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Houston Real Estate for Sale offered by Irena Gorski 281-610-4524 from Trend Setter Realty. Unique and huge house for sale in desirable neighborhood of Concord Bridge in Houston. Located within short driving distance to Houston Energy Corridor, Hwy I-10, Hwy 6, Hwy 290, Beltway 8.
This 3098 SF house features wood floors throughout, 5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms, 2 Car Garage, Formal Living Room, Formal Dining Room with mirrored wall and wet bar, Large Family Room with gas log Fireplace surrounded by marble tiles, extra large Game Room, huge custom added Sun Room overlooking Swimming Pool with Waterfall.
4 Bedrooms and Game Room are located on the second floor. 1 Bedroom (not Master Bedroom) is located on the first floor and can be used also as an office or study room. Utility room is conveniently located between this bedroom and kitchen. Wood Floors throughout the house make this house easy to maintain. Two bedrooms have laminate floor. Ceramic tile floors are installed in all bathrooms, kitchen, utility room and Sun Room. House was recently painted inside. Kitchen has island and beautiful Silestone countertops with pieces of quartz. Large Master Bedroom has sitting area and Balcony with view to the backyard and swimming pool. Master Bathroom has double vanities, separate shower and separate bath tub with jets. Cool off during hot Houston summer days in sparkling swimming pool with waterfall and keep your lawn green with automatic Sprinkler. House has 30 years roof installed in year 2009.
Open House 24/7 in Houston Real Estate Video http://IAmOpenHouse.com.
For more information please call Houston real estate listing agent Irena Gorski 281-610-4524 , http://IrenaGorski.com .
To get information about this house on your cell phone, Text: 2129 to: 79564 .
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction Under Attack
Homeowners, beware! As part of the budget deal, your mortgage interest may no longer be a deduction for you to take on your 2011 tax form.
Congress and the White House are discussing putting a cap on the mortgage interest deduction (MID) and eliminating it altogether for home equity loans and second homes. A similar proposal was made last year, but the housing industry, Realtors and lenders opposed it.
The current cap for mortgage debt is $1 million, and the interest on home equity loans and second homes is also deductible. Housing industry leaders fear that lowering the cap and cutting out the second home and home equity loans will hurt the slow market even more.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Congress and the White House are discussing putting a cap on the mortgage interest deduction (MID) and eliminating it altogether for home equity loans and second homes. A similar proposal was made last year, but the housing industry, Realtors and lenders opposed it.
The current cap for mortgage debt is $1 million, and the interest on home equity loans and second homes is also deductible. Housing industry leaders fear that lowering the cap and cutting out the second home and home equity loans will hurt the slow market even more.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Monday, July 25, 2011
Why Home Staging is Important?
Home Staging® is the process of preparing your home for sale. The purpose of Staging® is to make your home look like a model home, appealing to as many buyers as possible. It is simply a redesign that will show off your home's best features and minimize any flaws. Staging® is becoming very common these days and a variety of articles can be found in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Money Magazine. Even HGTV and TLC have homes shows dedicated to Staging® with "Designed to Sell" and "Sell This House".
Staging Criteria
By Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®, the author of the boook
"Home Staging - The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money"
Things to keep in mind:
1. Buyers only know what they see, not how it's going to be
2. You can't sell it if you can't see it
3. You can't sell it if you can smell it
4. The way you live in your home and the way we market and sell your
house are two very different things.
When you get ready to place a home on the market for sale it becomes a product, just like any product on the shelves at your local store it has features and benefits, pluses and minuses and there are other products to compete with. To gain an edge in your marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the competition. Sometimes it's difficult to think of a home as a mere product, but it helps to think that way so that you can get top dollar for your property and sell it in a reasonable amount of time.
When you sell your home you're going to have to move. When you move you're going to have to pack. Most of the principles of Staging just mean that you're going to pack up some of your things early. It's a little bit of work, but you're going to have to do it anyway, so let's do it now so you can get top dollar for your property in your marketplace.
General Comments:
In every room...stand at the doorway and look at the room through the eyes of a buyer. What do you see? Be tough on yourself: What can you live without while your home is on the market?
Most carpets need to be cleaned. Have them professionally cleaned before coming on the market.
Check all light fixtures. Are they working properly? replace all burned out light bulbs. Look for dark hallways and corners and increase the wattage of bulbs in those areas. Make sure there are lamps with adequate bulbs in dark corners that are turned on for showings.
Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them.
Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let light and Check all light fixtures. Are they working properly? replace all burned out light bulbs. Look for dark hallways and corners and increase the wattage of bulbs in those areas.
