Tax Season Savings for Homeowners

Tax Season Savings for Homeowners

Well, it is getting close to that time of year…April 15^th Tax Day.  Since likely none of us are tax experts, we should be prepared with questions for the tax professional to make sure we’re getting our optimal deductions (and probably to annoy the poor tax preparer.)

Here are some deductions you may be able to use:

Mortgage interest. You will receive a form 1098 from your lender with the amount of interest paid in 2015. For many who itemize this is the biggest deduction. And for first time homebuyers, you can deduct any prepaid interest you pay at closing.

Points on mortgage or refinancing. You may have paid points to your lender. According to TurboTax, “If the loan is secured by your home and the amount of points you pay is typical for your area, the points are deductible as interest as long as the cash you paid at closing via your down payment equals the points.”

Loan origination fees. Many mortgages have loan origination fees and some of these fees can be deducted.  See which loans qualify for this deduction. Make sure your loan meets the qualifications for this deduction.

Property taxes. A major deduction is your property taxes. For many, this is a large chunk of your monthly mortgage payment.  If you purchased your home in 2014, you can deduct the prorated property taxes you paid to reimburse the seller for property taxes they made during the time you owned the home. That number can be found on your settlement sheet.

Home equity loan interest. If you took out home equity or improvement loan, then you may be able to deduct the interest.

Mortgage insurance. If you pay private mortgage insurance, or PMI, don’t forget to take that deduction, too.

Home office. Do you use a portion of your home for business only? Then this deduction may be for you.

Selling your home. There are several tax breaks for those who sold their home in 2014 and generally are used to reduce a capital gain. Some of these deductions can include: title insurance, real estate brokerage fees, escrow fees, inspection fees, legal fees and/or advertising. And if you moved because of a new job more than 50 miles away, then you may be able to deduct moving expenses.

P.S. Please consult your tax professional or consult www.irs.gov to see which deductions you may qualify for. 

Rents Still Skyrocketing

Rents Still Skyrocketing

Zillow recently revealed that the 43 million renter households in the US spent $535 billion on rent in 2015. Aggregate numbers like these often make it difficult to truly assess a situation. For more clarity, we want to share some points that were made in a Wall Street Journal article earlier this month.

The article made two important points:

1. Rents are increasing faster than the last several years:

 “Apartment rents increased faster last year than at any time since 2007.”

2. Rent increases are accelerating

“Another report from Axiometrics Inc., a Dallas-based apartment research company, showed that rents increased 4.7% in the fourth quarter compared with the same quarter a year earlier, the strongest year-end performance since 2005”.

Here is a graph to illustrate the rate of increase over the last several years:

Last year, the Twin Cities housing market had the most closed sales since 2005.

REALTOR Associations said sales were up 13.7 percent from 2014 to 2015, and the median home sales price also increased 7 percent to $220,000.  The report says the average home in the Twin Cities metro only spent 76 days on the market, which is a 10-year low.  Single-family homes and townhouse-condo segments sold at 96.6 percent of the original listing, and new construction topped out at 99.6 percent of the original listing. The numbers mean that sellers are accepting near-full price offers on their listings. 

As for 2016, realtors say low interest rates, rising rents, wage increases and the low unemployment rate will continue to be positive factors for the Twin Cities market.

A bit more local commentary…

A pattern is emerging that shows a fresh willingness by sellers to put homes on the market and buyers to enter the market. New listings are on the rise, if not in year over-year comparison, then certainly in week-over-week views, as we bounce well past the new year. Inventory is seemingly unfazed by the new 2016 calendar on the wall, as the trend line has remained roughly the same for the first weeks in January as the last weeks in December. If sales activity builds on what's happening now and reaches a slow boil, it would be surprising if more inventory mix wasn't added to the water soon.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending January 16:

* New Listings decreased 8.8% to 978
* Pending Sales increased 3.5% to 672
* Inventory decreased 20.3% to 10,392

Thinking of Buying? Selling? Five Reasons You Need To Hire A Professional

Thinking of Buying? Selling? Five Reasons You Need To Hire A Professional

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it can be quite an adventurous journey. You need an experienced Real Estate Professional to lead you to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or FSBO.

The 5 Reasons You NEED a Real Estate Professional in your corner haven’t changed, but have rather been strengthened due to the projections of higher mortgage interest rates & home prices as the market continues to recover.

