Congrats! Your house is selling for substantially more than you paid for it! That’s a good thing… or is it? There are some scenarios when selling a home will come with hidden fees and tax liabilities.The IRS may want a chunk of the profits in the form of capital gains tax. But there are ways that homeowners can avoid taxes on home sales.
The time leading up to a new home purchase can be confusing and stressful. Between saving up for a down payment and worrying about how much the closing costs will add up to, the last thing anyone wants to think about is the possibility that a new home might come with worn out appliances or a ticking time bomb of a plumbing system. One way to combat the stress of additional unexpected expenses when buying a new home is to consider a home warranty.
It is commonly known that a lot of debt can stand in the way of getting a good mortgage rate. And owing too much could prevent someone from getting a home loan at all. But what if you’re in the process of trying to reduce your debt payments? For example, does debt consolidation affect buying a home?
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The real estate market is still hot, and now, interest rates are going up again. It is more important than ever for those looking at homes to have a substantial down payment ready. (This is particularly true for new home buyers who won’t have proceeds from a house sale to start with.) Not only will this lessen the amount a buyer needs to borrow, but a good down payment makes buyers more attractive to lenders.
People can have bad credit for all kinds of reasons. Does that mean they can’t own a home of their own? A bad credit score will make the process more challenging, but getting a loan and becoming a homeowner can happen.
Buying a home with bad credit is possible with patience, determination, and an understanding of how the home buying process works.
As we write this, real estate is experiencing a strong seller’s market. Not only is it easy to find a buyer in almost every part of the country, but bidding wars are also common. But before sellers get too excited about their profits, they need to remember that they won’t simply walk away with the sale price minus the balance left to pay on their mortgage. They must also consider seller closing costs.
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It’s not news that buying a house is a big financial investment. But many first-time buyers wonder if buying a home is worth it. They wonder how long it will take before breaking even compared to renting. The St. Louis region actually has one of the shortest break-even times in the country.
Taking on a mortgage, especially as a first-time homebuyer, can be intimidating. Finding out that it can lower your credit score can be downright stressful. It’s a bit of a “Catch 22”: You need good credit to buy a house, but buying a house lowers your credit.
Whether buying or selling a home in St. Louis, finding the best realtor will involve some work. You’ll want to ask people you know for referrals, do some research, and finally, interview the best candidates. (Read Follow These 3 Steps to Find a Real Estate Agent.) Sales statistics and experience are important, but you need to feel confident in your decision on a more personal level, too.
After the real estate bubble burst in 2008, it seemed like foreclosed houses could be found in almost every neighborhood across the country. The number of foreclosed homes reached an all-time high in 2010 but has steadily decreased each year since. Nevertheless, as long as there have been mortgages, there have been people unable to pay them. Buyers can get a bargain buying a foreclosed home. But if they’re not cautious, they can get more than they bargained for.
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