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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Tax tips for home owners




Buying and owning a home is a big expense -- besides the purchase price, there are the property taxes, heating and cooling costs, maintenance expenses…the list goes on. But the good news is that there are tax savings available to homeowners. Read on to find out about some of the top tax deductions and credits available to those who own a home.

Mortgage interest and points
Most homeowners can deduct the interest paid on their mortgage as an itemized deduction on Internal Revenue Service form 1040, Schedule A. (Deductions reduce your adjusted gross income when computing your taxable income.) And because mortgage interest makes up much of homeowners' monthly mortgage payments, that's a big tax break.

However, if your mortgage is more than $1 million, or your home equity loan is greater than $100,000 you may be out of luck.

The amount of your first mortgage may limit how much you can deduct for mortgage interest on your home equity loan, especially if the debt on your home is greater than your property's value. Read the Internal Revenue Service's Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction for complete requirements and information.

If you itemize your deductions on Internal Revenue Service form 1040, Schedule A, you also may be able to deduct your mortgage points in full the year they were paid. If you are refinancing, you can, based on the number of years of the loan, deduct some of the points. Read the IRS's Tax Topic 504 - Home Mortgage Points to get all the requirements and details.

Real estate taxes
As a homeowner, you no doubt hate paying property taxes. But the good news is that real estate taxes can be claimed as an itemized deduction on Internal Revenue Service Form 1040, Schedule A. To find out how much real estate tax you've paid, check your escrow account through your lender.

For homeowners who don't have enough deductions to itemize, they can now increase their standard deduction by adding some of their property taxes to their standard amount, under a new law. Single homeowners can increase their standard deduction by as much $500 (or $1,000 for those married filing jointly). This new law will be in effect through the 2009 tax year.

Moving expenses
If you had a work-related move (say, if you landed a new job or if your employer relocated you to a new location), you may be able to deduct your moving expenses. (Use IRS Form 3903 to calculate how much you can deduct and note those expenses on Form 1040.)

To qualify for the deduction, your new job must be at least 50 miles further from your old home than your old job was. Also, you need to have worked full-time for your employer at least 39 weeks in the first 12 months after your move to your new home. Read Topic 455 -- Moving Expenses from the IRS for more information.

Capital gains tax exclusion
Imagine being able to sell your home, pocket the profits and not have to pay Uncle Sam a dime in taxes. That's the tax benefit available to homeowners as long as they've owned their home for at least five years and lived in it at least two of the five years before selling it.

Single homeowners can realize up to $250,000 tax-free in sales gain from the sale of a home, while married joint filers can see up to $500,000 tax-free in gains. Read Topic 701, "Sale of Your Home," for more information.

What is the right offer for my home?




It finally happened. You received an offer on your home! But is it the right offer? Should you accept it or should you tell the potential buyer to go fly a kite? What is your best strategy? To help answer these questions let's take a look at how experienced negotiators handle a negotiation.


First, savvy deal makers establish a decision touchstone as a guide to a successful negotiation. In ancient times, a touchstone was a literal stone, such as jasper or basalt that was often used to test the quality of gold or silver. Likewise, today your decision touchstone can test the quality of a buyer's offer.

To build your own decision touchstone, first identify what housing goals you wish to accomplish as a result of your home sale. For instance let's look at Susans goals, she has three:

1.Net $30,000 - $50,000 from the sale of the home.

2.Relocate to her new job by no later than June 30th.

3.Have the fewest headaches possible. (A cash sale would be great.)


Susan knows what she wants and has taken the time to think about what her most important priorities are before she receives an offer. Her number one goal is to net $30,000-$50,000 dollars from the sale of her home. Notice that she hasn't named a specific number. Why? Sellers who set a price in concrete often face disappointment and frustration by not giving themselves the opportunity to flex on other issues. For instance, what if a buyer rolled in who offered cash (fewer headaches), would agree to close by June 1, but would only agree to pay her enough to net $42,000 from the sale. Susan has wisely discovered that expert negotiators look at each offer in the context of their entire priority list rather than just according to one item.

So even when you revisit your decision touchstone, what if you're still left scratching your head? What then? Reject the offer? Not yet. The next step is to ask your self - What if? For instance, a wise seller might ask themselves: What if I don't sell my home to this buyer - what is the next best possible outcome? And the reverse: What if I don't sell my home to this buyer - what is the worst possible outcome? In today's market, real estate offers are a rare commodity and assuming that another one is just around the corner is a dangerous mindset to adopt. Because of this savvy sellers resist the urge assume a strong negotiating position when in reality they are in a very weak position. In addition to these fundamentals, wise sellers often look for five essential elements within the offer itself to help make their decision.

