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The New, Improved, (and extended) $8,000 Tax Credit
November 22, 2009 /By now you've probably heard: The $8,000 Tax Credit has been extended! And you're thinking, "I've been wanting to buy a home... maybe there's something to this procrastination thing, after all." In this case, you'd be right; The last go-round provided up to $8,000 to homebuyers who had not owned a home in the past 3 years, and whose income was $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns. In recognition of your patience and wisdom, you are now eligible for the Sweetened Deal: For home purchases occurring after November 6, 2009, the new income limits are $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly. Be prepared to prove it! Due to the very real potential for fraud, you will be required to prove that you have not owned a home in the last 3 years, however, the credit can be allocated to the person who has not owned previously, in cases where parents are assisting with a purchase, or where one member of an unmarried couple has previously owned. Saving for a downpayment? Another element of the new version is that it allows prospective home buyers who believe they qualify for the…Read more
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Green Homes- Fad, Trend, or Future?
November 5, 2009 /Among the many contentious issues of our day, the concept of being 'environmentally conscious', certainly strikes a few hot buttons for some. This post isn't going to explore the politics of Al Gore, or Rush Limbaugh, because, controversial as that subject may be, there's just not enough space to do the topic justice, and frankly, I don't find it that interesting. My personal angle on the Green Movement tends to slant more toward the practicalities of implementation, and looking at the cost/benefit balance for long term value. Given the condition of our current economy, and the impact of rising energy prices, and prices overall, I don't think it's an overstatement to say everybody's looking for ways to save money. From that perspective, the question becomes one of whether it's more practical to save money now (which frequently means either making do with less, or doing nothing), or to take the preventive and holistic steps that provide for long term cost and resource savings through conservation, thoughtful design, and practical implementation of new home-building technologies. The Green Movement is really just a convenient handle for the overarching conversation that revolves around the management and distribution of resources within a given community, and attempts to…Read more
