No matter how you look at it one has to agree that moving from one place to the other is expensive and sometimes worrisome as well. If you need to move and you are left with no other choice, you have to bring yourself to terms that it is going to cost you. The good news here is that you have a few tips that can help you save money and cut down on the costs.

1.  The first thing that you need to ask yourself is whether you require the services of a mover or can you manage to move things by yourself. The answer is pretty simple and how much you are going to save or how much it is going to cost completely depends on the distance you are moving and the amount of time that you have on hand.
2. We agree that fuel costs are expensive and rentals that travel one-way do tend to charge a higher rate. By making sure that you have an analysis to cut down on costs; it will help you decide if you want to do it or get a mover to help you move.
3. There are many companies who offer their services at competitive rates but finding the right one can be a Herculean task.
4. If you have the option of choosing when to move you can move during off-season; especially around June or July.
5. Movers tend to cut down on their rates in the middle of the month so avoid trying to move during the first or last week of the month.
6. Speak to your movers to find out whether they have an off-season rate or tariff.
7. It is not wrong to ask your moving company for a discount.
8. Most moving companies’ charges are based on a book called Tariff 400 and this book gives you details on how much a moving company can charge you depending on the distance and the weight of your possessions.
9. Be flexible with your moving company. If you are flexible with the picking up time and the delivering time of the company they would surely give you a discount on the pricing.
10. Another way to cut down on costs is to avoid any last minute rush. Moving companies tend to charge you extra if they assist you in packing things at the last minute. The best thing to do is to have everything packed and ready so that you can save time and a lot of inconvenience. There are times when even things get misplaced during moving. So plan well in advance and do things accordingly.

If you need a list of movers that serve the Berks County area, contact me today!

1^st Time Home Buyers Tax Credit

• Extends the tax credit to agreements signed by April 30, 2010 and settled by June 30, 2010.
• Extends all requirements of the $8,000 tax credit of 2009. 
• Includes up to 10% of the sales price of the property up to $8,000. 
• Persons can not have been a homeowner for the last 3 years.
• Can apply it to taxes for 2009 or 2010.
•  Is a tax credit as opposed to a tax write off.
• Income eligibility which has been increased as of December 1 from $75,000 to $125,000 and for a couple $150,000 to$225,000  There is partial payment up to $145,000 for an individual and $245,000 for a couple.

$6500 Tax Credit for Home Owners:

• Provides 10% of the purchase price up to $6500.
• Is a tax credit as opposed to a tax write off.
• Can be applied to 2009 or 2010 taxes.
• Has income limits of $125,000 for one owner and $250,000 for multiple owners.
• There is partial payment for income up to $145,000 for an individual and $245,000 for a couple.
• Total purchase price must be under $800,000.
• Persons eligible must have owned and lived in a home as a principle residence for 5 consecutive years of the last 8.
• Agreement of sale must be signed by both parties by April 30, 2010 and must settle by June 30, 2010.
• This tax credit goes into effect for any person having a settlement on or after the day the President signed the bill which is November 6, 2009.

A new attribute of both of the tax credits is that any veteran who has been deployed outside of the United States for 90 days or more between January 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 has an automatic one year extension.  For either program the purchase must be made prior to April 30, 2011 and settled by June 30, 2011.

Tax Credit Advance

This is a Pennsylvania program and all loans using this must go through PHFA.  We should not be guaranteeing this to our clients until all documents are into the lender and it is guaranteed by PHFA and the funds are reserved. 

1^st Time Home Buyer:

• $5000 upfront to purchase a home
• $6000 upfront if its new construction
• Persons will still be able to get the entire $8000 or 10% of the sales price whichever is less however they are expected to pay back the $5000 or $6000 upfront monies.  If they do not pay it back the advanced amount will be transformed into a 10 year loan at the same interest rate of the loan that they received.  Persons may choose this alternative.

Home Buyers:

• $3000 upfront to purchase a home
• $4000 upfront if its new construction
• Persons will still get the entire $6500 or 10% of the price of the property and if they don’t pay back the advance it will be transformed into a 10 year loan payable at the same interest rate as the original loan.  Again persons may choose that alternative.