Tax Breaks with Tax Free Money – How is that Legal – BAH!!!

If you are in the United States Military and receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) it is. This is a huge financial opportunity that not many Military members take advantage of for fear of the real estate market and the lack of education concerning real estate ownership.

The average homeowner receives tax breaks associated with home ownership. The yearly property taxes and yearly interest payments are tax deductible on their yearly tax return.

The average Military homeowner receives tax breaks associated with home ownership. The yearly property taxes and yearly interest payments are tax deductible on their yearly tax return, also. However, the Military member receives all of these tax breaks with tax free money since the basic housing allowance (BAH) is tax free. Wow! What an incentive to purchase a home while serving in the Military.

With tax season here and Military W-2′ being released (See MyPay release Schedule here) you should really take a hard look at your future financial picture. Are you taking advantage of all your Military benefits? Are you paying more taxes at the end of the year because you have no “tax shelter”, no way of filing the “long form”? Are you just coasting by blinded because you think it is too risky to purchase property while serving in the Military? If you need tax advice please seek a professional tax advisor.

If you can answer yes to several of these questions you really need to look deeper into the process of Military homeownership.

• Have you been saving for a home?
• Is your credit profile in good shape?
• Is the tour of duty longer than 2 years?
• Can you anticipate coming back to the area?
• Could you be a landlord if you needed?
• Can you budget two housing payments in the future?

Take a look at: New 2008 BAH Rates Released | Bremerton WA Real Estate and see the possibilities.

Currently in Bremerton there are many homes that are still in a very affordable price range. See for yourself here. Search Bremerton Now.

Check here for my Military Buyer Rebate Information. Yes, I do offer a “Military Discount” all you have to do is ask.

Other links for your interest:

Rent Vs Buy Calculator

Buyer’s Resources

Free Buyer Reports

Monthly Payment Calculator

Loan Programs

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Naval Base Kitsap | MilitaryReloction PCS

Baby, We Have Orders!

Welcome to Kitsap County on the Beautiful Kitsap Peninsulabetween the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges in Washington State. The Kitsap Peninsula area belongs to Navy Region Northwest with Naval Base Kitsapwhich includes Bremerton, Bangor and Keyport. Naval Hospital Bremerton of Navy Region Northwest is also located in the region.

If this is the first time you have been stationed in the Puget Soundarea, you are in for a treat. The Kitsap Peninsula area offers some of the best views of mountains and water as well as some of the best boating and recreational opportunities in the Greater Puget Sound Area. Within a mile radius you have several attractions and facilities to visit and explore. I always say I can be to the beach or the mountains in under an hour!

Now the fun begins. Once you have hard copy orders in hand all the questions about housing, schools and your new area might lead to some stress and even sleepless nights.

Military Relocations can be complicated but that doesn’t’ mean they should be scary or filled with uncertainty. A successful PCS move is not a matter of chance. It is the result of planning, hard work and a network of personnel both at your current location and your new location.

If you are moving to the area and are looking to purchase a home rather than live in base housing I am the person you can contact for valuable relocation information and to receive your FREE Military PCS Relocation Packet. It is never too early to start the planning process. I am a Military PCS Relocation Specialists so make me one of your first contacts. You will want this Free Military PCS Relocation packet early for a smooth move.

I am the proud spouse of a US Navy Sailor (HM1 (FMF/SW/AW). You can believe that I know the demands of a Military Permanent Change of Duty Station(PCS). I am familiar with what needs to be done to schedule a cross country move or one that is only a few blocks down the street. I have moved cross country several times in the last few years, so I know the importance of the internet for those that need to relocate on a tight schedule.

I am proud to serve the Naval Base Kitsap and Naval Hospital Bremerton area. Please click the links for a list of all my blog articles about military relocation to the area we call Naval Base Kitsap.

Here are some links you might want to bookmark

Go Northwest – A travel Guide

Navy Life Pacific Northwest

City of Bremerton

Silverdale, WA

Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau

Bremerton School District

Central Kitsap School District

North Kitsap School District

Military Home Front

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Baby, It’s Cold Outside

 As I am sure we all suspected when Puget Sound Energy released its “merge” information - Puget Energy Signs Merger Agreement with Consortium of North American Infrastructure Investors it wouldn’t be too long before we would see a request for a rate increase. We were all right! Puget Sound Energy in a press release December 3rd has started the process for an increase. Infrastructure investments, higher costs prompt Puget Sound Energy to request general rate increase for late 2008.

