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The Peoples First Choice!

the People Come First Newsletter December 2009

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 Subject of Interest

Inside This Edition
Real Estate News
Appraisals &
Home Inspections
Foreclosure News
Lending News
Financial News & Tips
Tax & Accounting Tips
Computer Tech Minute
Helpful Web Links
Customer Comments


Are You Ready  For All The
New Tax Rule Changes?
We Can Help!
 

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Read About Us


Previous Issues
2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009

2008
December
October
June
March
February

Steve Srein
Founder-PFFS, FSBO Connection
(321) 243-4892
Steve@PeoplesSaveMore.net

JoAnn Papsidero Srein
President-PFFS
(321) 243-4917
Joann@PeopleComeFirst.net

Steve Srein brings over three decades of banking, financial and real estate experience together in one easy to read newsletter. Steve gives you a simple format with links that will help you easily navigate and understand these important subjects.  

JoAnn Papsidero Srein brings over a decade of financial and real estate experience to our team of writers.  

• First Time Buyers, Tax Credit Extended
   
• "$100K homes dominate the market"

• "Condo Purchases Require Extra Steps"

• "Tis The Season"
       Thomas M. Haynes, All Brevard Certified Appraisals, Inc.
   
•  Mold and the Florida Homeowner
       Jon Tremper, Tepee Home Inspections, Inc.

• "Forcing bankers to take a hit on foreclosures"
   
• "Fannie Announces Deed-For-Lease-Program"
   
• Foreclosure Web Sites and More

• The Latest Wholesale Mortgage Rates
• WSJ Prime Rate  3.25% 
   
• "Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)"
   
• FHA Rules Changing for Condo's - Read More.

• FHA Loans - Put Them To Work For You!

• Inside Look at Banks Practices
   
• "Two Things That Can Ruin Your Plans to Stretch Your IRA Money"
   
• FICO Score Estimator. It's online here @ MyFico.com  

• IRS - Debt Cancellation - 1099C

• IRS - 2010 Mileage Rates
   
• IRS - Hobby or Business?
   

Need Help Preparing Your Taxes?
Need Bookkeeping Help?
We Can Help You Prepare Today
To Save Tomorrow!
 

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• Mr ComputerSavvy - 32 Bit vs 64 Bit
   
• With the help of our subscribers and other resources, we have gathered many helpful and useful web links for your use. 
   
• Florida & Brevard County Florida Area Links
  Hot Links with More Resources

Click on Links Below

For Your Finance & Mortgage Needs

Hungry Yet?

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Enjoy Your Reading!

Real Estate News




Steve Srein
Lic. Realtor
Golden Realty Group, LLC
Lic. Mortgage Broker
FL - SC


 

Rob Martin - Broker
Golden Realty Group




Check Out Life in
St. Lucie Florida
JoAnn Papsidero Srein
Remax/Masterpiece
(772) 237-6218
Joann@myFldreamhome.com
www.myfldreamhome.com

• First Time Buyers, Extended to 6/30/2010
  
  "It is finally official.  The homebuyers' tax credit has been extended to April 30, 2010.

  President Barack Obama approved the extension as part of a $24 billion economic stimulus bill signed Friday.  The bill also includes an extension of unemployment benefits to the longtime jobless and tax credits for some businesses.

  The housing tax credit portion of the bill extends the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers who are purchasing their first home from the current November 30 deadline and expands the program to offer a credit of $6,500 to other homeowners who have lived in their current home for at least five years and are seeking to relocate." 

  Read More @ Mortgage Daily News

• "$100K homes dominate the market"
  
  BY JOHN McCARTHY
  FLORIDA TODAY 
  
  “At the beginning of this decade, Brevard County’s real estate market was dominated by homes selling for less than $100,000. The end of the decade is shaping up the same way.
  
  In 2000, half of all residential properties in Brevard were sold for less than $100,000 and in 2001, the figure was 42 percent, according to a FLORIDA TODAY analysis of county property sales records.”
  
  Read Article @ Tallahassee.com

   

• "Condo Purchases Require Extra Steps"
  
  "Homebuyers contemplating purchasing a condominium should review a long list of documents and other information to make sure that the property they are considering is a solid buy in this challenging market."
  
  Read Complete Story at Realtor.org/realtormag
  
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HELP - We need listings

Ours are selling!!!

