Real Estate Information

Deductible Is the Point

Points refer to prepaid interest on a home mortgage and can be fully deductible by the buyer in the year paid if the right conditions exist. The points must be used to buy, build or improve a taxpayer's principal residence but not all fees charged by the lender are necessarily deductible.

Everyone is learning that the better your credit score is the better your interest rate will be, saving you thousands of dollars every year in interest. Did you know that insurance companies also check your credit and often times companies that give you quotes on your insurance are doing so based on your credit scores. 

Some things you do however may hurt your score instead of helping your score.Take the issue of closing down credit cards. It used to be if you had open credit cards with a lot of money available that the unused money would hurt your score, so, many folks will close down accounts they don't use often. The truth of the matter is before you close down an account check on how long you have had the account. A credit card with a long history  where you have used it, paid it off, or use it and pay it off regularly will give you a higher rating from the history you have with that card, than one you have had for just a few months and little history. So if you cancel the long standing card and only have a newer card to show the history your credit scores will take a drop, sometimes as much as 87 points. Major credit cards will have a larger impact on your credit than dept. cards.

Sometimes you don't have a choice in closing an account, if you have one that is rarely used, you possible may have your credit line reduced or closed by the credit card company without your appoval. This will affect your credit score as much as if you had cancelled the card yourself.

Consumer credit scores are made up of five components; 1) payment history, 35% 2) amount owed 30% 3) length of credit history 15% 4) new credit 10% , this also includes recent inquiries, and 5) types of credit used 10%, mortgages are the strongest, but they check the credit card and retail to view the payment history.

The more educated and informed you become on how your credit works will benefit you and help you to optimize your credit profile.

With the change of seasons from laid back summer to fall, we typically see ourselves getting busier and our schedules becoming full again. Now is the time to get focused on being organized and eliminating clutter in your life. Paper is a major contributor to clutter at home and at work. Everyday items like mail, school flyers and work papers can add up and start to clutter our environment in which we work and relax.

Since mail is a big contributor to paper clutter, it is important to sort through it everyday. The task does not need to be daunting, simply sort the bills from the junk and place any catalogs or magazines in a basket. Toss the junk mail, making sure to shred or tear thoroughly any credit card applications or other items that may put your identity in danger. Then open the bills and file them in a centralized location such as your office in the ‘to do’ file, so you will know to pay them. It takes a few short minutes a day and if done daily you will not have to deal with a huge stack of mail to sort after a few weeks.

Another tip is to purchase a simple filing cabinet or set of files and then separate items by frequency of use using three simple categories: current, reference and archive. The current files will contain things that are used on a regular basis such as bills and ‘to do’ items. The reference file can contain things that you will only need occasionally such as health insurance information and contact information such as addresses and phone numbers. Lastly the archive folder will contain information that is needed long terms such as tax information, receipts and legal documents.

Instead of printing every important email you want to save or interesting article you find online, save them to a folder on your computer. You will be able to access these files easily and you will save money on computer paper and ink!

These are just a few pointers to help get you inspired to get organized and reduce clutter. We all have busy lives, but with a few changes and a couple minutes a day, you will see the benefit that comes with being organized and having a clutter free environment.

Moving  can be stressful for everyone, even your pets. Routines and familiar surroundings are disrupted. However, with some advanced planning and the below tips, moving can go smoothly for both you and your pets.

• Several weeks before your move make sure your pets vaccinations are up to date and obtain the proper documentation.

• Make sure you have a comfortable and properly sized pet carrier. The carrier should have proper ventilation and secure locks.

• Make certain your pets have collars with identification tags and leashes.

• It is best to not let pets outside without a leash for a few days to a week, so they can get accustomed to their new surroundings.

• Be prepared for a transition with housebreaking with dogs and litter-box troubles with cats. These are typical areas in where pets have difficulty adjusting but with patience they will get back to normal.

It is also a good idea to put your pets in a quiet room until things have been moved in and the chaos has settled down. Once settled in try to establish a routine with your pet, also be sure to give pets familiar items to make them feel more secure. Animals adapt to new surroundings quickly and will soon be comfortable in their new home!

Summer is not over yet so there is much more backyard fun to be had, however it is important to think about the safety of your backyard play equipment.

Some simple tips can keep your children safe while they enjoy the simple pleasures of playing in the outdoors!

 
• Cover areas under and around the equipment with shock-absorbing material, such as sand, rubber or mulch, nine to 12 inches deep
• Cover all protruding bolts
• Wear proper footwear-don’t go barefoot, children could get a splinter, cut or even burned by hot surfaces
• Do not let children wear loose clothing and stringed items placed around the neck that can catch on playground equipment and strangle children
• Make sure all swing sets are securely anchored, avoid sloping areas – level ground helps prevent playground equipment from tipping over

By following these playground precautions and supervising your children at play this will reduce the risk of injury. Be sure to also teach your children the importance of using the equipment properly and how to be safe while having fun.

It’s back to school time again but now that you are moving you need to make the decision of which school your child will attend. It is a big decision that  can add pressure to an already stressful time.

There are several resources available to help you make an informative decision on which educational facilities are right for you and your kids and to help you get started you may want to take a look at the following school listings.

From GreatSchools

• Grants Pass Schools
• Ashland Schools
• Rogue River Schools
• Medford Schools

Oregon State Resources

• Oregon School Boards Association
• Oregon Public School Districts

WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.”

Albert Einstein

Welcome to Ashland, Oregon, a four-season city with something for everyone. If you are thinking of making a move to, or within, Ashland let me say you have made the right decision.

Ashland has a lot to offer the sports fan, art enthusiasts and there couldn't be a better place to retire.

With its four-season weather and beautiful surroundings the sports junkie can enjoy any of the following, and more.

• White water rafting the Rogue River
• Hang gliding in Lakeview
• Hiking
• Biking
• Snowshoe adventures
• Skiing and Snowboarding at Mt. Ashland

Ashland is also home to the renowned Oregon Shakespere Festival which puts on approximately 700 performances a year. In addition, Southern Oregon University houses the Schneider Museum of Art. The culture and history in Ashland, and surrounding areas, is what contributes to the growing arts community in the area.

In 2005, MONEY Magazine voted Ashland one of the Best Places to Retire. Read More...

For more information about Ashland and surrounding areas visit Recommended Links or feel free to Contact Me directly.

When selling your home, the goal is to attract buyers and one way to do this is by "staging" your home. You want your home to be inviting and allow the potential buyer to see themselves living there.

Many agents work with, or can recommend, professional home stagers to help you with this process, however there are a few key things that you can do to get the ball rolling.

 It's a good idea to start with the exterior of your home as this is what potential buyers will see first and decide whether or not to proceed into the house to see more. You want to make a great first impression with your front yard.