This could result in an average increase of approximately 9.5% for electric and 5.3 for gas. With this kind of information you better start thinking about adding some more energy saving plans to your up and coming home projects.

Let’s start by discussing five easy ways to reduce your home heating bill NOW! Why wait for higher rates! Let’s get some relieve this year. It has been cold around here lately!! The average low temp for the Bremerton area for the month of December was a chilly 35 degrees!! With the average high only being 45 degrees.

My average heating bill in the winter last year was around $300. I cringe when I open my PSE account!! I live in a home that has plaster walls and all hardwood floors with lots of windows. Even though I have a brand new furnace nice newer windows and lots of insulation I was losing heat from my full ½ daylight basement. The basement hasn’t been touched since 1941 when it comes to windows and insulation. This last summer my husband and I installed insulation in the ceiling/floor joists. When I received the first bill for November it was $150 less than the year before!! I am sure it is because of our hard work – and let me tell you it was hard!!

So here are my five easy ways to start saving now.

1. Install door sweeps to all doors leading to an unheated area. You might not think that the door from the kitchen to the basement down stairs needs one – but it does! If you can’t afford to purchase products us a towel or an area rug up against the door.
2. Install weather stripping to all your doors. Inspect all your doors and see it there are any “leaks”. There are several products on the market that can really help and are very easy to install. I like a real small round foam product you can purchase at Lowe’s.
3. Rope caulk is a product I have used as a temporary fix until I can caulk in the spring around any windows or sliding patio doors. It feels like clay and looks like a rope. It is usually gray and reminds me of “peeling licorice”! It does not harden so is very easy to remove or can be “stuffed” in and caulked over. I love this product and yes you can buy it at Lowe’s. However, the staff there might look at you funny when you ask for it. I did find one employee that knew what I was talking about but couldn’t find it. I went to the weather-strip section and just looked and looked. It is down by the floor to your left looking at the shelves.
4. If you have single paned windows you must insulated them if you can’t afford to replace them. You can use plastic and of course there are several commercial products. If you have a couple of rooms that aren’t used you might just try hanging a blanket over the window. You can take your staple gun and staple the blanket to the side of the molding without doing much damage. Just don’t press the gun so the staples become flush, let them stick out. You can purchase a cheap blanket at a discount store for under $6 and then in the summer donate it to a local charity because you are going to try and have new windows for next winter.
5. Create a warm room. You need to turn your thermostat down to save the most on your monthly bill. You might be doing that when you aren’t home or when you retire for the night, but you can also do it during home hours. If you have central heat then you will need to set yours to around 62. That is all mine is set for. What I do is move a portable heater to the areas of the house I will be using. There is no need to heat space we don’t need to. If you have baseboard heaters you can regulate your energy easier. I also make sure the drapes on my large windows are drawn on really cold days. Drapes are a good insulator.

Just remember Spring is on its way!!!

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Bremerton WA Real Estate Market Report Recap | December 2007

Bremerton Real Estate in December

Total Homes on Market: 574

Homes Listed in December	81
Days on Market	15
Median Price	$259,900
Homes went Pending in December	41
Days on Market	74
Median Price	$229,900
Homes Sold/Closed in December	50
Days on Market	86
Median Price	$215,000
Number of Homes Expired/Off Market in December	92
Number of Homes Cancelled/Off Market in December	57

If you would like to find out the value of your home please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I would be more than happy to supply you with a FREE Market Analysis.

If you would like to purchase a home in the Bremerton WA Real Estate Area please give me a call or contact me via email. We can discuss your future plans and I can set you up on an email campaign to receive the hot new listings quicker than YOU can find them.

Jo Soss
Real Estate Sales Professional since 1994
Skyline Properties, Inc.
cell: (360) 990-1433 fax: (206) 350-3128
E-mail: jo614@comcast.net
Web site: PugetSoundRealEstateToday
Visit my Blog: BloggingBremerton

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“Statistics not compiled or published by NWMLS.”
Equal Opportunity Housing
All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

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Bremerton Marina | Have your Slip?

