Terrylynn's Blog

Tax Credits, the IRS says it's so.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:47:27 -0600

The Cost of going Green (Sustainable) just keeps getting more affordable. Did you know that per the IRS news release on 10/28/09 "Energy-Saving Steps This Year May Result in Tax Savings Next Year". The notice goes on to say:

"Home Energy Credits Updated 10/28/09 The Internal Revenue Service today reminded individual and business taxpayers that many energy-saving steps taken this year may result in bigger tax savings next year. The recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 contained a number of either new or expanded tax benefits on expenditures to reduce energy use or create new energy sources.

Tax Credits for Home Energy Efficiency Improvements Increase Homeowners can get bigger tax credits for making energy efficiency improvements or installing alternative energy equipment. “These new, expanded credits encourage homeowners to make improvements that will make their homes more energy efficient,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “People can improve their homes and save money over the long run.” ARRA provides for a uniform credit of 30 percent of the cost of qualifying improvements up to $1,500, such as adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows, and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems. The new law also raised the limit on the amount that can be claimed for improvements placed in service during 2009 and 2010 to $1,500, instead of the $500 lifetime limit under the old law. In addition, the new law has increased the energy efficiency standards for building insulation, exterior windows, doors, and skylights, certain central air conditioners, and natural gas, propane or oil water heaters placed in service after Feb. 17, 2009.

The new law also eliminates the cap on the 30 percent tax credit for alternative energy equipment, such as solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and small wind turbines, installed in a home. The cap generally has been eliminated for these improvements beginning in the 2009 tax year. The IRS today issued Notice 2009-41, which explains the effects of this change. "

I've been wanting that Toto Toilet, new 90% efficient furnace and SOLAR, maybe now is the time to look into the REAL cost of purchasing such items. The tax break can make it attactive and doable in the near future. Let's give it a look, shall we? For more information go to the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206869,00.html

- Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 32 years. She works with Diablo Realty in Walnut Creek and is consistently a top producer. Terrylynn is a local expert, please contact her for any Real Estate needs, or with a question about the area.

Save some money!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:04:05 -0600

ATM Machines:
I found some websites you can look at to find No-Fee ATMs near you. Fees can be as high as $5 a transaction, and that definitely adds up!

www.allpointnetwork.com, just enter an address or zip code to find a no-fee ATM near you.

www.moneypass.com, also includes driving directions.

Going Out:
My daughter subscribes to www.goldstar.com. If you like going out but don't like paying full price, this site is for you. She receives almost daily emails with discounts on events in our area. These include comedy shows, plays, live music, art events and more. It's a great way to do fun things in your area without spending too much money!

Need more (or less) stuff?
Try www.freecycle.com. Freecycle is a yahoo group you join for your local area. You can post to the group asking for items you need or offering items you no longer need. Everything just has to be free.

Free coupons from local (Concord, California) businesses available online!

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:10:11 -0600

www.BuyConcord.net
Buy Concord was created to encourage residents to purchase their products and services in Concord. In this economy, it is good to support your local businesses. The categories include:

Apparel, Automotive, Electronics, Entertainment, Food, Floral, Furniture, Gifts, Health & Beauty, Home Improvement, Hotels, Jewelry, Pets, Professional Services, Restaurants and Sports.

Random & Bizarre

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:20:35 -0600

Police in Wichita, Kansas arrested a 22 year old man at an airport hotel after he tried to pass two counterfeit $16 bills
The Chico, California City Council enacted a ban on nuclear weapons, setting a $500 fine for anyone detonating one within city limits
A bus carrying five passengers was hit by a car in St. Louis, but by the time police arrived on the scene, 14 pedestrians had boarded the bus and began to complain of whiplash, injuries and back pain
When two service station attendants in Iona, Michigan refused to hand over the cash to an intoxicated robber, the man threatened to call the police. They still refused, so the robber called the police and was arrested

