Home owners still care about energy efficiency:
Poll: Nine in 10 U.S. Homeowners Concerned About Home Energy Efficiency
29 September 2010
20 September 2010
Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch
Higher end homes and second homes / vacation homes may be getting ready for a comeback! Listen to this podcast:
Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch
Higher end homes may soon see a sales recovery Recession and Recovery - MarketWatch
19 September 2010
Conservation Easements: Some Basic Information
Conservation Easements
Snapshot & Benefits: A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation or government agency that perpetually restricts specified activities on a piece of private property for the purpose of conservation. For example, a landowner may give up the right to subdivide the land into building sites, while retaining the right to farm the land. The land that can be protected must have "significant" conservation values, according to the IRS. These values include forests, wildlife habitats, open spaces, wetlands, and more. The easement stays with the property and is binding on all future owners. Conservation easement is a popular tool for landowners who want to retain ownership of their property and protect it for generations to come. The landowner essentially gives up "development rights" however, can continue to own and manage the land according to the rights outlined in the easement. These easements can be transferred by charitable gift or sale, and often bring significant tax deductions. A conservation easement is also a critical tool used to ensure that the land stays within a family for future generations. The family possession of the land is made possible due to the fact that the easement removes any development rights, which lowers the land market value, and in turn lowers the estate tax.
Tax Savings: Conservation easements may provide substantial tax savings, because the landowner receives a federal income tax deduction. The value of the tax deduction is determined by the value of the easement. The value of the easement is determined by a professional appraiser and equals the difference between the fair market value of the property before and after the easement takes effect. As stated by the IRS, to qualify for this income tax deduction, the easement must be: a) perpetual; b) held by a qualified governmental or non-profit organization; and c) serve a valid "conservation purpose."
Issues: Conservation easements are not appropriate for every landowner. The IRS requires that the property in question has "significant" conservation values, such as a wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, etc. Landowners should know that conservation easements may be overridden by eminent domain when the public value of the proposed project exceeds that of the conservation interest being protected by the easement. Conservation easements may also result in a considerable reduction in the sale price of land, because of its restrictions on building.
Getting It Done: Consult a professional appraiser in your area before requesting the easement. In most areas, the landowner will need to contact their local conservation or government agency, at which they will evaluate the property to determine if it meets their criteria. If approved, the easement is signed by both the landowner and agency and is recorded in the local land records.
More Information on This Topic:
What is a Conservation Easement?
http://landtrust.org/ProtectingLand/EasementInfo.htm
The Nature Conservancy: How We Work
http://www.nature.org/aboutus/howwework/conservationmethods/privatelands/conservationeasements/
American Land Conservancy
http://www.alcnet.org/protect/easements
Info compliments of EcoBroker.com of which I am a member.
Snapshot & Benefits: A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation or government agency that perpetually restricts specified activities on a piece of private property for the purpose of conservation. For example, a landowner may give up the right to subdivide the land into building sites, while retaining the right to farm the land. The land that can be protected must have "significant" conservation values, according to the IRS. These values include forests, wildlife habitats, open spaces, wetlands, and more. The easement stays with the property and is binding on all future owners. Conservation easement is a popular tool for landowners who want to retain ownership of their property and protect it for generations to come. The landowner essentially gives up "development rights" however, can continue to own and manage the land according to the rights outlined in the easement. These easements can be transferred by charitable gift or sale, and often bring significant tax deductions. A conservation easement is also a critical tool used to ensure that the land stays within a family for future generations. The family possession of the land is made possible due to the fact that the easement removes any development rights, which lowers the land market value, and in turn lowers the estate tax.
Tax Savings: Conservation easements may provide substantial tax savings, because the landowner receives a federal income tax deduction. The value of the tax deduction is determined by the value of the easement. The value of the easement is determined by a professional appraiser and equals the difference between the fair market value of the property before and after the easement takes effect. As stated by the IRS, to qualify for this income tax deduction, the easement must be: a) perpetual; b) held by a qualified governmental or non-profit organization; and c) serve a valid "conservation purpose."
Issues: Conservation easements are not appropriate for every landowner. The IRS requires that the property in question has "significant" conservation values, such as a wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, etc. Landowners should know that conservation easements may be overridden by eminent domain when the public value of the proposed project exceeds that of the conservation interest being protected by the easement. Conservation easements may also result in a considerable reduction in the sale price of land, because of its restrictions on building.
Getting It Done: Consult a professional appraiser in your area before requesting the easement. In most areas, the landowner will need to contact their local conservation or government agency, at which they will evaluate the property to determine if it meets their criteria. If approved, the easement is signed by both the landowner and agency and is recorded in the local land records.
More Information on This Topic:
What is a Conservation Easement?
http://landtrust.org/ProtectingLand/EasementInfo.htm
The Nature Conservancy: How We Work
http://www.nature.org/aboutus/howwework/conservationmethods/privatelands/conservationeasements/
American Land Conservancy
http://www.alcnet.org/protect/easements
Info compliments of EcoBroker.com of which I am a member.
