My New Blog

Did you know that now is a great time to buy a home!  There are a number of reasons to buy a home now.

First, home prices are low allowing you to buy more home for your money.

Second, Interest Rates are at an all time low. This adds to your purchasing power allowing you to buy a bigger home for the same money.

Third,  If you are a first time home buyer and buy before the end of June, you may qualify for up to a $7,500 tax credit. If you buy before you file your 2008 tax return you can get the credit on this years tax return.

Fourth, depending on your income and family size you may qualify for down payment assistance.  This depends on many factors but many buyers qualify.

Fifth, if you are receiving a tax return why not use that money toward a home purchase.  A great way to invest your tax return money.

For more information on buying a home call Sue today at 727-424-2238.  Also ask me about how you can have access to all the home listings and receive immediate notification when a home you may be interested in comes on the market.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

If you are thinking of buying a home, now is the perfect time to buy!  Did you know that there are down payment assistance programs, low interest rate mortgages, a $7,500 tax credit  (must purchase by the end of June), and LOW, LOW prices on homes!  All the perfect reasons to purchase a home now. 

Contact me TODAY for more information.  I can be reached at 727-424-2238 or at Sue@LarryandSueCarr.com .

Happy New Year and Happy House Hunting!

Did you know that saving energy and going green are easy to do and can help your budget?

Here are some easy things you can do:

1. Lower your thermostat when you are using your heat.  Just a few degrees and you can save hundreds of dollars annually.  The reverse is true when using your air conditioning, raising the temp can save money also.  You don't need to do this all the time, just remember when you leave an no one will be home to change the setting.  The more often you do this the more you can save.

2.  You know those glowing red lights on TV's and other electronics that are on even when the item is off, they draw energy costing you money.  Try unplugging them when you are not using them or put them on a power strip and turn the power strip off when not in use.  Think it doesn't save much.  I have had friends and customers tell me they save $30 or more dollars per month, that is $360 per year!

3.  Try changing your light bulbs to the new florescent.  They now come in soft white, daylight etc. so you can have the same light your accustom to, with a lower cost.  If you don't think you will like the new light from these bulbs, then try just changing a couple to see if the lighting is the same as you are accustom to, before purchasing more for your home.

4. Adding the proper insulation to your outlets and switches, can prevent drafts that cost you energy.  They make special ones for this use that cost between 10 and 20 cents each and are easy to install.

5. Make sure all lights, tv's, computers etc are turned off when not in use.  This includes any other appliance such as toasters or anything with an led display.

6. Plant a tree.  Yes, this helps more than you may think.  A deciduous tree planted on the Southside of your house can shade your home in summer and allow the sun to warm your house in winter, cutting your heating and air conditioning costs.

7. Plan your meals.  You can save many ways by planning your meals.  You will save at the grocery store by buying only what you need.  When you use your oven try and cook multiple meals or dessert at the same time, by filling your oven instead of cooking only one item at a time you save the cost of preheating and the length of time it is on.  You can even try buying a toaster oven that is big enough to cook your meals but smaller than your regular oven.  Also, try making extra to take as lunch or make into a different meal.  For example, we make a larger batch of Chili, we have it over rice one night then make scrumptious nachos another night.  You can do this with many items.

8. Buy water saving devices such as shower heads, and kitchen and bath sink aerators.  These give you the same pressure with less water usage.  Also, low flow toilets, some cities and counties give rebates so the cost is minimal.

9.  Don't throw it out. Donate or recycle your items.  Clothes can be given to charities or try exchanging them with friends, this works well with children clothes.  Newspapers can be recylced fairly easily, some churches collect them (and get cash for the church or their school) and most cities or counties have programs.

10. Used eye glasses can be donated to charity.  Most optical centers take them and give them to needy families.  Sometime you can receive a tax write off for the donation.

11.  Ink cartridges for printers and fax machines can sometimes be used to receive a credit toward your purchase at an office supply store(usually around $3.00 for each one you return).  Also, some organizations such as schools collect them and turn them into cash.

There are many ways to cut costs and going green can be easy. 

There are 2 parts to the Economic Stimulus Package, one for existing homeowners and another for First Time Home Buyers (can not have owned a home in the last 3 years).

The first part of the New Economic Stimulus Package will be going into effect on October 1 for homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgage.  You can call your existing lender and find out if they are participating.  If they are, then you will have two choices.  Either they may be able to refinance your mortgage or you can use the Hope Program.  If your lender is not participating then you can still use the Hope Program.  These new loans have a number of parts including lower fixed interest rates, lenders writing off part of the existing mortgage, existing mortgage must be taken out prior to January of 2008.  Check with your existing lender first for full details.

The second part is for First Time Home Buyer's.  Let's first define who is a First Time Home Buyer.  They are anyone that has not owned a home in the last 3 years. Tax returns are required to prove this.  Now for the plan.   There is a tax credit available depending on your income for upto $7,500. A tax credit is a dollar for dollar credit against any income taxes you pay the IRS. This will provide you with a lower amount due to the IRS, and if you normally  receive a refund it will be higher. You must buy a house before April 1, 2009 and the money must be repaid starting two years after you take the tax credit or when you sell the house.  There is no interest on the money and it is paid back at only $500.00 per year. This will allow you money to make some upgrades to the house you buy, pay off other debt, or save the extra money.

For more information email us at Sue@LarryandSueCarr.com or call us at 727-424-238

Yeah! Gas prices have been coming down but our expenses seem to keep rising.  Have you heard Progress energy wants to raise rates again.  Here are some ideas for cutting your electric bills and other expenses.

1.  Did you know that Progress Energy will do an energy audit on your home for FREE? All you need to do is call Progress Energy and set up a time for the Energy Audit. When Progress Energy completes the audit you will obtain a certificate for saving money on doing some of the updates. You can add insulation to your home for only a few hundred dollars for a home under 1700 sqft. saving you money monthly.  Another big source of energy usage is leaky air conditioning ducts, some times just taping the ducts with duct tape to seal the holes saves you money because you are no longer air conditioning the attic.  This is an excellent program that I have used.

2.  Auto Insurance - 2 ways to save.  First, keep your credit score up and stay free from traffic violations.  Auto insurance rate are based on credit score and traffic violations.  Second, if you can afford it, raise your deductible the difference is significant and will lower your rates.

3.  Home Owners Insurance - Raising your deductible can lower your premium but make sure you have enough savings to cover the larger deductible.  Also, a Wind Mitigation Report can save you hundreds to thousands depending on your house.  Here are some of the items the inspection looks at, type of roof (hip roof saves money), rafter tie downs, second water barrier under shingles (if you have recently had your roof replaced or are planning on replacing it, check with your roofer and insurer).

For all your real estate needs call Sue Kane Carr and Larry Carr at 727-424-2238