Archive for the 'Real Estate' Category



Real Estate Investing “Owner Financing” explained

Posted By Doc Schmyz on November 23, 2008 @ 9:23 am

Owner financing can often produce a winning situation for both the homeowner who is selling the property and for the buyer/investor who is purchasing the property. Owner financing is when a seller is willing to help finance a real estate transaction by creating a loan for the entire purchase if they own the home outright or by creating a loan for part of the purchase when there is already an existing loan on the property.

There are numerous benefits when an owner financed transaction is used. For one, the transaction can proceed more quickly and easily than when conventional financing is used because there are fewer steps involved. For another, the seller is more apt to receive a higher sales price, and the seller will receive payments and interest over a long period of time. There are tax savings realized by selling under this installment plan. Additionally, the buyer will realize savings by avoiding loan fees and lender charges, and the negotiated interest rate will generally be lower than the available interest rates from a commercial lender. Also, for the 20% of prospective homebuyers who cannot qualify for a commercial mortgage loan, owner financing is a wonderful way for them to be able to own the home.

There are a few disadvantages to owner financing to consider. For one, if the buyer defaults on the loan the seller will have to initiate foreclosure proceedings. This can be costly, time consuming, and require work that the seller might rather avoid. Of course, after the foreclosure the property can be sold again, an advantage for some owners and a disadvantage for other owners. Additionally, the interest income generated by the loan will be subject to taxes, which could be a disadvantage to a seller who is in a higher tax bracket. Also, the seller does not receive cash for their equity immediately, but rather will receive their equity in installment payments over time.

TIPS: For the seller and the buyer to consider when negotiating an owner financed transaction. The seller should research the buyer’s creditworthiness and ask numerous questions to become confident that the buyer can fulfill their obligation. The buyer should provide a written explanation of any problems that appear on their credit report, as well as give a list or personal references. The buyer should research the local housing market and get a home inspection done to identify any major problems. Also, a proof of payment provision should be included in the sales contract so the seller can verify that the new owner is making all insurance and property tax payments. Lastly, the seller should require the buyer to stay ahead on payments, even submitting post dated checks, so that the seller has confidence that foreclosure will not become necessary in the future.

Owner financing home sales can be a winning situation for both sellers and buyers. It is important however, that both parties do their due diligence in order to reduce possible risks.

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Where Would You Choose To Live–Toronto Or Winnipeg?

Posted By Dane Masters on November 22, 2008 @ 1:18 pm

About three years ago, my family and I decided to take advantage of Toronto’s real estate upswing. We opted to sell our townhome while prices were skyrocketing ending up with a very decent profit. In fact, our profit was so good that it allowed us to pay cash for a large, four-bedroom character home in Winnipeg. Yes, we had decided to relocate to another city, leaving our friends and family behind, setting out for a new life for our family. And the best part? We were mortgage-free!

Coming to the house itself, the property seemed almost double in size with a sprawling house in the center! If one could speculate how much such a house would have fetched in the Toronto real estate market, probably $300,000. And if it was renovated and placed in a popular location, the sale would have been close to $500,000. We had to shell out just $65,000 for this house as it needed some repairs. But with the estate prices going up by 20% year after year, should we decide to sell it, our profits are going to multiply manifold! Yes, a few repairs had to be carried out; some are still pending. Our plans include installing a brand new hardwood flooring for the entire living area. Whatever it may be, these are just minor problems, considering the size of the house and how less we paid for it!

Recently I was browsing Toronto real estate listings, just to keep an eye on how the market is doing. I was shocked to realize that there are virtually no actual houses available for sale, regardless of condition, anywhere in the Toronto real estate market, for less than $250,000! I couldn’t believe it. Anyone looking to buy in a lower price range is left to choose from townhomes and condominiums. There are no longer any affordable houses in the City of Toronto, regardless of neighborhood, condition or amenities.

All the more reason for joy, when I learnt about this! The relocation has come at the right time! Winnipeg does not have a gridlock through which to battle for office goers. Since situations are better, people do not succumb to road rage. People can still afford to buy houses, as they are below $100,000. Even the neighborhoods offer a choice. Home owners can benefit from the many incentives offered by Manitoba Hydro. A person who buys a fixer-upper can install highly efficient furnaces plus new windows. The interest rates are reasonable on loans. There are also town homes and condominiums for sale. Additionally, compared to Toronto, the maintenance fees are but a fraction over here.

Winnipeg truly has something for everyone. Our housing prices blow Toronto real estate costs out of the water… and that’s just the beginning.