Back in October I was walking down on the Boardwalk checking out all of the completed revitalization projects the City of Bremerton had completed over 2007 and was mesmerized by the construction of the new Port of Bremerton Marina. I had the opportunity to talk to a couple of workers who informed me that the project should be complete by April 2008. Well looks like that date has really been moved up. The major part of construction will now be completed by February 2008! This is so much earlier than the Port of Bremerton expected that they have started to take reservations for slips at the end of November.

This 22.9 million dollar project has been controversial for the residence of Bremerton. There will now be 45 visitor slips and 229 permanent slips. There will no covered moorage at the Bremerton Marina. It will be interesting to see how fast these are all occupied. I agree with not having covered slips to protect the visual effect of the Bremerton Boardwalk however, this isn’t San Diego.

The city speculates that if the Bremerton Marina does fill and becomes a popular boating destination, it has the potential of adding approximately 2oo jobs and $2 million a year in revenues to the nearby restaurants and shops.

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Bremerton | Metropolitan Center of the West Puget Sound

It is now official!! On December 19th, 2007 the Bremerton City Council approved the Downtown Sub Area Plan. This plan gives much needed direction to the core downtown area of the City of Bremerton. The City of Bremerton has over the last several years implemented several revitalization projects in the Downtown Area.

The Bremerton Downtown Area now has a clear direction when it comes to design standards, zoning, and the over all streetscape. The plan addresses traffic and pedestrian friendly alternatives. The Downtown Sub Area Plan becomes effective January 2008.

The Sub Area Plan will implement the policies that were approved in the 2004 City of Bremerton Comprehensive Plan with a more specific direction of plan implementation.

In 2001 the huge task of The City of Bremerton Revitalization Project began. In the last six years several projects have been completed and 2007 was the year of several “dedications”. The Norm Dicks Government Center and City Hall was opened in 2004. The Kitsap County Housing Waterfront Condominium Project was complete in 2007 along with the Harborside Fountain Park project and the Bremerton Naval Museum with Fountain Viewing Room. In construction now with completions to be in 2008 and 2009 are The Port of Bremerton Marina Expansion and the Ferry Tunnel.

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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City of Bremerton ~ City Cam ~ What a sight (as in construction site)

The City of Bremerton’s web page is on my bookmark list. I enjoy reading about the changes of this city that is growing and changing and becoming such a star on the map. I hadn’t been for a couple of weeks and there it was. A “City Cam”. How exciting!! Until I see where it is and what it’s for. this Cam is installed on “Building 50″ Which some will also know as “Bremerton Naval Museum”. This is a gorgeous building that was moved and revitalized – see my blog article “Bremerton Naval Museum”

The view will be {{{{drum roll please}}}} The Bremerton Tunnel Project!

For the next 18 months the citizens of Bremerton and any one wanting information will get this gorgeous view of what? A CONSTRUCTION SITE!!

OK, I haven’t lived here long enough to have an opinion on the tunnel project and have heard mixed reviews from those down on the Boardwalk, but I do know that I really don’t want to see the City Cam being wasted on such a site. Why not have a City Cam on Harborside Fountain Park, or looking out to the ferry traffic, I don’t know anything but … big machines, dirt and wire fencing. Not a place I would be excited about visiting.

CITY CAM

JUDGE FOR YOURSELF

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Was Your Home Built Prior to 1978?

Did you receive a pamphlet in the mail from the Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority about the Lead Hazard Control Program? I did. My house was built in 1941. I don’t qualify for the program but would really like to make sure the information reaches as many households as possible. Lead poisoning is a tragedy.

If you are eligible you may receive up to $7,000.00 in free repairs to correct the lead hazards in your home. This program is in partnership with Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency.

This program has a Maximum Income Limit.

Click for Pamphlet Here.

Lead poisoning is a very serious concern and can cause severe health problems in all ages. If you or anyone in your home suffers from headaches, stomachaches, nausea or irritability it could be a sign of lead poisoning. Only a doctor’s exam can be conclusive.