A substantial earnest money deposit
The larger the deposit a buyer makes, the more serious and committed the buyer is and the better you should feel. On the other hand a small deposit, or worse, a promissory note, may indicate a buyer's unwillingness to fully commit. Decide in advance what you feel is an appropriate earnest money deposit relative to the price of your home. In many markets, this may be 1%-2% of the sale price, but it can also be much, much more.

A pre-approved loan
A letter of pre-approval states that the buyer has been qualified to purchase the home based on the information they have provided the lender at the time of the loan application. This doesn't mean they are fully approved, as the lender still has to verify assets and liabilities, run a credit report, and verify income, employment, and residency, but it does provide a sense that the buyer is a legitimate prospect.

Time-limits for condition and contingency removal
A condition or contingency that has not been satisfied means that the buyer still has an opportunity to back out of the sale, potentially without penalty, all the way until the day of closing. The trouble is a buyer who has open ended condition, and one that they can use as an excuse to exit the sale without penalty, may decide during a sudden panic attack that they should bail out of the sale. To prevent this, wise sellers require that conditions and contingencies be removed as quickly as possible.

Clearly understood terms of sale
The first question to ask yourself while studying the offer is this: Could someone not in the real estate business understand this agreement? A poorly written sale agreement allows room for interpretation. Successful sellers reduce the risk of an offer failing by working with a highly qualified real estate agent or real estate attorney to create agreements that are clearly understood by all parties in the transaction.

Progress benchmarks
In a real estate transaction how do you know that the sale is progressing forward? If you're using a poorly written real estate contract you might not know if the sale is moving forward, backward, or sideways. What you're missing are benchmarks, beacons of hope that signal that your transaction is flying in the right direction and that you are on course for a successful landing. Thankfully, many standard real estate agreements have built in benchmarks, like requiring the buyer to submit an application by a specific deadline, or requiring the buyer to approve the preliminary title report by a certain deadline.

Successful negotiators are those people that understand and embrace the simple but powerful techniques that can enable anyone to create a successful sale - the fundamentals.

www.TheCascadeTeam.com

Friday, February 26, 2010

Homes for Sale Issaquah

Issaquah - 4629 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE , #H205 - $207,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1.75
Parking Spaces: 1
Year Built: 1979
Subdivision: West Lake Sammamish
Located on Floor #: 2
Floors in Bldg: 3
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 912
Agent Name: Becky Lower 425-785-5893
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 30037
Open House: Sat Mar 13, 2010
Time: 1-4
Price: $207,000.00
4629 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE , #H205,
Issaquah, WA 98027
Beautiful & immaculate Sammamish Bluff home centrally located in prime location near I-90! This light and airy floor plan offers newer kitchen appls, new pergo flooring w/ sound board, light fixtures & sinks, granite vanities, 6 panel doors, new wood blinds, newer front loading washer/dryer, new maple & glass cabinetry, gorgeous stone fireplace, crown molding throughout , lush views of NW trees & greenery from relaxing deck, outdoor swimming pool! Also comes w/ 1 year Fidelity home warranty! For more information contact Becky Lower at 425-785-5893.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3153108
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Homes for sale Issaquah Highlands

Issaquah - 2091 31st Ln NE - $587,900.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 2005
Subdivision: Issaquah Highlands
Garage Size: 2
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 2070
Agent Name: Matt Jensen 206-909-8200
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 29917
Price: $587,900.00
2091 31st Ln NE
Issaquah, WA 98029
This immaculate Buchan built corner lot 3 bedroom plus huge bonus 2.5 bath archituctual masterpiece boasts classy finishes and inspired design for the perfect contrast of formal elegance & livable comfort. Gourmet kitchen with granite counters, cherry cabinets & Bosch apps. Luxurious master on main floor w/doors to oversized patio. Elegant mahogany hardwoods stretch throughout main floor. Refined detail & thoughful design make this home a must rare haven. For more information contact Matt Jensen at 206-909-8200.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3152358
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Homes for Sale North Bend

