Happy New Year!! Even before the stats for December 2011 are tabulated, the real estate trend for last year seems clear – slow but steady. The latest monthly data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that sales of single family homes, townhomes, condos and co-ops increased 4 percent last November, up 12.2 percent from November of 2010. (The one sector that fell was properties for sale by owners.) Also, the Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 7.3 percent in November. The last time the index was higher was in April 2010 when buyers rushed to beat the deadline for the home buyer tax credit. Lawrence Yun of the NAR said, “November (did) reasonably well in comparison with the past year. The sustained rise in contract activity suggests that closed, existing-home sales, which are the important final economic impact figures, should continue to improve in the months ahead.” With record low mortgage interest rates and bargain home prices, the NAR Housing Affordability Index confirms that more buyers can now afford homes. Yes, it is still a buyer’s market. But contract activity is up and change may be in the air for 2012. |
| |  3300 Loveland Blvd., Port Charlotte Area, Punta Gorda, FL 33980 - $69,900
Check out this Villa-Style home with 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, appliances and in an excellent Community known as The Courtyards. The home features an excellent floor-plan, a relaxing and spacious lanai (Not Included in Sq. Ft.) and also offers a split-plan with the master on one end and 2 additional bedrooms on the other. You'll love the community amenities with a refreshing pool, covered areas, a wood deck/dock, a lake and clubhouse. This is a fun place to live and the people are friendly. These rarely become available and is sought-after. All the amenities you could ever need are very close such as dining, shopping, medical facilities and also has quick access to I 75. There's even a great comedy club near by and of course, Charlotte Harbor and the water is minutes away with the beach only a 30 minute drive. (Englewood Beach-Voted one of the best beaches in the USA multiple times.) Call Bill or Terrie at: 941-235-3528 for details and a showing.(Harbor Beach within 10 Minutes) You can view interior photos at: According To Hoyle |  12348 Minot Ave., South Gulf Cove Waterfront Lot, Port Charlotte, FL 33981 - $29,900
Excellent lot for your Florida home with very quick access to the Myakka River and beyond to Charlotte Harbor and/or Gulf of Mexico. This is a new listing and priced for any investors as well.
Hurry on this one. Public water and more! Nice homes all around. Prime area! 941-235-3528 | 25668 Prada Dr., Punta Gorda, FL 33955-- $129,900
25100 Sandhill, Deep Creek Gardens Condo for Rent, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $595
Harbour, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $375,000
26514 Copiapo Circle, PENDING, Punta Gorda, FL 33983-- $144,900
9172 Jernigan St, SW, RENTED, Arcadia, FL 34269-- $399,900
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Q: Are home improvements tax deductible? A: Home maintenance projects, such as painting a house or repairing floors, are generally not deductible. Home improvements, such as adding a bathroom or new roof, aren’t typically deductible either. However, they can be added to the basis of your property. A basis is what is used to compute capital gains taxes. Once your house is sold, a smaller portion of the proceeds of the sale are taxed by the I.R.S, ultimately reducing your taxes.
Improvements that can be deducted are upgrades ordered by a doctor as necessary because of a medical condition. Also, home improvements for energy efficiency are currently subject to a tax credit. For more information, consult your tax advisor. Do your New Year's resolutions involve an exercise program? Some fantastic technological advances are afoot in workout gear. These products capture energy as a byproduct of casual human activities, such as walking or exercising. Scientists call such devices "parasitic" generators. Your local fitness center may soon have workout machines that generate electricity as you burn calories. Gyms across the US have been adopting this technology for the past few years. Instead of measuring your performance in workout time or calories burned, you may just find yourself looking at how much wattage your workout is generating. Someday, you may be able to recharge your cell phone while taking a power walk in electricity-generating shoes. The action of taking a step moves thousands of tiny droplets in the shoe’s soles through a thin film. The motion of the droplets is then converted into an electrical current. The suspended-load backpack , originally created for the US Navy, generates its own power while hiking. Taking a hike with one of these backpacks will potentially let you generate energy to charge your computer, cell phone and other devices with limited battery life. While not all these products are available yet to the mass market, this may be a glimpse of where the future of technology and energy production is headed. One thing that is available is an escape to our neck of the woods; SW FL. The sunshine and activities will do you good and reduces your stress level. Come and Visit! During the colder months and shorter days of winter, below are some things to consider when staging your home for sale: Turn up the heat - Crank up the heat a notch or two to make your home cozier. Then, set it back to normal when buyers arrive. This ensures for a comfortable, quiet house. If you have a gas fireplace, light it. For a wood burning fireplace, if you’re not going to be around, set the hearth with wood for a fire without actually lighting it. Let in the light - During the shorter days of winter, show your house during the day when the sunlight is at its brightest. Pull up the blinds and draw the drapes on every window. Clean lamps and fixtures. Swap out low-voltage bulbs for the brightest your fixtures will accommodate. Then, turn on every light in the house, including appliance lights and closet lights. Place spotlights on the floor behind furniture in dark rooms. Put indoor and outdoor lights on timers so when you're absent, the house will still appear welcoming when prospective buyers drive past at night. Get your windows washed - Buyers respond to first impressions and windows are one thing you may not even consider. In winter, strong sunlight can reveal grime and dirt and give the house an appearance of neglect. Set the scene - Even with the holidays over, you can still use dried arrangements and winter wreaths, anything appropriate to the season. Consider the small things that make you feel like you're home. Put a warm throw over a sofa, fold back a thick comforter on the bed and put classical music on the stereo. We can e-mail you a list of available homes that fit your specific interests! Now is a Fabulous Time to Buy in Florida. Call us and we'll tell you why. SW Florida Real Estate Want to know what homes are selling for in a specific neighborhood? E-Mail us and we'll send you a report! http://www.homespuntagorda.com Thanks for reading! The According To Hoyle Group You've got a life; We help you live it! 941-235-3528 or toll free:877-75HOYLE info@accordingtohoyle.com Sun Realty | |