Dear Fellow REALTOR®,
By now, we all know about the severe devastation caused by the earthquakes in Haiti. NAR is helping answer the calls for help in two key ways.
First, we are contributing $550,000 to charities that will help bring much-needed supplies and care to the people of Haiti. Included in that sum is $100,000 donated by our REALTOR Benefits® Program partner, Lowe’s®, which we have matched at $100,000. From that we will donate $50,000 to The Harvest of Haiti, founded by REALTOR® Patrick Moore, a 2007 Good Neighbor Award winner. Patrick has done great work for several years in Haiti supporting orphans, delivering clean water and providing medical care for more than 3,500 people a year.
http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2010/01/donate_haiti
We are also contributing $500,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, which is supporting earthquake recovery efforts with immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. For up-to-the-minute information about these efforts, visit NAR’s Haiti relief page on REALTOR.org.
Second, I have asked NAR to accept donations from REALTORS® through the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. Please consider giving today. To make a donation, go to www. realtor.org/relief, and complete the contribution form.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
REALTORS® have earned a reputation for our compassionate work on behalf of others – both here in the United State and around the world. I hope you will join our latest efforts and bring that same compassion and hope to people who desperately need it.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tax Credits for Adding or Replacing Insulation
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Gil Rudawsky
Adding insulation is one of the easier and cheaper ways to improve your home's energy efficiency and cut your heating and cooling bills. If putting a dent in your home's heating and cooling bills is a priority, then adding insulation needs to be at the top of your to-do list. It's a relatively affordable home-improvement project, and the savings can be felt almost immediately. Some DIYers can even tackle the project themselves over a weekend. For a 2,200 square foot home, adding insulation to an attic can cost from $1,000 to $2,500 including labor, depending
on how much you put in and how easy it is to install. Effort and expense go up when you add insulation to exterior walls or around hard-to-reach ductwork. A federal energy tax credit worth up to $1,500 can help defray the cost. It all comes down to R-value Insulation is measured in R-value, the resistance to heat flow. The higher the number the better the insulating power.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-values (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html) between 30 and 60 for most attics. Take a peek in yours. If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, then you probably need more. There are different types of insulation, including fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, spray foam, foam board, and cotton
batting. The most familiar is pink fiberglass roll insulation. If you're not sure what's best suited for your home, check with an insulation contractor. Just about all insulation qualifies for the energy tax credit (more below) as long as its primary purpose is to insulate-insulated siding, for example, doesn't count-and it brings your home up to recommended R-value guidelines.
Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table), a joint program of the DOE and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, suggests R-38 insulation for most attics (or about 12-15 inches, depending on the insulation type). In colder climates, R-49 may be required. The DOE's online calculator (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs%2bwalls/insulation/ins_16.html) can recommend R-values for all areas of your home's
"envelope": attic, walls, floors, basement, and crawl spaces. Generally, most homes built before 1980 have inadequate insulation. The easiest insulation to add is blown loose-fill insulation. You'll probably need to hire a contractor. Since insulating an attic isn't too complicated, you can get quotes at least three-by phone. However, get a copy of the quote in writing before work starts, and be sure it specifies Rvalue. Michael Kwart, executive director of the Insulation Contractors Association of America (http://www.insulate.org/), recommends rolled insulation for do-it-yourselfers. New insulation can be added on top of existing insulation.
Savings and sustainability can add up Depending on where you live and how much insulation you already have, adding more can trim heating and cooling
costs anywhere from 10% to 50%. A homeowner in the Northeast with an uninsulated attic, for instance, can save about $600 a year by adding about 15 inches of insulation (R-38) between the rafters, according to the Energy Department. Just 6 inches can net annual savings of about $200.
The $1,500 federal tax credit (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index) can be applied toward 30% of the cost of insulation installed in your primary residence during 2009 and 2010. Let's say you spend $1,760 on enough R-38 roll fiberglass to insulate the attic of your 2,200 square foot home. That's $40 per 50 square feet retail, a fair estimate. You'll be able to subtract $528 (30% of $1,760) straight off the top of your tax bill, as long as you paid
more in federal taxes than you're claiming in credits. Since a typical homeowner won't be able to use up the entire tax credit on insulation alone, the remainder can be applied to other qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades like new windows
(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-credits-replacing-windows-doors-and-skylights/) or roofing (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-credits-replacing-your-roof/). Just keep in mind that the total credit claimed for all of these improvements can't exceed $1,500 for the two-year period.
