Eva Bradley's Blog

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After the new California carbon monoxide meter law took effect in July 2011, scammers found a new way to make money. 

To avoid being the scammers’ next victim I recomend to read the following article in Tracy Press : “Safety Requirement May Be Scam Opportunity“

Carbon monoxide meters are available in most major warehouses and stores like Walmart, Costco, Orchard Supply and many others and cost no more than  $25 to $40.

Related articles

• Fire officials warn of carbon monoxide detector scam (latimesblogs.latimes.com)

The following article is for those who took advantage of and purchased their

home with the tax credit:

Tax Credit & Tax Refund

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According to the BBB Better Business Bureau article: “The housing market in the United States may not be thriving, but business is booming for foreclosure rescue and loan modification scammers.” Don’t be a victim of a scam – if you think that an offer to help with foreclosure or loan modification issues sound to good to be true, seek help or ask for a second opinion from a legitimate source. Read more…. 

Related articles by Zemanta

• Home Affordable Modification Program (flowerblossoms.wordpress.com)
• Desperate job hunters fall victim to scams (cbc.ca)

Please click the link below to open my “September Real Estate Update”:

News You Can Use

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month’s issue includes topics such as:

“Priced to Sell”;
“Most Homebuyers Have No Regrets”;
“Staging a Photo Ready Home”;
“Handling Neighborly Disputes”;
“Social Benefits of Housing”;

Plus a roundup of August real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Many of you bought your home in 2008 and 2009 using the $8,000 tax credit.   

Here are some usefull links directly from the IRS to help you file the tax credit properly:

• Basic Information
• Claiming the credit on your tax return
• Homes purchased in 2008
• Homes purchased in 2009
• Scenarios

In case you do file your tax return your self  and need help you can visit the official IRS website by clicking here.

News you can use:  February Newsletter is here and it is, as always, full of useful tips and information that you can use. 

Topics included in this month’s Newsletter: 

• How to repair your home without damaging your wallet
• Exterior remodeling proves best bang for your buck
• Homebuyer tax credit boosts economy
• Understanding the buyers mindset
• View current mortgage rates 
• January round up: mortgage rate trends

If you have any ideas or tips on topics for next month please share it with me; I would be glad to research it and publish it.

Image by joiseyshowaa via Flickr

 

Do you live near intersection or high traffic areas?  Here are some useful tips on how to reduce the traffic noise, enjoy your outdoor activities and have a nicely landscaped backyard, all at the same time:  How to dampen traffic noise

The sales details for the first month of 2010 are showing a slow down in Tracy’s real estate market, which is typical for this time of the year.  Tracy’s inventory is still low; as of today we have 207 homes actively listed on the Multiple Listing Service for Tracy and surrounding country areas. The most important factor in purchasing a home is obtaining a loan. Government loans (FHA) are changing rules again; raising the amount of mortgage insurance premiums and raising the minimum down payment back up to 5% of the purchase price. On the other hand the tax credit is still available for qualified home buyers and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to pass another incentive for Californians; a $10,000 tax credit for new and resale home purchases. If it passes, it will become effective hopefully by the end of this month…. Read the rest of this entry »

Did you ever wonder for how much homes in your neighborhood have actually sold for?  You were probably asking your neighbors, but heard a different amount from each person you were talking to….

Here is your chance to check your knowledge about your neighborhood: I would like to know if you could guess how much this home has been sold for recently:

Address: 597 Whintey Court, Tracy Ca 95377

Listing price: $260,000, Short Sale

4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 story house with a 3 car garage,

built in 1999, features an inground, fenced-in swimming pool.

Sold date: January 20, 2010

Give it your best shot and send me your guess for this home’s SOLD price!…