Posted by John Gracy on October 22nd, 2007 4:15 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Autumn Gardening Tips
October 22nd, 2007 3:03 PM
Posted by John Gracy on October 22nd, 2007 3:14 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 52 Hite Road Kearneysville, WV 25430
October 30th, 2007 1:12 PM

WV Panhandle Real Esate

Make Money Off Your Clutter With a Garage Sale
October 22nd, 2007 3:14 PM

 

Looking for a way to de-clutter the basement/attic and make money at the same time? Why not hold a garage sale? Careful planning and creativity can turn your mountain of junk into a fistful of cash.

First, while you don’t need a garage to have a garage sale, you do need an easily accessible location. Consider asking friends or relatives if you can hold the sale in their yard if your home is too far off the beaten track. You should also check with your neighborhood or town bylaws to find out if you need a permit to hold a sale and if you can post signs in the neighborhood advertising your sale.

Advertise your sale in local newspapers and on free advertising bulletin boards around your community, such as the library, grocery stores, YMCAs, and parks.
One man’s trash may be another man’s treasure, but don’t try to sell actual trash, either. Make sure appliances and gadgets actually work, wash any clothing you intend to sell and make sure other items are clean and in good condition. Here’s a list of popular sellers:

  • appliances
  • books
  • costume jewelry
  • sports equipment
  • children's toys
  • flatware
  • baby equipment
  • CDs, DVDs
  • patio equipment
  • garden tools
  • kitchen utensils/gadgets
  • clothing, especially children's

Now that you've decided when your sale will be held and just what you're going to sell, the following tips will help make your day a success:

  • Put a price tag on every item using stickers or masking tape.
  • Be ready to deal with customers promptly at opening time. Have everything ready and be wearing a smile.
  • Be prepared to give your customers change by having change and small bills on hand.
  • Save plastic shopping bags for a few weeks before your sale, so your customers have something in which to carry their purchases home.
  • Be prepared to haggle with customers.

After your sale, donate your leftovers to a local charity. Or you can always save them for your next sale.

Garage sales are a lot of fun. Plan yours properly and you'll be assured of a good time and a successful sale.
Header
Header_2
Listings Photo
$259,900.00
52 Hite Road

Kearneysville, WV 25430

Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 3
Baths: 1.00 Sq. Ft.: 1000.00
Garage: 1.5 Built: 1963
 
This is a new listing that
I thought you might be
interested in. Visit this
listing online to see more
photos of the property,
Google Earth satellite
images, and much more.
 
If you have any questions
about this property or
require more information,
please feel free to call.

John Gracy
The Gracy Team at Long & Foster
304-579-7379
www.thegracyteam.com
 
  Visit this listing at Here
Posted by John Gracy on October 30th, 2007 1:12 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! 123 Frankenstien Avenue Charles Town, WV 25414
October 30th, 2007 1:05 PM
Header
Header_2
Listings Photo
$300,000.00
123 Frankenstien Avenue

Charles Town, WV 25414

Beds: 10.0 Rooms: 10
Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 10000.00
Garage: 3.0 Built: 0
 
You would have to be MAD not to buy this home, MAD I tell you!, , Happy Halloween!
This is a new listing that
I thought you might be
interested in. Visit this
listing online to see more
photos of the property,
Google Earth satellite
images, and much more.
 
If you have any questions
about this property or
require more information,
please feel free to call.

John Gracy
The Gracy Team at Long & Foster
304-579-7379
www.thegracyteam.com
 
  Visit this listing at Here
Posted by John Gracy on October 30th, 2007 1:05 PMPost a Comment (0)

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10 Tips for Better Gas Mileage
October 22nd, 2007 4:15 PM

 

Unless you drive a hybrid car or ride your bike to work, there’s no way to escape the high gas prices. But there are ways you can get better gas mileage out of your vehicles – which will save you money in the long run, according to Edmunds.com, an online resource for automotive information.

