Get The Benefits Of Owning Your Own Home

Sherry Hayward	Keller Williams
	Featured Articles Tax Benefits For Homeowners Additional Advantages of Homeownership Protect Your Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings The Trivia Block

Tax Benefits For Homeowners We all know the old adage about nothing being certain except death and taxes. However, on a more positive note, you can also be certain of tax benefits if, that is, you are a homeowner. Purchasing a home can provide valuable tax savings to homebuyers. Mortgage interest, property tax, and other payments associated with financing a home can apply to your tax deductions. They may decrease the amount of income tax you must pay to the federal government. Another financial advantage to owning a home is that as you begin to pay off your mortgage loan, you build equity in your property. In other words, the value of your home can increase as your total mortgage amount decreases over time. For those who rent, the tax savings of ownership go to the landlord, not to the tenants. Wouldn't you rather build equity for yourself every month instead of paying someone else and giving away "your" tax savings?

Additional Advantages of Homeownership Scheduled Savings: When you are a homeowner, your monthly mortgage payments serve as a type of savings plan. Over time you will accumulate what lenders call "equity," an ownership interest in your house that you may be able to borrow against or convert to cash by selling the house. Stable Housing Costs: While rents typically increase year after year, the principal and interest portion of most mortgage payments remains unchanged for the entire repayment period. Because of the effect of inflation, you pay the same amount with ever "cheaper" dollars. Increased Value: Houses typically increase in value over time. It's not unusual for a house that sold fifteen years ago to be valued at much more than its selling price today. This increased value is as good as money in the bank to the homeowner.

Protect Your Children from Pesticide and Lead Poisonings These simple steps can help you save children from environmental hazards around the home: 1. Always store pesticides and other household chemicals, including chlorine bleach, out of children's reach --preferably in a locked cabinet. 2. Read the Label FIRST! Pesticide products, household cleaning products, and pet products can be dangerous or ineffective if too much or too little is used. 3. Before applying pesticides or other household chemicals, remove children and their toys, as well as pets, from the area. Keep children and pets away until the pesticide has dried or as long as is recommended on the label. 4. If your use of a pesticide or other household chemical is interrupted (perhaps by a phone call), properly reclose the container and remove it from children's reach. Always use household products in child-resistant packaging. 5. Never transfer pesticides to other containers that children may associate with food or drink (like soda bottles), and never place rodent or insect baits where small children can get to them. 6. When applying insect repellents to children, read all directions first; do not apply over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin; do not apply to eyes, mouth, hands or directly on the face; and use just enough to cover exposed skin or clothing, but do not use under clothing. 7. Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If you plan to remodel or renovate, get your home tested. Don't try to remove lead paint yourself. 8. Ask about lead when buying or renting a home. Sellers and landlords must disclose known lead hazards in houses or apartments built before 1978. 9. Get your child tested for lead. There are no visible symptoms of lead poisoning, and children may suffer behavior or learning problems. 10. Wash children's hands, toys and bottles often. Regularly clean floors, window sills and other surfaces to reduce possible exposure to lead and pesticide residues.

Interested in buying, selling or investing in real estate? 

Call or email me!

Sherry Hayward

Keller Williams Charlottesville

(703) 655-2223

shayward@kw.com

www.cvillehomesforsale.com

Getting Your Home Owners Insurance Right

Sherry Hayward	Keller Williams
	Featured Articles Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance before it may be too late. Most Common Types of Homeowner's Insurance Tips on Evaluating Your Home and Personal Property The Trivia Block

