Chris Strangio's Blog

This is a fantastic boon to first time homebuyers.  Some will be able to double dip!  It’s good until the end of the year (or up to the $100m allotment, which analysts say could be no more than 6mos!) and will keep our market moving when the federal tax credit expires April 30.

Good job Governor Schwarzenegger!

image courtesy SacBee

Schwarzenegger signs homebuyer tax credit bill

By JUDY LIN Associated Press Writer

Posted: 03/25/2010 03:35:52 PM PDT

Updated: 03/25/2010 05:20:08 PM PDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday signed a bill aimed at selling California’s vacant homes and encouraging new construction by extending a $10,000 state tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

The governor signed a bill the state Legislature passed on a bipartisan vote earlier this week. It provides a state tax credit to first-time homebuyers who buy new or existing homes from May 1 until the end of 2010.

Homebuyers can claim 5 percent of the purchase price against their California taxes, or up to $10,000.

To view the whole story: http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_14758523?source=email&nclick_check=1

image courtesy of agewise.tv

There are two ways to boost your personal cash flow — increase your income or reduce your spending. Sounds simple, right? The former can be a challenge but the latter doesn’t have to be.

The headline of the video below — “Cut Your Spending By $500 Per Month” — is somewhat sensational but the advice given during the video is spot-on.

From NBC\’s The Today Show, the 5-minute piece offers a half-dozen ways to reduce your cash outflows each month, including:

How to negotiate a lower credit card interest rate

Why it’s important to go grocery shopping with “a list”

How to “time” certain purchases like tires, linens, and clothing

It also covers saving money on a family pet. It’s often easier to save money than to make money.

This video shows how easy it can be.

A home owner in Gibsonia, Pa., about 15 miles north of Pittsburgh, has sued Bank of America because it sent a contractor to turn off the utilities in her home and secure the property because it erroneously believed she was in default.

In the process, the contractor took home owner Angela Iannelli’s 11-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw, Luke — a loss that she said caused her to worry so much that she had to take prescription medicine for anxiety.

Initially, Bank of America was not helpful in finding the lost parrot, and a bank representative allegedly hung up on Iannelli, telling her that they were “tired of hearing” from her.

Iannelli, who is suing for $50,000 in damages, was ultimately able to drive 80 miles to the contractor’s office and rescue the bird.

This week, Bank of America apologized for the incident.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, James R. Hagerty (03/11/2010)