The homebuyer tax credit has been extended and expanded to cover both first time homebuyers and homebuyers who own or have previously owned a home. To qualify, you must have a signed contract to purchase no later than April 30, 2010, and must close escrow no later than June 30, 2010.

Please see details as explained in the following video:

For any questions, or help with your home search, contact Gary Rose, 760-419-6872 or email me at garyrose@realtor.com.

While cooked turkey meat is safe for dogs to eat, be extremely cautious when discarding items used to cook the turkey which may be tempting to dogs, such as skewers, string, pop-up timers, and roasting bags. Swallowing such things can cause an intestinal blockage or perforation.

Turkey bones should never be fed to dogs. All poultry bones splinter easily, and, whether splintered or whole, they can lodge inside or perforate a dog’s intestines. Place turkey bones and other garbage in cans with tight fitting, dog-proof lids. If your trash cans are over-filled with extra holiday trash, place the filled bags of garbage behind a closed door with a dog-proof latch.

Turkey skin is something dogs love to eat, but consuming fatty food like poultry skin can lead to gastric distress and Pancreatitis, a serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas that causes vomiting and dehydration.

If you think you must share some of your Thanksgiving feast with your dogs, do it safely….

* A sudden change in diet, like a big bowl of full of turkey and all the trimmings could cause an upset stomach and diahrrea.

* Add a few pieces of boneless, skinless turkey meat to their regular food.

* Make something special ahead of time to give your dog on Thanksgiving Day -
like Turkey Dinner Loaf or Turkey Gobbler Treats.

During Thanksgiving Dinner…

* Give your dog a special new chewy, an irresistable new toy, or a treat filled Kong Toy or Buster Cube to keep him occupied during the meal.

* Some well-meaning guests may not know that you don’t want anyone to share food with the dog. Before serving, let everyone know that they should not give anything to the dog.

* Keep a watchful eye on children who might want to feed the cute doggy anyway.

* Keep a watchful eye on dogs who can’t resist the opportunity to steal food from little hands.

Click the following link: Don’t Eat The Marshmellow

Visit Dog Owners Guide Online

After three minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later, the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk. After 6 minutes, a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again. After ten minutes, a 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

In the end, only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32. When he finished playing, no one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell had sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

The performance was organized as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and people’s priorities. In a common place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do you perceive beauty? Do you stop to appreciate it? Do you recognize talent in an unexpected context?

If you do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, how many other things might you be missing?

For more green tips, visit the green website of the California Association of Realtors.

The newly passed legislation extends the program for first time homebuyers through June of 2010, as long as the buyer signs a contract by the end of April, 2010.

Newly added is a $6,500 tax credit for homebuyers who have lived in their current residence at least five years. So you now do not have to be a first time homebuyer to benefit.

The measure also doubles the income ceiling for eligible individuals to $125,000 and couples making up to $250,000. Homes must cost less than $800,000 to qualify.

For full details, email us at garyrose@realtor.com or call us at 760-419-6872.

With interest rates still very low and prices down, now is a great time to buy. If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling a home, please contact us. We have been providing professional real estate services since 1998, and helped hundreds of clients in North San Diego County.

Be sure to visit our new and innovative website: www.DogRescueRealty.com

Our site features a great home search program, buyers and sellers resources, a video library, testimonials from past clients, and referrals for service vendors such as painters, plumbers, movers, etc. For you pet people, check out our “Dog Stuff” section with information about dog rescue, traveling with your dog and dog training videos.

Remember, when you or someone you know buys or sells a home through us, we donate 5% of our fee to support dog rescue organizations. It’s our way of giving back.

Gary & Sondra Rose
Keller Williams Realty
Phone: 760-419-6872
Email: garyrose@realtor.com
Web: www.DogRescueRealty.com

A great source that explains how the program works is from the National Association of Home Builders:

Federal Housing Tax Credit

When the new law is passed extending the tax credit, this site will be updated. In the meantime, this is a good source on how the current program works, (which is set to expire on December 1, 2009).