Since May 2019, mortgage rates have been below 4 percent. With historically low-interest rates, you would think homeowners would take advantage and refinance to save money. However, a recent Lending Tree survey said that 49 percent of homeowners say they are considering a mortgage refinance in the next year. The report also estimated that over […]
“How long do I have to keep this stuff?” is the usual question you ask yourself when you feel you are running out of room for storing all the paper “files” that you might not need. When you purchase lunch, that little receipt you get can go immediately in the trash. Some may keep it […]
In the U.S. tax code, a little-known provision allows homeowners to rent out their principal residence or second home for up to 14 days a year without having to use that money as income. But the taxpayer cannot deduct any rental expenses associated with this income. You can earn as much as you want with […]
As we approach the inevitable end of our lives, we all begin to get things “in order.” You may set up a will, you may want to transfer title to your home to your living relatives before you pass but this could cause an unnecessary expense for your heir. Usually, when we pass property through […]
The bank’s or lender’s purpose for making loans is gaining clients who will repay them as a disadvantage they are not worried about tax deductions. This makes good business for the bank or lender, but how are you supposed to know? Most of us who own a home or those who are wanting to buy […]
Buyers, sellers and real estate agents often use square footage as their common demoninator in determining the value of a home. There is no quick method or automated value method that will give you the correct amount. It may seem like a straight forward process, but there are several variances that can lead to inaccurate […]
Wow, what a summer we are having. The first major stay-at-home event in most of our lifetimes has happened in this country. People are turning to their backyards for family fun and recreation. Building a pool is just one of those fun things that are being built. For people who don’t have a pool, the […]
Refinancing: there are three reasons to refinance. 1. Lowering the cost of your housing, 2. To shorten the term of your mortgage loan and pay it off quicker, or 3. To use the equity in your home for another purpose like paying off credit card debt or home renovations. In today’s market, you can replace […]
Owning a home is a responsibility and a privilege. Even if you have owned a home for decades, you may still need help to handle some of its challenges by focusing on the three “M”s of homeownership: maintenance, minimizing expenses, and managing debt and risk. While you may recognize that you need an annual physical, […]
As a homeowner, you will receive a generous exclusion on the gain of your principal residence. Current rules stipulate $250,000 for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Many people probably consider the gain or profit to be the difference between the purchase price and the sales price. Before calculating your gain, the […]
