Tis the season when homes around the world will be covered in a sea of crumpled paper and bows that have been tossed aside without another thought.  That's right, wrapping paper from those much anticipated holiday gifts are largely to blame for a 25% increase in our curbside trash volume between Thanksgiving and the New Year. 

So, what is the eco-minded gift giver to do when it comes to wrapping the gifts they have to give?  As your Lake Havasu City real estate professional, I have found some unique ways to give a thoughtfully wrapped present while also giving back to the earth.

Eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas:

* Recycled aluminum foil - When looking for that shiny metallic feel, recycled aluminum foil is the perfect choice.  Just tie on some colorful hemp twine, raffia or recycled silk yarn for a festive feel.

* Reusable gift bags - Those recycled, reusable shopping bags that you can find in just about any store make a great alternative to gift wrap.  You can find them in several styles now from your basic plain bag to super glam.  Depending on the person receiving the gift, they might even like the bag more than the gift inside.

* Reduce and reuse - Use things that you already have like old maps or newspapers.  Maps are a little unique in their own way as they can lead the way to sustainable wrapping and they're educational.  If you have piles and piles of old newspaper ready to be recycled, use it for your gifts.

* Gifted wrap - If you have something like a scarf to give, you can actually wrap another gift with it. 

*No wrapping needed - You can use a bucket and fill it with gardening supplies, or a mixing bowl and fill it with baking accessories. 

* Gift wrap décor - When it comes to decorating your gifts, the best décor can be found in your own backyard.  Mini pinecones, sprigs of berries and branches are naturally beautiful.  

You'll have fun with these eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas and those receiving your gifts will enjoy what you've done.

Realtor® Vicki Lind ~ Lake Havasu City Real Estate

For many people, this year’s tax planning will be very different from years past and many are looking for year-end tax strategies for a down year.  This past year, many taxpayers lost their jobs or had to foreclose on their homes or, in some cases, both.

Several taxpayers have taken advantage of the government stimulus programs that gave first-time homebuyers a tax credit.  And all these factors will have to be taken into account when planning your taxes.

Many taxpayers are facing different situations than they’ve ever been faced with before because of tough economic times.  Therefore, you need to assess and compare what has occurred in prior years so you can get a handle on your current tax situation now.

Here are some of the possible tax scenarios that can be created by an ailing economy:

Being Laid Off

If you were laid off, your taxable income will probably be significantly lowered when you take into account dependency deductions and exclusions.  This could leave you in a situation where your tax deductions now exceed your income.  In the cases where your deductions exceed your income and you need money, you can try tapping into your retirement plan if you are over 59.  In this case, the tax paid on the withdrawals will be hugely offset by your deductions.  Anyone under 59 will be penalized 10% when making withdrawals from their retirement plan.

Collecting Unemployment

If you have collected unemployment during 2009, the first $2,400 of compensation is excluded from tax.  All compensation beyond $2,400 is taxable.

Looking for a New Job

When you’re looking for a new job, be sure to keep track of the miles you drive, parking fees, resume preparation fees, employment agency fees, long-distance calls and other fees that are associated with your job search.  Many of these expenses can be claimed as miscellaneous deductions on your tax return.

Loan Modifications

Debts that were reduced through a loan modification are also exempt.  Loan modifications make mortgage payments more affordable by decreasing the interest rate or extending the length of the term of the mortgage.  For single filing taxpayers, up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible and for married couples, up to $1 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion.  These provisions apply to debt forgiven from 2007 through 2012.

Tax Credits

Recently, congress expanded and added an extension for the first-time homebuyer tax credit until April 30, 2010.  Therefore, you can claim the credit on your 2009 tax return as long as you have a binding contract by the end of April and you close by the end of June 2010.  If you decide to file your return before you close on the purchase, you can always file an amended return to claim the credit.  An expansion was included up to a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who want to upgrade to a new home.  As long as you have lived in your current residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight, you are eligible for the $6,500 tax credit.