We have now made Winnipeg our home, probably for good. Yes, we miss our friends and family, but we still find ways to keep in touch and see each other on a regular basis. Our family is much happier with our slower pace, the kids love having so much space to run around, and we feel like we’ve made a smart decision for the long run.

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Homeowners’ Insurance Premiums and Policies

Posted By Michael Benifez on November 21, 2008 @ 3:03 pm

Homeowners’ insurance isn’t something that you can afford to live without. This is a necessity and something that most mortgage companies will require in order for a homeowner to receive the loan or mortgage. This article will show you some simple steps that you can take to ensure your homeowners’ insurance fits your needs.

This type of insurance can be very expensive. People who live in “high-risk” areas, including areas near earthquake fault lines, major waterways, or other areas with high claims, usually will pay the most for coverage. People in high-risk areas often will have to pay annual premiums that cost thousands of dollars.

Expensive premiums aren’t limited to those in high-risk areas, however. Homeowners in suburban areas may pay between $500 and $1,000 a year for basic coverage.

Even though you can’t avoid buying insurance, there are steps you can take to reduce the cost.

Maintain Smoke Alarms and Security Systems

Having a burglar alarm that a central station or police station monitors can help lower your premium by 5 percent or more. You usually must show proof of monitoring to get this discount. A bill or contract can serve as proof for your insurance company.

You also need a smoke alarm. Smoke alarms are standard in most modern homes, but installing them in older homes can save 10 percent or more in annual premiums. They could also save your life!

Raise Your Deductible

The higher your deductible, the less you will pay in a monthly premium. Choosing a higher deductible, however, means that you will be absorbing the cost of replacing broken windows or sheetrock that is damaged by a leaky pipe.

Look for Insurers Who Will Give You a Multiple Policy Discounts

Many companies give a discount of 10 percent or more to customers who have other policies with the same carrier. You may receive these discounts on all the policies that you have with the company. You might want to consider getting a quote for other types of insurance from the company who maintains your homeowners’ insurance.

Plan Ahead for Construction

Certain materials are more flammable than others. This is something you should keep in mind when planning further construction projects. Wood, for example, will cost more to insure than cement or steel.

You also should consider any additional costs that you’ll have if you decide to build a swimming pool. Pools and other items that are notorious for causing injuries - like trampolines - have the potential to increase your insurance premiums by 10 percent or more.

Pay Off Your Mortgage

This is a step that may seem harder than the others on this list. Homeowners who pay off their mortgages, however, usually see a drop in their premiums. There is a basic reason for this. Insurance companies typically feel that if the homeowner owns his or her home outright, they will take better care of the property.

Regularly Review Your Policy and Make Comparisons with Other Companies

You should review your policies at least once a year and compare these to other policies available on the market. You also should note any changes that have happened over the year and may lower your premium.

Getting rid of the trampoline, paying off the mortgage, and installing a security system are three major actions that could happen during a typical year. Notifying the insurance company about all of these steps and providing proof that they have happened could save significant money on a homeowners’ premium.

You should also look around your neighborhood to see if there are any changes that could reduce your premium. Installation of new fire hydrants or fire substations may lower your premium.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

These are items that every homeowners’ insurance policy should have:

Guaranteed Replacement Value Insurance: Everyone should buy this insurance. This policy means that the home will be rebuilt after a disaster regardless of cost. The insurance company will not necessarily rebuild your home if this insurance is not part off your premium. It will likely cost more to build a new home than it did when you bought your home. This policy will absorb the cost and give you a cushion when construction prices increase.

Endorsements: Endorsements are amendments to the basic policy. This enables homeowners to insure high-cost possessions if there is a disaster or loss. A formal endorsement will help with the claim process and ensure that the homeowner can get the full value of the item if there is a loss. Items you may want to have an endorsement for include furs, collectibles, antiques, and jewelry. If a woman wants to insure a diamond engagement ring, for example, the endorsement provides proof of ownership of the ring and proof of value. The woman would get an endorsement by having a jeweler appraise the ring and then end the appraisal to the insurance company.

Finishing It All Up

You should document everything in your home to avoid discrepancies and delays. You can do this by photographing and filming the entire contents of the home. These documents should be kept in a fireproof box, with additional copies in a safety deposit box.

As a note improving or cleaning up your credit can help reduce insurance premiums.

Doing this can help homeowners develop an inventory of their possessions after a disaster or loss. The insurance company will require that you do this before they pay a claim. Having this prepared in advance will shorten the length of time that it takes to process a claim.

