The American Dream includes the chance to own your own home. It is the place where you can raise a family, be with friends, feel safe and enjoy your life. It is easy to realize all the benefits but just as real is the regular maintenance that occurs when owning a home. I’m not trying […]
Taking the time to save a down payment for buying a home might be keeping you from actually buying a home. But you may be unaware that those funds may already exist. NAR does a Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report each year which says that 81 percent of first-time buyers pull all or […]
“It’s not far, if you know the way.” This often used expression implies that not knowing the way could end up taking you around the block a couple more times that you wanted. You wouldn’t take off for somewhere you’ve never been without consulting a map or GPS so why buy a home without taking […]
The IRS makes a special consideration for the sale of jointly-owned main home after the passing of a spouse. The surviving spouse can qualify to exclude up to $500,000 of capital gains if specific requirements (listed below) are met compared to only $250,000 exclusion for single people. Selling the home needs to happen within two […]
As identified in a recent survey*, Americans picked real estate as their overwhelming choice for investing. This is in spite of the Dow Jones industrial average reaching record highs recently. Stock came in as a third choice. Upon analysis of the recent survey*, it suggested that homes are more popular because they are a tangible […]
“If” interest rates go up is not the correct question. “When” interest rates go up is what you need to worry about. Because “when” those rates increase it will be a big difference for buyers and move-up buyers. Freddie Mac is predicting that mortgage rates will be at 4.5 percent a year from now. Higher […]
Some buyers are under the impression that they need to wait until they have saved a 20% down payment so when they buy their dream home they can avoid mortgage insurance (PMI) which lenders required when the loan-to-value ratio of larger than 80 percent. The only exception to this rule is VA loans. Here is […]
Keeping a home dust-free takes a serious commitment and a strategy of housekeeping that addresses dust and what causes it to multiply. You may be motivated by having a clean home or by removing allergens to lessen the suffering of a family member. No matter your motivation the process will be worth it. Aim to […]
For some home sales there can be two periods of negotiation. Your primary negotiation happens when the contract is agreed to including price, closing date and possession. Both parties feel relief once this primary negotiation period is finished. But if there are any contingencies for financing, inspections or anything else, more negotiations will ensue. Getting […]
Isn’t it surprising that most people spend more time picking out a cell phone or planning a vacation than they do planning to retire. In a hypothetical situation where you are retiring in 15 years and are given $35K to invest, do you know where you might have the best rate of return (ROI)? You […]
