I garden, therefore I am

I agreed to move to Idaho on the condition that I could have a yard and a garden. We have a large yard, and we are now making our own gardens!

This is the start of our vegetable garden two years ago after removing grass, moving the fence and a couple of sprinkler heads, building the boxes (and filling them with soil!) and mulching all around. Each year it grows with great anticipation. Evenings are spent with a glass of wine and a 'garden tour,' inspecting each plant and the progress from the day before. What a joyful way to decompress from the day! And last year we had a record harvest, to boot!

So, once again, the snow is gone and spring has arrived. My little seedlings are started. I may have jumped the gun in planting the greens, onions and carrots in the beds and perhaps they washed away in that last rainstorm last week. If so, no worries, I will relish the time to plant again!

I am now looking forward to a couple of weeks from now when we can transplant the tomatoes and peppers outside. Anticipation at each step. Yet the garden teaches me patience.

Happy sowing! :)

It's Official: It's Now Cheaper to Own a Home Than to Rent It

Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas.

This Wall Street Journal article out last week compiles information from Reis, Inc, a real estate research firm, a Deutsche Bank housing analyst, Zelman & Associates and brokers across the country.

"Conditions are "overwhelming in the favor of buying now. It is unequivocal."

Locally, we are finding the same trending. Are you currently renting and finding the same pressure of higher rents, especially probably in the 2 bedroom price ranges? Perhaps it's time to consider all your options.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304750404577322011443831768.html?mod=residential_real_estate&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter 

Is It a Good Time to be a Seller?

Wondering whether it's a good time to be a Seller?

Because they are so low, interest rates have a greater impact on affordability than either appreciation or depreciation factors at this point. Every 1% change in interest rate impacts affordability by 11%. Here is an illustration to consider.

At 3.75% (30 year fixed) the principal and interest portion of a $200,000 is
$926.23

If the rate goes to 4.75% you can only borrow $178,000 for a principal and interest payment of $928.53

If the rate goes to 5.75% you can only borrow $159,000 for a principal and interest payment of $927.88

So you can see by these examples the absolutely incredible impact interest rates have on housing affordability! Not only can buyers afford more, but if you are planning to re-buy into the same or a similar market, you will enjoy the same buying power benefits.

Thinking twice, now? ;)
 

2 Homeownership Tax Deductions Disappearing This Year

As Realtors, we are advocates for home ownership, by definition. It's in our pledge:

"To protect the individual right of real estate ownership
and to widen the opportunity to enjoy it"

Many of us contribute personal funds (not tax-deductible) to fund grassroots campaigns designed to alert our membership and the public about issues in our nation and individual states that threaten these principles by affecting the affordability of real estate, myself included.

Yet in these economic times, "everything is on the table." Here are two items that will affect you personally come tax time next year, if they are not renewed. 

Have a look at your taxes from this year and the mortgage insurance premium write-off you were able to take, if eligible. Think it's no big deal now?

See the article at Houselogic, here. The Houselogic website is brought to you by the National Association of Realtors.

Selling Myth #6...

Enjoying these tips? Here is the last in the installation, courtesy of Keller Williams.

Myth #6:  When you receive an offer, you should make the buyer wait. This gives you a better negotiating position.

Truth:  You should reply immediately to an offer!  When a buyer makes an offer, that buyer is, at that moment in time, ready to buy your home.  Moods can change, and you don't want to lose the sale because you have stalled in replying.

It is now the traditional spring buying season and the buyers are out! If you know someone thinking of selling, contact me today!

Selling Myth #5...

Myth #5:  You are better off selling your home on your own and saving money on the commission you would have paid to a real estate agent.

Truth:  Statistically, many sellers who attempt to sell their homes on their own cannot consummate the sale without the service of a real estate agent. Homeowners who succeed in selling their home by themselves usually net less than if they had a real estate agent working for them. The National Association of REALTORS® surveys consumers every year, including homeowners who succeeded in selling their home without a real estate agent. Over 70% of these homeowners say that they would never do it again.

Next: Myth #6...

Selling Myth #4...

Halfway through the miniseries, here is Myth #4 as brought to you by Keller Williams. Do any of these seem familiar yet?

Myth #4:  Your home must be every home buyer's dream home.

Truth:  If you get carried away with repairs and replacements to your home, you may end up over-improving the house.   There is a point where improving your home doesn’t pay off.  The key is to consider what competing properties feature and look like.  A highly-motivated real estate agent will consult with you on what competing properties have to offer – he/she can even show you competing properties so that you can make sound home improvement decisions.

Next: Myth #5...