Understanding Your Homeowner's Insurance ...before it may be too late. For nearly all consumers, owning a home represents a large investment. But suppose your home is vandalized or damaged by a storm? Having insurance can protect you from such unpredictable losses. When purchasing insurance, it is important to READ YOUR POLICY. Your policy is the contract between you (the insured) and your insurance company. The time to learn about your coverage and conditions is not after you have suffered a loss but before, while you have the opportunity to discuss the policy with your agent. If you do not understand the policy or want to modify it, contact the insurance agent or company for additional information. Also important is the written application for insurance that usually becomes part of the policy. Carefully examine the application before signing it to make sure the information is accurate and complete. Choosing A Policy When insurance policies are sold, they are issued on either a monoline basis or as a package policy. A monoline policy contains only one type of coverage, such as liability insurance, while a package policy includes several different types of coverage, such as property insurance and liability insurance. A package policy is generally less expensive than insurance coverages purchased separately. Homeowners policies are package policies that include property, liability, injury to someone on your property due to your negligence or that of a member of your family; or somebody else's property is damaged as a result of your negligence. It is important to be aware of the different perils that you are insured against. It is up to you to determine whether you need the most extensive type of coverage or whether your insurance needs can be met with a basic policy. Some of the coverages excluded under a policy, such as earthquake damage and power interruption, can be "bought back" for an additional premium. Correspondingly, some coverages listed under a policy can be excluded, such as offpremises theft, resulting in a reduction in premium. However, some coverages, such as flood insurance, are always excluded and the only way to obtain them is through Federal insurance programs. For more detailed information, be sure to contact a reputable insurance agent or sales representative.

Most Common Types of Homeowner's Insurance Homeowners - 1 (HO-1) policy or Basic Policy, insures your home and contents against listed perils. Most insurers sell more comprehensive policies, such as the Homeowners-3, which includes these and other perils: Fire, Lightning and Smoke Damage, Windstorm and Hail, Glass Breakage, Vehicle or Aircraft Damage, Bodily Injury Liability, Damage to Property of Others, Personal Property (at Home), Personal Property (away), Burglary and Theft, Riot and Civil Commotion, Cost of Legal Defense, Explosion, Vandalism and Malicious Mischief, Medical Payments, Additional Living Expenses (If forced to live away from home temporarily). Homeowners - 2 (HO-2) policy or Broad Form Policy, insures your home and contents against the perils in the HO-1 policy, plus other additional listed perils: Falling Objects, Water From Plumbing Systems, Electrical Damage to Appliances, Weight of Ice or Snow, Freezing of Plumbing Systems, Rupture of Water Heaters and Heating Systems. Homeowners - 3 (HO-3) or Special Form Policy is the most widely used policy by homeowners. This policy covers your home for all risks of physical loss, except those that are specifically excluded, such as flood, earthquake, war, nuclear accident, etc. Check your policy for a complete listing of perils excluded. Coverage for loss of your home's contents is also covered for many of the same perils for which your home is covered.

Tips on Evaluating Your Home and Personal Property The first step in determining how much insurance you will need is to make an analysis of the value of your home and your personal property within it. In determining the value of your home, you must calculate how much it will cost to replace it if your home were totally destroyed. You can enlist the help of your insurance agent in determining this figure. In fact, most insurance companies make a physical inspection of your home when they first insure it. Using formulas that take into account whether your home is of brick or wood frame construction, total area, number of floors, number of rooms, etc., the company will be able to give you an accurate replacement cost value. Determining the value of your personal property will require an extensive analysis on your part. You should go through each room of your house and list every piece of furniture and fixture within it. As you compile your inventory, you should supplement it with receipts indicating the purchase price and date of purchase and photographs of major items. Your inventory should be updated on an annual basis or, at the very least, whenever you purchase a large appliance or piece of furniture. Some people periodically videotape all their possessions. If you videotape, make sure all the drawers and/or doors of your furniture are open so you have a record of what is stored. When complete, you should store your inventory or videotape in a safe place away from your home, such as your safe deposit box. You might also store this information in the home of a friend or relative.

Just Listed 34 Bluebird Dr Stanardsville VA 22973

Just Listed In The Mountains Of Stanardsville VA. 

34 Bluebird Dr Stanardsville VA

Rare find on a level 3 acre extensively landscaped lot with not a neighbor in sight!

Will make a great weekend get-away or primary residence!

Take a tour below!