Make sure there are lamps with adequate bulbs in dark corners that are turned on for showings.
Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them.
Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let light and views.
The extra cost of additional heating or air conditioning is a necessary cost of selling.
Reduce the number of pillows on couches to zero or two. Remove all afghans and blankets.
Pack up all valuable items to protect them. If necessary, take them to a safe deposit box.
Take a hard look at those beloved houseplants. In most cases they need to be pruned and/or the number of plants reduced to create more space. If plants don't look healthy and are just barely clinging to life give them away.
Fireplaces need to be cleaned out. Glass doors should be cleaned. Mantels and hearths need to be cleared off except for a very few necessary items.
To create more space you may want to remove a chair, a loveseat or other pieces of furniture.(Remember the model home!)
Pack up all collections (You're going to need to pack them up sooner or later). They become a distraction for buyers from the desired focal point...your home.
Reduce the number of books on bookshelves. Pack up extra books early!
Reduce the number of family pictures on shelves, pianos, and tables.
Reduce the number of wall hung photos and paintings in every room to one large piece on a wall or a small group of three. Make sure they are hung at eye level.
Keep soft music playing at all times for showings. Easy-listening or light jazz, not hard rock or funeral music.
Be sensitive to odors, because your buyers are! Excessive cooking or smoking odors, dog or cat odors, baby, laundry and mildew odors will turn off buyers. If there is a challenge with odors in your home use room deodorants or disinfectant sprays and keep windows cracked open for ventilation even in very hot or cold weather. (There are great products in pet stores for pet odors, and many professional carpet cleaners have special ozone machines that can really help with difficult odors.) You can't sell it if you can smell it!
Wash all windows and make sure they operate freely. If the seal is broken on a double-pane window, replace it now.
Repair items that are broken. This will show that your home is well-taken-care-of. In most cases, buyers will ask for them to be repaired anyway, so do it now.
Don't be afraid to move furniture from room to room. That extra chair from the living room or dining room may just look great in the master bedroom.
In general pack up the little things. Little things create clutter and they need to be packed up anyway, so pack them up now.
Home Staging Guidlines Inside The House
Living Room
Clear off all coffee tables and end tables to just 2 or 3 magazines and one nice vase or statuary.
Remove all ashtrays.
Family Room, Den, Bonus Room, or Rec Room
Same as Living Room
Dining Room
Clear off dining room table except for one nice centerpiece.
Remove tablecloths from table.
Remove extra leaves from the table to make the room look bigger.
Remove extra dining room chairs if they crowd the table or fill up the corners of the room. Four or six chairs are plenty. It will make the room look bigger and you can put the extra chairs in the garage or a storage unit.
See the Living Room section above concerning removing or reducing the number of items, valuable items, and collections. It all applies here too, especially in a buffet.
Kitchen
The main question in the kitchen is...What can you live without? Clear off counters leaving only a very few items that you have to use on a daily basis. Everything else should be kept off the counters to create space. Most homes have far too many small appliances and other items out that should be stored out of sight. Leave out a few large decorative items like a bowl of fruit or a basket with bread in it.
Repair any tile or Formica counter tops and edges that have been damaged or come unglued.
Clean tile grout with bleach if it is stained.
Remove all magnets, photos, children's drawings, etc., from the front of the refridgerator. If there are a couple of truly necessary items put them on the side of the refridgerator.
Clean the stove top and oven. Replace old burner pans if they are badly stained. Clean all exhaust fans, filters, and hoods.
Clean the kitchen floor and keep it clean for showings.
Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty on a daily basis.
Make sure the kitchen faucet is working smoothly without drips and that it is clean.
Clear everything off the window ledge above the kitchen sink.
remember to pack up the collections in the kitchen too. Pack up your antique plate collection or whatever will distract buyers and take up space.
Some kitchens have too many scatter rugs in them. Too many rugs make a room look smaller. If space allows, one large Oriental rug in the middle of the kitchen looks great.
Empty the garbage regularly to prevent kitchen odors.
Move dog and cat dishes so that they don't interfere with buyers walking around the room
Master Bedroom
Make the bed every day.
Invest in a new bedspread if necessary.
Clear off bedside tables and chest of drawers except for a very few necessary items.(see Living Room coffee and end tables)
Store extra books and magazines underneath the bed.
Keep closet doors closed. If you have a walk-in closet keep the floor clean and free of laundry and clutter items, and collections. It all applies here too, especially in a buffet.
If you have a clock radio keep it playing soft music during showings.
Reduce the number of photos on tables and chest of drawers to a minimum.
Hallways
Remove plastic runners on carpet or hardwood floors.