New Vehicles

You can also deduct state and local sales taxes paid, up to $49,500, on any new vehicle you buy before December 31, 2009. 

There is a lot to think about and to take into account when doing your taxes if your life has gone through major changes.  I hope these scenarios help you along the way.  But, always seek the advice of a tax professional before making any final decisions about your taxes.  You want to get every benefit you possibly can.

Known for the Clients She Keeps ~ Realtor® Vicki Lind

Lake Havasu City Real Estate

The Senate has given the final approval passing the extension on the first-time buyer tax credit.  The House of Representatives vote was overwhelming as they passed the extension and added an expansion of the homebuyer tax credit.  And, President Obama has signed the final approval, putting it into act.

The first-time homebuyer tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010.  Buyers will have until the end of June 2010 to close on their property.  The new legislation also increased the income limit for couples with income up to $225,000.  That is almost a $55,000 increase above what its current level.

Now, for the first time, buyers who already own a home are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit (known as a repeat buyer's tax credit).  The credit will be available to existing homeowners who have lived in their primary residence for five consecutive years out of an eight year homeownership.  There is an eligibility limit of up to $800,000 for the price of the home.

Both credits are only available for primary residences.  Secondary homes and investment homes are not eligible for the tax credit.  The legislation goes into effect December 1 and is not retroactive.

Although there is a lot of concern about the $16.7 billion cost to keep stimulating real estate sales, it is still a popular plan for the moment and many homebuyers are taking advantage of it while it lasts.

2277YN2JM3XS

Known for the Clients She Keeps ~ Realtor® Vicki Lind

Search the Lake Havasu City, Arizona MLS

Utility savings are coming to Lake Havasu City just in time for the winter months this year.  Gas bills are expected to see a 16% to 18% drop this winter because of declining natural gas prices.  This is such good news for Lake Havasu City residents that I just have to share the news in my blog.

According to an article I recently came across, the new costs per therm will range from around $1 beginning in November to about 94¢ in March.  UniSource has designed a formula to cushion customers from rapid natural gas price swings.

Usually, UniSource under collects for gas and typically has to add a surcharge at the end of the season.  But, in this case, there was an over collection when gas prices dropped very rapidly and there is now an over collection.  So, everyone's monthly natural gas bill is expected to be reduced by an average of $5.85 per month during the winter months and $1.28 during the summer months.

According to the article, gas companies recover the cost of gas they purchase and their transportation costs through what's called a Purchased Gas Adjustor rate.  This PGA rate is then calculated based on a 12 rolling month average and designed to reduce the instability of gas costs passed on to all customers.

The recent lowering in natural gas prices are due to an increase in supply of natural gas and lower manufacturing throughout Arizona and Nevada.  And, customers in Lake Havasu City, Arizona are able to immediately able to take advantage of the natural gas prices. Other cities and states are not passing along the discount, so those customers will not see a change in their natural gas bills for the moment.

The gas companies making a point to lower the natural gas prices is just another part of what makes Lake Havasu City such a great place to live.

Known for the Clients She Keeps ~ Realtor® Vicki Lind

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

With so many homes on the market, every homeowner that is ready to sell their home is trying every angle to get the most value from their home and many are finding extra value in landscaping.  The perceived value of a property can increase up to 11% through a sophisticated landscaping design that incorporates large plant sizes, evergreens, annual color plants and colored hardscapes.

Many professional landscapers believe that tree cover is an extra added value to landscaping.  Tree cover provides an enriching and relaxing quality for the homeowner and the neighborhood.  Tree cover also helps out with utility costs, as it helps shade the home during the summer and shelter the home during the winter. 

If you're a homeowner who is considering the addition of tree coverage, here are some tips to help you choose the best trees for your landscape.

* Take a trip to your local nursery and get advice from an expert.  Since trees are a permanent fixture, it is important to know which ones will work with the yard you have before you invest your time and money on them.

* Some popular trees include: dogwood trees (they bloom each spring and are beautiful in the fall), birch trees (they have an unusual branch and bark pattern), a variety of apple trees (if they bloom fruit, it is a bonus), pine trees (the pine needles offer a unique appearance) and Japanese maple trees (they have brilliant colors).

