December Real Estate News Update
Follow this link to find interesting and useful information that
I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner,
or renter.
This month's issue includes topics such as '99 forecasts for interest
rates and real estate sales; "Should you take your house off the market
for the holidays?"; tax shelters; tax deductions; older vs. new homes;
plus a couple of "lighter side" articles.
I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments,
please email them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic
covered in future months, let me know that too!
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Materialistic?
ME???
A lawyer opened the front door of his BMW, when suddenly a car came along, ripping it off completely.
When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious car.
"Officer, look what they've done to my Beemer!!!!", he whined.
"You lawyers are so materialistic you make me sick!!!" retorted the officer.. "You're so worried about your stupid BMW, that you didn't even notice that your left arm was ripped
Oh, my god. . . .", replied the lawyer, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm one was.
"Where's my Rolex???! ! !"
He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
Wallpaper Problems?
When your wallpaper gets marred, hang a picture over the offending spot or here are some ways to fix it:
Cover a hole in wallpaper with leftover wallpaper. Tear, don't cut a piece big enough to cover the hole (irregular edges are
less noticeable than a straight line). Spread a thin layer of adhesive on the patch and place it so the pattern on the patch
matches that on the wall. Smooth the
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patch into place with a damp cloth and roll it with a seam roller. Repair a blister in
wallpaper by cutting a slit in it with a single edge razor blade. If the paper is patterned, cut along an edge in the pattern.
Lift the edge of the hole carefully. Using a small art paintbrush, spread a thin layer of wallpaper adhesive. Follow the
final instructions above. To repair loose seams, pull the seam up carefully, apply adhesive and use the seam roller
(available at hardware stores for about $3.00).
Don't be afraid to take a
big step when one is indicated. You can't cross a
chasm in two small jumps.
-David Lord George
Homes Sales Break Clarified
You can exclude up to $250,000 in capital gains from the sale of your home ($500,000 for joint filers), assuming you owned and
lived in the property at least two years. But what if you lived there less than two years? You can still benefit. Congress
has now specified that the exclusion is prorated. So, for example, if you are single and buy a place but live in it only four
months - one sixth of the full two years - you can still exclude up to $41,666 in capital gains from your taxes, or one-sixth of
the available $250,000. What a deal!!
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A Promise must never be broken.
Two high school students were despondent after a particularly grueling exam.
"How close were you to the right answers?" asked one.
"About three seats," replied the other.
-Rotary Magazine
Been to an Open House lately?
Do you find yourself dropping into open houses in the neighborhood even on days when you are really busy? Many
home owners stop at open houses just to see how their home compares to others in the neighborhood. A REALTOR®
will always welcome you. If you find yourself detouring to open houses often, you might want to ask yourself, "why?"
Perhaps you are reasonably content with your present home, but still looking for that dream home. Can you describe the
elements you want? A bigger yard, a quieter street, a first floor bedroom? If you can, call me! Some of the best homes come
on the market suddenly and sell quickly. Knowing what your dream home is, I can le you know immediately when it be
comes available.
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