Reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint with a little common sense

Oreo gives this post "two claws up"

Reducing the carbon footprint of your pet, or as I titled this post, “carbon pawprint”, I admit, sounds a little “ruff”. After all, Americans love their pets and a trip to any pet supply store is a testament to just how big this business has gotten.

It is not that much of a stretch when you think about it. While your pet may make your life easier, pets also impact the planet in a negative way. The days of believing pet waste is fertilizer are long gone. Now, considered a major polluter of groundwater, responsible pet owners are called to get the scoop on poop.

Here are my tips for reducing your carbon pawprint:

• Buy quality pet food from a US plant (my pets are on Nutro)
• Clean up after your pet with recycled plastic or corn based bags
• Eliminate treats made with corn sugar or even try making your own
• Eliminate all pet foods and treats that contain food digest or meat by products
• No compost pile: no problem. Dogs are omnivores and they will eat your leftover including vegetables and fruits
• Use clay free kitty litter
• Recycle pet food packaging
• Use metal or ceramic pet food dishes
• Give your pet toys that are home made or at least made from natural materials
• Pay attention to ingredients on shampoos and flea and tick treatments
• Go organic on lawn care, when pets lick their feet they are licking off lawn chemicals
• Spay or neuter your pet
• Microchip your pet so that if they get lost, they won’t take up days at a shelter

I realize this post doesn’t have much to do with real estate but pets are part of our home and our lifestyle. I hope this blog post gives you “paws”.

NC historic property tax credit and renovation tax deduction for historic homes

Historic home renovations can offer a home owner incentives and tax credits that provide unique benefits when investing in historic propery. There are two different things here: a tax credit (reduction in property tax) when your home registered as a historic property and the second is tax credit for money spent on renovating a historic property.

I recently attended a neighborhood meeting within my community, Historic Oakwood, where these two things were discussed and neighbors generously shared their insight and experiences. If you are confused; no worries. At the end of the meeting, the one consensus is this is a complex, complicated subject. However, most of the neighbors who went through it said that it is not a difficult process, just a lot of detail work.

The renovation tax credit is given in increments of 25,000 improvements to historic property. Owners may apply for this credit multiple times. The improvements must protect the historic integrity of the home. It is also important to know that you will need to provide before and after photos and architectural drawings.  Projects that change the historic features will be denied. For example, they prefer damaged clapboards be replaced versus residing an entire facade. If you are hoping to remove the wall between the kitchen and dining room, forget about it. In order to get this tax credit, you will need to restore original features and floor plans.  The review board is looking for whether a feature or improvement is “contributing” to the historic integrity when they approve or deny a project for the renovation tax credit.

The take away is to do your homework.  Review all paperwork in advance and ask questions before beginning construction if you plan to take advantage of this tax credit.

Wake County real estate market data shows continuing improvement

The Wake County real estate market data for December 2011 is available and the positive trend continues for the fifth month in a row. It seems there is nothing but good news about Raleigh lately; creating the chicken or the egg debate. Is the market improving because Raleigh is experiencing so much good press or is the city getting good press because the market is strong? Either way, it is all good.

The trend of increase in the number of closed sales and increase in median home prices continued, a trend that began in August. Inventory continues to decrease, which is making it harder for buyers to find a home they want and easier for sellers to find a buyer for their property.

If this trend continues, we could see a move away from the current buyer’s market to a more neutral market with shorter days on the market for sellers.

Read the stats here and let me know if I can answer any questions:
wake county market data 12:11

Tax deductions for homeowners

Tax deductions for homeowners represent the financial side of the joys of home ownership. Of course, there are many other things to love about having your home; many intangible.  But, from the view point of managing your finances, nothing is more exciting than those wonderful tax deductions.  I thought I’d send out a little blog post as a reminder to make sure you are taking all of your deductions.  January is after all the month for  cold weather, new year resolutions and w-2 forms in the  mailbox.

• Mortgage interest remains one of the only substantial deductions for many wage earners.
• PMI has gone in and out of the tax roll but this year it is in, so take your deduction.
• Closing costs: be sure to provide a copy of your HUD1, aka your closing statement to your accountant if you purchased a home in 2011.
• Real estate taxes are also deductible and tax time is probably the only time you might be glad you are living in a high tax district.
• Energy star and energy efficient home improvements put money in your pocket all year and at tax time.

