New Listing: Charming Clintonville Cape Cod!

571 E Jeffrey Place, Columbus, OH 43214

Dial Darla at 614-395-1516 to see this charming Clintonville Cape Cod! Close to OSU, Graceland, Park of Roses, and more!

Seller has done most of the work so you don't have to! This 3 BR, 1 Bath home has gleaming hardwood floors throughout, fresh paint galore, kitchen w/buffet area & extra cabinetry, large master BR upstairs w/hardwood floors, closets and lighting. No-maintenance front brick facade, basement w/newer drain tiles & sump pump installed in 2000, glass block windows and rear deck off the back door w/1.5 car garage w/new door.

4 Luxury Home Upgrades That Sell

Whether you’re planning on listing your home for sale next month or within the next few years, it’s important to understand what you can do to make your home more appealing to potential homebuyers. That is, some upgrades can really help your home sell, and some can do just the opposite. From Realtormag, here are some upgrades that will really help your home sell.

Luxury Portfolio International and home designers helped to identify some popular luxury amenities that buyers are really interested in right now, and that you don’t have to necessarily have to break the bank to get.

1. Wet rooms are especially popular right now. They’re rooms that essentially combine a shower, a steam room, and a sauna all in one. These can be very expensive to build, but they don’t have to be. Chicago-based architect and owner of MDM Development Architecture, Malcolm Morris says, “The basic idea of a wet room doesn't necessary add cost because you can put in one zone a separate bath, shower, steam”.

2. Media centers are also becoming increasingly popular. A high-end media center will include built-in amenities like a wet bar, a small kitchen, and controlled lighting. The goal is to have a movie-theater like setting in your own home that will allow you to enjoy your favorite sports team even more.

3. Texture. Wood floors have been popular for a long time now, and it’s still true today. However, many homebuyers are looking for even more of that high-end texture in their home. Many luxury homes now include lavish wall and ceiling finishes, they employ glass paneling and tiling, and they have beautiful stone surfaces. If you have a fireplace, the hearth is a great way to integrate stone into your decor, but you can also do this in an entryway, or even a bathroom.

4. Kitchens built for function and entertainment. Open, functional kitchens sell really well these days because buyers are aware that the kitchen is an important part of the home for many reasons. If you have a small, cramped, or awkwardly set-up kitchen, it’s time to do some remodeling. Breakfast nooks and bars are a great way to integrate the kitchen with the eating area and turn it into an area that promotes conversation and unity. Additionally, stainless steel appliances are timeless and are a great way to make your kitchen look like a luxury kitchen.

 

Are you planning to upgrade your home? How?

8 Tax Deductions for Homeowners

If you are not finished with your taxes yet, you are not the only one! We all want the best tax return we can get, right? 

Are you a homeowner? If so, you need to know what tax write offs you are eligible for. Whether you purchase a home last year, or 20 years ago you need to make sure you are not missing out on any deductions.

In an article by FoxBusiness.com, we found some good tips and information for you!

"The amount of tax breaks depends on the size of your mortgage and your income bracket." explains Bob Walters, chief economist at Quicken Loans. For example, "if you have $110,000 loan and pay $4,000 in taxes and the standard deduction is $12,000 you're not exceeding it."

*Ask your tax advisor if you qualify for this deduction.

Here are a few tax deductions to look out for...

- Home Mortgage Interest Deduction

Another tax deduction for homeowners? Home mortgage interest deduction. With this deduction you are allowed to reduce your taxable income by the amount of interest paid on the loan each year.

"Mortgage interest is the biggest deduction for a homeowner," says Les Kramsky, executive vice president and general counsel to title insurance agency Silk Abstract Company. "It's a big tax advantage for homeowners." 

- Property Taxes

Property taxes here in Central Ohio will vary by city, by school district and even by neighborhood. Nobody wants to see their property taxes in the $10,000 or $20,000 and sometimes even higher. But the perk is that you could see a substantial tax write off. Talk to your tax advisor about the details!

- Closing Costs - Mortgage Points

Did you buy a home last year? If so, you might be eligible for a tax write off. Specifically let's talk about mortgage points. Your lender might have asked you during your home buying experience whether or not you wanted to "buy points". This is translated to lowering your interest rate over the life of your mortgage. Each point is a percentage, and the amount you paid may be eligible for a tax deduction.

There are more perks to buying a home than you realize! Talk to your tax advisor about all of the tax deductions you may be eligible for from buying a home last year.

- PMI - Private Mortgage Insurance

Did you take out a mortgage between 2007 and 2011? If so, you may be eligible for a tax deduction if you are paying PMI. "This deduction no longer exists, but if you took out your mortgage between the years 2007 and 2011 you can deduct your PMI premiums even if you are paying them after 2011," says Kramsky.

Other deductions to watch out for...

- Construction Loan Interest

- Home Improvement Loan Interest

- Home Office

- Selling Costs

Of course these examples just scratch the surface. Make sure you talk to your tax advisor to see what you are eligible for to make sure you do not miss out on any deductions.

Living in Clintonville, Ohio

Clintonville, Ohio is a community in Central Ohio that I work in often. So why do people like living in Clintonville, Ohio? Here are a few facts...

Location
Clintonville, Ohio is a neighborhood located in north-central Columbus, north of downtown Columbus, between The Ohio State University and Worthington, Ohio.

History
In 1813, Thomas Bull, a Methodist minister purchased 600 acres of land along the Columbus-Worthington Pike. In order to attract people to the are, Thomas and his son built houses and shops along what is now High Street and gave them to anyone who would stay. Clintonville is home to about 30,000 residents and celebrated its 150th birthday in 1997

Fun Fact: Did you know that the community of Clintonville developed as the center of Clinton Township named for the U.S President George Clinton?

Schools
Clintonville has four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The neighborhood is home to several private schools as well. The CCS schools in Clintonville serve an average of 3,100 students. In the 2010-11 school year, the Ohio department of Education awarded Clintonville schools a rating of Excellent for meeting or exceeding the academic standards set by the state of Ohio.

For more information about Clintonville schools, visit their website.

Parks and Recreation

Whetstone Park, situated along the Olentangy River, is the largest of several parks in Clintonville. Before becoming a popular city park, the land was farmed by Lewis and Betsey Gay. During World War II, more than 500 Victory Gardens were planted in the park. Money from the sale of the garden's fertilizer fund was used to help the Clintonville Community Council sponsor the first Fourth of July celebration. Whetstone Park was officially dedicated on Memorial Day, 1950. In 1952, 35 acres in the northern part of the park were set aside as the Columbus Park of Roses.

Fun Fact: Clinton Chapel (now a funeral home) was constructed in 1838 and served as a stop on the Underground Railroad over the next two decades.

For upcoming events in Clintonville, OH, check out the chamber of commerce website.


If you or someone you know is looking to dive into the housing market this year, Dial Darla!

Darla Luebbe
Keller Williams Capital Partners
The Real Estate Aces
Office: 614-431-1005
www.RealEstateAces.com
RealtoDarla@aol.com

Darla Luebbe, CRS/GRI/ABR - How to Choose a Buyers Agent

Choosing a Buyers Agent can be totally overwhelming! I completely understand! Here are a few tips to help you along...