wishing you a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend................
Friday
Thursday
Probable Extension for Settlement of Qualifying Homebuyer Transactions - Tax Credit
From the Wall Street Journal . . . .
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The Senate Wednesday approved more time for homebuyers seeking to claim a federal tax credit, but tabled a six-month extension of jobless benefits.
The homebuyer measure would help only those that entered into binding contracts before April 30. It would give such homebuyers until Sept. 30 to close the sale. Under current law, they would have had to close by today to be eligible for tax credits.
It passed the Senate by unanimous voice vote. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the homebuyer measure, which the House passed earlier this week.
WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The Senate Wednesday approved more time for homebuyers seeking to claim a federal tax credit, but tabled a six-month extension of jobless benefits.
The homebuyer measure would help only those that entered into binding contracts before April 30. It would give such homebuyers until Sept. 30 to close the sale. Under current law, they would have had to close by today to be eligible for tax credits.
It passed the Senate by unanimous voice vote. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the homebuyer measure, which the House passed earlier this week.
Pricing A Property for Sale
This is advice provided by a noted real estate consultant that I think is important for not only real estate agents, but also for their clients who are considering selling or in the process of pricing their house for sale. Please click on the link below to learn more about the "seven deadly sins of pricing a property". As always, if I can help you in your consideration of selling your property, please contact me at your convenience. Have a great day!
Seven ‘deadly sins’ of pricing property
Seven ‘deadly sins’ of pricing property
Saturday
Swimming Pools
There may be nothing more enticing in the heat of a sizzling summer than the crystal blue waters of a well-maintained swimming pool. When the temperature and the humidity both push the century mark, a quick dip can take all of that hot sticky feeling away like a flash. And at times like those, the idea of actually having your own backyard pool for unlimited summer fun can suddenly seem like a really good thought.
Depending on where you live, having your own pool at home can be a really great asset – or a real drain on both your wallet and the value of your home.
In some areas, such as California, Arizona and Florida, which enjoy warm climates year-round, owning a pool is almost a given. But even in those places, pools are really de rigueur only in higher-end neighborhoods, and even then, there are homebuyers who won’t even think of buying a home with a pool.
But who wouldn’t want a pool? Well, buyers with small children, for one. According to safekids.org, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under the age of 5. And that fact alone causes liability issues for pool owners. If you do own a pool, you need to take precautions to make sure outsiders can’t get in, and your home insurance bills may be higher no matter what you do.
Pools can also be an enormous expense to heat, to clean, and to maintain. If you don’t heat your water, it may limit the amount of time you can use the pool, and if you do heat your pool, it could raise your utility bills by hundreds of dollars a month. And then there are chemicals needed to clean the water, and repairs that must be made. There’s no getting around the fact that owning a pool can be an expensive proposition.
The most expensive type of in-ground pool is also the sturdiest and most versatile to layout. Those are pools made from a material called Gunite, a mixture of concrete and sand that is sprayed into a hole in the ground. Gunite pools can last for many years.
Pools with vinyl linings are less expensive, but they typically need to be replaced every 10 years or so, and they are generally rectangular in shape. These pools are more popular in areas where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, and where pools are drained each season.
And then there are above-ground pools, which are the least expensive, but also often the least attractive option, aesthetically. In fact, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® say above-ground pool typically do not add to a home’s value at all.
And that brings up the larger issue. How much does an in-ground pool add to a home’s re-sale value? Well, we wish we could give you a solid answer. The National Association of Realtors estimates a pool could increase values by nearly 8 percent, but again, that all depends on where the home is. A two million dollar home in Beverly Hills will likely lose value if it doesn’t have a pool, but a 200-thousand dollar rambler in Minnesota might be tough to sell if it does have one.
Now, don’t get us wrong. We are certainly not here to bury pools. They can provide therapeutic health benefits for many owners, and are a great exercise opportunity. They are magnets for teenagers, and have enormous entertainment value for families. In times like these, when many families have neither the time nor the money for long summer vacations, a backyard pool can be a daily getaway. And, of course, they can also provide instant relief from the summer sizzle.
