Thanks to all of our fabulous clients and team for a very successful 2009! This year we celebrated the holidays at Temple and volunteered together at SF Food Bank. View the event's highlights here!

Did you know that the SF Food Bank will be providing Holiday meals to over 30,000 Households in San Francisco and Marin County. Hunger impacts people in all walks of Life, from working families to Senior Citizens. 

On Sat Dec 19th, CLIMB Real Estate will be partnering with the SF Food Bank in a volunteer effort. If you are interested in participating or for more information please contact Kristen Stuecher (415.948.4888 or email kristen@climbsf.com) for further details.

WHEN: Saturday, December 19th 12:30-3:30
WHERE: 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, SFCA 94107
MORE INFO: http://www.sffoodbank.org/volunteer/

The San Francisco Food Bank works to end hunger in San Francisco. We provide donated and purchased food to over 400 non-profit agencies, enabling them to give nutritious meals or supplemental groceries to thousands of low-income families and individuals in our community. These agencies range in size and mission, from the city’s largest soup kitchens to smaller agencies such as after-school programs, AIDS service providers, battered women's shelters, child care centers, food pantries, health clinics, homeless shelters, residential programs for people in recovery or transition to independent living, senior lunch programs, and street outreach programs. We are the largest distributor of food to non-profit agencies in San Francisco; for many agencies, we are their only source of food. This year, we will distribute 36.5 million pounds of food, or enough to provide 78,000 meals a day.

Congratulations to Kiesha Stephens and Mark Choey for being nominated to the Sexiest Realtor San Francisco Bay Area 2009. Please go here (theFrontSteps.com) and cast your vote!

Climb Real Estate Group features the work of San Francisco-based artist, Angela Tirrell. This talented painter and muralist evokes a dramatic reality in her murals, furniture, and fine art. See her modern compositions in her upcoming show at The Bridge in Oakland. Please see her website and price list for more details.

More good news for consumers, our members, and the housing market recovery. Following the Senate’s favorable vote yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives just voted 403 to 12 to extend the home buyer tax credit, expanding the parameters to include existing homeowners and not just first-time buyers. As you may know, C.A.R. and our partners at NAR have worked for months urging Congress and the Senate to extend and expand this crucial piece of legislation. We expect President Obama to sign the legislation in short order.

As it now stands, the federal tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline. First-time home buyers will continue to be eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners will be eligible for a reduced credit of up to $6,500. To qualify for the $6,500 credit, existing homeowners must have lived in their current residences for at least five years. The bill also increases the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 for joint filers to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively. The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000 in both instances.

Under additional provisions included in the bill, taxpayers can claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The legislation maintains the provision that home buyers do not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their primary residence for 36 months after purchase, and waives this requirement for active duty military personnel who move due to a military order.

Nationwide, more than 1.4 million first-time home buyers were given the opportunity to become homeowners as a result of the Federal Tax Credit for First-time Home Buyers.  We expect that number to increase dramatically in the months ahead with this new legislation in place. Thank you to our members who called, wrote, and e-mailed their congressional representatives and voiced their support for the home buyer tax credit. Your voices were heard – today’s vote is a direct result of your actions and involvement.

Featuring Paintings by Angela Tirrell

Soma Grand at 1160 Mission Street Residence #1508
Wednesday, November 11th 5pm to 8pm

Meet the Artist over Wine and Cheese
Preview the remaining 25 Homes at Soma Grand

Special thanks to Angela Tirrell and Pacific Marketing
www.angelatirrell.com

Soma Grand is closing out sales of the last 10% of their brand new luxury lifestyle condos. Prices have never been more negotiable than right now. To find out exactly how negotiable,  schedule a tour of Soma Grand, and make sure you get the best deal possible on remaining homes.