To Remodel or Not To Remodel?
Land of the Free
It makes me proud, yet humbled to be a Realtor. Not just a real estate agent, a Realtor. It represents an obligation outlines in these 2 paragraphs at the beginning of the Preamble:
"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. Realtors® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.
Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which Realtors® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. Realtors®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow Realtors® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.
Obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. You get more than you expect, in other words.
On this 4th of July weekend, I remind myself and recommit to the patriotic duty of my work. I am thankful to be able to practice real estate. Times are tough for many and you might need someone on your side who listens, acts and negotiates in your best interest for positive solutions to your real estate needs.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. A good rule for any business practice.
Medical ID Theft:
According to the FTC, you may be a victim of medical identity theft if:
· You get a bill for medical services you didn't receive
· A debt collector contacts you about a medical debt you do not owe
· You see medical collection notices you do not recognize on your credit report
· You attempt to make a health claim and you plan says you�ve reached your benefit limit
· You are denied insurance because your medical records show a condition you don't have
Do what you can to prevent or at least minimize your risk.
Donï't give out personal or medical information on the phone or through mail/email unless you've intitiated the contact. Medical ID thieves pose as insurors, doctors' offices, clinics, pharmacies and even government agencies to get people to reveal their personal information.
Make sure any copies of your insurance and health records are in a secure place. Be careful, very careful, about sharing information online which requires your SSN (social security number), insurance account information or any personal information. Look for indicators that the site is secure. Look in your webrowswer status bar for �https� (instead of the usual �http�). And remember, email is not secure. It is by its very nature a third party communication.
Destroy labels on prescription bottles before throwing them away. Shred any health insurance forms, prescriptions and physician statements.
There are a few resources which can help you in your protection and detection.
Get a free annual credit report at www.ftc.gov/freereports or call 1-877-322-8228.
If you find inaccurate or fraudulent information, get it fixed or removed. To learn how go to www.ftc.gov/idtheft
In asking for a copy of your medical records, providers cannot deny you access. They may be fearful of violating HIPAA privacy right which are there to protect YOU. You have a right to know and if you're denied, you may appeal. Your provider should have a Notice of Privacy Practices which names a patient representative or ombudsman. If you're still denied after 30 days, you can file a complaint with the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Go to www.hhs.gov/ocr
This is just an overview. For further information about fraud filing, credit report flagging and your rights under HIPAA, go to www.ftc.gov and you'll find full information.
This can happen to anyone, at any age. If you know a neighbor or family member who might be easily confused by this, have a conversation with them. Young people are just beginning to familiarize themselves with the system might be just as vulnerable as a trusting senior citizen. One of the worst times you can learn of such an event on your credit is when you're applying for a mortgage.
You can bounce back from Medical Identity Theft. First you have to know you're a victim and then you need to go act on it. If you need help, we have a local resource in Kitsap County, the Crime Victim Assistance Center. An avid crime victim advocate, Tamra Ingwaldson, can be very helpful in these situations. You can reach her at 360-874-8270.
Spring Cleaning: Yes, Even your Gutters
So that means our gutters are still getting a good workout and probably need some attention as well. It's good to make sure they're clear and in good repair.
When I was younger, you'd more likely find me up on a ladder doing this kind of work! I'd rather do that than vacuum!! But, I respect my limitations on a ladder and defer that to my husband.
Life is Good!
~~Kj~~
Cleaning Rain Gutters
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Pat Curry (Published: October 08, 2010)
Clean gutters to protect your siding and landscape plantings, and prevent thousands of dollars of damage to your foundation.
In a downpour, a clogged roof gutter sends a cascade of water down the side of your house, making canyons of your flowerbeds and saturating your foundation. Clean gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent damage to your landscaping and siding, and to head off expensive repairs to your foundation that may cost $10,000 or more.
How often to clean gutters
Clean gutters at least once a year-twice a year if you have overhanging trees. Also, clean clogged gutters after big storms. Clogs often occur where downspouts join the gutter system-check these areas closely.
How to clean gutters
�Wear a shirt with long sleeves. Wear rubber gloves.
�Have a good extendable ladder available. Standoff stabilizers (ladder "horns") are ideal to keep the ladder from damaging the gutter.
�Use a small plastic scoop to remove gunk. Buy a gutter scoop from the hardware store ($25) or try a child's sand shovel.
�Spare your lawn by dumping the stuff onto a plastic tarp.
�After you've cleared the muck, flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose-also a great way to spot any leaks.
Cost of a professional gutter cleaning
If climbing ladders is not your cup of tea, you can hire someone to do the job for you for between $50 and $250, depending on the size and height of your house.
Gutter covers
Interested in an ounce of prevention? You can slow clogging by installing gutter covers in the form of mesh screens, clip-on grates, or porous foam. However, the cost can be more than the gutters themselves and covers need regular maintenance to keep them clear. Expect to pay $6 to $8 per running foot for gutter covers, installed.
