Arizona

Ever want a vacation that is totally different? Let me tell you; If you live anywhere in the mid-west or east-after living in an oasis of trees, rain, grass, and the critters that come with it, Arizona is the place you should choose.

There is nothing more arid, land that has been stripped of trees and grass, more brown and less green than this landscape. Getting back to basics...that's what it is. Rocks, dirt...lots of dirt..., critters all in search of water and food. And that includes the 2 legged kind. Speaking of critters- a whole new variety exists in the the world of Arizona. From scorpions to black widow spiders to rattle snakes, the landscape teams of creepy crawly dangerous things.

Yet there is a beauty here that one cannot find anywhere else. Rocks can be and are beautiful. Reds and blacks, and crystals, golds and silvers and turquoise. Cactus are beautiful. Dangerous if you fall back on or into one but their beauty is something to behold especially when they flower.

BLOG BLOG BLOG: Tax Credit...do you know the latest?

BLOG BLOG BLOG: Tax Credit...do you know the latest?

Tax Credit...do you know the latest?

I have a new link on the front page about the new/continuing tax credits for both first time and existing home owners to consider. It's a great motivational tool for the person in the right position.

Thinking of Buying? WOW! great time. and, by the way...don't waste any time...this has been extended to APRIL. Don't miss out.

Thinking of Selling? Here is an additional incentive! Up to $6500 tax credit for you.
Look into it...check it out...go up to the link now and see if this is something that would benefit you!

What's HOT and - NOT

Trends have certainly changed since the economy has change. One would not recognize the turn of events and, if you were caught up in the trends a few years ago... you might be disappointed to know that a lot of those are a thing of the past! Perhaps you spent a lot of money only to find that the country is going for recycled and more efficient, more energy conscious? You decide.
For what is in:

Recycled counter tops. Granite- still good but losing out to other materials like: Pressed Paper? How about Eco counter tops made of porcelain, salvaged items like glass and old mirrors? Guess I'll just have to hold out a little longer until I can see this trend over Granite.

Natural Flooring. Vinyl and Tile...still good choices but..cork, bamboo, and Marmoleum are coming on strong.--never heard of Marmoleum? Really? Don't feel so bad...but look it up. You will probably recognize it. And it is supposed to be cheaper, as well. I think it looks a little like the old linoleum squares of old-really old.
LED Lights. This one I can hold on to. I like what I've seen and they seem to work well.

Decorative Back splashes. You've seen these on HGTV: glass, tile, pebbles. I would personally keep in mind the 'ease of cleaning' factor when choosing to one.
Mixed Materials.You know the trouble you went to matching all your cabinets and counter tops? Not so much. I'm not sure would endorse this one completely but then, I haven't seen a lot of homes embrace this one as yet.
What's Out:
Whirlpool Baths. Why? Because most owners found they don't want to use them all the time and there is upkeep and cleaning issues for those LARGE garden style tubs.

Heavy Ornamentation. This one was never a big hit with me, anyway. Cleaner lines, less ornamental and more contemporary are the order of this day.
Soffits. With the advent of the 'old style-new 42" cabinets becoming so popular, I'm not surprised. Soffits create dead space that can't be used for anything - not even as a shelf to show off collectibles.
Anything over the top, glitzy, or not energy efficient is making its way out of the door and out of the picture.

So, what do you think? Are you looking at all the shinning brass hardware and wondering if it's time to slip into something more subtle? or consider some energy saving choices ? Have you gone GREEN yet or thinking about it? I'm thinking of waiting till the wheel spins again back in the style I have now. Just not sure how many more years I will have to wait.

The end and a new beginning

I lost a mentor, friend, mother, and roll model this week. She decided when she was ready to go. She left with dignity. And isn't that the way it should be?
She said I was her 'jewel' . For me, she was my heart.

She was the person I called to talk to every day of my life. She greeted each call as if she hadn't heard from me in a long time. She treated each conversation with enthusiasm deserving of the most interesting story she'd heard. She gave me her advice when asked and listened to my council. She was my fiercest defender and my greatest cheerleader. She was eager to learn new things and eager to hear the latest adventure of the family. She was not perfect and recognized her imperfections but only called attention to the ones we never paid attention to like the size of her ears, nose, and feet; thinning hair. When I looked at her I saw none of these. She was MOM not perfect or imperfect. She just was.

