Susan Korath, Realtor Associate

07/12/2020

Just listed this immaculately maintained 2-family home in Clifton and multiple offers are pouring in!

12/29/2018

Some time has passed since I've published a post. With new year just around the corner, like so many, I've been thinking long and hard about the changes I would like to see happen in my life and business in the new year. Here are few principles that I have learned and that have resonated with me in the past couple of months. I hope it'll be helpful to you.

* Fear or faith, you choose
* Change your thinking, change your world. "For as man (or woman)
thinketh in his heart, so is he."
* Keep your thoughts and ideas positive, what you focus on expands.
* Everyone has been given 24 hours in a day, no more,
no less. Only you can determine how it will be spent.
* Put people over profit and your profit will grow.

There's so much more, but if we can successfully put into habit at least one of these principles, our lives can radically change. The lives of those around us can be permanently impacted.

Wishing you and your families a healthy, joyful and prosperous 2019!

If I can be a resource for your real estate needs, whether residential or commercial, please feel free to reach me at 551-265-3909 (cell) or [email protected]

09/10/2018

As we approach year end (hard to believe), as homeowners and would-be homeowners, there are new tax laws that we need to be aware of, that will impact the way we file our taxes and more importantly, impact our wallets. If you are a homeowner or looking to be one soon, please be aware of the following:
1. Most homeowners itemize their deductions. In the past, you were able to claim an unlimited amount of already paid state, local and property taxes. Effective tax year 2018, that amount has been capped to $5,000 if you are single or married filing separately, and $10,000 if you’re married filing jointly.
2. If you take the standard deduction, that has increased to $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples.
3. Though the standard deduction gives the appearance of nearly doubling, the new tax laws are eliminating the personal exemption, so in effect, it hasn’t doubled, it’s merely a simplification of the tax code.
4. The mortgage interest deduction is now capped at mortgage loan of up to $750,000, previously it allowed for interest on mortgage loan up to $1 million.
5. Home equity loan interest deduction – under the new tax laws, the interest can only be deducted if the home equity loan is used specifically for home improvement purposes.
6. The home sale exclusion remains at $250,000 for singles and $500,000 for married filing jointly for gain on the sale of your home, provided you’ve used it as your primary residence for at least two of the last five years.
7. Homeowners may qualify for federal tax credit if you make improvements or installed appliances designed to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Before you make such improvements, see how making the right purchases can qualify you for the tax credit.

Though these laws can be discouraging for those of us living in high taxed states, there is still hope. Individual tax rates have been lowered for middle income families, there is now greater tax breaks for parents in the form of Child Tax credits, 529 education savings accounts have been further expanded for parents looking to pay for private school prior to college, to name just a few.

While it is prudent to consult a CPA on all these tax matters, it is equally, if not more prudent to be aware for our own benefit. After all, who better to monitor the bottom line than the person most affected?

07/09/2018

It was encouraging to read in this morning's Wall Street Journal that the hard working American is finally getting the wage increase he/she deserves after years of tepid growth. Think what you may of him, but it 's hard to argue that President Trump's policies are not working. It will be very interesting to see how this will all continue to play out in the real estate sector. Comments welcomed!

06/25/2018

I'm quickly learning that the real estate business is not for the faint of heart, but with every obstacle comes the opportunity to work harder, be more creative and innovative, and impact people's lives in a way that is unparalleled to any other industry. Feeling blessed and challenged all at the same time.

06/25/2018