Before You Leave For Vacation...

Spring break should be a relaxing time, especially if you’re
planning to go on vacation. But preparing your home for
your departure can be stressful. Whether you’re leaving
home for a week or a month, you can rest easy with these tips for
keeping your home safe while you’re away:

• Arrange for someone to do seasonal maintenance, such as
mowing, raking or snow removal.

• Have mail or packages picked up by a
friend, forwarded or held by the
post office.

• Stop newspaper deliveries and ask a
neighbor to pick up freebie newspapers
and circulars.

• Lower your telephone ringer (and
answering machine volume) and never
leave an outgoing message that says
you’re away.

• Use timers to turn lights off and on at
the appropriate times. Compensate for
having lights on when no one’s home by
turning off other appliances that are often
left on, such as DVD players, computers
and microwaves. Also consider connecting a radio to a timer.

• Leave blinds open in their usual position.

• If you live in a cold climate, keep the heat on just enough so
that the pipes don’t freeze.

• Ask neighbors to park their car in your driveway.

• If you leave your car in the driveway, be sure to remove the
garage-door opener from plain view.

• Double-check all doors and window locks.

• Tell a trusted friend or neighbor where you’ll be.

Sources: Travelocity.com; Tripso.com; Insurance Information Institute

Hope you find These Tips Helpful!
Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
If I can help you in Selling or Renting your home at the shore,call me at 800.708.5792. I Love To Talk Real Estate!
http://www.NancyMAlexander.com

Like Politics, Real Estate Is Local !

We sell Real Estate home by home and neighborhood by neighborhood. The national media can't tell you about market trends in your community. So trust in your Realtor. We know the neighborhood and can give you specific market information for your area. This has always been true .The news media continues to dwell on the negative. Here at the shore,in the Stone Harbor and Avalon market, the market correction with reduction in sale prices makes for some phenomenal deals . It is the time to recognize the positives of this downturn in price. Now is a great time for a buyer to get into the market. Don't be bashful about making an offer.
If you want to discuss market activity, please e-mail me at http://Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com,or you can call me at 800.708.5792. I love to talk Real Estate.
http://NancyMAlexander.com
Looking forward to hearing from you!

Nancy



href="http://NancyMAlexander.com">
CONTENTS COPYRIGHT NANCY M. ALEXANDER 2008

Stone Harbor Real Estate Activity

Statistics show 100 single family homes now on the market. Four single family homes now under contract.
Average list price is $1,835,395

Here are the latest MLS statistics for Condo/Townhomes There are Currently 77 condos for sale, two are under contract and one has been Sold since 1/1/2008 .Average list price is $822,841,and average time on the market of 77 days.

17 vacant Lots in Stone Harbor are now for sale..One lot is under contract, and two lots have been sold since 1/1/2008.Average time on market is 288 days.The Average list price is $2,135,588

There are now 21 Multi-family properties for sale in Stone Harbor and one is now under contract.

If you are buying or selling a home here at the shore, or if you would just like more property information,please e-mail me at http://Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
http://NancyMAlexander.com
CONTENTS COPYRIGHT NANCY M. ALEXANDER 2008

Selling Your House? Time For A Garage Makeover!

Making your home stand out will give you an edge on your competition in today's real estate market. One way to accomplish this is to upgrade your garage. Changing your garage into a showplace can be easy and relatively cheap.

You can take advantage of a recent housing trend, the "Garage Makeover." There are all kinds of new products available to spruce up your garage.

You can get special garage flooring systems that snap together in one afternoon; tough enough to withstand our studded tires, oil, grease and dirt. Andyou can pick up 17' X 7' garage mats for about $149 at Wal-Mart or Home Depot.

Or... you can go with a complete garage floor refinishing system with epoxy finish in any color you can imagine. Most Home Depot stores or Lowes will carry these.

Along with a floor treatment, consider painting the walls & ceiling, especially if they're starting to get a bit dingy.
And you can't have too much lighting in a garage, most don't have enough. How about getting some fluorescent fixtures in 4-ft. or 8-ft. lengths.

Next, to get rid of all that clutter, you need shelving, cabinets and organizers. Getting stuff up off the floor will make a big difference in appearance.


With your garage all done over,your property will stand out from the competition.

Now get packing and get ready to move!

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.NancyMAlexander.com

Another Stone Harbor Bayfront Home Under Contract

Just this morning,MLS data shows brand new 5 bedroom,5 bath,Stone Harbor Bayfront home listed for $3,795,000 is under contract.It has been on market 239 days and will go to settlement 4/29/08.
If you would like more information on any property in stone Harbor or Avalon,please e-mail me at Nancy@NancyMalexander.com,or you can call me at 800.708.5792

www.NancyMAlexander.com

Staging Your Home For Sale Checklist

Just recently I heard a great line on one of those Real Estate TV shows .The Realtor said to the seller that “not staging your home for sale is like going to a job interview in your pajamas.” Isn’t that great? I love that line! And besides being funny, it is also very true. You only have one chance to make a good First Impression.

Remove all clutter from the house.
Are countertops free and clear?
Have you removed unnecessary furniture throughout the house?
Remove the art gallery and coupon collection from the refrigerator.

Check the bathrooms.
Are the surfaces clean and clear?
Are shower curtains and doors hung properly?
Is the flooring clean and fresh?
Are towels neatly hung?

Check the walls.
Is paint and wallpaper fresh and clean?
Are the walls free from holes?
Are there any colors or objects on the walls that need to be removed?

Check the floors.
Is the carpet clean and free from stains?
Are hard surface floors clean and free from stains?

Check windows and window coverings.
Are all your windows clean?
Are draperies and blinds clean?

