There are only 44 days left in the year 2011! We say the same thing every year: “I can’t believe it’s already November!” As we approach the end of the year, it’s that time where it’s a good idea to donate used clothes and goods to non-profit organizations. Like many others, I’ve taken loads of my gently used clothes to the Goodwill and made a list of the items and their worth in order to get an IRS tax deduction. Are you getting the most you can for your non-cash charitable contribution? I know I haven’t!! I would normally claim only a few hundred dollars for all my goods, but according to this Non-Cash Charitable Contributions worksheet from Pinnacle Tax and Financial Services, my donated items are worth a LOT more than I imagined!

I wanted to share that link with you because I found it helpful. Before you use it, check with the one who prepares your taxes to make sure they agree, but from what I understand it is current.

Stay tuned – my website is getting a makeover!

Listed By Stephanie - Old Site

What a gorgeous day in Seattle! It’s the first day of Summer and it’s a rare warm and sunny day here in the Puget Sound area! Years ago on days like today, I’d grab an Organic Drift pizza from Zeek’s Pizza off Dravus in Queen Anne; stop by a little convenience store near Lake Union to grab a Snapple; and head over to Gas Works Park to eat my meal from a park bench facing Lake Union while watching the sail boats with a friend or two. On Tuesdays there were always more boats because of the Duck Dodge of Lake Union boat races.

Here’s a picture I took in 2000 from one of those benches with a pizza next to me. I used a good old fashioned film camera – remember those?

Seattle - Lake Union

Now I’m feeling nostalgic… who wants to grab a pizza and go to Gasworks Park with me? Have a great evening and enjoy that warm sunshine while it’s here!

Stephanie and Ronald 2011

Not too long ago, I made my way to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House to deliver all of the toiletry items I’d collected from friends, family members and clients.  I thought I was finished, but then I received phone calls, tweets and messages from  four other friends who had saved up items for my Fourth Annual Toiletries Drive.  So, I’m happy to say I am still collecting unused hotel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash, bar soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste and body or hand lotion. I’ll be taking more of these donations to the RMcDH in early March, and please contact me if you’ve saved up some for this cause.

To all of you who kindly shipped, handed, delivered or dropped off these items to me – the Seattle Ronald McDonald House and I thank you!!

If you’re like most people, you feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day. Technology is supposed to help us save time, but still, many of us are guilty of lying awake at night worried about all that we didn’t accomplish that day. If you’re looking for ways to maximize your time, might I suggest these easy time-saving tips:

Check List

• Start each day by defining your priorities. Plan activities in the morning, when your energy is highest, and save easier tasks for late afternoon.
• Group errands together. You’ll save time and gas money!
• Keep workspaces as tidy as possible. You don’t want to waste time searching for things.
• Though it seems counterintuitive, try to leave your office at least once during the day. A mid-day walk or lunch break can increase afternoon productivity significantly.
• If you still have a home phone, get caller ID. You’ll save time by screening calls from telemarketers. Make return calls when you have more time or can multi-task while you’re on the phone.
• It’s a cliché for a reason: make a “To Do” list. Organize it into daily tasks, monthly reminders, and long- and short-term goals. Don’t underestimate the satisfaction that comes with checking a task off of your list!
• Delegate. Hire a young neighbor to wash your car, walk the dog, or cut the grass. You’ll save time and he or she will make a few extra, needed dollars. A win-win situation!
• Get up a few minutes earlier in the morning. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish in just five extra minutes before work. Unload the dishwasher, clean out the fridge, take out the garbage, sweep the kitchen, or change a few light bulbs.

And most importantly, don’t waste time today worrying about what you didn’t get accomplished yesterday. It will still be there tomorrow!

Most of us know someone who has had a child receive care at Children’s Hospital, and we’ve heard the many success stories of children that have overcome their health issues. As Puget Sound residents, we are blessed to live in an area with such excellent doctors. Not everyone who visits Children’s Hospital is a local resident. Some families travel thousands of miles to visit the Seattle Children’s Hospital, and they have an opportunity to stay at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House for less than the cost of a hotel stay. According to their website, approximately 1,100 families use RMDH as their home away from home each year, making the Seattle location the second largest House in the world.

Seattle Ronald McDonald House Sign

Please join me in collecting toiletry items for the families that stay at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House. Unlike a hotel, these rooms are not equipped with toiletry items for the families, so the RMDH relies on donations from vendors and caring individuals like yourself. The families staying at RMDH are often stressed with the enormous travel expenses and medical bills and having a few free toiletry items on hand will surely help them.
Here are the toiletry items the RMDH needs. Do you have any extra new & unused toothbrushes from dentist appointments or hotel stays? The small trial sizes are appreciated just as much as full size!

