$8,000 for Homebuyers

First Time Hombuyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 - 10% of the home’s value, whichever is less - on the 2009 taxes.

First Time Homebuyers are also buyers who have not owned a home within the last 3 yrs.

If you purchased a house in 2008 you can get $7,500. on your taxes, but this amount you have to pay back within 15 years, that is $500 a year, no interest.  You also don’t have to use the whole $7500. If you sell your home, you have to pay the remaining amount back at your taxes, unless you have taken a loss on your home or break even. 

Now in 2009 if you purchase a home between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30 2009 you will receive $8,000. back on your taxes. You do not have to pay this back unless you do not live in your house for at least three years. or you will be obligated to pay back the credit.

This is a great time to buy a home. Check with your tax person, contact your Realtor (me) and start looking for that first home.

Submitted by: Susan K. Forbes

Re/Max of Newton     641-791-2360     www.Susan@RealtorinNewtonIowa.com

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Extra on a Movie

Loading Wow, I was an extra on the movie ‘Ticket Out’ that filmed here Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16 & 17 here in Newton at the Court House. It was very interesting and a big learning experience. It all started in Nov. when I took my daughter to the try outs. They talked me into trying out too, because with minors they need a parent on set and since I had to be there anyway they told me I might as well do it too. To say the least I was one of the choosen. So Sat. the 17th @ 9:00am, I reported to the Methodist Church where we all gathered to get our directions, clothing picks,& a wonderful catered breakfast. We then walked to the court house where we went into the basement to a large room, that was our holding room untill scenes were ready. We waited and waited. I got chosen  do the outside back ground scene. I had to walk back and forth in front of Papa’s antique and Brown’s Shoes for about 1 hour, then a 5 min break and back out again for 10 mins. It was cold but fun. Then back to the basement room for a few hours untill the next scene inside the court house. We did a scene inside the court house and again I was the back ground. I am a dot in the a sea of extras and actors, but  very cool to see all the lights, the crew, and the action. Oh then it was lunch. It was as delisous as the breakfast. I’ll tell you, the actors, crew, and us eat fast and get back on the set. So a few more hours of waiting around and then they tell us “That’s a wrap”. This was about 11:00pm, so you see it was a long day. It may of been a long day, but I was excited, it was a once in a life time to do something you have always wanted to do. So when the movie comes out (don’t know when that is) let’s watch the movie and enjoy the scenes of Newton, Newton residents, and Iowa.

Submitted by Susan K. Forbes
Re/Max of Newton
www.RealtorinNewtonIowa.com
Susan@RealtorinNewtonIowa.com (email)

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Long Drive King Blasts Record 418-Yard Drive to Win Title, $250,000

By Deborah Ball, RE/MAX Times Associate Editor

Golf’s power event crowned a new king after a 20-year-old Canadian competitor blasted a record 418-yard drive in the Open Division finals of the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship.

Jamie Sadlowski of St. Paul, Alberta, is no long drive rookie - he won the Junior Championship title twice. This time, his power drive earned him a record prize of $250,000 and the title of golf’s reining power hitter after his performance in the finals on Oct. 25 in Mesquite, Nev.

“You know, I’ve dreamed about it, to be standing on this tee box with one of those trophies,” Sadlowski said. “To win as an open champion, it’s unbelievable right now.”

The former junior hockey player had hit an astonishing 434-yard drive in the qualifying rounds, and says he believed he had the distance to do well.

“It’s really more mental than anything,” he said. “Put a good swing on it and hit it solid, and that’s what I did to come out on top.”

Sadlowski defeated 21-year-old Dewald Gouws of Westonaria, South Africa, who launched a 415-yard drive on his march to the final, but drove for 387 yards in the final showdown.

The previous RE/MAX finals record of 412 yards was held by long drive legend and fellow Canadian Jason Zuback.

Four other champions walked away with their division’s title at the 2008 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship. They were:

CAPTIVE AUDIENCE: Nearly 3,000 fans packed the stands to watch the Open Division finals in Mesquite, Nev.

• Dan Boever, a longtime competitor from Rogersville, Mo., took the Senior Division with a 366-yard drive. Boever outdrove Super Senior champ Mike Gorton by 10 yards, taking the winner’s crown and a $50,000 check.
• Mike Gorton of Erie, Colo., came out on top in the Super Senior Division (ages 53 and up) with a winning 301-yard drive. The fan favorite pocketed $20,000 and added to his extensive trophy collection that also includes the 1987 U.S. National Long Drive title.
• Lana Lawless, a former Los Angeles police officer and top long drive contender, won the Women’s Division with a 254-yard drive, despite headwinds gusting over 30 mph. Lawless beat Phillis Meti of Auckland, New Zealand, who came in second with a 250-yard drive.
• Rick Barry, an NBA Hall of Famer from Colorado Springs, Colo., was a repeat winner in the Grand Champion Division (ages 61 and up) with a 285-yard drive in brutally windy conditions.

In the 2008 Military Long Drive Championship sponsored by 7Up, Ryan Hixson successfully defended his title. Hixson, who serves in the U.S. Coast Guard, outdrove six other finalists with a 389-yard blast to win top honors and a $10,000 prize.

From the first qualifying hit in January and various regional events to the live championship in Mesquite and broadcasts on ESPN, the RE/MAX Balloon and name was omnipresent throughout this year’s season. The RE/MAX network’s brand presence created countless consumer impressions around the world.

More than 10,000 golfers competed in local and regional contests at more than 300 sites around the world this year for the chance to get to the finals.

“This year’s competition was stiff,” said Art Sellinger, CEO of Long Drivers of America. “These long drivers represent the very best from qualifying competitions held across the country and around the world. We’re proud to recognize their tremendous talents.”

Tune in for the action
Don’t miss a moment of the action. ESPN will air the finals at 3 p.m. ET on Christmas Eve; ESPN2 will follow suit at 2 p.m. ET on Christmas Day.

Copyright © 2008 RE/MAX International Inc. 10/28/08

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Tips on getting a mortgage

You can be sure of two things: It is harder to get a mortgage now than it was a year ago, and the fine print can have life-changing consequences.

Be prepared when going to your lender.

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902 N. 9th Ave E. Newton, Iowa

Freshly painted with Furnace & A/C new in 2006. Roof, gutters, downspouts & water heater 2000. Full, dry basement. Extra sized corner lot that goes to alley.

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