You have until November 30, 2009 to find a home, secure financing and close the transaction to receive your $8,000 tax credit/downpayment assistance.
Thinking about buying your first home? Act today and the government will give you FREE money in the form of a tax credit or downpayment. No, you're not dreaming!
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time homebuyers.
And those who qualify for the federal $8000 first-time homebuyers tax credit will be able to apply for downpayment assistance through the state of Florida or the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) before they close on the purchase of their home; then repay the amount borrowed when they get their tax credit.
Q. What Does This Mean to You?
A. It means $8,000 toward a downpayment!
Q. Who Qualifies?
A. First-time homebuyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. To qualify as a "first-time homebuyer" the buyer or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
Q. Which Properties Are Eligible
A. The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residence, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
Q. How Much Will the Credit Be?
A. The maximum allowable credit for homebuyers is $8,000. Each homebuyers tax credit is determined by two factors: The price of the home - the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000. The buyer's income - single buyers with income up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 - may receive the maximum tax credit.
Q. If the Buyer(s)' Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?
A. Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit. The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 for homebuyers filing jointly. The amount to the tax credit decreases as income approaches the maximum limit. Homeubuyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income- over $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples - are not eligible for the credit.
Q. Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
A. No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupes the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during the three-year perious the credit will be recouped on the sale.
Consider me your CHEERLEADER!!
I just wanted you to know that I am here to help!!! formulate a game plan, cheer you through, strategizies when the game get's tough, and CELEBRATE at the touch down!
Okay sooo what does it all mean?? Every Buyer or Seller is DIFFERENT!! Different in what way?
Everybody expects different service than the next. Some Buyer's like do all their own searching online and even drive by properties before they want to make an appointment to actually look inside any homes or maybe they need a Realtor that can do all the searching for them. Some Seller's are looking for an agent that is very internet savvy or maybe have an advertisement in a certain print publication.
Some Buyers and Sellers like to text message or HATE text messages!! Maybe they don't use email or don't have a fax. The list is endless. The point is it's up to you as the Buyer to let your Realtor, and every other person in the transaction know how you like to do things!!!!! What's good for another might not work for you!
If you think you need a CHEERLEADER in West Volusia or want help buying a home in DeLand, DeLeon Springs, Barberville, Pierson, Orange City, Lake Helen, DeBary, Deltona, Osteen or any of the outlying areas in Voluisa, Lake, or Seminole counties call me at 386-747-0641.
Celeste
While there are a lot of things that need to be done before you can buy yourself a home, planning is half the battle, if you want a happy carefree enjoyable home buying experience you have to prepare! Unless you are lucky or really good and can pay cash money here is the path to success when buying real property.
1. Establish Credit - You can start with a small department store charge card or go to your local bank and get a secured credit card - you deposit money into your account and the money you deposit is your credit - BUT it gets reported to those pesky credit unions!!
2. Two Years Work History/ Self-Employeed - must have two years Tax Returns
College Students can avoid this with no gap between school and work history - in the field they graduated!
3. Pay Down Any Debts - Always Pay Bills on or before they are due!!! This doesn't mean you can't have some debt just dont' have your credit cards maxed out, this will actually reduce your OH SO IMPORTANT credit score!!!
4. Save for DOWN PAYMENT! While you can buy a home with very little money out of pocket, you'll save in the long run if you pay upfront!!! Not only that it can help you NEGOTIATE the price of the house down - if you have to ask a Seller to pay your closing costs, the more you are going to pay for the house - the Seller doesn't care about anything but, how much $$$ they will receive at closing!!
5. Ask for a copy of a contract for you to review BEFORE you put any offer in writing, so that way when you get ready to have your Realtor write your contract you can know what the contract ACTUALLY COVERS!!!!
6. Get PREAPPROVED!!! You can and should get prequalified, but getting PREAPPROVED is vital in todays markets, WHY? In my community - remember all real estate markets are local in nature - there is a LOT of properties affected by foreclosure and they come in different forms. There are SHORT SALES, REO a.k.a. BANK OWNED, and there is also govenment and quasi governement owned properties - HUD, FANNIE MAE and FREDDIE MAC. The point is when a good deal on a home comes available you need to be ready to jump!!!! Having a preapproval is VITAL - any home listed by a bank is going to want to see this before they even consider your offer!!!