Check out home related deductions at the irs website or just do what I do and hire a CPA to do it for you:

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p530/ar02.html#en_US_2010_publink1000255155

Raleigh is the healthiest of cities for women and men

Raleigh was just ranked as the healthiest city for women and ranked in the top 10 healthiest for men. The honor published by Women’s Health and Men’s Health magazine considered everything from prevention to how many vegetable servings/day are eaten in the mix.

Raleigh women are strong on prevention and Raleigh men have above average fitness and lower obesity rates (how about that ladies?)

You can read the articles here:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/best-cities-for-women-2012

http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/best-worst-cities-men-2012

Raleigh is a vibrant city  and the weather makes you want to get out and enjoy the outdoors. People are friendly, concerned about the environment and energy conservation, and there seems to be a health club on every block.

Although the magazine utilized measurable data, I believe that much of what is to love about the lifestyle in Raleigh is an intangible.

Raleigh best city to live…I agree!

Raleigh is the best city to live in the US according to Bloomberg Businessweek. It is no secret that population is still growing in the triangle. I agree with the article;  Raleigh is a fabulous place to live. What I love about the city is the perfect balance of sophistication and small city charm. The people who call Raleigh home are a melting pot with a small minority of the population actually born and raised in the area.

The diverse, educated population demands rich cultural experiences from dining to supporting the arts.

I could go on an on about what I love about Raleigh:  the environmental consciousness, the mountain/beaches and natural beauty, the sense of community, great educational opportunities…. but I will provide the link here and let you read what the experts say.

If you are thinking about moving to the triangle, I will give this little bit of advice; “better get on it”, our well kept secret is out of the bag.

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/which-is-americas-best-city-09202011.html

203K Renovation Loans are back

Renovation loans, also known as 203K loans are back. For a while these products had all but disappeared. Buyers who want to finance improvements in their home will find this is a great solution.

The amount of money that can be borrowed for improvements will depend on the property and the purchase price. The home must appraise for a 90% loan to value when the improvements are complete. Improvements can be functional or cosmetic, but must add “value” as determined by the bank and their appraiser.  A buyer with excellent credit scores can get approved with as little as a 5% down payment.

If you want to learn more about this product and need the name of a lender who can assist you, you can check the HUD website and search 203K approved lenders list.  I have some personal experience with this so feel free to contact me if I can assist you.

Triangle real estate continues uptrend

The November Triangle Real Estate Market Trends report is now available showing continuing improvement. Inventory continued to decline as did number of days on the market. Pending and closed sales are up over November 2010. As these trends continue, we are experiencing a shift toward the middle, away from the strong buyer’s market to a more neutral market.

This indicates our true bottom may be here or already gone.

Nov 2012 market report

Durham short sale move in ready

Durham home priced to sell offers a move in ready interior and almost new condition.  The home is just a few years old so all systems, from roof to heating and air conditioning are just a couple years old.  The home unlike many other short sale or foreclosed properties, is clean and well maintained.

Priced at 99,000, this home recently appraised for $127,000 and is offered well below the tax value.  The home is located on a large corner lot in a quiet neighborhood in north Durham surrounded by a wooded buffer.  With large rooms, 3 bedrooms and 3 baths and neutral decor, it’s a must see in this price range.

Please see the details of the listing at my website:  http://www.mariescheuring.com/search/index.htm  This home is a short sale, which means the bank needs to approve final terms of a contract so it is not for the buyer who is in a hurry to close.  This one is worth waiting for.

Green chair project helping those in need

The Green Chair project is a not-for profit organization that helps the Raleigh community living below the poverty level and those affected by disasters. Nearly 9% of the population lives below the poverty line and this is a way to save the planet and contribute in your community.

The organization takes donations at their location at 1854 Capital Blvd. on certain days and times. Every year, tons of household items and furniture get sent to the landfill.  Moving can account for a lot of items going into the trash that could easily be repurposed and reused.  If you are planning a move, I hope you will consider donating your items to this worthy cause.  The group accepts most household items and furniture.

You can check out the details of donating, volunteering and their hours of operation at:
www.thegreenchair.org