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Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Spacious and Updated!
Gorgeous Waterfront Home!
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Realty Times - Holiday Home Safety
Realty Times - Holiday Home Safety
"Holiday Home Safety
by Carla Hill
The holiday season should be a time to celebrate family and friends. We travel across town and state in order to be near to those we hold dear. This joyous season, however, is also a time to take extra care. Inclement weather and other pitfalls can put a real damper on this year's celebration.Here are a few things to keep an eye on this season. It can be tempting to post our future plans on social media site. "Can't wait to go to Grandma's tonight for some of her famous apple pie." "We just arrived at our hotel. I can't believe we have two weeks of ocean views!" We want to share our excitement about upcoming vacation and trips! Safety experts, however, recommend against this type of sharing. Sharing travel plans can open yourself and your home up to burglary. Thieves can take advantage of this green light. Do you trust all those on your "friends" list? This may be, but friends of friends may be less than savory characters. It can be hard to resist posting about the fun you are having, but save the photos, tweets, and status updates for when you return. If you simply must post about your vacation, try and keep posts vague, keeping the reader guessing if you're out of town or not! Is it time for you to invest in a security system? There are many products on the market today that can help homeowners have a little piece of mind while traveling. If the budget allows, you could have a professional alarm monitoring system installed. Tighter budgets might mean getting creative. Many homeowners are finding they can set up their own camera system to monitor remotely. You could also employ the help of "at home for the break" college students to housesit. Many students love the opportunity for some quiet R&R all while making an extra buck. As a final measure be sure to tell a trusted neighbor about your plans to be gone. They can help keep an eye on your place and will know when that moving van shouldn't be parked in your driveway!Home safety goes beyond protecting your belongings, though. It also means safeguarding your health. The holiday season means beautiful lights and decorations, but it can also mean fire and shock risks.Christmas lights are festive and charming, but caution must be taken. Always take your time when standing on ladders or navigating roofs. Thousands of homeowners (around 12,500 to be exact) are treated in hospitals each year due to light installation injuries! Also, take care not to overload outlets with excessive lights. This is a sure-fire way to cause a fire, or at least fry a circuit. Thoroughly inspect all extension cords and light strands for fraying, which can also be a fire hazard. Finally, take care to prevent ice and slipping hazards. Keep a bag of salt or sand on hand for icy steps and patios. Utilize rugs on entryways where water can make tile slippery. Install motion sensor lights to help guests navigate their way safety to sidewalks and front doors. The holiday is a fun time! Just be sure you're still singing a merry tune when the season is through!Published: November 20, 2012"
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Custom Built Home on 9 Acres!
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Spacious Home Priced to Sell!
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Adorable Starter Home in Montibello!
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Friday, November 9, 2012
Top Reasons to Own a Home
"Buyers all across the nation are making their dreams come true. They’re signing on the dotted line and grabbing hold of the keys to a family home.
Published: October 31, 2012"
by Carla Hill from Realty Times
Despite record low interest rates and enticing pricing, many potential buyers are delaying the decision to buy. What’s keeping you on the sidelines? Let’s take a look at the top reasons to own a home.
Building equity. Writing a check to the landlord is equivalent to lining their pocket with your potential equity. It is money you never get back. You’re paying for a finite amount of time -- one month, one year, etc. Owning your own home means building equity. Each and every mortgage payment is going towards paying down a principal. The worth of your home, however, should continue to gain. The difference between what you owe and the value of your home is equity.
Predictability. Gas and grocery prices may rise, especially in the midst of this Summer’s tremendous drought in the American heartland, but a fixed rate mortgage is as predictable as they come. Your mortgage payment will be X amount for the life of the loan.
Tax Breaks. Uncle Sam likes homeowners! Did you know that you can deduct the interest you pay each year on your home loan? You can deduct the cost of your property taxes. Even making energy-efficient upgrades can be tax deductible.
Appreciation. Home prices are once again on the rise, up nearly 10 percent over 2011 prices. This means a home bought for $100,000 in 2011 could now be worth around $110,000! Over the years (real estate is a long-term investment) your home should gain value. If you decide to sell, you would be looking at a healthy profit! According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), "The number of U.S. households is expected to rise 15 percent over the next decade, creating continued high demand for housing."
Social Benefits. We’ve talked about the financial benefits of owning a home, but did you know that homeowners generally rate themselves as happier and healthier than their renting counterparts. Part of this is thanks to the stability that homeownership brings. Neighbors are more permanent fixtures in your life, meaning friendships that last for years to come. Children of homeowners are more likely to graduate high school and less likely to experience teen pregnancy. It’s all about creating a stable environment for the whole family. Homeownership can be a great way to secure future financial security and freedom. So, what’s stopping you from getting into the market? This big purchase comes with lots of perks and there’s never been a better time to buy.
Published: October 31, 2012"
by Carla Hill from Realty Times
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