Mortgage Loan Activity Surges
Mortgage loan application volume surged 32 percent last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. That means the number of applications fil...
New Home Sales Rise In February, Commerce Dept. Says
Sales of new single-family homes rose in February, up 4.7 percent from January, announced the Commerce Department today. The increase is based on sal...
Use Developer’s Mortgage Lender Or Your Own?
Because the mortgage market is very local, it's tough to say what lender will offer the better deal. Developer of new construction homes often work with lenders to put together long-term financing packages for buyers and could be a viable option. The way to get the best deal is to call three or four lenders in the area to find out what's being offered.
Double Property Taxes On Discounted Home
High property taxes are a red flag for future buyers no matter where you live. This prospective home buyer is interested in a home between two taxing bodies, so property taxes are double what the neighbors pay. The tax authorities in both communities could determine whether there's an error in how property taxes are being computed on the home.
Calculating Gains On Sale Of Gifted Stock
An investor received stocks as a gift many years ago, and recently sold some off. The gains on the stock will need to be calculated from the day it was received as a gift. If there has been a gain on the stock, taxes will need to be paid on it.
Mortgage Industry Group Calls For Regulation
Perhaps they saw the writing on the wall. The Mortgage Bankers Association is calling for federal regulation of the mortgage lending industry. And not...
IRS Seeks Volunteers For Taxpayer Panel
If you've ever thought you'd like to rewrite the tax code or share your opinion on taxes with the IRS, here's your chance. The Internal Revenue Servi...
10 Tax Tips For Donations To Charity
April 15 is approaching quickly. As you're gathering your tax documents or preparing your taxes, don't forget to claim eligible contributions to chari...
Home Sales Increase In February, NAR Says
Existing home sales rose by 5.1 percent in February as compared with January, announced the National Association of Realtors this morning. But they f...
Lawyer Needed For Tenants In Common Agreement
Becoming tenants in common with a family member is an arduous process, and a real estate attorney can ensure you haven’t missed anything. Most real estate attorneys will help you with a tenants in common contract for a flat fee.