Property Tax Portability Initiative
Just recently the Board of Directors of the California Association of REALTORS® took a bold step. They authorized a multi-million dollar effort to sponsor a ballot initiative that will allow all homeowners over 55 to transfer their property tax base anywhere in the State each time they move without a requirement to purchase a lower priced home. (Higher priced homes will have a blended rate based on how much new value was added.)
Heart-Healthy Neighbors
Living in a friendly neighborhood may be good for your heart, according to a recent study by psychologists at the University of Michigan. In fact, the more social connections you have among your neighbors, the less likely you are to die from a heart attack.
The study analyzed the social connections of more than 5,000 adults in urban, suburban and rural areas over a four-year period. Researchers controlled for factors like age, race, income, marital status, education, mental health, optimism and other known health-risk factors associated with heart attacks, such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. By the end of the four years, 148 of the individuals studied had suffered a heart attack.
Out Cold
Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season sets in, add winter-proofing chores to your home to-do list. Protect your home from winter’s woes with these tips from RealEstate.com.
Heating Basics Replace old thermostats with programmable ones that allow you to lower the temperature when you’re away from home. Turn on your furnace to ensure it works (run it the full cycle from warm-up to blowing heat to shutting back off again). Peek into your ducts and clean away the mold, pests and debris.