. I’m not saying that this sight is humanly acceptable but it is their way of life. It is HARD WORK!
Flowers in Baja?
March 20, 2010
I finally got my pictures downloaded from my Mexico trip and I promise to feed them to you a little at a time. One of the things that really shocked me was the existence of flowers throughout the desert. On our way home, they were blooming like crazy as you can see here. Spring is busting out all over!!