Toothpaste    /    Liquid Body Wash    /    Body Lotion 
Toothbrushes    /    Shampoo    /    Hand Soap
Floss    /    Conditioner    /    Bar Soap

HERE IS HOW TO GET THE DONATED ITEMS TO RMDH: 
- You may drop them off in a box or bag (to my attention) at my office Monday through Friday 8 am—7 pm, Saturday & Sunday 9 am—5 pm.
- Deliver them directly to the Ronald McDonald House, located at 5130 40th Avenue NE, Seattle. The phone number for RMDH is (206) 838-0600.

I am collecting items through December 15th, 2008 and will deliver them to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House for you.

You may contact me on my cell phone at (206) 419-2833 or email me with questions.

Thank you in advance for helping to make a positive difference in other people’s lives.

…then simply buy and sell with me!

You may not know this, but my office has an exclusive contract with American Home Shield. Every one of our listings comes with a complimentary AHS home warranty for the length of the listing! No other real estate companies offer this service, so when you list with me, you can rest assured that if something breaks, you won’t have to fix it.

AHS Home Warranty

According to the AHS application, this is what is covered from the moment your property is listed until midnight of the day it closes/sells:

• plumbing system
• plumbing stoppages
• sump pump
• pressure regulators
• built-in Whirlpool motor & pump
• water heater
• electrical system
• dishwasher
• garbage disposal
• built-in microwave oven
• range/oven/cooktop
• exhaust fan
• trash compactor
• garage door opener
• ceiling fans
• instant hot water dispenser
• telephone wiring
• central vacuum system
• doorbells

If your home is listed with me and one of these items fails during the listing period, all you’ll need to do is call the 1-800 number, give them your contract number, and pay the serviceperson the trade service call fee ($55 or $65) just once. Even if the serviceperson comes out multiple times or has to replace something after ordering a part or a new appliances, you only pay once!

Also, if I represent a buyer on the purchase of a home, the seller automatically gets this same coverage, even if they are listed with another broker or for sale by owner. That way, if something breaks, it should be all repaired or replaced by the time you move in.

This is just one of many values that Real Living – The Real Estate Group provides. If you have questions about a home warranty or about listing your property, please contact me. I’m here to help!

With so many homes on the market right now, I thought it would be relevant to post some safety tips for sellers.  Whether you are selling your home today or in the future, it’s important to take some precautionary measures to ensure that you and your home are protected at all times. When your house is for sale it could be shown at almost any given time – usually when you’re not there. While the vast majority of buyers are of no concern, it is still in your best interest to follow some basic safety guidelines. 

1.  Remove all valuables and put them in a safe place.

2.  There have been a number of prescription drugs thefts at listed homes in the area. Make sure that all prescription drugs are well-hidden or carry them with you.

3.  Home sellers who choose not work with a real estate agent can put themselves at risk because they are often alone during home showings and open houses. If you are selling your own home, communicate with your neighbors and let them know when you’re expecting a buyer so they can watch for possible problem signs.

4.  Owners that are selling their home themselves should keep a log of everyone who has looked at your home. In addition to their name and phone number, they should also write down a description of their car, license plate number, and any other information that would be helpful in the event of any trouble.

5.  Never open your door to anyone who says that they are interested in seeing your home. If the buyer is genuine, he or she will be accompanied by a real estate agent. If you’re ever faced with this situation, simply direct them to contact your agent.

6.  No real estate agent should ever stop by your home without following the proper steps, such as calling to arrange a showing. Just because someone shows you a business card, it does not mean they are truly a licensed real estate agent in good standing with the MLS and the State Licensing Department. An agent cannot show a home without their real estate “eKey,” which is an electronic device that opens the key box and records which properties they have viewed and the time they opened the key box. For your own safety, never open the door to let an agent into your home. If you are still home while they are arriving, tell them they must use the key box to gain access to the home.

I thought I’d share these tips with you.  We can all appreciate saving some money these days, right?

5 TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY AT THE GAS PUMP

1. Fill Up Early in the Morning or Late at Night - Gasoline becomes denser in colder temperatures.  Since gas pumps are set to measure the volume of the fuel that you pump and not the density, you could get more gas for your money!

