Tribble honored as Realtor of the Year
Written by From the Curry Coastal Pilot September 25, 2010 06:00 am
President of the Curry County Board of Realtors, Evonne Tribble, said she was completely surprised when past president Skip Watwood announced the winner of the Realtor of the Year Award at the board’s meeting Thursday, Sept. 16.
“He caught me unaware,” she said. “He said that the award winner wasn’t at the meeting, but he would make the announcement anyway, so when he called my name, it was a big surprise.”
When Tribble, who has been in real estate since 2004, was asked why she thought she received the award, she responded, “I don’t know. I guess it’s because of all the work I did this year, like garbage pickup and building the float for the Azalea Festival. I was president elect, and the president elect always does all the work.”
When asked about business, she said, “Business is good.”.
She added, “I love selling real estate. I wanted to do it for a long time and finally just decided to go for it.”
She also noted, however, that she works diligently at promotion, including using the Internet, and putting ads in restaurant menus, and on the carts at Fred Meyer.
It obviously pays off because she has been the recipient of the multi million-dollar sales plaque.
She also credits her association with Premier Properties and as a principal broker with Cushman & Tebbs Sotheby’s International Realty. Her associates in the firm include those in the local office, Yvonne Dunn Rigotti, Sherry Strain, and Robert Concienne, plus Fred Coyle, who alternates between Brookings and an office in Florida, and Linnea Miller who is a principal broker in Bend.
Tribble can be reached at her Sotheby’s office, 937 Chetco Ave., Suite A. The office telephone number is 541-412-8100 and her cell number is 541-661-2636.
Because Tribble loves selling real estate, she said she is always ready, willing and able to share information with anyone who is interested.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Oregon Coast
Brookings, Gold Beach, Oregon Coast Real Estate Sales
Welcome to the Southern Oregon Coast! About Brookings-Harbor Nestled on the southernmost Oregon Coast [map], at the heart of America's Wild Rivers Coast, between the breathtaking scenery of the Oregon Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean, the community of Brookings-Harbor offers an incomparable quality of life. It is a place where wild and scenic rivers flow through towering forests, a place where you can discover a quiet waterfront town overlooking majestic ocean vistas, and a place where you will find some of the best weather and recreation on the west coast. As the largest community in Curry County, with a population of approximately 14,000, spread over a fifteen mile long bench of land along the Pacific Ocean, the Brookings-Harbor area's pristine, rugged, accessible and picturesque coastline, natural beauty, mild year-round climate and cultural activities attracts people from throughout the United States.
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Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Trip To The Beach
Another beautiful day on the beautiful Oregon coast.
I have family in from Bend OR. My husband & I took them to South Beach at Harris Beach State Park. The air was a bit cool but the kids still had a great time playing in the surf and digging holes in the sand.
As we stood on the beach and considered how long it had been since we had taken the time to enjoy one of the best places on the Oregon Coast, we both agreed to make the visit more often.
I am always amazed how we take the beauty of the Oregon Coast for granted. I encourage everyone to enjoy on a regular basis the natural beauty of Brookings Oregon & the Wild Rivers Coast.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 1:43 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Residential Review: Curry County, Oregon January 2010 Reporting PeriodJanuary Residential HighlightsMarket activity was mixed inCurry County for January 2010compared to the same month a yearago. Closed sales jumped 33.3%, butthe number of pending sales wasexactly the same and new listingsfell 18%.Compared with December 2009,closed sales fell 42.9% (12 v. 21),pending sales dropped 15.8% (16 v.19) and new listings increased 20.6%(41 v. 34).Sale PricesWhile the number of salesincreased, the average sale price forJanuary 2010 decreased a significant20.8% and the median sale price fell34.3% when compared to January2009.In addition, compared withDecember 2009, the average saleprice dropped 8% ($227,000 v.$246,600). Further, the median saleprice decreased 3.5% ($207,000 v.$214, 500).