Serial remodeler Pat Curry is a former senior editor at BUILDER, the official magazine of the National Association of Home Builders, and a frequent contributor to real estate and home-building publications.
Spring Cleaning: Where Do I Begin?
Housecleaning is NOT my favorite pastime yet I always love it when it's done. As I sit here having my morning coffee, I think, "Where do I start?" I would much rather look at other people's homes and sell them than to clean my own! But I love our home and do take pride in taking care of it.
Spring Cleaning Guide
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Alyson McNutt English (Published: September 30, 2009)
Make spring cleaning less of a chore by following these smarter--and mostly greener--tips for this annual rite of homeownership.
Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition. After a long winter, you throw open the windows, let in fresh air, and scrub down the house. But modern spring cleaning presents challenges your grandmother never imagined. Today's homes are bigger, and the choice of cleaning supplies seemingly endless.
While you'll need to devote a day or two to this annual maintenance project, make it less of a chore by picking the right tools and methods. And by taking an environmentally friendly approach, you can also protect the well being of your family. Give this space-by-space cleaning guide a whirl this spring-or during any season, for that matter, when grime and clutter become unbearable.
Bathrooms
When it's time to get down and dirty, many people start with the bathroom (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/green-cleaning-products-for-the-bathroom/). Allen Rathey, founder of The Housekeeping Channel (http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/), says removing mineral deposits, rust, and such from toilets doesn't have to mean chemical warfare. Don rubber gloves and use a pumice stone to erase stubborn stains. If you want more scouring power, Rathey recommends mixing baking soda with acidic vinegar. The concoction is just as effective as conventional cleaners, and there are no toxic fumes to inhale. This approach works equally well on tub and shower stains.
Buy your supplies in bulk to save. A 64-ounce bottle of vinegar costs about $4; a 12-pound bag of baking soda, about $7. Both items can be used throughout the house. For just $1 you can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a 32-ounce spray bottle to make a terrific all-purpose surface cleaner. That's about $4 cheaper than buying a spray cleaner at the store.
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to extract dirt from porous grouted surfaces. For tile floors use your usual cleaner, but don't mop. Instead, run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Mopping drives the grime into the grout rather than removing it. According to Rathey, grout can harbor stinky bacteria that leave a bad odor in the bathroom. This technique is more time-consuming than mopping, but it's worthwhile to do at least once a year.
Kitchens
The kitchen (http://www.houselogic.com/articles/green-cleaning-products-for-the-kitchen/) can be a tough room to clean because there's usually so much stuff in it, says Justin Klosky, founder and creative director of The OCD Experience (http://www.ocdexperience.com), an organizational service. Before you break out the broom, go through your cabinets and drawers, and put together a box of items to donate and a box of items to store somewhere besides the kitchen. Clear your countertops of everything except items you use nearly every day.
After you've de-cluttered, you can get to work cleaning. Cloud Conrad, vice president of marketing for cleaning company Maid Brigade (http://www.maidbrigade.com), says one tool you shouldn't overlook is an all-purpose microfiber cloth (about $5). These aren't run-of-the-mill dusting rags. Microfiber is a densely woven synthetic fabric that picks up dirt and greasy deposits without chemicals thanks to its unique composition. You should be able to clean surfaces like countertops, sinks, and stoves with warm water, a microfiber cloth, and a bit of elbow grease, Conrad says.
Since you prepare your food in the kitchen, consider using green commercial products for surfaces, or make your own vinegar/water spray. Conventional cleaners may remove dirt, but they can also harbor some nasty substances you don't want in your PB&J. Microfiber, vinegar, and baking soda will clean and disinfect almost every kitchen surface at a fraction of the price. Don't neglect once-a-year chores like vacuuming refrigerator coils (unplug your fridge first), and tossing out expired food from the back of the pantry.
Bedrooms
Since bedrooms are such individual spaces, there's a lot of diversity in what needs to happen. Most homeowners should at least rotate and flip innerspring mattresses, and store out-of-season sheets and clothing. Also go through your closet, and donate or Freecycle (http://www.freecycle.com) items you haven't worn in the last 12 months. For carpets and mattresses, consider using a professional cleaning service. Figure a typical mattress will cost about $70-$90 to clean, a bargain considering how much time you spend in bed.
Even if you're getting your carpet professionally cleaned, you still need to break out the vacuum, says Leslie Reichert, owner of The Cleaning Coach (http://thecleaningcoach.us/). Use the hose attachment to get to the hidden particles along baseboards, under your bed, and in your curtains, favorite environments of dust mites. If you have a large-capacity dryer, throw curtains in on high heat for good measure to kill the little pests.
