IN MARCH’S ISSUE WHAT CAN BUYING A HOUSE DO FOR YOU? MARDI GRAS MADNESS IS SOLAR POWER A BRIGHT IDEA FOR YOUR HOME?
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2022 FEATURE
COMMUNITY PROPERTY
IN YOUR CORNER
IN YOUR CORNER IS SOLAR POWER A BRIGHT IDEA FOR YOUR HOME?
LIVING LARGE
FLORIDA FINDS MARDI GRAS MADNESS
FEATURE STORY WHAT CAN BUYING A HOUSE DO FOR YOU?
LIVING LARGE TAKE A GREAT SHELFIE: 7 CREATIVE SHELVING DESIGNS
MARKET UPDATE CURIOUS IF PRICES ARE UP? WHAT’S THE MARKET DOING? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!
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The following is a post by VICTORIA KEICHINGER originally published on Blue Matter, the Coldwell Banker Blog.
Reduced utility bills. A greener lifestyle. Tax incentives. These are just a few reasons why some homeowners opt to switch to solar power. But, what is right for your home? We asked Sunrun, the largest dedicated residential solar company in the U.S., to answer five frequently asked questions about solar power to help you weigh the pros and cons. Why solar power? What are the benefits from switching to solar power?
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The biggest benefit homeowners receive from going solar is saving money on their electric bills. Customers can save up to 20%** on their bills and are able to lock in those rates for 20 years. In addition to saving money, homeowners who go solar are benefiting the environment and their local community by reducing the need for their utility provider to produce energy with fossil fuels. It is far more efficient for a utility to get clean solar electricity produced off the roof of someone’s home than it is to bring in power from electricity generation plants miles away.
How much does install on a standard home cost? And will solar power pay for itself?
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Sunrun’s most popular product is BrightSave®, a solar lease that allows a homeowner to get solar installed for little to zero down. Whether you go with a monthly or prepaid solar lease, you can start saving immediately, without the hassle of ownership. There is no waiting for the system to pay for itself, and you start saving the moment the system is turned on. How does the weather affect solar power? For instance, what happens if it’s a cloudy or snowy day?
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You’re hitting on one of the key areas a homeowner should pay attention to when determining whether going solar is right for their home. Sunrun guarantees energy production** for their customers, rain or shine. If, after 12 months, your solar system falls short of your production, guarantee Sunrun will cut you a check for the difference.
What incentives are available to homeowners who switch to solar? On a federal level, homeowners who own their solar PV system qualify for an Investment Tax Credit of 30%, while many state and local governments also offer incentives to go solar. Sunrun does all the work for homeowners, handling all the paperwork involved in obtaining the incentives you would qualify for and maximizing them to their full advantage when determining the final system cost.
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Will solar panels increase the value of my home? It depends on a few factors, such as whether you own the solar array on your roof or not. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkley Lab recently found that home buyers are typically willing to pay a $15,000 premium for homes with an installed solar array for homeowner-owned systems. Regardless, residential solar is a fast-growing trend, and more and more home buyers are looking for homes where they know their energy bills will be low. So any home solar solution will help make your home more attractive to potential buyers. Sunrun also guarantees their systems will transfer to the home’s new owner. They have a dedicated team of transfer specialists who make transferring a home hassle-free between a seller and buyer. Have a question about solar power that isn’t answered here? Tweet @sunrun and use the hashtag #SolarRealEstate. **Estimated savings based on a projected annual utility rate increase of 3.16% over the life of the system. Actual savings will vary. Savings depends on several factors, including product type, system production, geography, weather, shade, electricity usage, full utilization of the 30% solar Investment Tax Credit by the system owner, and utility rate structures and rate increases—analysis based on customers who enrolled with Sunrun after one year of use.
Photography provided by the following in order of appearance: Beazy(A), Vivint Solar(B), Bill Mead(C), Ricardo Gomez Angel(D), and Vivint Solar (E).
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Mardi Gras
Madness The following is a post by Chelsea Cornelius.