My mom. My friend; my heart. She gave much and asked for little in return. She loved much and hoped for some to be returned. And it was. I will miss the daily conversations; the council I need from time to time; and the love and hugs I which were passed out liberally. How one person can be so fortunate to have such a person in their lives as she had in mine. Great memories. Great support. Great love. Great Mom. My heart.

I've been a little busy lately

This entry is a catch up. I intended this blog to be about real estate and, in a way it still is.

I have reached the point in my life when it is now my turn to help my parents as they helped me so many times in my past. They are now in their 80's and have recently had to leave their home to move to assisted living. To prepare for the move-my parents counted on me to decide what to do and when to do it. This is not a fun place to be!I researched the options available to try to make a good decision. I don't know how others have fared but I would love to hear from some. This blog tells a little of the journey.

I was able to visit 8 or 9 facilities before a hospital stay and broken bones my mother suffered caused us to run out of time and for me to pray I would make the right choice.

Some of the choices in facilities were easy to pass over and others more difficult. The reasons range from too far away to too expensive. They run the gamut between an upscale apartment building to looking like a decaying old building that one might not wish on anyone of that or any age. The pricing is astronomical no mater where one goes but I did find out that there is assistance if one has served in a war in the military. That will be one of my next steps to help finance this move.

After her a hospital stay it seemed to perfect point at which to make the move. My parents are moved. The was made because I wanted them closer to me and remembering the gut feeling I had on the first visit. Not very scientific. Summerville at Chestnut Hill. My prayers were answered. It has been a good choice.

Summerville is a newer facility in Gahanna. The outside looks a little deceiving. It reminds me of a resort or lodge. I like that. Stone on the front. When you enter, it is into a great room. To the left of the center hall is the dining hall. The center hall has a grand piano. To the right of the great room are comfortable sofas and chairs and a flat screen TV. Closer to the entry there are 3 computers that are available for residents to use-I liked that, too. There are tables and chairs behind the sofas that are used for occasional resident parties and the entire area is used for seating when guest musicians come to entertain. There are several patios around. There are lounge chairs at the front entry and side porches...that lodge feeling again.

My mother said she feels relieved not to go through another winter in her other 'home'. No snow to deal with. No groceries to worry about. The doctor and nurses are 'on-site'. She also said she enjoys the peace and quiet after her 3 times a week dialysis treatments.
My dad enjoy it as well? Not so much He doesn't know this side of town and with some dementia going on, won't be driving. I think he is a little relieved that he never 'lost' his license. Not knowing is way around this end of town has helped him know he doesn't really want to venture out. He misses his garden. He has never 'socialized' so this enviroment has been a trial for him. The growing sense of loosing his memory complicates the move. Today, however, there is some hope. He said he's beginning to get used to the place and it 'isn't so bad'.
He also loves it when his grandson comes up to play pool with him...did I mention it had a poker table and a pool table? Very cool.

Now, to the 'real estate' part of this blog. What does one do with the family home?
In this case...a MOBILE HOME. My parents moved to this home after my sister and I left to start our lives. My mother was brought up with the the rule of my grandfather-if you can't pay cash- you don't need it. Those 'Depression' years made a lot of folks have strict ideas on spending money. We are beginning to see that strict idea thing coming back.

Mobile Homes don't sell quite as fast as a home on a fixed spot. They are 'titled' just like a car. They don't appreciate the same way a home does. But they can maintain value. And, when you throw in a few more items into the mix...i.e. washer/dryer, furniture...it could be a good thing to help get it sold.

I'll let you know how it goes.

a part of life

A part of life we don't like to think about is growing older and what those changes might mean in our everyday life. For me, it just meant slowing down. Not stopping. Enjoying life; not being challenged by it. Spending some of that hard earned money on whims or visiting grandchildren; not counting each penny. I never thought about a home becoming an obstacle to every day living!

Part of everyone's life is facing these challenges whether they are happening to you or to loved ones. And finding answers to these can be difficult! Challenging. Tiring. Depressing. Uplifting. Frustrating. But they do or will happen to one and all.

My personal experience comes into play here because I have parents who are requiring some additional help. Help cleaning, cooking, groceries, Dr. appointments, dialysis trips, hair appointments, social trips to visit relatives, in general- everything day-to-day that one might think of. I will use this forum to help in my own small way...anyone who wants to get some answers.