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Tips To Avoid Moving Company Horrors on Your Next Move

Posted By Don Plawson on November 12, 2008 @ 11:43 am

Whether or not you choose a moving company is up to you…unless the company you work for is footing the bill. The following advice is designed to keep you from choosing the wrong moving company.

Hiring a moving company is a viable consideration for many people today. If you’re like me, you hate to move so having someone do it for you is worth the price. Other people may be physically unable to move or do not have the time to pack and move.

Moving companies offer several great reasons to hire them - with different levels of service. From companies who will show up and move you and your belongings to companies who will pack, clean and move your belongings from place to place.

There are also more and more ‘complete’ package companies springing up, designed especially professionals - allowing them to move to their job, without the hassle of it all. These companies do it all - from finding a suitable house within your price range and requirements, to packing you and moving you in. Some even unpack at the other end for you.

Smart consumers will begin well in advance of the move in choosing a moving company. They will start their research online and look for reviews on Google, CitySearch and other consumer review websites. Angies List is also an excellent place to review moving companies as well as the BBB. You’ll also want to ask the people at the moving company some very specific questions and get everything in writing.

You’ll want to ask the moving company you’re hiring some very direct questions. Such as; reference from previous customers, whether or not they carry insurance for both damage or loss in transit and at the home and get firm quotes on everything. Make sure everything is in writing before you decide to hire a company.

Make sure a representative from the company comes out and gives you a firm quote and that you get that quote in writing. Never accept a quote over the phone or email. No one can give you an accurate quote just by asking how many bedrooms you have. Also, at the time they come out, make sure they bring a copy of both their transport and general liability insurance for your review.

Would you be surprised if I told you some moving companies retain the right to hold your furniture until they are paid in full? If there is some type of dispute, they could hold your furniture, charging you a storage fee for doing so, until the dispute has been cleared up. This is why it’s so important to get everything in writing.

Also find out what the moving companies policy is about breakdowns or delays. You don’t want to be setting at your new home and waiting for the movers if they’ve broken down in a town 1000 miles away. What happens if they’re late? How will they contact you? Will they contact you? These are the things you need to find out before hiring a moving company.

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How To Install Ceramic Tile Flooring in Five Easy Steps

Posted By Anthony Galz on November 10, 2008 @ 9:13 am

Step One: Get to know your tools.

If you are to learn how to install ceramic tile flooring the right way, then you must start with having the right tools. You can buy most of the tools you’ll need for working on your floor tiling at your local hardware store or home center. For equipment that might be too expensive to purchase like a tile cutter, or hand held micro cutter, try your local home center or tool rental yard. They may have the tools you’ll need at affordable rental prices, or even at discount. And if you’re a newbie at tiling work, they may even help you with information. Here are most of the basic tools you will need for your tiling job:

a) The right equipment would include safety clothing and gear like a pair of safety glasses, heavy leather gloves, and long-sleeved work clothes. These are useful especially if your tiling work involves taking out the existing ceramic tiles. Broken shards and other debris from tearing out the ceramic tiles can cause nasty cuts.

b) Tools for carpentry like a tape measure, a carpenter’s square and a bubble level will also be needed.

c) You will also need some tile spacers, a putty knife, a trowel (preferably, the notched kind), a tile cutter (which you can rent), and a rubber grout float.

d) For bonding tiles to the subfloor surface, mortar material like a thin set mortar, or tile adhesive, tiling grout and sealant will also be needed.

Step Two: Prepare your subfloor before installing your tiles.

Most tiling jobs start at this stage. It would be a great experience for you to learn how to install ceramic tile by learning about the type of floors you will be putting your tiles on. Always check for cracks and debris when If you’re working on a concrete subfloor. Make it is smooth and clean. Repair as many of the cracks as you can. If you see cracks that are too large to repair, replace the floor section where they are found with new concrete. For plywood subfloors, be sure that the wood is at least 1 and 1/8 inches thick and is supported by an equally strong underlayment. Otherwise, your ceramic tiles will dislodge easily, or worse, break and need replacing.

If you have an existing tile floor, removing it will be an added stage to your project. You’ll need to tear out the existing tiles. For starters, all you need to do is use a large flat-bladed chisel and a mallet, and just hammer away. Then, you’ll need to clean out the debris. If you to smoothen your subfloor — you may want to rent a sander to do the job. Be sure to keep yourself protected. Use heavy-duty leather work gloves, safety glasses, and long-sleeved work clothes.

