If you are in the market for a new home, you may still be able to claim the First-Time Homebuyer Credit.  Congress recently passed The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act Of 2009, extending the First-Time Homebuyer Credit and expanding who qualifies.

Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants you to know about the expanded credit and the qualifications you must meet in order to qualify for it:

1. You must buy – or enter into a binding contract to buy a principal residence – on or before April 30, 2010.
2. If you enter into a binding contract by April 30, 2010 you must close on the home on or before June 30, 2010.
3. For qualifying purchases in 2010, you will have the option of claiming the credit on either your 2009 or 2010 return.
4. A long-time resident of the same home can now qualify for a reduced credit. You can qualify for the credit if you’ve lived in the same principal residence for any five-consecutive year period during the eight-year period that ended on the date the new home is purchased and the settlement date is after November 6, 2009.
5. The maximum credit for long-time residents is $6,500. However, married individuals filing separately are limited to $3,250.
6. People with higher incomes can now qualify for the credit. The new law raises the income limits for homes purchased after November 6, 2009. The full credit is available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers.
7. The IRS will issue a December 2009 revision of Form 5405 to claim this credit. The December 2009 form must be used for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 – whether the credit is claimed for 2008 or for 2009 – and for all home purchases that are claimed on 2009 returns.
8. No credit is available if the purchase price of the home exceeds $800,000.
9. The purchaser must be at least 18 years old on the date of purchase. For a married couple, only one spouse must meet this age requirement.
10. A dependent is not eligible to claim the credit.  

For more information about the expanded First-Time Home Buyer Credit, visit www.IRS.gov/recovery.

If you thought your time was running out to use the homebuyer tax credit, your luck just changed!  Today, President Obama signed the bill into law extending the $8000 first-time homebuyer tax credit.  In addition, this new law now includes a $6500 tax credit for buyers who are current home owners and have lived in their home for five of the past eight years.

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a simple and helpful CHART that showcases the modifications – for more information, click here

Another hour of sleep – who couldn’t use that these days!  Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 1 at 2:00 a.m.  Remember to change your clocks one hour back before you go to bed this Saturday night and enjoy an extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning.

 103 Berrybrook Ct, Cary, NC

This beautiful cul-de-sac home welcomes you with keystone accents and a 2-story covered front porch with four majestic columns. The grand 2-story foyer showcases faux stone paint, chandelier, catwalk, and quarter inch maple hardwood floors that carry through the rest of the first floor living areas. The dining room has crown molding and two single windows to let in lots of light. The kitchen hosts 42 inch cabinets, tons of counter space, all white appliances, and connects to the breakfast area that showcases a large bay window and updated light fixture. Continue into the vaulted living room that includes a fireplace with marble surround, a custom mantle with dental molding, a ceiling fan with light, two arched entryways that lead to the kitchen, and a French door to the back deck. The first floor master suite also shows off a vaulted ceiling, a large bay window, walk-in closet, and master bath with His & Her marble vanities with updated fixtures, a garden tub, tile surround shower, and separate water closet. Journey upstairs to the three additional bedrooms that feature double door closets and laminate hardwood floors. The upstairs hallway includes a sitting/loft area anchored with Berber carpet. The back deck is perfect for grilling and overlooks the wooded and peaceful backward. Combined with a neutral paint scheme and tons of updates, this home is move-in ready!  Be sure to also check out the VISUAL TOUR!

MLS # 1691078

Price $250,000

Looking for something fun to do this year for Halloween?   Check out these events happening across the Triangle!

Town of Cary:

Witches’ Tea

Friday, October 23

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Cary Senior Center Ballroom

Tricks & Treats Halloween Bash

Saturday, October 24

5:00-9:00 p.m.

Herbert C. Young Community Center

Safe & Sane Halloween Celebration

Saturday, October 31

5:30-7:30 p.m.

Cary Towne Center Mall

Town of Holly Springs:

HollyFest 2009

Saturday, October 31

10:00 a.m-4:00 p.m.

Womble Park

Town of Chapel Hill

Homegrown Halloween 2009

Saturday, October 31

Downtown Chapel Hill on Franklin Street

Town of Apex

Halloween Carnival 2009

Friday, October 30

4:00-7:00 p.m.

The Apex Center

October in the Triangle is packed full of fun events!  One being a long standing tradition that brings in visitors from all over the state – the NC State Fair!

