Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer .com
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Rare snowstorm puts a positive spin on stressful holiday for local family JAY BEDECARRÉ Clayton Pioneer
The Enders family of Clayton wasn’t looking forward to this holiday season. Just a week before Christmas, they have to move out of the Clayton home they’ve lived in for the past two years and are going to temporarily cram their entire family into a two-bedroom apartment in Concord.
JILL ENDERS CALLED the early mornng snow experience “priceless” as her family faces a difficult holiday season.
In the midst of this uprooting, in the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 12-year-old daughter Sophia shrieked for her mom to look outside. When Jill Enders saw snow falling, it didn’t take long for her to spring into action. Since this is such a rare occurrence in our corner of the
world, the Clayton mom, who home-schools her children, bundled up her kids with makeshift snow gear and escorted them and the family puppy out to play. It was just past 2 a.m., but Jill wanted her children to have a chance to experience the unusual snowfall in Clayton first-hand. Joining their sister Sophia in the snow were Tristan, 14, and Nicholas, 4. The Enders began constructing a snowman and making snow angels in the snow. It was a great time for a family in the midst of a stressful transition. The only problem was it was very early in the morning and a neighbor called the Clayton Police about a loud commotion outside their home. Officer Allan Pike drove up in his black and white and told the Enders they had to tone down their fun. It was obvious how much fun the family was having and he had a big smile on his face while posing for a photo with the wet and happy kids. Husband Randy, who was taking time off from his vice president’s position with a major brokerage firm to finish the family move, wasn’t too keen on playing in the snow. However, he brewed hot chocolate and was ready to warm the three kids and mom when they came inside all
LYNNE FRENCH
REAL ESTATE Q. My husband and I are considering a short sale. Our Realtor is going to negotiate with the bank to accept a lower payoff than what we owe. How much will we be taxed on the settled debt? – D.N., Clayton A. Assuming this is your principal residence, you may not be taxed at all on the debt relief amount. The Mortgage Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt of their principal residence. This applies to debt forgiven in 2007 through 2012. The lender forgiving the debt will send you a form 1099C Cancellation of Debt. You will file this as well as a form
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wet, cold and happy. The Enders moved to Clayton two years ago after spending a dozen years in the Pleasant Hill area. The home they were renting went into foreclosure and they attempted to purchase it from the owner on a “short sale” transaction. Instead, the landlord twice sold the house to someone else, only to see each deal fall apart. The landlord finalized a third sale and the Enders were given 60-days notice to vacate, with the final date right
advantage of some of the government programs which have been extended and expanded. For example, the “up-to” $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers or anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years. Interest rates are historically low, though they have gone up a tick recently. A move-up buyer might have to accept less on their present home than they hoped for but will more than make it up on the purchase of the more expensive home because these are the homes that have lost more value. They are also potentially eligible for a new tax credit program. Q. Should I wait until the market goes up before I sell my home? – D.F., Concord A. If a seller chooses to wait until the market goes up
See Real Estate, page 20
before Christmas. Like so many others in these perilous economic times, the Enders were forced to move against their will as they continue to search for a home to buy. “I probably know every property on sale in Clayton,” Jill Enders says. “I was sure it was not going to be a good Christmas,” she adds. “However when this (snowfall) happened, it shows that what matters most is family. Ordinary Christmas miracles are not dependent on fickle finance! And Officer Pike was so wonderful. We have loved Clayton and hope we are able to stay close by when all is said and done.” On so many levels, this will be a Christmas the Enders will long remember.
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Photos courtesy of the Enders Family
OFFICER ALLAN PIKE was called out to a noise complaint in a generally quiet Clayton neighborhood during the early morning hours of Dec. 7. It turned out the Enders family was frolicking in the rare snow storm that hit the area. From left, Tristan, Sophia and Nicholas Enders
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Short sale could end up being a tax benefit 982 on your tax return. There are other instances where you might be able to exclude income due to debt relief for other matters such as student loans and credit card debt. You can read Publication 4681 on the IRS Website or consult with your tax professional. Q. Is the current market a better time to buy or sell a house? – M.B., Clayton A. I believe that there is a little envelope of time right about now where it is the best time to buy and to sell. This doesn’t happen very often in the housing market. It is especially good for the first-time buyer and the move-up buyer. For sellers, there seems to be a pause in the decline in prices. There have been moratoriums on foreclosures all year. The inventory is down. Prices are pretty stable for now. Buyers are anxious to take
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