By David on 7/29/2008 3:00 PM
On Wednesday, July 30, President Bush will sign the recently-passed housing legislation (H.R. 3221) into law. The new first-time homebuyer tax credit will go into effect immediately upon the President's signature. This credit is intended to convert "Just looking, thanks" browsers into purchasers. The provision should prove to be of great benefit to Realtors, their clients and to communities.
The chart presented below by the National Association of REALTORS® outlines the basic features of the new credit.
The tax provisions of this legislation focus on consumers. We hope this chart and the additional materials that we'll p ...
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By David on 7/22/2008 3:23 PM
Town Hall on California's Budget Crisis Tuesday, July 29th at 6:00pm California State University Dominguez Hills
Loker Student Union - Grand Ballroom
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747
Please join Assembly Speaker Bass (D- Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Furutani (D- Gardena) at a town hall to discuss the need to reach across the aisle and pass the budget for the good of all Californians.
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By David on 7/15/2008 8:37 AM
The proposed $8000 homebuyer tax credit and the FHA and GSE reform and mortgage rescue legislation (H.R. 3221) has passed the Senate and now goes back to the House for what legislators hope will be a binding revision that can pass the House and Senate before the end of July. This "ping pong" effect arises because some Senate Republicans have lodged formal objections to the usual process of taking two differing versions of the bill to a House-Senate conference.
The House and Senate versions of the housing bill are now in very close alignment, with only a few issues to be resolved. Many of the issues revolve around the question of whether the bill will be "paid for." The major focus of the pay-for problem is the provision in the Senate package that would authorize $4 billion for grants to local governments where communities have been particularly hard-hit by foreclos ...
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By David on 6/20/2008 9:05 AM
The Los Angeles City Planning Department is holding a public hearing on the Ponte Vista project in San Pedro. The public will have the opportunity to provide testimony regarding Ponte Vista this Thursday, June 26, starting at 5:00 p.m. in San Pedro. The Daily Breeze noted today that "Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, who represents the area, said last week the case still hasn't been made to her that the R-1 zoning should be changed...But the project has its supporters, who argue that San Pedro needs more market-rate housing, especially for seniors looking to downsize."
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By David on 6/11/2008 2:05 PM
If you are a registered voter in Redondo Beach and are looking for ways to serve your community, consider applying for a seat on one of the city's boards or commissions. The Mayor and City Council are looking to appoint citizens to the following boards and commissions: Board of Appeals/Uniform Code*
Budget and Finance Commission
Handicapped Access Appeals Board*
Harbor Commission*
Historical Commission
Housing Authority Commission*
Library Commission
Planning Commission
Preservation Commission*
Public Safety Commission
Public Works Commission &am ...
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By David on 6/9/2008 12:21 PM
You are cordially invited to a Public Workshop on the Building & Planning Permit Process during a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting. If you are a REALTOR®, developer, architect, engineer, designer, or contractor performing work within the City of Redondo Beach, or a homeowner or business owner needing permits for a project, come help improve the permitting process at the City. Your comments and suggestions are welcome! Redondo Beach City Hall Council Chambers
415 Diamond Street
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 6:30 pm The City Council is holding this workshop to review current Building & Planning Permitting and to consider suggestions for further improvements to the process. In addition to hearing from you at the workshop, the Director of Engineering and Building Services (Steve Huang) and the Planning Director ...
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By David on 5/28/2008 3:53 PM
Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach today announced completion of a decline in value review of homes in Los Angeles County. Auerbach said that due to the declining real estate market, it was his responsibility to review values to make sure homes are properly assessed. “We looked at homes and condominiums that were purchased between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007, based on our analysis of market trends in Los Angeles County,” Auerbach said. “The review included 318,000 homes and condos. Our analysis will result in lower assessments on 128,000 homes and condos and will be reflected on the tax bills to be issued in October.” The average reduction in assessed value is about $73,000, he added, amounting to an average property tax savings of approximately $750. “In addition, this review will eliminate the n ...
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By David on 5/23/2008 3:02 PM
Mayor Richard Montgomery of Manhattan Beach has just launched his twice-monthly Coffee Dialogue. You are welcome to stop by and say hello at Peet’s Coffee & Tea (328 Manhattan Beach Boulevard) on the first Monday of every month from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. And, on every third Monday of the month, Mayor Montgomery will be at Saxby’s Coffee (210 Aviation Boulevard) from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. If you can't make it to coffee (or if you've had enough caffeine for the day!), then email Mayor Montgomery with your questions and ideas at rmontgomery@citymb.info. |
By David on 5/20/2008 8:39 AM
El Segundo wants your input on priority neighborhood improvements, like streets, water/sewer lines, library, sports facilities, street lights, sidewalks, and more. The City of El Segundo’s Capital Improvement Program Advisory Committee (CIPAC) convenes each spring to determine which projects should be constructed in the following year. CIPAC needs input from local residents and businesses to be sure that the City is pursuing the projects that truly meet the City’s needs. Please stop by the public workshop and share your views. Read More »
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By David on 5/9/2008 4:06 PM
The City of Carson recently raised the amount of assistance it offers to first-time homebuyers to $150,000. Carson offers a First-Time Homebuyer Program to Low to Moderate income-qualified households in order to purchase a home within the city. To be elligible, applicants must meet state income limits for moderate income households, must not have owned a home in the last three years, must use the home as the primary residence, and must contribute 3% of the purchase price and up to 3% of the closing costs. Fico Score Requirement 620 Minimum. For more information, visit the website for the City of Carson's First-Time Homebuyer Program. |