Click here to see more pictures and detailed information. Schedule a Showing Ruckersville Homes for Sale Stanardsville Homes for Sale Greene County Waterfront Homes For Sale Get Your House Value On-line Schuyler Homes for Sale Louisa Homes for Sale Sherry Hayward Keller Williams Charlottesville 703-655-2223 Questions? Schedule a Showing! MLS#: 510510 Licensed In: Virginia L2L Virtual Tours AR

Everything You Wanted To Know About Title Insurance

Sherry Hayward	Keller Williams
	Featured Articles Title Insurance, Who Owns What? What Owner's Title Insurance Covers Title Insurance Tips Frequently Asked Questions The Trivia Block

Title Insurance Who Owns What? Owning a home is one of the most important parts of the american dream, but having the deed to a piece of land does not necessarily mean the property is yours free and clear. Other people may have certain prior rights or claims that your deed will not erase. Such rights can go back all the way to the earliest owners of your new property. In order to protect your investment, you may consider purchasing title insurance. There are two types of title insurance policies that may be purchased at the time a property changes from one owner to another: an owner's policy and a lender's policy. Both the owner's policy and the lender's policy protect the named insured against an unknown defect in the title of property. A defect may mean you could incur additional costs in the future or even lose legal title to the property if the defect is not resolved before you take possession. If you have a title insurance policy, the insurance company will defend your title in court and pay any settlement amount you owe to clear the title, as long as it is a covered item. What Owner's Title Insurance Covers Most likely there are no hidden risks connected to your new property. However, such risks do exist, often as a result of errors made during past title transfers. If an error occurred but is not discovered until you buy the property, you may face a hidden risk and your ownership of the property could come into question. Owner's title insurance protects you from such errors, as well as: Protects you from financial loss due to covered claims against your title, up to the face amount of the policy. Pays your legal costs if the title insurance company is required to defend your title against covered claims. Pays successful claims against your title, up to the face amount of the policy. Continues protection after you no longer own the property. Here are a few of the most common hidden risks that can cause a loss of title or create an encumbrance on property: Forged deeds, releases, or wills Undisclosed or missing heirs Liens for unpaid estate, inheritance, income or gift tax False impersonation of the true owner Confusion caused by similiar names Signatures of minors or persons who are not mentally competent Signatures of persons represented as single but who are acutally married Errors in recording legal documents Clerical errors in public records Invalid documents executed under an expired power of attorney Fraud Invalid divorces Unpaid child support lien Unpaid taxes (local, state, federal) Unrecorded easements (right of way)

Title Insurance Tips

If you decide you want owner's title insurance, companies offer "simultaneous issue credit" as long as you buy the owner's insurance within 30 days of closing (and buying the loan policy). Simultaneous issue credit decreases the amount of your premium.

If the house you are buying was owned by the seller for only a few years, check with the seller's title company. You may be able to get a "re-issue rate," because the time between title searches was short. If no claims have been made against the title since the previous title search was done, the insurer may consider the property to be a lower insurance risk.

Look for an "owner's title policy" with as few exclusions from coverage as possible. Exclusions are listed in each policy, and if a policy has many exclusions - that is, situations under which the insurer will not pay for your title problems - you may end up with little coverage. the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a title insurance agent do? 
Title insurance agents check for defects in your title by examining records on file at the Register of Deeds office. These records may include deeds, mortgages,wills, divorce decrees, court judgments, tax records, liens, and encumbrances. If any problems are found, those items will usually have to be cleared before the mortgage company will loan you the money or allow you to take possession of the property.

At the time of closing the agent should explain the title policy commitment, and any exclusions found on pages numbered Schedule A and B. Once all closing papers are signed and filed, the title commitment provides coverage until the title insurance company issues the actual policy. Title insurance agents also may hold money in escrow and perform closing services for an additional fee.

Who pays for the policy?
Usually the purchaser of the property is required to buy the lender's title insurance policy. This policy only protects the lender's interest. Either the seller or the purchaser can buy the owner's policy. The party who will pay for the owner's policy can be negotiated during the purchasing process. The owner's policy protects you, the new owner of the property, from any defects in the title once you take possession.

