Sandy Speaks…

Unconditional Love is a love this is not limited by any conditions or in any way at all.  It is Absolute.  It is True.  And…it sure makes you happy when you give or receive it, doesn’t it? 

For 13 years, I received the Unconditional Love of two very sweet animals…Shakespeare & Spencer…my precious persian cats.  Because I lost both of them this year, I am writing this article about them.  They truly did give me their Unconditional Love every day. 

I grew up with dogs as family pets.  We never had a cat.  And…until I was 36 years of age, I never had a pet in my adult life (except for fish in an aquarium).  I told myself that I was not going to have any pets.  And, I certainly did not see myself with a cat.  One day, I was on an appointment to place a house on the market for sale.  As we were sitting at the kitchen table going over the required paperwork, a Mother Cat came walking out of the laundry room with two little tiny baby kittens trailing behind.   One of the kittens walked right up to me so I had to pick him up to pet him!  He was the cutest thing I had ever seen, especially when he snuggled up tightly on my chest.  The owner of the home told me that she was selling the kittens and that they were peke-faced Persians.  The one that I was holding onto had a crooked tail, so he would never be able to be a “show cat”, I was told.  I said good-bye and left there with no intention other than selling the home as quickly as possible.  But…for the next few days, I could not get that kitty with the crooked tail out of my head.  He was the first thing that I thought of when I woke up each morning. 

So…I found myself driving back to my listing with a check in hand…to buy the kitty with the crooked tail.  I named him Shakespeare.  He was 3 months old.  He followed me every where I went and he slept at the foot of the bed, touching my feet.  Because I had never had a cat before, I bought a book that would tell me everything that I ever wanted or needed to know about having a cat as a pet.  It said that cats need the companionship of other cats, especially if you are not often home. 

When I had called the owner just to inquire whether or not she still had the other kitty (because I wasn’t sure that I wanted two), she said “I can’t believe you called me today!  We just found out that the people who had taken that kitty are abusing him.  So, we rescued him but now we are leaving for vacation and weren’t sure what to do with him.”

So…I found myself driving back to my listing with a check in hand…to buy Shakespeare’s brother.  I named him Spencer.  He was all matted and dirty and very clingy.  I just knew that seeing his brother again would cheer him right up.  Boy, was I wrong!!!  For three weeks, the two hissed at each other and steered clear of the other’s path.  I would cry “But, you’re brothers!  You’re supposed to love each other!”  And…I would call my girlfriends saying “What have I done?  They hate each other!”  One day, I came home and found the two of them licking each other!  From that day on, they were best buddies.  We were a happy, little family.

Over the next 13 years, they were with me through three moves, four company changes, three relationship break-ups, and the birth of a baby.  And…they always loved me Unconditionally.  Shakespeare always slept at the foot of my bed, touching my feet.  And…Spencer and I cuddled on the couch for the last hour of every night before I’d go to bed.  They were not your typical cats…they were very friendly.  If there were people around, they were right there!  And, Spencer would even play catch with a toy mouse!! 

They both died from a fast growing tumor in their mouth.  So, they did not suffer for a long amount of time.  It broke my heart to say good-bye to them on their final day.  And…it is very strange to not have them here.  I still find myself looking around for them sometimes and making sure I close the door so they don’t get out!

I am very thankful that I got to experience their Unconditional Love.  I will carry that lesson with me the next time I am in a relationship.  And…who knows?  Maybe there is another furry baby in my future.  For right now, though, I am content to remember the purrs and meows of my precious Persians, Shakespeare & Spencer.

In Memory Of…

Shakespeare – 8/9/96 ~ 5/21/09 ~and~ Spencer – 8/9/96 ~ 10/29/09

This update on the new tax credit for homebuyers is courtesy of Steve Birk with Element Funding.  I have personally used Steve for the financing of my home and have referred customers to him and they have all been extremely satisfied with his professionalism, knowledge, and service.  For all of your mortgage needs, Steve can be reached at SBirk@ElementFunding.com or at 407.367.5573.  Here is the information:

*First-Time Homebuyers (FTHBs): First-time homebuyers (that is, people who have not owned a home within the last three years) may be eligible for the tax credit. The credit for FTHBs is 10% of the purchase price of the home, with a maximum available credit of $8,000.

Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

*Current Owners: The tax credit program now gives those who already own a residence some additional reasons to move to a new home. This incentive comes in the form of a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years.

Single taxpayers and married couples filing a joint return may qualify for the full tax credit amount.

*What are the New Deadlines?

In order to qualify for the credit, all contracts need to be in effect no later than April 30, 2010 and close no later than June 30, 2010.

*Tax Credit Versus Tax Deduction

It’s important to remember that the tax credit is just that… a tax credit. The benefit of a tax credit is that it’s a dollar-for-dollar tax reduction, rather than a reduction in a tax liability that would only save you $1,000 to $1,500 when all was said and done. So, if a first-time homebuyer were to owe $8,000 in income taxes and would qualify for a tax credit of $8,000, she would owe nothing.

Better still, the tax credit is refundable, which means the homebuyer can receive a check for the credit if he or she has little income tax liability. For example, if a first-time homebuyer is eligible for a tax credit of $8,000 but is liable for $4,000 in income tax, she can still receive a check for the remaining $4,000!

*Higher Income Caps

The amount of income someone can earn and qualify for the full amount of the credit has been increased.

Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, single filers who earn $145,000 and above are ineligible

Joint filers who earn up to  $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap can receive a partial credit. However, joint filers who earn $245,000 and above are ineligible.

*Maximum Purchase Price

Qualifying buyers may purchase a property with a maximum sale price of $800,000.

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Remember, the new tax credit program includes a number of details and qualifications. For more information or answers to specific questions, please call or email Steve today.

In addition, you may be able to benefit from additional housing related provisions, including the following:

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*Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs

This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.

*Landmark Energy Savings

This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.

*Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing

This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly, disabled, and Section 8) to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and frames.

*Expanding Housing Assistance

This provision increases support for several critical housing programs. It includes $2 Billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help communities purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant properties.

If you have any questions about your specific situation or would like to discuss how you may benefit from this program, please call or email Steve and he will meet with you to discuss your needs.  Again, Steve can be reaced at SBirk@ElementFunding.com or at 407.367.5573.

If you would like to receive a list of homes that have your desired criteria or have any questions about purchasing a new home, please feel free to contact me at 407.592.HOME (4663) or at Sandy@SandySellsFlorida.com.  It would be a pleasure to serve your real estate needs.