Blog
Good Records Can Reduce Capital Gains
Regardless of whether you’re entitled to $250,000 or $500,000 of exclusion when you sell your home, prices have gone up so much in the past two years, you may be approaching the limit where you might have to pay tax on the excess when you sell. Any improvements you have made to the home during... Read More
Moving Down in an Up Market
Selling and buying a lower priced home in an “Up” market can be to your advantage. The advantage is to maximize the sales price on your existing home and replace it with a less expensive one. Moving down in an “up” market may be to your advantage in multiple ways. It is possible that your present home... Read More
Showing How Earnest You Are
The expression “putting your money where your mouth is” demonstrates a monetary sincerity to what could be empty words. In today’s competitive market where multiple offers are common, sellers want as much assurance as possible that the buyer is sincere and will close on the sale. The seller who accepts a contract expects the buyer to... Read More
Is Your Home Inventory Up to Date?
A current inventory of all the personal items in your home is important and even necessary, if you are faced with filing a police report or insurance claim. The homeowner is usually asked if they have a home inventory. If not, the homeowner can reconstruct one to estimate the loss. Imagine you are in this position;... Read More
Difficult to Buy What is Not For Sale
Buyers are becoming discouraged there are not enough homes on the market, especially, in certain price ranges. When they do find something they want, there may be multiple offers and they end up losing to another buyer. Some buyers after experiencing several of these instances have decided to wait until the market changes. It is understandable but... Read More
Questions to Ask A Mover
“I’d wish I’d known that before I picked a mover.” Having a checklist of questions might have prevented this issue. This list of questions will provide you with things to discuss when interviewing a moving company. Fees What is the charge for packing? Does it include boxes? If not, what do they cost and will you deliver them?... Read More
Buy Before You Sell
A common concern for homeowners is that if they sell their home first, they may not be able to find another home to buy. It is understandable with the low inventories currently available in most markets, but a strong argument can be made to buy your replacement home first. In fact, there are some advisors... Read More
When Are the Negotiations Over?
The primary negotiation in a home purchase takes place when the contract is agreed upon that includes the price, closing and possession. With inventory down over 19% in the past year and multiple offers being more of the norm than the exception, the first round of negotiations can be challenging. Buyers and sellers alike feel relieved... Read More
Become a Victim of Inflation or Benefit From It
In inflationary times, currently the highest in 40 years, the purchasing power of your money diminishes each day; essentially, buying you less. The biggest threat is to be without capital assets, like a home, that are benefiting from the increase in prices. Your money buys less gasoline now, than it did a year ago, by close... Read More
You Don’t Have to Give an Arm to Get a Lower Rate
Rising interest rates compounded with increasing home prices are causing affordability issues for many buyers. To keep payments low, you won’t have to give an arm, but more buyers are considering getting an ARM, adjustable-rate mortgages. Mortgage rates are near its highest point since 2009. “While housing affordability and inflationary pressures pose challenges for potential... Read More