Living area
Another surface you should consider getting professionally cleaned is living room upholstery. It can be tricky to know exactly how to deep-clean different types of fabrics, says Rathey, especially if there are stains you can't quite identify. Costs vary widely depending on the size of the furniture piece and the quality and state of its covering, but a typical sofa might run $70-$90.
Microfiber cloths are great to use in the living area as well. Make sure you have cloths for each area of the house, though, so you're not cross-contaminating bathroom, kitchen, and living areas. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down windows, wood, mirrors, the tops of bookshelves, ceiling fan blades, and even the plastic housing of electronics for a quick, chemical-free clean.
Alyson McNutt English has written about keeping a house healthy and clean for publications like Pregnancy, Conceive, and BobVila.com. A big believer in baking soda, vinegar, and microfiber, she likes to do her "spring cleaning" in the fall.
SRES March Newsletter: Parental Dependence and Taxes
As the tax filing deadline nears, everyone is looking to save every last dime possible. If you're providing support for an elderly parent, you may be able to claim him or her as a dependent on your taxes.
It's always wise to check with a qualified tax professional about your individual circumstances, but Steven J. Elliott outlines some key rules you can review to determine whether you may qualify.
Income and support: A parent must have an income of $3,650 or less (excluding Social Security income and railroad retirement benefits) before you're able to claim him or her as a dependent. You also must be providing more than half of the parent's support. That can include costs, such as housing, food, and medicine.
Residency: Where the parents live is irrelevant, according to Elliott, a CPA and tax director with Schwartz & Co., in Bellmore, N.Y. They can live with a child, independently in an apartment, or reside in an assisted living facility, for instance. "Unlike the rules for many dependency exemptions, the parent doesn't have to be living in a claimant's home," he says.
Multiple support sources: Sometimes multiple siblings chip in to support a parent. Elliott says that if one sibling is providing more than one-half of a parent's support, only that sibling can claim the exemption.
But when multiple kids are contributing to a parent's support, they must decide among themselves who is going to claim the parent. "To be included in the possible pool to claim the dependency exemption, you have to be providing at least 10 percent of care," comments Elliott. No one can be providing more than 50 percent.
The sibling who claims the dependency exemption can change from year to year, as long as every group member provided at least 10 percent of the care costs.
The siblings who provide support but aren't claiming the exemption need to fill out IRS Multiple Support Declaration (IRS Form 2120), and the person taking the exemption needs to include it with his or her tax return.
For more information, see IRS Publication 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information. (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf)
Tax status: Claiming the dependency exemption sometimes can benefit one sibling more than another. For example, if someone is single and claims the parent as a dependent, his or her tax filing status changes to head of household, points out Elliott. "When they change their filing status from single to head of household, much more of their income is going to be taxed at lower rates. So they not only get the dependency exemption, they also get to change their filing status," Elliott comments.
Pitfalls: Elliott says there are no legal or tax pitfalls associated with the arrangement, but he has seen parents whose pride is wounded by becoming a dependent. He's also seen bickering among siblings about who claims the parent as a dependent.
Surrendering the keys, not independence
Giving up driving is a traumatic moment that signals the end of independence for some seniors. No longer being able to drive can also bring on isolation, boredom, and loneliness.
When it's time for an elderly parent or relative to surrender the car keys, having a plan in place for alternate transportation can ease the trauma.
Various Canadian and American public and private groups have tried to address the problem by developing ride sharing programs, offering free or discounted fares on public transit, and creating dial-a-ride services.
One, for example, the Independent Transportation Network (http://itnamerica.org/content/Overview.php), has started chapters across the United States, and it connects seniors needing rides with volunteer drivers. It charges a membership fee, and there are affiliates in big cities, such as in Chicago, Boston, and L.A. It's also taking root in smaller cities, including Racine, Wis., Davenport, Iowa, and Westbrook, Maine.
Additional resources:
- The Beverly Foundation (www.beverlyfoundation.org)--The group aims to enhance mobility and transportation for seniors, and the site includes fact sheets, brochures, and reports about senior transit options.
- Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Index.aspx)--The site allows you to search by city or zip code for transportation options.
- National Center on Senior Transportation (http://seniortransportation.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NCST2_older)--It offers transit-related information and safe driving information geared to seniors.
Care giving
- If you're the primary caregiver to an elderly relative, Elder 911 and Elder 411 (http://www.elder411.net) may make care giving easier. Elder 411 delivers 500-plus bits of advice and solutions to the routine problems caregivers encounter. And in a crisis, 911 guides you through the steps of managing an emergency, outlining who to call and what to ask, along with list of post-crisis strategies.
- In Kitsap County, www.kare-wa.com is a tremendous resource of local professionals who can help you with planning for life transitions.
ASK ME FOR A SENIOR RESOURCE DIRECTORY.
Real estate
· Put the power of REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/mobile) in your hand when you're searching for a new house in the United States or Canada. The app pulls housing data from more than 800 MLSs.