Here are 10 ways to help you get better gas mileage:

  1. Follow the Recommended Maintenance - A well-maintained vehicle will operate more efficiently. Fouled spark plugs, dirty air filters and clogged fuel filters will diminish fuel economy.
  2. Keep Tires Properly Inflated - Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll; properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by as much as 3 percent.
  3. Take a Load Off - Heavier vehicles require more energy to move. Pack light and remove unnecessary items from the car.
  4. Don't Drive Aggressively - Hitting the gas pedal hard after stopping, slamming on the brakes and speeding all decrease fuel efficiency.
  5. Use the Highest Gear Possible - Lower gears use more power, so manual transmission drivers should switch to a higher gear when driving at a steady speed, and automatic transmission drivers should avoid using "sport" mode.
  6. Use Cruise Control Selectively - Cruise control is a great asset on flat roads, but isn't the most efficient on hilly terrain.
  7. Think Clean - Keeping your car washed and waxed improves its aerodynamics, thereby improving fuel efficiency. On a long trip, a quick run through a gas station car wash might more than pay for itself.
  8. Avoid Excessive Idling - An idling car burns fuel. Whenever possible, turn your car off while waiting, and try to avoid drive-through windows and long toll booth lines.
  9. Think Before You Ventilate - Air conditioning consumes more fuel, while rolled down windows decreases aerodynamics. Roll down windows when in slow-moving traffic; use the air conditioner when traveling at high speeds.
  10. Combine Your Errands - Cold engines use more fuel than warm engines. Combining errands means the engine will be warmer for more of the trip.



The Gracy Team at Long & Foster   •      •   304-579-7379

  Five Autumn Gardening Tips

  1. Its time for Spring bulbs!  Plant your bulbs before the first hard freeze and have your shopping list ready when the best selection hits your local gardening store.  Bulbs are so easy to plant and provide a huge reward in Spring.
  2. Add annuals to your garden.  Annuals like chrysanthemums, impatiens, ornamental cabbage and pansies are the traditional favorite.  They add so much to your curb appeal and you?ll be pleased with their long bloom times.
  3. Dont forget to water.  Warm fall days can wreak havoc on plants in containers or baskets because they don?t have enough water.  Even if its not hot out, don?t forget to water these delicate plants still outside.
  4. Grow an herb garden indoors!  Not all herbs will grow indoors, so check varieties.  But thyme, rosemary and even parsley will thrive indoors.  Make sure to pick a sunny spot and mist them regularly.
  5. Think about holiday centerpieces.  For lots of color in your Fall garden and for decorating your Thanksgiving and Christmas tables, plant shrubs with full red and orange berries.  They?ll beautify your outdoors and indoors on special occasions.
Posted by John Gracy on October 22nd, 2007 3:03 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Reap the Tax Deductible Rewards of Home Ownership
October 22nd, 2007 2:59 PM
Reap the tax deductible rewards of home ownership

If you’ve purchased, sold or refinanced your home in the past year, tax season is the best time to reap the benefits of being a homeowner! Take advantage of some of these tax breaks today and you could enjoy a bigger return
in April!

Mortgage Interest. For most homeowners, the bulk of your mortgage payment is going towards interest – and that’s a big tax break for you! The mortgage interest on your primary residence is fully tax deductible, unless, of course your loan is more than $1 million.

You can also deduct late payment charges as home mortgage interest as long as the payment was not late due to a specific service received in connection with your home loan. Also, if you pay off your mortgage early and incur a prepayment penalty, you can deduct that penalty as home mortgage interest (subject to the same requirements for late payments).

Property Taxes. Your property taxes - the annual taxes based on the assessed value of your property – can also be deducted. Your mortgage interest statement may list the amount of real estate taxes you paid if your taxes and homeowners' insurance went into an escrow account when you closed on your mortgage. You can also review your cancelled checks to determine your total real estate tax deduction.

Loan Points. Any points you paid to get a better rate on a home loan, are tax deductible in the year you made the purchase as long as:

* The loan is secured by your primary residence and it was used to buy, improve or build the home.
* Paying points is an established business practice in your area;
* The points are computed as a percentage of the loan principal;
* The points are clearly defined on the buyer's settlement statement; and
* You put cash into your home purchase in an amount at least equal to the points you were charged.

Loan Points on a Refi. The points you paid on a refinanced loan may also be tax deductible, however in most cases, the points must be deducted over the life of the new loan. So if you paid $2,000 in points to refinance a 30-year mortgage, you can deduct $5.56 per monthly payment, or a total of $66.72 if you made 12 payments in one year on the new loan.

Interest on a Home Equity Loan. The interest on a home equity loan may be tax deductible up to $100,000. However, if your home equity loan, when combined with your first mortgage amount, increases the debt on your home to an amount more than the property's actual value, you’ll face deductibility limits. In these cases, the IRS allows you to deduct the smaller of interest on a $100,000 loan or your home's value less the amount of your existing mortgage.


The Gracy Team at Long & Foster • • 304-579-7379
Posted by John Gracy on October 22nd, 2007 2:59 PMPost a Comment (0)

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