Consumers Relocaion's Move eNews!

On the first of every month, Consumers Relocation Services sends out an eNewsletter to provide updates on the moving industry and also share with you current happenings within our company. Since 1993, CRS has been your advocate and advisor throughout the moving process. It’s well known that we offer the most comprehensive moving services you will find anywhere, both nationally and internationally. We understand that the moving industry is a difficult one to understand and keep up with, so we are here to keep you informed! If you have not already signed up to receive our eNewsletter, go to www.consumersrelocation.com and towards the bottom of the homepage, click on the link "Subscribe to our Move eNews"!

Happy Holidays from Consumers Relocation Services!

Consumers Relocation understands that the holiday season can be a bit stressful..... why let a move add to that stress? CRS can take that moving stress and add it to OUR shopping cart of things to do! If you are planning a move during the Holiday season, contact us at info@consumersrelocation.com or 1-800-839-6683 and let us plan it for you! Whether you need to order boxes, arrange for a full pack of your household or just get your household goods from point A to point B, our consultants would be happy to assist you.


Happy Holidays to all from your friends at Consumers Relocation Services!

More on Home Buyer Tax Credit from NAR

Bringing the Dream of Homeownership Within Reach
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that:
Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Here is more information about how the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream. If you have specific questions or need additional information, please contact a tax professional or the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.
Latest news:Watch: REALTOR® Party Tax Credit Video Contest Winner (Nov. 12)Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Added Benefits for Armed Services Members, Others (Nov.11)Tax Credit Extension a Positive Step Toward Real Estate Recovery (Nov.5)
Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.
Which Properties Are Eligible?
The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
How Much Is Available?
The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000.
The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.
How is a Buyer's Credit Amount Determined?
Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two additional factors:
The price of the home.
The buyer's income.
PriceUnder the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
Buyer IncomeUnder the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000—may receive the maximum tax credit.
These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits. If you or your client purchased a home between January 1, 2009 and November 6, 2009, please see 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit.
If the Buyer(s)’ Income Exceeds These Limits, Can He/She Still Get a Credit?
Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit.
The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income—over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.
Can a Buyer Still Qualify If He/She Closes After April 30, 2010?
Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, the purchaser will have until July 1, 2010 to close.
Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?
No. The buyer does not need to repay the tax credit, if he/she occupies the home for three years or more. However, if the property is sold during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.

Benefits of a full service move

Customers really can’t go wrong when choosing the Full Service Moving option. In the long run, the full service move costs are not much different than a self move. When weighing self move versus full service you must consider all the costs associated with the self move. The costs considered for a self move should include the rental cost of the truck, the time or cost of labor to load it, the cost of all the materials to pack, fuel, hotels and meals while in transit, not to mention the cost of loss or damage that will not be covered by the mover's insurance or valuation coverage. Particularly for long distance moves these costs can be substantial, and approach those of a full service move or exceed if obstacles such as breakdowns. bad weather or damage occur. Particularly in the winter months, the likelihood of weather delays increase dramatically. Weather delays can increase the cost of hotels, food and the time you rent the truck.

For a full service move, the moving company does it all, taking away your share of the physical labor and worry involved in a self move. When you arrange for full services all you have to do is pack your own loose items in moving boxes if you choose, Or the movers can pack everything in a full pack service. If you are wanting to pack your own items totally, the movers will allow you, but typically they will pack your mattress' to protect them while in transit. The moving company will load the truck, transport your items and unload your items at your new home. the moving company will also place all items into the rooms that you instruct them to.

Contacting Consumers Relocation will further enhance your moving experience taking much of the concern of choosing a mover, insuring a fair price, and receiving quality moving services out of the equation. Each customer is assigned an experienced moving Consultant who guides each customer through the process, from the very beginning to the very end.

If you are planning a move, contact us to see how we can help. Even if you are not moving soon, we can assist you in planning your move and will send you our Moving Facts Booklet at no charge.

First Significant Snow in Progress

7 Inches of snow at 8 am this morning at the local ski area, Magic Mountain. Lots more to come today!

Natonal Association of Realtors 9 consecutive gains for pending home sales

Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in October, increased 3.7 percent to 114.1 from 110.0 in September, and is 31.8 percent above October 2008 when it was 86.6. The rise from a year ago is the biggest annual increase ever recorded for the index, which is at the highest level since March 2006 when it was 115.2.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said home sales are experiencing a pendulum swing. “Keep in mind that housing had been underperforming over most of the past year. Based on the demographics of our growing population, existing-home sales should be in the range of 5.5 million to 6.0 million annually, but we were well below the 5-million mark before the home buyer tax credit stimulus,” he said. “This means the tax credit is helping unleash a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future.

Auto Club of Southern California Member Show

Amy attended the Auto Club's member show in Los Angeles with more than 1000 members visiting Consumers Relocation's table. The event was held outside and was cold for Southern California.