Category Archives: Selling a Home

Fall Tune-Up Checklist

Homeownership comes with its share of routine seasonal tasks and chores. But keeping track of what needs to be done – and when – can be a challenge. To help homeowners stay on top of their maintenance projects, home improvement retailer Lowe’s offers easy-to-follow checklists for each season of the year ad covers both inside and outside chores. Get your home ready for Fall and Winter with these tasks: read more

Ventura County Homes Sales: 7/30/16 – 8/6/16

11 homes in Ventura sold in the last week.

Average list price was $759,873 with a sold price average of $736,154 which translates into a 97% list price to sales price ratio.

For properties sold below $500,000, the average sale was 98% of asking.

For properties sold vetween $500,000 and $800,000, the average sale was 96% of asking. read more

How Long Should You Keep Financial Records

As a general rule, keep in mind the following:

Taxes; Returns; Cancelled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement plan contributions); Records for tax deductions taken: Seven Years

  • The IRS has three years from your filing date to audit your return if it suspects good-faith errors.
  • The three-year deadline also applies if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund.
  • The IRS has six years to challenge your return if it thinks you under reported your gross income by 25% or more.
  • There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.

IRA contribution records: Permanently

If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the record indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw. read more

Picture This

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, 92 percent of homebuyers use the Internet in their home search process. When marketing your home online, professional-quality photos can help pro-spective buyers see your home in the best possible light. Here are a few tips from Quicken Loans and AOL.com to make your photos stand out. read more