Additional Bedrooms
In children's rooms take down all the posters except for one favorite over the bed. Repair nail holes and paint walls. (See Master Bedroom guideline)
Laundry Room
Put soaps & cleaners in a cupboard or reduce the number & organize them neatly on one shelf.
Just like in the kitchen, keep counters and sinks clean and empty.
Get rid of excess hangers and hanging laundry. If you have a drying area replace all those miscellaneous hangers with one style of white plastic hangers.
Make sure that light bulbs are working and have adequate wattage. Many laundry rooms are too dark and need to be brighter.
Bathrooms
Clear off counters. Reduce toiletries down to a decorative few (3-6) and consolidate them on a tray or decorative basket. Put everything else in drawers or cabinets.
Replace that ugly dirty hand soap with a neat bottle of liquid soap.
Coordinate all towels with one or two colors. Fold in thirds and hang neatly every day. New towels can be purchased very inexpensively if the ones you have don't match.
Clear everything out of the shower and tub except for one bottle of liquid soap and one shampoo.
Clean or replace the shower curtain. Keep shower curtains drawn at all times.
One common problem in a lot of bathrooms is cracking or peeling just above the top of the shower tile or tub enclosure where it meets the dry wall or ceiling. Repair using caulking and paint or install wood trim coated in polyurethane.
Get rid of mold and stains throughout bathroom, especially in the shower and bathtub area.
Many tubs and showers need a fresh new bead of silicone caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.
Take all cloth toilet lid covers and water closet covers off. Keep toilet lids down every day.
Scatter rugs in front of sink and toilet and shower make the room look small. Use one larger rug in the middle of the room or none at all.
Hide all cleaning supplies and the garbage can under the sink or out of the line of sight.
Closets
Make sure you can open the door freely without something falling out on a prospective buyer.
Garage or Carport
Carports have to be completely cleaned out...everything!
Garages should be swept out and organized. If you have to use part or the entire garage for storage that's fine, just keep it neat.
Always keep garage doors down while your home is on the market.
If you're not using the garage for storage, keep cars in the garage and not in the driveway.
Move Boats & RVs to a storage facility or neighbor's home several homes away until your home sells.
Home Staging Guidlines Outside of House
The first impression when a buyer drives up to your home is critical. Walk across the street and look at it through the eyes of a buyer. Be tough on yourself. What do you see?
Trim and House Paint
Take a hard look at the front door and trim. Give special attention to this because this is where buyers will get their first opportunity to make a close inspection of your home. Does it need repainting or staining?
Repainting the doors and trim to help make the house look crisp and in good condition is one of the least expensive things you can do to dress up a home.
Decks, Proches, & Patios
Sweep all decks, walks, porches, and patios and keep them swept.
Remove any moss from all decks, walks, and patios.
Decks should be pressure-washed, stained, or painted if they are in need of it.
Reduce clutter on decks, porches, and patios so that they look bigger.
Get rid of old flowerpots, barbecues, charcoal, planters, toys, construction materials, and excess furniture.
If you have outdoor furniture create one simple 'room setting' of clean furniture that will remind buyers of the usefulness of the space.
Landscaping
Plants are like children...they grow up so fast! First they are little and cute, then they seem just right, and all of a sudden they're so big we hardly know how to take care of them! You can't trim the kids, but you can trim your plants. If they need it, do it now.
Rake and weed flower beds. If possible, spread new mulch such as beauty bark, pine needles, gravel, or lava rock to put a finishing touch on the landscaping.
Remove and, if needed, replace all dead plants.
Mow lawn and keep it mowed on a weekly basis during the growing season.
Trim branches around the roof line to prevent animals, insects, & foliage from getting on the roof.
Front Yard
'Curb appeal' is important. Has your landscaping overgrown the house? Remember..."You can't sell it if you can't see it!" Cut back all shrubs to window height that block light or view from windows. (If you're afraid they won't bloom next year, don't worry...you won't be there!)
Move all children's toys to the back yard.
Clean and sweep paved driveways. Rake, weed, or re-gravel gravel driveways.
Back Yard
Remove any extra items from the yard, such as tools, piles of lumber, or auto parts.
Children's toys should all go in one area in the backyard.
Repair any cracks in the ceilings and walls.
Clear any drains.
Fences
Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.
Roof
Clean all debris and moss from roof and gutters.
Before All Showings
Set the stage: Lights, Music, Action!
Open all curtains and blinds, unless otherwise advised.
Turn all lights and lamps.
Close garage doors.
Make sure all toilet lids are down.
If it's hot outside, keep your house cool on the inside. If it's cold outside, keep the heat on inside your house even if it's vacant. Buyers won't stay in a house that's too hot or cold.
