An investment is any action you can take with your money, in hopes that it will bring you a greater return on your money. The investment could be in stocks, bonds, real estate, retirement plans, or even collectibles. Learn here about different types of investments and how to deal with taxes, brokers, and more when it comes to your investments.
Home As Checkbook
As with the stock market, when home values rise, Americans feel richer. With home prices rising at double-digit speeds (as opposed to the more "normal" 3 to 5 percent average annual appreciation), homeowners see their net worth increasing - in other words, they are worth more. In some cases, it's enough to make up for the dismal performance of the stock market over the past three years.
Serial Home Buyers And Renovators
Every home buyer approaches the challenge of owning a home differently. Gone are the days when families lived in their homes for 30 or more years. Now buyers are continually renovating, upgrading, selling and buying again. These " serial home buyers" have been enabled to continue with friendly tax laws allowing the sellers to pocket the gains, tax free.
ETFs: What These Investments Are
What are ETFs? ETFs are exchange traded funds - mutual funds that trade like stocks. Learn about some of the different types of ETFs and how their fees and commissions work.
Book Reviews: Real Estate, Finance, Auto And Neighbor Laws
There are plenty of great books out there to help you get your personal finances in order. These books will teach you about automobile law, being a good neighbor and managing your personal finances and real estate.
Real Estate Not OK For Retirement Investment
Some consumers are pushing toward the idea of investing their retirement dollars in real estate. But the IRS prohibits real estate investments for Roth IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. Retirement accounts can only be used in buying and selling mutual funds, bonds, CDs and company stocks.
How Much Is Your House Worth Anyway?
Over the past five years, housing price valuations have skyrocketed. Is it the amount the bank's appraiser says it's worth? Or, is it the amount on which the tax assessor bases your every-rising real estate property taxes? Or, is it the amount that someone is willing to pay for your home?
Real Estate Agents Tend To Own Homes
The National Association of Realtors released a study that provides demographic information on its members. Real estate agents tend to be female and to own their own homes. Today's real estate agents tend to have more experience than in the past. Learn more about who is a typical real estate agent.
Avoid Investment Property’s High Interest Rate
A family buys a home as an investment property and to house their college age sons. They wonder if they can decrease their interest rate on the investment property by reselling the home to one of their sons. Many lenders will give you the same rate on investment property that they give on a primary residence.
Pay Off Mortgage With Home Equity Loan
A couple wonders if they should have paid off their mortgage with a home equity loan. They now no longer have a tax deduction. Paying off the mortgage with a home equity loan means they have a lower interest rate, which they can use to build their retirement savings. However, with retirement approaching, they need to evaluate how to pay off the home equity loan and keep saving for retirement. A fee-only financial planner can help evaluate their options.
Prepay Mortgage Or Invest For Retirement
As you get closer to retirement you may have extra money and may be debating whether to prepay your mortgage or invest more money in the stock market. While people tend to get better returns investing in the stock market rather than in real estate, it is nice to have your home paid off when you retire. If you decide to invest in the stock market make sure to research the investments you're considering ahead of time.