by Rusty Cochran

Many people only clean their air ducts after an “event” such as a fire or flood in the home. In these instances cleaning their air ducts is needed. But if there is mold in the system, you want to know as soon as possible, to limit your family’s inhalation and exposure. That’s why we recommend regular inspection by a trained air duct cleaner, whenever you have your heating or cooling system serviced. And since servicing entails cleaning the cooling coils, drip pans, fans and heat exchangers, which can release dust, debris, mold or allergens into your duct work, it really just makes good sense to clean your air ducts at the same time your HVAC system is serviced.

by Brandon Sudweeks

Like most professionals, real estate investors and brokers are all pleased to see the end of one year and look forward to the prospects of the year to come. 2011 saw deepening problems for the European Economic Community, witnessed the dysfunctional wrangling of the US House and Senate, and watched the US economy continue to struggle with issues of unemployment, real estate valuations and debt.  

However, we also observed how effective our state and national leadership can be when united in a particular purpose and we marveled as communities and industry came together to support those hardest hit by causes both natural and manmade. In the face of all of this, the California economy, just as that of the US, showed remarkable signs of stabilization and strength. It was a great year and we’re pleased to have it behind us.

In Southwest Riverside County we saw the commercial real estate market hit “bottom” and start to show signs of life and a stabilized yet slow recovery. All market indicators are trending upwards and we predict 2012 to continue this trend.

 by Gene Wunderlich

It’s been that kind of year. Nothing really exciting happened to our housing market in 2011 – no big boom, no big bust, no big dump of bank owned homes. As a region, Southwest California sold 71 fewer homes this year than last and the median price of a home ticked down 1 percent. As you’ll see in the following charts, it was a pretty good year for our market overall.

Sales stayed strong in this first post-bust year without a stimulus program of some sort. You’ll recall the last half of ‘09 and the first half of ‘10 the market benefitted from 1st time and move-up buyer program from the feds and a new home purchase program from the state. This year all we was buyers and sellers. It’s estimated that some 40% of current transactions involve cash buyers – a mix of investors and regular homeowners. The other 60%? At least 60% of those are 1st time buyers lured by the promise of their own home along with move-up or relocation buyers. Impecunious lending practices and uncertainty over future governmental regulation on the industry continue to dampen the housing recovery. 2010 was a record sales year for the region with Temecula, Murrieta and Lake Elsinore posting historic high water marks, so dropping from 7,529 to 7,458 this year isn’t bad – a one point drop.

- A closer look at the provisional income rules -

presented by Nicole M. Albrecht

Many new retirees assume that Social Security income is tax-free. That is not always the case. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 opened the door to taxes on some SSI, depending on the amount of income someone earns in a calendar year.¹

How much of your SSI is potentially taxable? As much as 85% of it, under certain conditions. Four factors determine how much of your SSI will be taxed:

by Steve Fillingim

Estate planning and charitable techniques. Many individuals with substantial positions in one stock look for strategies that can help reduce overall income and estate tax liabilities and achieve philanthropic goals. There are charitable giving strategies that can provide you a current income tax deduction, a continuing source of income for you, and a way to potentially avoid paying current capital gains tax on appreciated assets. Some strategies also can help shield the donated assets from estate taxes.* And when you consider current income tax rates and estate tax rates, you and your heirs may benefit substantially from these techniques.

Nicole Albrecht with Financial Accounting Services invites you to attend the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, a 13-Week financial planning course. Classes began Monday, January 23^rd and continue through April 16^th. 

Meetings are from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Financial Accounting Services, 41769 Enterprise Circle North, Suite 209 in Temecula.

For more information, call (951) 719-1515.

by Chris McCullough

Amidst today’s economic turmoil, something positive I’ve seen from most banks throughout the country and around the world is the consideration of environmental impact in our daily business practices.

Adopting “green” practices, both internally and externally, is the smartest option for financial institutions in today’s world. Changing the mindset of not only our employees, but also our customers, to consider the environmental impact of their actions has been a long, rewarding process.

Customers are more environmentally conscious than ever before. They know that numerous trips to the bank wastes fuel and adds greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Receiving a steady stream of paper statements can become burdensome. Writing checks and mailing bills is time-consuming. There is a more productive option.

Online banking and bill pay are excellent choices for any customer, personal or business. Consider the savings, both in time and money, when it comes to clicking through a few bills as opposed to writing and mailing checks. Online banking and bill pay are quick, easy and can help you avoid costly late fees as our busy lives don’t always remember due dates.

An Economic Impact study recently released, titled “Temecula Valley Travel Impacts 2000-2010,” details the economic impact of an industry that exceeded 425% overall growth in ten years. “Throughout the last decade, the direct growth in travel-and-tourism generated employment has been quite strong – up 14% annually since 2000,” reported Kimberly Adams, Temecula Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau (TVCVB) president and CEO. “Meanwhile direct travel-and-tourism generated spending has increased 15.6% per year. The casual, picturesque Temecula Valley attracts visitors whose spending significantly generates jobs, state and local tax revenue, and economic vitality.”

“Not many industry sectors have more than quadrupled in the past decade,” said John Kelliher, TVCVB’s Chairman, “but what may be even more impressive is how Temecula Tourism has rebounded from the recession. Travel spending was up over 9% in 2010 versus prior year, and early indications suggest even stronger growth in 2011.”

In 2010, Temecula Valley travel and tourism directly generated nearly $557 million in travel spending into the local economy, directly supported more than 6,000 local jobs, generated $5.1 million in local tax revenues, and $18.7 million in state tax revenues. Of the total, direct travel spending, $212 million was spent on arts, entertainment, and recreation; $93 million on restaurant food and beverage; $65 million in retail sales; and $54 million on accommodations.

Documenting the important economic significance of tourism and serving as a barometer of travel industry trends, the findings are among those detailed in the Temecula Valley Travel Impacts 2000-2010 report prepared for the Temecula Valley CVB by the economic and market research organization, Dean Runyan Associates. The report helps direct and drive economic activity, and is a tool for the local lodging industry with regard to day-trip and overnight spending and activities.

by Laurel Miller

You’re bundled up, there’s a bite in the air, and you can’t wait until you’re flying down the mountain. As many of you head to the mountains for ski and snowboarding season, remember that with snow, comes ice. Returning from the slopes to a windshield covered in ice can be frustrating and, unfortunately, many impatient skiers discover creative ways to break the glass instead of removing the ice. Here are eight Do’s and Dont’s for de-icing your vehicle’s windshield, windows and doors this ski and snowboarding season:

ü  DO: Start the vehicle and use the defroster setting to warm the glass. Wait at least five minutes.

ü  DO: Use a plastic ice scraper and a soft plastic bristle brush or broom to clear the ice once it starts melting.

ü  DO: Pour cold water to gradually melt the ice on a “sealed,” frozen door.

ü  DO: Make sure no ice or snow is obstructing the vehicle’s tailpipe. If it is covered, remove the ice or snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.