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Important Estate Documents
An estate plan is a collection of documents to ensure that your wishes are carried out because of death or incapacity to make decisions for yourself. Spouses, minor children, adult children, property and investments can all be factors that should motivate a person to undergo the process. Will – this document specifies the way a person... Read More
Tax Benefits of Home Ownership
U.S. taxpayers have enjoyed specific tax benefits for home ownership since personal income tax was introduced by the 16th amendment in 1913. While these benefits may not be the primary reason that motivates a person to buy a home, they are still tangible and not available to tenants. The exclusion of capital gains tax on... Read More
Before You Pay Cash for a Home
The National Association of REALTORS® reports in its 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers that 12% of all buyers paid cash for their home. Before paying cash for a home, a buyer should decide if they might put a loan on the home in the near future. It may affect the ability to deduct the... Read More
Friday HOME MATTERS
Our weekly round-up of real estate-related tips and advice from around the web- enjoy! 8 Fresh Ways to Incorporate Kids’ Artwork in Your Home – houzz My 3-year-old is beaming as he hands me a scribbled-on piece of paper with stickers of his favorite cheeky train engine embellishing it. Clearly these illustrations represent the creative... Read More
Not Available for All Buyers
Lenders regularly publish mortgage rates but they may not be available for all buyers. Imagine that the mortgage payment based on an advertised rate influenced a buyer to make an offer on a home. After negotiating a binding contract, this buyer makes a loan application and finds out that for any number of possible reasons,... Read More
Friday HOME MATTERS
Our weekly round-up of real estate-related tips and advice from around the web- Enjoy! Photo by Norrgavel – Search Scandinavian dining room design ideas 9 Ways to Nail This Whole Family Dinner Thing – houzz In an ideal world, your family would sit down at a reasonable hour every night for a hot, made-from-scratch meal.... Read More
Six Reasons to Consider Rental Homes
Single-family homes offer an investor the ability to borrow large loan-to-value amounts at fixed interest rates for long terms on appreciating assets, tax advantages and reasonable control. Some of these characteristics are not available through other investments. 75-80% loan-to-value mortgages are available on most residential properties up to four units. Comparatively, the stock market allows... Read More
Friday HOME MATTERS
Our weekly round-up of real estate-related tips and advice from around the web- Enjoy! Pet Odor Chasing Buyers Away? 8 Ways to Clear the Air – HouseLogic.com Having pet odors inside your home can turn off potential homebuyers and keep your home from selling. Ask your real estate agent for an honest opinion about whether... Read More
What Would You Give?
Yogi Berra said he’d give his right arm to be ambidextrous. While most first-time home buyers are not going to that extreme, it is interesting to see what sacrifices are being made according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 43% – cut spending on luxury or non-essential items 34% – cut... Read More
Friday HOME MATTERS
Our weekly round-up of real estate-related tips and advice from around the web- Enjoy! Sick of Winter? These Houseplants Will Perk Up Your Mood Real talk: “JanuFeb” can be grim. The holidays are a distant memory, and now you have to slog through a barrage of dark, frigid days until spring makes its glorious appearance.... Read More