Incorrect Rumors About 3.8% Transfer Tax Persist
(A Courtesy of Peter & Kim McDonald, obtained from the National Association of Realtors)
For the third time in the past six months, NAR is being inundated with questions about a real estate transfer tax enacted as part of the Health Care reforms in 2010. THERE IS NO SUCH TAX. A viral Internet posting is riddled with errors.
The Health Care legislation did create a new tax that would apply to a portion of the gain on the sale of any ...capital asset (including real estate). That tax will apply ONLY to individuals with more than $200,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) (or $250,000 AGI on a joint return). The tax does not apply to any amount excluded from taxation under the $250,000/$500,000 principal residence rules. The tax is never imposed directly on the full amount of any capital gain.
The tax is computed under a multi-step formula that captures only a portion of any gain and will only affect those with total AGI above the amounts noted above.
**************
LOCAL REALTOR ACHIEVES NATIONAL ASSOCIATON OF REALTORS
GREEN DESIGNATION
May 2011
Leominster, MA - Sandra Snell with Realtyology, Inc./McDonald Real Estate has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS® green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.
Ms. Snell achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS®. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.
More specifically, Ms. Snell was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property's green potential.
"Living green is about making healthy choices that are also easy on your wallet. NAR Green Designees have the necessary resources & relationships to effectively work with you on your next green project" said Al Medina, Director of NAR's Green Designation. NAR's Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy effieiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS® who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.
As an NAR Green Designee, Ms. Snell has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Leominster and Central Massachusetts. For more information about Sandra Snell, please visit realtyology.com or email ssnell@realtyology.com.
************
Fitchburg-Leominster Metro Area
Least Expensive in New England!
(Courtesy of N. Central Mass. Economic Development Council)
If you're looking for the least expensive urban area in the United States , you should go to Pryor Creek, Oklahoma. The most expensive urban area to live is New York ( Manhattan), New York. But if you're planning on living in any urban area in New England, than the Fitchburg-Leominster Metro is the place to be!
So says the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) in the latest ACCRA Cost of Living Index (COLI) which measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services in the United States. Each quarter, C2ER collects more than 50,000 prices form communities across the nation for the COLI.
According to the first quarter data for 2009, the Fitchburg-Leominster Metro Area is the least expensive urban area in New England! With the national average for the 309 urban areas reporting on the cost of living index being 100, the Fitchburg-Leominster area came in at 103.1; New York (Manhattan), New York at 219.3; and Pryor Creek, Oklahoma at 83.1.
The cost of living composite index is based on six components: housing; utilities; grocery items; transportation; health care; and miscellaneous goods and services.
With only 3.1 points over the national average, our region has the least expensive urban area (Fitchburg-Leominster) to live in New England.
Urban Cost of Living Composite Index for New England Regions (1st Quarter 2009) Ranked from most affordable to least affordable.
1. Fitchburg/Leominster, MA 103.1
2. Pittsfield, MA 103.8 3. Portland, ME 114.1 4. New London, CT 116.4
5. Nashua, N.H. 116.5
6. Providence, R.I. 116.5
7. New Haven, CT 118.2
8. Hartford, CT 119.2.
9. Burlington, VT 120.0
10. Boston, MA 129.5
To see how any other market region in the U.S. compares to our region, go to www.ncmedc.com and click on the " Cost of Living Calculator". You will see why our logo proudly proclaims that North Central is "Mass Made Affordable".
*********
 |
|
Realtyology, Inc. McDonald Real Estate
63 Merriam Ave • Leominster, MA 01453 
Direct: 978-534-6464 • Fax: 978-534-5347
kim@realtyology.com
|
|
