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The following is a news alert from the National Association of Realtors®
The National Association of Realtors® is now accepting applications for the 11th annual REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Awards. The awards recognize Realtors® for their commitment to volunteer service.
The five winners will be announced in November in REALTOR® Magazine. Each winner will be recognized at the 2010 REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans and receive travel expenses to the conference, national media exposure for his or her community cause, and a $10,000 grant for the charity. In addition to the winners, five honorable mentions will each receive a $2,500 grant.
"We all know that Realtors® build communities," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. "The Good Neighbor Awards gives us the opportunity to honor the very best of our Realtor® volunteers who make an incredible commitment of their time and energy to help those in need."
Last year's winners contributed a combined total of nearly 8,000 hours to their causes and drew a standing ovation from more than 7,000 Realtors® and guests during the annual conference's general session in San Diego. The 2009 winners were Greg Adamson, Prudential Utah Real Estate, American Fork, Utah, Heart 2 Home Foundation; Cindy Johnson, Dona Christensen Realty, Woodbury, Minn., The Arc of Minnesota; Helen Marotto, EXIT Homeplace Realty, Hampstead, N.C., Cape Fear Guardian Ad Litem Assn.; Regina Ragon, Prudential Realty Center, Flintstone, Ga., Latin American Community Development; and Samuel Thomas Jr., Imani Realty & Assocs., Willingboro, N.J., QUEST Community Outreach.
"REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards recognize the important role Realtors® play as volunteers in their communities," said REALTOR® Magazine Editorial Director Pamela Geurds Kabati. "We hope highlighting their stories inspires more Realtors® to give their time to important community organizations."
Previous Good Neighbor Award winners say their charities have benefited from the grant money and the increased public exposure. "The Good Neighbor Awards has increased the exposure of The Sport of Giving from our local community to a national audience," said 2008 Good Neighbor Award Winner Sheila Stevens, Prudential Georgia Realty, Suwanee, Ga., founder of The Sport of Giving. "The inquiries that are flowing in to host events in other parts of the country have allowed us to launch new events and help more people. Our mission has become a reality thanks to the Good Neighbor Awards."
REALTOR® Magazine's Good Neighbor Awards is sponsored by Lowe's. In addition to the grant money, each winner will receive a $2,000 Lowe's gift card and each honorable mention will receive a $1,000 Lowe's gift card.
Good Neighbor Awards entries must be received by Friday, May 21, 2010. For more details and a nomination form, call 800/874-6500, visit www.REALTOR.org/gna, or see the March issue of REALTOR® Magazine.
Lowe's (www.lowes.com) has worked with customers to maintain and improve their homes since 1946. Lowe's is proud to support the Good Neighbor Awards. Lowe's is a proud supporter of Habitat for Humanity International, American Red Cross, SkillsUSA/SkillsCanada, and The Nature Conservancy, in addition to numerous nonprofit organizations and programs that help communities in North America. In 2009, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support community and education projects in North America. Lowe's also encourages volunteerism through the Lowe's Heroes program, a company-wide employee volunteer initiative. Lowe's, a Realtor® Benefits Partner, brings Realtors® exclusive benefits to help build relationships with their customers, generate referrals and expand their client base. The benefits program is featured on www.LowesRealtorBenefits.com.
The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
How Does Your Garden Grow? Start Seedlings Indoors
There's nothing like a lush garden to improve your home's curb appeal. An established flower garden or vegetable garden can actually add value to your home and property. For many regions, now is the time to begin planning your garden strategy.
In cooler climates it's a good idea to start some vegetables and flowers indoors. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Don't start your plants indoors too soon. If you are new to the area, research the traditional date range for the last spring frost and plan accordingly.
2. Eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumbers, eggplants, leeks, head lettuce, and onions are just a few of the vegetables that will benefit from an early start indoors.
3. Flowers slow to mature can also be planted indoors in order to make the green thumb next door green with garden envy. Some of these include impatiens, petunias, snapdragons, and fibrous begonias.
4. Be careful not to start plants with sensitive roots indoors. Vegetables such as peas, beans, corn, and sweetpeas like to settle in to their summer homes and not be disturbed. You can stunt the growth of these by replanting them after they have already taken root.
5. Reuse containers each year, but keep your indoor planting containers clean. Commercial flats can be used over and over and they usually come with trays to catch runaway water.
