Are you ready to find your dream home? Let Go Brent be your guide! [wolf_spacer height=”16″]
If you’ve decided to embark on your home buying journey, it’s time to schedule a free consultation with a Go Brent agent. Once we have a sense of your ideal home, we’ll ensure you’re aware of the best available properties in your desired area, price range, and location.
As well-connected experts, we’ll be in touch with other agents and may learn of new listings before they hit the market. And yes, while home searches on the internet can be fun, it can also be a time suck for you. Let us work on your behalf – we’ll send you on-going property and neighborhood updates, plus offer you flexibility for scheduling appointments.
Then when you find “the one,” you can count on our strong command of the sales contract; we’ll prepare a solid offer, minimize your risk, and negotiate on your behalf.
This year, we’ve worked with 50 clients who have purchased homes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Kensington, Rockville, Potomac, and Gaithersburg. We’ve helped first-time homebuyers, clients purchasing larger “move-up” homes, as well as clients who are downsizing. And if you are thinking of simultaneously buying a new home and selling your current home, we can assist with that too.
When you choose Go Brent, you’ll work with a full-time agent with an unrivaled command of the local market.
Want to know more? Learn more about our team or contact us to schedule your free consultation!
We thought this article provided a good concise overview of the tax bill and changes for homeowners, buyers, and sellers. Check out the list below and see how the final version of the tax bill can affect you.
“Standard deduction: The new law increases the standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for joint filers. For many homeowners it no longer makes sense to itemize deductions.
Mortgage interest deductions: The new law caps the limit on deductible mortgage debt at $750,000 for loans taken out after Dec. 14. (Loans made before that date can continue to deduct interest on mortgage debt up to $1 million.) Homeowners can refinance mortgage debts that existed before Dec. 14 up to $1 million and still deduct the interest as long as the new loan does not exceed the amount refinanced. The interest on a home-equity loan can be deducted as long as the proceeds are used to substantially improve the home. Mortgage interest on second homes can be deducted but is subject to the $750,000 limit.
State and local property taxes: The new law limits the property tax deduction to $10,000. The bill specifically precludes prepaying 2018 state and local taxes in 2017.
Capital gains exclusion: Home sellers can exclude up to $500,000 for joint filers or $250,000 for single filers for capital gains when selling a primary home as long as the homeowner has lived in the residence for two of the past five years. An earlier proposal would have increased that requirement to five out of the last eight years but it was struck down.
Deduction for casualty losses: The law restricts the deduction to only losses attributable to a presidentially declared disaster.
Moving expenses: The law eliminates the deduction except for members of the military.
Estate tax: The law doubles the estate tax exemption to $11.2 million.
Historic Tax Credit: The HTC has been used to fund renovations in more than 40,000 historic structures since 1981. The law continues to provide a 20 percent credit when the certified historic property is placed into service but the new law spreads the deduction over five years.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit: The bill retains the 4 percent LIHTC, which funds about a third of all affordable housing construction.”
1504 Ballard Street, Silver Spring – Just 6 days on the market and under contract!
Our region is currently experiencing a “seller’s market,” meaning the demand for housing currently exceeds the supply and as a result, the market can be quite competitive for buyers – there may be multiple offers or homes may go under contract quickly.
Go Brent Team offers clients a working partnership to assess your needs and assist you to determine the best strategy for buying in the current market. Tammy Thomas, Cari Jordan, and Debbie Gerald are all full-time agents who have an unrivaled command of the local market.
WHAT WE DO
First, we provide you with a free consultation to get a clear picture of your ideal home. We work to ensure you are aware of the best properties available in your desired area, price range, and location; we can also suggest other neighborhoods that you may have overlooked but might want to consider. We provide you with sound advice by assessing what’s happening in today’s market and taking into account market forecasts, as well as your preferred timeframe and needs.
We recommend experienced lenders who can pre-approve you and determine the best financing plan for your situation. Your choice of lender will play a role when sellers and listing agents consider your offer; we’ll offer you guidance so you can make the best decision.
We also provide you with on-going updates of available properties in your target neighborhoods. We schedule showing appointments and assist you to compare homes. We are area experts and well connected in our communities. We can plug you in to local resources for hot topics like schools, transportation, parks, entertainment, dining and more. We offer you flexibility to tour homes when you are available. We are also in constant communication with agents in your target neighborhoods and often learn of new listings before they hit the market!
When you are ready to make an offer, we strategize to prepare your strongest offer. Writing and negotiating an offer is complex; our experience, knowledge and transaction volume means we can offer you expert advice. Go Brent Team agents are well-known, well respected, and have collegial relationships with area Realtors, so we offer you negotiating strength.
We would be happy to assist you whether you are ready to buy now or contemplating a future move.
Four of our recent clients were in a situation where they originally listed their homes with another brokerage, but after spending time on the market, their properties did not sell. When properties accumulate days on market, many buyers consider that property to be “stale”. After ending their agreement with their first brokerage, these sellers turned to Go Brent Team to market and sell their homes.
Our approach is always to discuss both price and product with sellers. We work with them to make their property most appealing to the widest pool of buyers. While pricing is one factor for discussion, the property must also be reevaluated to ensure its return to the market is noticed by buyers.
We recently took over the following listings with great results.
1502 Red Oak Drive (20910 – Woodside Forest)
Sold in 8 days after 48 days on the market with another broker.
We consulted with the client and decided the kitchen needed a cosmetic facelift. We also chose a clean neutral paint color to replace a dark blue accent wall in the family room; the neutral paint color made the room brighter and accented the cathedral ceiling and skylights. Staging furniture was added, along with décor and rugs to the family room, living room, and bedrooms, to give the home a more polished feel, both in the photos and in person.
9606 Bruce Drive (20901 – North Hills)
Sold in 6 days after 5 months on market with another broker.
Our strategy for selling this home involved ensuring that the home was well presented in on-line photographs and the virtual tour. We assisted the seller to select new interior paint colors, staged several rooms with furniture and décor, and rearranged the seller’s existing furniture so buyers could visualize living in the home.
10108 Grant Avenue (20910 – Capitol View Park)
Sold in 15 days after 2 months on market with another broker.
We worked with the seller to modify the front exterior – a new blue front door, landscaping, and exterior lighting improved the front walkway. We rearranged the seller’s furniture in the bedrooms and living area and also added artwork and rugs throughout the home. The result was a more welcoming feel in person and more appealing on-line photographs.
9412 Woodland Drive (20910 – Woodside Forest)
Sold in 7 days after 3 months on market with another broker.
A new green front door color was chosen to replace the previous red door. We also worked with the photographer to ensure the front exterior photos were taken from different angles to emphasize the home’s curb appeal, which included a beautiful tree, sea grass, and landscaping.
Selling the Unsold | Testimonial
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[wolf_testimonial_slide cite=”Philip & Jill Downs”]We were discouraged when our house wasn’t selling in an otherwise hot market. We called Liz Brent. Liz helped us understand why selling our home had been more challenging than expected. She renewed our appreciation for the many desirable features of our property, and worked with us to tweak staging and develop a results-oriented strategy forward. She produced thoughtful, descriptive language and beautiful photos, which highlighted the many charming aspects of the home. Most importantly, armed with in depth knowledge of real estate in our neighborhood, Liz suggested the correct price to sell. We received two offers, above asking, within the first week back on the market. Settlement was a breeze. We will be forever grateful to Liz and the Go Brent team for delivering us the sellers’ experience we deserved. [/wolf_testimonial_slide][wolf_testimonials_end]
