Mariana Wagner

In the News Category

Texting While Driving is Illegal in Colorado and Minors May NOT Use a Cell While Driving At All

THE LAW:

“A PERSON EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER SHALL NOT USE A WIRELESS TELEPHONE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENGAGING IN TEXT MESSAGING OR OTHER SIMILAR FORMS OF MANUAL DATA ENTRY OR TRANSMISSION WHILE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE.”

As of December 1, 2009, Colorado drivers MAY NOT TEXT while driving.

Anyone UNDER 18 is NEVER allowed to use a cell phone (not for texting OR calling) while driving.

Read More: Colorado House Bill 1094

THE FINES:

• First Offense: $50.00 + $6.00 surcharge
• Second Offense: $100.00+ $6.00 surcharge

This violation of law is a secondary offense. This means that you must FIRST be violating another primary enforcement law, such as reckless driving , speeding or running a red light before you can be ticketed for violating Colorado’s new Cell Phone Law.

THE EXCEPTIONS:

In the case of an emergency, where the driver,

“has reason to fear for such person’s life or safety or believes that a criminal act may be perpetrated against such person or another person, requiring the use of a mobile communication device wireless telephone while the car is moving; or Reports a fire, a traffic accident in which one or more injuries are apparent, a serious road hazard, a medical or hazardous materials emergency, or a person who is driving in a reckless, careless, or otherwise unsafe manner.”

BE SAFE.

November 28th, 2009 by Mariana Wagner | 1 Comment »

Colorado Springs Real Estate: Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Been Extended and Expanded

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection is happy to announce that the $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit HAS been extended! It passed Congress and was signed into law by President Obama last Friday!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Qitj9KUw8[/youtube]

To qualify for this First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit extension, you must not have owned a home in the last 3 years. Income limits for this tax credit have been raised and now are:

• $125,000 per individual (previously was $70k) or
• $225,000 per family (previously was $150,000)

In addition to that,this new law offers $6,500 tax credit to EXISTING home owners who have lived in their current home for 5 consecutive years of the last 8 years, and want to “move up” and buy a different home (up to $800,000)!

However …

“Just because the $6,500 tax credit feature has been “labeled the move-up credit”, it  does not mean that you must purchase a bigger or costlier home.  You could always downsize & still take advantage of the credit.” – Move Up $6,500 Tax Credit – Can I Downsize Now? [Nannette Saunders - Lynchburg VA Real Estate agent]

Whether you are a first time home buyer or an existing home owner looking to move please remember, the home must go under contract by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.

Not only does the extension help first time home buyers get a home, but it also helps reward current home owners who have stuck it out through this shifting market.

Remember: If you qualify, this tax credit goes against any taxes that you may owe, and any difference will be refunded to you!  *Please talk with your tax attorney or accountant to see if and how this tax credit could apply to you.

For more information on how we can help you take advantage of the extended and expanded tax credit, please give us a call: 719.434.7525

November 10th, 2009 by Mariana Wagner | 2 Comments »

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension? Almost …

The Colorado Springs home buyers may see an extension of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer tax credit (extended both to a later date AND to more home buyers) … Which would be awesome.

Although it is not “official” yet, it HAS already passed the house and senate.

According to my friend and home buyer tax credit news guru, and Phoenix real estate expert, Jay Thompson:

“The bill now moves to President Obama’s desk for his signature into law. Some mainstream media is reporting the President will sign this on Friday, November 6. THEN, and only then, will the tax credit truly be extended and expanded (regardless of whatever you may read on Twitter, on blogs, and in the press).”
Read the Full Report: Home Buyer Tax Credit Passes Both House and Senate

If you are thinking of buying a Colorado Springs home in the near future, keep your ears and eyes open for the official announcement.

November 5th, 2009 by Mariana Wagner | Leave A Comment

This Month in Real Estate – Homeowner Equity on the Rise?

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Connection would like to share a video from Keller Williams for the real estate outlook for October 2009.

This video is about the Federal Reserve’s report on homeowner’s equity … and is actually some really good news!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Oq3bdOA2J8[/youtube]

For more information on Colorado Springs home values, please contact us at 719.434.7525 or send an email to [email protected]

October 28th, 2009 by Mariana Wagner | Leave A Comment

The Colorado Springs Real Estate Market is Nothing to Stress About – [We Are Not One of the Top Stressed Out Cities]

The Colorado Springs real estate market was NOT listed on the Forbes Top Stressed Out Cities list, for 2009.

Cities that were listed as the MOST stressed out, were:

1. Chicago, IL
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. New York, NY
4. Cleveland, OH
5. Providence, RI

Factors included:

• Quality of Life
• Unemployment
• Number of Sunny Days
• Home Prices – the Real Estate Market

“Almost 50 percent of homes sold nationwide in the first quarter of 2009 were distressed homes. One-third of those were short sales, and two-thirds were foreclosures.” – Walter Molony, spokesman for the National Association of Realtors

No WONDER so many cities are stressed out!

Feeling Stressed? … Check Out:

• Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief [HelpGuide.org]
• How to Reduce, Prevent and Cope with Stress [HelpGuide.org]
• Positive Thinking: Reduce Stress and Enjoy Life More [MayoClinic.org]

If you live in Colorado Springs, then it is OBVIOUS why we are NOT on this list …

The high altitude does not allow oxygen to get to our brains in enough concentration to allow for stress!

(oh … and we have a great quality of life, an abundance of sunny days, our real estate market is nice and healthy and people have jobs.)

Thinking of relocating to Colorado Springs? Give us a call and we will share with you all the reasons why we LOVE where we live! (And yes, and we would love the opportunity to help you find your next home, too …) 719.434.7525

August 31st, 2009 by Mariana Wagner | 1 Comment »