Those Who Wait Will Pay Thousands More This Spring

Waiting a few extra days or weeks to purchase a home this spring could cost buyers thousands of extra dollars as the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) implements several changes for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).


Coming just weeks before the April 30 deadline for the Home Buyer Tax Credit and just days after the March 31 expiration of the Federal Reserve Board's mortgage backed securities purchase program (which has kept home loan rates artificially low for over a year), these FHA changes make it even more important to act now to save big.

Here are a few reasons why:

On April 5th, the cost of required up-front mortgage insurance for loans guaranteed by the FHA will increase from 1.75% to 2.25%. For a borrower purchasing a $200,000 home with a $7,000 down payment, the up-front mortgage insurance will increase by $965. Up-front mortgage insurance is typically financed in the final loan amount so the impact to a monthly payment will be minimal but overall, the increase is still borne by the borrower both upfront and monthly.

Later this spring, the amount of money that a seller can return to the buyer from their sale proceeds will be reduced from 6% to 3%. The reduction in these "seller concessions" can increase the amount of cash a buyer will be required to pay at closing by $6,000 for a home purchase of $200,000.
There is only one way to avoid being affected by all of these costly changes that lie ahead – submit all FHA mortgage applications by the last week of March.

If I can answer any questions you may have about how these changes could impact you, call me. I appreciate your business.

Is it time to dump your rentals?

If you are finding that you are getting tired of toilets and tenants and not certain ths hassel is worth the rewards, this might be the best time to put it on the market.  Give me a call if you need to get out from under your rental property.  This is the latest information about Tax Withholding for Rentals in California.
Real estate withholding is a prepayment of California state income tax for out-of-state sellers of California real property. Escrow companies are required to collect 3.33% of the sale proceeds and send to the state on behalf of the sellers.

Now they are hitting the rents too:
Beginning January 1, 2010, property managers will have to withhold 7% of all income, that exceeds $1,500, on properties owned by nonresidents to be sent to the nonresident property owner, unless the owner qualifies for reduced or waived withholding.

This brief Legal Q& A and the FTB Summary Chart of the Withholding Process address the most basic questions. Additional guidance is available from the FTB and tax professionals. (For all the legal citations and FTB authority, see page 4 of FTB Publication 1017 (rev 06-09), Resident and Nonresident Withholding Guidelines.)http://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2009/09_1017.pdf

Q 1. Who is a California nonresident property owner subject to withholding?
A Nonresident owners include the following:
. Individuals who reside outside of California,
. Corporations, Partnerships and LLCs who do not have a permanent place of business in California or who are not qualified by the Secretary of State to do business in California, or
. Estates and trusts who are nonresidents of California.

Q 2. Who is exempt from withholding?
A Those persons or entities exempt from withholding include the following:
. California residents,
. Corporations, Partnerships and LLCs qualified to business in California or who have a permanent place of business in California,
. Estates where the deceased was a California resident at the time of death,
. Nonresidents when the payments do not exceed $1,500 in a calendar year,
. Tax exempt organizations,
. California nongrantor trusts,
. A nonresident owner who has received either a Waiver or Reduced Withholding Exemption from the FTB.
NOTE: One fairly simple method for nonresident owners to be exempt from withholding is for them to form a California Corporation, Partnership, or LLC, or to have their foreign (out-of-state) Corporation, Partnership, or LLC qualified to do business in California with the Secretary of State. Depending on the income generated by the rental property, the cost of forming and maintaining such an entity may be justified to avoid withholding.

A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (January 27, 2010 Edition)

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent.

In its press release, the FOMC noted that the U.S. economy “has continued to strengthen”, that the jobs markets is getting better, and that financial markets are supportive of growth.

There was no mention of the housing market's strength.  The last 3 statements from the Fed included that specific verbiage.

It’s the fifth straight statement in which the Fed spoke about the economy with optimism.  This should signal to markets that 2008-2009 recession is over and that economic growth is returning to U.S. economy.

