Homebuyers Credit 2008,2009,2010

Do you have to repay your Home Buyers Credit...the rules changed a couple of different times during the offering.  When did you buy and what was your credit?  This article may be helpful in looking back and seeing what your Home Buyers Credit was all about...

HomeBuyers Credit

An upswing in home Sales are expected...

All indicators show that the Sale homes are going to continue to grow over the next two years.  Don't give up, stay in the Market and you will be poised to take advantage of this activity.

Home sales predictions for 2011 and into 2012

Washington's Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program.

Looking for Tuition Money...here is a link to sign up for information seminar regarding this program in the State of Washington...The times and dates are for SW Washington...

 Washington'g Guaranteed Education Tuition Program Schedule 

School Days in Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver Public Schools just posted their Report for the Community...take a look at what we have to offer your little and big ones...





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Mortgage Rate Chart from 1971...

The Mortgage Rates have never been so Great!!!  attached is a chard that show the rates going back to 1971..Housing prices are down...what are we waiting for...If you went out and someone offered you 4% on your money, would this make you happy...Well the Banks are offering you their money for 4%...this is incredible...Time to Buy!!!




Mortgage Rates

Fort Vancouver Tours

The Tours at Ft. Vancouver are in full swing with the Lantern Tour beginning October 2nd...this is a great outing for the Holidays if you have not been before, put it on your must to do list...

Fort Vancouver Tours

Stimulus Housing update!!!

The $790 billion stimulus package signed by President Obama today increases the home buyer tax credit to $8,000, drops the repayment feature, reinstates last year's 2008 loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae loans, and provides $2 billion in additional funding for states and localities to be used to purchase, manage, repair and resell foreclosed and abandoned properties. Many elements (listed below) included in HR 1 "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," were supported by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) as well as the many REALTORS® who sent call to action messages to Congress urging their support! Homebuyer Tax Credit. The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers (those who haven't owned in at least three years) for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment for buyers who hold onto their property for at least three years. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.
NAR has sought removal of the repayment requirement because it discourages buyers from taking advantage of the tax credit. The three-year minimum holding period is a safeguard against speculators' use of the credit. The legislation also extends the effective date of the credit to December 1 from June 30, and extends eligibility to borrowers who buy their home with the help of state or local financial assistance that comes from the proceeds of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds.
The start date for the first time homebuyer credit is January 1, 2009 through and before December 1, 2009.
FHA and conforming loan limits. Specifics have not been released but reports indicate that the 2008 limits have been reinstated for 2009 except in those communities where the 2009 limits are higher. Additional increases in individual communities may also be available at the discretion of the secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Foreclosure mitigation and neighborhood stabilization. Funding for states and localities to be used for neighborhood stabilization activities for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes are authorized. Some news reports put the funding level at $2 billion.
Rental assistance. Up to $1.5 billion to provide short-term rental assistance and other aid for families during the economic crisis.
Transportation infrastructure. Up to $29 billion for highway construction projects, $8 billion for rail projects.
Rural housing development. Increased funding for the Rural Housing Service direct and guaranteed loan programs.
Low-income housing grants. Allow states to trade in a portion of their 2009 low-income housing tax credits for Treasury grants to finance the construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of low-income housing, including those with or without tax credit allocations.
Tax-exempt housing bonds. Tax-exempt interest earned on specified state and local bonds issued during 2009 and 2010 will not be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). In addition, financial institutions will have greater capacity to purchase tax-exempt state and local bonds.
Energy efficient housing. Grants for energy retrofits for federally assisted housing (Section 8), funding for energy efficiency and conservation block grants to states, increases in the residential tax credit through 2010 for certain energy efficient upgrades and $5 billion to weatherize low-income homes.

Here's Looking at 2008 in the "Couve"

The Pacific Northwest is a great place to live and play!!


as presented by the Columbian, January 27, 2008

Jobs: in 2007 employment grew by 3,000 jobs, or 2.2 percent. 2008 looks for slower growth, around 1,600 jobs.

Chip Production: expansion that began in 2007 is expected to continue, growing 9.3 percent.


Housing: It is an excellent time to buy and sell. There will be a small amount of appreciation, up possibly 4 to 5 percent.

Energy: In 2008 there should be little upward pressure on electricity prices int eh Pacific Northwest. With the possibility of a warm winter gas prices in 2008 could lead to reductions in natural gas prices.

Retail: New retail space will add 821,000 sq . ft. to the market. New national apparel stores will commit to Clark County retail developments.

Mortgage Banking: All indications are that mortgage loan rates will stay as they have in 2007 with possible increases toward the end of the year.

Travel: Visitor spending in Clark County reached an extimated $400 milling last year. In 2008, at least an 8 percent increase is projected.

