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Linda Kirk
Professional REALTOR
    Years of Experience: 20

Direct: 801-803-1436



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Equity Real Estate
Salt Lake City, UT


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Archive for January 2010

6 Facts About Home Buyer Tax Credit 2010

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

6 Surprising Facts About the Buyer Tax Credit
The homebuyer tax credit is not as simple or straightforward as you might think. Here are some nuances that will affect homebuyers who plan to use it.

  • To qualify for the move-up tax credit, a home owner must have occupied the same principal residence for five of the last eight years consecutively.
  • Buyers can elect to claim the credit on either their 2009 or their 2010 tax return, whichever is best for them.
  • Buyers who claim the credit in 2009 can’t file electronically because the Internal Revenue Service hasn’t put the required forms on line. The wait for a refund is three or four months.
  • The home can be a mobile home or travel trailer that is fixed to land owned or leased by the home owner. A mobile home or travel trailer that is actually mobile doesn’t qualify.
  • The home can’t be purchased from a close relative, including a parent, spouse, child, grandparent or grandchild.
  • A buyer who earns no taxable income or doesn’t owe any federal income tax can qualify for the tax credit and file a tax return just to claim it.
  • Call Linda 801-803-1436 for more information.

Honey, Should We Buy a House in Salt Lake?

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Most experts agree that Salt Lake City’s housing market has bottomed out. But don’t expect housing prices to rise any time soon. There’s still too many foreclosures that need to be sold.

Historically low mortgage rates make home buying more affordable, and today’s reasonable home prices can make a good case for buying rather than renting, say advisors quoted in USA Today. While many first-timers are leery of making a long-term contract, here is a way you could determine if the move is a wise one.

Homes Sold* Divide the price of a home you are considering by the annual rent for a comparable place. If the number falls below 15, buying starts to look like a good idea.

*Do your homework on line first. That way you’ll be able to recognize the real bargains. Then let a REALTOR structure your contract, protect your interests, and negotiate with the sellers, so your transaction actually closes.

Call 801-803-1436

Salt Lake Mortgage Modification-Interest Rate vs Principal Reduction?

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Cutting Mortgage Principal Decreases Defaults
Borrowers whose loan modifications reduced their loan balances – not just their interest rates – are most likely to avoid re-defaulting on their mortgages, according to a new study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

These findings contradict the government’s recommendation, which focuses on reducing monthly payments by lowering interest rates and extending the loan terms.

The New York Fed concludes that a borrower’s probability of defaulting within one year when interest rates are lowered is reduced by 11 percent. But when the loan balance is reduced by 25 percent and the interest stays the same or is reduced slightly, the borrower’s probability of default within one year is reduced by 26.5 percent.

The New York Fed also found that borrowers who owe 15 percent or more than their homes’ values have a 51 percent greater risk of defaulting in any given month.Mortgage Default. 
                              Learn ALL your options. Get a pro on your side. 
                                            
www.SaltLakeHomeAlerts.com  
                                                                        801-803-1436                                           

                    Salt Lake City homeowners have many options to Foreclosure or
                                                             

                                    Make sure you get the right help before it’s too late.

Salt Lake City Foreclosures and Short Sales in 2010

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

Short Sales & Foreclosures Maintain High Visibility

After increasing more than 30% per year for the last four years, some estimate that foreclosures will drop to about 1.75 million in 2010/11.

The Treasury Department continues to place pressure on mortgage lenders to make trial loan modifications permanent. Furthermore in December the Treasury set long-awaited guidelines designed to simplify and speed up the short sale process through its Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program.

Until now the short sale process has been cumbersome for all involved; taking as long as eight to ten months to get a transaction to close.

The program goes into effect April 5, 2010.

Call 801-803-1436 to see every foreclosure and short sale in Salt Lake City and Sandy!

 

Market Recap

  • Avg. Sales Price: 379,000

  • Avg. Days on Market: 69

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