The economy isn’t without threats, however, and the Fed identified several in its press release, including:

1. Credit remains tight for consumers
   
2. Businesses are reluctant to hire new workers
   
3. Housing wealth is down

The message’s overall tone, however, remained positive and inflation appears is still within tolerance.

Also in its statement, the Fed confirmed its plan to hold the Fed Funds Rate near zero percent “for an extended period” and to wind down its $1.25 trillion commitment to the mortgage market by March 31, 2010.  This is noteworthy because Fed insiders estimate that the bond-buying program suppressed mortgage rates by 1 percent through 2009.

Mortgage market reaction to the Fed press release is, in general, negative. Mortgage rates are rising this afternoon.

The FOMC’s next scheduled meeting is March 16, 2010.

The Right Way To Make Your Bed When Your Home Is Listed For Sale

Well-made beds aren't just for comfort -- they're for presentation, too. Especially when you're selling your home.  A pristine bed conveys an image of cleanliness and order to potential home buyers and that can help you get more of your asking price at the point of negotiation.

When homeowners don't take the time to make a bed, buyers wonder what else around the home is getting neglected.

And there's a proper way to make a bed, too.

In this 15-step video from Howcast, you'll learn how to start with a stripped down mattress, add bedding, pillows and a blanket, and end with the hotel-quality look that today's home buyers expect.  The alternative is to leave a bed sloppy, reducing your home's overall appeal.

To make a bed the right way takes less than 2 minutes. When your home is listed for sale, make making the bed a part of your daily routine.

Storm Watch San Diego County

This is 1 of the wettest storms we have had in years.. we need rain but is causing havoc everywhere.  We have had unbelievable winds, non-stop rain.
Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Subject: Storm Watch 2010

The picture below is not for the faint hearted!

With all the news on TV lately about the sub zero weather and snow that the mid-west and east coast areas are experiencing, we shouldn't forget that Southern California has its share of crazy weather also.
I've attached a photo illustrating the damage caused to a home from a west coast storm that passed through the San Diego area a couple of hours ago. It really makes you cherish what you have, and reminds us not to take life for granted!!!

There's 100 Days Left To Claim The Homebuyer Tax Credit

November 6, 2009, Congress voted to extend and expand the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit program.  There's 100 days left to claim it.

The expiration date of the up-to-$8,000 tax credit has been pushed forward to spring, requiring homebuyers to be under contract for a home no later than April 30, 2010, and to be closed no later than June 30, 2010.

In addition, "move-up" buyers were also added to the program's eligibility list meaning you don't have to be a first-time home buyer to be eligible for the tax credit.  If you've lived in your home for 5 of the last 8 years, you meet the IRS requirements.

Move-up buyers are capped at a total tax credit of $6,500.

The tax credit's basic eligibility requirements remain the same:

• You can't purchase the home from a parent, spouse, or child
• You can't purchase the home from an entity in which they're a majority owner
• You can't acquire the home by gift or inheritance
• All parties to the purchase must meet eligibility requirements

The new law includes some notable updates, however.
First, the subject property's sales price may not exceed $800,000. Homes sold for more than $800,000 are ineligible.  And, also, household income thresholds have been raised to $125,000 for single-filers and $225,500 for joint-filers.

And lastly, don't forget that the program is a true tax credit -- not a deduction.  This means that a tax filer who's eligible for the full $8,00 credit and whose "normal" tax liability totals $5,000 would receive a $3,000 refund from the U.S. Treasury at tax time.

The complete list of qualifying criteria is posted on the IRS website.  Review it with a tax professional to determine your eligibility.  Then mark your calendar for April 30, 2010.

There's just 100 days to go.

Great Deals At Sea World.

Now is the time to order your tickets for Sea World.  Sea World is offering a great special incentive at this time.  It is  "Pay for a Day, Get the Year Free" Fun Card - $69 ages 10+ or "Pay for a Year, Get the 2nd Year Free" Silver Annual Pass- $109 ages 3+, includes free parking.

If you are planning on going to Sea World this year, now is the time to buy the tickets.  For more ino http://www.seaworldsandiego.com/.