How do we take care of all these things? Well, we better figure it out because, if you are a baby-boomer like me, your turn is coming next! And figuring it out is oh so critical!

BUYERS SEMINAR

I'm sure you have heard of them before. Meet with Realtors, loan officers, and other business people to see what the process is going to be like if you decide to purchase a new home.

Well, there are a lot of new things out there that people should know and now is the time to find out just how they will affect you!

There is a tax credit that could help you. Up to $8,000! Home inspections..should you get one? What happens when? I have a time line that will tell you exactly what happens, when it happens and how much it's going to cost!

Check it out. Thursday, March 12 from 6:30 to 8:00
Here is the address: 6525 W. Campus Oval Suite 100. We're giving away prizes...but you have to register...call 614-273-8701 today!

The long awaited Tax Credit for 1st Time Home Buyers

The 2009 Economic Stimulus Bill, signed into law on February 17th, includes a tax
credit for first time homebuyers. All qualifying homebuyers are entitled to take
advantage of this one-time tax credit.

Up to $8,000 tax credit. The tax credit is equal to the lesser of $8,000 or
10% of the purchase price of the home for first time homebuyers who
purchase a home after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.

This replaces a previous $7,500 tax credit that was scheduled to expire on
July 1, 2009.

Income requirements. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000
and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 can qualify for the
full tax credit.

First time buyers. Individuals who have not owned a home in the past
three years are considered first time buyers.

Residency requirements. For homes purchased after January 1, 2009, this
tax credit does not need to be repaid if the home is occupied as the buyer’s
personal residence for the first three years from the date of purchase.
Prior to this new legislation the former $7,500 tax credit was required to be
recaptured over a period of 15 years or when the home was sold.

Tax returns. A provision permits taxpayers to claim the tax credit
for homes purchased during 2009 on their 2008 tax return.

It's all in the timing

Not so long ago we were talking about 'flipping' houses and making money!!
Guess what!! In this age of foreclosures and bank-owned homes...we are talking about 'flipping' once again.

Only this time, it's a little different. The prices are good. The properties require a lot of work in some cases, and the return will not be Huge amounts you might expect - oh yes, and it will take some time to sell. But the gains are there. The temptation to dabble in the market is strong especially when there is such an abundance of properties out there from which to choose!

January Woes? or just January Snows?

The world...or at least my part of it..seems to have come to a halt. The snows have come and a lot of businesses are closed. What are you doing today? Is your company one that closed? Are children off school? Do you revel in the day or worry what tomorrow will bring? Is your electric out because of the ice? (Well, you wouldn't be reading this if it were..so pretty silly question)
So, what does a realtor do when everything seems to shut down? Write new ads; update web sites; get ready for the February news letter; file everything I've put off for this kind of day; set up showings and get ready for listings; review presentations and update obsolete information; work on taxes; make phone calls and on and on. Because! January snows bring February buyers. And I'm going to be ready to greet them.

How is the market today?

The Real Estate market is looking a little brighter today than a year ago.

The election is over. The winner declared. The job market has been bleak but there are signs on the horizon that things will get better soon. So, how does all this translate to Real Estate?

In a years time, out listing numbers have gone from 20,000 +/- on the market for sale down to 16,000 +/- . So, then, how many sales does that translate into when all things are considered? Actually, when there were 20,000 listings, in a given month there were about 1400 sales and when there are 16,000 ...1400 to 1600 sales.
So, where did those other 4,000 listings go? Sellers may have let the listing expire and came back on in 30 days with a new number. The houses could have expired and the Sellers decided not to put them back on the market. Or, the houses could be withdrawn by the Seller waiting for a better market.

It's difficult to think that property values have decreased and the properties that do sell are often lower than what the Seller wants. Fortunately, there is a flip side to that. The Seller who sells and then buys, can now expect the same type of sale...more house for less money.

So, what does the future hold? Let me get my crystal ball out and see!
IF I could pick...I'd say..all things considered, prices will probably stabalize in the next 6 months and remain lower but steady. Buyers will begin to have a renewed interest in purchasing because they will be tired of renting and watching their money go away to the land lord. People still want a good investment and I still believe that buying your own home is a Great investment. Always has been. Hopefully, always will be!!