If your are looking for a mortgage in the Lehigh Valley, we wanted to let you know about http://lehighvalleymortgageloans.com/. This is a great new site, specifically set up for Lehigh Valley home buyers looking to get pre-qualified for a low interest mortgage.

http://lehighvalleymortgageloans.com/ is a direct lender, dealing in FHA, USDA, VA, Conventional, and self-employed mortgage loans. Zero down, and low down payments are available to qualified buyers.

The whole process takes about 24 hours and is 100% FREE. All you have to do is visit the site and fill out the quick, easy online form. Within 24 hours you will be contacted and given your mortgage pre-approval to use when making an offer on your home of choice.

Click Here: 

LEHIGH VALLEY MORTGAGE LOANS

The clock is ticking for Lehigh Valleuy buyers who want to take advantage of a $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit because all sales must close by the Nov. 30 deadline.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1 of this year. Eligible buyers include those who haven’t owned a home in the past three years, and who plan to live in the home for 36 months after closing.

The maximum credit is either 10 percent of the purchase price up to $8,000 for a single taxpayer or married couple filing jointly, or $4,000 for married individuals filing separately.

The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000, while the limit is $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. The tax credit amount is reduced for buyers with a modified adjusted gross income of more than $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act … extended the first-time home buyer credit into the current year and expanded it from the old amount of $7,500 as the maximum benefit,” said Bill Brunson, Internal Revenue Service spokesman in Phoenix. “That in essence was an interest-free loan that you had 15 years to pay back. This is an $8,000 credit and you’re not required to pay that item back as long as you reside in that home, that’s your principal, primary home, for the next 36 months.”

Taxpayers can claim the credit on their 2008 or 2009 income tax returns, even if they’ve already filed their 2008 returns, he said. IRS Form 1040X can be used to amend your 2008 return, he said.

“Now is a good time to start looking for a new home or to start to close on the paperwork if you qualify for the credit,” Brunson said.

Closing is when all parties sign the papers officially finalizing the deal, and ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer.

FOR MORE INORMATION, OR TO SEE IF YOU CAN STILL QUALIFY – CALL ME TODAY 610-533-4549
Chris Hoffman, Realtor

If you are looking for homes for sale in Bethlehem Township PA, then you should visit http://bethlehemtownshiprealestate.com/. This a free site which allows you to browse all the MLS listings for Bethlehem Township. You can view pictures prices, descriptions, and also schedule showings or inquire about a home for sale in Bethlehem Township.

http://bethlehemtownshiprealestate.com/ is brought to you by Chris Hoffman, one of the top selling Realtors in the Lehigh Valley. Chris works as a Buyers Agent and has helped many people, including first time buyers, find the home of their dreams.

Bethlehem Township is one of the most requested areas to live in the Lehigh Valley because of low taxes, beautiful homes, and close proximity to major highways like route 22 and 78. For more information or to view all the homes currently for sale in Bethlehem Township, please visit http://bethlehemtownshiprealestate.com/ or Chris directly at 610-533-4549

WASHINGTON) – HUD has announced that consumers may now use the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help cover their downpayment and closing costs on FHA-insured mortgages.
The move will allow FHA-approved lenders; federal, state and local government agencies; and FHA-approved non-profit organizations to supply home buyers short-term or “bridge loans” up to the amount of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

Previously, the home buyer would have been unable to access the tax credit until they filed their next annual tax return or an amended 2008 tax return and received the refund from the IRS.

Housing industry leaders are applauding the move as certain to help boost the number of first-time home buyers coming into the market.

If you are planning to buy a home her ein the Lehigh Valley, an dyou would like more informnation on how to use the $8,000 tax credit for yoru down payment – CALL ME 610-533-4549 to see if you qualify! Chris Hoffman, Keller Williams Real Estate. www.GoValleyHomeFinder.com

The Coplay (Whitehall-Coplay) Borough Council recently adopted a preliminary budget which will increase property taxes 15.8 percent! That would bring the Coplay Borough mill rates to 11 mills!!!

Thank goodness the Whitehall-Coplay school district taxes are some of the lowest in the Lehigh Valley. But the borough taxes are helping to to take away from that advantage.