Statistics

The city with the most Rolls Royces per capita: Hong Kong
Men can read smaller print than women; women can hear better
The amount American Airlines saved in 1987 by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class: $40,000
State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work: Alaska
Percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28%
Percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
Percentage of American men who say they would marry the same women if they had it to do all over again: 80%
Percentage of American women who say they would marry the same men if they had it to do all over again: 50%
The cost of raising a medium size dog to the age of eleven: $6,400
Average number of people airborne over the US any given hour: 61,000
Percentage of Americans who have visited Disneyland/world: 70%

Thanks to:
Rex Lock & Safe
3511 Clayton Road, Concord, ca
1-800-901-LOCK

Bode & Bode Lock & Safe
1215 21st Street, Sacramento, ca
916-443-1967

Tracy Lock & Safe
1020 B Street, Tracy, ca
209-839-6557

As the days get shorter... reduce outdoor watering

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:09:11 -0600

I received a mailing from my local water district reminding me it is time to reduce outdoor watering. According to their mailer at this time of year, even if the weather is warm, we can reduce our watering to:

Lawns: 1 to two days per week
Shrubs & Trees: No more than 1 day per week

My local water district also offers coupons for discounts on garden mulch and car washes that recycle their water, rebates on high efficiency toilets and clothes washers, free water-use surveys and more. It may be worth checking with your own local water company to see if they have freebies and/or incentives!

Toilet Paper - What's all the fuss about toilet paper?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:57:14 -0500

Terrylynn's AH HA MOMENTS - Did you know that Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if every family bought a roll of recycled toilet paper JUST ONCE?

WHAT CAN YOU DO? Buy a roll instead of your regular toilet paper.

Toilet Paper - What's all the fuss about toilet paper?

A recent article from the Washington Post says that it's a menace, an example of America's excess. Well I don't know about you but most people are not yet ready to give it up. SO what can we do? Well there are some new data that gives options about saving money on toilet paper and perhaps making wiser choices in the process.

Real Simple magazine November 09 issue talks about the cost of toilet paper. Remember the surveys asking consumers about going green and using sustainable products show that people are willing to go green and make better choices but that saving money is a huge motivator toward that effort.

A brief cost comparison of an Ultra Plush Toilet paper is that per 100 sheets it costs .48 cents. The double ply plush is .90 cents per 100 sheets. An alternate brand of Ultra soft is .63 cents per 100 sheets. BUT Seventh Generation 100% recycled is .28 cents per 100 sheets. For the at home family buying only 5% actually buy the recycled product. What does all this mean?

Plush U.S. toilet paper is usually made by chopping down and grinding up trees that were sometimes decades or even a century old. It's slow going getting Americans and Europeans to make the switch to recycled goods. The largest tissue maker has signed a truce and promises to do better. But the larger battle goes on - the ultimate test is whether Americans and Europeans will go green when nobody is watching. The consumer wants softer paper, the environmentalists say "it's only toilet paper".

Market Research, Inc states that the three ply toilet paper sold 24 million packages in the past year, bringing in more than $144 million in revenues. Earlier this year, Consumer Reports did studies that tested toilet paper brands ultra plys and the recycled and the recycled were noted to be "not unpleasant". But the three plys win out getting the highest rating. SO, what to do? Well, give a try to recycled paper when you have the opportunity, see if it's palatable and perhaps we'll realistically end up with the 40 or 50% recycled that will be the answer. For environmentalists that may not be enough, but as far as small steps to move the consumer in the right direction, it just might be an answer. But of course, that's just my opinion.

For a website with more information and a link to a downloadable guide to purchasing recycled toilet paper and tissue click http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/forests/tissueguide

This is the link straight to the guide which is printable to distribute to clients, friends and family http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press-center/reports4/tissueguide.pdf

Here is a website with special pricing on recycled toilet papers... http://www.bizrate.com/cleaning-supplies/marcal-toilet-paper

Downtown Walnut Creek On Ice (California)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:24:39 -0500

Every year the City of Walnut Creek has an ice skating rink in the park at 1365 Civic Drive. This year we can ice skate between November 12, 2009 and January 18, 2010. This is their fifth year!

