Friday, December 4, 2009

DC's Panda to go to China!

The panda bear once called Washington's most important citizen by its mayor will soon be departing the capital for a homeland he's never seen. Tai Shan, born at the National Zoo in 2005, has always been Chinese property, and zoo officials are expected to announce his imminent return to China at a press conference today, the Washington Post reports.

Click here to learn more!

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We now have a "fan-page" on facebook for The Goodhart Group! We would be honored for you to become one of our fans!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!


From our homes to yours, we would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Homebuyers Tax Credit Expanded & Extended!

Cindy Small, CMPS, of Union Mortgage just sent us this update on the tax bill. Thank you Cindy! Please feel free to contact us sue@suegoodhart.com or contact Cindy csmall@union-mtg.com with any questions!


President Obama has just announced that he has signed the tax bill into law. Below is a little more information about the program and it is supposed to take effect on December 1, 2009. I will keep you posted as to more specifics but here is a quick overview of the changes…



Although the tax credit remains at $8,000 for home buyers that have not owned a primary residence in the last three years, it has been expanded to include a $6,500 tax credit for home buyers that have lived in their current primary residence for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight years. Under the old rules, move-up home buyers did not qualify.



Consider these three examples:

Example 1:
Jane purchased a home in 2002, lived there for 5 years as her primary home, moved out in 2007, and turned that home into a rental property. If Jane decides to buy a new primary residence today, she would qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that she lived in the same residence as her primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight.

Example 2:
Harry purchased a home in 2004, and lived there for the past 5 years as his primary home. If Harry decides to buy a new primary residence today, he would qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that he lived in the same residence as his primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight.

Example 3:
Nicole purchased a home in 2006, and lived there for the past 3 years as her primary home. If Nicole decides to buy a new primary residence today, she would not qualify for the $6,500 tax credit based on the fact that she did not live in the same residence as her primary home for at least five consecutive years out of the past eight.

The tax credit applies to homes purchased for less than $800,000 before May 1, 2010. If you sign a binding contract to purchase a home before May 1st, you would need to close on the transaction before July 1, 2010. It works kind of like a gift certificate that can be redeemed for cash. You simply file a form with the IRS right after you buy your home, and the IRS will send you a check for the full amount of your credit.

The income limitation for single tax payers went up from $75,000 under the old rules to $125,000 under the new rules. For married tax payers, the income limitation went up from $150,000 to $225,000. This means that more people will qualify for the credit – especially in parts of the country with higher costs of living such as ours.

Here is an addition regarding the change for our military folks…

There has also been an additional extension for members of our Armed Services that will be deployed or working on official business outside the U.S for at least 90 days during the period from Jan. 1, 2009 through May 1st, 2010. These purchasers will have until May 1, 2011 to ratify a contract and they must settle before July 1st, 2011. They are given an additional year to take advantage of this tax credit. Once again we want to thank them all for their service to our country!

There are many creative ways of structuring your home purchase transaction in ways that maximize the benefits of the credit. Here are a few examples:
• The credit applies to 1-4 unit homes as long as you live in one of the units as your primary residence – you could live in one unit and rent out the others
• If two unmarried individuals buy a home, and only one of the individuals qualifies for the credit based on their income or past home ownership status, the individual who qualifies for the credit can claim the full credit. (Note: In the case of married couples, both spouses must qualify for the credit.)
• The credit applies even if you have co-signers on your mortgage loan

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Help put a roof over someone's head!

A message from our friends at Dry Home Roofing & Siding Company:

WE NEED YOUR HELP


It is that time of year again when we ask our friends, customers and peers for nominations for our annual “FREE ROOF FOR THE HOLIDAYS”. We created this program to give back to the community and will offer a free roof to a needy non-profit organization or individual.


In addition to this news letter, we send out thousands of postcards to past customers and other businesses, asking if they are aware of a needy individual or organization.


In the past: Our first roof, in 2003, went to the Falls Church Cub Scout house located in the City of Falls Church. In 2004 we installed a new roof for The Good Shepherd Alliance. They own and run a transitional home and shelter for women and children at Hebron, which can be found right outside the town of Lucketts. In 2005 the free roof was awarded to Gabriel Homes of Reston. They are a private non-profit organization that provides care to adults with developmental disabilities and assists them with everyday life activities. In 2006, Mrs. Caylor of Leesburg received the free roof for the year, for being a great patron in the community and donating her time to care for local children at the Community Church nursery. Mr. Bernie Cline, an 86 year old resident of Alexandria was 2007’s roof recipient. Bernie was referred by Roger Healy, the Project Coordinator of RPJ Housing. RPJ Housing is an affiliate for Rebuilding Together; formerly know as Christmas in April. Last year Reston Interfaith received our 6th free roof. They are a nonprofit organization with 38 years of experience serving Reston, Herndon and northwestern Fairfax County. They promote self-sufficiency through support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality childcare, and other services.