6. Try a mixture of vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss for seed starting. It's easy to overwater indoor starts and rot their roots. Make sure your seedlings have plenty of air circulation, a warm (but not hot) environment (70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is just about right), and plenty of strong light.
7. Don't overcrowd seeds. Encourage them to grow freely by giving them plenty of room.
8. Don't let containers and plant medium dry out completely, but don't over water them either.
9. Label and date containers. You could forget what you planted, and when you planted it!
10. Gradually toughen plants so they can survive drying winds and changing temperatures. Brush your hand gently across them daily. As they get older, consider using a fan do simulate wind for a few hours every day.
If you're looking for a home with a beautiful garden spot, contact us today! We're your area real estate specialists.
Many states in America are grappling with blizzards and freezing temperatures right now. If you're not in one of those locations, consider your self lucky! If you are, staying safe and warm is probably your primary focus.
Icy walkways and driveways can be dangerous. In some cases, not even a shovel or snow-blower can protect you from that thin, dark, barely visible layer of ice that bonds to surfaces and doesn't thaw until spring.
It can be tempting to buy chemicals at the local hardware store to remove stubborn frozen leftovers. They are very effective. But before you do buy, know what you're shopping for and understand the potential residual effects to your yard,concrete paths, and to the environment in general.
Remove Deep Snow
It is not cost effective to melt deep snow with chemicals. It can also be dangerous to the surrounding environment. Before attempting to remove ice that has bonded to your walkways and driveways remove as much of the snow as you can with a shovel, snow blower, or plow.
Although ice may appear to be frozen on top of pavement, ice actually bonds to porous surfaces. In order to properly remove the ice, it's important to actually break that bond. Some chemical products are designed to do just that. Others are designed to prevent bonds from forming at all.
Choosing Between a De-icer and an Anti-icer
All chemicals for icy winter conditions are not created equal. There are two basic groups:
1. De-icers
2. Anti-icers
De-icers are generally spread over snow or ice. Remove as much as possible before using these chemical's intended to get into the pavement's surface and break the icy bond. De-icers can actually make the snow removal process easier and less work with a much cleaner result.
Anti-icers should be applied before it snows. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way. These chemicals are designed to prevent snow and ice from bonding to paved surfaces. Many manufacturers combine the two products.
Rock Salt, 'to Use or Not to Use'
Rock salt is pretty cost effective. It's inexpensive and easy to spread. However, as harmless and natural as rock salt might seem, it has some pretty nasty side effects.
Rock salt is known to:
Potential risks researched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent manufacturers looking for environmentally-friendly alternatives. The key to using any chemical is to follow the manufacturer's instructions closely and avoid overuse.
Carefully read the label of any chemical product before you buy it. Better yet, consider strategies that will help you avoid the use of chemicals at all.
Make Technology a Part of the Plan
There are many strategies used today to combat ice. If you are building a home in a location known for harsh weather, consider incorporating some of these strategies. If you are remodeling, or rebuilding decks, sidewalks and driveways, now is a good time to consider your alternatives. You don't have to completely rebuild to simplify the process, there are alternatives you can add on with very little time or expense.
Research the use of:
Experienced property managers know maintaining and replacing dirty, worn or damaged carpeting is a major expense. There are many variables that can impact carpeting in a rental unit ranging from tenant traffic to the existence to pets to the quality of carpet you install in the first place.
While you may not have control over all factors that impact carpeting in rental units, there are many ways to extend the life of carpeting and save money when it comes to repairing and replacing it.
1. Establish clear rules for tenants who occupy your rental homes. Pets can be hard on carpeting. If you plan to preserve existing carpeting by eliminating pets from the equation, spell it out in your rental agreement and clarify whether or not you allow pets verbally with occupants. If you do plan to allow pets, plan to replace carpet more often and build a carpeting allowance into your maintenance budget. Consider requiring a non-refundable carpet cleaning fee upon move-in to be used when the tenant moves out. People who want to house their pets too are often willing to pay an increased deposit for the privilege. Make it clear that carpet damage due to pets will be recovered from the deposit.
