Beth Ruggeri

Tax time is here. A time of year that causes stress for many and believe it or not many taxpayers overlook some seemingly obvious deductions. Here are some of these items to keep in mind:

Vehicle Expenses: taxes, leases, business and volunteer milegae expenses .

Job Hunting Expenses: Expenses incurred to secure a new job .

Real Estate Taxes: If you purchased a home, check your settlement statement and check your mortgage escrow statement for any taxes paid indirectly.

Cost of Tax preparation: Tax Software and professional tax preparation fees are deductable.

Estate Tax: If the Estate is large enough to trigger estate tax, find out the amount of estate tax attributable to the IRS distibution.

Capital Loss Carryover: If you have Capital Loss from one year carryover to reduce your taxes in the later year.

Non-Cash Contibutions: Donations of clothes,furniture or other items to a charity.

New Points on Financing: Lots of people miss this one. Unamortized points on an old financing.

Health Insurance Premiums: These are potentially deductable depending on your total medical expenses and adjusted gross income.

Always check with a trusted tax professional or go to www.irs.gov for more information or information regarding a specific deduction.

Looking for postitive signs in the new year, economists expect the demand for housing in Florida to be strongest among retirees, investors, and second home buyers according to FAR. The weak job market has impacted working age buyers. One of the biggest draws to Florida is the affordabilty of retirement in the sunshine state. Other good opportunities are first -time homebuyers. With mortgage rates at a historical low and special financing programs available to first-time buyers, this is another real estate market to capture. Home affordability is the highest since the 1970's. Florida's population is expected to grow by approximately 130,000 in 2012 according to NAR.

Our local office of Watson Realtoy Corp. finished with an increase in sales of 15% over 2010. We are projecting another increase of 26% over 2011 for the next business year. Per person productivity was up and average unit sale increased as well. Let us all keep a positive attitude for the new year and have a prosperous 2012.

Beth Ruggeri

Broker Associate

Watson Realty Corp. 1-904-808-6476

ruggerirealty@aol.com

As 2011 comes to and end , this year has just flown by I am planning on my goals for 2012 and how to make it more productive . Most people make a list of resolutions for the new year, but how many keep them? Here is a list of the most common New Years Resolutions People make, some of them are on my list. How many of these are on your list?

1. Lose Weight

This is probably the most common one every year. Make a positive plan of action and stick to it this year.

2. Getting Organized

Being organized is very critical in everyone's life and especially in the Real Estate profession. Keeeping a journal and planning your workweek ahead of time will save alot of stress in the long run.

3. Saving Money and being Financially Reponsible

How did you do Financially in 2011? A simple rule to follow is before purchasing something in 2012, justify the need and reason. Try to cut impulse purchases.

4. Enjoy Life

Life should be enjoyed to the fullest, make a resolution everyday to enjoy life and find something to be positive about.

5. Stay fit and Healthy

Staying physically and mentally fit is an important resolution that will change your life in a positive way.

6. Time management

Stop waisting time everyday and make a resolution to cut down on TV , spend time in a more productive manner.

7. Quit Smoking

Everyone knows the dangers of smoking, this is one of the greatest gifts to your health if you can manage to

keep this resolution for 2012.

8. Spend More Time With Family and friends

Everyone knows the importance of this, lets all try to make it a priority in 2012.

9. Love

Love life, your work, your family and friends, Enjoy every minute.

10. Right your goals down for 2012

Goals are much more obtainable if you right them down with your plan of action as to how to obtain them in the new year.

Merry Christmas and Happy new Year !

If you or someone you know is looking to buy a home in St. Augustine, Florida, please visit my website at www.bethruggeri.com to search the mls for current listing in St.Johns County. Find out why so many have relied on me for over 25 years to find them the perfect home in Saint Augustine, Florida.

Some wonderful events are scheduled for the holidays in St.Augustine , Florida. Mark your calenders for some of these fun activities in December:

1. Saint Augustine Beach Surf Illumination December 3rd 4-7p.m.

There will be a seasonal lighting of A1A Beach Blvd. and the tree by the major, local restaurants and arts and crafts vendors will be on hand.Also Santa will be there as well as music and fireworks.

2. Annual Christmas Parade December 3rd 10 a.m.l

This is one of the largest parades in north Florida with floats, bands and of course Santa.

3. Garden Club Christmas Tour of Homes Sunday December 4th

43rd annual tour of decorated homes in the historical area of St.Augustine, tickets and information are available at :gardenclubofstaugustine.org

4. Brunch with Santa Sunday december 4th at TPC Sawgrass

Santa visits from 10 to 2 at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

5. Festival of Trees in World Golf Village Monday december 5th

At the Saint Johns County convention center at The Renaissance World Golf Village thee is a showcase of decorated trees and wreaths with a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the empty stocking fund and United Way in St.Augusrine,

If you or someone you know is looking to purchase a home in St.Johns County, visit my website at www.bethruggeri.com and search the mls for current listings of homes for sale in St.Augustine.

Beth Ruggeri Broker Associate

Watson Realty Corp 1-904-808-6476

email: ruggerirealty@aol.com

According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales are 13.5% about October 2010 numbers. Also, the total number of homes on the market hs continued to decline. According to the chief economist for NAR, these numbers would be even greater if the number of contract failures due to declined mortgage applications was lower. Consumers could increase their odds of obtaining a mortgage by realizing how the credit scores effect their purchase. If you want to get a mortgage, do not buy a car, take on any installment debt and pay your bills on time. This maintains a positive trend in home sales , most markets have an average of an 8 months supply of inventory , this is down from an 8.3 months supply in September.

All cash sales account for approximately 29-30% of the market share, first time home buyers areapproximately 34%. This leaves the remaining home buyers as second time purchasers and investors. Foreign investors are returning to the Florida market with a major surge in the condo market. With this slow and steady positive sign towards a recovering real estate market 2011 should be an even better year for sales.

If you or any one you know is looking to purchase a home in St.Johns County Florida, please visit my website at www.bethruggeri.com. Find out why so many customers have counted on me for over 25 years in St.Augustine. Search the mls for current listings in St.Augustine.

Beh Ruggeri

Broker Associate Watson Realty Corp.

1-904-808-6476

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