FSBO & golden Realty Group Homes, Products & Links
 
Featured
FSBO = For Sale by owner


5501-1 Robin Court, Keystone Heights, FL $167,000
5.49 Acres of Land on Lake
 

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Featured
Rental Property


1113 PLUTO ST, sE, pALM baY, fl 32909
3 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Split Plan 1199 Sq Ft




1455 Stewart Ave, Melbourne, FL 32935, $950/mth
4 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car, 1452 Sq Ft
 

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Flat Fee Mls Service for $295.00
or
Full Service Mls At Reduced Commissions
 

---

sold

 1119 Steven Patrick, Indian Harbour Beach, FL $96,500
Seller Saved over $1400 in Commissions
 
1268 Katrina Course, Palm Bay, FL 32905 - $105,000
Sellers Saved $1313 in Commissions

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Link to FSBO & MLS Homes

Link to Golden Realty Group Web Site

 

Need A Rental - Look Here
 
(Brevard County, Florida)

If you know someone looking to buy a home in 
Florida,  North Carolina or South Carolina - click here

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Appraisal News


Thomas M. Hayes
All Brevard
Certified Appraisals, Inc.
(321) 259-6640


Home Inspection News


Jon Tremper
Tepee Inspections, Inc.
(321) 777-1538
 

• Tis The Season
  
  "We have reached the end of a long year probably with a lot of problems and personal disappointments.   Pushing through the holidays will be hard for most of us with the hopes for a brighter new year.  But you need to push forward with faith and positive thoughts.  Look for good news, new opportunities, ways to help & support the people around you and always use the slow times to make new friends."

  Read Complete Article-
  Thomas M. Hayes, Lic. Real Estate Appraiser
  
  
  
   

• Mold and the Florida Homeowner
  
  "Sub-tropical climate makes for higher mold levels than other regions with lower temperatures, humidity, and rainfall. So how much mold is too much and how would a homeowner know when they have a “mold problem?”
  
  Read Complete Article-
  Jon Tremper, Lic. Home Inspector

Foreclosure News

• Forcing bankers to take a hit on foreclosures
  
  Posted by Scott Van Voorhis
  BostonRealEstateNow
  Boston.com
  
  "Leave it to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s spunky Sheila Bair to come up with a sensible plan to attack foreclosures."
  
  Read Complete Article at Boston.com
   
• Fannie Announces Deed-For-Lease-Program
  
  "On November 5, Fannie Mae announced its new Deed-for-Lease Program (D4L) that allows eligible borrowers facing foreclosure (or their tenants) to stay in their primary residences. Under D4L, the borrower transfers ownership of the property to the lender through a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure and the borrower (or the tenant) signs a lease for up to 12 months. The program is designed for borrowers who don't qualify for other workout solutions, including modifications, or who do not meet their obligations under the modification. The purpose of the program is to minimize displacement of families and deterioration of neighborhoods that often occurs when homes are left vacant. The rent may not exceed 31 percent of the family's gross income. Fannie reserve the right to market the property during the lease term and may sell it to an investor subject to the lease."
  
   Read Fannie Mae's Statement
   
• Foreclosure Web Sites and More - These are our three favorite web sites where you can get FREE information.
  
  www.Emailforeclosure.com
  http://www.all-foreclosure.com/foreclosures.htm
  www.Foreclosures.com
  
  More Hot Links

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Lending News

 

• The Latest Wholesale Mortgage Rates
  (*Rates subject to change without notice)
  Interest Rates May Vary Slightly Based On Your Area of the Country 
  
  Bond Market - Click Here to see Bond Market Chart Activity In Real Time
  
  Click Here for Current Mortgage Rates & Programs
  
  
  To Apply – You Can Download Our Mini-Application 
  and Send It To US Click Here  (Virus Free) 
   

  ---

• Feds Key Interest Rate Holding at .0% to .25%
  WSJ Prime Rate 3.25%
   
• "Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)"
  
  "On November 30, 2009, the Treasury Department released guidelines and forms for its new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives Program (HAFA). HAFA is part of the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP). HAFA provides incentives in connection with a short sale or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (DIL) used to avoid foreclosure on a loan eligible for modification under the HAMP program. Servicers participating in HAMP are also required to comply with HAFA. A list of servicers participating in HAMP is available at MakingHomeAffordable.gov."

  "HAFA applies to loans not owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which will issue their own versions of HAFA in coming weeks."

  Read Complete Article

   
• FHA Rules Changing for Condo - Read More
  
  The basics:

  * Spot approval for condo projects will be eliminated

  * All current condo approvals will be invalid and must be re-approved (unless the approval was done 10/1/08 or later)

  * Projects must have no more than 10% of project owned by any one investor

  Read complete Story
   

• FHA Loans - Put Them to Work For You.
  
  Most mortgage loans written these days are FHA.  Here is a quick snap-shot of the advantages.
  
  Lower Down Payment - 3.5% of sales price
  Sellers Can Pay Up to 6% of Buyers Closing Costs
  Gifts are ok - Can be from a relative
  You do not have to be a first time home buyer
  Credit Scores Starting at 620
  Loan limits to $290,250
  
  Call for More Details (321) 243-4892

Click on Links Below

For Your Finance & Mortgage Needs

Hungry Yet?

