Military Exceptions for Home Buyer Tax Credit

Here in Military City USA we strive to serve those who serve our country in every way we can. This post is a reminder of the extension of the Home Buyer Tax Credits ($8000 for First Time Buyers or $6500 for Repeat Buyers).

As the article linked above explains, members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy, or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.

I'd love to help you or anyone you know who is eligible for this program to take advantage of it. Contact me today at Lynn@LynnKnapik.com. Be ready to receive "Service Beyond Your Wildest Expectations!".

Take Inventory of Your Home - for FREE!

How much would you lose if you had a fire at your home or some other disaster hit? How could you ever remember all you owned in order to file an accurate insurance claim. A client who lost everything to Hurricane Katrina recently related how difficult the task of filing that insurance claim was.


What You Own Home Inventory is a free software that assists you in taking inventory of your possessions. It's easy to use and it helps you organize your inventory by room and category. You can add multiple pictures of your items, rooms and household as you go along. When you are done, you can save your file and print a report.

And best of all - it's FREE. Check it out today.

Help the Food Bank Paint the Town Orange

September is Hunger Action Month and the San Antonio Food Bank needs our help. 

Check this out to see how you can help!

Housing Trends - Lynn Knapik

Click here to view my July 2010 Housing Trends Newsletter

Celebrating One Year of the Museum Reach of the San Antonio River Walk

Watch this fascinating video about the beginning of the expansion of the San Antonio River Walk - The Museum Reach.

Narrated by Tommy Lee Jones, this special on PBS station KLRN details the planning, the surprises, and the celebration of the addition to this lazy, beautiful river flowing through the center of San Antonio, Texas.

Visit this outdoor art gallery on video and then make your way to downtown San Antonio to visit it in person!

Advice on TroopTube for Enlistees Buying or Renting a Home

Why You Should Hug a REALTOR - From someone who isn't one!

Read what Rick Casey of the Houston Chronicle says about how your Texas REALTORS are looking out for the homeowners in Texas and why you should hug a REALTOR!

Thanks, Rick!

The Lone Star Secret - CNBC

We pride ourselves on being just a little bit different - okay, we're a whole lot different and darn proud of it.

The way I see it, the greatest thing affecting our real estate market these last couple years is that Texans keep forgetting that what happens in the rest of the country isn't what's happening here!

Read what CNBC has to say about the "Lone Star Secret".

Still a lot of March Fun left in San Antonio

According to SanAntonioRiverwalk.com there are still some great events happening in March 2010. Check them out here:

• JW Marriott San Antonio Grand Opening Fundraising Salute to Military Heroes 
• 3/19-3/21 
• JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa

• Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles 
• 3/19-3/20 
• Municipal Auditorium

• The ARTS CART 
• 3/20 
• San Antonio Children's Museum

• Spring Fling with the Wild Things 
• 3/20
• Sunken Gardens Theater

• 10th Annual Empty Bowls Fund Raiser 
• 3/21 
• Southwest School of Art and Craft

• Jasper Johns at the McNay: Past and Present 
• 3/24-6/13 
• McNay Art Museum

• Curtains 
• 3/26-3/27 
• San Pedro Playhouse

• Blaser Skeet Classic 
• 3/26-3/28
• National Shooting Complex

• Mozart and Der Rosenkavalier 
• 3/26-3/27 
• Majestic Theatre

• BRAVO!  Folklorico 
• 3/27-3/27 
• Arneson Riverwalk Theatre

Basura Bash

San Antonio River Authority has announced the upcoming 16th Annual Basura Bash to be held March 27, 2010.

Here's what their website has to say:

The Basura Bash Planning Organization is a volunteer organization committed to increasing stewardship of the San Antonio Area Waterways through:

Mobilizing volunteers and hosting regular cleanups including  the annual Basura Bash.

Providing community education regarding water pollution and natural resource preservation.

Building public/private partnerships for the betterment of our community's environment.

Dust off your Basura Bash work gloves and work boots, it's almost time to clean it like you mean it. Learn more at basurabash.org

8 Tips to Guide Your Home Search

1. Research before you look. Decide what features you most want to have in a home, what neighborhoods you prefer, and how much you’d be willing to spend each month for housing.

2. Be realistic. It’s OK to be picky, but don’t be unrealistic with your expectations. There’s no such thing as a perfect home. Use your list of priorities as a guide to evaluate each property.

3. Get your finances in order. Review your credit report and be sure you have enough money to cover your down payment and closing costs. Then, talk to a lender and get prequalified for a mortgage. This will save you the heartache later of falling in love with a house you can’t afford.

4. Don’t ask too many people for opinions. It will drive you crazy. Select one or two people to turn to if you feel you need a second opinion, but be ready to make the final decision on your own.

5. Decide your moving timeline. When is your lease up? Are you allowed to sublet? How tight is the rental market in your area? All of these factors will help you determine when you should move.

6. Think long term. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in this home for a longer period? This decision may dictate what type of home you’ll buy as well as the type of mortgage terms that will best suit you.

7. Insist on a home inspection. If possible, get a warranty from the seller to cover defects for one year.

8. Get help from a REALTOR®. Hire a real estate professional who specializes in buyer representation. Unlike a listing agent, whose first duty is to the seller, a buyer’s representative is working only for you. Buyer’s reps are usually paid out of the seller’s commission payment.

Published with permission of National Association of REALTORS®

Federal Program to Encourage Short Sales

From REALTOR Magazine, March 8, 2010

Beginning April 5, the Obama administration will encourage delinquent borrowers to avoid foreclosure and instead give up their homes in short sales by streamlining the process.