These are just the basics and I bet if I sat here for much longer I could think of something else - BUT THESE ARE DEFINITE HIGHLIGHTS!!!
As always if I can help you with anything please call me at 386-747-0641!
Celeste
DELTONA: Multi-Family Building Lot!!!! 4 Units!!! Close to bus lines, shopping, eating, and in-town conveniences. This is a steal for a Four Unit Lot!!!
THE PROPERTY YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!! This is a beautiful fully wooded 3.65 acre piece of land, just minutes from DeLand, in quiet East Lake County. If you have been looking for a prime piece of property for fair price this is it. AGRICULTURAL ZONING! Bring your horses and other farm animals. Really don't miss this one!!
West Volusia's #1 Top Agent for 2008
Kathy Aparo-Griffin, Broker/Owner
Aparo-Griffin Properties
December, 2008 the West Volusia Association of REALTORS® honored Kathy with the Top Selling Agent Award for all of West Volusia County. She topped every other agent in the DeLand, Orange City, DeBary, Deltona, Osteen, Pierson, Barberville, DeLeon Springs areas, and it's no wonder with the amount of time and dedication she puts into getting people into their home, while her natural likability gives her a slight advantage over other agents, it truly is her hard work, time, effort, spunk, good attitude, and a perservering spirit that makes her the #1 TOP AGENT 2008 for West Volusia Association of REALTORS®.
All of Team Aparo-Griffin are really happy for her and proud to have her as our mentor!
She makes the TRAIN GO 'CHOO CHOO!
Sunday, December 4th, 2008 Aparo-Griffin Properties very first Mandatory Sunday Meeting!!! We were told almost a month in advance that we would have a mandatory meeting.... A FIVE HOUR LONG MEETING. As you can imagine we were all wondering what the heck we'd be doing for five hours!! We were told to bring our 2009 Goals and be prepared to share our ideas and new things we would do to improve our productivity!
Well, the day arrives we're all in the conference room discussing our 2009 goals... and an RV pulls up, naturally we are all thinking it's just another turn around. Our office is right on New York Avenue, which connects DeLand to the I-4 corridor (we have alot of turn arounds in our front parking lot).
All of a sudden, Kathy, our broker throws down the papers she'd been holding a yells, "We aren't havin' a meeting! Get your stuff, come on, lets go!!" Next thing I know, Champagne glasses appear and we all crazily grab our things and run out the door like a pack of heinas. People were saying 'i knew it, i knew something was up!' We're all laughing! We all board the RVC (aka recreatioanl vehicle chariot) our Chaufer, Danny a customer of Kathy's is all smiles. The Champagne bottle is opened and everyone chinks a cheer!
Of course, Carisa and Shannon, Kathy's two assistants were in on the surprise, but the rest of us had no idea where we were going. When we do finally stop, which is just about a five minute ride from the office we come to a rest in Deland's Downtown Garden District, and a pink restored Victorian. We've arrived at Stacey's Spa!
The jist is WE all got pampered!! FACIALS, MASSAGES, AND PEDICURES!!! ooohhllaala. For me it was a first on all 3. I have to say I enjoyed my facial most!! Definitely doing THAT again! All of us had a really good time. It was nice to drink it up a bit, relax and chat it up with the people we work with day in and day out. We are like a mini family and as everyone knows real estate transactions can be VERY STRESSFUL!! It was really a blessing to have all of us CHILLIN like Villians! Including Kathy's husband, Bill Griffin who is our short sale specialist! and her parents that come in every Tuesday to help out with Mailings, Filings, and anything than can do to help out as VOLUNTEERS!!! They love it! :)
Well, ` to more good times to come!
~ Cheers
BANK OWNED! Pool Home!
Newer roof, neat landscaping, privacy fenced backyard with a utility shed and in-ground pool with spacious deck. Split bedrooms, tile floors, sliders that lead to backyard. Quiet dead end street. Great opportunity to purchase a foreclosure in West Volusia. This home is located on the east side of DeLand, just off S. Blue Lake Avenue, easy access to I-4, with two exits within a 5 minute drive for commuters.
Home is zoned for Blue Lake Elementary, DeLand Middle, and DeLand High Schools.
