Tax Benefits to Home Ownership - 12/30/10 10:39 AM
I recently had coffee with a CPA friend of mine, Angie Ledbetter from Guest, Schutte, Cosper and Ledbetter in Flagstaff, AZand we were discussing the tax benefits of home ownership. Here are some of the points we covered:
By paying mortgage interest it allows you to become an itemized deductor, rather than just being limited by the standard deductions.
 The Deductions that you can take would be:
    a. Mortgage Interest
    b. Property Taxes
    c. Mortgage Insurance Premiums
    d. If you paid points on the purchase of your home, you can typically deduct those as well.
    e. Medical … (5 comments)

What's the Difference Between Title and Escrow? - 12/29/10 08:51 AM
What's the difference between Title and Escrow? Not many people know about this--so here is some information to help clear it up.
They are two separate parts of the real estate transaction.
The first part, Title, is the research on the property--finding out that the Seller owns the property, and can transfer the ownership of the property to the prospective Buyer, making sure the property lines are correct, and any liens are identified during the title process.
The other half of the transaction is the escrow half--the part where Title/Escrow pulls all the pieces of the puzzle together. They work primarily … (2 comments)

Is anyone having trouble with points today? - 12/25/10 01:02 PM
New points aren't showing up for some reason.
… (7 comments)

Got a Kindle Under the Tree! Any Suggestions?? - 12/25/10 12:57 PM
I just got my first Kindle and am VERY excited!!! Any suggestions on neat tricks I should know about? I'm electronically challenged!=)
Merry Christmas!!
… (2 comments)

Happy Holidays!! (and a quick dessert idea) - 12/24/10 11:07 AM
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Holiday season!! Enjoy your family and friends!!!
I discovered a very healthy but DELICIOUS dessert last night that I wanted to share in case you need one more simple idea for entertaining--grilled peaches! They are absolutely amazing and all you do is grill them on your grill or on a George Forman grill in the kitchen. Just warm them up and serve immediately--Enjoy!!
… (6 comments)

What is a Title Commitment? - 12/24/10 11:04 AM
Working in Flagstaff Real Estate, I have noticed there is a lot of confusion from buyers and sellers over what the title commitment is. I sat down and talked with Janel Miller from Stewart Title to help better explain that thick packet to clients.
Here is a summary of what she shared:
The Title Commitment is the basic overall search of the property that starts once a home is in escrow. It identifies who the Seller is, the legal description of the property, the tax id number, any liens against the property, if there is a home owners association on the property and identifies … (0 comments)

Second Home Tax Advantages - 12/24/10 10:50 AM
It's a great time to purchase or own a second home. Recently I was talking with CPA Angie Ledbetter from Guest, Shutte, Cosper and Ledbetter in Flagstaff, AZ about the tax benefits of owning and purhcasing a second home. Here were the points she shared with me:
Tax Benefits for owning a second home:
1. Mortgage Interest is fully deductible like it is on your primary residence, on the first $1.1MM of secured debt that you use to purchase or fix up your first home or second home combined.
2. Real estate tax is tax deductible
3. Qualified Mortgage Insurance Premiums is tax … (0 comments)

Flagstaff Real Estate and Lifestyle! - 12/22/10 07:43 PM
Reflecting on the past year, we've had a lot of obstacles thrown in our way. I thought it was appropriate to focus on some good points and fun points and why I love my Flagstaff Lifestyle!
Encouraging News: About 30% of people who bought their home, own their home free and clear! Plus low prices, motivated sellers, a huge inventory and low interest rates! According to Mortgage Bankers Association, of the 70% of households that do have a mortgage, 96.7% are not in foreclosure.
Food for Thought: If you currently own your home and are dreaming about owning a larger home … (0 comments)

Flagstaff Short Sales over $400K in MLS - 12/21/10 07:18 PM
This is the list of Flagstaff Short Sales from the Northern Arizona Multiple Listing Service as of 12/21/10 over $400K. A Short Sale occurs when an owner owes more on the home than they can currently sell the home for so they are trying to work with the bank to sell the home short of the loan. If you have any questions on Flagstaff short sales, or other properties in the area, call now!

… (0 comments)

Flagstaff Foreclosures over $400K in MLS - 12/21/10 07:04 PM
This is the list as of 12/21/10 of Flagstaff foreclosures from the Northern Arizona Multiple Listing Service of foreclosures above $400K. Foreclosures, also known as bank owned properties or REOs, are when the bank tries to sell a property because the owner has defaulted and left the property. If you have any questions on Flagstaff foreclosures or other properties in the area, call now!

 
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Flagstaff Short Sales Under $400K in MLS - 12/21/10 06:56 PM
This is the list as of 12/21/10 of the Flagstaff short sales listed in the Flagstaff Northern Arizona Multiple Listing Service for Flagstaff and surrounding areas under $400K. Short Sales are when the owner owes more on the property than they can currently sell for so they work out an agreement with the bank to sell short of the loan. If you have questions on short sales or would like to look at any short sales, call anytime!

