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Realtor For Life!
“Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…”
Fed Up With Fees? How To Avoid Vacation Cost Surprises Going on vacation this summer? Make sure you don’t get taken for a ride by having to pay “hidden” costs or extra fees. Plan carefully, read the fine print and follow these tips to avoid unnecessary spending. ¨ Budget for the fees you know about. You can get a cheap fare, but on most airlines you’ll have to pay extra if you want to check a bag (let alone two), eat a meal, or have extra legroom. Pack economically, take your own snacks and don’t be tempted by legroom upgrades at the gate ─ or make sure to factor in those costs when you do your planning. ¨ Call the hotel directly (not the 800 number) and ask about “resort fees.” You already know they may charge for internet use, long distance and local calls and reservation cancellation, but did you know they may charge $10 to $25 a day for “amenities,” such as the pool or hotel gym? Comparison shop for a hotel that doesn’t charge for them. Also, join the club ─ literally. By joining the hotel loyalty program, you may save on some of these charges. ¨ Don’t be fooled by advertised rental-car rates, which don’t include taxes and surcharges. Check your insurance coverage before you go so you can deny insurance supplements, which can run up to $50 a day. When you reserve the car, ask about the airport concession fee; they don’t usually tell you that it’s cheaper to rent off-site. And don’t just add on an additional driver ─ it may cost you another $5-$10 per day. ¨ Use online travel sites but be aware the name-your-own-price option probably doesn’t include taxes or service fees charged by the site. Also, look for the sneaky word “nonrefundable.” You may be getting a good price but you’re also making a commitment. ¨ Pay with a credit card. It gives you the opportunity to dispute charges you don’t agree with. Don’t, however, give anyone your credit card number over the phone.
Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home!
Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing which repairs and fix-ups will net you the most value for your home? It’s call the “Homeseller’s Guide To Money-Making Fix-Ups,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning on selling soon. You can get a free copy by calling me at…618-409-0510
Real Estate Corner… Q. Have all the provisions of the first-time homebuyer credit expired? A. To be eligible for the first-time homeowner tax credit, you had to enter into a contract to buy a principal residence on or before April 30, 2010, and close by Sept 30, 2010. There is good news, however, for members of the military and certain other federal employees (Foreign Service and the intelligence community) serving outside the U.S. They have an extra year to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. They must enter into a contract to buy the residence on or before April 30, 2011, and close by June 30, 2011. This applies to any individual (and, if married, the spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty outside the U.S. for at least 90 days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010. Also, the requirement that a buyer must repay the credit if they move out of their new home within three years has been waived if the move is due to government-ordered extended duty service. If you have any questions, or need capable and trustworthy representation, please call me at 618-409-0510“Who Else Wants To Win A $25 Wal-Mart Gift Card?” Guess who won last month’s Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month’s quiz. And the winner was…drum roll please: ....... was the first person to correctly answer my quiz question. What product has continuously carried the Good Housekeeping Seal longer than any other product? a) Bissell Vacuum Cleaner b) Hershey’s Kissesc) JOLLY TIME Popcorn d) Clorox Bleach The answer is c) JOLLY TIME Popcorn. It has carried the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval since 1925! So, let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. How many people are active users of Facebook? a) 50 million b) 175 million c) 400 million d) a gazillion
Above is only a Sample of my Monthly E-Newsletter
Realtor for Life
