Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible?
The answer to whether closing costs are tax-deductible -- is often the most frustrating one- “It depends." Basically, you'll want to itemize if you have deductions totaling more than the standard deduction, which for 2021 is $12,550 for a single person and $25,100 for...
200,00 fewer Listings than 2020 this Spring
KEY POINTS Based on calculation from Realtor.com, there were 207,000 fewer homes for sale in February than a year earlier.Core Logic states the prices in January were up almost 10% year over year. Lowest supply of home on Record in Spring 2021. Severe weather,...
2 Ways to Claim Home Office Tax Deduction
If you're self-employed and work from home, you may be able to save some money at tax time by using the home office tax deduction. You have two choices on how to claim it, and those choices depend on your preference for time savings or money savings. One way lets you...
2 Hour Action Plan for Cleaning a Home
Put on some music, a podcast, or an audiobook you want to listen to. It should be something fun. Then set a timer for two hours, and you are ready to begin. 5 MINUTES – Strip every bed in the home and put the dirty linens in the washer. 5 MINUTES - Get a...
Why Lumber Prices Doubled in the Last 3 Months?
Increased demand for single-family housing, much of it driven by the coronavirus pandemic, has housing starts up 30% year over year, according to the U.S. Census. That is part of the issue on the demand side. There has also been a surge in home remodeling, as people...
How do you use a Tax Refund as a Mortgage Down Payment?
A tax refund is one of several ways to come up with a down payment and closing costs to buy a home. Many mortgage programs have a requirement that monies used for a down payment be “sourced and seasoned.” Sourced funds mean showing where the money came...
St. Patrick’s Day Green Smoothie
If you are a fan of smoothies, get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with this vegetable smoothie that combines not one but two vegetables. It is a super-healthy way to start St. Parick’s Day or any other day. Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 1 cup unsweetened...
Things that are not Irish we associate with St. Patrick’s Day
Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known...
A House Plant Anyone can Grow
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum homo sum) The gift that keeps on giving. Seldom do you see a spider plant that does not have some “babies” attached. Ideally suited to hanging baskets, these plants will even grow in a styrofoam cup. Eventually, they will reach a...
The Great Exodus and What the New Home Buyer Needs
As the country went under lockdown, Americans were on the move. Over the last year, 1 in 20 adults moved from where they were living either permanently or temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center. Most cited...
Low-Fat Spinach Dip
In honor of National Spinach Day (March 26th), for March Madness, or just for fun, try this Low-fat Spinach Dip. Ingredients: 6 oz of fresh spinach1 tsp. garlic powder1 tsp. lemon juice1 tsp. chili powder¼ cup of green onion, chopped1 cup plain non-fat Greek...
Two Falsehoods in the Homebuying Process
The Millenials are no different from the previous generation when it comes to the dream of homeownership. 84% of millennials consider it part of the American Dream, according to the 2020 Millennial Home Buyer Report. There are some hurdles for these Millenials...
10 Things To Do On Valentine’s Day To Always Remember
There is a line to a song that says, "It's just about the time Spent together..." Many people feel that some grandiose gesture is needed on February 14 to express your love for another. The truth is, as the song says, "It's just about the time spent together". Many...
Tiramisu for Valentine’s Day
What could be better than homemade Tiramisu for Valentine’s Day (or any other day)? Tiramisu is a dessert that always leaves a good impression and is not that difficult to make. Ingredients 6 Egg yolks3 Tablespoons sugar1 Pound of Mascarpone cheese1 ½ Cups of...
For Chewy Cookie Fans
SERVES: Makes 2 dozen cookies TIME: 1½ hours, plus 30 minutes cooling INGREDIENTS 2 ¼ cups (11 1/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon table salt 1 ½ cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar, plus 1/3 cup for rolling 2...
Feds Interest Rate and Vaccine Effect on Housing Market
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left future economic policies virtually unchanged at this month’s meeting, indicating that short-term mortgage rates will stay low for years to come. “The pace of the recovery in economic activity and employment has moderated...
Interior Design Trends Going Away In 2021
2020 made many of us rethink the relationship we have with our homes. Shutdowns necessitated by the Pandemic made many of us create spaces for homeschooling, office space, even fitness areas. Choosing the right aesthetic, moving, renovating, or planning future...
Home Prices are Up, Way Up!
U.S. home price growth surged in the penultimate month of 2020 to a level not seen in nearly seven years. Standard & Poor’s said that its S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index posted a 9.5% annual gain in November, up from 8.4% in October. The...
12 Family Activities for This Winter
As the COVID-19 Pandemic lingers on, some of us may be running out of ideas to pass the time. With that sentiment in mind, this list of a dozen activities may offer some suggestions on passing the time. Take a hike! Hitting a local trail with your family –...
Western Omelet Roll-Ups
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced8 large eggs1/4 c. milkKosher saltFreshly ground black pepper2...
Shrimp and Grits
With origins that go back to the Muskogee tribe of the Creek Native Americans, shrimp and grits are Southern comfort food. Sometimes referred to as Breakfast Shrimp, this Low Country staple is a must-try for any shrimp lover. If you’ve ever eaten it, you know...
Healthy Housing Market should continue in 2021
Throughout 2019 and 2020, housing inventory was at record lows. Despite the pandemic and high unemployment, home sales are outpacing new listings every month. Unless there are sellers forced to come to the market in 2021, this scenario should continue. The...
Monthly Home Maintenance
Many home experts advise setting aside between one and three percent of your home's value every year to cover repair and maintenance costs. This amount should cover occasional issues like a leaking pipe or a cracked window. But more significant problems lead to bigger...
Kitchen Trends in 2021
Kitchen Trends over the Years Kitchen trends come and go in as far as kitchen design is concerned. The avocado and harvest gold-colored kitchen appliances were hot items in the 1960s, and black appliance kitchens were the rage in the 1900s. Hiding devices...
7 Ways to Add a Pop of Color Without Painting
Repainting a room or your entire house is a great way to bring a brand-new look to your home. But it can also be messy and time-consuming to do yourself and expensive if you hire professionals. Also, if you don't like the results, you have to start again from scratch....
5 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually a Hot Time to Buy a Home
Ask anyone that has been to an open house or a home showing in the middle of a snowstorm, and they tell you they prefer to look at homes in the spring and summer. Ask sellers, and they will tell you they don't want potential buyers tracking snow through their house in...
Which Minor Repairs Have The Most Impact When Selling?
When you think about getting your home ready for sale, you think about large items such as repainting walls and updating your kitchen. While these will definitely make a difference, there are a few minor improvements that are often overlooked which deter the most...
Tips For Spending The Holidays Alone
We are sure we can speak for everyone when we say we didn’t think we would be having a quarantine holiday season. 2020 has proven over and over again it is full of surprises. For some of us, this means that a time typically spent with family and friends is now going...
Settling Into A New Home This Holiday Season? Here Are Some Tips
There is nothing better than traditions during the holiday season, especially in years like this one. What better time to create new traditions and honor old ones than moving into a new space. While you may not be able to do everything the same as always, now is the...
Elf on the Shelf-Inspired Mischief Munch
INGREDIENTS 2 c. French Toast Crunch cereal 1 c. Cookie Crisp cereal 2 2/3 c. Life cereal 1 c. mini marshmallows 1/2 c. red and green M&Ms 12 oz. white chocolate 2 tbsp. holiday sprinkles 1/4 c. mini chocolate chips DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, combine all...
