Homeowner Tax Breaks On The House
Tax season can make most of us cringe. But, if you’re a homeowner, make certain you meet with experts to see how you may benefit at tax time by owning a home. Minimizing your tax liability is always the goal. Start first by getting all your paperwork together. Hopefully you’ve kept good, clean records of everything pertaining to your home. Remodeling projects can often be deducted, so go through your files and search for the paid invoices. However, repairs to restore items to their original state usually aren’t tax...
read moreRemove Road Blocks To Sell Your Home
Every seller has a common goal in mind: sell the home quickly and for the most money. Yet when it comes time to sell the home not every seller will be prepared. Many forget or don’t know how to remove road blocks that can stall the sales process or kill it completely. If you’re getting ready to list your home for sale, pay close attention. What you do before you list it can help or hurt the process. Remove or limit the areas where your home is lacking. Study your neighborhood and the homes that are for sale. If your...
read moreMoving With Young Children
Are you happy and excited about selling your home? Or are you dreading the sorting, packing and other chores? Your attitude is contagious to little children. If you look at moving as an exciting adventure full of fun, new possibilities, then you’re halfway to getting your children on board for the ride. Most children don’t like the changes associated with moving, so it’s your job to get them looking forward to it. The younger the child, the less able they are to “see into the future” as you do. They tend to focus...
read moreWho Is Responsible When Your Tree Falls?
A year ago, few of us ever heard of a “Derecho”; now, faced with fallen trees, damaged property and even a few deaths, Derecho – meaning super-strong windstorm – is a household word. One we really never want to hear -or see – again. Who is responsible if your neightor’s tree falls on your property? The general rule is that unless the neighbor knew – or should have known – that his tree was unsafe – even if it caused damage to person or your property, he is not responsible. Our courts follow the...
read moreCurb Appeal is a Must!
If your home has curb appeal, you’ll be able to sell it quickly and for top dollar. That’s why REALTORS® rate exterior home remodeling projects as the most valuable homeowners can make. Many homeowners are confused about which projects will provide the most return on investment as they prepare their homes for the market. The 2014 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, co-sponsored by the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine, outlines the costs and resale returns on the most popular home...
read morePrices are Up! Appraisals are on the Rise!
by Dexter Dix The recovery of the real estate market has contributed to a significant number of properties appraising for more than the sales price. There can be unintended consequences accompanied with these higher appraisals. The amount in excess of the sales price can have varied impacts on the transaction. There are times when the property appraises for $2K-$3K above sales price and it seldom causes much concern in the transaction. However, there are also instances where properties appraise for $10K, $15K or more above the contract...
read moreExtreme Architecture from Around the Globe
by Tisha Gay Here are some more amazing buildings from around the world: Haewoojae (Toilet House) – Suwant, South Korea. The late mayor of Suwon, South Korea, Sim Jae-Duck, built this toilet-shaped, two-story home to mark the 2007 inaugural meeting of the World Toilet Association. It is now a toilet museum. The 4,520-square-foot steel, concrete, and glass structure features a showcase, glass-walled bathroom at it’s center. Those concerned with privacy can turn the walls opaque at the touch of a button. The home also...
read moreNew Loan Requirements For Getting A Mortgage
The number of homes purchased with a home loan has been dropping steadily since May, according to RealtyTrac. Instead, cash is king for many reasons. As mortgage rates began creeping up, some homebuyers started opting to purchase with all cash. And that trend may continue as new loan requirements become more strict. However, for those buyers who do need to purchase a home with a loan, expect to see some changes in the loan requirements as the new year rings in. Here are a just a few of the changes that are going into effect in January 2014....
read moreReal Estate in 2013: Year in Review
As a member of the real estate industry for more than 30 years, I’ve never seen the market bounce back as well as it did in 2013. It was a great year for the real estate industry including agents, sellers and buyers. One of the best indicators for housing is new construction, and it took a huge leap in 2013. Purchases of new homes surged towards the end of the year. In October, sales jumped 25.4% to an annualized pace of 444,000 nationally. This was the biggest increase in new homes sales in more than 30 years. In addition, the average sales...
read moreHow to Buy In A Seller’s Market
Prices are rising and perhaps there are fewer homes for sale where you want to live. What can you do to put the odds in your favor? First, get preapproved by a lender. That means sharing your financial information, going online and playing with a mortgage calculator. Give the lender the documentation they need, such as salary stubs, revolving credit obligations, and bank statements. You’ll know for certain how much you can afford, how much you need to put down to qualify and what your interest rate will be. Make your must-have and wish...
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