* To provide shade and keep the home cool, plant trees on the south and west sides of the home.

* Buy water-efficient trees.  Water-efficient trees will use less water than low water-use grass.

* Seek advice from your local water department to find a list and tips on water-saving types of vegetation.  They can also let you know which ones are fire-resistant.

Whatever you choose for your landscaping design, I wish you the best of luck with it.

Known For The Clients She Keeps ~ Realtor® Vicki Lind

Fall is a great time to put some pizzazz into your bland walls as the weather cools and the bright summer sun fades into the grayer skies of autumn weather.  Therefore, I have some tips and hot trends to help homeowners redecorate their homes into a beautiful and cozy home again. 

As fall sets in, those undecorated walls that were once lit up by the summer sun are now bland and crying out for color.  All these do-it-yourself decorating ideas can be a hot topic at your holiday parties and make you look like a pro.

Some of the trendiest colors in home décor this fall will be bright, aggressive colors, such as all shades of blues, persimmon, butter-yellow and orange.  These colors are happy colors and, in today's economy, everyone wants to be surrounded by happiness and hope.  Happy colors also set good moods.

Trendy color combinations for this fall will include reds paired with yellow.  These color combinations make really bold statements without overdoing it.  It's also very attractive.

Texture is another trend right now.  Adding simple texture to your walls, such as stripes, decals, patterns or wallpaper murals, are great ways to jazz up bland walls.  Many designers believe that wallpaper murals will be popular for a time to come.  They are easy to install and versatile.  They also make a huge impact on a room for an affordable price. 

When decorating yourself, take small steps at first.  Consider what your favorite colors are and how you want to use them in your home's design.  Get creative with simple tricks and don't overdo it by overpowering.  Sometimes, less is better.

In the end, no matter how it turns out, always tell everyone you meant it to look exactly the way it has turned out.  Hey, no one has to be perfect.

Keller Williams Arizona Living Realty with Realtor® Cheryl Westwood

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Finding your dream home in foreclosed property can be very appealing to many buyers, especially to those that are trying to stretch their dollars.  The biggest challenge can be trying to find a good one, since the vast majority of bank-owned properties have been damaged and need repairs.

For those who are considering the purchase of a foreclosure, it is very important to know exactly how much work is needed on the property and how much it is going to cost you.  Foreclosed properties come in various states of disrepair.  Some will only need minor cosmetic fixes, but some may need major repairs.

A great place to start your home search is through a real estate agent.  You can also find foreclosure listings on lender websites, such as Chase, Bank of America, Sun Trust and Citibank.  Other ways to help your search along is by signing up with RealtyTrac.com for a fee of $49.95 a month.  You can find pre-foreclosures and foreclosures in every state across the nation.  There are also other sites like Foreclosures.com that charge $49.95 and BankHomeDirect.com that charge $19.95 where you can search for REOs.  Just remember, your real estate agent can help you find the right property for free. 

If buyers have learned anything out of the last couple of years, it is definitely buyer beware.  Consumers have all heard the stories of copper wiring and pipes being ripped out and stolen.  Some properties have had toilets ripped out and walls kicked in.  And, we don't need anyone to tell us that the water lines are damaged because the toilet was ripped out or the sheet rock will have to be replaced because the walls were kicked in.  Using common sense and getting repair quotes ahead of time will help you know what you're in for.

When looking for a great deal in a foreclosure, look at the properties that have been on the market over a month.  Banks usually discount their properties around 20% to 30% to start with.  After a month, the buyer may have more power in getting the bank to lower the price.

Lake Havasu City Realtor® Vicki Lind

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Lake Havasu City's 13^th annual Iron Man Golf Tournament had an all-women team competing for the first time ever this year, which made local history at the Courses at London Bridge Golf Course on August 29, 2009.

