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    Save the Cost of Mortgage Insurance

    By Carla Higgins | March 28, 2017

    During the banking crisis in the Great Recession, certain types of mortgages were unavailable that are once again being offered. Fortunately, the 80-10-10 mortgage is one of those making a reappearance and it can save borrowers a considerable amount of money. The objective of an 80-10-10 mortgage is to avoid the expense of mortgage insurance … Continue reading Save the Cost of Mortgage Insurance → Read More

    Important Estate Documents

    By Carla Higgins | March 21, 2017

    An estate plan is a collection of documents to ensure that your wishes are carried out because of death or incapacity to make decisions for yourself. Spouses, minor children, adult children, property and investments can all be factors that should motivate a person to undergo the process. Will – this document specifies the way a … Continue reading Important Estate Documents → Read More

    Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

    By Carla Higgins | March 14, 2017

    U.S. taxpayers have enjoyed specific tax benefits for home ownership since personal income tax was introduced by the 16th amendment in 1913. While these benefits may not be the primary reason that motivates a person to buy a home, they are still tangible and not available to tenants. The exclusion of capital gains tax on … Continue reading Tax Benefits of Home Ownership → Read More

    Before You Pay Cash for a Home

    By Carla Higgins | March 7, 2017

    The National Association of REALTORS® reports in its 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers that 12% of all buyers paid cash for their home. Before paying cash for a home, a buyer should decide if they might put a loan on the home in the near future. It may affect the ability to deduct … Continue reading Before You Pay Cash for a Home → Read More

    Not Available for All Buyers

    By Carla Higgins | February 28, 2017

    Lenders regularly publish mortgage rates but they may not be available for all buyers. Imagine that the mortgage payment based on an advertised rate influenced a buyer to make an offer on a home. After negotiating a binding contract, this buyer makes a loan application and finds out that for any number of possible reasons, … Continue reading Not Available for All Buyers → Read More

    Six Reasons to Consider Rental Homes

    By Carla Higgins | February 21, 2017

    Single-family homes offer an investor the ability to borrow large loan-to-value amounts at fixed interest rates for long terms on appreciating assets, tax advantages and reasonable control. Some of these characteristics are not available through other investments. 75-80% loan-to-value mortgages are available on most residential properties up to four units. Comparatively, the stock market allows … Continue reading Six Reasons to Consider Rental Homes → Read More

    What Would You Give?

    By Carla Higgins | February 14, 2017

    Yogi Berra said he’d give his right arm to be ambidextrous. While most first-time home buyers are not going to that extreme, it is interesting to see what sacrifices are being made according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. 43% – cut spending on luxury or non-essential items … Continue reading What Would You Give? → Read More

    Mortgage Loans from Relatives

    By Carla Higgins | February 7, 2017

    Occasionally, when dealing with close relatives who might also become heirs, signing a note and handling the paperwork properly may seem like a needless effort but it could mean the difference in being able to take a legitimate interest deduction. Home mortgage interest is deductible only if the loan is a secured debt which involves … Continue reading Mortgage Loans from Relatives → Read More

    Proof of Purchase

    By Carla Higgins | January 31, 2017

    People who experience a property loss are usually asked by their insurance company for proof of purchase which can come in the form of a receipt or current inventory of their personal belongings. Even the most organized people might find it challenging to find receipts for all the valuables in their home. If the inventory … Continue reading Proof of Purchase → Read More

    Boomers Are Staying In-Place

    By Carla Higgins | January 24, 2017

    There seems to have been an accepted progression for homeowners going from starter home, to gradually moving into one’s dream home, then, downsizing after becoming an empty nester and finally, into a retirement home. However, Marianne Cusato’s 2016 Aging-in-Place Report indicates that many older Americans don’t plan on following that pattern. 61% of homeowners above … Continue reading Boomers Are Staying In-Place → Read More

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Our agents write often to give you the latest insights on owning a home or property in the local area.