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:43 PM 0 comments
Labels: Curry County Latest Market Action
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Brookings Oregon Events March 3rd And Beyond
Wild RIvers Coast events for March 3 and beyondMarch 03, 2010 09:35 am‘Sleeping Beauty and the Beast’The youth production of “Sleeping Beauty and the Beast” will be presented on the weekends of March 5-7 and 12-14 at the Harbor Performing Arts Center in the Brookings-Harbor Shopping Center. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.Soroptimist Baby ShowerThe annual Soroptimist International of Brookings Baby Shower is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Brookings Elks Lodge, 800 Elk Drive.Pistol River concertThe Pistol Rivers Concert Association presents the Celtic trio Tarish at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Pistol River Friendship Hall, 24252 Carpenterville Rd., Pistol River.Vienna Boys ChoirThe Friends of Music concert series presents the Vienna Boys Choir at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 Easy St., Brookings.Tall Ship VisitThe tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain will visit Crescent City March 11-16 as the final stop on its “Hands-On History for Youth” tour. The public hours will be 4 to 5 p.m. daily at the Crescent City Harbor, 101 Citizens Dock Road.‘Annie’The Lighthouse Repertory Theatre production of “Annie” is onstage for two weekends, March 11-21, at Crescent Elk Auditorium, 994 G St., Crescent City. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.Brookings Art WalkThe Second Saturday Brookings Art Walk strolls through downtown from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Most venues are near Art Walk Alley, a half-block south of Chetco Avenue at Oak Street.Tribute to Bob SegerElk Valley Casino presents a Tribute to Bob Seger in a live concert at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the casino, 2500 Howland Hill Road, Crescent City.Orchid ShowThe Siskiyou Coast Orchid Club Show and Sale blooms from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, at the Harbor Fire Hall, 98069 W. Benham Lane.Beach CleanupThe annual SOLV Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup is Saturday, March 20, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations along the Oregon Coast, including Harris Beach State Park in Brookings, the Port of Gold Beach, and Battle Rock Wayside in Port Orford.Home ShowThe Brookings-Harbor Home Show has dozens of vendors lined up for Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, at Kalmiopsis School, 650 Easy St., Brookings. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.Lighthouse toursThe Del Norte County Historical Society re-opens tours of the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City on Saturdays and Sundays through March 28. Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but sometimes are limited because access is by foot at low tide.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:34 PM 0 comments
Labels: Brookings Oregon Events March 3rd And beyond
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Nobody likes paying a dime extra in taxes. Yet when it comes to property tax bills, some homeowners pay too much simply because they aren’t aware of the common property tax exemptions that exist in most communities.Many exemptions aren’t automatic. You’ll need to determine for yourself what they are and whether you qualify. Contact your local tax assessor. Property tax exemptions vary not just by state, but by jurisdictions within each state. Research and paperwork might require four hours, but the effort could lower your tax bill noticeably.HomesteadsMany states offer a homestead exemption to homeowners who occupy their homes as primary residences for a majority of the year. Some states require a minimum term of residency before you can apply. In Maine, for example, it’s 12 months; in Alabama, you can qualify in two to six weeks. The exemption may lower a home’s assessed value by a percentage, say 15%, or a dollar amount such as $25,000. Some states tie the homestead exemption to other criteria such as age or income level. Each locality has its own rules and time frames for filing. Some even require homeowners to re-apply each year.Seniors and the disabledMany states offer generous property tax exemptions to both older homeowners and the disabled. South Dakota, for example, has multiple relief programs that allow both groups to seek property tax refunds and reductions in real estate assessments. There are age, income, and residency restrictions. Read the fine print. A homestead exemption aimed at the elderly may only defer property taxes until the home is sold. And don’t assume exemptions for seniors kick in at 65. Some may start at 60 years old, while others begin at 70. Disabled homeowners may be required to show proof, such as eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.Military veteransService to your country abroad may grant you property tax relief at home. Exemptions are generally available for veterans who own a home (primary residence), served during wartime, and were honorably discharged. Some states offer them to all veterans; some, like Pennsylvania, to disabled vets. To qualify, you’ll probably need to provide proof of service. You may also have to meet length of residency requirements and income restrictions. Frequently, this exclusion is eligible for the spouses of veterans who lost their lives in war, and sometimes it’s available to parents of the deceased as well.RenovationsIf you like to renovate, you’ll love these tax breaks. In the North Dakota cities of Bismarck and Fargo, fixing up a residential property that’s more than 25 years old can earn you a five-year exemption from paying property taxes on the value the remodeling added to your home. In Pierce County, Wash., you can get a three-year exemption for home improvements. Check with your tax assessor’s office before tearing anything down, however, because applications may need to be approved before work begins. Renovations of historic properties may also be eligible for property tax breaks.Energy incentivesInstalling renewable energy systems in your house could pay off on your property tax bill as well as your energy bill. Many states are excluding the value of certain green improvements from a home’s real estate assessment. Eligible upgrades may include the installation of solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, or photovoltaics. Look for information on state and local property tax breaks for renewable energy systems on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, or DSIRE for short. Click your state on the interactive map, then follow any links listed under Property Tax Exemptions.Other exemptionsA visit to your local tax assessor’s office may turn up other less common property tax exemptions. Maine Township, Ill., offers a long-time occupant exemption for people who’ve owned their homes continuously for 10 years and earn less than $75,000 annually. Some counties in New York State reduce the assessed value of the homes of volunteer firefighters. Many states offer widow/widower exemptions. It doesn’t hurt to ask.Are exemptions worth the effort?In 2008 the U.S. median property tax paid was $1,897 annually, or 0.96% of the median home value of $197,600. The highest median property tax was paid in Westchester County, N.Y.: $8,890; the lowest, St. Landry Parish, La., at $140. Savings from exemptions will vary widely depending where you live, the value of your home, and what you qualify for. A $15,000 exemption on the U.S. median home value of $197,600 would result in annual savings of about $144. A 15% exemption would save about $285.This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.Barbara Eisner Bayer has written about mortgages and personal finance for the past 15 years for Motley Fool, Daily Plan-It, and Nurse Village, and is the former Managing Editor of Mortgageloan.com and Credit-land.com. She splits time between a beachfront condo and a mountain retreat, which leaves her with double the pleasure and double the headaches of homeownership.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:27 PM 0 comments
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Paying income taxes is never fun, but there’s a silver lining when you get money back. The average tax refund fluctuates from year to year, but lately it’s been in the neighborhood of $2,500. That’s a nice neighborhood.An extra $2,500 from the IRS can do a lot of good around the house, from insulating an attic to sprucing up a dated bathroom. It can also pay down high-interest debt, or help you get ahead on mortgage payments. How do you decide?Alan D. Kahn, a financial planner in Syosset, N.Y., offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home. Depending on your life stage and financial circumstances, sometimes it makes sense to invest the money in home-related projects. Other times, the best investment you can make in your home is not investing in it at all.HouseLogic: What should be your priority if you get a $2,500 refund?Alan Kahn: No matter what your situation, first and foremost, if you have credit card debt, pay it down. That’s the one item that’s creating financial havoc throughout the country. In fact, the enormous interest payments may ultimately affect your ability to meet mortgage payments.Although you may be tempted to put a refund in a retirement account, and just continue paying the credit card minimum each month, retirement accounts may not be earning much. However, your credit card company may be charging 15% or more. The best thing to do is get rid of that noose.HL: What’s the next priority?AK: Use the refund to create, or add to, an emergency fund, to cover something like a new hot water heater or leaky roof. You need a liquid account you can access quickly. After that, it all depends on where you are in your life and with your home. If you have children, a 529 college savings plan is a good idea. You may get a state income tax break if you invest in your state’s 529 plan. If college is not an issue, add to your retirement plan.Also, some may think, “Now I can afford the life or home insurance I knew I should have,” but this is poor reasoning: You should have that anyway, not wait for an IRS windfall.HL: What about settling non-credit card debt, such as getting ahead on mortgage payments?AK: This is a little trickier. If you’re fairly young and have many years ahead at a low fixed rate, in the 4% to 5% range, don’t bother with early repayments. But if you’re older and the end is in sight, it can be nice to own your house outright. It gives you a future pool for a loan you may need later, or a reverse mortgage. Some may say you shouldn’t have money tied up in your house, but I say, “Don’t feel this is bad!” You can get more liquidity later, if you need it.HL: What about HELOCs?AK: Many homeowners have taken out home equity lines of credit or similar second-mortgage products. These usually give you a tax break and tend to have a low interest rate, so again, you probably don’t need to use a refund to pay these down, unless they’re very high.HL: How about using the refund to improve your house and make it more valuable?AK: If you’re thinking of selling your house in the near future, you can use a refund to help with a remodeling job that you may get back later in the form of a higher selling price. An extra bathroom may make a house more saleable in a tough market.But don’t think too much in the long term. If you’re planning to spend many years in your home, it’s too early to think about the future [sale of it]. Of course, you can still make a home improvement, but it should be something that makes you happy, not some far-distant buyer.Richard J. Koreto has been editor of several professional financial magazines and is the author of “Run It Like a Business,” a practice management book for financial planners. He and his wife own a pre-Civil War house in Rockland County, NJ
Welcome to the Southern Oregon Coast! About Brookings-Harbor Nestled on the southernmost Oregon Coast [map], at the heart of America's Wild Rivers Coast, between the breathtaking scenery of the Oregon Coastal Range and the Pacific Ocean, the community of Brookings-Harbor offers an incomparable quality of life. It is a place where wild and scenic rivers flow through towering forests, a place where you can discover a quiet waterfront town overlooking majestic ocean vistas, and a place where you will find some of the best weather and recreation on the west coast. As the largest community in Curry County, with a population of approximately 14,000, spread over a fifteen mile long bench of land along the Pacific Ocean, the Brookings-Harbor area's pristine, rugged, accessible and picturesque coastline, natural beauty, mild year-round climate and cultural activities attracts people from throughout the United States.