2. Install carpeting that is durable and will withstand normal wear and tear. If you do allow pets, install less expensive carpet that can be easily replaced. It is often easier to replace carpeting than it is to clean it. Accidents and spills happen. Carpet gets worn and torn regardless of the grade you use. Rental units are notorious for frequent tenants moving in and out. When furniture is moved across the floor, floor coverings can be damaged. When you buy carpet, determine the life expectancy of the carpet and budget accordingly. There are many factors to consider when you factor the life expectancy including the types of tenants to whom you plan to rent. Including:
a. The average age of your tenants (more mature people tend to be less rough on carpets)
b. The number of children who will be living in the home
c. The climate where the home is located (excess moisture can damage carpets naturally)
d. Landscaping immediately around the home (have you installed concrete, lawn or other elements that will minimize the tracking of mud and dirt onto carpets?)
e. The average length of stay (when tenants live in a home for an extended period of time, they are more likely to take better care of the carpet-if tenants stay for more than five years, it makes sense to invest in a higher grade of carpeting.)
On Feb. 2 the National Association of Realtors' Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, said home sale statistics are skewed by the federal home buyer tax credit that sent some shoppers scrambling for a closing in 2009, and others racing to get in on a 2010 expanded and extended version of the federal break.
In fact, Yun said, pending home sales have stabilized and are up from those reported last year. The First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit threatened to sunset at the end of November in 2009. That caused an upswing in the number of homes sold. Then, the tax credit program was extended and expanded. The April 30 deadline for the extension is looming and home sales are again on the rise. The swings can be confusing.
In an NAR press release, Yun said, "These swings are masking the underlying trend, which is a broad improvement over year-ago levels. December activity was the fifth highest monthly tally in two years."
According to NAR, the Pending Housing Sales Index (PHSI) is a good market indicator. Following is a brief look at its recent performance.
Yun projects the extended and expanded tax credit will encourage 2.4 million households to take the credit in 2010. He expects new home sales to remain low, but existing home sales should rise to about 5.6 million this year. In 2009 there were 5.16 million existing-home sales. The increase in sales could help stabilize the market overall. It's simply a matter of supply and demand.
The federal government's extended and expanded home buyer tax credit continues to boost home sales throughout the United States, according to a report published by the National Association of Realtors. For the ninth consecutive month since 2001, pending home sales showed a marked increase.
According to a Dec. 22 NAR report, existing-home sales were up in November "as first-time buyers rushed to close sales before the original November 30 deadline. People hoped - but no one could be sure the tax credit would actually be extended by Congress. It was, and when it's all said and done, about 4.4 million households will claim the tax credit before it expires.
The question is, will pending home sales be self-sustaining when the tax credit expires in April 2010? Housing market experts are warning there will be a natural drop in pending and actual home sales as the rush to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit wanes.
What is the Pending Home Sales Index?
The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector. It's based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is considered "pending" when the contract's been signed but the transaction isn't yet closed. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001.
News of a sharp increase is based on contracts signed in October. The pending sales report published by NAR on Dec. 1, showed a 3.7 percent increase from September 2009. It was 31.8 percent higher than October 2008 when the housing sales crunch was sorely felt throughout America. In September the index was recorded at 110. In October, the index had increased to 114.1.
Celebrate, but be Wary
The market has been historically slow for the past year, so while the increase is good news, it is still reflective of a sluggish economy and a rebound-in-progress. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun again credits the government's housing stimulus package for unleashing "a pent-up demand from a large pool of financially qualified renters, much more than borrowing sales from the future."
The Northeast saw the greatest increase in October - 19.9 percent above September and 44.2 percent higher than it was a year ago. The Western housing market didn't fare quite as well. In fact, the index fell 11.2 percent from September to October. It's still 21.9 percent higher than it was a year ago.
The inevitable end of the tax credit is likely to cause a dip in pending sales as buyers rush to lock in their deals. The American job market continues to be weak, and that is a major factor affecting home sales. While the federal stimulus money has helped, it will not completely correct the market alone.
"Still, as inventories continue to decline and balance is gradually restored between buyers and sellers, we should reach self-sustaining housing conditions and firming home prices in most areas around the middle of 2010. That would mean broad wealth stabilization for the vast number of middle-class families," Yun said in the NAR report.
A Kinder, Gentler Tax Credit
Rushed home shoppers are breathing a little easier now that the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the famous home buyers tax credit. The extension is actually better than most home shoppers hoped for. The dust has settled and there's great news in the details of the revised program for people who need assistance qualifying for and purchasing a principal residence.
