The Crisis of Credit Visualized

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Home Sweet Home Improvement

The Coldwell Banker® Network offers tips for upgrading your home and increasing property value:

Whether you are planning to add more rooms, upgrade your kitchen or want to put your home on the market, the Coldwell Banker Network offers some essential home improvement tips to increase the value of your home.

Kitchen makeover. The kitchen is the most popular room in the house to remodel. Most in the industry will tell you money spent upgrading a kitchen produces the highest return on investment. Hot makeover trends include adding dual sinks, cooking stations, bigger dishwashers, under-cabinet lighting, warming ovens and wine coolers. Also consider upgrading all major appliances.

Bathroom fixer-upper. Upgrading a bathroom is another sound choice and will often provide a significant return on investment, as large bathrooms typically top the list for those seeking a new home. Adding skylights, sunken whirlpool baths, or larger showers are other attractive selling features.

Cosmetic touch-ups. A paint job, new double-paned windows, or new carpeting will increase the price of a house virtually dollar-for-dollar. It is important to make sure your home standards are in-line with other houses in the neighborhood. Neutral colors and no clutter make a world of difference! It is vital to look after minor problems such as a leaky faucet or a loose cabinet to guarantee your house doesn't experience any long-term damage. As soon as you notice a problem, fix it sooner than later to help avoid a larger expense down the road.

Home improvement professionals for hire. Whether you need an architect, gardener, interior designer or contractor, it is always important to do a background check prior to hiring a professional. Get references from family or friends and then interview your selection. Important qualities to look for are trust and experience, not initial price.

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

The "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009” passed the House on February 13, 2009 and was signed into law on February 17 by President Obama. One of the key features of this bill is the improvements made to the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit. The credit is now truly a credit (it does not require payback as long as you stay in your home for 3 years), in the amount of 10% of your home's sale price up to $8,000.

Read more from realtor.org -

Homebuyer Tax Credit – The bill provides for a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. The credit does not require repayment. Most of the mechanics of the credit will be the same as under the 2008 rules: the credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser's income tax liability. If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

Chart Highlighting the Major Modifications to the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit> (PDF: 309K)

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF: 483K)

NAR's Presentation: The 2009 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit (PDF: 319K)

Sounds pretty good, huh? Well, if you have not owned a home in the past 3 years you are in luck because you qualify! So let's get house hunting!