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Home
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A Trip To The Beach
Another beautiful day on the beautiful Oregon coast.
I have family in from Bend OR. My husband & I took them to South Beach at Harris Beach State Park. The air was a bit cool but the kids still had a great time playing in the surf and digging holes in the sand.
As we stood on the beach and considered how long it had been since we had taken the time to enjoy one of the best places on the Oregon Coast, we both agreed to make the visit more often.
I am always amazed how we take the beauty of the Oregon Coast for granted. I encourage everyone to enjoy on a regular basis the natural beauty of Brookings Oregon & the Wild Rivers Coast.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 1:43 PM 0 comments
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Residential Review: Curry County, Oregon January 2010 Reporting PeriodJanuary Residential HighlightsMarket activity was mixed inCurry County for January 2010compared to the same month a yearago. Closed sales jumped 33.3%, butthe number of pending sales wasexactly the same and new listingsfell 18%.Compared with December 2009,closed sales fell 42.9% (12 v. 21),pending sales dropped 15.8% (16 v.19) and new listings increased 20.6%(41 v. 34).Sale PricesWhile the number of salesincreased, the average sale price forJanuary 2010 decreased a significant20.8% and the median sale price fell34.3% when compared to January2009.In addition, compared withDecember 2009, the average saleprice dropped 8% ($227,000 v.$246,600). Further, the median saleprice decreased 3.5% ($207,000 v.$214, 500).
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:43 PM 0 comments
Labels: Curry County Latest Market Action
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Brookings Oregon Events March 3rd And Beyond
Wild RIvers Coast events for March 3 and beyondMarch 03, 2010 09:35 am‘Sleeping Beauty and the Beast’The youth production of “Sleeping Beauty and the Beast” will be presented on the weekends of March 5-7 and 12-14 at the Harbor Performing Arts Center in the Brookings-Harbor Shopping Center. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.Soroptimist Baby ShowerThe annual Soroptimist International of Brookings Baby Shower is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Brookings Elks Lodge, 800 Elk Drive.Pistol River concertThe Pistol Rivers Concert Association presents the Celtic trio Tarish at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Pistol River Friendship Hall, 24252 Carpenterville Rd., Pistol River.Vienna Boys ChoirThe Friends of Music concert series presents the Vienna Boys Choir at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1200 Easy St., Brookings.Tall Ship VisitThe tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain will visit Crescent City March 11-16 as the final stop on its “Hands-On History for Youth” tour. The public hours will be 4 to 5 p.m. daily at the Crescent City Harbor, 101 Citizens Dock Road.‘Annie’The Lighthouse Repertory Theatre production of “Annie” is onstage for two weekends, March 11-21, at Crescent Elk Auditorium, 994 G St., Crescent City. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.Brookings Art WalkThe Second Saturday Brookings Art Walk strolls through downtown from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Most venues are near Art Walk Alley, a half-block south of Chetco Avenue at Oak Street.Tribute to Bob SegerElk Valley Casino presents a Tribute to Bob Seger in a live concert at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 13, at the casino, 2500 Howland Hill Road, Crescent City.Orchid ShowThe Siskiyou Coast Orchid Club Show and Sale blooms from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21, at the Harbor Fire Hall, 98069 W. Benham Lane.Beach CleanupThe annual SOLV Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup is Saturday, March 20, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at various locations along the Oregon Coast, including Harris Beach State Park in Brookings, the Port of Gold Beach, and Battle Rock Wayside in Port Orford.Home ShowThe Brookings-Harbor Home Show has dozens of vendors lined up for Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28, at Kalmiopsis School, 650 Easy St., Brookings. The hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.Lighthouse toursThe Del Norte County Historical Society re-opens tours of the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City on Saturdays and Sundays through March 28. Hours are generally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but sometimes are limited because access is by foot at low tide.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:34 PM 0 comments
Labels: Brookings Oregon Events March 3rd And beyond