Not only can first-time homebuyers qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000, repeat home buyers could receive a tax-credit windfall of up to $6,500. Can we hear a "hallelujah?"
Here's the low-down:
In order to qualify for an $8,000 tax-credit, the purchaser must have purchased the home between Jan. 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. If a binding sales contract is in place by April 30, 2010, a purchase completed by June 30 may qualify.
Uncle Sam's gift to repeat homebuyers (this is new to the tax-credit package) is a $6,500 tax credit if the purchaser has owned a home for five consecutive years out of the prior eight years. The transaction has to take place between Nov. 6, 2009 and April 30, 2010. Binding sales contracts signed by April 30 will likely qualify if the sale is closed by June 30.
Limitations
Now, like most governmental gifts associated with tax credits, this one has some stiff limitations. The income limits have changed since the original stimulus package was announced. There are some important sales dates to remember.
1. Sales occurring after Nov. 6, 2009 and on or before April 20, 2010
2. Sales occurring between Jan. 1, 2009 and Nov. 6, 2009
Income limits for sales occurring after Nov. 6, 2009 and on or before April 20, 2010 are as follows: $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for married couples filing jointly.
The income limits for sales occurring on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and on or before Nov. 6, 2009 are $75,000 for individual taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Homes priced over $800,000 aren't eligible for either credit. Some expanded tax credit benefits are afforded members of the military, the foreign service and the intelligence community. For a detailed description of those benefits visit the official Homebuyer Tax Credit website.
More good news: homes purchased in 2010 can be claimed on an amended 2009 income tax return.
Sorry, Kids
The federal government had some concern when young - like, 3-year-old - children purchased homes in 2009 and claimed the tax credit on their parents' behalf. The original deal didn't specify how old the purchaser had to be - only that the purchaser had to meet income and homeownership requirements.
The new draft requires home purchasers be 18 or old. They can't be claimed on someone else's return and it's likely the IRS will be sticklers about this given the eyebrows raised when fraudulent claims were discovered this year.
Neither of these tax credits have to be repaid, unless the qualifying home is sold again - or stops being the buyer's principal residence within three years of the initial purchase (you can't buy a home, live in it for a few months and then rent it out).
Taxpayers will be required to submit a copy of the HUD-1 settlement statement and IRS Form 5405 to claim either tax credit.
Contact us today to find the perfect qualifying home and claim your stimulus tax credit.
More Cash for Homeowners and a Little Something for Mother Nature TooIf you're feeling left out of the home buyer's tax-credit plan because you already own your home; or, if you didn't get to cash in on the "Cash for Clunkers" stimulus incentive, never fear, the Obama Administration is proposing a new program that will warm your holiday heart (and hopefully your home).
On Tuesday, President Obama unveiled a plan for a new stimulus program called, "Cash for Caulkers."
Huh?
This program will offer homeowners a hand up by reimbursing them for energy-efficient appliances and insulation. It's all part of the master plan to bolster the country's economy.
Of course, homeowners aren't the only consideration here. (Hard to imagine, isn't it?) There's also the environment to consider, natural and renewable resources to protect and jobs to be created if all goes as planned.
Steve Nadel, director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, is helping to write the bill. He suggests a homeowner could receive up to $12,000 in rebates.
Now you're listening, aren't you?
Let's see, if you cashed in on an $8,000 tax credit, live in a state (like Utah) that awarded new homebuyers a $6,000 grant, and collect $12,000 for loving Mother Earth - that's, uh, $26,000.
It's not too late to buy a home, and the energy incentive would almost make it a wise, wise move right now.
The logic behind this proposal is to create jobs, same families money, reduce pollution and encourage the development of new, innovated energy resources.
A Little Something for Everyone
There are two elements to this program:
1. money for homeowners for efficiency projects
2. money for companies in the renewable energy and efficiency space
Private contractors (faction that has suffered dramatically during the recent economic crisis) may be able audit homes for energy efficiency. They could buy the necessary materials to make a home efficient and get paid to install it - therefore creating a new entrepreneurial opportunity for thousands.
The thought being tosses around now is a 50% rebate on the cost of equipment and the cost of installation up to $12,000. But wait, there's more: participating families would save money on energy bills too.
This proposal is still in the early planning stages. It's not clear how the money will be disbursed, how much cash individuals will have to come up with up front, how they will prevent the fraud issues that crept into the housing stimulus package or just how much of a chunk big business will get.
