The Quintana Family and Their New Custom Dream Home in Bakersfield, CA

 Last week we were given the opportunity to spend some time with the Quintana family. This young couple has some seriously cool style and design tastes (check out the blue front door and the "I love bacon" sign in the kitchen).

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home and for all your kind words about your John Balfanz Homes experience.

Video coming soon.

You can be a part of something great...

This year John Balfanz Homes has been given the honor of being the St. Jude Dream Home builder. As a way to kick off this amazing experience, the John Balfanz Homes family got together and wrote some hopes and dreams for the children at St. Jude Hospital. In a couple of weeks we will be featuring a video explaining more about how you can be a part of this amazing cause.

Check out the Balfanz kids in the St. Jude home!

California State Tax Credit

In April, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 183, providing $200 million for home buyer tax credits. The bill allocates $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers of existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes. C.A.R. supported this important legislation since its inception.

The tax credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. Under AB 183 purchasers will be required to live in the home as their principal residence for at least two years or forfeit the credit (i.e. repay it to the state).The eligible taxpayer who closes escrow on a qualified principal residence between May 1, 2010 and December, 31, 2010.

It looks as though this will be the last tax credit for home buyers for a while. This is a new beginning. Real estate is healthier and stronger than it was in 2008 and it is time for it to stand on its own. This is the time to build the home you love in a neighborhood you want. Dont wait!