HELLLLOOOO My Wonderful Beautiful Bay Area… Those of you who have enjoyed taking certain deductions yearly… be forewarned… certain tax benefits will be going up up and away… (the article below comes from Inman News)… please make your notes and be sure to take what you can before they disappear…

Real Estate Tax Talk. There are several tax credits and deductions set to expire at the end of the year, and given the federal deficit problem, there’s a good chance they won’t be extended. If you want to take advantage of them, you need to act before Jan. 1, 2012. Mortgage insurance premium deduction If you itemize deductions, you may deduct the premiums you pay for mortgage insurance, just like you do mortgage interest. However, this deduction is phased out if your income exceeds certain levels. To qualify for the full deduction, a couple or a single taxpayer must have an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less. The deduction is phased out completely if AGI exceeds $109,000. For further details go ahead and check out the full article…click open the hyperlink below…

http://shar.es/oh6zE

There’s really some true advantages to “Online Shopping”!!… LOL

 1.      Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.

2.      Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

 3.      Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

 4.      Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..

5.      If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house.. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

6.      If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.

 7.      A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

 8.      It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.

9.      I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don’t take me up on it.)

10.  Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

11.  Here’s a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids’ rooms.

12.  You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.

13.  A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.   (Find it athttp://www.faketv/.com/) 

Good Morning My Wonderful Beautiful Bay Area!!….  There’s just something to be said about working with clients who pay attention to their purchase and any legislation that might affect their transaction…

First thing this morning received a call from a client in escrow… he just heard on the news that there may be another $10,000 tax credit for 1^st x homebuyers specific to the State of California… was this true and could we get included??…

Personally I hadn’t heard so after checking with my local board, CAR, other sources including CAR Legal… IN CASE YOU HAVENT HEARD  … there is indeed an extension that will go into effect sometime in May of this year which will give first time homebuyers an additional $10,000 tax credit from our great state of California! In addition to the $8,000 tax credit from the federal government…  if your buyers are in contract by April 30… This piece of legislation is very very good news !!… we’re advised to wait a few days for the details to come out…

Keep checking in… Will post updates as more details roll out…

 Hope this news comes in handy for you… It’s a bright sunny day… Cheers Everyone!!

 Your comments are always welcome!!…

Isi

Isi Wu… the realtor for you

Serving Clients All Over the Eastbay…

Good Good Day to My Wonderful Beautiful Bay Area….

We have a double whammy to have a bright day today… Its a Day to Love and Be Loved and its the beginning of the Year of the Tiger!!…  The Chinese celebrate each new lunar year with an animal sign… 12 animals in all… every 12 years the same animal is welcomed for that year… there’s much meaning and celebration, optimism, hope and remembrance of the past… its a very exciting time for those whose birthdays falls within that year’s animal sign…

The Tiger is my sign… I’m very excited that its my year this year! its been 12 long years since it was the Year of the Tiger…  to make it memorable I had an opportunity to travel to the Kanchanaburi Province in Thailand and visit the Tiger Temple and commemorate this year with a foto with a Tiger!!!!!…   Very Very Special… Hope you enjoy this foto… and Enjoy this New Year along with other Tigers and myself… What sign are you?? Gung Xi Fa Csai!!… Gung Xi Gung Xi… Happy Chinese New Year to All…

Thanks for checking in… Your comments are always welcome!

Isi

Isi Wu… the realtor for you

 

Good Day My Beautiful Wonderful Bay Area…  How many of you drive Toyotas?… Do you own one that is on the recall list?… Are you concerned about the safety of your vehicle?.. . Do you feel that this is the beginning of the downfall of Toyota?… Here’s an enlightening article for those who believe in the Toyota product…

(The owners are still hiring… if you’re in need of a job this might be an opportunity for you… Go For It!!…)

http://bit.ly/aTU0A3

Thanks for checking in… your comments are always welcome…

Isi

Isi Wu… the realtor for you…

Serving Clients All Over the Eastbay…

Have you ever heard about Walk Score?… This is a trend that is finding a place in the search parameters for a growing number of homebuyers… just thought it would be of interest to you if you’re not aware of it…

About Walk Score

Mission

The Walk Score mission is to promote walkable neighborhoods. We believe walkable neighborhoods are one of the simplest and most effective solutions to halt climate change, improve our health, and strengthen our communities.

Very soon all listings will read: Beds: 3  Baths: 2  Walk Score: 84. We want walkability and transportation costs to be a key part of choosing where to live.

Go ahead check your neighborhood Walk Score…   http://bit.ly/6a08VL

Why Walking Matters

Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to our health, the environment, and our communities.

Better health: A study in Washington State found that the average resident of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood.¹ Residents of walkable neighborhoods drive less and suffer fewer car accidents, a leading cause of death between the ages of 15–45.

“We are here to show those guys that are inching their way on the freeways in their metal coffins that the human spirit is still alive.”  - Patrick Swayze, Point Break

Reduction in greenhouse gas: Cars are a leading cause of global warming. Your feet are zero-pollution transportation machines.

More transportation options: Compact neighborhoods tend to have higher population density, which leads to more public transportation options and bicycle infrastructure. Not only is taking the bus cheaper than driving, but riding a bus is ten times safer than driving a car!²

Increased social capital: Walking increases social capital by promoting face-to-face interaction with your neighbors. Studies have shown that for every 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10%.³

Stronger local businesses: Dense, walkable neighborhoods provide local businesses with the foot traffic they need to thrive. It’s easier for pedestrians to shop at many stores on one trip, since they don’t need to drive between destinations.

Find the best neighborhoods for walking …  in the largest 40 U.S. cities… http://bit.ly/6a08VL