1. What do you do with all this paperwork?

Each state has different regulations regarding the contracts required for a successful sale, and these regulations are constantly changing. A true Real Estate Professional is an expert in their market and can guide you through the stacks of paperwork necessary to make your dream a reality.

2. Ok, so you found your dream house, now what?

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, there are literally hundreds of actions that need to take place during every successful real estate transaction. Don’t you want someone who has been there before, who knows what these actions are to make sure that you acquire your dream.

3. Are you a good negotiator?

So maybe you’re not convinced that you need an agent to sell your home. However, after looking at the list of parties that you need to be prepared to negotiate with, you’ll realize the value in selecting a Real Estate Professional. From the buyer (who wants the best deal possible), to the home inspection companies, to the appraiser, there are at least 11 different people that you will have to be knowledgeable with and answer to, during the process.

4. What is the home you’re buying/selling really worth?

It is important for your home to be priced correctly from the start to attract the right buyers and shorten the time that it’s on the market. You need someone who is not emotionally connected to your home to give you the truth as to your home’s value. According to the National Association of REALTORS, “the typical FSBO home sold for $210,000 compared to $245,000 among agent-assisted home sales.”

Get the most out of your transaction by hiring a professional.

5. Do you know what’s really going on in the market?

There is so much information out there on the news and the internet about home sales, prices, mortgage rates; how do you know what’s going on specifically in your area? Who do you turn to in order to competitively price your home correctly at the beginning of the selling process? How do you know what to offer on your dream home without paying too much, or offending the seller with a low-ball offer?

Dave Ramsey, the financial guru advises:

“When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.”

Hiring Liz Sandwick as your Coldwell Banker Burnet Real Estate Professional  with her finger on the pulse of the market will make your buying and/or selling experience an educated one. You need someone who is going to tell you the truth, not just what they think you want to hear.

Bottom Line

You wouldn’t replace the engine in your car without a trusted mechanic. Why would you make one of your most important financial decisions of your life without hiring Liz Sandwick your Coldwell Banker Burnet Real Estate Professional?

6 Important Things You Need to Know About the Housing Market in 2016

6 Important Things You Need to Know About the Housing Market in 2016

Buying a home is still part of the American dream.

According to a survey from Trulia, 75% of Americans dream of owning a home, up 1% from 2015. This dream is even more pressing among Millennials because 80% of those surveyed would like to buy a home — and 31% would like to do so by 2018.

Whether you're looking to buy a home this year or already own one, there are important factors that will affect your investment. Here are the six important things you need to know about the housing market in 2016.

1. Mortgage Rates Are Staying Low (For Now!)

The Fed's December 2015 interest rate hike had many consumers worried that rock-bottom mortgage rates would finally come to an end. However, the economic events of the first two weeks of 2016 show that low mortgage rates will stick around for a bit longer.

Given the lackluster performance of the stock market, many investors are buying bonds and driving down the yields of these investment vehicles. This is great news for those looking for a home loan, because the interest rates on 30-year mortgage loans are highly correlated with the yield of the U.S. Treasury 10-year bond. According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage average in the U.S. was 3.97% on January 7, 2016, down from 4.1% in December 31, 2015.

2. HARP Refinance Deadline Receives Extension

Many experts expect mortgage interest rates to increase further down the road. Those mortgage holders that haven't been able to refinance to a lower rate yet should think about doing so this year — especially homeowners that are underwater on their mortgages.

As of January 2015, about 700,000 borrowers who owed more than their homes were worth were still eligible to refinance their loans through the HARP program from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). HARP was originally set to expire at the end of 2015, but it was extended for an additional year, until the end of 2016.

Nearly 3.3 million Americans have benefited from a HARP refinance to lower their monthly payments on their mortgages. The five basic requirements to qualify for a HARP refinance are:

• Loan was originated on or before May 31, 2009.
• Property is a primary residence, one-unit second home, or one- to four-unit investment property.
• Loan is owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae.
• Current loan-to-value ratio must be greater than 80%.
• Borrower is current on the mortgage, with no over-30-day late payments in the last six months and no more than one in the past 12 months.

There are still close to 430,000 HARP-eligible loans out there and you can check the eligibility of loans by zip code.

3. Home Prices Are Rising Less Than in Previous Years

One of the necessities that will be cheaper in 2016 is the single-family home. In 2016, the national average price for a single-family home is expected to be 3% higher than last year, a much slower rate of growth than 2015's 5% increase.