North Bend - 13803 457th Ave SE - $515,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 4
Year Built: 1996
Subdivision: Wood River
Lot Size: 0.8006 Acres
Garage Size: 4
School District: SVS
Square Footage: 2510
Agent Name: Tonya Eliason 425-831-5721
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 29463
Price: $515,000.00
13803 457th Ave SE
North Bend, WA 98045
Exquisite 4BR home in the stunning Wood River community. 2510sf gorgeous Craftsman home nestled in a truly spectacular setting on over 3/4 acre surrounded by mountain views. This home has it all: Beautiful kitchen, dining room, living room, family room, office, laundry room, hardwoods, vaulted ceilings, french doors, fireplace, security system, covered porch, patio, firepit, sprinkler system, and amazing landscaping. Master bedroom has large Walk In Closet & Master Bath w/soaking tub. Oversized garage with space for 4th car, shop, or ??. Community river access & trail. Breathtaking fairytale location, yet convenient to I-90, Seattle, skiing & trails. 1 year Fidelity Home Warranty. This is NOT a short sale. Must see this exceptional property! for more information contact Tonya Eliason at 425-831-5721.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3151676
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Homes for sale Snoqualmie Ridge

Snoqualmie - 7417 Douglas Ave SE - $404,900.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 1999
Subdivision: Snoqualmie Ridge
Lot Size: 4944 Sq. Ft.
Garage Size: 2
School District: SVS
Square Footage: 2120
Agent Name: Danielle Koval 206-999-0890 or Melissa Wilson 206-778-8847
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 29203
Price: $404,900.00
7417 Douglas Ave SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Beautiful 3 bedroom + loft home located in the heart of Snoqualmie Ridge. This home features a great room w/ built-ins off of the kitchen which boasts a generous walk-in pantry, dining room, wood wrapped windows throughout, ceiling fans and AC. Home is across from the school and close to all retail amenities. For more information contact Danielle Koval at 206-999-0890 or Melissa Wilson at 206-778-8847.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3147938
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Will new short sale guidelines help buyers and sellers?



By Victor Lozada - The Cascade Team Real Estate

Will new short sale guidelines from the federal government help the market and struggling homeowners? These guidelines are intended to create a standard framework for short sales. They could if (and this is a big if) lenders follow these voluntary guidelines. That remains to be seen since previous voluntary loan modifications programs did not seem to spur lenders into making effective modifications.

The short sales guidelines are part of the government’s new Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative Program, known as HAFA, which is an add-on to the Obama Administration’s more wide-reaching Home Affordable Modification Program launched in early 2009. The idea is that if borrowers are eligible for the modification program but are unable to work out a plan to stay in their home, they—and their lenders—have a well-mapped route for executing a short sale or a deed in lieu of foreclosure.


Currently, short sales are anything but short. It can take weeks and months to get a bank to respond to an offer and many end up rejected. If the bank accepts, they throw out all kinds of roadblocks during the transaction and will even take a competing offer at the last minute. Time and money are lost on these issues. Both the buyer and seller are left frustrated. These issues are leaving a lot of willing buyers on the sidelines.

The only way this will work is if lenders stick to these new guidelines, have the staffing to handle the requests and are actually willing to follow through. It will probably take several months for the lenders to implement these new rules:

For starters, lenders will have a financial incentive to get these deals moving. Servicers get $1,000 to cover their costs, and subordinate lien holders get up to $3,000 through a matching arrangement in exchange for relinquishing their lien. In addition, borrowers receive $1,500 to defray their moving costs.

The guidelines also include standardized forms, procedures, and timelines—and allow the borrower to receive preapproved short sale terms prior to the property listing.

Also, the HAFA rules require that borrowers be fully released from future liability for the debt. That will be a relief to home owners in recourse states who would otherwise remain liable for debt collection. Slightly fewer than half of the states are recourse states.


Help may be on the way to clear out this inventory of distressed homes.

Expenses To Expect When Selling Your Home




It is a known fact that when you purchase a home you will have many different expenses related to the sale. It is important to know as well that when you sell your home, you will also have expenses that will be required. Below is a list of some of the most common costs that come with selling your home.

Closing Costs: Although most of the closing costs are the responsibility of the buyer, the seller is expected to pay the property taxes and insurance up to the date of the closing, even if they’re not due yet. in addition, some buyers will ask the seller for help with other closing costs as part of the negotiations.

Excise Tax: Washington State has a 1.78% Excise Tax placed on the sale of your home. That's $1,780 additional expense for the seller for every $100,000. This is even charged to the banks in the case of a Short Sale

Brokerage Commission: Typically there’s a 4 percent to 7 percent commission on the sale price of the house if you opt to go with an agent. Usually this rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent, so be sure to account for this cost when pricing your home and figuring up your expenses that come with selling your home. The Cascade Team provides Full Service Brokerage services for a total of 4%! More Details HERE

Home Inspections: Although the buyer pays for the home and pest inspections, it’s a good idea to get your own inspection before putting your house on the market. This way you’re aware of any hidden problems before selling.


