$8000 tax credit – free money if you qualify

This is a great opportunity for a first time home buyer or one who has not owned a home in the past 3 years.  It is really a double bonus with home prices down to 2005 levels here in the Portland metro area, not only is the home buyer getting a great price, but a credit back from uncle same for making a great investment.  Not one that will need to be paid back unless you sell your home within the first 3 years of home ownership.

Income restrictions apply – for singles 75K or 150K for married filing jointly.   For more detail check out http://www.robertanopson.com/2009-home-buyers-tax-credit.html  or email me and I will forward my home buyers tax credit fact sheet.  Info@lakeoswegohomesellers.com .

To bad the original $15,000 plan with no income restrictions did not pass.  An even better plan would have been one that did not have the first time/3 year limit attached.  Letting home sellers move their current home and then buying their next home and being giving the tax credit.  That would be a stimulous.

Not that this will be the cure all, it is a step in the right direction.  Every home buyer was a first time once.  It can be a very exciting time.  Pricing is down, interest rates are down, and a tax credit, not to mention the tax deduction your new home will give you!

NOTE – I am not a tax professional in this life or the last one….  For tax advise always consult your tax professional.  If you choose to go it alone, remember I told you to seek advise!

Will designer colors cost you the sale of your Lake Oswego home?

When you think of color most of us think of Devine Color.  Devine is a Northwest original developed in the countryside Hillsboro Oregon in the 90’s.  Color was new and refreshing, it seemed to be all the rage and many Lake Oswego/West Linn home owners where some of the first take its dramatic splash. 

The Street of Dreams homes even had designer color noted hand outs so you could be on the trend fast!  Those whom could afford the color expertise of an interior designer followed their vision thoughout the home.  Dining rooms became shades of red, a warm orange for the family rooms, and yellows for dimly lit rooms, and so on…  I personally love yellows; they brighten your mood and create a positive energy to the room. 

Of course bedrooms were another story, as they became personal to the inhabitant.  Grand Master suites of expresso blends or ocean tidepools, sweet & hot beans color brights of lemon drop & grapes for the preteen girl, spun tales blues & reds for boys.  For those who chose to go to the color wheel alone, made their personal statements, afterall color is art and art is personal right?

Now a few years later these same homes are finding themselves in the resale market.  Sellers are proud of the interior master piece.  Alot of time and money went into its creation and surely a buyer will feel the mood of the home.   Many list agents not wanting to affend or loose the listing, simply state “designer colors thoughout”.   Others who dare, are at the other end of the spectrum and discuss the option to “vanilla-ize” the home.

So which is right?  Alot depends on price range of the home, how intense the master piece, and knowing your buyer.  Is your home to be move in ready or another job for the next interior decorators painter?  There are many shades of vanilla.  Vanilla even has its own color wheel!

A warm shade will create the immediate sense of a cozy home, whereas a too white home or room, becomes invisible and cold.  By using variations of the same warm color,  rather than a contrasting color in each room,  you can create a soothing flow from room to room, and it does not distract a buyers’ eyes.  You want the buyer to see the home not just the color.

Some rooms just need a splash, just enough to help the buyer to remember (fondly) your home.  Go cautionsly with impact color,  a little goes a long way.  Painting could be the easiest task to get your home ready for todays’ buyer, or a new look for your home for you to enjoy.