Real Estate Information

This is some really great succinct information I received from colleagues in South Florida today!  I found it very informative and hope you do as well.

There are many tax credits that have returned for 2013 such as solar and high efficiency appliances including heat pumps.  When the "Fiscal Cliff" bill was signed on January 2, on of the provisions included a retroactive reinstatement of the federal tax credits for various furnaces and heat pump systems.

The essentials:

• Retroactive to all purchases made from 01/01/12
• Effective for purchases made until 12/31/13
• Furnaces (95% AFUE or higher) qualify for $150
• Heat Pump Systems (8.5 HSPF / 12.5 EER / 15 SEER) qualify for $300
• Advanced fan (most variable speed fans) qualifies for $50

Tax Credit Defined - A tax credit is a direct reduction in the tax liabililty.  This means it's similar to getting a rebate or cash back.  Please remember you must have paid or will have to pay that tax amount before the credit is given.  If someone does not pay taxes there is no credit available.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. 

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. 

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. 

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage. 

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime. 

P.S. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him. He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem. 

Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder.

Why wait until Spring to list your home?  The buyers aer not waiting to buy. 

There is something about the transition to a new calendar year that gets everyone excited about change!  It is a time for fresh starts, new looks, resolutions.  And for many who want to buy a home, it is a time to get out there and start looking.  As of the beginning of the year we have picked up several new buyers and our listings are REALLY being shown.  If you are not ready, call us and we can set up a plan to get your house in showing condition!

With the first few months of the new year comes some pretty unpredictable weather.  If you have your house listed, you want to make sure that you do not miss a showing.  Are your walks and driveway cleared of all ice and snow?  Even if the walk is cleared except fore one really small patch of ice, it could cause someone to fall.  It could be the buyer for your house or the Realtor.  I have known of more than one Realtor that has broken an ankle because of ice when looking at houses.  As a home owner, it is also a liability to you.  Could it affect the rate of your insurance? 

Since so many days are cloudy and it gets dark early, be sure and turn on all of the indoor lights as well as outdoor lights for a showing.  Lots of lights seem to say welcome and set yoiur house apart from the rest.  We want the buyer to feel welcome and cozy when they step inside your door.

Though we have all gotten a little tired of the term "Fiscal Cliff" I thought I would send out a summary email with the changes in the law that affect property owners. This information was compiled by the National Association of Realtors and includes........

Mortgage cancellation relief is extended until January 1st, 2014. This is for people doing short sales and not wanting to be taxed on the amount shorted to the bank.

Deductions for mortgage insurance premiums, for filers making under $110,000, is extended through 2013 and is retroactive for 2012.

The energy efficiency tax credit of 10% (up to $500) was extended through 2013 for improvements to EXISTING homes.

Capital gains rate: This stays at 15% for those making under $400k/$450k. After that tax rate is now 20%. The $250k/$500k exclusion for the sale of a single family residence stays in place.

Estate Tax: The first $5m in individual estates and $10m in family estates are now exempt from estate taxes. After that the rate is 40%.

So some headway has been made. Now it's time for congress to get back to work and finish the deal.

Have a great, happy, and healthy new year!

Respectfully,

Glenda Williamson

When I was growing up, Christmas stockings were one of the favorite parts of mine and my sister’s Christmas.  Mom and dad would have to wake us up, believe it or not, but we went to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve so we weren’t early risers.  We’d come down the steps, Christmas music would be playing, our Grandma was there and the stockings were full and waiting for us.  We would get so excited opening them!!  All the little trinkets and toys that we would get so excited over!   It was the first thing we could open while our mom made breakfast because we had to eat before we opened our presents; how awful for kids!!!!  But, it did make Christmas Day last a little bit longer, and that was the whole point.

~~ Janet Klump

Client Coordinator at GWR

UPDATE:  Toys for Tots just stopped by and emptied our bins, our goal is to fill them up again by Friday, 12/21.  Please stop by and drop of new unwrapped toys.  Specifically for girls of all ages!!!  TFT ASAP!  Drop off your toy and say Hi and Merry Christmas!  1110 W. Arbor Drive, Decatur

Toys for Tots is a wonderful tradition started by the US Marine Corps.  If you want a quick and easy way to contribute, stop by any Walgreens store, go to the toy aisle and fill up your shopping cart!  They have a large selection of name brand toys for $6.99 ea or 3 for $13.98.  It doesn’t get any easier (or affordable) than that. . . . . . . what are you waiting for?

~Marcia Comerford (that's me below placing my bargain toys in our bin!)

Zig Zigler - What a phenomenal Christian man!  So up-beat and full of energy!  I first met Zig Zigler in my early days of Real Estate.  I was a new agent at Tom Brinkoetter and Company When the Civic Center was new.  He was the keynote speaker at the grand opening and I won the grand door prize, which was a large portfolio of tapes of his.  I was very excited and spent many hours listening!!  I have seen him several times since and have always had great admiration for him. Wednesday marked the passing of Zig Ziglar, an inspiring motivational speaker and great American.  He was known for his many successes in the field of corporate training, public speaking and publishing, and will be remembered by most for his life and carreer improving insight.  Here is a short list published by Forbes magazine of Mr. Ziglar's top ten quotes. 10) “Remember that failure is an event, not a person.” 9) “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.” 8 ) “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.” 7) “There has never been a statue erected to honor a critic.” 6) “People don’t buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons.” 5) “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst. Capitalize on what comes.” 4) “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.” 3) “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” 2) “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” 1) “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.” Rest in peace, Zig! Respectfully, Glenda Williamson Glenda Williamson Realty

10 Good Reasons to Sell Your Home During the HOLIDAYS!

1. People looking are more serious about buying.
2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from, less inventory available, so you have less competition.
3. Houses tend to "show better" with holiday decor.
4. After the holidays the supply of listings increases substantially which lowers the demand for your home.
5. Buyers can be more emotional during the holiday season.
6. Buyers have more time to look during the holiday, as opposed to normal work schedules at non-seasonal times.
7. many will buy to take advantage of year-end tax benefits.
8. January is the month for some job transfers.  If transferees cannot wait until spring, you must be on the market!
9. You can sell now, but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if you prefer.
10. By selling now you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when more houses are on the market.

BOTTOM LINE:  By marketing your home now, there may actually be fewer showings, but there will be more qualified buyers looking at your home.

THE REASON:  Less Competition!