Tips

TIPS

Although we were lucky with balmy late fall weather, it's time to make sure everything is ready for winter. Here are a few things to check every year:

Do not use salt on driveways.

Make sure that hoses are put away before the first freeze.

Drain any outside faucets that are not "frost free".

Place covers on any crawl space vents to prevent frozen pipes.

Clean leaves out of gutters to prevent "damming".

Don't leave Anti-freeze out-it will kill pets.

Always replace your Washer hoses every time you move because your water pressure changes.

If your Air Conditioner seems thats it's not cooling as quick-try cleaning your filters-they should be cleaned twice a week this time of year.

Replace Smoke Detector When is the last time you checked on your smoke detector? If it has been a few years, you might want to consider replacing the entire unit rather than trying to clean it.

Do you need a room painted before the holidays ? Call us 346-8813

E-mail us if you have questions or suggestions for other home owners.Click Here

We offer the following names and numbers for getting sevices provided.

Screens for gutters A and L Building Supply 755-1912

Replacement Windows

Tax Advantages of a New Home Buying a new home is one of the smartest purchases you can ever make. One of the reasons is that homeownership has many positive tax implications. Because of changes to the tax code passed in 1997, these tax implications are much more favorable for most home owners today than in the past. According to the law, married home owners do not have to pay taxes on up to $500,000 in capital gains realized on the sale of their homes. The $500,000 provision applies to married home owners filing joint returns and is restricted to homes sold on or after May 7, 1997. To qualify, the home would have to have been used as a principal residence for at least two of the previous five years. Taxpayers who file individual returns may claim up to $250,000. According to the previous rules, the tax on any profit would be deferred if the sellers of the home bought and occupied another home of equal or greater purchase price within 24 months before or 24 months after the sale of the old residence. The previous law also allowed for a one-time capital gains exclusion. Home sellers who were at least 55 years old could realize a tax-free gain of up to $125,000 if the home had been used as a principal residence for at least three of the previous five years. Under the old law, home sellers could use their capital gains exclusion only once after turning 55. Under the new law, people over 55 who have already used their exclusion can take advantage of the new tax provisions, assuming that they have occupied their new residence for at least two of the previous five years. First-time buyers also benefited from a special provision of the new tax law. One of the largest obstacles to homeownership usually is the inability of potential first-time buyers to save enough money for a downpayment. In 1997, Congress passed a new provision allowing first-time buyers to withdraw up to $10,000 from their IRA accounts if the money is used for a downpayment on a home. The penalty-free provision can be applied to IRAs owned by the buyers, their parents or their grandparents. Under current law, early withdrawals from an IRA incur a 10 percent penalty.

What You Should Know About Trees and Landscaping

After you have bought the new home of your dreams from your builder, you will probably immediately start thinking about personal decorating touches that you can add. When considering these personal touches, don't think just about the interior of the house. The landscaping around it will also be very important. Trees can affect everything from your heating and cooling bills to your resale value some surveys have put this increased value in the range of 10 to 15 percent. Trees can produce shade, food, firewood or just a beautiful scene. They can also attract birds and other wildlife. Before planting trees, it is important to choose species that will thrive under local conditions. For instance, in areas with high temperatures and little water, plant trees that are drought tolerant. In areas with high rainfall, try to plant trees that demand large amounts of moisture. By planting trees that grow naturally in your area, you can be pretty sure they will be successful. Consult a local nursery for suggestions on trees that will thrive where you live. Location on your property is another important consideration. Choose spots with adequate sunlight and water, and make sure the trees are protected from possible pests. A mesh fence can do much to prevent animals from injuring your saplings. Try to estimate how long the tree will take to become fully grown and what the tree will look like at full size. Trees are most vulnerable in their first years of life and should be tended with special care. Newly planted trees should be watered deeply and on