 |
Vital Information For
First-Time Buyers
The first-time homebuyer Federal tax credit for $8000, record-low interest rates, and nationwide median home prices dropping to the lowest point in five years, makes this an enticing time to consider buying a home. By the way, that tax incentive isn't truly just for first-time buyers -- it's defined as those not having owned a home in the last three years. Research and knowing your options are critical. Check with your tax accountant for more details. It’s increasingly likely that Congress will extend and expand the popular home buyer tax credit, which will expire at the end of this month.
|
|
|
|
According to an article in August in the Raleigh News & Observer, 10.8 percent of buyers are motivated to buy due to Federal and state tax incentives. So far only 1.14 million buyers have filed
|
|
|
|
Relieving the Stress of Packing
Packing can be stressful time for every member of the family. To ensure that your move goes as smoothly as possible, try the following tips!
Pack a "Red Box"
Since one in five American families moves every year, that means 22 million families may be searching for their TV remote controls!
One of the pitfalls of packing for a move is you can't always anticipate what you'll need when you arrive at your new home, and movers typically list only the obvious such as dishes, glasses, bedding, etc. The miscellaneous items you need in the first few hours invariably wind up on the bottom of a random box.
To start, you may want to create your own "red box" as some moving companies ("Removers") do in Great Britain. This is the last box loaded and the first one off the truck. The one universal item in the red box is the tea kettle (perhaps this would be the coffee maker in the U.S.). This is also the place
|
|
|
|
Making Your Home Age Appropriate Creates Appeal
All of us have something in common with our homes. Sure, style, design, and location are at the top of the list, but how about age? As we age, buyers, especially the baby boomer generation, are looking to transform their homes into a place that they can stay in for as long as possible or they're hoping to find one that's already equipped for them to age-in-place.
So how old your home and you are, are reason to give some thought to if your home needs age-appropriate adaptation in order for you to be most comfortable. And, in doing so, you may actually make your home more valuable to a wider audience of buyers, should you ever sell it.
According to the National Homebuilders Association, making a home suitable for the golden years is economicaly sound. The baby boomer generation (77 million people) makes up 28 percent of the U.S. population. Assisted living for this generation can cost more than $60-thousand per year, not counting moving expenses.
That's pretty pricey. So, if you've taken some steps to make your home an age-in-place sanctuary, then make sure you highlight those renovations if you ever
|
|
|
|
|
Why I love Maui
Maui has a unique economy based on Tourism unlike other places that are based on Technology or Industry. Tourism is down along with the ecomomy but is still very strong. Maui continues to be the number one destination Island for many reasons. Here is a place that feels like another country with its warm balmy breezes all year round and lush tropical vegetation yet you're still in the "good old USA". The Hawaiian Islands are a "Safe Haven" for you and your family. You can live in a remote area and still have easy access to Home Depot, Lowe’s, Border's Book's, Starbuck's, Jamba Juice, Costco, WalMart and the list goes on. New to the West side are Barnes and Noble booksellers with a coffee shop, OutbackSteakhouse, OfficeMax, Lahaina Farms Gourmet Grocer and the Vitamin Shoppe! Maui has at least 18 micro climates. In the same day you can experience, the cool upcountry, the wet rainforest, the desert like South Shore and the perfect sunny and warm Lahaina.
Come and see for yourself if you haven't experienced this wonderful piece of paradise. There is nowhere else on Earth I'd rather be.
I have been living on Maui for over 8 years and I have purchased and sold several properties myself in addition to representing buyers and sellers. I believe Maui continues to be a great place to invest your money and a great place to be. Come and see for yourself!
Local Market Conditions
Daily News and Advice
Read about the events shaping the Real Estate market today, find current interest rates, or browse the extensive library of advice and how-to articles written by some of the top experts in Real Estate. Updated each weekday.
|
More Articles
|
|
|
