With at least 40% less homes on the market currently than there were a year ago, serious buyers have probably experienced the disappointment of losing a home they wanted to buy from increased competition. Today’s buyers are looking for ways to improve their odds of being the best contract without having to use the purchase […]
Uncategorized
How long do I have to keep this stuff?
“How long do I have to keep this stuff?” is the usual question you ask yourself when feeling that you are running out of room for all this “paper” that may never be needed. The paper receipt you get from your fast-food lunch may go directly into the trash. The prudent consumer may keep it […]
Cottagecore is the Hottest New Design Trend
Cottagecore is a home design esthetic that celebrates living simply. But unlike minimalism, it inspires with a romanticized interpretation of rural life. Whether you are searching for inspiration to decorate a new home, staging your home for best resale, or just imagining how you can enjoy cottagecore yourself in the home you love, here is […]
Rent your home tax free
There is a little-known provision in the tax code that allows homeowners to rent their principal residence or second home for up to 14 days a year without having to recognize the income. In this situation, the taxpayer does not deduct the rental expenses associated with the income. There is no restriction on how much you […]
Before you pay cash for a home
Before you pay cash for a home, ask yourself if there is a possibility, at some point in the future, you might put a mortgage on the home and would want to deduct the mortgage interest on your federal tax return. Current federal tax law allows homeowners to deduct the interest on up to $750,000 […]
Who Do You Tell When You Move?
So you are selling your home or bought a new one and now you need to do an official change of address and figure out the answer to Who Do You Tell When You Move? This is important not only because you want to continue to get your mail, but you also need to update […]
Homeowner Equity and Wealth Accumulation
National homeowner equity grew in the fourth quarter of 2020 by $1.5 Trillion or 16.2% year-over-year based on a CoreLogic analysis. The study was done on the six out of ten homeowners who have mortgages on their home. The fourth quarter of 2020 also saw the number of mortgaged residential homes with negative equity decrease […]
Skip the Starter Home
For generations, people have begun their homeowner experience with a “starter” home. Part of the logic may be that by beginning with a smaller home, they can learn what it takes to run the home and discover some of the unexpected costs that come along with it. A slightly longer view into the future could suggest […]