Kathy Jackson: January 2012

Can you believe how quickly January has flown by? It seems like just yesterday that we were creating our list of resolutions for a new year and getting over the holiday hustle. One of the best parts about living in Henderson, KY is that winter doesn’t slow us down. We still have a well-rounded variety of awesome community events that are bound to pique your interest and keep you involved in the area’s happenings all season long. As your Henderson real estate agent, I feel that it is part of my responsibility to ensure that all of you are in the know about what’s going on around town.

When I talk to homebuyers in the area or meet with people who are interested in relocating to Henderson, I always mention how close-knit and active we are as a community. It’s an important part of our character, and it’s part of what makes people want to live here. Since we are starting a new month, I thought that I’d outline some of the fun-filled, family-friendly events happening in Henderson over the next few weeks. Whether you have just moved to Henderson, KY or have lived here your whole life, you will find that it’s events such as these that keep us close-knit as a community. Enjoy!

“A Family Affair” Art Exhibit
Running February 9th-April 16th
The Gallery at Riverbend
145 N. Main Street, Henderson, KY
Art is always interesting to see in itself, but when it is being created by an entire family, it becomes incredibly special. Enjoy a variety of pieces created by the Rodenburgs. Whether you’re interested in art or not, it will be very interesting to see work created by people who live closely together. It will give you a few different perspectives from a single family unit.

Grammy Award-Winning, Carolina Chocolate Drops
February 9th
The Henderson Fine Arts Center
2660 South Green Street, Henderson, KY
If there is one thing Kentucky loves, it’s bluegrass! Enjoy some foot-stompin’, knee-slapping beats this month as this Grammy award-winning group performs at the Henderson Fine Arts Center. This show definitely won’t lack energy, and it will get you on your feet and dancing to the rhythm. Get your tickets today and hear some bluegrass in a way that you’ve never heard it before!

Bowl for Kids’ Sake
March 3rd
Echo Lanes
1698 Henderson Street, Henderson, KY
Lace up your bowling shoes and bring your “A” game, because this day at the lanes will benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization of Henderson County. It’s your chance to not only have some fun, but also come together as a community to positively impact a child’s life. Although the event isn’t until March, the registration date is February 1st, so it’s important to sign up as soon as possible if you’re interested!

As your Henderson County real estate agent, one of my goals is to keep my network informed about all of the important or interesting events going on around town because the more involved everyone gets, the more clear it is to those who relocate to the area that we are a solid, close-knit community. When I talk to Henderson homebuyers about how active our area is, it makes me proud to be able to list a variety of awesome events at any given time. It makes my job much easier.

If you have any questions about the upcoming events in Henderson County, don’t hesitate to contact me! My expertise expands beyond real estate; I also aim to be the premier community resource that you can rely on. I hope to hear from you soon!

Kathy Jackson
RE/MAX Superior REALTORS
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Tomorrow marks that time of year that is commonly known as tax season. As a Henderson real estate agent, part of my job is educating members of my community about all the benefits that come with being a homeowner, and getting certain tax deductions is only one of them. For many Henderson, KY homeowners, doing your taxes is difficult enough without factoring in all of the tax benefits. The complicated ins and outs of homeowner tax breaks can result in costly errors that will drive the IRS to your doorstep if you don’t take the right precautions and carefully calculate each deduction.

As with all complicated processes in life, some mistakes are more common than others. In order for you to see all the tax benefits that come with owning a Henderson, KY home, I thought that I’d outline some of the more common mistakes homeowners make on their tax returns:

Deducting the wrong year for property taxes is a common error for many a homeowner in Henderson, KY. In order to avoid this mistake, write down the amount you actually paid for 2011, no matter what the date is on your tax bill. The reason for this is because some taxing authorities work a year behind, and this tactic will help you avoid confusion with the feds.

Don’t confuse escrow for actual taxes paid. Many homeowners have their lenders escrow funds to pay their property taxes. Don’t just deduct the amount escrowed. Instead, deduct the regular amount on your tax bill. Your lender may not have collected an amount that matches the amount on your tax bill exactly, so use the number on the statement sent to you by your lender.

Many Henderson, KY homeowners fail to track all home-related expenses. File away all of your home repair, home maintenance and home office expenses as you go throughout the year. This will help you account for every possible expense and ensure accuracy on your tax return. I understand that documents can be hard to keep track of, so starting a folder early on each year will help you keep this paperwork organized and ready for when you sit down and start filling out your tax forms.

File all of your energy tax credits correctly. If you made any eligible, energy-efficient improvements to your home, you need to make sure that you fill out Form 5695 on your tax return. This will offer a 30% credit towards upgrades such as insulation and windows. Make sure you read the instructions carefully on both parts of the form, as it can be easy to mix up the numbers on this incredibly complex form. Pick a quiet place and stay focused as you fill this part out. It can be tricky, but it’s also well-worth it to get the tax breaks!

Part of being an experienced and knowledgeable Henderson real estate agent is learning the ins and outs of homeownership and the benefits that one can receive from buying a home. One of the best benefits of being a homeowner in the Henderson, KY area is the many tax deductions that you can receive on your annual return. If you avoid these common mistakes, I can guarantee that you’ll get the most benefit out of these tax breaks each year! It’s just a matter of going through each step carefully and making sure that you don’t overlook anything.

If you have any questions about buying a home in Henderson, KY, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m here to answer your questions at any time. I hope to hear from you soon, and happy tax season!

Kathy Jackson
RE/MAX Superior REALTORS
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Welcome to 2012! The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start! As your Henderson, KY real estate agent, I’d like to share some information that could help everyone improve their credit score.

Good credit is a must these days, whether you are buying a home, looking for a job, or applying for insurance. A good credit score can open doors; a weak credit score can be a barrier to opportunity. Sometimes the only thing holding buyers back from the Henderson, KY real estate market is a mortgage approval.

Also, small improvements in your credit score can add up to big savings on mortgage loan interest! If you are buying a home in the Henderson, KY area, checking your credit now could save you hassles down the road. Here’s how to start:

Pull a copy of your credit history from annualcreditreport.com. This is the official website of the credit industry; beware of substitutes! You can also pull the score itself by visiting MyFico.com.

Check your credit history for any errors. Keep in mind that a debt can be sold from one company to another; read your history carefully to make sure dates and balances match up. Be on the lookout for debts that do not sound familiar; identity theft can happen to anyone.

If you find an error, file a dispute directly with the credit bureau. You will need to back up your case, so be ready to supply proof of payment or other facts that support your dispute. It can take a few weeks for a correction to be processed on your credit report.

If you are having trouble managing your debt, don’t be afraid to ask for help! The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can refer you to an approved, trustworthy credit counselor. Avoid quick-fix promises that you may find advertised on the internet; you could be snared by an expensive scam.

Having your financial house in order will help you accomplish home ownership or any other goal you may have. I would be pleased to help you become a Henderson, KY home owner! I have helped many Henderson home buyers find the best property to match their needs and budget. Contact me for the latest Henderson market information!

Wishing you all the best in 2012,

Kathy Jackson
RE/MAX Superior REALTORS
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