Allow potential buyers privacy as they view your home. It is best to leave altogether, work in the yard, or take a nice long walk.
Remember, the way you live in a home and the way you market and sell your house are two different things. Try to look at your house through a buyer's eyes, as though you have never seen it before.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://irenagorski.com/
Follow me onTwitter
Staging Criteria
By Barb Schwarz, The Creator of Home Staging®, the author of the boook
"Home Staging - The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money"
Things to keep in mind:
1. Buyers only know what they see, not how it's going to be
2. You can't sell it if you can't see it
3. You can't sell it if you can smell it
4. The way you live in your home and the way we market and sell your
house are two very different things.
When you get ready to place a home on the market for sale it becomes a product, just like any product on the shelves at your local store it has features and benefits, pluses and minuses and there are other products to compete with. To gain an edge in your marketplace you must be priced right and look better than the competition. Sometimes it's difficult to think of a home as a mere product, but it helps to think that way so that you can get top dollar for your property and sell it in a reasonable amount of time.
When you sell your home you're going to have to move. When you move you're going to have to pack. Most of the principles of Staging just mean that you're going to pack up some of your things early. It's a little bit of work, but you're going to have to do it anyway, so let's do it now so you can get top dollar for your property in your marketplace.
General Comments:
In every room...stand at the doorway and look at the room through the eyes of a buyer. What do you see? Be tough on yourself: What can you live without while your home is on the market?
Most carpets need to be cleaned. Have them professionally cleaned before coming on the market.
Check all light fixtures. Are they working properly? replace all burned out light bulbs. Look for dark hallways and corners and increase the wattage of bulbs in those areas. Make sure there are lamps with adequate bulbs in dark corners that are turned on for showings.
Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them.
Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let light and Check all light fixtures. Are they working properly? replace all burned out light bulbs. Look for dark hallways and corners and increase the wattage of bulbs in those areas.
Make sure there are lamps with adequate bulbs in dark corners that are turned on for showings.
Repair and repaint cracks on all walls and ceilings.
Repair or replace broken light switches and switch plates. Clean any dirty areas around them.
Keep all curtains and blinds open during the day to let light and views.
The extra cost of additional heating or air conditioning is a necessary cost of selling.
Reduce the number of pillows on couches to zero or two. Remove all afghans and blankets.
Pack up all valuable items to protect them. If necessary, take them to a safe deposit box.
Take a hard look at those beloved houseplants. In most cases they need to be pruned and/or the number of plants reduced to create more space. If plants don't look healthy and are just barely clinging to life give them away.
Fireplaces need to be cleaned out. Glass doors should be cleaned. Mantels and hearths need to be cleared off except for a very few necessary items.
To create more space you may want to remove a chair, a loveseat or other pieces of furniture.(Remember the model home!)
Pack up all collections (You're going to need to pack them up sooner or later). They become a distraction for buyers from the desired focal point...your home.
Reduce the number of books on bookshelves. Pack up extra books early!
Reduce the number of family pictures on shelves, pianos, and tables.
Reduce the number of wall hung photos and paintings in every room to one large piece on a wall or a small group of three. Make sure they are hung at eye level.
Keep soft music playing at all times for showings. Easy-listening or light jazz, not hard rock or funeral music.
Be sensitive to odors, because your buyers are! Excessive cooking or smoking odors, dog or cat odors, baby, laundry and mildew odors will turn off buyers. If there is a challenge with odors in your home use room deodorants or disinfectant sprays and keep windows cracked open for ventilation even in very hot or cold weather. (There are great products in pet stores for pet odors, and many professional carpet cleaners have special ozone machines that can really help with difficult odors.) You can't sell it if you can smell it!
Wash all windows and make sure they operate freely. If the seal is broken on a double-pane window, replace it now.
Repair items that are broken. This will show that your home is well-taken-care-of. In most cases, buyers will ask for them to be repaired anyway, so do it now.
Don't be afraid to move furniture from room to room. That extra chair from the living room or dining room may just look great in the master bedroom.
In general pack up the little things. Little things create clutter and they need to be packed up anyway, so pack them up now.
Home Staging Guidlines Inside The House
Living Room
Clear off all coffee tables and end tables to just 2 or 3 magazines and one nice vase or statuary.
Remove all ashtrays.
Family Room, Den, Bonus Room, or Rec Room
Same as Living Room
Dining Room
Clear off dining room table except for one nice centerpiece.
Remove tablecloths from table.
Remove extra leaves from the table to make the room look bigger.
