My Interview Article with Bobvila.com Is Posted

Last month I posted a blog about my bobvila.com interview experience. I recently found out that it was selected and the article was placed on bobvila.com. The article is about today's multi-use of a garage. Other professionals also contributed to the article, along with some additional tips from Bob Vila himself. If you own a home with a garage, you will find this article helpful in getting the most use from your garage space. You can add more storage or create a new space that fulfills your household needs. You can find the article and read more about it by clicking on the following link: http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/Today_s_Multi_Use_Garage_Add_More_Storage_or_Create_a_New_Living_Space-Garage-A4002-2.html

The Basics: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

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 legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers. Here is more information about how the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit can help prospective home buyers become part of the American dream.

Who Qualifies?
First-time home buyers who purchase homes between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. 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.

Which Properties Are Eligible?
The 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes and co-ops.

How Much Will the Credit Be?
The maximum allowable credit for home buyers is $8,000. Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by two factors: The price of the home—the credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price of the home, up to $8,000. The buyer's income—single buyers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000—may receive the maximum 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 $75,000 and $95,000 for single buyers and between $150,000 and $170,000 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 $95,000 for singles and over $170,000 for couples are not eligible for the credit.

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 the three-year period, the credit will be recouped on the sale.
Source: Realtor.org

More Info - www.jennenesvegasrealestate.com

Roses For Mother's Day

The second most popular day for the gift of roses is Mother’s Day. The most popular day of course is Valentine’s Day. Roses are my favorite flower and their beauty and fresh cut fragrance is heavenly to me. Roses are about 35 million years old and have about 150 species. Roses almost always have five petals, each one a unique specimen of nature. There are so many interesting facts, beliefs and myths about roses. The oldest garden rose is the apothecary rose and it was believed to have cured a multitude of illnesses. It is said that during the 15th century the rose was used as a symbol for faction fighting to control England. The white rose symbolized York and the red rose symbolized Lancaster so the conflict was known as the war of the roses. The rose is the national floral emblem of the United States. A rose stirs us with its beauty, fills our senses with its perfume and expresses our love. So it is only natural that it would be the perfect flower about mothers and for mothers. Roses For All Mothers on May 11th, Happy Mother’s Day!

An Angel Gift

Recently a very dear friend of mine gave me a beautiful hardcover book entitled "Angels" as a gift. The hardbinding and cover of the book was in a beautiful shade of lavendar with the messengers of the divine picture on the front cover. My dear friend told me that when she saw the book, it had my name written all over it. Knowing my favorite color of all shades of purple, my love for books and my love for and connection with the angels, she just knew that I had to have the book and she was right. It is a fascinating book that provides some background information about these mystical beings from the perspective of several different religous beliefs. The information is interesting and the pictures are breathtakingly beautiful and realistic. It's energy is of divine love. One can read this book many times and still enjoy and appreciate it. I own and have read so many books on angels and this book is just another fine piece of writing to add to my collection. So again, many thanks and blessings to Lonnie for her thoughtfulness and treasured friendship.
Remember that Angels Are Among Us in many forms and ready to assist whenever needed!

Do You Have a Strong Connection?

Do you have a strong connection to another era, a person, a place or a thing and you aren’t sure why? If so, then perhaps it is because you lived a prior life in another time period. One way to find out is through meditation or a past life regression. I know that the life I had prior to this life was during the Victorian era of 1837-1901, which was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign. This explains my strong connection in this life to the Victorian era and my love of Victorian architecture, theatre, opera, piano, poetry, fashion and decorative arts. I look forward to visiting Europe in the near future to bring me even closer to my connection and familiarity with all things Victorian. Here is just a sample of some Victorian items around my home:

BobVila.com Interview

Another exciting opportunity occured for me this past week. As a result of my writing and media work with Gladiator GarageWorks, I was contacted by bobvila.com. I received a call from a writer for bobvila.com asking me to do an interview right on the spot. The interview was for an article about my opinion and experience as a Realtor, regarding the value, consumer desire and the return on investment (ROI) of finishing and/or organizing a garage. It was a good interview that was appreciated and the article will be posted on bobvila.com in the near future. Here is the link to the site: http://www.bobvila.com/. It is sort of comical that I was contacted by bobvila.com because my husband has always called me Mrs. Bob Vila for fixing things around the house. :)

Spring Can Renew You!

Like all the growing things around you, the dreams you've planted are ready to blossom. Tend to your dreams daily and as you grow you will feel lighter and more rejuvinated. Today could be the day your dreams come true so let Spring renew you!