When you are paying property taxes, you have the county, the local (the borough or city), and the school district taxes. The school taxes are by far the biggest slice of that pie, but when the other slices get bigger it makes the whole pie bigger to pay (or swallow!)

Right now, Whitehall-Coplay school district is one of the best values in the Lehigh Valley when looking for a home. But 11 mills is absolutely outrageous and if it is that high now, what will it be in a few years. We must stay on top of our boroughs, towns and school districts to make sure Lehigh Valley property taxes stay at a fair and reasonable level

As it stands now, Allentown, and Easton school districts (which includes Palmer Twp and Forks Twp) are spiraling out of control. A $200k home could cost as much as 4-5k a year! The same home in Whitehall-Coplay, or Northampton School district will cost you half that in annual property taxes.

It seems the worse the area, the worse the schools, the higher the taxes. What sense does that make? But when you allow small towns like Coplay to raise taxes almost 16 percent in one year, soon there will be no place to buy a home with affordable property taxes in the Lehigh Valley.

Click Here to view of homes for sale in Whitehall-Coplay School District

Beautiful Lowhill Townshipin Lehigh County recently adopted their 2009 budget and it calls for no hikes in property taxes. The current level is only 2 mils which is one of the lowest rates in the Lehigh Valley. Property values in Lowhill do remain high as it is a very desirable area with homes ranging in the 250k – 450k range and higher. Still, it is nice to know they property taxes are reasonable and this will help you get more home for your money.

If you would like more information on homes available in Lowhill Township please contact me

Chris Hoffman
Keller Williams Real Estate
610-533-4549

For the second straight year , it looks like Palmer Township supervisors are planning to raise property taxes again. The have tentatively approved a 14 percent tax hike on property taxes. That’s up from 5.5 mills to 6.25 mills. Property taxes are already too high, but still not as bad as Forks township. Both Palmer and Forks are a favorite destination for NJ commuters looking to get more bang for their buck, But PA residents who look at homes in Palmer and Forks are shocked when they see the outrageous property taxes. I guess since the townships border NJ they think its ok to tax and spend with no regard to whether or people can afford it or not. These recently approved and soon to be property tax hikes should do wonders for the real estate market in those townships.

Now more than ever is the absolute best time to buy a home here in the Lehigh Valley. As a result of the current economic climate, Lehigh Valley Mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest rates they have been in over 4 years. This creates a tremendous buying opportunity for anyone looking to buy real estate in the Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton areas.

Currently FHA mortgage rates are at 5.5% – This is truly remarkable. Contrary to what you may be hearing on the news, there are plenty of opportunities to get a mortgage. The best part is that you do not need perfect credit! In fact, you can even get 100% financing in certain areas, thanks to the USDA programs available for homes in rural areas.

Combine this with the fact that this is still very much a buyers market, ther has never been a better time to buy. But, this time frame is slowly coming to a close. Experts agree that we are nearing the bottom of the market. What this means is that soon, the market will start going the other way – up.

Right now, you can get incredibly low rates, sellers are very motivated and willing to give more concessions than ever before, and prices are down what they were 4 years ago! Real Estate sales in the Lehigh Valley, like in may other markets are seasonal. So come spring time you will likely see a  a slight rebound, meaning interest rates and prices will climb back up slightly.

So the bottom line is that if you are considering making a move, you should do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more it will cost you. If you would like more information on Lehigh Valley mortgage rates, or more information on buying home here in the Lehigh Valley, Please contact me directly at 610-533-4549.

Chris Hoffman
Keller Williams Real Estate
GoValleyHomeFinder.com

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa on Monday announced his proposed 2009 $330 million budget, indicating the tax rate will remain at 10.8 mills. That means a resident with a property assessed at $50,000 will continue to pay $540 in county real estate tax. It would be the seventh time in 10 years that the tax rate has remained steady for county property owners.

Source: The Morning Call, 9.23.08

Pen Argyl wants to add 11 acres to its 15-acre Weona Park. The borough purchased the property from the Slate Belt Industrial Land Development Co. last Friday. Borough Manager Robin Zmoda said Pen Argyl paid $850,000 for the land. Pen Argyl officials indicated they wanted to buy the property to protect it.
 
Source: The Morning Call, 9.20.03