Public Skating Schedule:
Monday - Thursday, 11am - 9pm
Friday - Saturday, 11am - 11pm
Sunday - 11am - 9pm

Admission Rates:
Monday - Thursday, $11.00
Friday before 5pm, $11.00
Friday after 5pm, $15.00
Saturday - Sunday, $15.00
November 24-28, $15.00
December 22 - January 1, $15.00
Group rates for parties and field trips, $10.00

Special Holiday Hours:
Thanksgiving, 10am - 6pm
Christmas Eve, 10am - 6pm
Christmas Day, 11am - 6pm
New Year's Eve, 10am - 8pm
New Year's Day, 11am - 11pm

They also offer skating lessons!

Learn to Skate - Beginning December 5
Saturday mornings at 8:45am or 9:15am, 1/2 hour instruction and public session following class
$125 for six weeks of lessons, Recital on the 7th week

Parent Tot Class - Beginning December 1
Tuesday mornings from 10am - 11am, 1 parent and 1 child, 1/2 hour of instruction and 1/2 hour practice session
$100 for 7 weeks

Adult Class - Beginning December 3
Thursday evenings from 7:30-8pm, 1/2 hour instruction and public session following class. This class will be during the public session on a coned off section of the rink.
$125 for 7 weeks

Sid Pinkerton, www.DrabtoFab.com, speaks...Don't miss it.

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:50:13 -0500

Drab to FAB...Sid Pinkerton. TLC Sid Pinkerton, New York City Sid Pinkerton. YES...He's not shy about sharing his thoughts and opinions, so don't ask if you don't want to know. Sid tells you how to do more business with Realtor clients. You won't want to miss it.

Via Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com):

www.FromDrabtoFab.com Sid Pinkerton was featured on TLC as a home staging expert. Sid has staged hundreds of apartments in Metro New York in the past six years. "Even in this market, we continue to have more than 90% of our staged properties of those within 7 days," says Sid. Sid says his clients are the Realtors and he is acutely aware of that. Sid's business is referral and word of mouth only. Learn how Sid turned his love of Real Estate into a passion that earns him a six figure income with NO outside marketing. We will talk about Sid's philosophy and how he maximizes the Realtor relationships in a challenging and unique marketplace, New York City.

Sid will be a part of our Professional Home Stager and Designer Panel at the Real Estate Home Staging Expo on November 12, 2009. You won't want to miss this! The panel will focus on How to Create and Solidify Realtor Relationships.

Don't forget to register before November 1, 2009 to receive the Churchill Furniture Rental special price!

Location:
Churchill Furniture Rental
56 Utter Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-2117

Join us and learn from Sid and our two other Panel Experts, Kate Hart and Lynelle Hartman. Learn how to solidify your Realtor relationships and keep your business thriving in ANY market.

This expert panel is just one feature of the full day's events. Check out the full Real Estate Home Staging Agenda and join us November 12, 2009 for a great day of learning and fun!

There is a dinosaur in the basement, Go ahead, pull the plug. Rebates to follow.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:46 -0500

Go ahead, pull the plug!!!

We are not so unlike many families. It's easy to judge, but consciousness comes one thing at a time. We've done some things like dual paned windows, solar, CFL's in the lights, but we ashamed to admit we just couldn't face getting rid of that dinosaur in the basement. We did it!!! And whew withdrawal was tougher before we pulled the plug than it has been after. Yes, we've been hearing that the old refrigerator in the garage is inefficient and uses too much energy... but it wasn't until the electric portion of our bill hit several hundred $$ a month that we started looking for something more to eliminate and get a handle on the issue. Unacceptable and unconscious, but it got our attention.

The refrigerator with cracked seals and a motor that ran constantly to keep our water, extra cookies, extra ice and other such essentials cold winter and summer. And the occasional turkey that wouldn't fit in the upstairs fridge when we were getting ready for Thanksgiving. Oh and don't forget sodas for the barbecues in the summer. After hearing the angst, pros and cons of the situation one too many times, hubby just went down and unplugged the thing, called PGE and asked them to come get it. Hey, they will pay us $35 for the old one! That's an incentive right there.

