GREETINGS FROM VERNA ACKER
REALTY EXECUTIVES Elite
414.534.7400
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Real Estate Information from Western Racine County; Waterford, WI 53185
Volume XXXVI, April 4, 2000

CONTENTS
Tax Tips: A review of basic home deductions
New LISTINGS since last week
New SOLDS since last week

TAX TIPS……AS YOU GET READY FOR APRIL 15TH.
As the tax-filing deadline is rapidly approaching, I thought it might be helpful for a little review of some of the basic home deductions. Most homeowners know they can itemize the deductions on qualified mortgage interest and property taxes on their principal residence and one other. However, there are a few things that people sometimes forget about:
Points paid for obtaining a mortgage on a principal residence are considered interest and deductible. Even if the seller pays the points for the buyer, the buyer can deduct them as long as he has at least that much invested in down payment or other closing costs.

When you pay off a mortgage, if there are points that were being amortized, the balance of the unamortized points can be deducted.

Any loan fees paid obtaining a home improvement loan on your principal residence are also tax deductible. When you refinance your principal resident, you must amortize the loan fees over the life of the mortgage. If you refinance again, you can deduct the unamortized points at that time. If you closed the purchase of your home toward the end of the year, the taxes or interest may have been prepaid. Check your closing statement to see if there are any other deductions you can use. Obviously, if you have an escrow account that pays your taxes, you can deduct the amount that they pay in the year they were paid. It always makes sense to check with the lender in December to be sure that they pay them in that year so they can be deducted on that year's tax return.

It is good to know about these things even if you have a tax professional help you with your return, so that you can bring it to their attention, if necessary.

Thank you to Pat Zaby for the information provided above. I hope that this information will be of use to your or someone you know. I hope that I can continue to provide real estate service to you and be considered your real estate professional. If there is anything I can do for you or your friends, please contact me and I will do my best to give you the help needed.

HERE IS WHAT HAS BEEN LISTED & SOLD IN THE PAST WEEK, through the Multiple Listing System: Go to the attachment. Be sure to ask me for more information on anything that interests you. We can get it for you, even if it's not my listing.
NOTE: Attachments not archived

GREETINGS FROM VERNA ACKER
REALTY EXECUTIVES Elite
262.534.7400
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Real Estate Information from Western Racine County; Waterford, WI 53185
Volume XXXVII, April 12, 2000

The last week to ten days has been very busy here. We got the Home & Commerce Show project completed. We had an incredible day. 3,118 people came to see 105 exhibitors. The Friday snowstorm gave us quite a scare but it may have worked in our favor. At least the Good Lord saw fit to stop the snow in time to get it cleaned up by the start of the show. What a day it was!!

At the same time, I have taken several new listings in the past few days. Instead of some “newsy” this week I am just going to give you a brief description of the newest listings on my desk. These, along with the other MLS listings will be on the attachment.

$89,900. 224 Shervin. This home has been gutted, torn apart, and put back together. It has a completely new interior and nearly new exterior. It has a beautiful view of the small “pond” called Lake Tahoe.

$249,900. 5010 Riverside Rd. This beautiful ranch is new construction with 2,270 s.f. on the grade level, plus additional living space available in the exposed lower level. It is across the street from the Fox River. Occupancy is expected for early to mid July. The home was being built as a custom home for the owners and they got transferred back to where they were coming from. This is a distinctive home built with outstanding quality.

$229,900. 30840 Parkview Rd. The Oakwood model is another fine home by JK Builders. 2222 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It is on a ½ acre lot in the Golfview neighborhood. Quality built, with quality far above the normal builder-spec. Ceramic tile, 6 panel doors, whirlpool tub and much more. June 1 occupancy.

$249,900. Lot 47 Parkview Rd. The Hawthorne is an extraordinary two story with 2507 square feet, 3.5 baths and a three car garage. Everything from fireplace to a whirlpool tub is included. Another beauty from JK Builders. Late August occupancy.

$289,900. 380 Queen Anne Circle in Union Grove. Fox Creek Crossing is a grouping of distinctive, upper end homes. Architectural guidance is designed to protect your investment. 2507 square feet, security system, whirlpool bath, huge, first floor master suite, a second, upstairs bedroom suite and much more. August occupancy.

$109,900. 5408 Clearview Ln, Waterford. More than 1500 s.f. plus a large enclosed porch area. In ground pool. Built-in garage. 3 bedrooms and a den. Just listed this morning.

$199,900. Commercial building on a 100x120 ft lot right on Highway 11, just west of Hwy 45 in the village of Union Grove. Beautifully remodeled for offices and conference area. Presently a real estate office. 1300 15th. Across the street from the Racine County Fairgrounds.

GREETINGS FROM VERNA ACKER
REALTY EXECUTIVES Elite
262.534.7400
FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
Real Estate Information from Western Racine County; Waterford, WI 53185
Vol XXXVIII, April 25, 2000

IN THIS ISSUE OF “FYI”
Inclusions in the Offer to Purchase
Newest listings through MLS
Latest SOLDS through MLS
A review of my newest listings

INCLUSIONS IN YOUR OFFER TO PURCHASE:
“If it isn't specifically written on your offer to purchase contract it isn't included, unless it is a fixture by the definition i n the offer contract.” There is a misconception among some that whatever is shown on the information sheet is included in the sale price. NOT SO!. A seller may OFFER things to be included. A recent situation involved a seller who had 2 pages of inclusions, one page for the inside items and one page for the outside items. When the listing agent received the offer from the selling agent, only the first page of inclusions was included in the offer. The seller accepted the offer, and told a neighbor that he could take all the outside items, because they weren't part of the offer. It turned out that the Buyer wanted BOTH pages of inclusions. The listing agent and the seller had assumed that the buyer only wanted one page since only one page had been put into the offer. The legal opinion was that the listing agent and the seller had no responsibility to guess what the buyer wanted to be included. It is the selling agent's responsibility to properly document those items which a buyer wants to be included. This applies to window treatments, appliances, ceiling fans, etc. Take a minute, when you write an offer to carefully read the definition of fixtures, review what the seller intends to be included, decide which of those items you want included, and then name them specifically. That way no one is disappointed or confused.

WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE NEW LISTINGS!!
26700 Richard Dr. in Wind Lake. It just went on the market this morning and will be entered in MLS tomorrow. It is a 2,000 s.f. ranch with a fully exposed lower level. The home is custom designed and custom built by Fred Chart builders. The foyer, hall and kitchen floors were done by an area craftsman. You will find vaulted ceilings, a skylight, corner/to-the-peak, natural fireplace and exceptional quality inside and out. Unique and extremely special is the setting! It is ¾ acre and backs up to a beautiful conservancy area that stretches out to provide and extraordinary view. Asking $239,900.

Listed last week is another beauty! 515 Fairview Circle in Waterford. An extraordinary colonial with interesting architecture, a wrap-around porch, hardwood floors in the foyer and the open concept kitchen/dining area. The home was built in 1998 and features a pretty fireplace as the focal point of the step-down family room and A THREE CAR GARAGE! Asking price is $209,900.