This Saturday and Sunday December 6th and 7th from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. the West Volusia Historical Society will hold it's Biannual Tour of Historic DeLand Homes. The tour will feature 8 restored Historic homes in the Old Northwest DeLand National Historic District. The press release below shows only 7 homes being open however, Aparo-Griffin Properties has the wonderful opportunity to open 124 North Clara Avenue.
Press Release
Event Date(s): 12/6/2008 - 12/7/2008
Time and Location: varies, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, DeLand.
Contact Phone: 386-740-6813
Event Details: Seven historic homes never before included in the West Volusia Historical Society’s Tour of Historic Homes are in this year’s tour scheduled for December 6 and 7. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Homes featured on the 2008 Tour include: 130, 321, and 426 N. Clara Ave.; 223, 335, and 409 W. Minnesota Ave., and 341 W. Wisconsin Ave. Two special events also are included in this year’s program, according to Lorna Jean Hagstrom, Tour Chairman. Prior to the Saturday tour. will be a walking tour of three DeLand historic districts, with an emphasis on historic urban design. Leading the tour will be DeLand architect Hernando Gomez. Tickets are $10, and the tour begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the DeLand House, 137 W. Michigan Ave. A second feature is an 11 a.m. Saturday talk and power point presentation on Louis Tiffany’s glass collection given by Jennifer Thalheimer of the Morse Gallery in Winter Park, Fl, home of the Tiffany collection. The program will take place in the sanctuary of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church which features Tiffany stained glass windows. The church is at 319 W. Wisconsin Ave. Ticket cost is $5. Cost for the tour of homes is $12 in advance, $15 day of the event. A ticket is good for either day. Hagstrom said that while all the homes are within walking distance, buses will be available. Tickets can be purchased for all of the events at a discounted price of $20. The parking lot of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church is the starting point for the home tours. Tickets can be purchased at the Muse Book Shop, the Family Book Store, and the West Volusia Historical Society, 137 W. Michigan Ave. Call 386 740-6813.
DeLand's Victorian "1888" House
This beautiful Victorian is said to have been built in 1888 and is a master show stopper. The homes former use was as a bed and breakfast and has now been restored and remodeled. The first floor has been the area to keep most of it's original integrity, the dark heavy woods are orignal. The front doors open to a large foyer to the left is a sitting area. Beautiful heavy hung sliding doors have original hardware, this room features a art deco style fireplace. To the right as you enter is a bright sunroom with two walls of windows, letting the early morning sunrise in. There is too much to describe about this grand old lady!
Bonus room and arts and crafts studio plus over a half acre lot with beautiful gardens and parking! Fenced backyard and home features firealarm and firesprinklers to accomodate bed and breakfast code requirements. There is a large walk out basement and property has two storage sheds on property. Water softner is owned. A rare find a ONE OF A KIND.
Florida Housing's First Time Buyer Program
Get Up To $10,000.00 for
Down Payment & Closing Cost Money
This makes buying a house easier and more affordable than renting!!! With hardly any money out of your pocket you could buy a home in West Volusia County, in most cases for less than it takes to get into a rental!!
Home Buyer Education Class - Required but free!
Florida Housing requires the completion of a federal and state-approved Homebuyer Education Course for all first time homebuyers receiving assistance through one or more of our programs. Click here to find an approved counseling agency in your area.
Or you can contact Lori Smith at Countrywide, who is a participating lender and approved to use the Florida Bond Program at 386-804-3260, she can qualify you for this program.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions on this Program.
HOMEBUYERS - First Time Homebuyer Program
The First Time Homebuyer Program makes purchasing a home more affordable for low-to-moderate income families and individuals by offering fixed, low-interest rate mortgage loans. Florida Housing also offers down payment and closing costs assistance to eligible borrowers, which can greatly reduce the out of pocket expense to the buyer.
DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE (DPA)
Florida Housing offers two down payment and closing cost assistance programs in the form of second mortgage loans. It gives you up-front cash assistance to help eligible homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. You may be eligible to receive ONE of the following:
Florida Assist (up to $10,000 available)
For a complete list of income limits by county for the Florida Assist program, click here.
HAMI Program (up to $5,000 available)
You may qualify for this program if your income exceeds the limits for the Florida Assist program. The interest rate for the HAMI program is 5 percent.
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