Fat Tuesday is right around the corner. Instead of heading to New Orleans this year, maybe you’re celebrating in your own backyard. You might be surprised to learn that Floridians have celebrated Mardi Gras for over 100 years. Let’s explore some of the Mardi Gras madness and Florida’s history. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Florida in some form or another since the Spanish arrived. The Spanish conquistadors would have called it Carnival, like the Italians did when they started celebrating the festival. It originated as a Catholic Pre-Lent celebration of indulging in all of the things good Catholics would inevitably give up when Lent started. The celebrations included parades, public parties, and elements of the circus, as well as elaborate costumes and masks. As the French adapted the Italian festivities, their focus became Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday,” the last day before Lent started, the biggest day of celebration and indulgence of food, alcohol, and other excessive French forms of debauchery. The name would eventually become adopted in Florida by the end of the 19th century as New Orleans popularized the French term. As previously mentioned, there have been Spanish celebrations of Carnival in Florida since it was colonized, but the most notably publicized celebrations that were officially documented weren’t until the late 1800s. Pensacola, in
particular, began documenting their celebrations which not only included parades and celebrations but the crowning of a Mardi Gras King. Their king took the title of King Priscus, which was a reference to Rome’s legendary fifth ruler, Lucius Tarquinius Priscus. Priscus was legendary for a number of reasons, from his rise to power to his military and architectural triumphs (including the Circus Maximus), to being the first king to celebrate all of his successes. In the spirit of the circus and triumphant celebrations, the title of King Priscus became a Pensacola tradition. The first documented photo was that of A.C. Blount, who was first named King Priscus in 1874. The celebrations in Pensacola continued throughout the years, but according to city experts, “The Best in History” is widely considered the 1915 celebrations. Their King Priscus at the time, B.S. Hancock, chose to make a Priscus level entrance. Rather than a golden chariot or the classic car that Pensacola had come more accustomed to during the parade each year, Hancock decided to drop in from the skies. He flew an airplane over the crowds of people and put on a show worthy of his title. Hancock wasn’t the only person turning heads or making history in 1915. The Mardi Gras Queen also ruffled some feathers, too. Gladys Pierce was a businesswoman who went to college and spent time in the military. She broke the mold of past traditional beauties and was declared “the first queen of a new era in Pensacola.”
Apalachicola was another Florida city that loved to celebrate Mardi Gras. Their first documented celebration was in 1915 and also featured the crowning of a Mardi Gras King. Their king was called King Retsyo. The Apalachicola Bay feeds their seafood industry, and to honor the son of Neptune, they so named their king. They even continue the tradition of crowning a King Retsyo today, but in November for their annual Florida Seafood Festival. In recent years, the tradition of naming a king and queen of Apalachicola’s Mardi Gras parade came back into fashion. However, the king and queen are now sheltered animals who are looking for a home. The 11th Annual Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus Parade will be held to celebrate Mardi Gras, and all funds raised from the parade go to help the Animals of the Forgotten Coast of Florida. Today, throughout Florida, you can find plenty of Mardi Gras celebrations, including the Villages® community’s Mardi Gras Festival, Leesburg’s Mardi Gras Party in the Streets, and many more. If you’re in Northeast Florida, you can delve more into the indulgence side of Mardi Gras or, rather, Carnival with the Spanish Food & Wine Festival held in St. Augustine every year. No matter where and how you choose to celebrate this year, now you know a little more about the roots of Florida’s Mardi Gras madness.
Photography provided by the the State Library and Archives of Florida, floridamemory.com or are public domain.
What Can
Buying Do A Home For You? The following is a post by SHARON LEE originally published on Blue Matter, the Coldwell Banker Blog. Edited by Chelsea Cornelius.
Some people may think of buying a home as a stressful experience that comes with an enormous commitment that can burden you for years. However, buying a home can be a great way to build wealth and protect your assets. Learn how homeownership can be a great investment decision that bolsters your financial security. Not to mention all of the tax benefits you’ll find as a Florida resident.
A Net Worth Boost Research shows that, on average, homeowners’ net worth is far higher than that of a renters’ net worth by up to 36% and this wealth gap keeps widening every year. One explanation for this gap is the concept of forced savings. This is a situation where it’s essential to save a certain amount of money every month for a significant expense, such as a house or a car.
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Paying for a mortgage is a great example of forced savings. Paying for your mortgage month after month forces you to save a portion of your income to help pay off your property, which works towards increasing your home equity and net worth. On the other hand, renters increase the net worth of their landlords without building equity or assets.
Learn how home ownership can be a great investment decision for your financial security.
