Living Green

The US Green Building Council and other bodies are actively promoting the concept of green building. This concept has filtered down to existing homes and many homeowners are remodeling their homes to make them green compliant. Most people believe that living green is all about saving natural resources and cutting carbon emissions to avoid global warming. Living green is that and much more. Remodeling a home for green living makes it more energy efficient, which translates into reduced fuel and other operating costs. For example, a green home would exploit sunlight for illumination so saving on electricity consumption. It would also be remodeled in a manner to utilize free wind and shade so reducing air conditioning costs. The same applies to water usage, which is minimized. Most of all, a green home provides healthier living. Remodeling a home to make it green compliant adds to its value and increases the resale price, a hidden benefit.

Buy green in the Bay Area

If you are looking for a home in San Jose or the surrounding neighborhoods, then moving into a green home would be an excellent idea. Apart from reduced operating costs, it displays a social awareness and social responsibility. Dale Warfel is a Saratoga resident who knows Bay Area real estate intimately. He is a realtor who takes pride in finding just the right property to meet his client’s preferences. If it is a green home you are looking for, Dale Warfel will find it for you. To contact him, please call 408.624.6202. A visit to his website www.dalewarfel.com tells you more listings in San Jose neighborhoods.

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Purchasing a home is the most important and probably the largest purchase for most families. Home buying decisions are influenced by different factors. One of them is the available tax benefits which help offset part of the cost of investment. Homeowners are entitled to three major tax benefits which, taken together, substantially reduces the cost of homeownership. These are:
Mortgage interest which is deductible

Real estate taxes which are deductible

Capital gains tax which is excluded for principal residences

From these estimates it clearly evolves that the deduction of mortgage interest is usually the single largest benefit to most homebuyers. Tax code provisions allow homeowners a reduction of taxable income by the total amount of mortgage interest paid annually on the first and second home up to $ 1 million in total home mortgage debt. Taxpayers may also deduct the interest allocable on home equity loans up to a ceiling of $100,000. These are some of the major tax benefits of home ownership.

Homes in the Bay Area

Prospective home buyers interested in a home in San Jose or the surrounding communities are advised to contact Dale Warfel at 408.624.6202. This realtor has been buying and selling Bay Area real estate since 1997. In addition, he is conversant with the entire slew of tax benefits that are available to a home buyer. Dale Warfel is native to Saratoga and specializes in properties in Santa Clara County. His website http://www.dalewarfel.com/ has a fund of guides for prospective home buyers.