Step Three: Measure and lay out your floor. To know where to start and how to install ceramic tile on your subfloor, begin by measuring the length and width of your floor. This will help you estimate the number of ceramic floor tiles you will need to purchase. Then, find the center point of your floor area. You Measure across floor area and mark the center. Do this in opposite direction and mark the center, as well. The intersection of the two lines is the center of the floor area where you can start your tiling work. To help with your tiling, run chalk lines over the intersection lines. These chalk lines will help you with how to install ceramic tile and help you keep your tiling straight and organized.

Step Four: Start work on your ceramic tile installation

Your first tile should be placed at the intersection of the two lines you made. Then, bond it to your subfloor by using a thin set mortar, or a tile adhesive of your choice. Using a notched trowel for applying the mortar is best on how to install ceramic tile. But you may actually use the more common trowel variety is you don’t have one. To secure the ceramic tile in its place, press down while twisting it back and forth till the tile no longer is set. If some of the mortar or adhesive oozes out, use your trowel (or a damp sponge) to scrape off the excess. Do this process over with the next tile, and so on and so forth, until you’ve finished your ceramic floor tiling.

Step Five: Finish your tiling job by putting in the tiling grout and sealant

It’s time to put the tiling grout in once the tiles have settled. Tiling grout is a material that you should know more about when you want to know how to install ceramic tile flooring. Grout is tiling material made cement, sand and water, and a little color. It is used to fill in gaps and seal in the spaces between tiles. Tiling grout comes in a wide variety of color tints that may be matched to your tile color. Use a rubber grout float and work the tiling grout into the gaps between the tiles. Use your grout float at an angle so that you can fill in the joint gap with as much tiling grout as possible.

After laying in the tiling grout in between the gaps of your floor ceramic tiles, use a damp sponge to wipe off the excess grout. Rinse the sponge frequently to get as much of the excess grout off, and keep each tile clean. You have the option of applying a sealant to the grout lines after they dry.

Don’t forget about the setting (drying) periods that come after you have placed your ceramic tiles, and after putting in your tiling grout (before putting on the sealant). These setting periods last overnight, at the very least, to twenty-four hours, at the most. Your sealant has dried, you are done! Congratulations! Now, you know how to install ceramic tile flooring.

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Honey, I Got The Promotion! Buy Packing Supplies!

Posted By Brian Hodson on November 4, 2008 @ 12:26 pm

Fortunately, yours’ is a well-traveled road and those who have gone before have given us these tips. Some organization at the start will help this project go more smoothly.

On A Budget? Pack Yourself - Packing doesn’t have to be a nightmare - or even scary. But you do need to be prepared to work. It can take two people two full days to pack a three bedroom home.

Of course, you can always hire professionals to do the job for you. Discuss your needs with some moving companies. They will do as little or as much packing as you want. Get quotes from several because prices vary widely - and read the contract carefully. Ask them for references. If you pack yourself, though, it can be a real money-saver.

As soon as you know you’re moving, consider lightening your load. Do you really want to bring absolutely everything with you? Some people see a move as an opportunity to go through their things and purge. You can hold a garage sale and I’m sure there are some charities in your community that would welcome your donations.

To begin, set up your packing station. Use a large table or floor area for a work surface. Start collecting your packing materials.

Boxes - How Many Are Enough? First of all, use boxes designed for moving. They are a good investment because they will protect your things better and they’ll save you time when you are loading the moving van. Some self-storage businesses even sell used/recycled boxes.

Here is a guide for the number of boxes you might need. Most self-storage businesses will let you bring back unused boxes for a full refund, so take more than you think you need. 1 or 2 rooms: Sm. Boxes - 7, Med. Boxes - 3, Lge. Boxes - 3, China Boxes - 1, Wardrobes - 1 3 to 4 rooms: Small Boxes - 15, Med. Boxes - 8, Lge. Boxes - 6, China Boxes - 1 or 2, Wardrobes - 1 5 to 6 rooms: Small Boxes - 20, Med. Boxes - 12, Lge. Boxes - 8, China Boxes - 3, Wardrobes - 3 7 to 8 rooms: Small Boxes - 30, Med. Boxes - 20, Lge. Boxes - 12, China Boxes - 4, Wardrobes - 4

Box Descriptions Professional moving boxes come in a few different sizes: Smaller (2 cu. ft.) boxes for heavy items such as dishes, files and books Medium (4 cu. ft.) boxes for pots, pans, small appliances, lamps, shades, clothing, linens, and toys Large (6 cu. ft.) boxes for light/bulky items: pillows, bedding, stuffed toys Mirror or Picture Cartons are a great way to move art, framed posters, etc. China Barrels provide extra protection for dishes, fine china and glassware. Wardrobe Boxes are used for packing clothes and drapery (each wardrobe holds approximately 20 garments).