Save receipts, and if a contractor did the work, get a receipt that's itemized. Labor costs, typically 25% of the total bill, according to Kwart, don't count toward the tax credit. There's no need to file receipts when you claim the credit on
Form 5695, but the IRS could ask you to cough one up later. Also hold on to product stickers from packaging that show R-values and manufacturers' certification statements that attest to tax-credit worthiness. Check manufacturers' websites
for a copy of the statement. If you're building a new home, you're out of luck; only existing homes qualify for this tax credit, which can't be carried over into future years. Adding insulation is just the beginning In conjunction with adding new insulation, conduct a whole-house energy audit
(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/paid-energy-audits-the-costs-and-benefits/) to find other ways to reduce power consumption and save even more on monthly bills. Caulk around drafty windows and doors, and stop gaps in siding and the foundation, says Matt Golden, president and founder of San Francisco-based Sustainable Spaces
(http://www.sustainablespaces.com/). Reducing a home's air leakage by 25% can lower annual energy costs by about $300, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (http://www.lbl.gov/). This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Gil Rudawsky has been covering business and consumer issues as a reporter and an editor for 18 years, most recently as a business editor at the Rocky Mountain News. He lives in a house built in the 1930s, and always keeps the home's character in mind when making upgrades.
By: Gil Rudawsky
Adding insulation is one of the easier and cheaper ways to improve your home's energy efficiency and cut your heating and cooling bills. If putting a dent in your home's heating and cooling bills is a priority, then adding insulation needs to be at the top of your to-do list. It's a relatively affordable home-improvement project, and the savings can be felt almost immediately. Some DIYers can even tackle the project themselves over a weekend. For a 2,200 square foot home, adding insulation to an attic can cost from $1,000 to $2,500 including labor, depending
on how much you put in and how easy it is to install. Effort and expense go up when you add insulation to exterior walls or around hard-to-reach ductwork. A federal energy tax credit worth up to $1,500 can help defray the cost. It all comes down to R-value Insulation is measured in R-value, the resistance to heat flow. The higher the number the better the insulating power.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-values (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html) between 30 and 60 for most attics. Take a peek in yours. If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, then you probably need more. There are different types of insulation, including fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool, spray foam, foam board, and cotton
batting. The most familiar is pink fiberglass roll insulation. If you're not sure what's best suited for your home, check with an insulation contractor. Just about all insulation qualifies for the energy tax credit (more below) as long as its primary purpose is to insulate-insulated siding, for example, doesn't count-and it brings your home up to recommended R-value guidelines.
Energy Star (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table), a joint program of the DOE and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, suggests R-38 insulation for most attics (or about 12-15 inches, depending on the insulation type). In colder climates, R-49 may be required. The DOE's online calculator (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs%2bwalls/insulation/ins_16.html) can recommend R-values for all areas of your home's
"envelope": attic, walls, floors, basement, and crawl spaces. Generally, most homes built before 1980 have inadequate insulation. The easiest insulation to add is blown loose-fill insulation. You'll probably need to hire a contractor. Since insulating an attic isn't too complicated, you can get quotes at least three-by phone. However, get a copy of the quote in writing before work starts, and be sure it specifies Rvalue. Michael Kwart, executive director of the Insulation Contractors Association of America (http://www.insulate.org/), recommends rolled insulation for do-it-yourselfers. New insulation can be added on top of existing insulation.
Savings and sustainability can add up Depending on where you live and how much insulation you already have, adding more can trim heating and cooling
costs anywhere from 10% to 50%. A homeowner in the Northeast with an uninsulated attic, for instance, can save about $600 a year by adding about 15 inches of insulation (R-38) between the rafters, according to the Energy Department. Just 6 inches can net annual savings of about $200.
The $1,500 federal tax credit (http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index) can be applied toward 30% of the cost of insulation installed in your primary residence during 2009 and 2010. Let's say you spend $1,760 on enough R-38 roll fiberglass to insulate the attic of your 2,200 square foot home. That's $40 per 50 square feet retail, a fair estimate. You'll be able to subtract $528 (30% of $1,760) straight off the top of your tax bill, as long as you paid
more in federal taxes than you're claiming in credits. Since a typical homeowner won't be able to use up the entire tax credit on insulation alone, the remainder can be applied to other qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades like new windows
(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-credits-replacing-windows-doors-and-skylights/) or roofing (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/tax-credits-replacing-your-roof/). Just keep in mind that the total credit claimed for all of these improvements can't exceed $1,500 for the two-year period.