For more details go to: http://www.columbian.com

History and Rose Tour

Fulfilling your visions of wonderful homes and great gardens, is as simple as taking a tour of Vintage Portland Homes, Landmarks and Gardens...

From the tombstone of one of Portland's founding fathers, to a restored 20th century pub, to the blooming roses at Washington Park....

As seasons change so do your real estate needs...Whenever we can be of assistance please call on us!!! The Bridge Team

Must-Have Features forToday's Home Buyer...

Boomers or Bust!

1. No Stairs - Single story homes, first-floor master suites and /or personal elevators. As baby boomers age, they'd rather not do stairs .
2. Fireplaces - they've always wanted to have one. "It's a reward for their station in life:
3. Low maintenance surfaces - such as granite, quartz and Corian.
4. Pedestrian friendly communities - with walking trails and amenities conductive to fitness and social interaction in the neighborhood.
5. Emphasis on quality and detailing - more than square footage. It's the McMansion theory in reverse. Baby boomers are willing to trade some space for (better) features.
6. Flexible floor plans - Rooms and spaces that can adapt to changing needs and circumstances, that are multi-functional, perhaps with sliding doors and movable partitions.
7. A keeping room - Living rooms are giving way to great rooms, a keeping room provides and intimate space for families to gather near the kitchen are. "You can put a sofa and a couple of chairs in there and a fireplace.
8. Private outdoor space - this could be a deck or patio, "Someone coined the phrase, "Does it pass the smooch test?"
9. Accessible storage - Cabinets and shelves placed at heights that can be reached without a stepladder and that have pullouts, lazy susan's and shallow shelving to keep them within easy reach.
10. Ample wall space for photo gallery - of all the kids, grandkids, siblings, and parents who may have passed away is helpful.
11. Radiant floor heating - Baby boomers may have more health issues like asthma or emphysema. "Forced air becomes problematic - you don't want dust blowing around."

Professional Builder surveyed six experts - architects, home industry trend experts, and real-estate brokers and designers - to get their take on the must-have features for today's home buyers.

Vancouver, Washington Attracts with Natural Beauty. (source: Real Estate News and Advice)


The natural beauty of Vancouver, invites a variety of outdoor recreations, making it one of the most desirable cities to live in or visit in Washington...Vancouver is situated along the Columbia River just North of Portland, Oregon. Vancouver is the oldest city in the State of Washington.

We invite you to come and experience what so many are loving about living in this fabulous, rich in adventure part of the United States.

The Bridge Team

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BASEMENT DRY

• Make sure that all the basement drains work properly.
  


• Clear gutters and downspouts. Install splash blocks under the downspouts to direct water away from foundation.


• Check the basement window wells for any leakage that will allow water inside.
  


• Cover exposed pipes with insulation to prevent sweating. (Check first to determine that there are no leaks in the pipes.)
  


• Check the joint between the wall and the basement floor for seepage.
  


• Repair missing or damaged mortar in the foundation.
  


• Cover any areas of exposed ground with heavy duty plastic sheets.
  


• Insulate between the joists in the ceiling. (Make sure they are clear of mold, mildew and insects first).


• Install a dehumidifier and/or fans.


• Replace missing chimney caps to prevent rain from reaching the basement.
  


• BE SURE THAT THE GROUND AROUND YOUR HOUSE SLOPES AWAY FROM THE FOUNDATION
  


• source:
  

Market Statistics for October, 2006

We can compare the Real Estate Sales from 2005 to 2006...we can see that our time on the Market is a little higher than 2005 and our number of closed sales have decreased while listings are slightly larger. Overall we continue to have a strong market. (Source: RMLS, October 2006)

Water Rate Increase-Vancouver

A slowdown in new home construction is likely to reduce revenue from development fees the utility would collect next year, but the demand for water will continue to grow...(November 22, 2006 Business Section, the Columbian.)

Your Vancouver/SW Washington Neighborhood Search

Welcome...let us know what is special about your Vancouver Neighborhood and why you love living in the Pacific NW...

Arnada Neighborhood Association Erected the information Station. It's a community bulletin board and the inaugural project for a Portland-style "intersection repair" scene...you can post neighborhood news and exchange goods...

Bluebird Ridge (source: Columbian Neighbors, wed, ll/22/2006)

A hillside that burned spectacularly two months ago is about to undergo a more lasting, manmade makeover. Developer Mike Heston, working on behalf of property owner Phil Elrod, would like to build 20to 24 homes perched on stilts lining l.65 acres atop the bluff northeast of Pearson Field.

Houses in the proposed development, Bluebird Ridge, would be accessible from East Sixth Street