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Can I Refinance my Mortgage at Lower Rates than HARP?

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:42:51-05:00 December 30th, 2012|

It is possible to refinance your mortgage at lower interest rates than HARP, but you might end up paying more in closing costs. Q: I keep hearing about these really low refinance opportunities but nobody seems to say which bank or mortgage broker is offering them. I have a 15-year fixed rate loan at 4.25 [...]

Short Sale vs. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure: Which is Faster?

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:43:44-05:00 December 29th, 2012|

To speed a closing with the bank before the end of 2012, you need to talk with your bank to decide what is faster: a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Q: My daughter’s home has been unoccupied for the last six months or so and is listed as a short sale. [...]

Lowering Your Capital Gains Tax: Home Improvements

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:45:01-05:00 December 28th, 2012|

Making home improvements can lower your capital gains tax, but that may change in 2013. Q: In 1975, my parents built a four bedroom house on Cape Cod and they put my name on the deed with theirs. My parents died quite some time ago, so I have had the house since then. For most [...]

The 2012 Real Estate Market Recap and Housing Outlook for 2013

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:48:05-05:00 December 27th, 2012|

A recap of the real estate market in 2012 and housing predictions for 2013. Housing still matters to millions of Americans. And, the real estate lobby in Washington, D.C., which consists of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the Mortgage Bankers Association of America (MBA), would like [...]

Short Sales and Deficiency Judgments: What You Need to Know

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:48:32-05:00 December 26th, 2012|

Selling your home in a short sale is better than going into foreclosure, but you might face a deficiency judgment from your lender. Q: In one of your recent columns, you referred to the term deficiency judgment when discussing a short sale. What if you closed on a short sale, but the lender reserved the [...]

Maximizing Extra Mortgage Payments and Tax Deductions

By Guest| 2017-09-13T16:18:53-05:00 December 24th, 2012|

The other day, someone asked me about prepaying next year’s rent on his business. That sounded like a pretty good idea to him because he said he could really use the tax deduction this year. Wouldn’t it be terrific if this concept could really work? Basically, cash-basis taxpayers do get to deduct their payments in [...]

2012 Real Estate Market Roundup

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-21T12:38:31-05:00 December 24th, 2012|

This past year was big for the real estate market—it’s the first time we’ve seen year-over-year increases in home prices since the market crashed around 2008. Interest rates remain low, and refinances, loan modifications, and short sales are all up—but it’s not all good news. Foreclosure rates are still on a rollercoaster ride—the real estate [...]

Removing Someone From Home Deed

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:50:54-05:00 December 20th, 2012|

Removing someone from a home deed can be tricky and expensive. Find a real estate attorney to discuss your options. Q: When mom paid off her home years ago, she put the deed to her home in my sister’s and my names, so there wouldn't be red tape if something happened to her. Years later, my sister [...]

Problems with Transferring Trust Property

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:51:34-05:00 December 18th, 2012|

Transferring trust property with a 1031 tax exchange must be done carefully, or the beneficiaries could lose their inheritance. Q: My father recently passed away. He had a trust and in that trust he listed a property for me and my brothers to inherit. The property was a commercial building in Southern California. Two years ago, he [...]

Refinancing with Quit Claim Deed? Consider Other Options

By Ilyce Glink| 2017-09-28T09:52:03-05:00 December 17th, 2012|

If you are trying to refinance by using a quit claim deed, you should consider whether inheriting the property would be a better option. Q: We prepared and filed a quitclaim deed transferring my father’s house to me so we could refinance to get some cash for my father from the equity of the home. [...]

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