Archives

December 2006

PMI Is Now Deductible

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Why Rent? Advantages of Home Ownership

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It's staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, over the next three years your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash. In most cases, you know your rent will go up every year, even if you live in an area that has rent control regulations. You're paying the mortgage for the property owner, when you could be building equity in your own real estate investment.

The tax deductions available to homeowners vary, but there are solid rules the IRS lines out for us. Real estate taxes, mortgage interest, pre-paid interest, and interest on construction loans are all things to take into consideration as tax benefits.

If you or someone you know is currently renting, I urge you to call me to discuss the many low- and no-down payment loan programs that are currently available to prospective home buyers. My team and I work cohesively with the borrower's financial consultant to ensure the client's long-term goals are met.

Will I Have To Pay Capital Gains Tax if I Sell My Home?

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The IRS permits a maximum exclusion on capital gain of $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples filing a joint return who sell their home, but of course some conditions apply.

For the five-year timeframe prior to the date of the sale of your primary residence, you must meet the Ownership and Use Tests the IRS provides in Publication 523, Selling Your Home. These rules ensure you have owned the home for at least two years, and lived in the home for at least 24 months out of the last five years. Additionally, you may not have excluded a gain on your taxes from the sale of a different home within the last two years. Note that if you sell your property for less than your original purchase price, you cannot claim a capital loss.

A 'reduced maximum exclusion' can apply to those who must sell their home due to a change in their place of employment, health issues, or unforeseen circumstances that affect qualified individuals. In all cases, it is best to consult your tax professional or IRS guidelines if you have any questions about the taxes you may be responsible for if you sell your home.

What Constitutes Closing Costs?

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Closing costs are expenses that cover fees associated with the transfer of property ownership, fees paid to state and local governments, and the costs of obtaining a mortgage loan. Some of these fees are negotiable, and could be paid by either the buyer or the seller. Some costs are one-time fees (non-recurring closing costs, such as title search, termite inspection, appraisal, etc.); while other fees such as homeowner's insurance or property taxes are things you will expect to continue to pay on a regular basis as a homeowner.

As part of the loan selection process, your mortgage consultant should be giving you some idea of how much money you should have in reserve to cover your end of these costs. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) requires the lender to provide you with a Good Faith Estimate within three days of the submission of your loan application.

RESPA also states that as a home buyer, you have the legal right to request a copy of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement 24 hours before your closing is scheduled. The HUD-1 clearly defines all closing costs, including those that are to be paid by the buyer and the seller. It's a good idea to have both of these forms before your closing so you can compare the estimated costs to the actual costs before you finalize your transaction.