A combination of historically low mortgage rates and declines in home pricing are resulting in the most affordable home market in two decades. This is great news for home buyers, provided they are able to qualify for a loan. Stricter guidelines and qualifications may make getting a home loan more challenging, so potential home buyers…Read More »
Mortgage lenders are in the news again, only this time it’s not Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the hot seat. If you purchased a home through GMAC (now Ally Financial), Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, or Citibank, you may want to take note. Last week’s settlement of $25 billion is proposed to aid homeowners who may…Read More »
While the decline in new home construction may have some feeling “blue,” those of you who embrace a “green” lifestyle will be excited to hear about the latest projections. “Green” remodeling is a growing trend in the real estate industry! In fact, McGraw-Hill Companies, revealed last week that 17% of residential home building in 2011…Read More »
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Fear and uncertainty filled Daniella Baca after she learned that her landlord was facing foreclosure. Those feelings peaked the day the home was sold, when the single mother of two received what seemed like an official letter offering help and then a warning in capital letters: “If you do nothing, you are risking an eviction within…Read More »
When a real estate investor sells real estate, a capital gains tax is recognized, along with a tax on deprecation recapture. The regular capital gains tax, deprecation recapture, and any applicable state tax can often result in a tax liability in the 20% to 25% range for the sale of real estate. (If the real…Read More »
When you meet someone for the first time – what do you notice? If you’re like many of us, that initial impression is largely determined by outside appearance. Believe it or not, that concept rings true with your home, too! That’s right, your home can foreshadow clues regarding your personality and sense of style,…Read More »
Home ownership can be a heavy responsibility at times… especially when times are tough. It can be challenging to find help when times are difficult due to a decrease or loss of income, illness, unexpected disaster or home repairs, or personal crisis such as separation or divorce. Add to that a reduction in home values, and…Read More »
San Diego housing inventories are low right now and people are starting to inquire about what conditions are necessary to bring these numbers up. If you read the national headlines, this would seem to conflict with conventional wisdom. The housing market continues to be distressed, foreclosures and short sales are still piling up (the infamous…Read More »