Actress Julia Roberts buys another home in Malibu for $6.84 million

#Monday again! #Celeb Julia Roberts buys in #Malibu again -- ow.ly/YTxKa

Oscar-winning actress Julia Roberts has purchased a home in Malibu for $6.84 million in a deal completed off-market, property records show.

The ranch-style house on more than an acre sits directly across the street from her longtime residence in the Point Dume area.

Multiple Listing Service records show the home, built in 1953, has three bedrooms and two bathrooms in roughly 1,800 square feet of living space. There are nine rooms in all.

Large lawns, gardens, a trellis-topped sitting area and a two-car garage fill the grounds. A gated motor court marks the entrance to the home.

The 48-year-old actress won an Academy Award for her leading role in “Erin Brockovich” (2000) and was nominated for “August: Osage County” (2013), “Pretty Woman” (1990) and “Steel Magnolias” (1989). She’ll be in the upcoming films “Mother’s Day” and “Money Monster.”The property was briefly on the market two years ago for $7.85 million. Prior to the sale, it had been in the process of foreclosure, according to property records.

Credits for First-Time Homebuyers

Thinking of buying your first home? You'll need to save for the down payment and closing costs. But there are a number of federal and state grants, tax credits or other options designed to make it easier for first-time buyers to afford their first home. In fact, even if you've owned a home in the past, you may qualify for these programs if you meet certain guidelines.

Tax Benefits for All Homebuyers

Buying a first home also makes you eligible for the tax benefits afforded to every homebuyer – whether it's their first home or not.

Home Mortgage Interest Deduction. “The IRS allows you to deduct for the interest you pay your lender,” says Greene-Lewis. Home mortgage interest is one of the biggest deductions for those who itemize, and can make a huge difference for filers. You should be advised of interest paid to your lender on a 1098 form sent out annually in January and/or early February.

Points or Loan Origination Fees Deduction. The fees you pay to obtain a home mortgage may be applied as a deduction, according to Greene-Lewis. “Points will also be reported on Form 1098 from your lender or your settlement statement at the end of the year.” The rules for how you deduct points are different for a first purchase or a refinancing, she explains.

Property Tax Deduction. Property tax deductions are available for state and local property taxes based on the value of your home. The amount that's deducted is the amount paid by the property owner, including any payments made through an escrow account at settlement or closing. “You may find property taxes paid on your 1098 form from your mortgage company if your property taxes are paid through your mortgage company,” says Greene-Lewis. “Otherwise, you should report the amount of property taxes you paid for the year indicated on your property tax bill.”

Residential Energy Credit. Homeowners who install solar panels, geothermal heat systems, and wind turbines – or energy-efficient windows or heating and air-conditioning systems – to their home may receive a tax credit worth up to 30% of the cost. Click here for details.

READ ON: 

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/101714/credits-firsttime-home-buyers.asp

Miley Cyrus Picks Up Contemporary in Gated Malibu Enclave

Last week there were loads of whispers and gossip glossy reports that Miley Cyrus had packed up her belongings in a U-Haul truck, high-tailed it from the San Fernando Valley to Malibu, and moved in with her former fiancé Liam Hemsworth, to whom she is engaged for the second time. And maybe she did. But, children, as it turns out the real story is a mite more complicated, at least real estate wise, because the proudly provocative, 23-year-old pop culture phenom — she just signed on to be an adviser on the next season of “The Voice” — actually shelled out 2.525 million of her own dollars to snatch up a 2.06 acre spread in an exclusive if little-known gated enclave tucked up into the mountains just above Malibu’s Paradise Point area. 

The tabloid confusion might have come about because Miss Cyrus’ bucolically sited new spread is not only in the exact same, gated enclave where in June 2014 her beau-hunky “Hunger Games” starring husband-to-be dropped $6.814 million for a multi-acre mini-compound he bought from songwriter Matthew Wilder, it’s right next door. Presumably the newly reaffianced lovebirds will occupy one of the residences and use the other for, well, who knows what? A recording studio, perhaps? Maybe, but we digress…. The seller of the property, per property records, was German-born radio and television host and longtimeHaribo confectionary spokesperson Thomas Gottschalk, and online marketing materials show the residence offers four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms in an undisclosed amount of square footage.

Home of the Week!

Happy Monday! 

I wanted to start off the week with this LA Times article --

http://www.latimes.com/local/westside/la-fi-0131-home-20160131-story.html


Don't you agree this is one of the most gorgeous and modern homes in Venice Beach!

There is nothing better than buying a beach home -- make sure to contact us if you are thinking about buying or selling!