Pet check.
Are there any signs that this is a pet's home? Be sure to clean and remove kitty litter, pet toys and bedding.

How's the aroma?
Try to air out the home prior to showings.
If air freshener is necessary, use well before showings as a consideration to those with allergies.

To Set the mood prior to showings.
Open all the draperies and blinds.
Turn on the radio to a nice classical music station and keep the volume low.
If you have time, bake a batch of cookies .Everyone loves the smell of fresh baked cookies!

http://Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
http://NancyMAlexander.com
CONTENTS COPYRIGHT NANCY M. ALEXANDER 2008

IRS Changes Rule On Personal Residence Debt Relief

IRS Changes Rules on Personal Residence Debt Relief. If you lost your home due to foreclosure or had during 2007, there are new IRS rules that may apply.According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), "The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualify for this relief."Further, the IRS explains "This provision applies to debt forgiven in 2007, 2008 or 2009. Up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately). The exclusion doesn’t apply if the discharge is due to services performed for the lender or any other reason not directly related to a decline in the home’s value or the taxpayer’s financial condition."To read more from the IRS: IRS questions and answers on Home Foreclosure and Debt CancellationNote: We advise you to check with your tax advisor, financial advisor or other appropriate professional(s) to see how this may affect you and your personal situation. We are not qualified to, or to we mean to, give tax advice.

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com

Did You See The Headline Article On MSN.com? Check It Out

The Housing Crunch

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.NancyMAlexander.com

Realtor Magazine Article Home Improvements Cost vs Value

This article was published on: 12/01/20062006 Cost vs. Value Making Home Improvements Pay What’s the return for remodeling? Remodeling magazine’s annual report compares construction costs with resale values for 25 common remodeling projects in 60 U.S. markets.Prices for most remodeling projects continue to climb, while the recoup value of improvements at resale is declining to levels last seen in 2002. These are the findings of Remodeling magazine’s 19th annual Cost vs. Value Report — the eighth prepared in cooperation with REALTOR® Magazine. None of this should come as much of a surprise to you: This year’s recoup values confirm the housing slowdown many parts of the country are experiencing. With both home-sale and remodeling activity at record levels in the last five to six years, some cooling is inevitable. Indications are that the current downturn represents a return to “normal” levels. A number of improvements designed to make the report more reliable and useful has also affected both cost and value data. For starters, Remodeling took a fresh look at the specs for the 25 projects it studies each year. (REALTOR® Magazine, in the past, has limited the number of projects it included in its coverage.) The cost-to-construct figures (which include labor, material, subcontractors, and gross profit) are higher than in previous years, but also more accurate. (Read full project descriptions at www.remodelingmagazine.com.) The estimates of resale value are also more accurate than ever before (see “Survey confidence is high,” below), thanks to the more than 2,000 members of the NATIONAL ASSOCATION OF REALTORS® who completed Remodeling’s e-mail survey this past summer. In addition, the report introduces nine regional averages, following the divisions established by the U.S. Census Bureau. This breakdown provides higher confidence levels than could be achieved with the four larger U.S. regions measured in previous years. What the numbers meanWhen comparing cost estimates for actual projects, remember that averaging tends to have a leveling effect on “Job Cost” data. And, seemingly small differences in size, scope, or quality of finishes can dramatically affect the final project cost. Remember, too, that, even in neighborhoods in the same city, local conditions can affect both the cost and value of a remodeling project, making our numbers appear too high or too low. In an actual real estate transaction, the “cost recouped” for a given remodeling project depends on a variety of factors. These include the condition of the rest of the house, the value of similar homes nearby, and the rate at which property values are changing in the surrounding area. A home’s urban, suburban, or rural setting also affects its value, as does the availability and cost of new and existing homes in the immediate vicinity .

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com

Stone Harbor Single Family Homes Sold since September 2007

Multiple Listing Statistics show 31 single family homes have been sold in Stone Harbor since September 1 2007 to today's date (February28,2008) with average sale price of $1,582,333,and the average time on market is 197 days.

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com

Avalon Single family Homes Sold since September 07

Multiple Listing Statistics show 44 single family homes have SOLD in Avalon since September 1st to present (2/28/08) with Average sale price of $1,746,091 and average days on market 289.

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com

Avalon Bayfront Homes Sold since September 2007

4725 Fourth Avenue. 60x250 lot. 5 bedrooms,2 baths. Listed for $2,575,000.Sold 1/15/08 for $2,200,000
50 Flamingo Dr. 93x141 lot. 6 bedrooms,4 baths. Listed for $5,195,000. Sold 10/1/07 for $4,725,000
Please e-mail me for more Avalon bayfront information.

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com

Bayfront Homes SOLD in Stone Harbor since September 2007

8522 Sunset Drive. 59.5x100 lot. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Listed for $1,695,000. Sold 12/7/07 for $1,431,000
10518 Corinthian Dr. 33.6x107 lot. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. Listed for $1,845,000. Sold 9/13/07 for $1,635,000
11113 Third Ave. 48x130 lot. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. Listed for $2,200,000. Sold 8/25/07 for $1,950,000
9811 Sunset Dr.73.9x110 lot. 5 bedrooms, 3 baths. Listed for $2,485,000. Sold 2/21/08 for $2,185,000
10032 Corinthian Dr.100x110 lot. 3 bedrooms,2 baths. Listed for $3,500,000.Sold 10/15/07 for $3,350,000
558 Berkley Rd. 133.5x110 lot. 4 bedrooms,4 baths. Listed for $10,500,000. Sold 2/15/08 for $8,500,000
Please e-mail me for more Stone Harbor Bayfront property information.

Nancy@NancyMAlexander.com
www.StoneHarborRealtor.com