Floor Plan: Homes with 3+ Bedrooms & 2+ Bathrooms build equity the fastest, no matter what the size! Houses with 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath (Toilet & Sink, No Shower/Tub) also appreciate faster than homes with only 1 Full Bathroom.
Heating Systems: Homes with central heat (Gas Forced-Air or Heat Pump) are more efficient AND more valuable. Homes with Oil Forced-Air heat are fairly efficient too and are much cheaper (relatively) to upgrade to Gas Forced-Air or a Heat Pump than other older forms of systems.
Windows: Homes built in 1994+ will have vinyl windows. Anything built before that with vinyl windows was either an option or has since been upgraded to better, vinyl, windows.
Lead-Based Paint: Homes built after 1978 will NOT have any chance of having lead-based paint on the exterior of the house. Anything built prior to 1978 could have lead-based paint but hopefully previously fixed by the owner.
Old Homes: Homes built in the 1930's or before should have their Electrical and/or Plumbing systems checked out. More times than not homes built from these eras have already upgraded these two systems but not always.
Obviously, there are a lot more variables, facets, and concerns when it comes to finding the right house but these short tips are a very good place to start!
For more information or if you have any questions, contact me.
Kevin Schubel
RE/MAX equity group, inc
360.936.7277
Kevin.Schubel@gmail.com
KevinSchubel.com
Hopefully most of you have heard about portions of the Stimulus Bill that President Obama and our Government passed. There is good news for you first time home buyers or those of you who haven't owned a home in the last 3 years. There is now an $8,000 tax incentive for buyers that WILL NOT have to be repaid.
If you buy a house anytime between now and December 1, 2009 you will be eligible to deduct up to $8,000 from your taxes over the next 1-3 years (final details still to be released). The credit is only valid for personal residences, sorry, no investment properties. You must also live in the home for 3 years or more or all or a portion of the tax credit will have to be repaid (again, final details still to be released).
All of this is great news for our market AND mainly you buyers that will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Remember, not only are you going to get an $8,000 tax write off but you will also get all the tax benefits from actually purchasing and owning a home! Your tax refunds will be healthy at the end of the year OR you can have your employer take less out of your paychecks, get more income during the year, and still get a decent tax refund.
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.
Kevin Schubel
KevinSchubel.com
360-936-7277
No one sells more real estate than RE/MAX equity group! Foreclosure Expert! If you're looking for a home in Vancouver, Battle Ground, Hockinson, Camas, Washougal, Woodland and more, CALL KEVIN!
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