Revisions include expanded income limits, a cap on home prices, additional documentation requirements and prohibitions against claims by dependents. Qualified repeat buyers can obtain credits up to $6,500. For both the first-time and repeat buyer program, the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the house, up to a maximum of either $6,500 or $8,000. * Members of the armed forces, as well as diplomatic and intelligence personnel serving in foreign countries, will get an extra year to buy a principal residence and still qualify for a credit. They will have until April 30, 2011, to enter into a contract, and until June 30, 2011, to close on it. * Anyone who buys a house after Nov. 6 — even those who had intended to get in the door before the previous Nov. 30 expiration date for the $8,000 credit — will now need to comply with several new rules. First, the house cannot cost more than $800,000. Second, no one under age 18 can claim the credit no matter what the circumstances. And finally, anyone who is counted as a dependent on another taxpayer’s federal filings is ineligible for a home purchase tax credit. * The expanded income limits for purchasers after Nov. 6 range to $125,000 in “modified adjusted gross income” for single taxpayers and to $225,000 for those who file jointly. Singles with incomes between $125,000 and $145,000 may be eligible for reduced credit amounts, as are joint filers with incomes from $225,000 to $245,000. Anyone with an income above these amounts cannot qualify for either of the credits. Under the pre-Nov. 6 rules, taxpayers applying for the $8,000 credit were limited to incomes of $75,000 (single filer) to $150,000 (joint filer). Some taxpayers seeking the extended $8,000 credit are uncertain about co-purchase and co-signing situations, especially involving parents and adult children. When a home-owning parent co-signs for a mortgage with a son or daughter, and both names appear on the note, can the son or daughter qualify for the first-time purchaser credit? The IRS says the parent does not qualify for any portion of the credit since he/she already owns a principal residence. But if the child has not owned a house during the three years preceding the current purchase, and qualifies on income, he or she can be allocated the entire $8,000 credit. Similarly, when unmarried individuals co-purchase a house, and only one of them is eligible for the credit, the full $8,000 can be allocated to the eligible buyer.

1. KNOW YOUR MARKET…Market conditions change constantly. Check out your competition by attending open houses in your area.
2. PRICE YOUR HOME COMPETITIVELY…An overpriced home with get “labeled” quickly, which could be detrimental to the seller.
3. LESS IS MORE…Organize and remove all obvious clutter. Clean off kitchen counters, remove pictures from refrigerator, clean out closets and box up things not needed everyday. A buyer will not buy something they cannot see.
4. CLEAN YOUR HOUSE…Buyers look at homes with an extremely discriminating eye. They want the best product on the market for their money. Make your home the best product. Freshen up…touch up woodwork/baseboard paint, wipe walls down, clean carpets and light fixtures.
5. FRESHEN UP…Touch up woodwork/baseboard paint, wipe walls down, clean carpets and light fixtures.
6. MANICURE THE “RUFF” SPOTS…Clean walkways, remove weeds, lay fresh mulch, trim shrubbery and remove all items not intended to be there (bikes, garbage cans, toys, tools, etc…).
7. STAGING IS ENGAGING…Stage the interior and exterior of your home. Simple refiguration of furniture or introduction to color can completely change the look and make a room feel more inviting to a buyer.
8. MAKE A LIST OF POSITIVE FEATURES…What made you buy your home? Make a list of local positive features (parks, stores, easy access to roadways, neighborhood activities, schools, hospitals, etc…) and a list of updates/special features of the home (sprinkler or alarm system installed, addition added, custom cabinetry, etc…).
9. NO DRESS REHEARSAL…Every showing of your home is important to have it looking its best. Please have curtains open, lights on and free of any odors (soft music playing is always nice).
10. HIRE A PRO…Only a licensed and experienced professional can effectively market your home. Interview a few agents and choose the one that you feel comfortable with selling your home. They must be knowledgeable of your area to price and market it correctly. Technology is a major player when selling your home…make sure your agent is doing everything and more than you expect.

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LINDA’S TOP TEN RESTAURANTS IN HAMTON AND SURROUNDING AREA

1. The Tuscan Inn…….Rustic atmosphere…..Gourmet dining…..”A Taste of Tuscan Cuisine”

Features freshly prepared pastas, risottos, seafood specials and specialty meat dishes.

2. The Hartwood Café…..”Euro Style” unique dining atmosphere…specializing in seasonal fresh seafood dishes.  Delicious bar food to gourmet healthy and fresh lunch and dinner specials…romantic flair.

3. Cross Keys…..A warm inviting historical Inn setting…drinks and appetizers next to the roaring fireplace or private intimate dining experience.

4. Cala Lily Café….The owner is the chef and the entire family works here….fresh “in season” specials daily…..food is fabulous…a “Euro American Cuisine” menu

5. Atria’s……Restaurant and Tavern offers a wide variety of appetizers, lunches and dinner specials…..great meeting place for happy hour or to catch a sporting event on the big screen.

6. North Park Lounge……The original sports bar/family restaurant in the area….games for the kids to play, great place for banquets or birthday parties….fun family environment….kid friendly

7. Spatafore’s…..Homemade Italian cuisine restaurant featuring fresh pastas daily, chicken, meats and seafood

8. The Greek Stop…..Quaint eat in or take out specializing in authentic homemade Greek cuisine…..gyros, hummus, grape leaves, pita sandwiches, salads and desserts

9. Pizza Fusion……All organic ingredients….signature pizzas, gourmet salads and sandwiches…Hybrid vehicle delivery available

10. B & Z Deli….Great daily specials, prepared dinners to go, made to order lunches, homemade soups, great salads and side dishes made fresh…catering available

HAMPTON….Where to go for family fun?

Wildwood Highlands offers something for everyone to do…from toddlers to teens to adults!! They have laser tag, go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, soft play, snow tubing, arcade games and the list goes on! Wildwood Highlands enables you to host any size birthday party, Friday night buffets that are quite good and big screen televisions for the Dads.

Small Community rich in Pride, Progress and Tradition

State of the art community center featuring complete recreation, library and rental facility appealing from athletics to literature enthustics

Top level munipicial services stemming from road maintenance to fire and police service

Hampton Township offers three exceptional community parks

• Hartwood Acres -628 preserved acres featuring the historic stone mansion, stables, hiking hiking and walking trails, dog park, summer concert series, theatre, cultural events and polo matches.
• North Park – 18 hole golf course, lake, boat house with boat rentals, ice skating rink, walking and hiking trails, nature center, wildfowl reserve, dog park, swimming pool, tennis courts and pavilion rentals.
• Hampton Township Community Park - 195 acres Community Park featuring a newly built pool, tennis courts, baseball fields, basketball courts, soccer fields, pavilions for picnics, playgrounds and a brand new community center that features programs for all ages.

Housing….Hampton Township offers an array of housing from most affordable 1st time buyer homes to high end estate properties, with an abundance of choices in between. Virtually, something to fit everyone’s needs.

Location…Location…Location….conveniently located to several specialty shopping and restaurant areas such as Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Southside Works and the Upscale Ross Park Mall. 14 miles to downtown Pittsburgh and minutes to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.