Prepayment penalty: Many mortgages have prepayment penalties if you pay off the mortgage early. Be sure to examine your mortgage agreement and read the fine print.

Many homeowners are not aware of the costs involved with selling a home but there are some perks as well. With any home sale you are eligible for a tax write off of up to $250,000 gained in the sale of your home for a single owner, and $500,000 for married couples. This applies for most state taxes as well; check with a tax professional to get all the details of any tax credit that may be available to you and your situation.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Most (And Least) Affordable Cities To Buy A House



On the most affordable list we have:

1. Indianapolis, IN
Median home price: $106,000
Median income: $68,100
Affordability score: 95.7%

2. Detroit, MI
Median home price: $86,000
Median income: $57,100
Affordability score: 93.4%

3. Dayton, OH
Median home price: $106,400
Median income: $62,100
Affordability score: 93.2%

4. Youngstown, OH

Median home price: $76,000
Median income: $54,300
Affordability score: 93%

5. Akron, OH
Median home price: $100,000
Median income: $65,000
Affordability score: 92.2%



And the least affordable?

1. New York, NY
Median home price: $425,000
Median income: $64,800
Affordability score: 19.7%

2. San Francisco, CA
Median home price: $625,000
Median income: $96,800
Affordability score: 22.3%

3. Honolulu, HI
Median home price: $450,000
Median income: $79,300
Affordability score: 33.8%

4. Santa Ana, CA
Median home price: $435,000
Median income: $86,100
Affordability score: 34.5%

5. Los Angeles, CA
Median home price: $320,000
Median income: $62,100
Affordability score: 36.8%

Want a home price analysis for your home or neighborhood?
Click Here: Free Home Value Analysis

Monday, February 22, 2010

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Local News | Group fights Weyerhaeuser's use of 'green' certification | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Group fights Weyerhaeuser's use of 'green' certification | Seattle Times Newspaper

Open Houses!



See all area Open Houses from every Brokerage!

It's a beautiful day! Prices are down and so are the rates!

Just click Here: OPEN HOUSE MAP

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Go Green With The Cascade Team Real Estate



A Green Home Checklist

Whether you’re a homebuyer or a renter looking for a green home, how do you know if a home is truly green? What should you look for? This checklist will help you identify a truly green home and ensure you get a healthier, high-performance green home that costs less to operate and has fewer environmental impacts:

If you're interested in having your home Certified as a "Green Home" please call 425-396-4569 and we can help you through the process!

Location: New green homes and neighborhoods must not be built on environmentally sensitive sites like prime farmland, wetlands and endangered species habitats. The greenest development sites are “in-fill” properties like former parking lots, rail yards, shopping malls and factories. Look for compact development where the average housing density is at least six units per acre. Your home should also be within easy walking distance of public transportation – like bus lines, light rail, and subway systems – so you can leave your car at home. A green home should also be within walking distance of parks, schools, and stores. See how many errands you can carry out on a bicycle. That’s healthier for you, your wallet, and the environment.

Size: No matter how many green building elements go into your home, a 5,000-square-foot green home still consumes many more natural resources than a 2,000-square-foot green home. The larger home will also require more heating, air conditioning and lighting. If you really want a sustainable home, choose a smaller size.

Building Design: The home should be oriented on its site to bring abundant natural daylight into the interior to reduce lighting requirements and to take advantage of any prevailing breezes. Windows, clerestories, skylights, light monitors, light shelves and other strategies should be used to bring daylight to the interior of the house. The exterior should have shading devices (sunshades, canopies, green screens and – best of all – trees), particularly on the southern and western facades and over windows and doors, to block hot summer sun. [t4]Dual-glaze windows reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss during cold winter months. The roof should be a light-colored, heat-reflecting Energy Star roof, or a green (landscaped) roof, to reduce heat absorption.

Green Building Materials: A green home will have been constructed or renovated with healthy, non-toxic building materials and furnishings, like low- and zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and sealants and non-toxic materials like strawboard for the sub-flooring. Wood-based features should come from rapidly renewable sources like bamboo, but if tropical hardwoods are used, they must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. A green home uses salvaged materials like kitchen tiles and materials with significant recycled content.

Insulation: A non-toxic insulation, derived from materials like soybean or cotton, with a high R (heat resistance) factor in a home’s walls and roof will help prevent cool air leakage in the summer and warm air leakage in the winter.

Siding: Cement sided or planked homes provide superior insulation, lower maintenance, and d not contribute to the consumption of natural resources like trees which clear carbon from the air.

