Individual income tax provisions that are extended through 2012:

• Reduced marginal tax rates of 10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent;
• Lower rates of zero and 15 percent for capital gains, dividends and certain property held for more than five years;
• Marriage penalty relief for taxpayers filing joint returns;
• Repeal of exemption and itemized deduction phaseouts;
• Various education-related incentives including (1) exclusion from income and employment taxes for employer-provided education assistance; (2) exclusion from income for National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Armed Forces Scholarship programs; (3) student loan interest deduction; (4) Coverdell Education Savings Accounts contribution limit and related provisions; and (5) American Opportunity Tax Credit;
• Amendments made to the child tax credit, including the increased credit amount of $1,000 per qualifying child;
• Child and dependent care credit enhancements, including the increased maximum credit percentage of 35 percent, higher income limits, and increased maximum amount of qualifying expenses;
• Increased maximum amount of the earned income tax credit and broader AGI phaseout ranges for taxpayers with three or more qualifying children.

The following tax incentives will not be available for 2012, unless further extended by Congress:

• Tax-free IRA distributions to charity;
• Increased (to 100%) exclusion for sales of qualified small business stock;
• Above-the-line deduction for higher education tuition costs;
• Above-the-line deduction for certain out-of-pocket classroom expenses;
• Deduction for state and local general sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes;
• Mortgage premium insurance deduction;
• Plug-in conversion credit for vehicles converted from standard to plug-in drive motor vehicles;
• Residential energy property credit for qualified energy efficient improvements and expenditures;
• Increased AMT exemption amounts for individuals;
• Nonrefundable tax credit offset of your entire regular and AMT tax liability.

Contact R.J. Johnson & Associates at 916-966-2932 or rjj@prodigy.net

No reason for you to go anywhere else for your home inspection needs!

One of the biggest challenges for you, your inspector as well as your buyer is the lack of any useful disclosure on flip and REO's. Every day we come across the strange, and the bizarre; sometimes the obvious cover up. Your buyers expect us to figure out the “Why" and the "How Come" and what to do about it. The process of inspecting REO's requires at least 50% more time and 100% more experience. With all of the Bank Owned homes that we inspect on a weekly basis it has become impossible to properly and adequatley inspect more than one property a day, especially with daylight savings time over. I can't imagine someone new coming into this business. There is just too much to know in order to provide your clients with what they expect. Have you ever watched the hit cable show "Holmes on Homes"?? Pretty scary stuff isn't it...Well you can bet that your buyers watch that show too and they do not want to hire one of those cheap inspectors who blow through an inspection in two hours or less. (Be careful who you recommend). 

For the next 6 months or so I am going to reveal to you through this forum the challenges that we come across due to a lack of disclosure and the outcome. I am confident that you will find it useful and beneficial to your business. I will share short informative stories with you that will directly relate to your business.  I believe that you will become a more knowledgeable Real Estate agent for reading them otherwise I wouldn't be writing them. In  short, We care about your success, and maintaining the highest level of professionalism in our industry... Look for future articles entitled “Lack of Disclosure” coming soon via email to a computer near you!

With more than one level of service Rite-Way Inspections  can accommodate the needs of all your clients

Check out our web site where you will find our two level inspection service plans 
by visiting www.ritewayinspections.com and see which one is appropriate for your buyer!

RiteWay Inspections                                                                                                  

www.ritewayinspections.com                                                                                            

A Division of DeWitz Construction Since 1976                                                                       

Scheduling: 916-599-9946 or 530-389-9200

Or visit us online at www.ims-lori.com

With the New Year almost here, and pool season right around the corner, get a jump on your backyard dreams and make this summer your family’s best yet. This is the perfect time to begin upgrading your backyard into the preferred destination for your family and friends. With such an important transformation, why let just anyone handle the process?

Premier Pools & Spas has been a leading builder in Sacramento for the last 23 years with the philosophy that customer satisfaction is the prime focus of the pool building process. Keith Harbeck and Paul Porter started Premier Pools & Spas in 1988. They envisioned a company that offered value to their customers by combining experience with superior service. Having a pool built or remodeled should be fun and exciting for the homeowner, with as little stress as possible. Harbeck and Porter have made this their mission, knowing that quick construction of the highest quality combined with competitive pricing make the homeowner’s life easier and ultimately, their choices more satisfying.

How is Premier Pools & Spas able to do this? Keith and Paul decided that the best way to offer these advantages consistently was to have as much control over the process as possible. To do this they would use in-house crews to do their work. Timeliness and organization are increased by removing the reliance on sub-contractor’s schedules. Doing their own construction also eliminates the need to mark up sub-contractor pricing and affords Premier the ability to rival owner-builder pricing.

Over the years, Premier has been able to assemble a team of professionals who are dedicated and take pride in their craft. With an average of over 12 year’s experience, the Premier Pools’ crews are all extremely efficient and highly skilled. With the level of knowledge in the field, and the purchasing power of being the largest builder in Sacramento, Harbeck says, “the pools we are building are the best in Sacramento and the best I’ve built in 23 years.”

What if you already have a pool? Premier Pools & Spas has also perfected the backyard makeover. A pool remodel has the power to be as transforming as a personal makeover. A pool that has damaged tile, old plaster, or cracked concrete can seem brand new with new tile, surface refinishing, or new deck work. A dull, lifeless backyard can become a magnet for relaxation and entertainment with family and friends. Premier Pools & Spas offer backyard makeovers starting at $8,900, and re-plastering and tile beginning at just $3,450. Your old pool will look like it was built yesterday after its makeover. This is also an ideal time to upgrade pumps and lights to increase energy efficiency and save money. All of this equals a smart way to increase the enjoyment and value of your home.

Premier Pools & Spas and its employees realize that every decision to enhance your backyard and home must be weighed carefully, this has always been true but even more so in these challenging times. But with spring arriving before you know it, the time to take advantage of off-season pricing is now. When those hot summer days start bearing down on the valley, your backyard will be picturesque and you’ll be ready to relax in the refreshingly cool water of your Premier Pool. Come visit their showroom at 11250 Pyrites Way in Rancho Cordova, or call (916) 852-0223 to have a designer come out to your home for a no obligation, free estimate and get started on making your backyard dream a reality.

-Keith Harbeck, Owner, Premier Pools & Spas

916-852-0223