Closing Costs and Points
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In Florida, you may be able to find added benefits in the closing costs you paid with added tax deductions. This includes the property taxes paid as well as the mortgage interest that you will find on your settlement statement (closing statement paperwork). You’ll also find the loan origination fees on your settlement statement, known as points. These points are paid when you get your mortgage from your lender, and whether you or the seller pays them, you can generally deduct the full amount if the property is your primary residence.
Tax Benefits of Homeownership Buying a house shouldn’t be considered fully as an expense. Homeowners enjoy a variety of tax breaks that you might not know about. Here are some of the tax breaks homeowners may qualify for: B
Mortgage Interest Deductions The monthly mortgage you must pay when you buy a house is split into two parts: one portion goes towards the actual principal amount, and the other portion pays off your interest on the mortgage. In some cases, the mortgage interest on your primary and second residence is taxdeductible. In Florida, you may be eligible to deduct the interest paid up to $750,000 in total mortgage debt. The total amount varies based on how much interest you have paid and how you are filing your taxes. If you are married but filing separately, you’ll find your limit is only $375,000. To claim the mortgage interest, you must itemize your deductions on a Form 1040 Schedule A unless you just want to just claim the standard deductions. You should get a 1098 Form from your mortgage lender at the beginning of every year, showing the total amount you paid as interest for the previous year that you can claim for tax returns.
Property Taxes City or state real estate taxes that you pay on your house may be filed as a deductible while itemizing the deductions on a Form 1040 Schedule A. Florida has several property tax benefits, but the one that is beneficial to all is the Homestead Exemption. You receive up to $50,000 deduction on the property’s taxable value if the home is your primary residence. Other property tax benefits apply to those over 65 and military veterans. Those over 65 receive an additional deduction of up to $50,000 on top of their homestead exemption. The county you live in and your specific circumstances determine the overall deductions you receive, so contact your local tax collector offices to find out what applies to you. Your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent can help you find out which county you’re in and who you should contact.
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Protecting Your Assets In Florida, you have the added advantage of asset protection on your side. If you own a home, there is a homestead creditor protection on your property. As long as you are keeping up with your home payments, no creditor can force the sale of your home to resolve any debt judgment against you. In addition to protecting your assets in life, in Florida, there is no Estate Tax as of 2005. Commonly referred to as the Death Tax, this usually applies to those with higher tax brackets than the average American. If you live in Florida and your assets would have been taxed in other states, you and your heirs don’t have to worry about it either.
Using the Power of Leverage for Investing One advantage of buying property for the purpose of investing is that you can borrow funds to make the purchase, as opposed to other investment opportunities such as stocks and bonds. Another advantage is that when inflation hits and prices increase, your house value will sometimes increase as well. If you borrow with a fixed-rate mortgage, you will still be paying the future monthly payments with a currency that’s depreciated in value. As years go by, the equity on your property will increase, and once the principal amount is all paid off, you will have a debt-free asset that will continue to appreciate, depending on market conditions. Property values in Florida increased by more than 20% on average in 2021 alone. If you purchased a home in the last five years, you’d have experienced your home’s value increasing by nearly 66%. Compared to stacking up cash savings in your bank account and watching it lose value to inflation, investing in a property can secure your money in the long term and act as a hedge against dollar debasement. Whether for diversification of your investment portfolio or to secure a property where you and your family can grow and build memories, buying a home can be a timeless investment vehicle. Now that you know the benefits of buying a house contact your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent and let them find your dream home.
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Buying & Selling Buying a home or selling a home is an experience by far easier with your trusted Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent. The company’s network of the best agents in the area give you access to the most desirable homes that will fit all of your needs. Call your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent today to start the search for a home you can fill with love and memories. If you’re outgrowing your current home or ready to cash in on your homes ever increasing value, Coldwell Banker Vanguard’s full-service brokerage offers an extensive marketing program to get you the most for your home in the least amount of time. Our “in-house” Marketing Department understands the impact HDR photography and a walk-through video tour of your home have on making your home stand out from other homes on the internet. For Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty agents this includes a property specfic website just for your home. We also go above and beyond to create a strong social media presence for your home through our CBV Facebook page (@cbvlife) and YouTube channel (Coldwell Banker Vanguard Edge) as well as other effective marketing tools exclusive to Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty.