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Nobody likes paying a dime extra in taxes. Yet when it comes to property tax bills, some homeowners pay too much simply because they aren’t aware of the common property tax exemptions that exist in most communities.Many exemptions aren’t automatic. You’ll need to determine for yourself what they are and whether you qualify. Contact your local tax assessor. Property tax exemptions vary not just by state, but by jurisdictions within each state. Research and paperwork might require four hours, but the effort could lower your tax bill noticeably.HomesteadsMany states offer a homestead exemption to homeowners who occupy their homes as primary residences for a majority of the year. Some states require a minimum term of residency before you can apply. In Maine, for example, it’s 12 months; in Alabama, you can qualify in two to six weeks. The exemption may lower a home’s assessed value by a percentage, say 15%, or a dollar amount such as $25,000. Some states tie the homestead exemption to other criteria such as age or income level. Each locality has its own rules and time frames for filing. Some even require homeowners to re-apply each year.Seniors and the disabledMany states offer generous property tax exemptions to both older homeowners and the disabled. South Dakota, for example, has multiple relief programs that allow both groups to seek property tax refunds and reductions in real estate assessments. There are age, income, and residency restrictions. Read the fine print. A homestead exemption aimed at the elderly may only defer property taxes until the home is sold. And don’t assume exemptions for seniors kick in at 65. Some may start at 60 years old, while others begin at 70. Disabled homeowners may be required to show proof, such as eligibility for Social Security disability benefits.Military veteransService to your country abroad may grant you property tax relief at home. Exemptions are generally available for veterans who own a home (primary residence), served during wartime, and were honorably discharged. Some states offer them to all veterans; some, like Pennsylvania, to disabled vets. To qualify, you’ll probably need to provide proof of service. You may also have to meet length of residency requirements and income restrictions. Frequently, this exclusion is eligible for the spouses of veterans who lost their lives in war, and sometimes it’s available to parents of the deceased as well.RenovationsIf you like to renovate, you’ll love these tax breaks. In the North Dakota cities of Bismarck and Fargo, fixing up a residential property that’s more than 25 years old can earn you a five-year exemption from paying property taxes on the value the remodeling added to your home. In Pierce County, Wash., you can get a three-year exemption for home improvements. Check with your tax assessor’s office before tearing anything down, however, because applications may need to be approved before work begins. Renovations of historic properties may also be eligible for property tax breaks.Energy incentivesInstalling renewable energy systems in your house could pay off on your property tax bill as well as your energy bill. Many states are excluding the value of certain green improvements from a home’s real estate assessment. Eligible upgrades may include the installation of solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, or photovoltaics. Look for information on state and local property tax breaks for renewable energy systems on the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, or DSIRE for short. Click your state on the interactive map, then follow any links listed under Property Tax Exemptions.Other exemptionsA visit to your local tax assessor’s office may turn up other less common property tax exemptions. Maine Township, Ill., offers a long-time occupant exemption for people who’ve owned their homes continuously for 10 years and earn less than $75,000 annually. Some counties in New York State reduce the assessed value of the homes of volunteer firefighters. Many states offer widow/widower exemptions. It doesn’t hurt to ask.Are exemptions worth the effort?In 2008 the U.S. median property tax paid was $1,897 annually, or 0.96% of the median home value of $197,600. The highest median property tax was paid in Westchester County, N.Y.: $8,890; the lowest, St. Landry Parish, La., at $140. Savings from exemptions will vary widely depending where you live, the value of your home, and what you qualify for. A $15,000 exemption on the U.S. median home value of $197,600 would result in annual savings of about $144. A 15% exemption would save about $285.This article provides general information about tax laws and consequences, but is not intended to be relied upon by readers as tax or legal advice applicable to particular transactions or circumstances. Readers should consult a tax professional for such advice, and are reminded that tax laws may vary by jurisdiction.Barbara Eisner Bayer has written about mortgages and personal finance for the past 15 years for Motley Fool, Daily Plan-It, and Nurse Village, and is the former Managing Editor of Mortgageloan.com and Credit-land.com. She splits time between a beachfront condo and a mountain retreat, which leaves her with double the pleasure and double the headaches of homeownership.
