The homes are typical on the outside, but inside were gorgeous, and very unique – a great addition to the neighborhood. A new builder provides a fresh prospective – and helps keep our neighborhoods from looking like the tract homes of old!

However, no matter how much I loved the houses – I couldn’t help feeling awed by the number of people out touring the homes yesterday. It may be too soon to tell, but maybe this market is turning around! Maybe the buyers are back out – looking at their options! Here is a picture of just the parking craziness! If you haven’t gone to see the houses – take a trip through. We’ll post pictures later this week – when we can go on a weekday without all the other home seekers!

La Costa Oaks Grand Opening - parking

Copperwood La Costa Oaks will have homes starting with 3189 square feet to as large as 3696 square feet. The homes will start in the high $700′s. We are very excited that building is starting again in our neighborhoods. It leads us to believe that builders may believe the worst is over.
From Rancho Santa Fe Road
Go west at Avenida Soledad
Turn Left at Sitio Corazon
Turn Right at Corte Panorama
Models will be on your right
7143 Sitio Bahia Carlsbad CA 92009

We will be visiting the models this weekend and hope to see you there. We will post pricing and pictures next week!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1073450/it-s-only-a-buyers-market-if-you-actually-buy-

The major tenant anchoring the shopping center will be Kohls. No other leases have been finalized due to regulatory constraints. Aspen is hoping to have the permitting process completed by the end of 2009 and construction completed by sometime in 2011.

One result of the new shopping center will be 3 new traffic lights on La Costa between Rancho Santa Fe & Circulo Sequoia and revisions to the light currently at Paseo Lupino.

There will be more community meetings to disclose progress as well as discuss neighborhood impact in the weeks and months to come. For more information regarding this project, please contact Gretchen @ Aspen Properties at: 858 268-8901 x120.

The new program is designed to provide peace of mind to first-time buyers who are hesitant to enter the housing market due to concerns about potential job loss, and subsequently being unable to meet their monthly mortgage obligations.

Through the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program (C.A.R.H.A.F. MPP), first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs may be eligible to receive up to $1,500 per month for up to six months to help make their mortgage payments. A qualified co-buyer also can participate in the program, for a reduced monthly benefit of $750 per month for up to six months in the event of a job loss. Program benefits also include coverage for accidental disability and a $10,000 death benefit. C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund is dedicating $1 million to the program this year, and estimates that as many as 3,000 families will benefit from the program throughout 2009.

To qualify for the Mortgage Protection Program, applicants must:
. Be a first-time home buyer – someone who has not owned a home in the last three years
. Open escrow April 2, 2009, or later, and close on or before Dec. 31, 2009
. Use a California REALTOR® in the transaction
. Purchase the property in California
. Be a W-2 employee (cannot be self-employed or military personnel)

First-time home buyers must request an application for the H.A.F. Mortgage Protection Program from their REALTOR®. For applications and other information on this new program, go to www.car.org/aboutus/hafmainpage/ or contact Mike & Amy @ 858 205-2000.

There’s been a lot of confusion regarding the differences between the $7,500 tax credit from last year, and the $8,000 tax credit signed into law this year.

HOW IT REALLY WORKS:

First-time home buyers – Anyone who has not owned a principal residence for three or more years, and/or, received two tax credits over the past two years. They were signed into law in 2008 & 2009.

• The 2008 tax credit is for first-time home buyers who purchased a house between April 8 and Dec. 31, 2008. The buyer may claim 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, as a credit, capped at $7,500. Although called a “tax credit,” it is actually is a 15-year interest-free loan, which must be paid back in equal installments over a 15-year period.

• The 2009 credit is for 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, capped at $8,000. This credit is for first-time home buyers who purchase a house between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 of this year. The $8,000 tax credit does not have to be repaid.

• The eligible home buyer may choose to claim either tax credit on their 2008 or 2009 federal tax returns.

• The tax credits are offered on a sliding scale, based on income. Individuals with annual incomes of $75,000 or less may be eligible for the full amount of the tax credit. Married couples filing jointly must earn less than $150,000 to qualify for the full amount. Individuals earning between $75,000 and $95,000, and married couples filing jointly who earn between $150,000 and $170,000, may be eligible for a smaller portion of the tax credit, but not the full amount. The tax credit is not available to individuals who earn more than $95,000 or married couples filing jointing who earn more than $170,000.

• Nonresident aliens, homes outside of the United States, and homes inherited, gifted, or acquired from a relative are exempt from the tax credits.