Month: May 2009

How to get your home noticed by today’s buyers?

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Home-buyers are becoming much more interested   in purchasing an energy-efficient home. With the warm weather months upon us, we are seeing buyers who are looking at a home’s cooling costs and energy-saving features.

Get started by making some of these simple improvements to your home to help lower monthly utility bills, increase your property’s overall appeal and reduce the impact on the environment:

  • Contact your utility company to arrange for an energy audit that will show where the home is energy inefficient.
  • Caulk and use weather stripping to fill air leaks around doors and windows. This will minimize the amount of air conditioning that is required to keep the house cool. It will also help keep the house warm during the winter months.
  • If you will be purchasing any new appliances, choose energy-efficient units that appeal to buyers because of the savings on energy costs.
  • For a major project like installing new windows, double-glazed windows are recommended because they help insulate the home from both hot and cold weather.

 

Valuable Information for Buyers!!!

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The economic stimulus plan signed into law in February included a financial incentive for first-time buyers — an $8,000 tax credit, that unlike past versions does not need to be repaid. Combined with historically low interest rates and more affordable home prices, the tax credit has made the decision to purchase real estate an easy choice for many buyers.Review the following information to see if you are eligible to take advantage of the tax credit:

  • The home purchase closed/will close on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.
  • The home is being used as a principal residence.
  • You have either never owned a home, or have not owned a home in the last three years.
  • Your modified gross income is less than $95,000 for single tax payers or $170,000 for married filers.