Two-level Architectural in a rustic setting. Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths + office. Bonus/family area off newer kitchen. Yard with mature trees and small creek. Minutes to Village, hiking and beach.A new national survey conducted last month for Reecon Advisors found that investor confidence in real estate is significantly higher than the stock market despite the two-year drop in property values. The survey was the latest measure of investor perception of the comparative mertis of real estate and stocks as a long term investment and the most recent conducted since the crisis that struck the nation’s financial system last fall.
By a margin of 53.7 percent to 30.8 percent, those surveyed believe real estate to be a better long-term investment than the stock market today. Confidence in real estate is highest in the South (58.6 percent) and West (58.4 percent), and among young people 18 to 24 (63.8 percent). The stock market ranks highest with those age 35-49 (34.7 percent).
People in income brackets over $40,000 preferred real estate over the stock market by a significantly greater margin than those in lower income brackets. Middle income Americans, making from $40,000 to $75,000 a year, registered the greatest support for real estate, ranging from 58.50 percent to 62.20 percent.
However, public opinion on whether the stock market or real estate will recover first is much more evenly split and falls within the survey’s margin of error. Forty-six percent predict the stock market will recover first; 43.2 percent believe real estate will be first. Real estate ranked highest with young people 18 to 24 (57.3 percent) and Southerners (50.6 percent).
The telephone survey, by GFK Custom Research North America, was conducted December 19-21, 2008. A total of 1,004 interviews were completed, 524 with female adults and 480 with male adults. The margin of error on weighted data is +3 percentage points for the full sample. All completed interviews are weighted to ensure accurate and reliable representation of the total population, 18 years and older.
The poll is the first in a series of opinion surveys on issues critical to real estate markets to be conducted by Reecon Advisors, Inc. for the Reecon Advisory Report, a weekly newsletter that provides insight, analysis and intelligence on residential real estate.
As reported by RealTrends.com
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Fine quality custom-built 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath Mediterranean on more than one acre in guard-gated Palisades community. Excellent entertaining flow inside and out with large living, dining and family room off gourmet kitchen. Beautiful study/office and bonus playroom. Huge grass yard, stone patio with pool, spa and waterfall, plus bbq area -- all with complete privacy and mountain views!
Move-in condition end unit in Palisades Highlands. Two bedrooms, 1.75 baths, eat-in kitchen, split-level living and dining rooms, and private brick patio. 
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Beautiful Highlands Contemporary near Summit Club and park. Serene mountain and ocean views. Three spacious bedroom suites, plus custom office with wall-to-wall built-ins. Family room off large kitchen and breakfast area. Wood floors, high ceilings, skylights, 3 fireplaces, 3-car garage. Stone patio with pergola, BBQ and fountain.1) Tax rates will remain at the levels set in the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003 through Tax Years 2011 and 2012. Additionally, the Child Tax Credit and other credits authorized by the Bush Tax Cuts of 2001 and 2003 will remain the same.
2) Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends rates will remain at the 2003 rates of 15% for 2011 and 2012.
3) For Tax Year 2010 AMT exemption will be $47,450 ($72,450 for MFJ). For Tax Year 2012, AMT exemption will be $48,450 ($74,450 for MFJ).
4) For tax year starting 1/1/2011, Estates will be allowed a “step-up basis” based upon FMV of assets on Date of Death, or Alternative Valuation Date. For Estates in 2010, an election may be made to take up step up basis, by filing applicable Estate Tax Return.
5) The Estate Tax rate will be 35% of taxable estate that exceeds $5 Million.
6) Gift Tax Lifetime Exclusion is based upon Unified Credit, reflecting $5 Million exemption.
7) Bonus Depreciation on qualified (new) property will be extended to 2011 and 2012. Additionally, the Bonus Depreciation for 2011 will be at 100% instead of 50%.
8) For 2010 and 2011, Section 179 deduction is $500K ($2 Million max placed in service). Section 179 deduction is reduced to $125K in 2012 ($500K max placed in service) and $25K in 2013 ($200K max placed in service).
9) Additional Unemployment Insurance Benefits extended to December 31, 2011.
10) Employee FICA rate reduced to 4.2% of wages for 2011, but the employer rate will remain at 6.2%.
11) Several Fuel and Energy Credits extended to 2010 and 2011.
12) Energy Efficient Home Credit extended to 2010 and 2011.
13) Ethanol Fuel Credit extended to 2011.
14) Nonbusiness Energy Credit extended to 2011.
15) Teachers Credit extended to 2010 and 2011.
16) Sales Tax Deduction extended to 2010 and 2011.
17) Qualified Tuition Deduction extended to 2010 and 2011.
18) Charitable Distributions from IRAs extended for 2010 and 2011.
19) Employer Commuting Deduction extended to 2011.
20) Research Credit extended to 2010 and 2011.
21) Mortgage Insurance Premiums Deduction extended to 2011.
22) Exclusion of 100% of Gain on Certain Small Business Stock extended to 2011.
This information is provided as a courtesy to readers of the Michael Edlen Blog. They are encouraged to verify the accuracy of these provisions and their applicability by consulting with the appropriate professionals.