Save receipts, and if a contractor did the work, get a receipt that's itemized. Labor costs, typically 25% of the total bill, according to Kwart, don't count toward the tax credit. There's no need to file receipts when you claim the credit on
Form 5695, but the IRS could ask you to cough one up later. Also hold on to product stickers from packaging that show R-values and manufacturers' certification statements that attest to tax-credit worthiness. Check manufacturers' websites
for a copy of the statement. If you're building a new home, you're out of luck; only existing homes qualify for this tax credit, which can't be carried over into future years. Adding insulation is just the beginning In conjunction with adding new insulation, conduct a whole-house energy audit
(http://www.houselogic.com/articles/paid-energy-audits-the-costs-and-benefits/) to find other ways to reduce power consumption and save even more on monthly bills. Caulk around drafty windows and doors, and stop gaps in siding and the foundation, says Matt Golden, president and founder of San Francisco-based Sustainable Spaces
(http://www.sustainablespaces.com/). Reducing a home's air leakage by 25% can lower annual energy costs by about $300, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (http://www.lbl.gov/). This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
Gil Rudawsky has been covering business and consumer issues as a reporter and an editor for 18 years, most recently as a business editor at the Rocky Mountain News. He lives in a house built in the 1930s, and always keeps the home's character in mind when making upgrades.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Coldwell Banker Seaside & Seaside Vacations Lend A Hand To Those In Need
When it comes to helping those in need, Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty are committed to making a difference each and every day.
KITTY HAWK, NC (January 8, 2010) — Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty, leading vacation rental and real estate firms located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, are committed to improving the community each and every day. Their “Vacation with a Purpose” program encourages employees, homeowners and guests to join their mission and support local non-profit organizations.
They make a difference by building homes for low-income families, providing assistance to those in need and raising funds for charitable organizations. They support organizations such as the Albemarle Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Interfaith Community Outreach, Homes4NC, Dare Education Foundation, The Beach Food Pantry, The Baltimore Station (a charity supporting men, most of whom are veterans, who are transitioning from the cycle of poverty, substance abuse and homelessness to self-sufficiency) and more.
In addition to their year-long efforts, this holiday season they also sponsored The Angel Tree – a non-profit organization that provides much-needed clothing, wished-for toys and other items to the area’s neediest children. This year, Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty chose to support a needy family in Hyde County.
“I am very pleased at the willingness and excitement to support The Angel Tree program. After we matched the contributions from our employees and vendors, we were able to provide what will surely be a wonderful Christmas for a local family, “says Gordon Jones, President of Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty would also like to thank the local businesses who help make our donations possible. Special thanks to Travel Guard and VBL Technologies as well as High Cotton – who graciously hosted their holiday donation celebration.
KITTY HAWK, NC (January 8, 2010) — Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty, leading vacation rental and real estate firms located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, are committed to improving the community each and every day. Their “Vacation with a Purpose” program encourages employees, homeowners and guests to join their mission and support local non-profit organizations.
They make a difference by building homes for low-income families, providing assistance to those in need and raising funds for charitable organizations. They support organizations such as the Albemarle Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Interfaith Community Outreach, Homes4NC, Dare Education Foundation, The Beach Food Pantry, The Baltimore Station (a charity supporting men, most of whom are veterans, who are transitioning from the cycle of poverty, substance abuse and homelessness to self-sufficiency) and more.
In addition to their year-long efforts, this holiday season they also sponsored The Angel Tree – a non-profit organization that provides much-needed clothing, wished-for toys and other items to the area’s neediest children. This year, Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty chose to support a needy family in Hyde County.
“I am very pleased at the willingness and excitement to support The Angel Tree program. After we matched the contributions from our employees and vendors, we were able to provide what will surely be a wonderful Christmas for a local family, “says Gordon Jones, President of Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty.
Seaside Vacations and Coldwell Banker Seaside Realty would also like to thank the local businesses who help make our donations possible. Special thanks to Travel Guard and VBL Technologies as well as High Cotton – who graciously hosted their holiday donation celebration.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
HEATHER SAKERS' STATS 2009
Despite what it may have seemed, 2009 was an incredibly busy year with real estate sales on the Outer Banks!