For more information & to be connected with one my title professional partners don't hesitate to call me

Sherry Hayward

Keller Williams Realty Charlottesville

(703) 655-2223

shayward@kw.com

www.cvillehomesforsale.com

Price Dropped $20,000 Waterfront Home In Ruckersville Virginia

Price Reduced $20,000

Extraordinary Lake Front Home With 200' Of  Shore

Spectacular lakefront home with 200' of shore! Soaring ceilings with skylights and exposed beams compliment this open floor design. Casement windows throughout bring in all of the natural light and the beauty of the outdoors. Cedar lines the walls of the main gathering area and flows right into the kitchen and dining area. The upper and lower deck offer majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the lake.The owners suite comes complete with a gas fireplace, an enormous walk-in closet and attached bathroom with separate shower and garden soaking tub right under the skylight to enjoy the night sky. The walk-out lower level features an enormous recreation room with a wood stove and a rough-in for a wet bar, another full bathroom, entry to the lower screened deck with a hot tub and a theater room equipped with stadium seating and a digital projector which conveys with the house. Many other amenities included such as intercom and radio system throughout, DSL Wifi, central vacuum, laundry chute, etc. The 2 boats docked at the dock will also convey with the house with an acceptable offer.

Greene County Waterfront Homes For Sale

Ruckersville Homes for Sale Stanardsville Homes for Sale Get Your House Value On-line Charlottesville Homes for Sale Albemarle Homes for Sale Mortgage & Refinance Sherry Hayward Keller Williams Charlottesville 703-655-2223 SHAYWARDKW@GMAIL.COM

Interested In Selling?

Get Your House Value On-line NOW!

Call your Greene County Specialist

Sherry Hayward

Keller Williams Realty

(703) 655-2223

(434) 515-1592

shayward@kw.com

www.cvillehomesforsale.com

Lake Front Home In Ruckersville Virginia, 540 Jonquil Rd

200' Of Waterfront On 2.3 Acres 

Welcome to 540 Jonquil Road Ruckersville Virginia

540 Jonquil Rd in Ruckersville Virginia is located in the Twin Lakes Estates subdivision of Greene County. Conveniently located just minutes to NGIC, the UVA Research Park, GE and 20 minutes north of Charlottesville making commuting a breeze.

This spectacular lake front home has over 200 feet of lake shore and 500 feet of stream bordering the 2.3 acres. Soaring ceilings w/skylights & exposed beams compliment this open floor design with casement windows throughout bringing in all of the natural light & beauty of the outdoors. Cedar lines the walls of the main gathering area & flows right into the dining room, kitchen & upper deck offering majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains & sunsets over the lake.                              

The sun filled kitchen boasts custom cabinetry, a nook in the bay window, a breakfast bar, ceramic tile back splash, wall oven and cooktop. This kitchen provides the perfect amount of space for a cooks dream with a window providing a breathtaking view of the lake.

The owner’s suite has a sitting area, a gas fireplace & attached luxury bathroom with a garden soaking tub. There are 2 more bedrooms and a full bathroom in the lower level making this a 5 bedroom home!

The lower level features a theater room complete with a digital projector, surround sound and stadium seating. The lower level recreation room is perfect for a pool table, play area or a game room and has been roughed-in for a wet bar. The unfinished area provides plenty of storage and has a built-in workshop.

The screened lower porch provides lake views right from the hot tub and access to the fenced yard.  Amazing perennials have been planted in the landscaping around the property for enjoyment every yearwithout the need to re-plant. The paddle boat and canoe located at the private dock will convey with the home. 

Enjoy fishing, swimming & boating right from your own backyard!

Search All Waterfront Homes For Sale!

Interested In Selling Your Twin Lakes Estates Home?    

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Check out the latest school scores, community information, market statistics and pricing trends for Ruckersville Virginia.

Call, text or email me for more information or to schedule to a showing!

Sherry Hayward

Keller Williams Realty

Cell (703) 655-2223 

Listing Line (434) 515-1592

shayward@kw.com

www.cvillehomesforsale.com