Usually the "man" is taking money out of your pocket, not offering to help you put more into it. In this tough economy everyone is looking to save money, and very few are looking at how spending it can benefit them. However there may be no better time to make that house a mansion.
The government is currently entertaining so many grant programs it's a small wonder more people aren't cashing in on the money train, and buying a ticket to a nicer property or a spruced up house. There are currently grants for everything from replacing that furnace that older then your grandfather, that water tank that leaks all over your basement, or that roof that is now equipped with a sky light, just not the good kind. There are grants for purchasing your property, like first time home ownership programs for down payments, closing fees, land transfer taxes extra. There are even small grants for doing renovations, that are completely "frivolous" like putting in that dream kitchen you've always wanted or a new bay window, these fixes not only look great they can add so much value to your home.
Now not all the money you put out is repayable by the government grant gravy train, some is out of pocket, but the money you save will have you laughing all the way to the bank.
There is one program in particular right now that encourages home owners to do those small fixes, for up to $1,300 dollars. What you do is simple, you save your receipts for any home improvement costs you incur from January 2009, until February 2010, you declare things that are eligible - up to ten thousand dollars on your tax return in 2010 and get some bang back for your buck up to that magic number of $1,300, or basically the equivalent of taxes you have already paid.
What does this all equal to you, incentive to do more improvements, the ability to afford improvements, or the ability to justify those improvements you've been putting off due to the economy. Much like an end of the season sale these deals won't last forever so cash in now, cash in fast!
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