In addition to being extra strong and durable, there is another, advantage to buying professional moving boxes. The standard sizes allow for quick packing and stacking. If you are renting a van using uniformly sized boxes will save you time and money.

Other Packing Materials Mattress covers to protect box springs and mattresses from moisture and dust Newsprint (preferably non print and in pre cut sheets) Tissue paper and/or bubble wrap for wrapping and cushioning breakable objects Styrofoam chips are necessary fillers for empty spaces and will prevent items from bouncing around inside the boxes Packing tape to seal the boxes Twine to seal boxes and tie loose items together Scissors or a sharp knife Felt markers and/or box labels Notepad and pen to list box contents as they are packed

Final Packing Tips - Label all your boxes on several sides. Include which room the box should be delivered to. - If there are boxes that you want to open first, write a number on them. - Start by packing out of season, or least used items first. Leave the things you use everyday to the end. - Tape important things together such as pins for shelves and bookcases to the bookcase, nuts and bolts for bed frames to the bed frame, etc. - Use crushed newsprint at the bottom of each carton for cushioning. - Fill empty spaces in the boxes with crushed paper. You don’t want anything to slide around. Put heavy items on the bottom and lighter things on the top of each box.

Sooner or later, we all move. When it happens to you, please make it as easy as possible and let the experience of others guide you.

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Invest Your 401k Into Real Estate - Land Banking Advice

Posted By Pradeep Patel on @ 3:05 am

It is almost everybody`s desire to lead relaxed and tension-free life after his or her retirement. One of the finest retirement investment strategies is to roll your IRA into real estate. It is fine retirement saving in real sense of the term.

The most admired way of retirement saving alternative is an Individual Retirement Account that is IRA. It has twin advantages. It can save your money and can assist in reducing your tax burden. Moreover, you can roll your capital gains on the land into an upcoming real estate purchase. In this way, you can avoid your necessity to pay tax on the capital gains.

You can consult a finance expert for the tax treatment of any future change to your investment strategy. Even a small visit to a land banking specialist can help you out with past performance data from land banking as an investment strategy. But don`t take any past performance data as a prediction for the returns you expect because past performance can not be an indicator of future earnings.

It can be speculative sorts of investment if you invest your IRA into real estate. If it is your well-planed choice of land, you are bound to gain good gains. The best thing to roll your IRA or 401(k) plans into a self directed type account.

The procedures for rolling over your IRA are not complex. They are not only simple but also painless. Generally the procedures can take few days to a week after your old custodian releases your funds and terminates your account.

Land Banking is not only reliable but also safe choice to build personal wealth. As a result, you can have better and secured retirement by focusing on your 401(k) or IRA funds. By making your choose to roll over your IRA or 401(k) plan into real estate, you are not only mastering your financial future but also getting the qualitative life in the same manner. You have a nice opportunity which will facilitate you transform your conditions into real benefits.

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Cyprus Holiday Rental Guide For All the Family

Posted By Tim Martins on November 3, 2008 @ 7:33 am

Going on Cyprus vacation this month to North Cyprus and staying in a rental villa with pool? You are - then you need the most important points to avoid any difficulties. Achieving the perfect Cyprus vacation, just follow this basic Cyprus Holiday Guide and you will be guaranteed a problem free Cyprus vacation in North Cyprus.

First of all you need to chose a reputable Cyprus Travel Agent or at least a recommended Cyprus Travel Agent through people who have previously used their services with success. As soon as the complete Cyprus Holiday Package is confirmed along with full contact details, you can make your Cyprus Holiday payment and not before. The safest form of on line payment is with a Paypal account for which you don’t even need a credit card. The Web will also help you in finding quality recommendations as there are now literally loads of social bookmarking sites like StumbleUpon where real people leave their thoughts about their own on-line experiences.

You might think about using Google to search for the best Cyprus Property Management outfit and that a revealing past shown is revealed. In order to double check quoted Cyprus Holiday Costs you could always make comparisons with high street holiday travel Agents that promote Cyprus. You will also need to watch out for prices in Euros but this can also be verified by on-line exchange rate sites such as xe.com.

It is imperative that you have the correct arrival instructions to get to your Cyprus rental villa as you might need to travel to your final Cyprus vacation destination on your own or at least with the help of a taxi driver. Another great free on-line tool is Google Earth which will show you exactly where you are staying and you will be able to see the surrounding area too.

