Tax Savings With Home Improvements

TAX SAVINGS WITH HOME IMPROVEMENTS? Looking to do some year end home projects? If you are you may qualify for tax credits.  Also, contractors might not be so busy during the holiday season making them easier to reach. Windows, doors, roofs, even appliances and HVAC systems are included in the list.  Projects only qualify on your principal residence and must be completed by December 31, 2010.

Check out this useful link to see what tax credits are available for your home improvement projects. A note of caution here: over the years many different variations of a scheme to encumber your house with a lien for improvements have been offered. Sometimes these are city or county programs sometimes they are offered through other organizations. Be careful about this. If you are planning to sell these programs can complicate the sale of your home or in some cases kill your chances for selling.

Don't forget to check with your city, county and even energy suppliers to see what programs, credits or rebates they may have for you.  For example many water companies will help you design a water saving landscape plan and gas companies will offer a free check up for gas appliance efficiency. Another option is to check out what appliances you could replace for newer more efficient models that come with a rebate. Sometimes these rebates are offered at the store or through your electric company.

For a more information on the projects most likely to increase the value of your home feel free to contact Michael.

Year End Home Improvements Net Tax Savings

Looking to do some year end home projects? If you are you may qualify for tax credits.  Also, contractors might not be so busy during the holiday season making them easier to reach. Windows, doors, roofs, even appliances and HVAC systems are included in the list.  Projects only qualify on your principal residence and must be completed by December 31, 2010.

Check out this useful link to see what tax credits are available for your home improvement projects.

Don't forget to check with your city, county and even energy suppliers to see what programs, credits or rebates they may have for you.  For example many water companies will help you design a water saving landscape plan and gas companies will offer a free check up for gas appliance efficiency.

For a more information on the projects most likely to increase the value of your home feel free to contact Michael.

Palm Springs International Film Festival Jan 6-17, 2011

The film fest returns this year, its 22nd,  with an expected crowd of  attendees numbering some 100,000 plus. With a mix of brand new films, other film fest winners and cutting edge foreign films there is an endless variety of films to enjoy.

Award recipients have already started to be named for the Gala black tie awards event to be held during the Festival.   Carey Mulligan and  Jennifer Lawrence are slated to receive awards for break out performance and rising star awards respectively. Past honorees at the event have included Jennifer Hudson, Dakota Fanning, Scarlett Johansson.  Attendees and other honorees have include such stars as Clint Eastwood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jeff Bridges.

Not only is the film festival fun but it gives Palm Springs a chance to shine in the spotlight of international media attention.  Be sure to get your tickets early as many showings will sell out.  Got to the festival website for more information and ticket reservations.

Luxury Real Estate The New Bargain?

As the Real Estate market continues to move through the massive changes in the marketplace different bright spots come and go almost like meteors passing across the

night sky. Certain types of properties, certain price ranges will be hot for a few months and then fade.  Some of that is dictated by prevailing loan programs and seller incentives.


In my market place, just a few months ago, any property priced under $150,000, would immediately receive multiple all cash offers.  In that price range at least it seemed like the heady  days of 2005-2006. Bidding wars and buyers falling out of trees.  That has quietly faded probably because many buyers have spent their cash and also the inventory in this price category is drastically reduced from what it was. Investors who bought most of these seem to be rehabbing them and entering them into the rental pool - which is quite competitive in its' own right.

Currently the best deals are starting to be seen in the higher end up to and including the luxury homes.  There are some truly stunning deals out there.  Some of the homes have been reduced as much as 50%.  While you may not be in the market for a luxury property the near luxury properties in the $700, 000- one million dollar range are also seeing dramatic price reductions.

The Banks have been slow to foreclose on these larger properties but there are foreclosures and more coming.  Most industry insiders are reporting that the next two years will see a much larger percentage of luxury real estate and commercial real estate  go on the market at very competitive prices. The number of lower priced homes will slow and the inventory start to dwindle.  In my market place we are seeing the under $250,000 homes actually go up slightly in value.

You can look at some of the great luxury values in the Palm Springs are by using this link.

Mission Inn Festival Of Lights

The 18TH Annual FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - at the Historic Mission Inn in Riverside - begins today Friday, November  26 at sunset and continues through Sunday, January 2, 2011.

This is a not to be missed event that will put anyone in the Christmas spirit.  The Mission Inn occuppies and entire block right off of the 91 Highway in downtown Riverside.  The whole exterior of the property is draped in lights and moving figurines and characters.  It is sure to delight people of all ages.

If you make reservations the dining rooms, especially the outdoor patio, serve memorable meals.

See more about the Mission Inn

Video Of the Lights:

Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY

Thanksgiving

To You and

Yours!