Ann Meadows

How to Prioritize Your Home-Repair List

nicolesmith — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:21:00 +0000

It’s happened to many of us. The home repair list has gotten so long over the past few months. At this point, you may not know which tasks to take care of first, which to do last, and when to do all of the other jobs in between.

How to Prioritize Your Home Repair List

After all, getting the list done takes lots and lots of time, energy, and precious money. Furthermore, if you are looking to sell your home, this to-do list has now become a must-do list before you think about putting your house on the market.

In a recent article on CNNMoney.com, the writer suggests to pay attention to whatever will cause you the most damage and the most expense if you leave it unattended; that is the repair that should take priority. Read below the recommended order of your to-do list from CNNMoney.

No 1. Electrical system Wiring problems can lead to fires and executions. Danger signs include: circuit breakers that trip frequently, lights that dim when you turn on a vacuum cleaner or outlets that are loose, hot, or accept only two-prong plugs. Spend a few hundred dollars for a licensed electrician to examine your main panel to identify any problems.

No 2. Basement There is no point in doing other repairs when the foundation of the house needs fixing. You can spot danger signs that signify problems such as bowed or split beams, rotted posts, piles of sawdust, tiny mud trails from termites, or large cracks in the masonry foundation. Take note especially if the cracks are horizontal. Horizontal cracks tend to indicate a bigger problem. Make sure to keep your basement dry (check the landscape slope, gutters, and the roof) to avoid these issues. A contractor will typically look at the situation for you free of charge.

No 3. Roof Water leaking into your home can lead to major problems: rot, insects, mold, or electrical shortages. Look for dampness or stains on the ceiling, broken shingles, or green algae growth. When it comes to having a reputable roofer inspect your home, ask around and seek references. This is a major job that has to be done correctly. You can be proactive by doing these things:

Prune tree limbs so that they are always at least 10 feet from the roof to keep squirrels away and to let moisture evaporate quickly after storms.
Immediately replace shingles that have blown off.
Repair small leaks promptly.

You can read the entire article and repair list at CNNMoney.com.

Are you ready to buy a home in Denver? Click here to search for homes in the area, and call me at 888-860-1931 to begin the process of looking for your next house.

Tax Rules for Giving a Down Payment for a Home as a Gift

nicolesmith — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:03:56 +0000

Are you thinking of giving your child, relative or friend a down payment for a home in the Denver area? Have you been given a magnanimous amount of money to put down on your first home?

Tax Rules for Giving a Down Payment on a Home as a Gift

It’s more common than you may think. Roughly one-quarter of first-time home buyers receive a down payment gift from relatives or friends. Before you decide what to do in this positive situation, know the details about how taxes and how this large gift can affect you. Let’s go over some information that you need to know for the upcoming tax season.

First of all, there is no tax deduction for giving a non-charitable gift. However, your gift of up to $13,000 is tax-free. If you’re the one giving the down payment as a gift, you will not pay federal income tax, and neither will the recipient. This holds true as long as you give $13,000 or less in 2011 or 2012. Plus, you and your husband or wife can each give separate gifts to your children, which the IRS calls gift splitting.

Be aware that the rules for using the gift as down payment depend on the specific rules of the lender and whether your loan is guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or FHA. And most lenders will require that someone who borrows money to buy a home has money left in the bank after closing.

If you want to give more, check in with a tax professional. You still may not owe taxes, but you will have to let the IRS know about the gift by using Form 709.

Are you ready to buy a home in Denver with your gift? Click here to search for homes in the area, and call me at 888-860-1931 to begin the process of looking for your next house.

Photo via flickr

Get the Most for Your Remodeling Dollar in Denver

alansche — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:55:48 +0000

If you plan to complete any home remodeling projects in 2012, you should consider how much money you will recoup during resale in order to determine on which projects you should focus. Fortunately, Remodeling Magazine and REALTOR Magazine recently completed a survey which shows us exactly which projects will give us the most for our remodeling dollar this year.

Overall, the report shows us that replacement projects earn a higher percentage of the cost at resale than remodeling projects. Also, exterior replacement projects are particularly valuable when it comes to recouping money during resale.

Here are the top six mid-range home remodeling and replacement projects, in order of percentage of cost recouped at resale:

Replacing the entry door with one made of steel
Converting an unfinished attic into a bedroom
Minor kitchen remodel
Garage door replacement
Add on to an existing deck
Replace vinyl siding

Do you plan on carrying out any remodeling and replacement jobs in your Denver home this year? Share your plans by leaving a comment!

Image via Flickr

Denver Ranked Highly Among Convention Cities

alansche — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:16:43 +0000

According to a recent Metropoll survey of meeting planners around the country, Denver ranks fifth among the best convention cities in the country. The biannual survey is the largest of its kind in the United States.

This is Denver’s highest ranking ever in the poll and well ahead of its 14th place spot back in 2009. Our city beat out the majority of the 40 other cities it went up against in the survey.

The Metropoll report cites Denver’s improvement in logistical areas, convention center image, and overall reputation as the main reason for its big jump up the rankings.

We would like to give credit to the Visit Denver convention department for its large part in boosting the image of the city in the minds of those across the country. This continues to improve Denver’s brand and bring new business to the city.

Are you looking to relocate for business purposes? Time and time again, Denver continues to prove itself as a major destination in the United States. I am a Relocation Specialist and would love to help you relocate to the Metro Denver area. If you are looking at another city, I have an extensive network of amazing real estate brokers who can help you with your search and relocation. Call me today at 888-860-1931.

Image via Flickr

Denver Restaurant Week Arrives February 25th through March 9th

alansche — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:05:27 +0000

Presented by Visit Denver, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Denver Restaurant Week arrives for its two-week residency on Saturday, February 25th. As any Denver resident will tell you, this is one of the most exciting times of the year as some of the best restaurants across the city offer deals aimed to expose you to a wide variety of food and culture.

Over the course of two weeks, restaurants throughout Denver offer a multi-course dinner for a fixed price of $26.40 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Depending on which restaurant you choose, this can be a very good deal as many of these businesses are not nearly as affordable during other times of the year. The Visit Denver website gives you the option to search for participating restaurants by neighborhood, making it that much easier for you to find a place in an area that you would like to explore. You can even search by cuisine and take a look at each restaurant’s menu before you leave your home.

As an added featured this year, you can create your own “must-dine” list, earn badges for checking in at those restaurants, and share your progress with your social networks.

Last year, I wrote about Denver Restaurant Week and several of my favorite places around town: Carmine’s on Penn, Elway’s, Opids, Max Gill & Grill, Stoubon’s, Ya-Ya’s, Wine Loft, and Jack’s Fishloft. I highly suggest you try these options if you have yet to do so.

If you are new to Denver or have not been able to experience our incredible restaurant scene, then I hope you are able to make it to as many restaurants as you can during Denver Restaurant Week. Feel free to leave a comment with your own suggestions or places you discover over the course of the two weeks!

Image via Denver Restaurant Week