How to buy out a family member’s share of investment property. A quit claim deed or warranty will do the trick, but each have their own benefits. Q: My wife and I, along with my brother and his wife, bought a vacation home in 2010. Each couple took half. The home is in California and [...]
Is tech to blame for the West Coast housing crisis? The cost of living near tech hubs is so high some workers live in a Winnebago right on the company lot. What happens when people can’t afford to live near where they work? Americans in 19 out of 20 cities consider their cost of living [...]
Home improvement: what’s most valuable for resale? Exterior renovations, like siding replacements, recoup a higher percentage of homeowner costs. Did our last post on kitchen trends get you thinking about renovation projects for your home? Homeowners who are planning to make home improvements this year will want to want to consider how much their investment [...]
What to do when your home is overvalued by your homeowner’s insurance company. Hint: You may want to consider changing companies. Q: Every year, I get a renewal notice from my homeowner's insurance company and it indicates the value of my home. The insurance company lists my residence value at over $700,000. I understand that [...]
What you need to know about paying taxes on a home sold after a spouse’s death. Q: Just finished your awesome article on computing tax due on the sale of the primary home when a spouse passes. I just had a quick question. Let’s say a spouse passes on March 01, 2017. The first thought [...]
Kitchen renovation trends: what you need to know about high-tech upgrades, style and building materials when planning your kitchen renovations. Thinking about renovating your kitchen? You might want to pay attention to the latest kitchen renovation trends so that it’s easier to sell your home when the time comes. Homeowners today want high-tech upgrades, open-concept [...]
Is refinancing your 30-year, or 15-year, mortgage really a good decision? Depending on the market and refinancing fees, this change may save you a bundle! Q: If you have a fixed rate mortgage why would you ever want to refinance if you plan to stay in the home for the duration of the mortgage? [...]
What resolutions should home sellers make this year? If they want to get the most out of their investment, starting with these four resolutions can help. As 2019 gets going, it’s worth looking back at another year in which home sellers did well, but often at the expense of home buyers. First, in much of [...]
What happens to real estate when the government is shut down? Fannie Mae released temporary guidelines for loan processors to assist federal workers and contractors during the government shutdown. Homebuyers, lenders and real estate agents might experience closing delays as the U.S. partial government shutdown continues. And, there’s nothing that increases personal and financial stress [...]
Do you need to renovate an old inherited home before selling? The first step to deciding involves speaking with a local real estate broker to lay down the numbers. Q: Our sister recently passed away leaving the family home that mom left her six years ago. She had no will and left outstanding debts as [...]