Beginning on Thu, Oct. 15 and running through Sun, Oct. 25, this years theme is “A Whole Lotta Happy”.  And there’s something for everyone of all ages ~ enjoy the rides, dancing contests, horse shows, food, musical performances, magic shows, cooking contest, the fireworks extravaganza every night and so much more!

If you purchase your tickets in advance, you’ll save some cash too!

For a schedule of daily events, please be sure to visit: http://NCStateFair.org/2009

Last weekend kicked off the 44^th annual Wake County Parade of Homes.  This years parade showcases 160 homes throughout the Triangle priced from $120,000 to around $2,500,000. 

Visiting the Parade homes is a great way to find out the latest building trends, view new floorplans, and get decorating ideas.  And in some of the homes, the builder is also present and available to answer questions. 

So whether you’re a buyer looking for a new home or just browsing for ideas, be sure to check out this years Parade homes!   The event is free to the public with homes open Oct. 3-4, 9-11, & 16-18, noon to 5pm. 

To find out more about the Parade, please visit http://www.HBAWake.com

The First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit is the news of the day and as the deadline to use this approaches, consumers want to know their options.  News14 Carolina approached Linda Trevor to find out her opinion.  “Buyers should definitely be active right now, looking around, searching on the Internet, getting out, looking at homes a little bit closer so they have plenty of time and not feel the pressure.”   Click here to view more of Linda’s interview

1011 Bergman Drive, Morrisville, NC

1011 Bergman Drive, Morrisville

Welcome to this nicely maintained 1st floor condo in Carpenter Park!  The foyer greets you with warm hardwood floors and crown molding and directs you down the hallway into the spacious living room.  Relax by the gas log fireplace or step outside through the sliding glass door onto the back patio.  Cooking is a breeze in the kitchen that also hosts hardwood, crown, and plenty of  counter space.  Enjoy your morning coffee in the dining room while looking out the double window with a view of the lovely landscaping.  Sleep well in the large master that hosts his and her walk-in closets, double windows, and a master bath with a double vanity, jetted garden tub, and walk-in shower.  The secondary bedrooms are a nice size with double door closets and the secondary full bath hosts a marble vanity and hardwood floors.  Keep your laundry hidden in the separate laundry room that showcases overhead shelves for storage.  This condo also has a separate utility room with tons of extra storage space.  And  finally, splash around in the community pool on those hot summer days!  Don’t miss your opportunity to own this desirable first floor condo!  Be sure to check out our VISUAL TOUR!

Price $137,500

MLS 1675065

Here are Independence Day Events for the Greater Raleigh Area!

Enjoy parades, music festivals, great food and fireworks all weekend long.

Apex: FREE Downtown Birthday Party & Parade (page 18)

Sat., July 4th, Salem St., 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Cary: FREE Fireworks, Concert & Celebration

Sat., July 4th, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Gates open at 3:00 p.m. Fireworks after dark

Sat., July 4th, Olde Time Celebration, Bond Metro Park Waterfront, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Carrboro: FREE Games, Food & Entertainment

Sat., July 4th, Weaver St. Market, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Chapel Hill: FREE Fireworks, Music & Food

Sat., July 4th, UNC Kenan Stadium Concert, Gates open at 7:00 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Clayton: FREE Fireworks, Music & Games

Sat., July 4th, Municipal Park on Stallings St., Acitivities start at 4:00 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Durham: Fireworks & Music (Tickets required)

Sat., July 4th, Durham Bulls Ball Park, Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks after game

Fuquay-Varina: FREE Fireworks, Music & Carnival

Fri., July 3rd, South Park, Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Fireworks after dark

Garner: FREE Fireworks & Music

Fri., July 3rd, Lake Benson, Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Holly Springs: FREE Fireworks, Music & Ice Cream

Sun., July 5th, Womble Park, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Morrisville: FREE Fireworks & Pancake Breakfast (tickets required)

Fri., July 3rd, Morrisville Community Park, Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Sat., July 4th, Morrisville Community Park, Pancake Breakfast 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Raleigh: FREE Fireworks, Music & Food

Sat., July 4th, NC Fairgrounds, Gates open at 2:30 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Wake Forest: Fireworks, Music & Food ($5.00 fee)

Fri., July 3rd, Rolesville High School, Gates open at 5:30p.m. Fireworks after dark

Sat., July 4th, Free Children’s Parade at 10:30 a.m. on North Main and West Juniper Ave.