February 2024

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTERTAX ADVANTAGES FOR HOMEOWNERS | HOME DESIGN TRENDS | RECIPE OF THE MONTH581% APPRECIATION SINCE 1991

DID YOU KNOW? The average home in Colorado has appreciated over 584% since 1991. Homes in Colorado have appreciated 48 out of the last 50 years. If your New Year's Resolution is to buy a home (or an investment property or a second home), please reach out!

TAX ADVANTAGES FOR HOMEOWNERS

Owning real estate has tax benefits.

If you bought or sold a home in 2023, you may qualify for one or more deductions on your 2023 return. You should always talk to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) for more insight on what deductions you qualify for. Potential deductions for homeowners can include:

1. Property taxes - Homeowners who itemize their tax returns can deduct property taxes they pay on their main residence and any other real estate they own.
2. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) - You can deduct your mortgage insurance payments on your itemized tax return.
3. Mortgage interest - If you have a mortgage on your home, you can take advantage of the mortgage interest deduction. You can lower your taxable income through this itemized deduction of mortgage interest. Your mortgage servicer should send you a 1098 with interest paid.
4. Points Paid at Closing - If points are purchased to reduce the mortgage’s interest rate, you can deduct the cost of the discount points.  

If you bought or sold a home in 2023 and need your settlement statement to assess potential tax write-offs, please send an email!TOP HOME DESIGN TRENDS OF 2024

A new year means new trends and 2024 seems to be all about style, color, and sophistication. Here are just a few of the trends being highlighted. You can read Good Housekeeping's full trend report here. 1. Fluted Details

Fluted elements bring a distinctive texture and visual interest to surfaces and furnishings. The wood gives space an earthy feel while drawing the eye upward.

2. Wallpaper in Unexpected Places

Wallpaper has definitely made a comeback, but homeowners are starting to use it in unexpected places to bring in a little fun and surprise in spaces that, for the most part, get overlooked. Closets used for coats, linen, towels or small bars will get a glow-up because every space in a home should feel special.

3. Bold Lighting

There is a surge of exciting lighting trends and fixtures to look forward to in 2024. Think large-scale for true fixtures, smaller for recessed cans and intricate, sculptural lighting that serves as statement pieces.

4.  Statement Tiles

More use of statement tiles – especially in showers will be a theme of 2024. With shower and backsplash spaces getting larger, statement tiles create visual interest and hint at luxury.

5. Muted Tones

Muted tones will become the new neutrals. Homeowners will expand their definition of neutral to include muted tones like soft blue, sage green, dusty rose pink, and even buttery yellow as new foundational colors.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH: ORZO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

I seriously love this recipe from Ina Garten. It's filling, delicious, and great for lunches or a main meal (simply add a protein of your choice). It feels elevated but is very simply. Another crowd-pleaser!INGREDIENTS

• 1 small eggplant, peeled and 3/4-inch diced
• 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
• 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 pound orzo
• For the Dressing:
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1/3 cup good olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Crumbled feta cheese (optional topping)
• Basil (optional topping)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.

Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.

Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.

For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

Thinking of Buying or Selling?  Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!

OUR PROMISE TO OUR CLIENTS

This could be one of the largest and most important financial decisions you will make in your lifetime, and you deserve an experienced partner that understands the intricacies of Colorado real estate.

We promise to always keep you informed about the rapidly changing market and educate you throughout the entire process. We promise to protect your best interests and treat your home or investment like it’s one of our own. We promise to work our hardest to find the perfect home for you and your family with as little stress as possible.  

We value your trust and hope to continue supporting you in your lifetime even after your sale or purchase is complete. This goes beyond real estate to us, it’s the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

I'm READY to BUY or SELL!

About Five Four Real Estate

The name Five Four Real Estate derives its name from 5.4%, which is the average annual home appreciation rate in the U.S. over the last 50 years.  If you buy a home and put 10% down, you are leveraging your money 10X. A 5.4% increase in your home's value means a 54% ROI.

‍