Oh the drama. NOT. What to do, well simple really. The water - we just kept it out and put in a few bottles when we needed them, better yet, we used the refillable aluminum water bottles. Soda - we buy it when we have a bbq and put it in an ice chest with ice. The turkey, well that might be a problem, but we'll order organic and pick it up before Thanksgiving and see how it works. AHHHHHH relief, it wasn't a necessity after all. Perceived value and what an investment, the sad thing is how long we paid that extra $100 a month for cookies and ice cream, soda and an occasional turkey. It's down right embarrasing.

Best part $100 a month or more has been coming off our utility bill. SO the search goes on for getting that bill down, now I want more...

That leads me to look at all the other appliances that we have and how efficient they are and I found there are rebates and incentives for other appliances. Hum, we've started something here.

PG&E offers hundreds of rebates on energy efficiency improvements. The rebates are available on many leading brands and the upgrades can help reduce your energy costs and lower your impact on the environment. Let's see what we can do, I'll report back later.

The tale of a Short Sale - Sold by a Realtor who believes in Staging

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:45:25 -0500

The tale of a Short Sale - Sold by a Realtor who believes in Staging

Series...So this is the Bathroom!

The Short Sale bathroom - drab to potential fab

This is a short sale listing I took this past month. I know the lender will not give credit for repairs or clean up. This one needs both, and more. The a/c and dishwasher don't work, the disposal leaks. The walls are dinged, corners chipped and the paint is dingy, carpet stained, pet odor and stains (eek clothes pins provided at the door) and it's dirty, debri, cobwebs, etc.

BUT I espouse to my clients, my collegues, everyone I have talked to in the last almost 20 years that EVERY home needs to be staged. Perhaps the distressed properties need it more than any others. SO, how much money am I the Realtor willing to invest in a property where the short sale may not be approved, I may not get any reimbursement ? (I'm going to create a presentation piece for the lender to show the results the staging brought them and see if they'll relent, I figure it's worth a try and that's another blog post.)

SO, having said all that This is the bathroom. The mirror is delaminated and ordinarily we would probably paint the cabinets, polish the cabinets, and the room would it look better painted, yes? But does staging better make it look like you MIGHT want to live here?

More on the cost of all this and the other things in the rest of this series.

Lynelle Hartman speaks at the New York Metro Expo, November 12, 2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:39:10 -0500

Lynelle, one of the most talented stagers I know. She uses her Realtor sense and confidence and takes control, wows the client and gets them the results. I am thrilled she'll be speaking at our Expo.

Via Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com):

www.LH2Staging.com. Lynelle Hartman is one of the pioneers in the industry working as a trainer for the two largest staging training companies in the US. She also trains in the Dewey Color System and has authored a continuing education course for stagers on vacant home staging. Lynelle and her partner Leigh have perfected the art of staging vacant (as well as occupied) homes in and around Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photography of their work has been showcased locally and in magazines. The best home staging trainers understand the industry because they run successful staging businesses and stage every day alongside their peers. In addition Lynelle had a 10 year Real Estate career and understands Realtors and their clients.

Lynelle will be a part of our Professional Home Stager and Designer Panel at the Real Estate Home Staging Expo on November 12, 2009. You won't want to miss this! The panel will focus on How to Create and Solidify Realtor Relationships.

Don't forget to register before November 1, 2009 to receive the Churchill Furniture Rental special price!

Location:
Churchill Furniture Rental
56 Utter Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-2117

Join us and learn from Lynelle and our two other Panel Experts, Sid Pinkerton and Kate Hart. Learn how to solidify your Realtor relationships and keep your business thriving in ANY market.

This expert panel is just one feature of the full day's events. Check out the full Real Estate Home Staging Agenda and join us November 12, 2009 for a great day of learning and fun!

Kate Hart speaks at the New York Metro Expo, November 12, 2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:18:22 -0500

I am not alone in being thrilled at Kate's successes in this industry. She's been someone to watch from her introduction into the industry years ago and am proud she'll be providing her tips and wisdom live and in person.