Remove extra dining room chairs if they crowd the table or fill up the corners of the room. Four or six chairs are plenty. It will make the room look bigger and you can put the extra chairs in the garage or a storage unit.
See the Living Room section above concerning removing or reducing the number of items, valuable items, and collections. It all applies here too, especially in a buffet.
Kitchen
The main question in the kitchen is...What can you live without? Clear off counters leaving only a very few items that you have to use on a daily basis. Everything else should be kept off the counters to create space. Most homes have far too many small appliances and other items out that should be stored out of sight. Leave out a few large decorative items like a bowl of fruit or a basket with bread in it.
Repair any tile or Formica counter tops and edges that have been damaged or come unglued.
Clean tile grout with bleach if it is stained.
Remove all magnets, photos, children's drawings, etc., from the front of the refridgerator. If there are a couple of truly necessary items put them on the side of the refridgerator.
Clean the stove top and oven. Replace old burner pans if they are badly stained. Clean all exhaust fans, filters, and hoods.
Clean the kitchen floor and keep it clean for showings.
Keep the kitchen sink clean and empty on a daily basis.
Make sure the kitchen faucet is working smoothly without drips and that it is clean.
Clear everything off the window ledge above the kitchen sink.
remember to pack up the collections in the kitchen too. Pack up your antique plate collection or whatever will distract buyers and take up space.
Some kitchens have too many scatter rugs in them. Too many rugs make a room look smaller. If space allows, one large Oriental rug in the middle of the kitchen looks great.
Empty the garbage regularly to prevent kitchen odors.
Move dog and cat dishes so that they don't interfere with buyers walking around the room
Master Bedroom
Make the bed every day.
Invest in a new bedspread if necessary.
Clear off bedside tables and chest of drawers except for a very few necessary items.(see Living Room coffee and end tables)
Store extra books and magazines underneath the bed.
Keep closet doors closed. If you have a walk-in closet keep the floor clean and free of laundry and clutter items, and collections. It all applies here too, especially in a buffet.
If you have a clock radio keep it playing soft music during showings.
Reduce the number of photos on tables and chest of drawers to a minimum.
Hallways
Remove plastic runners on carpet or hardwood floors.
Additional Bedrooms
In children's rooms take down all the posters except for one favorite over the bed. Repair nail holes and paint walls. (See Master Bedroom guideline)
Laundry Room
Put soaps & cleaners in a cupboard or reduce the number & organize them neatly on one shelf.
Just like in the kitchen, keep counters and sinks clean and empty.
Get rid of excess hangers and hanging laundry. If you have a drying area replace all those miscellaneous hangers with one style of white plastic hangers.
Make sure that light bulbs are working and have adequate wattage. Many laundry rooms are too dark and need to be brighter.
Bathrooms
Clear off counters. Reduce toiletries down to a decorative few (3-6) and consolidate them on a tray or decorative basket. Put everything else in drawers or cabinets.
Replace that ugly dirty hand soap with a neat bottle of liquid soap.
Coordinate all towels with one or two colors. Fold in thirds and hang neatly every day. New towels can be purchased very inexpensively if the ones you have don't match.
Clear everything out of the shower and tub except for one bottle of liquid soap and one shampoo.
Clean or replace the shower curtain. Keep shower curtains drawn at all times.
One common problem in a lot of bathrooms is cracking or peeling just above the top of the shower tile or tub enclosure where it meets the dry wall or ceiling. Repair using caulking and paint or install wood trim coated in polyurethane.
Get rid of mold and stains throughout bathroom, especially in the shower and bathtub area.
Many tubs and showers need a fresh new bead of silicone caulking around the edges to make them look neat and clean.
Take all cloth toilet lid covers and water closet covers off. Keep toilet lids down every day.
Scatter rugs in front of sink and toilet and shower make the room look small. Use one larger rug in the middle of the room or none at all.
Hide all cleaning supplies and the garbage can under the sink or out of the line of sight.
Closets
Make sure you can open the door freely without something falling out on a prospective buyer.
Garage or Carport
Carports have to be completely cleaned out...everything!
Garages should be swept out and organized. If you have to use part or the entire garage for storage that's fine, just keep it neat.
Always keep garage doors down while your home is on the market.
If you're not using the garage for storage, keep cars in the garage and not in the driveway.
Move Boats & RVs to a storage facility or neighbor's home several homes away until your home sells.
Home Staging Guidlines Outside of House
The first impression when a buyer drives up to your home is critical. Walk across the street and look at it through the eyes of a buyer. Be tough on yourself. What do you see?
Trim and House Paint
Take a hard look at the front door and trim. Give special attention to this because this is where buyers will get their first opportunity to make a close inspection of your home. Does it need repainting or staining?
