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Greetings!
Although it's rainy today, March is coming in like a lamb - much like the entire winter has been. In part due to the mild weather, real estate has enjoyed a good season over the past couple of months.
If you're working with a Realtor right now to buy or sell your home, make sure s/he truly knows what you're looking for. Is s/he really listening to you? Find out how you can tell here.
Taxes are probably heavily on your mind at the moment. Most people realize they can write off their mortgage interest, but did you know there are other tax benefits of home ownership too? Read here to find out what they are.
My successful Home Buyers Workshop series resumed in February. We'll have another one this month. See below for details.
Please forward this e-newsletter to friends, colleagues, or family members, and don't forget to check out my other informational resources on my blog, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website!
Oh by the way, if you know of anyone thinking of buying or selling a home who would benefit from the level of service I provide, just give me a call with their contact information. I'll be happy to follow up and take special care of them.
Best,
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 Tax Benefits of Homeownership
Homeownership has many benefits, including tax deductions for those who qualify. Here are five of the top tax advantages of owning a home:
1. Write off the interest you paid on a mortgage of up to $1 million, as long as the property is your main or secondary residence. This deduction really pays off during the first years of owning the home, when interest accounts for most of your payment, also known as home acquisition debt.
2. Deduct the interest you pay on home equity loans of up to $100,000, so long as you are not subject to the alternating minimum tax or AMT (unless you use the loan for home improvements).
3. Deduct your state and local property taxes from your federal income taxes, where applicable.*
4. Deduct your home buying expenses, including loan origination fees, prorated interest on a new loan, or prorated property taxes.*
5. If you sold your home in 2011, you may not have to pay federal income taxes on the earnings from the sale, up to $250,000 for single filers or $500,000 for joint filers, as long as you used the home as a primary residence for at least two of the five years prior to selling. Some states, including California, offer this as well.
6. Rent your home out for up to 15 days and keep the income generated - it's not taxable.
* Not an eligible deduction if you are subject to the AMT.
©2012 Buffini & Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
LGK FEBRUARY E-REPORTS
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Announcing 2012 Home Buyer Workshop Dates
 As mentioned last month, my popular free Home Buyer Workshops have resumed for the season.
Join me for a free, no-nonsense home buying workshop on one of these Saturdays:
- March 24
- April 28
- May 19
- September 15
- October 20
How familiar are you with the home buying process? What does making an Offer involve? What happens to your deposit money? How do you determine a negotiating price for a home? Is it necessary to use an Attorney? How would you choose a Realtor to represent you?
This Home Buyer Workshop is designed to answer these questions and many more.
LOCATION: RE/MAX Realty Advisors, 320 Washington Street, Norwell, MA (2nd floor)
TIME: 10:15 - 10:30am - Registration
10:30 - 11:15am - Workshop
11:15 - 11:30am - Q & A
Light refreshments will be served. Register soon as space will be limited.
REGISTER
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Tapping Into Our Local Talent
This month I'm pleased to share with you the final installment (to date) in my ongoing video series dubbed "Tapping Into Our Local Talent", in which I interview local experts.
I'd like to introduce you to Teri Sica, a local talk show host, coach, speaker, and psychotherapist with a private practice in Scituate. Click on the video below to watch her interview.
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Tapping Into Our Local Talent:
Teri Sica, Host of "Discovering Authenticity"
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Teri's radio show, "Discovering Authenticity", airs on Saturday mornings at 10:30am on WATD. Her mantra is peeling back the layers to "uncover, reveal, and discover" who you truly are so you can live a healthier life and be more productive.
She's found that most of her clients are lost in some way (eating disorders, career choices, life transitions). They have learned to mask their pain and pretend all is well. She encourages them to explore all aspects of their emotions and learn to be comfortable in their own skin.
Teri sees challenges as positive opportunities for authentic growth and change. She stresses being curious about connecting to your world.
Contact Teri at 781-561-5264, email her at terisica@comcast.net, connect on Facebook or Twitter, or visit her on the web at www.terisica.com or http://959watd.com.
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My goal throughout this video project has been to let the public know about available options and to help business experts I trust to grow their businesses.
Please forward the video links to anyone you know who could benefit from the services of one of the local experts interviewed. The videos are also posted on my blog, Facebook page, and YouTube Channel. Look for more episodes to be recorded in the near future.
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Google+ 
I'm now on Google+. Join up with me there and start +1'ing my content to share it with friends and colleagues.
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 Connie White has worked as a full-time Realtor for over 20 years. During her career, she's earned the following certifications: ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert - meaning she's a certified expert in helping homeowners facing short sales).
Connie has been affiliated with RE/MAX (an international organization) since 1990. Her motto is: "Delivering Excellence" - Your South Shore Realtor for Single-Family, Condos, Multi-Family, Oceanfront, Luxury, and Distressed Properties.
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320 Washington Drive
Norwell, Massachusetts 02061
RE/MAX Realty Advisors
(617) 697-5566
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Restaurant Review:
Tsang's Restaurant
Hanover, MA
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My husband and I enjoy Chinese food. One of our favorite Chinese restaurants is Tsang's on Washington Street, Hanover. We stopped in the other evening - kind of a date night after a busy day. Seated next to the cozy gas fireplace, we sipped on Merlot while we waited for our dinner. Our meal for that evening started with Won Ton Soup - beautifully prepared and presented. The sweet peas were crisp and tender; the noodles were perfect - sort of "al dente". The main menu: chicken with lemon and pork fried rice. Slices of thick chicken breast smothered in a smooth lemon sauce. Huge servings! Yummy! Lots of leftovers! Tsang's: good food complemented with contemporary decor and pleasant service. Click here to visit their website. |
Featured Property
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 | | 21 Silver Brook Lane, Norwell, MA |
Price Reduction!
Now
$569,900
21 Silver Brook Lane,
Norwell, MA 02061
* Owner paying 6 months of condo fees at closing!!
* Designed with attention to detail throughout
* 2,092 sf
Truly a gem - step into WOW!
Virtual Tour
Click here to view additional photos and listing details.
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Home Buyers...
Is Your Real Estate Agent Really Listening?
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Listening and communication are critical in the home buying process.
When I first meet with Buyers and Sellers and ask what they expect of me, they answer without exception: "communication" - whether it's via e-mail, text, or a phone call. They want to be heard. They want to know that someone is really listening!
Purchasing a home is the single most expensive investment most people will make in their lifetime. Therefore, it's important that Home Buyers choose the Realtor who really listens to them.
Home Buying can be both stressful and exciting at the same time. Yet, if you're in the hands of an Agent who listens, focuses, and understands what matters most to you, you're well on your way to home ownership.
Click here for a few suggestions on how you, as a Buyer, can know that you've selected the "right" Realtor - the one who really listens.
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Useful Resources | |
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Visit my website
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Home Buyer Workshop
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