4. Rent Prices Are Increasing Faster

On the other hand, rent prices are expected to increase sharply. In the third quarter of 2015, U.S. home buyers were spending 15% of their monthly income on the mortgage payment of a typical home, while U.S. renters were spending 30% of their monthly income on the rent payment of a median-valued property.

Higher rent prices will continue to be norm in 2016. According to a survey of more than 500 large U.S. property managers, rental inventory is at the lowest level in over 20 years.

A smaller inventory of available units for rent enables landlords to demand higher prices from renters. Of the surveyed property managers, 55% reported to be "less likely to offer concessions or lower rents to fill vacancies" and 68% of them expected to continue raising their rental rates in 2016 by an average of 8%.

5. New FHA Loan Limits Take Effect

On December 9, 2015, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced its new schedule of loan limits for 2016. FHA home loans allow homebuyers to access financing with a minimum 3.5% down payment of the market value of the property, among other requirements.

Given the changes to median house prices in certain metropolitan areas, in 2016 the maximum FHA loan limit is higher in 188 counties. However, the maximum nationwide FHA loan limit remains at $625,500 (here is a list of areas that are at the ceiling or that are considered "high cost.") On the other hand, in 2016 the minimum FHA loan limit doesn't decrease for any areas in the country.

6. Fannie Mae Loosens Some Requirements

The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), better known as Fannie Mae, is giving Americans a break in 2016. Through its new Home Ready mortgage program, Fannie Mae aims to broaden access to home financing to credit-worthy low-to-moderate income borrowers.

Contact Liz Sandwick your Coldwell Banker Burnet Real Estate Professional to analyze all of the options and opportunities available to you in today’s marketplace. Call or Text: 612-548-4549 or Email: LizSandwick@gmail.com

August Real Estate Report 2015

Selling Your Home? Price It Right From the Start!

In today’s market, where demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the country, pricing a house is one of the biggest challenges real estate professionals face. Sellers often want to price their home higher than recommended, and many agents go along with the idea to keep their clients happy. However, the best agents realize that telling the homeowner the truth is more important than getting the seller to like them.

There is no “later.”

Sellers sometimes think, “If the home doesn’t sell for this price, I can always lower it later.” However, research proves that homes that experience a listing price reduction sit on the market longer, ultimately selling for less than similar homes.

John Knight, recipient of the University Distinguished Faculty Award from the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific, actually did research on the cost (in both time and money) to a seller who priced high at the beginning and then lowered the their price. In his article, Listing Price, Time on Market and Ultimate Selling Price published in Real Estate Economics revealed:

“Homes that underwent a price revision sold for less, and the greater the revision, the lower the selling price. Also, the longer the home remains on the market, the lower its ultimate selling price.”

Additionally, the “I’ll lower the price later” approach can paint a negative image in buyers’ minds. Each time a price reduction occurs, buyers can naturally think, “Something must be wrong with that house.” Then when a buyer does make an offer, they low-ball the price because they see the seller as “highly motivated.” Pricing it right from the start eliminates these challenges.

Don’t build “negotiation room” into the price.

Many sellers say that they want to price their home high in order to have “negotiation room.” But, what this actually does is lower the number of potential buyers that see the house. And we know that limiting demand like this will negatively impact the sales price of the house.

Not sure about this? Think of it this way: when a buyer is looking for a home online (as they are doing more and more often), they put in their desired price range. If your seller is looking to sell their house for $400,000, but lists it at $425,000 to build in “negotiation room,” any potential buyers that search in the $350k-$400k range won’t even know your listing is available, let alone come see it!

One great way to see this is with the chart below. The higher you price your home over its market value, the less potential buyers will actually see your home when searching.

A better strategy would be to price it properly from the beginning and bring in multiple offers. This forces these buyers to compete against each other for the “right” to purchase your house.

Look at it this way: if you only receive one offer, you are set up in an adversarial position against the prospective buyer. If, however, you have multiple offers, you have two or more buyers fighting to please you. Which will result in a better selling situation?

The Price is Right

Great pricing comes down to truly understanding the real estate dynamics in your neighborhood. Look for an agent that will take the time to simply and effectively explain what is happening in the housing market and how it applies to your home.

You need an agent that will tell you what you need to know rather than what you want to hear. This will put you in the best possible position.  Your Coldwell Banker Burnet Real Estate Professional is that agent.