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Financial News & Tips




If you have a story or experience to tell, send us an email
Click Here


Freedom Financial
George Kiratzopoulos
Financial Professional
(321) 446-0646




Express LCL Services, Inc.
129. W. Hibiscus Blvd
Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 729-6399

Wills, Incorporations, Adoption
Divorce, Bankruptcy & More.

 

• Former Bank of America employee offers inside look at banks practices
  
  Bruce Watson – DailyFinance.com
  Dec 7th 2009

  "While millions of credit card customers have been through the painful process of negotiating past-due or over-the-limit accounts, few have dealt with their credit company face-to-face. Usually, the conversation is with a customer-service representative in another city who cheerfully outlines the fees and penalties that the cardholder must pay, regardless of whether he or she can afford it."
  
  See Complete Article at DailyFinance.com
  
   

• "Two Things That Can Ruin Your Plans to Stretch Your IRA Money"
  
  "If you have consulted a financial advisor about your IRA, they may have told you about the “stretch” IRA—the concept of allowing your beneficiaries to spread out the tax on the portion of your retirement dollars that you leave to them. " 
  
  Read Complete Article
  by George Kiratzopoulos, Financial Professional

• FICO Score Estimator. It's online here @ MyFico.com
  
  A very useful tool to help determine your credit score without the cost of paying for a credit bureau.  Still one of the best kept secrets.

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We Are Serious About Saving You Money!

• IRS - Debt Cancellation - 1099C

  "In general, if a debt for which you are personally liable is canceled or forgiven, other than as a gift or bequest, you may have to include the canceled amount in gross income. Depending on the circumstances by which your debt was canceled and the nature of any property associated with the debt, the canceled debt may qualify for an exception to resulting in gross income, or the canceled debt may result in gross income but the income may be excluded."

  Read Complete Article at IRS.gov

• IRS - 2010 New Mileage Rates
  
  IR-2009-111, Dec. 3, 2009

  WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2010 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

  Read Complete Article at IRS.gov
   

• IRS - Hobby or Business?
  
  "Summer is a time many Americans take their fishing poles and gardening tools out of storage. Hobbies – such as woodworking, stamp collecting and scrapbooking – are often done for pleasure, but can result in a profit.

  If your favorite activity does make a profit every year or so, there may be tax implications. You must report income to the IRS from almost all sources, including hobbies."

  Read Complete Article at IRS.gov

• Need Bookkeeping Help?
  Tax Preparation - Fees Starting as low as $50.00
  We Can Help!
  
  Bookkeeping Services Starting at low as $15.00 Per Hour
  Quarterly Tax Preparation Starting as low as $25.00 Per Return
  QuickBooks & QuickBooks Pro Qualified
  25 Years Bookkeeping Experience
  We Can Help You Prepare For Tax Season Too!
  Call Today - (321) 242-8240

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• Computer Tech Minute by ComputerSavvy
  
  32 Bit vs 64 Bit! Which System is Right For You?
  
   
• Need Help with Your Computer?
  
  The Computer Savvy Guy will walk you thru all the steps you need, OVER THE PHONE, to help you solve your computer woes.
  
  Got computer problems and need someone you can talk to, call Mark, Mr. Computer Savvy Guy at (321) 758-0941 or email him at computersavvy76@comcast.net.

• Florida & Brevard County Florida Area Links
  More Hot Links,  More Resources

• Here Are Some Helpful Links:
  
  Need help finding Home Owners Insurance in Florida? Check Here

Need A ParaLegal?

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• Your comments are very important to us.   Others that we have the opportunity to serve would like to hear what you have to say.  That's why we created our online Customer Comments page.
   

• Thank you - I appreciate all your efforts – nice working with a pro.

  Dan Lambdin, Asset Home Realty, LLC

• Our Experience with People's First was an absolute pleasure.  They are hard-working and very professional.  We will highly recommend them.
  
  Clark Colbert - Palm Bay, FL

• Steve--Thank you very much for examining the info I sent you. I appreciate your honesty and your work ethics.  It means a lot to me.  I will always turn to you first in any future transaction to see if you can help me out.  Also, if any of my friends need your services, you will be the one that I recommend. 

  Thanks again for your help.  C. Byrd - Melbourne Beach, FL

• Click Here to read more of our Customers Comments

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In Florida
People's First Financial Services, Inc.
"Dedicated Service Since 1986"
2299 Sarno Rd, Suite B
Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 242-8240
Fax (877) 202-2968
"Where People Do Come First"
www.PeopleComeFirst.net

Golden Realty Group
Home of the
"Award Winning"
FSBO Connection Program
PO Box 410497
Melbourne, FL 32941
(321) 243-4892
"We Follow The Golden Rule"
www.PeopleSaveMore.net
www.GrgRealty.com

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