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PAULA
Paula Eisenach
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    Years of Experience: 9

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Direct: 239-444-2414

Office: 800/547-3019



Company Info

Coldwell Banker - Bonita Springs
8200 Health Center Blvd Ste 101
Bonita Springs, FL
800/547-3019


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TAXES

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN ‘SNOWBIRDING’?

Saturday, March 20th, 2010

NO SNOW IN FLORIDA???

Yes, that’s right, as my Domain Name states – there isn’t.  Nor has there ever been any.  While we presently have had the LONGEST cool season we’ve ever had to my knowledge; there’s never been any snow.  This makes Florida, most especially the Southwest Florida area, one of if not the most desirable areas to visit during those long, extremely cold autumn and winter months further north.  While there aren’t too many folks who would say they don’t enjoy the changing of the leaves or the first, fresh snowfall on the windowpanes, BUT, after awhile the trees are bare stick figures, the snappy winds start slowing you down as you try to head out the door adding additional clothing to keep your bones from freezing, the fresh-fallen snow turns to grey sludge, your electric bill skyrockets and you find yourself (like I did) scraping a one-inch thick slab of ice off your car windshield, while the motor’s been running for at least 15 minutes, wondering how you’re going to get your driveway plowed and saying ‘I hate this weather, I hate this weather’.

This is why the majority of Florida’s full-time residents originally hail from cold-weather states.  November through April finds our area full of ‘snowbirds’ who come and visit to enjoy the finer things Florida has to offer – sandy beaches, gorgeous sunsets, boating, beautiful wildlife, phenomenal golfing, lush landscapes, a wide variety of dining, incredible shopping (our area in Bonita Springs has one of the largest, most affordable and famous outlet shopping malls in the US). (View my links for golfing and shopping).

 After a few years of ‘snowbirding’ a vast-majority end up buying their own vacation condo, while still maintaining their home ‘up north’. As our children leave ‘the nest’ and head on with their own lives and    age kicks in, as it always seems to do – doesn’t it though? – we instinctively want to get warmer still and avoid the steep inclines, slippery sidewalks and the other pratfalls which come with living ‘up north’.  That’s when ‘conversion’ takes place.  Those adorable vacation condos are suddenly too small and the need to upgrade into a larger,  more full-time home arises.   Those grown children are now parents and want to visit mom and dad (Mickey and Donald, too, of course) with the grandkids in Florida.  That’s where I come in.

Whether your interest is in ‘snowbirding’ for awhile, or becoming a full-time resident of Florida (check out the great tax saving opportunities you’ll get by ‘Homesteading’ your Florida property, special tax incentives for buying in Florida,  or the new ‘Special Approval’ financing restriction removal on condo purchasing, recently approved by Fannie Mae in my other Blog Posts); I can help.  Call or email me so we can get you started on fulfilling a dream which so many others have and others have already accomplished.

CHECK OUT THE SHOPPING

www.miromaroutlets.com

CHECK OUT THE GOLFING IN NAPLES AND BONITA SPRINGS

www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Naples+fl

www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?…Bonita+Springs

FLORIDA TAX CREDITS FOR BUYERS

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Many potential customers ask me about the advantage of buying real estate in Florida and what other tax benefits are available to them by purchasing a home vs. renting (aside from the obvious).

Well, I’m happy to report that here is  a special asistance program in place in Florida for buyers wishing to buy their own personal residence, but it’s ONLY available until April 30th of 2010 — so HURRY!  Whether you are a first-time buyer, or have not owned a home in 8 years, you WILL qualify.  These two programs are:

  • An income tax credit up to $8000.00 for first-time home buyers.
  • An income tax credit up to $6,500.00 for repeat buyers (those who have used their previous home as their principal residence for 5 of the 8 previous years).

For answers to FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions), such as:

  • Who is eligible to claim the $8,000 tax credit?
  • What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
  • How is the amount of the tax credit determined?
  • Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
  • Can you give me an example of how the partial tax credit is determined?
  • How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress enacted in early 2009?
  • What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?
  • I read that the tax credit is “refundable.” What does that mean?
  • I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I claim the tax credit?
  •  

    For answers to these questions and MORE, go to www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com

    Market Recap

    • Avg. Sales Price: 379,000

    • Avg. Days on Market: 69

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