Tax season is here, and not all write-offs are as obvious as others. According to Michael Gillen, director of the Tax Accounting Group at a Philadelphia-based law firm, Duane Morris, “There are a lot of overlooked deductions” aside from property taxes and mortgage interest. A few areas you may overlook include, prorated real estate tax, prepaid interest, tax credits and points. Prorated real estate...

There are two main taxes to consider when discussing real estate in the U.S.: real property tax and capital gains tax. The market value of a property at the time of purchase determines the real property tax, while the capital gains taxes are assessed based on the net profit at the time of the sale. The amount of tax levied on a property is usually determined by the length of time it is held. According to...

As the interest in urban housing in metropolitan areas balloons, it is becoming clear that urban-style amenities are at the top of the list of must-haves for both Home buyers and renters. Home-Buyers and seekers are now looking for functional spaces with surroundings that complement their busy lifestyle. Our advice on What Matters To Home Buyers, is best explained with a few of the key characteristics that...

While Hong Kong’s luxury segment is poised to remain stable, according to a market report released Wednesday, residential sales are expected to decrease overall in December due to the impact of the double stamp duty and other seasonal factors. The changes noted in December’s forecast were not altogether unexpected, considering the cooling measures the government imposed in early November. Knight...

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Very few things in life are more exhilarating than finding the home of your dreams, but even fewer are more heart-wrenching than realizing it is over budget and out of reach. Or, is it? If this is truly your dream home, there are some budget saving tips that you can employ to keep your budget from going bust. Here are a few ways to turn that dream home into your new home. Budget Saving Tip #1: Be...

Deciding on and securing your first home is a journey with many potential plot twists. Along the way, expectations will be readjusted, minds will be changed, and snags will probably pop up. In the end, though, when things come together, the destination is hopefully a place you can comfortably call home for at least the next five to seven years. That may not seem like much of a commitment, but five years...

Potential home buyers should not get dismayed due to the “tight credit box.” Even in this challenging housing market, with loans consistently going to a relatively narrow segment of the market, savvy real estate agents with strong knowledge of the marketplace can meet the needs of potential homebuyers with less than perfect credit. Agents with experience know to look for solutions offered by...

At first glance, it may seem that mortgage credit, for all but the most pristine borrowers, remains very tight. According to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray, although the millennial generation is beginning to show more interest in home-owning opportunities, they, like many others, are hindered by the issue of tightening credit. According to Credit Sesame, the average...

While selling a home can be tough, some sellers can inadvertently make the process even more challenging for themselves. According to the agents in the Raise The Bar Facebook group,  sellers looking to make life easier for themselves should definitely avoid making the following mistakes: 1. Unless you are an agent, avoid the for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) route As noted in one of the group’s popular...