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CategoriesLatest in BlogVLSI ESL
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Real Estate Buyer Blog  Buyers ... Stay Informed on the Local Market
Ask Questions..Get Answers
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Best of Times, Worst of Times |
"We have the best housing affordability in at least 38 years, and the worst economy in 51 years. Hmm.... " so begins this months John Burns Real Estate Consulting Local Building Market Intelligence™. The report concludes that "Once the word gets out that homeownership is less expensive than renting, which is now also true in 54 of the 88 markets where we track this information, we expect buying activity to increase substantially (even in a horrible economy)." Boston's current ratio is 37%, a 40% decline from the peak of 61% in May 1006. This means that it now takes 37% of the
For more information on the housing cycle see the February edition - Boston is now 1.6, very low on the level of concern for affordability. This is good news for Boston and MetroWest.
For complete details on everything Metrowest Real Estate visit our website at http://www.JimByler.com
How much of your income do you want to spend on your housing? including taxes and insurance?
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What is an impound account? |
What is an impound account?
An impound account is a trust account established by the lender to hold money to pay for real estate taxes, and mortgage and homeowners insurance premiums as they are received each month.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 July 2008 )
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appealing your property taxes |
Where can I learn more about appealing my Boston MetroWest property taxes?
Contact your local Boston MetroWest tax assessor's office to see what procedures to follow to appeal your property tax assessment. You may be able to appeal your assessment informally. Mostly likely, however, you will have to go through a formal tax-appeal processes, which begin with an appeal filed with the appropriate assessment appeals board.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Are property taxes deductible? |
Are Boston MetroWest property taxes deductible?
Property taxes on all Boston MetroWest real estate, including those levied by state and local governments and school districts, are fully deductible against current income taxes.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Tax benefits to homeowners |
What tax benefits are there toBoston MetroWest area homeowners?
Homeowners benefit from several generous tax advantages. The most important benefit is the mortgage interest deduction. People may deduct interest paid on mortgage loans totaling up to $1 million used to buy, build or improve a principal residence plus a second home. The IRS calls such loans acquisition debt.
Points paid by the buyer or seller on a new mortgage loan for the purchase or improvement of a principal residence are deductible for the year in which the home was purchased.
Any points paid on a refinance mortgage, a loan to purchase a second home or a mortgage on income property must be spread over the life of the loan, according to Edith Lank and Miriam S. Geisman, authors of "Your Home as a Tax Shelter," Dearborn Financial Publishing, Chicago; 1993.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Are points deductible?
If you are a Boston MetroWest buyer, and you or the seller pays points, they are deductible for the year in which they are paid only. You also can deduct any points you pay when you refinance your Boston MetroWest area home, but you must do so ratably over the life of the loan. Consult your tax or financial advisor.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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loss from selling your home |
Can I deduct the loss I suffered when I sold my Boston MetroWest area home?
The Internal Revenue Service currently does not allow deductions for losses on the sale of your own home. In fact there's no way to use a loss on the sale of your principal residence to your advantage on your income tax return.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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What are the rules on capital gains when inheriting a house?
When children inherit a home, the Internal Revenue Service determines their basis in the property on the date of the owner's death. The cost basis is not the amount the owner originally paid for the house, but the property's fair-market value on the date of the parent's death.
Cost basis is a tax term for the dollar amount assigned to a property at the time it is acquired, for the purpose of determining gain or loss when it is sold.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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How do I save on taxes?
Here are some ways to save money on taxes:
* Mortgage interest on loans up to $1 million is completely deductible for the year in which you pay it to buy, build or improve your principal residence plus a second home.
* Points, or loan origination fees, also are deductible no matter who pays them, the buyer or the seller.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Are taxes on second Northborough homes deductible?
Mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible on a second home if you itemize. Check with your accountant or tax advisor for specifics.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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who gets a sold homes furnishings? |
Who gets the furnishings when a home is sold?
It depends. Fixtures, any kind of personal property that is permanently attached to a house (such as drapery rods, built-in bookcases, tacked-down carpeting or a furnace) automatically stay with the house unless specified otherwise in the sales contract. But anything that is not nailed down is negotiable. This most often involves appliances that are not built in (washer, dryer, refrigerator, for example), although some sellers will be interested in negotiating for other items, such as a piano.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 July 2008 )
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sellers disclosing other offers |
Do sellers have to disclose the terms of other offers?
Sellers are not legally obligated to disclose the terms of other offers to prospective buyers.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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considerations before buying |
What are some pre purchase considerations to think about?
When you buy a resale home, you can find out a lot more about the Boston MetroWest area property and the neighborhood before you buy than when you buy a new home.
Land to support new-home developments usually is located on the outskirts of town. Potential buyers should ask the developer about future access to public transit, entertainment activities, shopping centers, churches and schools. Find out how far it is to the nearest library, for example.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Do Boston MetroWest area builders offer financing?
Builders often include financing programs to help move more buyers into a project early on. If it's a buyer's market in the Boston MetroWest area, you can be sure that developers will offer incentives such as low-down-payment financing.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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are vacation homes an investment? |
What do you think of a Boston MetroWest area vacation home as an investment?
You can buy a vacation home today for investment purposes as well as enjoyment. And yes, there are tax benefits.
Some people buy a vacation home in the Boston MetroWest area to use as a permanent retirement home later, which allows them to get ahead on their payments. Another benefit is that the interest and property taxes on a vacation home are tax-deductible.
Some real estate experts predict that vacation homes will appreciate in value due to rising demand from the aging Baby Boom generation.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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Should I buy a vacation home? |
Should I buy a vacation home in Boston MetroWest ?
Today a vacation home can be purchased for investment purposes as well as enjoyment. And yes, there are tax benefits.
Some people buy a vacation home in the Boston MetroWest area with the idea of turning it into a permanent retirement home down the road, which puts them ahead on their payments. Another benefit is that the interest and property taxes are tax deductible, which helps to offset the cost of paying for a second home. A vacation home also can be depreciated if you live in it fewer than 14 days a year, or 10 percent of the rented days - whichever is greater.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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What is the best time to sell your Boston MetroWest house?
There is no "best" time to sell per se. Selling a house in the Boston MetroWest area depends on supply, demand and other economic factors. But the time of year in which you choose to sell can make a difference both in the amount of time it takes to sell your home and in the ultimate selling price.
Weather conditions are less of a consideration in more temperate climates, but most of the time, the real estate market picks up as early as February, with the strongest selling season usually lasting through May and June.
With the onset of summer, the market slows.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 September 2008 )
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