You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve....Mary Kay Ash

Update on Jasmine

We received a call from the vet doctor with good news. They got the results back from the lab and informed us that the cancer had not spread and that they had removed it all. Jasmine had her surgery early enough for a good prognosis and it turned out to be a great prognosis! We prayed and asked the angels to heal her and remove all the cancer and they did! She goes back to the doctor for her follow-up visit on Tuesday 4/7. Her stitches will not be removed for another week yet. She is improving and seems to be doing fine.

My First Podcast Interview

PODCAST - Recently, I was ask as a real estate expert, to do a podcast for Gladiator GarageWorks a Whirlpool Company. A podcast is an informational interview that is recorded and then posted on a website. Many companies use them to answer consumer questions and provide additional information with a more personal touch or approach. Doing this interview for the podcast was an interesting experience that I enjoyed very much. I previously did other media work for this company, which I have written about and proudly posted. It was great meeting the people of Gladiator, working with them and learning all about their great products, while providing my expert real estate opinion through the media. So, check out my latest media event here: http://www.gladiatorgw.com/content.jsp?pageName=NewsEvents
or click on Podcast for Gladiator GarageWorks under Jennene's Personal Links

Jasmine's Health Ordeal

My Beagle Jasmine
The past two weeks have been difficult after finding out that one of my beloved dogs has skin cancer. When I had Jasmine, my beagle in for her monthly injection for her Addison's disease, the doctor noticed a lump on her belly. He was concerned and immediately took a sample for testing. My husband and I were also very concerned to say the least. We hadn't noticed the lump and didn't know how long it had been there. We suspect that it was no more then month because the doctor hadn't noticed it during last month's injection visit. Later that evening the doctor called to tell me that the test confirmed that it was a Mast Cell Tumor that was a type of skin cancer. He said if we were able to get the lump removed within the next two to three weeks, her prognosis would be good. He gave me a cost estimate of between $400-$500 for the tests and surgery. Knowing our situation because of the economy, he said he may even be able to do it for a little less. They are a great group of doctors who are very caring and we trust them. After hanging up the phone I just sat and cried. I felt so bad for my little Jasmine after all she has been through with her health. Plus, I also didn't know what we were going to do because I knew that we didn't have the extra money with my husband being out of work for so long. We have had one expense occur after another and we are already living very tight. So I prayed and prayed for guidance and answers and the healing of my little Jasmine. Then we received a call from a family member who was willing to help with the costs to save our precious Jasmine. We had the surgery done earlier this week, only a week after she was diagnosed. The doctor said afterwards that it looks good but we are still waiting on the final test results to know for sure. They will tell us whether or not they got it all and/or if it has spread throughout the rest of her body. We are again praying for the best outcome. It was a rough two days after surgery for Jasmine and for us with sleepless nights but she is doing much better now. Her stitches are healing nicely and she is getting around pretty normal again. She goes for a follow-up next week and hopefully we will have the final test results by then too.

Stainless Steel Appliances Are Home Sellers

Check out my latest article in the Staten Island Advance news publication today, St. Patrick's Day! Another great opportunity this was for me to marry my real estate career with my newest career in writing in its early stages. The two things for a career that I really enjoy doing have merged together very nicely so far. I am looking forward to advancing them both separately and together as time moves forward.

http://www.silive.com/homegarden/homeimprovement/index.ssf/2009/03/post_75.html

A New Door Is About To Open

Are you feeling stuck and don't know what to do or where to go for help? Not sure how you even got to that point or what the answers are? Well don't worry because it only means that a new door of opportunity is about to open. The answers are there behind a door that is deep within you. All you need is some divine guidance to help you figure out how open that door. It is really very simple once you put your mind to it. All the answers to your life are really within your reach, deep within your mind and soul. All you need to do to get there is first take a couple of deep breaths. Then really relax your mind and free it from clutter and negativity, until it is nearly blank from thoughts. Then slowly begin to see yourself asking your angels for guidance. Watch them very closely as they lead you to a closed door. You then notice that a key is already in the keyhole of the door. Continue to watch through your mind's eye as you slowly begin to approach the door. Then you turn the key to open the door. As you open the door, you suddenly begin to feel a new wave of infused knowledge descend upon you. It is a very strong feeling. You then look ahead of you and what you see are several options spread out for you. Those options are your answers, your opportunities that are awaiting your actions. Your new door has opened and your action has begun. Your soul is leading your heart to the best answers for your life. Follow it now and you will triumph.