Posted by Evonne Tribble at 12:27 PM 0 comments
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Paying income taxes is never fun, but there’s a silver lining when you get money back. The average tax refund fluctuates from year to year, but lately it’s been in the neighborhood of $2,500. That’s a nice neighborhood.An extra $2,500 from the IRS can do a lot of good around the house, from insulating an attic to sprucing up a dated bathroom. It can also pay down high-interest debt, or help you get ahead on mortgage payments. How do you decide?Alan D. Kahn, a financial planner in Syosset, N.Y., offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home. Depending on your life stage and financial circumstances, sometimes it makes sense to invest the money in home-related projects. Other times, the best investment you can make in your home is not investing in it at all.HouseLogic: What should be your priority if you get a $2,500 refund?Alan Kahn: No matter what your situation, first and foremost, if you have credit card debt, pay it down. That’s the one item that’s creating financial havoc throughout the country. In fact, the enormous interest payments may ultimately affect your ability to meet mortgage payments.Although you may be tempted to put a refund in a retirement account, and just continue paying the credit card minimum each month, retirement accounts may not be earning much. However, your credit card company may be charging 15% or more. The best thing to do is get rid of that noose.HL: What’s the next priority?AK: Use the refund to create, or add to, an emergency fund, to cover something like a new hot water heater or leaky roof. You need a liquid account you can access quickly. After that, it all depends on where you are in your life and with your home. If you have children, a 529 college savings plan is a good idea. You may get a state income tax break if you invest in your state’s 529 plan. If college is not an issue, add to your retirement plan.Also, some may think, “Now I can afford the life or home insurance I knew I should have,” but this is poor reasoning: You should have that anyway, not wait for an IRS windfall.HL: What about settling non-credit card debt, such as getting ahead on mortgage payments?AK: This is a little trickier. If you’re fairly young and have many years ahead at a low fixed rate, in the 4% to 5% range, don’t bother with early repayments. But if you’re older and the end is in sight, it can be nice to own your house outright. It gives you a future pool for a loan you may need later, or a reverse mortgage. Some may say you shouldn’t have money tied up in your house, but I say, “Don’t feel this is bad!” You can get more liquidity later, if you need it.HL: What about HELOCs?AK: Many homeowners have taken out home equity lines of credit or similar second-mortgage products. These usually give you a tax break and tend to have a low interest rate, so again, you probably don’t need to use a refund to pay these down, unless they’re very high.HL: How about using the refund to improve your house and make it more valuable?AK: If you’re thinking of selling your house in the near future, you can use a refund to help with a remodeling job that you may get back later in the form of a higher selling price. An extra bathroom may make a house more saleable in a tough market.But don’t think too much in the long term. If you’re planning to spend many years in your home, it’s too early to think about the future [sale of it]. Of course, you can still make a home improvement, but it should be something that makes you happy, not some far-distant buyer.Richard J. Koreto has been editor of several professional financial magazines and is the author of “Run It Like a Business,” a practice management book for financial planners. He and his wife own a pre-Civil War house in Rockland County, NJ
Monday, October 15, 2007
99930 Bravo Hts
15.52 private acres.3b/2b 2805 sq ft / 2 bonus rooms / Great Room Concept
Solid custom made hickory cabinets throughout.
5 skylights / Custom log staircase / Convenience lighting on stairs
and in bathrooms / Installed stereo system throughout / T&G ceilings in great room / Covered deck / Double attached garage
and in bathrooms / Installed stereo system throughout / T&G ceilings in great room / Covered deck / Double attached garage
$10,000.00 credit to buyer for granite slab countertops
Offered at $749,000.00
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