I finished the year ranked #5 in my company of 54 agents in both our Kitty Hawk & Nags Head offices, and ranked #38 in the entire OBX MLS of 442 active (sales producing) agents of which only 246 sold $1 million + in total volume.
I closed 16 transactions with $5,006,000 in total sales volume.
Contact me today for a buying or selling consultation and see why I am consistently a top producer with Coldwell Banker!
REFER SOMEONE YOU KNOW INTERESTED IN BUYING OR SELLING OBX REAL ESTATE TO JOIN MY MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING TO RECEIVE ONE FREE MOWING ON YOUR OBX PROPERTY*
*Drawing will be on March 1, 2010 and gift coupon must be redeemed with Green Giant Landscaping by April 30th, 2010. Be sure to send your referral's name and email address along with your name, current email and contact number to heather@seasiderealty.com with subject "obx mowing raffle". All entries must be received by 5:00 pm on February 28, 2010. Winning lot size not to exceed 20,000 SQ FT.*
I finished the year ranked #5 in my company of 54 agents in both our Kitty Hawk & Nags Head offices, and ranked #38 in the entire OBX MLS of 442 active (sales producing) agents of which only 246 sold $1 million + in total volume.
I closed 16 transactions with $5,006,000 in total sales volume.
Contact me today for a buying or selling consultation and see why I am consistently a top producer with Coldwell Banker!
REFER SOMEONE YOU KNOW INTERESTED IN BUYING OR SELLING OBX REAL ESTATE TO JOIN MY MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING TO RECEIVE ONE FREE MOWING ON YOUR OBX PROPERTY*
*Drawing will be on March 1, 2010 and gift coupon must be redeemed with Green Giant Landscaping by April 30th, 2010. Be sure to send your referral's name and email address along with your name, current email and contact number to heather@seasiderealty.com with subject "obx mowing raffle". All entries must be received by 5:00 pm on February 28, 2010. Winning lot size not to exceed 20,000 SQ FT.*
10 Reasons To Market Your House During the Winter
1. Fewer Showings - Yes there are less buyers, but those buyers that are left are usually very serious about making a purchase.
2. Less Competition - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays- Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations.
4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month- Did you know that more corporate moves happen during the month of January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter!
5. Timing - By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
6. More Time to Get Top Dollar - By starting to market your home early you may be able to secure a higher price.
7. Great Time to Shop - If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter; this is a great time to find a bargain
8. More Advertising- Because most agent and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be advertised more often than during the spring months.
9. More Attention - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage.
10. The Market - Today’s interest rates are at forty-year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
2. Less Competition - Most people wait until spring and summer to list their home, which means during the winter you will have far less competition than at any other time of the year.
3. Homes Show Better During the Holidays- Buyers love homes that can tell a story. The holidays are a great time to show homes because the home is usually dressed up for holiday celebrations.
4. January is the Biggest Transfer Month- Did you know that more corporate moves happen during the month of January than at any other time of year? This may be a great reason to list your home during the winter!
5. Timing - By putting the home on the market during the winter you may be able to more easily hit your moving goals!
6. More Time to Get Top Dollar - By starting to market your home early you may be able to secure a higher price.
7. Great Time to Shop - If your home sells quickly you will be able to shop for your next home during the winter; this is a great time to find a bargain
8. More Advertising- Because most agent and offices have less inventory during the winter your home may be advertised more often than during the spring months.
9. More Attention - Most agents will be able to devote more specialized attention to your needs during the winter because they have less clients to manage.
10. The Market - Today’s interest rates are at forty-year lows. This gives buyers more spending power, and will be even more important when you begin shopping for your next home!
Foreclosure Rates Decline
It was recently reported that the number of foreclosures in the month of November decreased 8 percent from November 2008. This is the fourth consecutive month that the foreclosure rates have decreased. Default notices on properties have also been on the decline.
States with the highest foreclosure rates are:
NevadaFlorida
California
Arizona
Idaho
Michigan
Illinois
Utah
Maryland
New Jersey
Four states account for more than 50 percent of actual foreclosures: California, Florida, Illinois, and Michigan.
States with the highest foreclosure rates are:
NevadaFlorida
California
Arizona
Idaho
Michigan
Illinois
Utah
Maryland
New Jersey
Four states account for more than 50 percent of actual foreclosures: California, Florida, Illinois, and Michigan.
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