Repainting the doors and trim to help make the house look crisp and in good condition is one of the least expensive things you can do to dress up a home.
Decks, Proches, & Patios
Sweep all decks, walks, porches, and patios and keep them swept.
Remove any moss from all decks, walks, and patios.
Decks should be pressure-washed, stained, or painted if they are in need of it.
Reduce clutter on decks, porches, and patios so that they look bigger.
Get rid of old flowerpots, barbecues, charcoal, planters, toys, construction materials, and excess furniture.
If you have outdoor furniture create one simple 'room setting' of clean furniture that will remind buyers of the usefulness of the space.
Landscaping
Plants are like children...they grow up so fast! First they are little and cute, then they seem just right, and all of a sudden they're so big we hardly know how to take care of them! You can't trim the kids, but you can trim your plants. If they need it, do it now.
Rake and weed flower beds. If possible, spread new mulch such as beauty bark, pine needles, gravel, or lava rock to put a finishing touch on the landscaping.
Remove and, if needed, replace all dead plants.
Mow lawn and keep it mowed on a weekly basis during the growing season.
Trim branches around the roof line to prevent animals, insects, & foliage from getting on the roof.
Front Yard
'Curb appeal' is important. Has your landscaping overgrown the house? Remember..."You can't sell it if you can't see it!" Cut back all shrubs to window height that block light or view from windows. (If you're afraid they won't bloom next year, don't worry...you won't be there!)
Move all children's toys to the back yard.
Clean and sweep paved driveways. Rake, weed, or re-gravel gravel driveways.
Back Yard
Remove any extra items from the yard, such as tools, piles of lumber, or auto parts.
Children's toys should all go in one area in the backyard.
Repair any cracks in the ceilings and walls.
Clear any drains.
Fences
Repair broken fences and paint if necessary.
Roof
Clean all debris and moss from roof and gutters.
Before All Showings
Set the stage: Lights, Music, Action!
Open all curtains and blinds, unless otherwise advised.
Turn all lights and lamps.
Close garage doors.
Make sure all toilet lids are down.
If it's hot outside, keep your house cool on the inside. If it's cold outside, keep the heat on inside your house even if it's vacant. Buyers won't stay in a house that's too hot or cold.
Allow potential buyers privacy as they view your home. It is best to leave altogether, work in the yard, or take a nice long walk.
Remember, the way you live in a home and the way you market and sell your house are two different things. Try to look at your house through a buyer's eyes, as though you have never seen it before.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://irenagorski.com/
Follow me onTwitter
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Eminent-domain reforms in Texas supported by TAR become law
On June 1, 2011, The Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed into law a bill that further tightens restrictons on state and local governments' ability to invoke eminent domain authority to convert private property for public use.
Here are some of the ways it better protects property owners:
It requires government entities to make reasonable purchase offers to landowners for their property.
It allows property owners to buy back their land at the original price 10 years later if it hasn’t been used by then.
It adds criteria that agencies must meet before declaring eminent domain over private property.
Governor Perry closed loopholes that have allowed eminent domain abuses in the past and strengthened property owners' rights for the future."
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Here are some of the ways it better protects property owners:
It requires government entities to make reasonable purchase offers to landowners for their property.
It allows property owners to buy back their land at the original price 10 years later if it hasn’t been used by then.
It adds criteria that agencies must meet before declaring eminent domain over private property.
Governor Perry closed loopholes that have allowed eminent domain abuses in the past and strengthened property owners' rights for the future."
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Friday, April 15, 2011
Open House 24/7 in Houston Real Estate Video - 4830 Harbor Glen Ln., Houston, TX 77084
Great house for sale in Lakes of Pine Forest in Houston, Texas. Feel free to walk through this house house 24/7 in Houston Real Estate Video Tour. Video by IAmOpenHouse
Please allow 10-15 seconds for video to loadTo get more information about this house please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Please allow 10-15 seconds for video to loadTo get more information about this house please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
10 Common Errors Home Owners Make When Filing Taxes
By: G. M. Filisko
Published: January 25, 2011
Source: HouseLogic.com
Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary—know the score on each home tax deduction and credit.
As you calculate your tax returns, consider each home tax deduction and credit you are—and are not—entitled to. Running afoul of any of these 10 home-related tax mistakes—which tax pros say are especially common—can cost you money or draw the IRS to your doorstep.
Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes
You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind—that is, you’re not billed for 2010 property taxes until 2011. But that’s irrelevant to the feds.
Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2010, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. Dave Hampton, CPA, tax manager at the Cincinnati accounting firm of Burke & Schindler, has seen home owners confuse payments for different years and claim the incorrect amount.
Sin #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid
If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don’t just deduct the amount escrowed, says Bob Meighan, CPA and vice president at TurboTax in San Diego. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.
For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don’t just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.
Sin #3: Deducting points paid to refinance
Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, says Meighan, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.
Sin #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance
Lenders require home buyers with a downpayment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments. However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000.
Sin #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction
This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It often doesn’t amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS’s interest in your return. Hampton’s advice: Claim it only if it’s worth those drawbacks.
Sin #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit
If you met the midyear 2010 deadlines, don’t forget to take this tax credit into account when filing.
Even if you missed the 2010 deadlines, you still might be in luck: Congress extended the first-time home buyer credit for military families and other government workers on assignment outside the United States. If you meet the criteria, you have until June 30, 2011, to close on your first home and qualify for the tax credit of up to $8,000.
Sin #7: Failing to track home-related expenses
If the IRS comes a-knockin’, don’t be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses, says Meighan. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer’s certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.
Sin #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains
If you sold your main home last year, don’t forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you’re single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523.
Sin #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits
If you made any eligible improvement, fill out Form 5695. Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.
Sin #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction
You can deduct mortgage interest only up to $1 million of mortgage debt, says Meighan. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.
This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Published: January 25, 2011
Source: HouseLogic.com
Don’t rouse the IRS or pay more taxes than necessary—know the score on each home tax deduction and credit.
As you calculate your tax returns, consider each home tax deduction and credit you are—and are not—entitled to. Running afoul of any of these 10 home-related tax mistakes—which tax pros say are especially common—can cost you money or draw the IRS to your doorstep.
Sin #1: Deducting the wrong year for property taxes
You take a tax deduction for property taxes in the year you (or the holder of your escrow account) actually paid them. Some taxing authorities work a year behind—that is, you’re not billed for 2010 property taxes until 2011. But that’s irrelevant to the feds.
Enter on your federal forms whatever amount you actually paid in 2010, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. Dave Hampton, CPA, tax manager at the Cincinnati accounting firm of Burke & Schindler, has seen home owners confuse payments for different years and claim the incorrect amount.
Sin #2: Confusing escrow amount for actual taxes paid
If your lender escrows funds to pay your property taxes, don’t just deduct the amount escrowed, says Bob Meighan, CPA and vice president at TurboTax in San Diego. The regular amount you pay into your escrow account each month to cover property taxes is probably a little more or a little less than your property tax bill. Your lender will adjust the amount every year or so to realign the two.
For example, your tax bill might be $1,200, but your lender may have collected $1,100 or $1,300 in escrow over the year. Deduct only $1,200. Your lender will send you an official statement listing the actual taxes paid. Use that. Don’t just add up 12 months of escrow property tax payments.
Sin #3: Deducting points paid to refinance
Deduct points you paid your lender to secure your mortgage in full for the year you bought your home. However, when you refinance, says Meighan, you must deduct points over the life of your new loan. If you paid $2,000 in points to refinance into a 15-year mortgage, your tax deduction is $133 per year.
Sin #4: Failing to deduct private mortgage insurance
Lenders require home buyers with a downpayment of less than 20% to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). Avoid the common mistake of forgetting to deduct your PMI payments. However, note the deduction begins to phase out once your adjusted gross income reaches $100,000 and disappears entirely when your AGI surpasses $109,000.
Sin #5: Misjudging the home office tax deduction
This deduction may not be as good as it seems. It often doesn’t amount to much of a deduction, has to be recaptured if you turn a profit when you sell your home, and can pique the IRS’s interest in your return. Hampton’s advice: Claim it only if it’s worth those drawbacks.
Sin #6: Missing the first-time home buyer tax credit
If you met the midyear 2010 deadlines, don’t forget to take this tax credit into account when filing.
Even if you missed the 2010 deadlines, you still might be in luck: Congress extended the first-time home buyer credit for military families and other government workers on assignment outside the United States. If you meet the criteria, you have until June 30, 2011, to close on your first home and qualify for the tax credit of up to $8,000.
Sin #7: Failing to track home-related expenses
If the IRS comes a-knockin’, don’t be scrambling to compile your records. Many people forget to track home office and home maintenance and repair expenses, says Meighan. File away documents as you go. For example, save each manufacturer’s certification statement for energy tax credits, insurance company statements for PMI, and lender or government statements to confirm property taxes paid.