Stay tuned!
Got the Small (Old) Bathroom Blues?Take a Hot Bath and -- Relax
So your bathroom has all the finesse of a broom closet and the money in your wallet is fit for a thrift store fix. Even if your bathroom is small and your budget is thin, you can use creative (translation: cheap) methods to make the most of the space you have.
Go Retro
Suffering from a 70s style décor that has outlived the ages? Carefully evaluate the good points of your space - those that are salvageable - and begin to build your decorating scheme around them. Don't hate your space, learn to love it and it will love you back regardless of its decade of origin!
Do the fixtures really need to be replaced? Or will they scrub up to wear their age well? Sometimes aged tile will work right into the right color scheme to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. Get out the color palette from your local paint store and consider the colors that will bring out the best in the fixtures and other assets available to you.
Decide in advance what kind of a feel and appeal you're going for. Want the room to seem more spacious? Use bright colors, large mirrors and lots and lots of lights.
Small Doesn't Mean 'Dungeon'
Looking for a cozy den ambiance (note: broom closets are not cozy)? Dry darker, rich colors that enhance existing fixtures and décor. Shop antique shops, thrift shops, yard sales and more to find the perfect decorations to don on your walls. Buy complementary towels, wash cloths and inexpensive soap dishes, etc. to create a rich, warm appeal.
Want a chandelier over that old claw foot tub? HDTV.com Start at Home suggests creating a candle chandelier for use during a hot soak.
If You've Got it, Flaunt It
If you have artistic talents, consider creating your own mural on the wall, another suggestion from HDTV.com. Your design will be original, less expensive, and more meaningful to you.
Renting?
Just because you're renting a home, you don't have to live with the former tenant's bad taste. If the landlord refuses to let you take a brush to the walls, try using fabric instead! It's easy to remove and won't permanently change the walls.
Rental Decorating Digest calls this a quick fix, "Placing fabric on your walls is a simple process, as a matter of fact, it is just like wallpapering except you are using fabric and starch which allow you to easily remove and reuse as needed."
If you're a renter, focus on decorations you can take with you when you buy that dream home. Only buy the things you really love and start a collection you'll carry with you for a lifetime.
Inspire
Inspirational quotes on walls are all the rage right now. One of the best tools you can use to create removable lettering is the Cricut® found at craft stores everywhere. Purchasing a Cricut® of this purpose is only sane if you have plenty of rooms to embellish. Consider borrowing one from a friend or check your local library or a nearby university or college library to rent or use on the premises.
Get creative today and get rid of those old, small bathroom blues?
Is your bathroom just beyond repair? Contact us today. It's time to move and we have an amazing selections of homes with bathrooms you'll love to live in.
October Home Sales Continue Rising Trend
The National Association of Realtors is reporting yet another major gain in the uptrend of sales of existing homes. In a Nov. 23 report, NAR announced a surprising gain in October 2009 sales and declining inventories destined to stabilize falling home prices.
The association continues to credit the Fed's First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit for October's strong statistics.
According to NAR, existing-home sales surged 10.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.10 million units in October. Single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops are inclued in the count. There were only 4.94 million like home sales in October 2008. This year's numbers show a 23.5 percent increase over last year for the same month. "Sales activity is at the highest pace since February 2007 when it hit 6.55 million," the report said.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist said he is surprised by the gain, but expects a decline in sales once the rush to beat the Nov. 30 deadline for the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit has past. "With such a sale spike, a measurable decline should be anticipated in December and early next year before another surge in spring and early summer," he said.
A revised version of the tax credit has extended federal assistance through April 30. Yun projects homebuyers will continue to push to take advantage of thousands of dollars in savings by meeting the extended deadline.
The economist also credits historically low interest rates for the increase in sales. Freddie Mac is reporting a national average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage fell to 4.95 percent in October from 5.06 percent in September. The rate was 6.20 percent in October 2008. Last week, Freddie Mac reported the 30-year rate dropped to 4.83 percent.
The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $173,100 in October, according to the NAR report. That's down 7.1 percent from October 2008. Foreclosures and other distressed properties are being absorbed by a hungry market of new potential homebuyers and that can distort the median price numbers overall.
If you're looking for a great deal on a home and a chance to take advantage of the extended tax credit, contact us today!
