With all of the expense that can go into buying and selling a home, it's good to be aware of what you can claim and how a home can benefit you come tax time. When the New Year rolls around and you're sitting down to the task of completing your taxes, here are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind. Gaining from Capital Gains In the event that you've made money off the sale of your home through a capital gain, it's possible that you may be able to exclude this amount from your tax filing. If you've lived in the home you just sold for at least two of the five years before the sale date, not having to report this amount on your taxes may come as a financial win. Reporting Your Gain If … [Continue Reading...]
Buying a home involves a variety of nuances and strange-sounding terms, and one of the least understood aspects of the home buying process is the escrow account. Essentially, an escrow account is a third party bank account your lender can require you to pay into in order to cover certain costs related to your home. Your lender uses an escrow account to ensure that property taxes and home insurance fees get paid on time. But how exactly do escrow accounts work? Here's what you need to know. Escrow Accounts Are Mandatory With Certain Mortgages Not all home buyers are required to have an escrow account. In cases where the buyer pays 20 percent of the purchase price down, lenders will typically … [Continue Reading...]
Last week, consumers were treated to several indicators on inflation that not only paint a picture of the economy’s health but also give the Fed more information to work with as it continues to aim for a soft landing. August Sees a Slight Upward Trend in Inflation This week, the personal consumption expenditures price index, which excludes more volatile commodities like food and energy, increased 0.1 percent for the month. This is lower than the expected value of 0.2 percent, which indicates that the rising interest rates are starting to have an impact on the economy as the Fed continues to work to bring down inflation. When compared to the previous 12 months, the price index was up … [Continue Reading...]
With a high volume of millennials set to enter the real estate market this year, it may seem like all the available options out there were created to snag new home buyers. However, there are products available on the market that cater to those who are in their golden years too. If you're older than 62 and are currently weighing the options with your mortgage, here are the basics on reverse mortgages and why they might positively benefit you. The Scoop On Reverse Mortgages It may seem like this mortgage option hasn't been around that long, but it was actually created in 2009 following the recession. Known as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase (HECM), this product is specifically … [Continue Reading...]
Buying a home is one of the largest investments you will make in your life, and that's why so many people have longer mortgage amortization periods to pay down the principal. While it may seem appealing to have a longer amortization period, here's why an extended loan term can end up costing you more and may be less financially beneficial when it comes right down to it. About Mortgage Amortization Generally speaking, a 25-year mortgage amortization period can be typical, but there are many loan periods that a homebuyer can choose for amortization. While a longer-loan period may seem enticing because it will mean a smaller monthly payment, a shorter amortization will enable you to own your … [Continue Reading...]
In the context of a house sale, "contingent" typically means that the sale of the house is dependent on certain conditions being met. These conditions could include things like the buyer securing financing, the completion of a home inspection, or the sale of the buyer's current home. For example, if a buyer makes an offer on a house and the offer is accepted by the seller, the sale may be contingent on the buyer obtaining financing within a specified period of time. If the buyer is unable to obtain financing, the sale may fall through. Another common contingency is a home inspection. If the inspection reveals significant issues with the property, the buyer may have the option to renegotiate … [Continue Reading...]