We love our community and appreciate the opportunity to give back. Nominations will be accepted beginning November 1st. Please fax, call or email us at DryHome Roofing to nominate that special person or organization. Each entry will be carefully evaluated and the most deserving will be awarded with a free roof during December. Again, this is where we need your help. Thank you in advance for your time.


Email: info@dryhome.com fax: 703-891-4663 phone: 703-230-7663

Friday, October 30, 2009

Great News on Tax Credit

Thank you to one of our clients for passing along this article on the tax credit extension from www.thehill.com


Sens announce deal to extend and expand homebuyer tax credit
By Walter Alarkon - 10/29/09 06:44 PM ET

A bipartisan group of senators announced a deal Thursday to extend the first-time homebuyer's tax credit set to expire within weeks.
Under the agreement struck by Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), the credit will last until the end of April and can be applied to homes worth up to $800,000. Dodd and Isakson said that as many as 70 percent of Americans will be eligible for it.

The home credit's backers, which include Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), have said that it can help the economy recover and has already led to the jump in home sales seen around the country in recent months.

Isakson called the provision a "once-in-a-lifetime" credit that can "bring the housing market back to some sense of vitality and values."

Though the previous provision could only be used by individuals making up to $75,000 and couples making up to $150,000, the extended credit can be used by individuals with incomes of up to $125,000 and couples of up to $225,000.

The deal also provides a new $6,500 credit to homebuyers looking to move out of their current homes into more expensive ones.

The first-time homebuyer's credit was initially passed as part of the stimulus in February and was set to expire at the end of next month.

Isakson and Dodd said Democratic leaders plan to attach the proposed extension to legislation that also prolongs expiring unemployment benefits by at least 14 weeks and a tax provision known as the net operating loss carryback, which allows small businesses to write-off losses incurred during the recession.

The unemployment benefits and the carryback tax provision were both parts of the $787 billion stimulus. The package of stimulus extenders is likely to hit the Senate floor next week. The House has passed a 13-week extension of the unemployment insurance but it has yet to approve home credit and carryback extensions.

The homebuyer credit extension will cost $10.2 billion. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said that the cost will be offset by delaying a tax break for U.S.-based international corporations that was scheduled to start in 2010. Instead, the new tax provision will begin in 2017, Baucus said.

The Obama administration, which had withheld support for the credit as lawmakers were negotiating a deal, expressed support for it Thursday.

"This credit has brought new families into the housing market and contributed to three consecutive months of rising home prices nationwide," said Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan in a statement. They also urged lawmakers to include provisions to prevent tax fraud.

The Senate deal does provide the Internal Revenue Service with the ability to review a home purchase as it's being processed instead of waiting until its completion.

Though lawmakers have touted it as a successful stimulus provision, economists have said that the credit isn't doing that much to boost the economy. Most of the people -- approximately 80 percent -- who have used it would have bought a home without it, said Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

"This means that we just gave these people $8,000 for nothing," Baker said.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

We always love compliments!

Thank you to one of our clients for sending us these kind words!


"Thanks again for all your hard work… I am very impressed by your office and all the folks I’ve come into contact with…

And we are relieved that we are working with you….

Until Brandon recommended you, I was on the verge of going mad because we could not find a Realtor who took our needs and interests to heart..

As Brandon says of you and your firm, “They’re good people.”

Indeed you all are.."

Thank you!!!

Friday, October 23, 2009

City of Alexandria has been awarded $7.7 million for affordable homeownership programs

From the Alexandria Office of Housing:

The City of Alexandria has been awarded $7.7 million from the Virginia
Housing Development Authority (VHDA) to help make homeownership more
affordable for households with members who live or work in the City.
This funding is being provided through VHDA’s Sponsoring Partnerships
and Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) Program.

The funding will be used in conjunction with the City’s Homeownership
Assistance Program, which assists lower income households with annual
incomes of up to $82,160 for a family of four, and Moderate Income
Homeownership Program, which assists households with incomes of up to
$102,700 for a family of four. SPARC funding will be enhanced with
$936,955 in federal funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program,
which targets communities that have been most affected by
foreclosures.

“These funds provide an important complement to the City’s home
purchase assistance programs,” said Alexandria Mayor William Euille.
“The City has a long history of helping first-time homebuyers and we
are dedicated to making homeownership both achievable and affordable
for lower and moderate income City residents and workers.”