The program will offer a cash payment to the home owner, as well as to the servicer and second-lien holder; and protect borrowers from future lender lawsuits for the unpaid mortgage balance.

To curtail fraud, lenders will have to consult real estate practitioners to assess home value and minimum acceptable offer; they then must accept any offer that is equal to or higher than that.

Source: The New York Times, David Streitfeld (03/08/10)

© Copyright 2010 Information Inc.

Conduct Your Own Energy Audit

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  Conduct Your Own Energy Audit

  A do-it-yourself energy audit can teach you how to be more energy efficient and make you a more-educated consumer should you decide to hire an expert. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

10 Things Every Remodeling Contract Should Include

The contract is a critical step in any remodeling project; it holds the job together and ensures that all parties agree to the same vision and scope.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry spells out the following key elements that every remodeling contract should have: 

1. The contractor’s name, address, phone number, and license number.
2. Details on what the contractor will and will not do.
3. A list of materials for the project in your contract. This includes information about the size, color, model, brand name, and product.
4. The approximate start date and completion date.
5. All required plans. Study them carefully for accuracy. Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before any work begins.
6. Written notice of your right to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.
7. Financial terms, spelled out in a way that you understand. This includes the total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation penalty.
8. A binding arbitration clause, which you’ll need in the event a disagreement occurs. Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.
9. Everything you’ve requested. Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you’ve requested are included. If you do not see a specific item in the contract, consider it not included. Never sign an incomplete contract.
10. A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year. The warranty must be identified as either "full" or "limited." The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor, or manufacturer) must be identified. Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.

By Kelly Quigley, managing editor of REALTOR® Magazine.

Used with permission of REALTOR.org.

Latest Housing Trends Newsletter

Here's the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. In this eNewsletter you can access national and San Antonio housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

Please click on this link to view the MARCH-2010 Newsletter Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter:
http://lynnknapik.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/?Newsletter_ID=246&Period_ID=183

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.

It also includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.

Want to determine the value of your home? Click here for the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report.

Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you.

Southwest Airlines' Salute to San Antonio!

I couldn't have said it better myself so I'll just let Southwest Airlines' "Spirit" magazine say it for me!

Check it out in their article "Meet San Antonio".

Here's the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter.

This eNewsletter is specially designed for you the consumer, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

Please click on this link to view the FEBRUARY-2010 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter:

http://lynnknapik.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/?Newsletter_ID=242&Period_ID=182


The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.

It also includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report:

http://lynnknapik.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispContent.cfm?loadid=2&loadtype=0

Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future here in the San Antonio, Texas area.

Street 2 Feet 5k and Kidz K Run

SAMMinistries has announced its inaugural "Street to Feet" 5k and Kidz' K Run.

It's a family friendly event along a route that begins at the SAMM Shelter (910 W. Commerce St.) and finishes at the new Haven For Hope. Proceeds go to help benefit SAMMinistries and its mission of helping provide for the needs of San Antonio's homeless.

REALTORS from the San Antonio Board of REALTORS are forming a group to participate in the run (or probably walk!). Contact me to join our group for a morning of fun and support of SAMMinistries.

The Street 2 Feet training group meets Saturday and Wednesday mornings at 8:15 a.m. at the W. Commerce location. New volunteers and participants are always welcome. For details you can contact Megan Cullip - megancullip@gmail.com .

Race Information:

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2010

Time: 5K - 8:00 am Kidz K - 9:00 am

Fees: 5K - $20 until Feb. 18, $25 thereafter

Kidz 1K - $10 until Feb. 18, $15 thereafter

Packet Pick UP: Friday, Feb. 19, 2:00-7:00 pm

Run Gear Run - 18720 Stone Oak Pkwy #150 210-490-9987

Online Registration: http://www.active.com/

In-Person Registration: Cash and Checks made payable to SAMMinistries only at Roger Soler's Sports, Run Gear Run, Fleet Feet Sports, Run Wild Sports

Race Sponsorships and Adopt-A Runner Program are still available. Race Sponsorships start at the $500 Level and/or you can Adopt-A Runner for $100 or $250.

If you have any questions regarding the sponsorships and/or Adopt-A-Runner Program you may contact SAMMinistries' Director of Development Services, Karen Tyler at ktyler@samm.org . This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Karen at 210-340-0302 ext 241.

My JANUARY-2010 Housing Trends eNewsletter

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.

Please click on this link to view the JANUARY-2010 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter:

http://lynnknapik.housingtrendsenewsletter.com?Newsletter_ID=239&Period_ID=181

The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.

It also includes press releases with charts and videos, key market indicators and real estate sales and price statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.

If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the “Home Evaluator” link for a free evaluation report:

http://lynnknapik.housingtrendsenewsletter.com/dispContent.cfm?loadid=2&loadtype=0

Sound decisions can only be made with accurate and reliable information, and I am happy to be a trusted resource for you. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this monthly eNewsletter, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and to the opportunity to be your REALTOR® in the future.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio

It's cold outside but inside the San Antonio Alamodome this weekend things will really heat up as the high school All-American teams hit the field .

In the nation’s premier high school football game, the top 90 high school football players in the nation will compete and the top 97 high school marching band members will perform.

Everyone's invited to come celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, celebrating a decade of excellence. Kick-off is at noon on Saturday, January 9 but there are lots of activities going on before the game. Check here for all the details.