17 September 2010
Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Westlake, Ohio
Fall Art Festival
September 18th-19th, 2010
Saturday 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Grab your favorite sweater and your favorite pal and celebrate the change of season with Crocker Park in Westlake as it introduces the Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Saturday, September 18, 10am-7pm & Sunday, September 19, 11am-5pm. The unique and charming Crocker Park is at the intersection of Crocker and Detroit Roads in Westlake. The Fall Fest will feature a wine tasting, fresh apple cider, a fun clam bake, a special fall farmers market, children’s activities and a fine art fair with artist demonstrations all in the unique setting of the elegant Crocker Park. It’s a weekend of fun, food, wine, art, fashion, music and more! So come join us !
From: http://www.crockerpark.com/events.php?id=517
September 18th-19th, 2010
Saturday 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Grab your favorite sweater and your favorite pal and celebrate the change of season with Crocker Park in Westlake as it introduces the Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Saturday, September 18, 10am-7pm & Sunday, September 19, 11am-5pm. The unique and charming Crocker Park is at the intersection of Crocker and Detroit Roads in Westlake. The Fall Fest will feature a wine tasting, fresh apple cider, a fun clam bake, a special fall farmers market, children’s activities and a fine art fair with artist demonstrations all in the unique setting of the elegant Crocker Park. It’s a weekend of fun, food, wine, art, fashion, music and more! So come join us !
From: http://www.crockerpark.com/events.php?id=517
16 September 2010
Elyria, Ohio's Apple Festival
Come to Elyria's square downtown and enjoy apples galore!
September 17, 18, 19 and 20
Ely Park, Downtown Elyria
Click here for more info: http://www.elyriaapplefestival.com/
Food, Drinks, Live Music, Princess Pageant, 5k Race, Children's Events and plenty of apples!!
September 17, 18, 19 and 20
Ely Park, Downtown Elyria
Click here for more info: http://www.elyriaapplefestival.com/
Food, Drinks, Live Music, Princess Pageant, 5k Race, Children's Events and plenty of apples!!
15 September 2010
The World's Fresh Water - Riches of the Great Lakes!!
The Great Lakes are the largest surface freshwater resource on our planet. They contain approximately 84 percent of the surface fresh water for North America and about 21 percent of the entire world's supply.
The only place with more fresh water is the polar ice caps -
and they're melting into the ocean -
can you say salt water?
Think about it. Are we the next Middle East??
The only place with more fresh water is the polar ice caps -
and they're melting into the ocean -
can you say salt water?
Think about it. Are we the next Middle East??
Wellington, Ohio: 28th Annual Harvest of the Arts
Visit beautiful downtown Wellington, Ohio for their 28th Annual Harvest of the Arts. The festival will showcase fine arts and folk art, and will take place on Wellington's historic square. There will be live entertainment, a quilt raffle, and children's activities. Admission is FREE - Rain or Shine!
Proceeds will benefit the Herrick Memorial Library
Sunday, September 19th, 2010
11am to 4pm
Proceeds will benefit the Herrick Memorial Library
Sunday, September 19th, 2010
11am to 4pm
12 September 2010
08 September 2010
Children's Free Care Fund: Avon Lake Landing's Party Center
15 Family “Treasure” Sale
All proceeds benefit
Children’s Free Care Fund
Saturday October 9th
9:00-3:00
Landings Party Center
All proceeds benefit
Children’s Free Care Fund
Saturday October 9th
9:00-3:00
Landings Party Center
(In Complex at Northeast Corner)
425 Avon Belden (Rt. 83)
Avon Lake, Ohio
Get your Christmas shopping done early
LOTS OF BARGAINS!!!
Baked goods, hot dogs & drinks too!
425 Avon Belden (Rt. 83)
Avon Lake, Ohio
Get your Christmas shopping done early
LOTS OF BARGAINS!!!
Baked goods, hot dogs & drinks too!
05 September 2010
Avon's Fall Festival & Taste of Avon
Avon's Fall Festival and Taste of Avon
Come to Avon's French Creek District and enjoy browsing antiques, baby items, home decor, and more. Many of the local shops will offer specials and will be holding sidewalk sales. There will be regional antique dealers present to display items for sale.
Area restaurants will be offering samples from their menus.
Visit Avon on September 11th in Avons Historic French Creek District, on Detroit Rd west of St. Route 83. For more information call: 440-934-3778
Come to Avon's French Creek District and enjoy browsing antiques, baby items, home decor, and more. Many of the local shops will offer specials and will be holding sidewalk sales. There will be regional antique dealers present to display items for sale.
Area restaurants will be offering samples from their menus.
Visit Avon on September 11th in Avons Historic French Creek District, on Detroit Rd west of St. Route 83. For more information call: 440-934-3778
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