A lot of people take advantage of more well-known tax breaks like deducting your mortgage interest from your taxable income. However, homeowners can take advantage of other benefits come tax time no matter where they own property in North America.

In the U.S. … private mortgage insurance deduction: Private mortgage insurance, an extra cost for homeowners who put down less than 20%, can increase interest rates when paid through a lender. However, this bump in interest rate also means you can boost your mortgage interest rate tax break due to the higher percentage – and it’s been extended through 2016.

In Canada … first time homeowner’s deduction: For first-time Canadian homebuyers, there’s a tax credit of up to $750 that either you or your spouse can claim as a first-time ownership deduction on your taxes.

In the U.S. … energy credits deduction: Another U.S. tax credit that’s been extended through 2016 is the deduction for residential energy credits. Homeowners can access the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit or the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit by making green improvements to a residence that span solar, electric and water, as well as wind energy and geothermal heat pump installation costs.

In Canada … medical expenses deduction: To help homeowners with disabilities, there are Canadian tax credits of up to $7,000 for home renovations that accommodate any impairments to mobility or other home-related medical expenses.

Both … home office deduction: Both in the U.S. and in Canada, homeowners who work-at-home can claim a variety of tax breaks. In the U.S., expenses range from prorated (home expenses where some went to your office) and dedicated (expenses that are only for your office). In Canada, if your employer requires you to maintain a home office, get a federal form signifying this for your tax records – otherwise, if you are self-employed, the range of deductions becomes much larger, as long as it can be legally claimed.

All of these deductions can make the switch from renter to homeowner an attractive option. But be sure to consult a tax preparer or attorney, if you have questions on what you can and cannot claim this April.

Making your home more pet friendly isn’t just good for the canine or feline members of your family. It can actually be a boon to your home when it comes time to sell. According to the American Pet Products Association, more than 79 million homes in the U.S.sport a pet, and that number is growing. For those in the real estate industry, that marks a shift in the way pets are viewed. For homeowners, it means you can go ahead and splurge on ways to make your pet more comfortable around the house. Showing off your pet knowledge when a prospective buyer comes to tour your home and is impressed with the doggy door located in just the right spot or that you know of a local pet business that actually has a kitty day care can go a long way to getting the best offers.

Door Decor For Your Fur Friends

The key to pet-friendly decor is to pet-proof your furniture. Darker-colored fabrics are better to withstand dirty paws from your Pekingese coming in and out of the backyard. If you’ve got a sofa in need of reupholstering, consider a beautiful indoor-outdoor fabric that’s built to withstand the elements, so it’s sure to withstand your Egyptian Mau. Even just a protective coating on an old loveseat can help your furniture last while still allowing your pets indoors. Also, try to steer clear of fabrics that mimic sticks or scratching posts; metal legs can ensure a long life for your decor.

Four-Legged Friendly Flooring

It goes without saying — especially if you’ve got a puppy or kitten on your hands — that easily-cleaned floors are best for helping to keep your home tidy while allowing your pets to feel welcome. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) suggests durable woods like maple, oak and mahogany to give your home the elegance and ease of hardwood. However, if you’re worried about them scratching up even a laminate hardwood, try a non-porous tile like travertine or marble. 

Cleanliness and Accessibility

Another tip from NAR is to install a pet wash-up station. It works much like an outdoor shower for when you get out of the pool or a doormat for when you come into the front of your home. You can use it to rinse your Welsh Corgi before coming back into the house or let your Lynx give itself a bath, if it likes to venture outside.
For more tips on how to make your home especially friendly when it comes time to sell, check out Realtor Magazine‘s 4 Steps to a Pet-Friendly House.

 According to CoreLogic's chief economist Dr. Frank Nothaft, U.S. home sales and prices are up, rents continue to rise, and vacancy rates will stay low - all in 2016.

CoreLogic's newly released 2016 Outlook for Housing, which provides predictions and forecasts for the housing economy, says we can expect to see the following five features in next year's U.S. housing market.

 Home sales and home prices will likely increase

Not only is the rental market hot, but overall purchase demand may lift 2016 home sales to the best year since 2007. Nationally, home prices will likely rise at a quicker rate than inflation, but not at the same rate as last year. The CoreLogic Home Price Index showed a year-over-year increase of 6 percent in the last 12 months; however, 2016 is only expected to see increases of 4-5 percent. This increase in home sales and home prices can be attributed to the improved economy, which has enhanced homeowners' feelings of financial security. 

 Interest rates will gradually move higher

Homeowners who have adjustable-rate mortgages or home-equity loans will most likely see a rise in their interest rate because the Federal Reserve is expected to raise short-term interest rates approximately one percentage point between now and the end of 2016. Fixed-rate mortgages will also rise, perhaps up one-half of a percentage point between now and the end of 2016, reaching 4.5 percent for 30-year loans. Despite this increase in interest rates, mortgage rates will remain historically low. 

 Read on for full story

Dale Rector started out with an innovative concept of 100% commission for agents. But little did he know that when he began a company, he’d really be revolutionizing the real estate industry.

More than 100 attendees from all four corners of the U.S., across Canada and even attendees from Mexico and Turkey came to Scottsdale to celebrate 50 years of innovation at the 2015 Realty Executives International Broker | Owner Conference.

The strides in technology, the Realty Executives brand as well as interactive networking and roundtable discussions were held, but the (surprise) highlight of the event was the Culture of Excellence awards. Realty Executives International started a new tradition at this year’s conference by celebrating top performers in attendance with a variety of awards recognizing growth, retention and excellence in real estate.

Awards included:

• 2015 Special Recognition: Awarded to Len Huck, the former president of Valley National Bank who gave Dale the first loan to start Realty Executives.
• 2015 Founder’s Award: Awarded to June Rector for her role in the creation and legacy of Realty Executives.
• Agent’s Choice: Award winners represent stability, consistency and retention. Each company represented boasts more than 20 Executives that they have retained year-over-year.
• Fastest Growing: Award winners have 10 or more Executives in their brokerage and have grown by at least 15% or more during the last year.
• Market Leader: Realty Executives Integrity was awarded the Market Leader recognition for holding major market share with more than 100 Executives in their brokerage.

<title>Realty Executives Integrity</title>
<meta name="Keywords" content="Realty Executives Integrity, Real Estate Wisconsin">

CEDARBURG — The Ozaukee Realtors Association recently installed its 2015-16 board president, Mike Didier of Re/Max United LLC in Port Washington.

Also installed were four new directors for three-year terms. They are Troy Bretl, Realty Executives Choice; Kathy Bucholz, Re/Max United Cedarburg; Adam Poehlman, Realty Executives Integrity; and Marietta Ticali, Realty Executives Integrity.