2. Check for Prices Online Before Going Out - There are several web sites online that help you find the cheapest gas in your area.  www.GasBuddy.com is one of these helpful websites.  Enter your zip code and it will display the least expensive fuel prices in your area.

3. Avoid Running Your Gas Tank Too Close to Empty - You may think that you are using very little gas when your car is running on empty, but you are actually using MORE fuel because your vehicle is running less efficiently as it tries to accelerate and decelerate in a normal fashion.

4. Avoid Buying Gas from a Just-Replenished Gas Station - When a gas station has its underground tanks filled, the particles at the bottom of the tank are stirred up.  These particles can become mixed in with the gas that you are putting into your car, which can lead to efficiency problems.  The particles can clog your fuel filter, causing your car to stall and start with some difficulty.

5. Tighten the Gas Cap - It may seem like a small thing to do, but tightening your gas cap will prevent gas from evaporating and escaping into the air.

Here is some information about the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 and what it means for you!  There is a very nice summary of the bill located at the National Association of REALTORS website here and some FHA FAQ’s can be answered by clicking here. 

Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008

The passage of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is an enormous step forward for homeownership that not only benefits hundreds of thousands of current and potential homebuyers.

What does the legislation mean for you?

Key Points of the Housing Bill:

      First – time home buyer tax credit

Higher permanent loan limits

Foreclosure relief

Refinancing assistance

Lines of credit to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Additional deduction for property taxes

First – Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Buyers who are purchasing for the first time or who haven’t owned property in the last three years would qualify for a tax credit equal to 10% of their home purchase price, up to $7,500.

•       Purchase must be made between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009
•       Home must be primary residence
•       Can not have owned a home in the last 3 years
•       Credit phases out if buyer’s income exceeds $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for a couple filing jointly
•       This is a tax credit and not a tax deduction
•       Credit must be paid back over 15 years in equal installments

Effects of First – Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

The 1975 Housing Act created a 5% tax credit (up to $2,000) for first-time buyers. 535,000 people took advantage of the tax credit to become new homeowners.

In 2008, there is a good selection of homes in the more affordable price ranges, but there is not an overabundance. Homes in the more affordable price ranges will only go up over this next ten-year housing cycle.

The ripple effect of increased sales in the more affordable markets will eventually cause a chain reaction of sales up the price points, helping stabilize the entire housing economy.

Higher Permanent Loan Limits

•       FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits will be permanently increased to 115% of median price, up to $625,000!!!
•       FHA base limit (floor) is increased to $271,050
•       Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac base limit remains at $417,000
•       Loan limits will depend on median price in the MSA (metropolitan statistical are,) up to a maximum of $625,000.

Higher loan limits mean more buyers qualify for affordable financing, especially those seeking to purchase homes in the higher price ranges.

Foreclosure Relief

Will provide assistance to more than 400,000 homeowners who are in danger of foreclosing.

•       Homeowners must live in homes that were financed between January 2005 and June 2007.
•       They must be spending at least 31% of gross income on mortgage payments
•       Home will need to be reappraised to determine current value
•       Lenders will write down value of loan to 90% of home’s current value
•       FHA will back each loan

Refinancing Assistance

The government will insure up to $300 billion in refinanced mortgages.

Decreasing the number of foreclosures will help curtail their negative effect on home prices.

Lines of Credit to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

The treasury Department will have the power to extend unlimited credit to Fannie and Freddie.

Will create a new regulator to oversee these GSEs (government sponsored enterprises)

Government support of Fannie and Freddie will boost consumer and investor confidence in home lending.

Additional Deduction for Property Taxes

Homeowners can deduct up to $500 (or $1,000 for joint filers) for state and local property taxes.

•       Applies only to homeowners who claim the standard deduction, not those who itemize
•       Applies only to 2008 tax returns

Among homeowners nationwide. Currently only one half itemize. So 50% of all homeowners can take advantage of this tax deduction.

Additional Notes

The act will eliminate seller funded down payment assistance programs including Ameridream, Genesis, and Nehemiah effective October 1, 2008. The borrower must be under contract, underwritten and approved by September 30, 2008.

Effects of Housing Tax Credit

The last time the government passed a tax credit for home buyers, 535,000 people took advantage of it, sales of homes increased 10%, and inventory of new homes on the market was cut from over 10 months to fewer than 6. The 2008 legislation could boost the number of homes sold to 700,000 or 10%. 

This is the beginning of the next real estate cycle!

If you have been waiting for the ringing bell to alert you to the right time to buy or sell, this legislation could be it – don’t miss this opportunity!