If you have reached this point and you are concerned about your Cyprus Rental property that you have previously reserved, don’t worry yet as it will still be possible to change your holiday in Cyprus. You only have to follow this Cyprus Holiday Tips report and you will find a better Cyprus rental Villa in Cyprus and I really do believe that you will enjoy fantastic holiday in Cyprus this summer.

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Are you a Successful Flipper? Try Flipping Dallas Real Estate

Posted By Jordan Hashem on October 31, 2008 @ 9:22 am

If you have successfully flipped a house before, or if you have wanted to try flipping a house but the housing market around you isn’t very good for flipping you should try flipping some Dallas real estate.

The Dallas real estate market is very good right now and it’s easy to find a nice piece of depressed property or a home that is in good condition but just needs some cosmetic work and fix up that piece of Dallas real estate and sell it to one of the many new people that are moving to the Dallas area.

The prime Dallas real estate is going at a rapid rate. Because of this other properties in the city are making the market prices skyrocket. So now is the time to act if you are interested in flipping some real estate. Here are some helpful hints to look for before your start your house flipping adventure:

When flipping houses there are several steps you can take that will assure that you will be successful. The most important thing to do is to always view the property first. Always walk the property to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Make sure you read all of the seller’s disclosure before choosing a property. Because a property comes at a good price does not mean that it will be a good deal. Look at the damage and asses the cost of repair before making an offer.

Getting a piece of Dallas real estate inspected before purchase is rule number one when flipping homes. The second flip tip that you need to follow is to always keep it simple. Remember that you are not remodeling this piece of Dallas property for you and your family to live in so it doesn’t need to be fixed up like your dream home. Make it presentable, spend a lot of money fixing up the kitchen, the bathrooms and the master suite and then sell it.

Don’t put more money into the piece of Dallas real estate than you need to in order to sell it. Don’t get all fancy with the design and start moving walls around or adding bedrooms or bathrooms. Fix the major problems, add some cosmetic touches and sell it. The faster you can sell that piece of Dallas real estate the more money you can make. You should always spend some money fixing up the kitchen and bathrooms though. Most people want to see improvements in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Put in good quality kitchen cabinets, add some shelves or a pantry if you have the room, and make sure the appliances and countertops are top of the line. You can ask a lot more money for the house if you spend money fixing up the kitchen and bathrooms.

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Huge Tax Help For First Time Home Buyers

Posted By Aazdak Alisimo on @ 8:25 am

The housing market has taken about as big a beating as it can. The bailout the government is rolling out to save banks from bad mortgage securities is stunning, but not the only piece of legislation designed to help the housing market.

The housing market is a bottom up feeder system. Simply put, you buy a home, build some equity in it over time and then sell it. You use your gain to buy a bigger house and so on through life.

This process starts with first time homebuyers. They are critical to the system. Without them, there is nobody moving up from the bottom and the system will come to a grinding halt.

A variety of factors have resulted in a tiny first time homebuyer market segment. This is killing the housing market, so the government has made an effort to get first time buyers back into the market.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 is the magic pill. It provides a tax credit of 10 percent of the purchase price of the home up to a maximum of $7,500. Only the government would think a $75,000 home can be found, but there you go.

Stop whining about tax deductions disappearing. Yes, they are valuable, but not like a tax credit. Tax deductions reduce your income and then taxes are figured based on the reduced amount. Tax credits reduce your taxes directly dollar for dollar.

Taxes can be mind numbing, so consider an example. I have a tax credit of $6,000. My accountant does my taxes and tells me I owe the IRS $3,000. Will I be writing the agency a check? Nope. When my tax credit is applied, they will be writing me a check for $3,000.

Can I actually get back more than I owe? Not always. With this first time homebuyers tax credit, however, I can. It is fully refundable, which means that it is not limited by the amount I owe the IRS.

Before you go rushing off to look at homes, you should know there is a slight catch. Okay, a huge catch. The government wants the tax credit back. You have 15 years to repay it, which means about $500 buck a year if you take the max credit amount.

Can anyone claim the credit? No. It is limited by the amount of money you make. If you are married and making more than $170,000, you are ineligible. Other taxpayers making more than 75K need to talk to an accountant to get an answer.

Everyone gripes about the loss of tax deductions, but they miss the points. Tax credits are the real golden egg for taxpayers. Claim as many as you can. If you are considering buying a home, this one should help a bunch.

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