For my birthday last week, my wonderful wife scored tickets to go see the Chinese Terracotta Warriors at the National Geographic Society. I was pretty excited about this, (You just have to know what excites me.) We rode the Metro down on the blessed day and chilly day and the exhibit was excellent. However, Nat Geo in an effort to squeeze some coin out of the deal over sold the tickets and the dang show was just too crowded to really enjoy. Plus they really did not manage the flow of people too well, contributing to the problem. But, I got to see the warriors (well, a few of them) and I think that it was a pretty nice deal-large crowd or not.
As a filler, she took me over for a tour of the Christian Heurich Mansion, which is located just a few blocks away. Unlike the warrior exhibit, the two of us and another lone single woman were the only souls on the tour. Our guide who happened to be the director of the museum was only too glad to give us special treatment and was more than willing to talk of the mansion that is his personal love. We had a blast looking at one of the most unique private homes ever built in Washington. Looking for an afternoon treat? Take some time off in the middle of the week and go visit the Heurich home. This is the time of year to see is as you are likely to have the whole place to yourselves. However, be careful and do not lean on the walls. They frown on that....
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Tax credit extension until April 2010
Below you will find information about the extension of the housing tax credit. The credit now last until April of 2010 and can be very helpful not only for first time home buyers but move up buyers as well. The tax credit has been a devisive issue in congress and there are many who think that it is not such a great idea. As for me, I don't have much of an opinion. As a Realtor it is obvious that it will generate some business for me and that is a good thing. However, I am worried that it will only serve to increase the growing national debt and encourage some to purchase homes who really have no business doing so. I am a big believer in home ownership and think that it is the best path for most Americans to financial security. However, events in the sub prime mortgage market in the past few years clearly demonstrate that that there are a lot of people who really should "not" buy homes.
$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance
To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid unless the home is sold or ceases to be used as the buyer’s principal residence within three years after the initial purchase.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade
Just a short plug for the annual Thanksgiving parade to be held in downtown Silver Spring later this month. It is kind of a fun deal especially for young kids. The parade will be on November 21st this year, and take place between 9:30 am and 12 noon. Go on and have a good time. The cool air will help you work up an appetite.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
My razor
It is getting hard for me to find replacement blades for my Trac II razor. I have had the thing for about two decades now and it is admittedly looking pretty funky. Problem is the only alternative to my double blades is to buy cheap disposable razors or some of the new "four" track razors. These things look like ugly Japanese sports cars and have names like Quattro or MPower. The Trac II razor must have been introduced in the mid 1970s. I know that because my wife and I recently rented some of the classic Saturday Night Live shows from that period. In one show there is a "spoof" ad touting a triple track razor. It was amazing to watch the fake ad 35 years later. The end line went something like. "The Track III, because you are just stupid enough to buy one." Now I think of this SNL ad every time I go to the store and am faced with a wall of track three and four razors. God, are we really that stupid?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
New Rockville Town Center
I spent an afternoon walking the newly redone Rockville Town Center this past week. I have to say that it is pretty nice. I am not sure if I like it when they build new buildings to look like old buildings. (Funny thing is, that 30 years ago they went through Rockville like a bunch of Huns and tore down all the old buildings. My how things change.) Now faux old buildings are trendy and they have done that in Rockville, and while pleasing to the eye, it just feels a little cheesy to me. Just my opinion. The stores are OK as well as the places to dine. Biggest problem to me is they once again have filled the place up with franchise eateries. This is starting to bug me as any redeveloped town center seems to have the same trendy places serving up the same bland high fat crap. There is a Lebanese Taverna, but that family owned chain is starting to get a little predictable and bland. Food is good there (LT) as always but the place does not have the charm of their downtown location.
Best thing is that instead of putting yet another bloated and overpriced Borders in the town center, the planners wisely choose to build a magnificent new library right on the town square. It is a two level library and one of the nicest I have seen. Just stunning really. This should be the blueprint for all high density areas.
Now for my major bitch. I like what they have done for downtown Silver Spring but it is obvious that Rockville got a heck of a lot more than SS ever did or will. We got a few blocks of renovation in the big Silver while the county obviously threw scads of money at Rockville. Looks like we are the red headed stepchild again. I know we are supposed to get a new library in SS but whenever the East County is considered the money seems to trickle down to us in smaller bits. I wonder if our new libary will match the quality of the Rockville one. Was all this because Rockville has its own city government or do the people who make the money decisions in our county just favor the west side of the county. I have got my opinion. You will have to decide for yourselves.
Best thing is that instead of putting yet another bloated and overpriced Borders in the town center, the planners wisely choose to build a magnificent new library right on the town square. It is a two level library and one of the nicest I have seen. Just stunning really. This should be the blueprint for all high density areas.
Now for my major bitch. I like what they have done for downtown Silver Spring but it is obvious that Rockville got a heck of a lot more than SS ever did or will. We got a few blocks of renovation in the big Silver while the county obviously threw scads of money at Rockville. Looks like we are the red headed stepchild again. I know we are supposed to get a new library in SS but whenever the East County is considered the money seems to trickle down to us in smaller bits. I wonder if our new libary will match the quality of the Rockville one. Was all this because Rockville has its own city government or do the people who make the money decisions in our county just favor the west side of the county. I have got my opinion. You will have to decide for yourselves.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
God bless Rose Howard, wherever she is......
You got to be on the watch for scams if you use Craigslist. Lots of them out there. As a Realtor, I get to see more than my fair share. But if you are advertising a local or vacation rental then you must be ready. Usually, you will get a email from an interested person from overseas who is looking to rent right away. The will try to send you a check for more than the amount you need and get you to wire money back to them for the difference. Well, the check is going to bounce at your local bank and you are going to come up with nothing. Be very wary if you get an out of town inquiry. I got one note from a Rose Howard which seems to be a very popular name with scammers. I looked up her name and address and there actually is a Rose Howard who lives in Michigan. How she got to be the poster child for scam artists I do not know, but a google search on "Rose Howard and scams" brought up a whole list of them.
Another favorite scam is for the scammers to take a rental listing that is in the local MLS and put it up on Craigslist (using the Realtor's own photos and descriptions) for about 2/3 rds of the market price. They will then agree to meet the mark at the property but come up with an excuse as to why they are unable to gain access to the home (lost key, seller out of town). Then they will try to get any upfront deposit from the victim to hold the property. I am amazed at the number of people who fall for this.
So beware. If it sound too good to be true then the chances are that it is not true but a scam.
Another favorite scam is for the scammers to take a rental listing that is in the local MLS and put it up on Craigslist (using the Realtor's own photos and descriptions) for about 2/3 rds of the market price. They will then agree to meet the mark at the property but come up with an excuse as to why they are unable to gain access to the home (lost key, seller out of town). Then they will try to get any upfront deposit from the victim to hold the property. I am amazed at the number of people who fall for this.
So beware. If it sound too good to be true then the chances are that it is not true but a scam.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Queen of Soul comes to the Big Silver
Montgomery College/Takoma Park campus has a brand new performing arts center and the great Aretha Franklin will open the place for business on September 11th. This center will only add to the luster of our community and provide a much needed venue for arts patrons who live in and around Silver Spring. Go here for ticket information.
With the coming of the coming of the planned Filmore "Live Nation" concert hall to the downtown area and the events currently going on at Strathmore, Montgomery County is no longer the "red headed stepchild" when it comes to great music and entertainment.
With the coming of the coming of the planned Filmore "Live Nation" concert hall to the downtown area and the events currently going on at Strathmore, Montgomery County is no longer the "red headed stepchild" when it comes to great music and entertainment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)