Jack Kirk Sr's Real Estate Blog

You don’t have to be a first time home buyer to take advantage of the “Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit”.

You could receive an $6,500 TAX CREDIT if you are CURRENTLY A HOMEOWNER and purchase another owner occupied home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 that closes escrow by July 1, 2010. You must have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.

You could be eligible for an $8,000 TAX CREDIT if you are a FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER and purchase a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010 that closes escrow by July 1, 2010. You or your spouse must not have owned a home during the three years prior to the purchase.

The purchase price cannot exceed $800,000. Also, single Buyers with incomes that do not exceed $125,000 and married couples with combined incomes up to $225,000 may receive the maximum tax credit. The tax credit will not need to be repaid as long as the home is “owner occupied” for three years or more. If the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount of the tax credit will be recouped on the sale.

In June of 2009 my wife Cathy (KJ6AMY) and I (KJ6AMZ) obtained our Amateur Radio License also referred as HAM Radio License. We have enjoyed connecting with other Ham’s in the Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, Monterey and Hollister areas. We hold a Technician Class license and will be testing for a General Class license in April 2010. I originally obtained my Novice Class License (WN6HXV) when I was 15 years old but later allowed my license to expire. Things have changed technically since my days as a Novice transmitting CW.

Through the use of a local repeater and IRLP I was able to take to my son in Provo, Utah with my YAESU FT-60.

HAM Radio operators, besides being experimenters, provide communication service during emergencies. They work closely with the Red Cross Emergency services.