The all-women foursome included Anita Merideth, Cathy Blackman, Maria Delyria and Marilyn Mark,s who won second place at the full day event during a 54-hole, three course golfing tournament.  Way to go girls!

It actually turned out to be an awesome event.  The Pro Therapy's foursome that included David Bell, John Twomey, Ken Kent and Scott Rodman took the winnings.  They then donated back 75% of those winnings to the Eagles scholarship fund.  The Fraternal Order of Eagles hosted the tournament, so those winnings went back toward the youth organizations and scholarships.  Talk about giving back to the community!

It's always great to hear about history being made, especially when it's in my own local community.  And it's even better to hear that local events like this are making it possible to give back so much to the community and its future leaders.

Vicki Lind, Known for the Clients She Keeps, Lake Havasu City real estate expert

If you're a homeowner that is thinking about remodeling your kitchen, I have a few ideas that are great for every home.  Gone are the days of just replacing all your cabinets on the walls.  Now, times have changed and it's time to spend a little more to get a kitchen that not only functions well but looks great, too!

Many of us spend a lot of time in our kitchen.  We sometimes prepare and eat two to three meals a day there.  Therefore, functionality is of the up-most importantance to go along with style. 

Here are some ideas to keep in mind when remodeling your kitchen.  You don't have to add everything, but consider what is important to you and spend your money wisely.

Lift-Up Doors

With lift-up model doors, there will be no more bumping and banging into your cabinet doors.  These models open upward and out of your way.  A great idea for kitchen cabinets.

Roll-Out Pantry Drawers

This is handy to have even if you have plenty of pantry space.  Having some pantry storage stored in an area and filled with frequently used items near the food prep point on roll-out pantry drawers can save time and is convenient.

Lazy-Susan Cabinet

Having a Lazy-Susan in your corner cabinet really maximizes the storage space and allows you to easily access items by a quick turn.  Blind corner pull-outs are also very useful for corner cabinets.  This allows the first set of shelving to pivot outward when the cabinet is opened, then the second set of shelving can be easily slid out.

Trash Pull-outs

Keeping your trash out of sight is a big plus for any home and two bins are always better than one.  With trash pull-outs, you can use one for wet trash and one for dry trash.

Filler Pull-outs

Use your cabinet space to its maximum.  The empty space between cabinets and appliances that is usually filled with trim can be filled with narrow pull-outs for storage of pans, trays, spices, etc.

Triple-Drawer Cabinet

With a triple-drawer in your cabinet, you can have cooking utensils in one drawer, dishes in another and large pots in another.

Pull-Down Shelving

This is especially helpful for short, elderly or handicapped people.  With just a slight tug of a pull-bar, the shelving will move down to an accessible height.

All these ideas are used to maximize the space and functionality of any kitchen.  If you use some of these ideas, you will be well on your way to being more organized in the kitchen.  If you use them all, you will have the most functional and organized kitchen in town.

Realtor® Vicki Lind  ~  Lake Havasu City Real Estate

Get More Tips and Advice for Home Owners, Buyers and Sellers

Search Homes for Sale in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

If you are looking to purchase a foreclosed property in Lake Havasu City, the Arizona Department of Housing may have just the program for you.  Your Way Home AZ allows buyers to utilize a 0% interest loan equal to 22% of the purchase price for any buyer in Mohave County that meets the following criteria:

1. They must be purchasing a foreclosed single-family home, condominium or townhome.
2. The property must be vacant at the time of purchase.
3. The buyer must use the property as their permanent residence.
4. The buyer must live on the property for 5-15 years or else the loan will not be forgiven.  The amount of time depends on the amount of the loan.

If your household income is 120% or less of the median Mohave County household income, you may qualify for the Your Way Home AZ program.  This means, for a family of four, your household income could be as high as $70,900.

As always, you are encouraged to get approved for financing before you go in search of a Lake Havasu City foreclosure.  This speeds up the process as well as lets you know exactly what you can afford.  So, please contact me today to help you with your Lake Havasu home purchase today.

Vicki Lind, Known for the Clients She Keeps, Lake Havasu City real estate expert