Sin #8: Forgetting to keep track of capital gains
If you sold your main home last year, don’t forget to pay capital gains taxes on any profit. However, you can exclude $250,000 (or $500,000 if you’re a married couple) of any profits from taxes. So if you bought a home for $100,000 and sold it for $400,000, your capital gains are $300,000. If you’re single, you owe taxes on $50,000 of gains. However, there are minimum time limits for holding property to take advantage of the exclusions, and other details. Consult IRS Publication 523.
Sin #9: Filing incorrectly for energy tax credits
If you made any eligible improvement, fill out Form 5695. Part I, which covers the 30%/$1,500 credit for such items as insulation and windows, is fairly straightforward. But Part II, which covers the 30%/no-limit items such as geothermal heat pumps, can be incredibly complex and involves crosschecking with half a dozen other IRS forms. Read the instructions carefully.
Sin #10: Claiming too much for the mortgage interest tax deduction
You can deduct mortgage interest only up to $1 million of mortgage debt, says Meighan. If you have $1.2 million in mortgage debt, for example, deduct only the mortgage interest attributable to the first $1 million.
This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Put any video on any web site in minutes using Easy Web Video
Easy Web Video is a great tool, which allows to put any video on any Web site in minutes.
It can be downloaded for free to try out all that it can do, and it can do a lot:
- easily convert almost any video type
- add labels to the video
- add links to the video
- add several videos to a video playlist (multi-video player)
- choose from lots of unique player styles
- add an Aweber email form to the video
- add social media buttons by ticking a box (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
And a lot more.
You can check it here
It's split into two panes, the left shows your "source" video and the right shows your "web" video.
Other tools use a wizard-like interface but this one shows you everything in a split screen, which I like to be able to compare my source with the web video.
When your web video looks the way you want it, just click "Publish".
That's it! No flash files to deal with, no FTP, nothing. Just click "Publish".
When you click "Publish" THEN you're prompted to signup for just $9.95/month for unlimited video hosting and playback from their dedicated servers.
Once it's published you get your own online Video Gallery where you can manage your videos online. Once it's published:
* your videos playback on iPods, iPhones, iPads
* you immediately get a "Public URL" for you to quickly share a link with anyone
* this "Public URL" is editable with a WYSIWYG editor for creating quick custom video pages
* you can enable comprehensive video analytics, to see how many people have played your
video, how long the videos played for, where they played from, and so on.
These video analytics allow you to determine how effective a video really is. Great info to have!
At the very least it's worth downloading and playing with it before you decide to sign up. See it here.
YouTube is great, sure, but there are many times where you don't want to promote their brand, or have a big square hyperlink (the YouTube video itself) on your site.
Try Easy Web Video. You will be glad you did. It is a great tool to promote any business online, but especially it is a great tool to promote real estate listings, real estate services and possibilities are unlimited.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Need a video to sell Houston real estate? Go to http://IAmOpenHouse.com
It can be downloaded for free to try out all that it can do, and it can do a lot:
- easily convert almost any video type
- add labels to the video
- add links to the video
- add several videos to a video playlist (multi-video player)
- choose from lots of unique player styles
- add an Aweber email form to the video
- add social media buttons by ticking a box (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
And a lot more.
You can check it here
It's split into two panes, the left shows your "source" video and the right shows your "web" video.
Other tools use a wizard-like interface but this one shows you everything in a split screen, which I like to be able to compare my source with the web video.
When your web video looks the way you want it, just click "Publish".
That's it! No flash files to deal with, no FTP, nothing. Just click "Publish".
When you click "Publish" THEN you're prompted to signup for just $9.95/month for unlimited video hosting and playback from their dedicated servers.
Once it's published you get your own online Video Gallery where you can manage your videos online. Once it's published:
* your videos playback on iPods, iPhones, iPads
* you immediately get a "Public URL" for you to quickly share a link with anyone
* this "Public URL" is editable with a WYSIWYG editor for creating quick custom video pages
* you can enable comprehensive video analytics, to see how many people have played your
video, how long the videos played for, where they played from, and so on.
These video analytics allow you to determine how effective a video really is. Great info to have!
At the very least it's worth downloading and playing with it before you decide to sign up. See it here.
YouTube is great, sure, but there are many times where you don't want to promote their brand, or have a big square hyperlink (the YouTube video itself) on your site.
Try Easy Web Video. You will be glad you did. It is a great tool to promote any business online, but especially it is a great tool to promote real estate listings, real estate services and possibilities are unlimited.
If you would like to sell or buy a house in the Greater Houston area, or if you have any questions regarding Houston Real Estate please contact Irena Gorski 281-610-4524, http://IrenaGorski.com
Need a video to sell Houston real estate? Go to http://IAmOpenHouse.com
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