Have you ever wondered why some houses sell really quickly and others equally well presented stay on the market for a long time? The atmosphere of a house can sometimes be even more important than its physical appearance. An atmosphere in a room can even influence a house sale.
Dear Ray, I live in a condominium. I’ve been told that I cannot deduct my homeowner’s dues. I recently had to pay a special assessment for improvements. Can I deduct the amount I paid for the special assessment? Can I claim a deduction for my share of property taxes paid for common areas? As a condo owner, what deductions can I take? — K.M.
Dear Ray, My home has been on the market for almost six months. My agent says there is a large inventory of homes offered for sale and too few buyers in the marketplace. She says my house will sell eventually, and I must be patient. I don’t want to sit around waiting for a sale; do you have any tips that might help my home sell more quickly? — S.J.
I’ve received several questions about real estate agents. Among the public there are more myths than facts. I’m going to tackle some of the popular myths.
I’m anxious to buy a house while prices are low, but I need to work on my credit score and save for the down payment. What will the real estate market be like next year, in 2011?
Spring is the time to plan for a bright culinary future. Herbs not only liven up your cooking, they also can be easy-care ornamental plants.
A 5,800-square-foot Georgian Colonial-style mansion sits prominently on a prime piece of Washington Park real estate at 821 34th Ave. E. Completed late last summer, it’s a $5.65 million “spec house.”
Good garden design can reduce time spent mowing, caring for plants and weeding.
Those looking for evidence that a comeback is under way in the local real estate market need look no further than the latest statistics from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Almost everyone in the Northwest has a rhododendron in his or her garden. They are so commonplace we overlook the value that they can bring to planting design.
There was a time not that long ago when Madison Park could lay claim to a significant number of modest homes with airy yards and plenty of space between neighbors.
Add the magic of water to you garden without breaking the budget or spending a lot of time on maintenance. The key is to keep it simple. Even a small water feature can have a big impact.
After working as a contractor with his Seattle-based The Finish Co. for a few years, owner and Madison Valley resident Michael Grabham said he became frustrated with the seemingly endless lack of communication between contractors and their customers. He spent three years developing software to help clients stay connected and informed on their projects.
One of the side benefits of claiming homeownership on Zillow.com (the house-values site) is that Zillow sends you periodic updates on the supposed value of your property (Zillow calls these Zestimates). So, for many a month after signing up, I received e-mail notices stating how much my house had risen in value since the last report.
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