Stacey-Ann's Blog

We hear the term first-time home buyer a lot.   However, I gets lots of question as to who exactly counts as a first-time home buyer.

Federally

To qualify for the 2009 first time home buyer $8000 tax credit a person must not have had any ownership interest in a home the three years previous to the DAY of the 2009 sale.  This means that if you had owned a home in the past but sold it 5 years ago, you would qualify as a first-time home buyer.

If you own rental property you may still qualify if you have not owned a property considered to be your principal residence in the preceeding 3 years.

If you have never owned a home but your spouse does and you decide to buy a home in 2009 you may still not qualify as a first-time home buyer for the purposes of the tax credit since the IRS has stated that neither the tax-payer nor his/her spouse can have had ownership interest in a home in the preceeding 3 years. 

Maryland

To qualify in Maryland as a first-time home buyer a person must never have owned in Maryland residential property that has been the purchaser's primary residence.  First-time home buyers in Maryland are exempt from certain real estate transfer taxes.

If you are interested in learning about being a first time home buyer and some of the many benefits of home ownership give me a call 240-481-3565

I get lots of questions from buyers about how this $8000 tax credit program works:

Any home over $80,000 qualifies for the full tax credit. Homes under $80,000 qualify for a credit of 10% of the purchase price (E.G. $65,000 home qualifies for a $6500 tax credit).

To qualify for the credit the purchaser must be a first-time home buyer.

Any single person who makes less than $75,000/per year ($150,000 for a married couple) qualifies for the full credit.  The credit phases out at higher income levels.

The tax credit does not need to be repaid provided the buyer does not sell the home within 3 years.

Though there was much talk, this tax credit cannot currently be used as a downpayment.

The 2009 $8000 tax credit expires on December 1, 2009.

To qualify for the credit the real estate transaction must go to closing prior to the December 1 deadline.

Call me today to take advantage of this great program.

Remember, homes must close before December 1, 2009

There are many wonderful places in Montgomery County Maryland to watch July 4th fireworks.  At most of these, festivites get under way at 7 or 7:30pm.

• Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg
• Montgomery College Campus - Rockville
• Soccer Plex Germantown Regional Park
• Albert Einstein Park - Wheaton/Kensington
• Poolesville Polo Ground
• Takoma Park Middle School

Have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

There are many wonderful places in Prince George's County Maryland to watch July 4th fireworks. 

• University of Maryland - College Park
• Six Flags America - Mitchellville
• Allen Pond Park - Bowie
• Prince George's County Stadium - Bowie
• Buddy Attick Park - Greenbelt

Have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!

 

I come from a school where grammar was beaten into us with a stick.  I also had a best friend who cringed every time people used incorrect grammar.

Many times in the spoken word we are able to cover many of our grammar errors.  However, as more and more of us are blogging or using facebook it becomes harder to mask these errors.  It is so critical that we minimize these errors because for many people this will be the only impression they ever get of us.  I think we are all guilty of making simple errors that could be avoided by better editing.   

Here are a some of the more common errors:

1. Affect vs. Effect:

I was greatly affected by the news of his passing.

His sudden passing had a tremendous effect on me.

 

2. I vs. ME

My husband and I are attending a concert.

My mother bought concert tickets for my husband and me.

 

3. Except vs. Accept

I hope they accept the buyer's offer.

I work every day, except Sundays.

 

4. Were vs. We're

We're (we are) headed to the club.

We were planning to go to the club.

 

5. There vs. Their vs. They're

They're (They are) moving to Florida.

Their dog is large.

I was planning to put my shoes over there.

 

Bonus:

I should have went/gone to the store. 

It was with horror that I heard the news today as I was driving home.  I was caught totally off guard when they said that Michael Jackson had passed away.  I had heard earlier in the day about Farrah Fawcett and was already lamenting who amazing it was that we feel like we know these celebrities.  However, when the news about MJ hit me I was completely unprepared for my emotional reaction.  I am from the generation that grew up with the Thriller album.  Immediately, my phone started ringing, friends & family (even from Jamaica) calling to see if I had heard the news.

I'm sure many people will have terrible things to say about him but the truth is he was a great artist.  His talent has been unsurpassed by any of the newer artists. He inspired so many children to sing and dance and respect the arts.  

For me his music still makes me smile and immediately takes me back to a simpler, worry free time.

It is too sad for him to be gone at such a young age.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his children and his family and all the people who really knew and loved him.

Many of you know that I sit on the Board of Directors of a charity that is very near and dear to my heart, the Angie Houtz Memorial Fund.

Almost 8 years ago my best friend Angie was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon.  The emotions I felt that day and in the subsequent hours, days, weeks, months, and now years remain some of the most painful ones I have ever experienced.  

Angie and I had been friends since the first day of college in 1992.  She travelled with me to Jamaica several times and was the maid of honor in my wedding in 1998.  Her absence in my life is still felt daily.

After her death, we started a scholarship in her honor.  This scholarship honors students who have shown a commitment to community service and academic excellence.  To date, we have awarded $27,000 in scholarships.  This experience has been gratifying and rewarding for all of us who love Angie. 

The second major fundraiser for this scholarship is a golf tournament to be held in September at the Oak Creek Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  

I am hoping that I can count on your support to help make this tournament an incredible success.

The cost to play is $125/player or $480/foursome.  This cost includes lunch, drinks, and prizes.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and they begin at $100 for hole sponsorships.  There are many levels of sponsorship available and these can be tailored to suit your needs.

Prize donations and silent auction items are also needed.

If you would like additional information about this tournament or how you can support this wonderful charity please give me a call 240-481-3565.

 

Oak Creek Golf Club

After viewing the tour of the course click on additional details for a link to register to play, sponsor, or make a donation.

 

Please pass this on to anyone that you think would be interested in supporting the tournament.

Today was the last day of school for Prince George's County Public Schools.  The Summer vacation has officially begun.  Let's remember that with kids on holiday there will be more children playing near the roads in our neighborhoods all day.  Be on the look-out for them as we are driving through the county. 

Let's make sure that this is a safe, happy, and fun summer for PG County kids.

As I read through these 2 stories I can't help but feel confused.

Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick was convicted of participating in a dog fighting ring.  He was vilified in the media and the public and was terminated from the Atlanta franchise and banned from the NFL.  He served 23 months in prison and is now on house arrest before planning to work at a construction job and begging the NFL to allow him to play again.

Contrast

Cleveland Brown's Donte Stallworth is convicted of killing a pedestrian while driving drunk.  His sentence? 30 days in prison and his driver's license has been revoked for several years.  He will have to be driven to and from work.  He will be out of prison in time to start training camp with the team in late July.  The NFL may still suspend him for a few games.  He did also pay an undisclosed amount of money to the victim's family.

 

Is it just me or if something severely skewed here.  What are we saying about the value of a human life?  

Imagine my excitement when I got this email in my inbox this morning.  Then imagine my disappointment when I actually read the message below.  Ugh!!! Spam on activerain.

My name is linda, nice and good looking girl and i also like to model, i saw your profile today at this (activerain.com) after going through it i was delighted to contact you, if you don't mind I will like to know more of you, for i am here seeking for a long lasting / loving relationship with a MAN whom i will share my love and life adventure with. I am loving and sexy with every good shape if i should conclude from what people say about me. I will kindly be honored if you can send me an email through this address linda_oti@yahoo.co.uk So i can know you very well and to share my life history and photos with you. I will be waiting to hear from you soon. regards Linda