December 2014 weather predictions: temperature 37 degrees (2 degrees below avg.); precipitation 6” (3” above avg.); Dec 1-2: Heavy rain, then sunny, mild; Dec 3-5: Heavy rain, then sunny, mild; Dec 6-13: Rain to snow, then flurries, cold; Dec 14-17: Heavy rain, then flurries, cold; Dec 13-21: Stormy, rain and snow, then sunny, cold; Dec 22-29: Rain and snow, then sunny, cold; Dec 30-31: Snowy, cold.

The end of November is approaching, and the temperature has been dropping. Winter is coming, and it is going to be cold! The 2014-2015 Farmers’ Almanac predicts that winter in Brooklyn “will be colder and slightly wetter than normal, with above-normal snowfall. The coldest periods will be in late December and early and mid-January. The snowiest periods will be in mid- and late December, mid-January, and early to mid-February.”

Has this thought crossed your mind, “Do I want to go through this again?” Do these predictions of oncoming snow and cold encourage you to fly south to a warmer location? Are you considering purchasing a second home to avoid winter in Brooklyn?

Whether or not you choose to migrate south with other snowbirds to avoid spending another winter in Brooklyn, there are a few home maintenance tasks to check off your to-do list to winterize your home. Write these tasks down and get to work before it’s too cold:

1. Make sure weather stripping on your doors is in place.
2. Caulk windows.
3. Switch your blades to run clockwise to push warmer air down.
4. Invest in a programmable thermostat.
5. Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors even if they’re not beeping.
6. Clean out gutters and downspouts.
7. Winterize your air conditioner.
8. Replace or clean furnace filters.
9. Insulate exposed water pipes and give the water heater an insulated jacket.

Now your home is ready for winter in Brooklyn.

Snowbirds usually take flight to spend the winter in warmer locales such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, the Carolinas or elsewhere along the Sun Belt.

Snowbird? What’s a snowbird? Wikipedia defines snowbirds as “typically retirees who wish to avoid the snow and cold temperatures of northern winter, but maintain ties with family and friends by staying there the rest of the year.

“A significant portion of the snowbird community is made up of recreational vehicle users (RVers). Many own a motorhome for the sole purpose of traveling south in the winter. Many RV parks label themselves “snowbird friendly.”

No matter where you choose to fly south for the winter, you’ll want to think about the weather there before choosing.

1. Are the daily highs averaging between 63 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit for seven or more months of the year?
2. Is there less than 60 inches of rain a year?
3. Does the sun shine for at least 60 percent of the time on a yearly average?

The top ten states with the best weather year round are:

1. California
2. Hawaii
3. Texas
4. Arizona
5. Florida
6. Georgia
7. South Carolina
8. Delaware
9. North Carolina
10. Louisiana

Runner-up states to consider spending the winter in Brooklyn are:

• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

In addition to weather, consider the tax environment of each locale listed above. Florida, for example, has no income tax. Most of the lowest per-capita tax states are in the South, partly because of the lower income in regions of the South.

Another point to consider is that when you retire, your income usually falls. This could make saving on heating costs extremely important. Look into the answer to this question, “Will what I save on heating be spent on the cost of air conditioning in this locale?” The answer could be the deciding factor on where you will stay while it’s winter in Brooklyn.

If you are dreading spending another winter in Brooklyn and are considering selling in order to relocate or have questions about purchasing a second home in a warmer locale, contact me,  Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate, or call (718) 253-9600 ext. 206 for answers. I am knowledgeable and easy to talk with. Your real estate needs are top priority with me. I can also be reached by email at [email protected].

If you’re considering selling your Brooklyn home, you may have heard rumors that there is a new tax going into effect in January, 2013. Here’s the rundown on what the tax really is – and isn’t.

The new tax is called the ‘‘Unearned Income Medicare Contribution.” It is a 3.8 percent tax on the net investment income of high-income taxpayers. The tax will apply to those with an adjusted gross income of more than $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers), with no indexing for inflation.

The Good News

Odds are that you will never pay this tax.

Why You Most Likely Won’t Pay the New Tax

The tax will apply to capital gains, not sale proceeds. Because of the current exclusion of gains on home sales — up to $500,000 (joint) or $250,000 (single) on a primary residence — the vast majority of home sellers will not be required to pay this tax.

 Here’s an example: A couple with an adjusted gross income of more than $250,000 (which qualifies them for the tax — more than 90% of households make less than that) decide to sell their house. They purchased their Brooklyn home long, long ago for $50,000. They sell the house, miraculously, for $549,000. Because that profit of $499,000 is under the $500,000 profit exclusion amount allowed for couples, they owe no tax.

The Bottom Line

There are plenty of other taxes that are worth getting upset about; this isn’t one of them.

If you’re Considering Selling Your Brooklyn Home on selling a Brooklyn home, I can help. Give me a call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected].

 

 

Are you Considering Selling Your Brooklyn Home for Sale by Owner ? Should you try to sell your home on your own as a Brooklyn home for sale by owner (FSBO)? The 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers has new information about FSBOs here is the Need to Know If  that can help you decide if you should try to sell your home without the help of a real estate professional.

Here are the top 4 facts you need to know if you’re considering selling your Brooklyn home for sale by owner:

1. It’s harder to sell your Brooklyn home for sale by owner in today’s market. FSBO transactions accounted for 10 percent of sales. That’s slightly above the record low of 9 percent in the 2010 study, but well below the record high of 20 percent set in 1987. The share of homes sold without professional representation has trended lower since 1997.
2. If you know someone who wants to buy your home, you’ll be more likely to be able to sell it on your own. Many FSBO properties are not sold on the open market. Factoring out private sales between parties who knew each other in advance, the actual number of homes sold on the open market without professional assistance was 6 percent.
3. If you’re good at attracting buyers, pricing your home and filling out paperwork, selling your  Brooklyn home for sale by owner may be the way to go. The most difficult tasks reported by unrepresented sellers are attracting potential buyers, getting the right price, and understanding and completing paperwork.
4. Hiring a real estate agent still gives you the best chance of selling your home. 89 percent of buyers used real estate agents and brokers. 7 percent bought directly from a builder, and 4 percent purchased a FSBO.

Ready to hire a real estate professional to get your home sold? If you’re thinking about selling your Brooklyn real estate and would like more tips on how to get it ready, please call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate a call at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected], for more information and discover how I can help you.