The second thing I have changed, is posting my cell phone as my office phone.  My clients are ultimately communicating with me through my cell phone anyway, and I them.  So, I decided to cut out the middle man and go directly to my cell phone.  As you already know, I spend quite a bit of time in my car, so these little things will increase my level of customer service.

Oh, and one more thing….I am now at Sky Realty.   As I enjoy teaching others, I enjoy learning new things too.  Look forward to an improved website and home search features in the coming weeks.

If we are not moving forward, we are moving backward.  We are indeed, always moving.

Thank you all for your continued support and well wishes. 

I’ve been flooded with questions lately by both Buyers and Sellers, and I love questions, because it means you are thinking.  I would like to take a minute to share what some of my clients have been thinking about, since you might have the same questions racing through your head as well.

For Sellers, the questions I am getting are more like, “do I put on a deck?”, “do I power wash the house?”, “do I install a new kitchen?”.  My universal response to most of these questions is, don’t.  Don’t do anything you would not have done, if you weren’t moving.  The reason is more about the cost of time, because time can cost more than you will ever get back.  We are entering the selling season.  

A deck is not going to necessarily bring you more money.  If the deck takes twice as long as it was intended, you have not only spent money on something that wasn’t necessary, but you have missed the Spring buying season as well.  

Power washing your home, could result in your house needing a new paint job.  Do you have time for that?  Do you have the money?  Using a garden hose, might easily do the trick, without creating a problem you didn’t have.  

Installing a new kitchen?  Out of all the questions I have received this week, this is the one that would add the most value to your home, and will bring you the most return on the cost, but kitchens take time.  If the kitchen costs $25,000, and isn’t going to be done for 9 weeks, we have lost the Spring buying season.  That $25,000 remodel, may only net you $15,000 in the fall.  When interest rates go up, house prices generally go down because people have less buying power.  

The #1 thing I want people to do when I list a house is clean.  When Buyers see a 1970’s kitchen that is spotless, they comment on how clean it is.  It’s a blank canvas that can updated someday and is considered usable the way it is.  When the same Buyers see a modern kitchen, that is dirty, it is a turn off.  It’s funny how the brain works, it doesn’t say “I can clean this”, like you would think; instead it says “I could never cook in here”.  If you don’t like to clean, hire someone.  It’s money well spent and I guarantee you will get 100% return on your cost, instead of a remodel that will cost you to miss the Spring season.  Do those remodeling projects in the fall, six months before you are planning to sell.

For Buyers, the more commonly asked question is how much money they need to buy a house.  Unfortunately, there are too many variables that make question easy to answer. A credit score, downpayment and loan program are going to be the determining factors for this.  Those factors, are not only going to determine what your costs, but they are also going to decide your buying power as well.  

A 1% variation in an interest rate can mean a 10% change in your buying power.  The debt to income ratio will also determine your buying power.  Having a great credit score means that you show a history of paying back loans, and therefore you are less of a risk to a bank of defaulting on a loan.  If you are going to buy a house or planning on moving up, your income has to reflect that you can afford to handle more debt.  If a lender thinks you are just making it, with your current debt – you are not going to get approved for more.

What I generally tell Buyers, is to plan on at least 2 percent of the sales price, not including your down payment.  Lenders escrow 3-8 months for taxes up front, which are typically the biggest portion of  closing costs. You will also need 1% of the sales price in earnest money at the time we go under contract.  In addition, you will need an inspection and title fees.  So, the short answer is 2% of the sales price, but that does not include lender fees, which, depending on your loan program, could mean another 2%.

In addition to extending the tax credit of up to $8,000 through June 30, 2010, the extension measure also opens up opportunities for others who are not buying a home for the first time.

So Who Gets What?
The program that has existed for FTHBs remains intact with the one exception that more people are now eligible based on an increase in the amount of income someone may now earn.

Additionally, the program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

Deadlines
In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.

Higher Income Caps in Effect
The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.

Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible.

Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

Maximum Purchase Price
Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sales price of $800,000.

First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the tax credit.

What is a tax credit?
A tax credit is a direct reduction in tax liability owed by an individual to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In the event no taxes are owed, the IRS will issue a check for the amount of the tax credit an individual is owed. Unlike the tax credit that existed in 2008, this credit does not require repayment unless the home, at any time in the first 36 months of ownership, is no longer an individual’s primary residence.

What is the tax credit for first-time homebuyers (FTHBs)?
An eligible homebuyer may request from the IRS a tax credit of up to $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price for a home. If the amount of the home purchased is $75,000, the maximum amount the credit can be is $7,500. If the amount of the home purchased is $100,000, the amount of the credit may not exceed $8,000.

Who is eligible for the FTHB tax credit?
Anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title, is eligible. This applies both to single taxpayers and married couples. In the case where there is a married couple, if either spouse has owned a primary residence in the last 36 months, neither would qualify. In the case where an individual has owned property that has not been a primary residence, such as a second home or investment property, that individual would be eligible.

As mentioned above, the tax credit has been expanded so that existing homeowners who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years are now eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500.

How do I claim the credit?
For those taking advantage of the tax credit in 2009, you may choose to either apply for the credit with your 2009 tax return or you may apply for the credit sooner by filing an amended 2008 tax return with Form 5405 (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5405.pdf).

Can you claim the tax credit in advance of purchasing a property?
No. The IRS has recently begun prosecuting people who have claimed credits where a purchase had not taken place.