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www.CBVHomesearch.com Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. Benjamin Rascoe(A), Kari Shae(B), Perfect Snacks(C), Sergei Sushchik(D), Conscious Design(E), Allen Taylor(F), Jimmy Dean(G), Conner Baker(H), and Windows(I).
The following is a guest post by JESS MCBRIDE, Houzz contributor originally published on Blue Matter, the Coldwell Banker Blog. Edited by Chelsea Cornelius.
Take a Great Shelfie:
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Creative Shelving Designs
When we think of wall treatments, we often focus on the wallpaper, paint, or architectural moldings rather than on shelves or bookcases, even if they’re built-in. Shelves are viewed as having more in common with extraneous wall hangings, such as art and mirrors, than with feature walls. And yet, there’s that rare shelving unit that A1/A2 houses our books and knickknacks in such a unique way that it manages to completely transform the room it’s in. Here are seven examples of shelves whose scale or material makes them utterly cool alternatives to the standard boxy bookcase plunked against a wall.
1. Zig Zag Appeal
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It’s not unusual to see a series of floating shelves in an office or a single long shelf in today’s kitchens that have forgone upper cabinets. Far less common is a single floating shelf with dips and peaks like this one. Though it serves the same function as the straight shelves we’re accustomed to, its dynamic lines give it a decidedly edgier profile and allow it to take up more space on the wall. Combine it with these functional floating shelves that make a polished contemporary look.
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These reclaimed wood and steel shelves perfectly fit the space. They have an earthy, relaxed feeling while bringing in texture and dynamism, while the black steel frame perfectly complements the architectural elements the door and transom create.
3. Stylishly Slanted The crisscrossed shelves here are mid-century at its best. There is great dimension created by the intersecting of levels and warmth brought in with the wood. It feels like a custom built-in bookshelf and becomes a beautiful feature you can customize with your personal touches. When spread the length of the wall, it can become a vibrant focal point of a room.
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4. Fabulous Feature Wall
With houses increasingly going to open floor plans, sometimes you find you want to create separation to define a space. These are great examples of multifunctional shelving, which literally creates walls with shelves. Here you see a very traditional classic design for the book lover or general maximalist. The library ladder is the cherry on top of this space. For a more minimalistic approach, the other example plays more with negative space and is much more refined. You can keep it open but also define the space at the same time. G
5. A Simpler Approach
Sometimes a simple ladder propped against the wall will get the job done. For those with a no-fuss, “undecorated” style, this look is for you. This ladder happens to have a great coastal and elegant vibe that is perfect for holding towels in any Florida bathroom.
6. The Giving Tree
This bookcase is perfect for a kid’s room or nursery, even. Hand-sanded to create smooth edges, it can store up to 100 books or décor items. You can find one for purchase online or put your DIY skills to the test and make a custom tree that works best within the space.
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7. Forget Bulky Cabinets The kitchen is fertile ground for unique shelving since there’s simply so much that needs to be stored there. We’re seeing more and more people eschew upper cabinets in favor of long shelving. While it may prove to be a trend that fades like any other, it still feels fresh and unexpected to see shelves running across the kitchen, even if it is balanced with a lovely white shaker.
Photography provided by the following in order of appearance. Pickawood(A1), Fausto Sandoval(A2), Sufyan(B), Ali Choubin(C), Francesca Tosolini(D), House Method(E), Lissete Laverde(F), Rumman Amin(G), and Edgar Castrejon(H).
The Villages® community, FL 32163
The Villages® community, FL 32162
Market Update January 2022
Lady Lake, FL 32159
What does this mean for BUYERS?
You can expect your options to become available in the coming months and although the prices will continue to rise the frenzy of last year has slowed.
What does this mean for SELLERS?
If you are looking to sell, you are in a strong position. Reach out to your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Agent and discuss your real estate goals. They can ensure your return on investments(ROIs) reach their fullest potential in this historic market. Data Source: Stellar MLS. Statistics calculated September 08, 2021.
Want the latest market data in your neighboorhood? Ask your Coldwell Banker Vanguard Lifestyle Agent for the latest market information today!
www.CBVHomesearch.com
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YOU HOME
Since 1906
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Lifestyle Realty 510 County Road 466 Suite 201 Office #H Lady Lake, Fl 32159 www.CBVHomesearch.com