 
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Flagstaff MLS Foreclosures Under $400K - 12/21/10 09:23 AM
This list is from Flagstaff's NorthernArizonaMLS and is current as of 12/21/10. These are homes in and around Flagstaff under $400K. If you are looking for a Flagstaff foreclosure, I would be happy to help you find one that best meets your needs!

This is a list of homes under $400K that are currently Flagstaff Foreclosures.
 
… (0 comments)

Solutions to Buyers Financing Issues - 12/20/10 12:00 PM
I have been reading through the booklet issued by Keller Williams Realty entitled "2010 KW Marketing Navigator" and found this informative list to help buyers, so I thought it was appropriate to share:
* Remove incorrect, negative information from credit report
* Lower debt
* Family gift funds for down payment
* Parents cosign the loan
* Use different lending program (VA, FHA, USDA, etc.) that requires smaller down payment
* Switch to alternative loan products (variable rate loan, etc.)
* Work with lender to iron out issues
* Provide more documentation to the lender
* Switch lenders
* Withdraw money … (2 comments)

Flagstaff Home Price Reduction!! - 12/19/10 01:11 PM
This Flagstaff home has just reduced the price!! Now for $205K, you can have TWO livingrooms, a beautifully landscaped yard with a pond!

As soon as you walk through the front door you are greeted by a huge living room with a gas fireplace! You will love the ample space of this split floorplan home!! Relax the worries of your day away in the master bathroom's jetted tub. Then grab your favorite beverage and sit out on the open back patio and soak in the landscaping and unwind next to the pond! This home shows beautifully and needs to be … (2 comments)

What's Your Excuse? - 12/17/10 05:57 PM
I love this video I found on Youtube. We all have excuses we can use to tell us why not. In 2011, I'm making a commitment to take out excuses on why I can't and replacing them with why I can--and I'm starting early=). Enjoy this motivational video!!
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obdd31Q9PqA
… (3 comments)

Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You - 12/16/10 12:47 PM
I found this post by Catherine Condon very interesting.  I think it's always good to know little things that can keep us safer and remind us of some of the little things we forgot about.  Thank you Catherine.
 
Via Catherine Condon (Integrity Residential Brokerage):
"Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You", Integrity Residential Brokerage, Pepperell, MA
One of my clients, Al,  sent me the following article titled "Things Your Burglar Won't Tell You". There are a lot of helpful suggestions so I thought I'd pass it along to you. 
1. Of course I look familiar.  I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your … (3 comments)

Flagstaff Luxury Home with Peak Views Open House - 12/14/10 04:38 PM
Flagstaff luxury home with peak views held open mid-week! While you're out and about preparing for the holidays, swing by and window shop this elegant home!!
Available for your viewing Wednesday, December 22 from 12pm-3pm!

 
This Lockett Park home offers a beautiful, wrap-around Trex covered deck to maximize your enjoyment of the best view in Flagstaff. You can't get a better view of the peaks! Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or sit outside in the evening to melt the day away! When you enter this home, you will first notice the elegant tile work in the … (3 comments)

Flagstaff View Homes - 12/09/10 02:29 PM
One of Flagstaff View Homesmost promising!! Statuesque home with great views of the mountains or golf course from the front deck. If you want, enjoy your early morning on a rear deck with a view of the forest for your enjoyment. Feel freedom with this spacious home. Fun layout with a pool table that stays in the loft! This 3 bedroom, 3 bath, multi-level home offers space, privacy and is waiting your visit. For more Flagstaff View Homes visit the prestigious Flagstaff real estate website: Flagstaff View Homes.

Lots of privacy from the front, views of mountains and golf course
… (0 comments)

Williams Acreage Home - 12/09/10 02:03 PM
This Williams Acreage home is nestled into a beautiful, panoramic, mountain-view filled 40 acre parcel!! You will love the breath-taking front of this home. Walking into the home, you will first notice the huge living room, and all the cedar-lined walls and ceilings. The split floorplan boasts the extra large master off to the right with it's own sitting area and pellet stove and jetted tub in the master bathroom. You'll feel immediately at home when you sit on the back deck and soak in the views and peaceful atmostphere. Store all of your toys in the TWO 2 car garages, and … (1 comments)

 
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Sylvie Stuart Flagstaff, AZ Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment

Flagstaff, AZ

More about me…

Keller Williams Check Realty 928-600-2765

Address: Flagstaff, Williams, Kachina, Mountainaire, Munds Park, Bellemont, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001

Office Phone: (928) 600-2765

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Local information about Flagstaff, AZ, where to go, why it's great to live here and general fun information! Also you'll find helpful information about home ownership and home selling tips! Like my Fan Page! <!-- Facebook Like Badge START --><!-- Facebook Like Badge END -->
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