Windows and Doors: Windows and exterior doors should have ENERGY STAR® ratings, and they should seal their openings tightly to avoid heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

Energy Efficiency: A green home has energy-efficient lighting, heating, cooling and water-heating systems. Appliances should have ENERGY STAR® ratings.

Renewable Energy: The home should generate some of its own energy with technologies like photovoltaic systems.

Water Efficiency: A green home has a water-conserving irrigation system and water-efficient kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Look for a rainwater collection and storage system, particularly in drier regions where water is increasingly scarce and expensive.

Indoor Environmental Quality: Natural daylight should reach at least 75% of the home’s interior. Natural ventilation (via building orientation, operable windows, fans, wind chimneys and other strategies) should bring plentiful fresh air inside the house. The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system should filter all incoming air and vent stale air outside. The garage should not have any air handling equipment or return ducts, and it should have an exhaust fan.

Landscaping: Vine-covered green screens, large canopy trees and other landscaping should shade exterior walls, the driveway, patios and other “hardscape” to minimize heat islands. Yards should be landscaped with drought-tolerant plants rather than water-guzzling plants and grass in most regions.

For more "Green" information please visit:
www.thecascadeteam.com/gogreen

Friday, February 19, 2010

Home for Sale - Issaquah- The Cascade Team

Issaquah - 2335 Squak Mountain Lp SW - $549,900.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 1988
Subdivision: Squak Mountain
Lot Size: .350 Acres
Garage Size: 2
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 2710
Agent Name: Becky Lower 425-785-5893 or Laura Flodin at 425-223-1535
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 26924
Price: $549,900.00
2335 Squak Mountain Lp SW
Issaquah, WA 98027
This breathtaking Mt. view Custom Home offers 3 spacious beds, possible 4th bed, newly remodeled chef’s kitchen w/ slab granite, SS appliances, drop down sink, gorgeous high end custom cabinetry, newly refinished gleaming hardwoods, expansive living room complete w/ wet bar, vaulted ceilings & views that rival any in the Puget Sound. This grand residence offers an oversized master retreat with newly remodeled master bath, tiled flooring and shower, slab granite in hall bath, fully fenced lush backyard w/ play set and entertainment patio, oversized garage with shop and storage. Minutes from the park & ride, shopping, and the freeway. For added peace of mind, this home comes with a 1 year free Fidelity Home Warranty. For more information contact Becky Lower at 425-785-5893 or Laura Flodin at 425-223-1535.
The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3135783
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Home for Sale - Sammamish - The Cascade Team

Sammamish - 1855 Trossachs Blvd SE , #1606, - $245,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1.75
Parking Spaces: 1
Year Built: 2003
Subdivision: Trossachs
Located on Floor #: Top
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 1088
Agent Name: Bridget Franklin 425-985-2158
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 26855
Open House: Sat Feb 20, 2010
Time: 1-4
Price: $245,000.00
1855 Trossachs Blvd SE , #1606
Sammamish, WA 98075
Beautiful mountain and territorial views from this light filled 2 bedroom 2 bath condo. Top floor end unit location has lots of natural light and mountain views. The kitchen features tile counters, tile floors and large pantry. The master bedroom suite has a walk-in closet and private bath with dual sink vanity. The family room features a tile surround gas fireplace and private deck. New carpet throughout home. It also features an oversized garage. Club house amenities include pool, cabana, meeting rooms and workout room. Low HOA dues. Minutes to elementary school, trails and I-90. For more information contact Bridget Franklin at 425-985-2158.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3135714
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Home for Sale - Issaquah Highlands- The Cascade Team

Issaquah - 3049 NE Harrison St - $1,795,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5
Parking Spaces: 3
Year Built: 2005
Subdivision: Issaquah Highlands
Lot Size: 18,575 Sq. Ft.
Garage Size: 3
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 5700
Agent Name: Matt Jensen 206-909-8200
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 26648
Price: $1,795,000.00
3049 NE Harrison St
Issaquah, WA 98029
A stunning showcase home designed by Curtis Gelotte Architects & crafted by the renowned Bender Chaffey Corp. This built green home orients unobstructed views from every floor including the master suite and expansive 600 sq ft outdoor entertainment deck toward a sweeping view of downtown Seattle & Olympics. Sophisticated touches make this modern classic masterpiece perfect for both entertaining and daily life. Refined features include Santos Mahogany hardwoods, Miele built-in espresso, grocery elevator, 2 dishwashers & undermount stainless sinks, Lutron lighting, motorized blinds, 600 wine cellar, Phil Smart garage & more. For more information contact Matt Jensen at 206-909-8200.
The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3135405
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change