The bottom line is this. If you’re thinking about buying a home with a pool, or installing one in your backyard, do your homework and find out exactly how much it will cost you to build and maintain. Be honest and ask yourself whether you’ll use the pool enough to justify the cost. Don’t install a pool as an investment to increase your home’s eventual resale value. Build it because you will enjoy it with your family for years to come. And feel free to invite us over any time!
Depending on where you live, having your own pool at home can be a really great asset – or a real drain on both your wallet and the value of your home.
In some areas, such as California, Arizona and Florida, which enjoy warm climates year-round, owning a pool is almost a given. But even in those places, pools are really de rigueur only in higher-end neighborhoods, and even then, there are homebuyers who won’t even think of buying a home with a pool.
But who wouldn’t want a pool? Well, buyers with small children, for one. According to safekids.org, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under the age of 5. And that fact alone causes liability issues for pool owners. If you do own a pool, you need to take precautions to make sure outsiders can’t get in, and your home insurance bills may be higher no matter what you do.
Pools can also be an enormous expense to heat, to clean, and to maintain. If you don’t heat your water, it may limit the amount of time you can use the pool, and if you do heat your pool, it could raise your utility bills by hundreds of dollars a month. And then there are chemicals needed to clean the water, and repairs that must be made. There’s no getting around the fact that owning a pool can be an expensive proposition.
The most expensive type of in-ground pool is also the sturdiest and most versatile to layout. Those are pools made from a material called Gunite, a mixture of concrete and sand that is sprayed into a hole in the ground. Gunite pools can last for many years.
Pools with vinyl linings are less expensive, but they typically need to be replaced every 10 years or so, and they are generally rectangular in shape. These pools are more popular in areas where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, and where pools are drained each season.
And then there are above-ground pools, which are the least expensive, but also often the least attractive option, aesthetically. In fact, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® say above-ground pool typically do not add to a home’s value at all.
And that brings up the larger issue. How much does an in-ground pool add to a home’s re-sale value? Well, we wish we could give you a solid answer. The National Association of Realtors estimates a pool could increase values by nearly 8 percent, but again, that all depends on where the home is. A two million dollar home in Beverly Hills will likely lose value if it doesn’t have a pool, but a 200-thousand dollar rambler in Minnesota might be tough to sell if it does have one.
Now, don’t get us wrong. We are certainly not here to bury pools. They can provide therapeutic health benefits for many owners, and are a great exercise opportunity. They are magnets for teenagers, and have enormous entertainment value for families. In times like these, when many families have neither the time nor the money for long summer vacations, a backyard pool can be a daily getaway. And, of course, they can also provide instant relief from the summer sizzle.
The bottom line is this. If you’re thinking about buying a home with a pool, or installing one in your backyard, do your homework and find out exactly how much it will cost you to build and maintain. Be honest and ask yourself whether you’ll use the pool enough to justify the cost. Don’t install a pool as an investment to increase your home’s eventual resale value. Build it because you will enjoy it with your family for years to come. And feel free to invite us over any time!
from REAL ESTATE TODAY - presented by the National Association of Realtors and Its Realtor Members in Your Neighborhood
Sunday
Smart Options: Decking
When choosing decking materials, factor in the savings gained by low maintenance and longevity, even if the initial cost is higher. Read
Deck Addition: Return on Investment
A high return on investment makes a deck addition a worthwhile home improvement project. Read
Care and Maintenance of Your Deck
Annual deck maintenance will forestall major repairs, protect your investment, and boost your enjoyment of your deck. Read-
Smart Upgrades for Decks
A few cost-effective add-ons can give a modest deck an edge and deliver a handsome payback should you sell your house. Read 
Evaluate Your House for a Deck
Here’s how to plan a new deck that suits your property, meets your budget, and offers the best return on your investment. Read
Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.
Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
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