Can a taxpayer claim a credit if the property is purchased from a seller with seller financing and the seller retains title to the property?
Yes. In situations where the buyer purchases the property, even though the seller retains legal title, the taxpayer may file for the credit. Examples of this would include a land contract, contract for deed, etc. According to the IRS, factors that would demonstrate the ownership of the property would include: 1. the right of possession, 2. the right to obtain legal title upon full payment of the purchase price, 3. the right to construct improvements, 4. the obligation to pay property taxes, 5. the risk of loss, 6. the responsibility to insure the property and 7. the duty to maintain the property.

Are there other restrictions to taking the credit?
Yes. According to the IRS, if any of the following describe your situation, a credit would not be due.

•You buy your home from a close relative. This includes your spouse, parent, grandparent, child or grandchild.
•You do not use the home as your principal residence.
•You sell your home before the end of the year.
•You are a nonresident alien.
•You are, or were, eligible to claim the District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit for any taxable year. (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)
•Your home financing comes from tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds. (This does not apply for a home purchased in 2009.)
•You owned a principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase of your new home. For example, if you bought a home on July 1, 2009, you cannot take the credit for that home if you owned, or had an ownership interest in, another principal residence at any time from July 2, 2006, through July 1, 2009.
Can you buy a home from a step-relative and be eligible for the credit?
Yes. Provided the person you are buying a home from is not a direct blood relative, the purchase would be allowed.

Can parent(s) who will not live in the property cosign for a mortgage for their child and the child that is a qualifying FTHB still be eligible for the credit?
Yes.

Can a separated spouse who has not owned a home for four years qualify for the FTHB tax credit if the spouse has owned a property anytime in the last three years?
No. However, the spouse may be eligible for the repeat buyer credit.

The best path to take in any situation regarding income taxes is to speak with a professional tax preparer or CPA.

What’s the rush?

First, interest rates are on everybody’s mind, and everyone wants to know when they are going up.  The Federal Reserve Bank is supposed to stop purchasing mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac.  The program is set to end in March of 2010, and when it does, interest rates are likely to increase and rather quickly.  

Another reason for the early activity in 2010, is that the tax credit deadlines for first-time home buyers and move-up buyers are steadily approaching.  You have to be under contract by April 30, 2010 to qualify.  So, if you need to sell a home, in order to purchase, it should be listed now.  As a first time home buyer, you will have more of a selection and less stress, if we start looking now.  First time home buyers who wait until April are going to feel pressure to make a hasty choice. Remember, a home is the most expensive item you will ever purchase, so let it be an educated decision.

Lastly, FHA changes are coming!  The Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium (UFMIP) will be increasing from 1.75% to 2.25% later this Spring. In addition, allowable seller contributions will decrease from 6% to 3% come Summer 2010. This means first time home buyers will need to have more money saved in order to purchase a home.

Remember, moving can be a stressful time for your pets, as well. Strangers in their ‘dens’ can be quite unsettling. The best thing to do find a safe place for your furry friends to go whether it is family, doggy day care or even a crate in the garage. The goal is to keep them calm and secure, because if you have one, you know…they can be spiteful little creatures.

Oh yeah.  Did you know Texans love their fireplaces?  It brings some monetary value to a home, but the intrinsic value is huge.  It is often a must-have item for my buyers.  Yes, I can actually make a fireplace, criteria on a search.  What I find so amusing though, is the lack of use these must-have items receive. A fireplace is the only house hold ‘accessory’ I can think of, that is often never used.  

I guess its presence brings about an option for use, which simply might be missed without it.  Sure, Santa will use it, even if no one else does.  It’s just symbolic for me of that childhood must-have toy, but once you got – you never played with it.  So, go on Texans – light those fireplaces!  At least, when you fill out those Seller’s Disclosure Notices – you will know if they work!

I have selected some random areas in Austin,
and listed some current real estate market data.

If there is an area you want me to spotlight -please let me know.

Tarrytown

Number of Active Homes on the Market: 23

Average Days on Market: 116

Median Home Price: $589,000

Travis Heights

Number of Active Homes on the Market: 25

Average Days on Market: 108

Median Home Price: $489,000

West Lake Hills

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 13

Average Days on Market: 225 (# is high due to 2 homes active over 600 days)

Median Home Price: $1,249,000

Mueller

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 13

Average Days on Market: 104

Median Home Price: $ 475,635

Northwest Hills

Number of Active Houses on the Market: 18

Average Days on Market: 66

Median Home Price: $ 606,500

For Sellers, pools can be more of a hindrance than a help. Not everyone wants a pool. In fact, I’ll say 65% of people don’t. Pools cost money and time to maintain. In addition, there are safety concerns for people with small children. They can also take up a lot of yard space.

So, here are my dos and don’ts for pools, for both Buyers and Sellers.

Sellers: Maintain and update your pool. Nobody wants to buy a money pit (literally). If you can switch to saline – do it.

Buyers: If you buy in a subdivision where most homes have a pool…make sure the pool is up-to-date. You want to have one of the better pools in the subdivision. If you want to know how much it costs to maintain a pool and how much you will spend on electric – the answer is – you don’t want a pool! They can be costly and if you are already watching your budget – a pool is going to blow it.

Now, I am not anti-pools. I grew up having one. My experience is that they are great for certain moments in time. But, remember: you will spend more time staring at your pool, then you will spend in it. Once more, pools don’t necessarily add value. I rarely, factor them into a list price, simply due to the lower buyer pool they attract. So, if you have one….make sure it shines.

Doreen Zelma

Realtor, GRI