Let's Talk Real Estate

Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible Under the New Tax Law? Here’s the scoop on what’s tax deductible when buying a house. Read Copyright 2019 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Tax Deductions for Homeowners: How the New Tax Law Affects Mortgage Interest By: Leanne Potts Tax changes for 2019 change the landscape for homeowners.  Tax season is upon us once again, and to make it even more interesting this year, the tax code has changed — along with the rules about tax deductions for homeowners. The biggest change? Many homeowners who used to write off their property taxes and the interest they pay their mortgage will no longer be able to. Stay calm. This doesn't automatically mean your taxes are going up. Here's a roundup of the rules that will affect homeowners — and how big of a change to expect. Standard Deduction: Big Change The standard deduction, that amount everyone gets, whether they have actual deductions or not, nearly doubled under the new law. It's now $24,000 for married, joint-filing couples (up from $13,000). It's $18,000 for heads of household (up from $9,550). And $12,000 for singles (up from $6,500). M

It’s a rare buyer who can see past the clutter, peeling paint, and stinky pet odors. Here, professional home stagers unlock the secrets to staging your own home. Follow them then schedule that open house—and watch the offers come in! First impressions “These days, it’s all about  curb appeal  so don’t forget your front door,” says Jerry West Sanders,  an interior designer and home stager at Sanders-West Consulting and Design LLC of  Olympia Washington and Phoenix, Arizona. Keep up on lawn maintenance and give the shrubs a shear if necessary. If your door is showing its age, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint. Update the house numbers and paint the mailbox if it’s near the front door. In addition, Sanders says a potted plant on either side of the entrance is very welcoming to a prospective buyer. Watch for falling stuff Buyers want big and deep closets or at least ones that can be organized; a pile of hats and a soccer ball falling out on their head isn’t a good impress

Home Improvement with Heart — Just in Time for Valentine’s Day Roses are red; violets are blue — here are romantic improvements that add value, too. Read Copyright 2018 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Radon testing is the only way to know whether your home has high levels of radon, a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer over time. Here's what you need to know about radon testing and reducing radon levels in your home. 1. What is radon?  Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that’s produced by decaying uranium. It’s present in nearly all soils, and very low levels of radon are found in the air we breathe every day. 2. Why is radon a problem?  The problem occurs when radon gas enters your home and gets trapped. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that lung cancer caused by radon exposure kills about 21,000 Americans every year. 3. How does radon get in your house?  The radon gas moves from the soil into a home. Although it can seep directly through pores in concrete, the worst entry points are gaps in walls and floors (see picture above). Any house, of any age, in any state can ha

A quick glimpse at what's happening with rate movement, the economy and the housing market:

Maine broke records for the number of homes sold and the median price in 2018. For the fourth consecutive year, Maine home sales set a new record in 2018 as 17,983 single family homes were sold, representing an increase of 1.0% over 2017 when total volume was 17,810. The year-to-date median single-family price of $215,000 represented a 7.5% increase over 2017.  Overall, pricing was up in 13 of Maine’s 16 counties, and remained consistent in two. The highest single month was May at $244,839, followed by April and then March. Each month of 2018 was higher than 2017. Between 2007 and 2011 median prices declined each year, reaching their lowest level in 2011 at $165,000.  From 2012 onward, pricing has increased ever year, with one exception - 2014. Maine's growth in home sales' volume and price for the year outpaced that of the nation.  Average median prices ranged from $307,000 in Cumberland County to $90,000 in Aroostook County.