See the pamphlet or Contact Mary Barton at 360-535-6131

1. Main Sources of Lead in
2. HomesPeeling or chipping paint (if lead based)
3. Dust from sanding old paintContaminated soil

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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Limit One Per Customer

Why does a seller only have one Agent? Why would a buyer have more than one? When you drive around looking for a home to buy you will see several different “for sale” signs. You might see Coldwell Banker, Century 21, Windermere, Skyline and ReMax signs. Do you ever see a Windermere and a Skyline sign together on the same front lawn? No, you don’t because the seller only has one real estate agent. Why does the seller only have one real estate agent you ask, wouldn’t it be better to have two or three? The seller only has one real estate agent because they want the best possible service. You do not get better service by having two or three agents. One is not “the loneliest number” in the real estate business. Do you think an agent would market a property to sell with as much time and commitment if they knew someone else was doing the same thing? Why would a real estate agent list a property not knowing if they were going to get paid? Why would an agent commit to spending money to market a property when they may not receive a commission on it? That is why you will only see one sign on a property for sale – commitment.

Shouldn’t you as a buyer want the same kind of commitment from your agent? You want your agent to have the commitment to provide you their best service right? How can you expect this if you have not committed to your agent? Once you have made a commitment to your own agent you will find that you are receiving the best possible service when purchasing your home.

Your agent knows this is now a relationship of respect and commitment. Your agent knows that the valuable time they will spend discovering your needs, knowing the market area, understanding your finance options and listening to your dreams will be compensated at the close of the transaction as it should be.

Ask yourself, “Would I want to work for free?”, then answer honestly, “No, I sure wouldn’t.” If you choose a buyer’s agent you will get the best possible service. You will not be “hounded” by 10 different agents whose commitment level might be low because they feel no commitment. You have to remember that all agents have the same information sources for available properties in your area. You want an agent that does more than just find homes; you want an agent to be your real estate consultant for more than just times of purchasing or selling, you want your agent to be apart of your total financial planning team. Choose one real estate agent and include them in your life’s plan – today and in the future.

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If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

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This Offer Contingent Upon Our Agent…

I received my real estate license in 1994. Time sure has changed as I look back. There was the internet but not really used as a tool. The multiple was just coming online and we were still receiving those huge “books”. The MLS took our pictures for us – digital cameras were not on “our scene” yet. To prepare a CMA you would run around taking pictures of the comps and then run them over to the 1 hour photo so you could prepare your report to present that evening. Wow, has the listing presentation changed over the years.

Today, I was thinking about the other side of the coin, the presenting of the offer. Today with fax machines and scanners and email we have lost the art of “presenting the offer”. In doing so have we lost a commitment to our buyers? Our sellers get a huge presentation on what we will do for them – but what about our buyers? Aren’t buyers the commodity at the moment? Aren’t we all saying that it is a “buyer’s market”? So why have we stopped providing the buyer with their due presentation. I thought again…back in the day.

The steps we would take back then was to carefully write up the contract – perfect and neat because with some sellers neatness counts! We carefully prepared a seller net proceeds to the best of our ability highlighting the information that we didn’t know. We then would prepare a “mini” CMA for the property with the latest comparables of closed sales. We would make sure we provided this information with the assumption that it was to substantiate the offer we had written. The last item we would prepare was THE LETTER. The letter about the buyers – no this wasn’t the official pre-approved by a lender letter. This was a personal letter sort of like a “Buyer Resume”. I remember seeing some wild drama filled letters, “back in the day”. These letters told the story of the perfect family, to include how many kids, ages and gender to include how many pets and their names. I have seen letters that spoke to the seller as if it were a fairytale. Of course your letter fit your purchase and your client – not all were families and not all were about the perfect home.

But, even though some of these letters were so dang corny and if we saw them today we would be laughing until our sides hurt, I still think we should be PRESENTING the offer. No faxes, no emails – let’s all gather at the office and have a meeting!!! This is business after all!! Let me tell you why my clients offer is the best, why you are ok taking a lower price, why you can close in 15 days. Let me tell you how prepared my clients are, let me see you face to face, let me shake your hand. So what do you think of this? I am going to start asking my buyers if they will allow me to write their offer with a contingency – a contingency for me. This offer is contingent upon our agent Jo Soss presenting this offer in person to Mr. /Ms. Seller.

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