HOW TO GET YOUR HOUSE SOLD

According to HomeGain.com, a real estate services website, 76% of homeowners in the first quarter believed their home was worth more than the listing price that their real estate agents recommended.   They stated that home buyers usually understand current market value better than sellers who own and live there and many buyers still think homes are overpriced.

They point out that your home is worth what a buyer will pay for it according to current market conditions.  Consider how real estate agents and appraisers establish a selling price or price range – by researching similar homes to yours that recently sold.  Appraisers adjust comparable prices if there is a pool in one property and not in the other, or a remodeled kitchen.  Other factors are considered as well.  You need to see and understand the facts and not use emotions to decide on a list price.

Sellers get offers they think are too low and say, “I’m not giving my house away.”   They should surely then go over market conditions by looking at comparative sales, before turning an offer down after their agent tries to negotiate it up.  “Giving it away” is a myth. 

Buyers look for properties that are new on the market, and early on you have the best opportunity to sell your house.  Buyers want to feel they are getting a good deal.

If you want to sell, dispense with the funds incurred to keep it up, perhaps HOA fees and others, look carefully at the facts your agent presents to you regarding prices.  Buyers look at them, and know the market values.  When you become a buyer, you will also thoroughly research prices of properties you are interested in.

INTERESTED IN ONLINE SCHOOLS?

FLORIDA ONLINE COLLEGES - could be "the way to go" - http://www.onlineschools.org/guides/Florida.

Florida is one of the few states that have opted to join the Elementary & Secondary Education Act's (ESA) Flexibility clause which promotes charter online schools.  Children who are home-schooled or attend schools that are poor performing can take free credited courses with online schools in Florida.  Online students also have many resources available including academic advising, school newspapers and literary magazines, student clubs and comprehensive virtual libraries.  

Academic counseling for students from Grade 6 up is available from FACTS.org.  Financial aid plans are available for online students.  The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program is lottery-based for financial aid and available to any Florida resident.  Degree programs are available in agriculture, education, business, design construction and health care, offered at the certificate, associate, bachelor, master or doctorate level.

Check out the directory to see all that is available and perhaps you will make personal use of this information, or pass it on to a friend.

If you are a biker and will be in or near New Haven, CT September 8th, you can participate in the Ride Closer to Free fund raising event for cancer research and patient care at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-NewHaven.  

Support a participant with a donation which can be pledged on the site, rideclosertofree.org or donate to the ride.  Taking part are the two Capobianco brothers, both five years now in remission.

Online registration ends at midnight, Wednesday, September 5^th or on the day of the ride at the Yale Bowl.  Participants must arrive by 6 am.  Riders and volunteers interested in taking part in the Closer to Free Bike Ride should contact the Office of Development at 203.688.8727 or email rideclosertofree@ynhh.org.

Perhaps you can "light just one little candle".

  There are rumors flying all over the net that the recent OK by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act will mean a 3.8% Tax on Home Sales on 2013. Well it's not that easy. So to clear it all up, the National Association of Realtors issued this statement

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Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the health care legislation, all of its major provisions remain in effect, including the new tax that was designed to affect upper income taxpayers.  The 3.8% tax is imposed ONLY on  those with more than $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) ($250,000 on a joint return).  The tax applies to investment income, defined as interest, dividends, capital gains and net rents.  These items are all included in an individual's AGI.  A formula will determine what portion, if any, of these types of investment income would be subject to the tax.
The tax is NOT a transfer tax on real estate sales and similar transactions.  Not long after the tax was enacted, erroneous and misleading documents went viral on the Internet and created a great deal of misunderstanding and made the tax into something far more draconian than the actual provisions.
The new tax does NOT eliminate the benefits of the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion on the sale of a principal residence.  Thus, ONLY that portion of a gain above those thresholds is included in AGI and could be subject to the tax.

For your own situation, please consult a financial adviser or accountant.