Individuals who wish to apply for assistance through the City’s
homeownership programs must be first-time homebuyers, must have lived
or worked in the City during the most recent six month period, and
must purchase a home located within the City of Alexandria. All funds
are limited, so interested households are encouraged to begin the
process by registering to participate in a mandatory, free
homeownership training offered through the City’s Office of Housing.
For more information, call the City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing
at 703.746.4990, TDD: 703.838.5056.

For more information, contact Shane Cochran at 703.746.4990 or
Shane.Cochran@alexandriava.gov

As always, please feel free to contact us here at The Goodhart Group if you have any questions or are in need of any assistance! We are always happy to help.

Enjoy your weekends and check out our website for this weekends open houses.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Alexandria Tops the List in Charitable Giving!

We just received word that the City of Alexandria has topped the list for online charitable giving! Below is an excerpt from Volunteer Alexandria:

We at Volunteer Alexandria are well aware of how generous our fellow Alexandrians are and were excited to see our city top the list in online charitable giving! Convio, a company that provides support for charities in processing online donations, reported that for the last two years Alexandria has donated more money online than any other large city, with Arlington and DC also making the list. In 2008, residents of Alexandria contributed roughly $15,000 online per 1,000 people.

Please click here for more information on Volunteer Alexandria.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

COLOR TRENDS: PURPLE DEBUTS AS THE NEW "IT" COLOR

Purple has long been associated with royalty, nobility and wisdom and was at one time only associated with the upper echelon.

In today's economic climate, this once exclusive color is not only attainable, but also marked as the hottest color for the months ahead.

From soft hued lilacs to electric magentas to radiant mulberry, these shades will be seen throughout luxury homes across the globe. Add a splash into an existing design scheme or create a complete makeover - this color is guaranteed to liven up your space.

Due to its diverse color spectrum properties, pulling from blue, red, yellow and green pigments, purple meshes well with a wide variety of color combinations and breaks many boundaries - from traditional to modern to contemporary.


Nachtmann's five-arm
Ravello Candleholder
Add Modern Drama to Your Tabletop
Nachtmann's five-arm Ravello Candleholder in Amethyst - perfect for those seeking the hip and elegant. Made of lead crystal, it brings style to any room, from the dinning table to the boudoir.


Studio 465
Wall Coverings
Liven Your Walls With Fashion Inspired Wall Coverings
Studio 465 is a new collection of global fashion-like wall coverings. In stunning colors and patterns - the perfect way to incorporate color throughout your home.


Tracy Glover Elegant Lamps
Create Lighting With Elegant Lamps
Glass artist Tracy Glover - the "Turk" features two-teardrop glass beads mouthblown and a shade handmade of Dupioni silk with shades of rich violet. A great staple piece to light up any room.


Exotic orchids
Bring the Outdoors In
Exotic orchids bring a multitude of color and life indoors. From the soft lavender Phalaenopsis 'Exotic Lady' to the dappled mulberry Phalaenopsis 'Golden Sun', they are delicate, yet robust and low-maintenance. Use them to adorn foyer tables, bedside dressers, kitchen counters, and bathtub tile.

Hudson Beach Glass's
Large Marsh Grass Bowl
Blend Glass Into Your Decor
Hudson Beach Glass's Large Marsh Grass Bowl is gorgeous alone or filled with fruit. Place it by a window and it will cast the most incredible amethyst shadow.


Vignette Wine
Country Soda
Must Have Beverage: Wine Inspired - Sans Alcohol
Vignette Wine Country Soda - an all-natural, lightly carbonated soda. Experience wine country via distinct flavor profiles of top varietal grapes without the alcohol - a great way to incorporate purple into an elegant five-course meal or a casual lunch.


Amenity Home Duvet
Sleep Like Royalty
Made from the softest organic materials, this duvet is both uniquely modern and classic. The lush lilac silhouette is a limited-edition individually printed design and the rich Belgian linen brings nature's calming warmth and beauty to your sleeping quarters.

HOW TO INTEGRATE PURPLE INTO YOUR HOME:
Mix soft violets with white or silver to create a classic, yet updated look
Blend vibrant magentas with rich blacks to produce an edgy, yet refined space
Mesh vivid purples with deep gold or bronze to generate a contemporary or modern ambiance
Unify sophisticated mulberry with gold-toned green or sapphire blue to produce a rich traditional atmosphere
Mix delicate orchids with rich browns or neutral shades to create a sophisticated, yet fun feel

This post taken from luxuryportfolio.com's LuxeTrends enewsletter.

Please click here to view the full newsletter with images!