Via Chris Fisher of StagersLISTWebsites.com (StagersLIST.com):

www.HartStaging.com Kate Hart, an award winning home staging expert, has helped hundreds of families prepare their homes for sale, personally mentored and trained thousands of Realtors and staging professionals on the benefits of staging as a property marketing tool. She has been featured as a staging, design expert on HGTV, CNN, Fine Living Network and 50+ publications including Better Homes and Gardens, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Family Circle, Luxury Homes Quarterly. Currently the spokesperson for Mirror Mate Frames she is working on a book "Are You Selling a Used Home or a Pre-Owned Domicile?" soon to be released. Find out how she builds relationships with Realtors in her local market.

Kate will be a part of our Professional Home Stager and Designer Panel at the Real Estate Home Staging Expo on November 12, 2009. You won't want to miss this! The panel will focus on How to Create and Solidify Realtor Relationships.

Don't forget to register before November 1, 2009 to receive the Churchill Furniture Rental special price!

Location:
Churchill Furniture Rental
56 Utter Avenue
Hawthorne, NJ 07506-2117

Join us and learn from Kate and our two other Panel Experts, Sid Pinkerton and Lynelle Hartman. Learn how to solidify your Realtor relationships and keep your business thriving in ANY market.

This expert panel is just one feature of the full day's events. Check out the full Real Estate Home Staging Agenda and join us November 12, 2009 for a great day of learning and fun!

Diablo Valley Farmer's Market Halloween Harvest (Walnut Creek, California)

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:45:02 -0500

Diablo Valley Farmer's Market Halloween Harvest (Walnut Creek, California)

Diablo Valley Farmers Market
Mitchel & N. Wiget
Shadelands, Walnut Creek
Every Saturday from 9am-1pm
Year Round!

Our family has visited all the local farmers markets and this one is one of the BEST when it comes to organic and vegetarian offerings. Sometimes we go just to have snipets of the various food offerings from the different vendors, yum...

On Halloween, 10/31/09, the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market is having Halloween Harvest. There's a kids' costume contest, you can win the prize for scariest, funniest, best farmers' market theme, most creative, best overall. There will be a pumpkin patch, an area to decorate your own mini pumpkin, a contest to guess the weight of a GIANT pumpkin, games and more!

The kid's costume parade is at 10am.

Every week this farmers' market has a Market Basket Drawing! Join their mailing list and you are entered to win a $100 Market Basket. These always look delicious, we have yet to win one.

Eat healthy, support your local farmers, and have some fun at the Diablo Valley Farmers' Market! In addition to superior produce, there are vendors there with fresh pasta and sauce, amazing fresh bread, local delicious olive oil, and so much more.

Clayton, California Pumkin Patch open 10/1-10/31 from 9am to 8pm daily

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:34:49 -0500

Clayton, California Pumpkin Patch open 10/1-10/31 from 9am to 8pm daily

Clayton Valley Pumpkin Farm & Christmas Trees
1060 Pine Lane
Clayton, CA 94517-9706
(corner of Pine Lane and Marsh Creek Road)
PHONE: (925) 672-5198 (925) 672-5198
EMAIL: info@cvpumpkinfarm.com

This is not just a pumpkin patch! They also have a pumpkin playground, gift shop, train rides and gorgeous Mt. Diablo Views.

It's a very fun place for kids and adults alike. They have a nice school tour program as well. When it's time to pick out your pumpkins this year, check them out. Right now they even have a soup recipe contest. What's better when the weather starts to chill than homemade soup!

Submit your own soup recipe to be a part of Chef Pumpernickel's Soup Delight Cookbook!

We've been visiting this pumpkin patch for a long time. It's always a lot of fun, just remember you'll spend a little more time here than the usual pumpkin patch! There's a lot more to do.

Walnut Creek, California, Average Days on the Market by Month (9/08 - 9/09)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:44:13 -0500

Walnut Creek, California, Average Days on the Market by Month (9/08 - 9/09)
The average days on the market is down 15%

Sept. 09, 63 days on market (DOM)
Aug. 09, 57 DOM
July 09, 81 DOM
June 09, 59 DOM
May 09, 65 DOM
April 09, 65 DOM
March 09, 53 DOM
Feb. 09, 72 DOM
Jan. 09, 91 DOM
Dec. 08, 78 DOM
Nov. 08, 86 DOM
Oct. 08, 74 DOM
Sept. 08, 74 DOM