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As always, if you are looking for insightful social media content, visit the Coldwell Banker blog for terrific articles which are so simple to re-post.  Click the image as follows to visit the blog site:

Lastly, A brief commentary on the Twin Cities most recent market metrics:

According to the U.S. Census, homeownership is at 63.4 percent for the second quarter of 2015, down 1.3 percent from the second quarter of 2014.  This is the lowest rate of homeownership since 1967.  To put that in greater context, homeownership peaked at 69.2 percent in 2004, and the 50-year average is 65.3 percent.  Although the data may be indicating otherwise on a macro level, mortgage applications have kept REALTORS® busy through summer.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending July 25:

• New Listings increased 1.2% to 1,804

• Pending Sales increased 21.3% to 1,362

• Inventory decreased 9.8% to 17,125

For the month of June:

• Median Sales Price increased 4.7% to $229,900

• Days on Market decreased 5.7% to 66

• Percent of Original List Price Received increased 0.5% to 97.7%

• Month’s Supply of Inventory decreased 15.9% to 3.7

Selling Your House?

From Keeping Current Matters: 

In today’s market, where demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the country, pricing a house is one of the biggest challenges real estate professionals face. Sellers often want to price their home higher than recommended, and many agents go along with the idea to keep their clients happy. However, the best agents realize that telling the homeowner the truth is more important than getting the seller to like them.

There is no “later.”

Sellers sometimes think, “If the home doesn’t sell for this price, I can always lower it later.” However, research proves that homes that experience a listing price reduction sit on the market longer, ultimately selling for less than similar homes.

John Knight, recipient of the University Distinguished Faculty Award from the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific, actually did research on the cost (in both time and money) to a seller who priced high at the beginning and then lowered the their price. In his article, Listing Price, Time on Market and Ultimate Selling Pricepublished in Real Estate Economics revealed:

“Homes that underwent a price revision sold for less, and the greater the revision, the lower the selling price. Also, the longer the home remains on the market, the lower its ultimate selling price.”

Additionally, the “I’ll lower the price later” approach can paint a negative image in buyers’ minds. Each time a price reduction occurs, buyers can naturally think, “Something must be wrong with that house.” Then when a buyer does make an offer, they low-ball the price because they see the seller as “highly motivated.” Pricing it right from the start eliminates these challenges.

Don’t build “negotiation room” into the price.

Many sellers say that they want to price their home high in order to have “negotiation room.” But, what this actually does is lower the number of potential buyers that see the house. And we know that limiting demand like this will negatively impact the sales price of the house.

Not sure about this? Think of it this way: when a buyer is looking for a home online (as they are doing more and more often), they put in their desired price range. If your seller is looking to sell their house for $400,000, but lists it at $425,000 to build in “negotiation room,” any potential buyers that search in the $350k-$400k range won’t even know your listing is available, let alone come see it!

A better strategy would be to price it properly from the beginning and bring in multiple offers. This forces these buyers to compete against each other for the “right” to purchase your house.

Look at it this way: if you only receive one offer, you are set up in an adversarial position against the prospective buyer. If, however, you have multiple offers, you have two or more buyers fighting to please you. Which will result in a better selling situation?

The Price is Right

Great pricing comes down to truly understanding the real estate dynamics in your neighborhood. Look for an agent that will take the time to simply and effectively explain what is happening in the housing market and how it applies to your home. You need an agent that will tell you what you need to know rather than what you want to hear. This will put you in the best possible position.

Four Reasons to Buy Before Winter

Four Reasons to Buy Before Winter

It's that time of year, the seasons are changing and with them bring thoughts of the upcoming holidays, family get-togethers, and planning for a new year. Those who are on the fence about whether now is the right time to buy don't have to look much farther to find four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

The Home Price Expectation Survey polls a distinguished panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts. Their most recent report released recently projects appreciation in home values over the next five years to be between 11.2% (most pessimistic) and 27.8% (most optimistic).

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Although Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have softened recently, most experts predict that they will begin to rise later this year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will be up almost a full percentage point by the end of next year.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. Your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.

3. Either Way You are Paying a Mortgage

As a recent paper from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains: “Households must consume housing whether they own or rent. Not even accounting for more favorable tax treatment of owning, homeowners pay debt service to pay down their own principal while households that rent pay down the principal of a landlord plus a rate of return. That’s yet another reason owning often does—as Americans intuit—end up making more financial sense than renting.”

4. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise. But, what if they weren’t? Would you wait? Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide whether it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe it is time to buy.

Bottom Line

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.