Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!

Wishing you a very prosperous and healthy New Year.

Please check out the link below. I found this particular clip very appropriate, since we are all setting goals for 2009. I wish you all the best and hope that we all survive in tough times ahead.

http://www.simpletruths.tv/movies.php?movie=TTWD

Best Regards

Effective Tips for Cleaning Your Garage!

Does it seem as if the things in your garage multiply almost overnight? For most people cleaning their garage is an onerous task. Here are some effective tips for gaining space to actually park your car.

* Gather all items you're not using and have a garage sale, donate the items to charity or take them to the dump.

* Dust the walls and corners; get rid of the spider webs.

* Hang heavy-duty wall hooks for larger items like yard tools, bicycles or exercise equipment that are taking up floor space.

* If you don’t have shelves, consider buying adjustable steel shelves on wheels available at warehouse stores.

* Get boxes and other items off the garage floor.

* Clean the floor and remove oil drips with cat litter and Simple Green detergent.

* Make sure all flammable materials, tools and toxic chemicals are stored out of reach of children.

* Check your garage door to make sure the opener is working properly in reverse.

Keeping your garage clutter-free and clean will allow you to have useful storage and workshop space. While your garage usually won't make or break a deal when you decide to sell your home, a clean, well-maintained garage may be a tie-breaker by enhancing an overall impression of a well-cared-for home.

Please call or send us an email if you'd like some additional real estate tips or neighborhood information.

More on housing trends!

The trends in new homes as our population ages. Here are more things we’re seeing – and they make a lot of sense:
Master suites downstairs. Raised dishwashers so users don’t have to bend as much. Raised, front-loading washers and dryers. Wide halls and doors. Lower light switches. Levers, rather than knobs, on doors. Pull-out shelving in cabinets to avoid reaching. More room beneath counters for wheelchair access. Remote controls for lighting, ceiling fans, blinds, curtains and gas fireplaces. No steps at the front door and from the garage to the inside of the home.

When you look at a lot of new homes you almost need to look for these things in order to notice them. Builders are designing homes sop well that these features blend in.

Which is Better for You: A Condo or a Single Family Home?

Did you know that condominiums are one of the fastest growing segments of the housing market? Owning a condo is perfect for those with busy lifestyles, little interest in home maintenance or landscaping chores or who frequently travel. Condos are a fine choice for a first home or when downsizing from a larger house.

Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Condo:
· Fewer maintenance requirements.
· Usually less expensive than a single family home.
· You own the space inside the walls.
· There can be more security with neighbors close by.
· The exterior of the building, landscaping, surrounding roads and driveways, and common areas all owned by the condo association, a group made up of all unit owners.
· Special assessments by the association for painting or repairs can be a substantial added expense.

Single family home:
· Usually offers more storage space.
· You own the interior as well as the exterior.
· You are responsible for all maintenance, landscaping and repairs.
· You usually don’t have to pay community dues or special assessments.
· You have room to grow plants, flowers, trees, veggies, etc.

Think about how your household may change over the next few years. Will you still need a larger home or will you have enough space in a condo? Or would you be happier in a smaller house with room for a garden?

For more information about real estate options in our market, call or email us. We’d be happy to provide you with that info via email or we can show you what is available.

Important Real Estate Documents to Keep in a Safe Place!

As long as you own your home, here is a list of important real estate documents you’ll want to keep in a safe place:

1. Property deed: keep it for as long as you own the property.

2. Closing statements: keep statements for three years after your purchase to show capital gains.

3. Home improvement: some remodeling projects can reduce a potential capital gains hit when you sell your property, so save your receipts and consult your accountant.

4. Warranty information: keep until the warranty expires.

5. Loan papers: keep until paid off or refinanced, or in the case of mortgages that have tax-deductible interest, keep them for three years.

6. Insurance policies: keep until the policy expires.

7.Receipts or statements: save credit card receipts and/or checking account statements or cancelled checks for all major purchases such as appliances, furniture, antiques and art

When you sell your home, you’ll usually be required to submit a disclosure form. Receipts for major home improvements like a new roof or remodeling project can help you complete disclosure forms and substantiate the good condition of your home.

A bank safety deposit box or fireproof safe is the best place to store your important documents. Be sure to save an up-to-date household inventory, complete with appraisals, receipts and photos or a videotape for insurance purposes in case of loss.

Please call or send us an email if we can provide you with an updated home evaluation for insurance purposes.

How Value-Added Features Affect the Sales Price of Your Home!

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, a recent report by the National Association of Realtors measured how certain characteristics influence the value of a property. Here are some of the findings:

* A remodel adding an additional 1,000 square feet of living space increases a home’s market value by just 3.3%.

* Adding an extra bedroom adds about 4% to the price while an additional bath can add 24%.

* Houses advertised as “fixers” sell for 24% less than other houses.

* A garage adds about 13% to the price.

* Central air conditioning adds about 12% to the price.

* A basement increases a home's value by an average of 9%.

* A sitting area in the master bedroom increases the price by about 8%.

* Features that add the most value are a family room, a dining room, a whirlpool and a security system.

This information can help determine the return you can expect to see on your remodeling investment as well as to compare property values when you’re shopping for a home.

Please call or send us an email if you’d like us to help evaluate your remodeling plans and determine how much they’ll return on your investment. Or, if you are considering a purchase, we can help you get the best buy on a home with the amenities that are important to you.