Well, well, well… what an interesting year 2013 is shaping up to be!
The U.S. is still, at least according to the U.S., the world's largest economy. Super!
Of course, U.S. gross national production includes the value of goods and services Americans produce regardless of their location – even overseas! But where do those employees live, rent homes, and spend money with local businesses (who rent homes and office space locally)?
Real estate investors typically care where the people are because people and their income is what gives real estate its value. After all, there's lots of land on the moon, but it isn't worth much because there aren't any people there… at least not yet!
The National Association of Realtors said on Thursday what home buyers and real estate investors in many parts of the United States have known for months: it’s becoming a seller’s market.
Non-payment of rent is a serious problem. It is one of those predicaments that places the landlord in a difficult situation. Moral and ethical values are often challenged by the need to collect the rent. If your only two choices are to evict a family that has fallen on hard times, or to go weeks or months without getting paid, the right choice isn't always obvious. Most landlords have a conscience and genuinely care about the safety and well-being of their tenants. So the challenge is finding a solution that works out well for your tenant, as well as for your bottom line.
Investing in income producing property can be the single-most rewarding aspect of getting into real estate. Yet, it also comes with some significant responsibilities including mortgages, maintenance and property taxes. In some cases, annual property taxes can be astronomical for high dollar value properties and regions where the housing market is popular. Additionally, there are some regions where property tax assessments are not handled well, leaving real estate investors and home owners paying far more than the properties are actually worth.
If you're self-employed or have a small business, the idea of a 401(k) may make you jump to two conclusions: “My company is too small” or “I can’t afford it.” Well, you’re not too small and you can afford it!
Regulators issued new mortgage rules last week designed to prevent a return to lending practices that helped crater the housing market and brought the financial system to its knees during the past decade.
A tax break that has long been untouchable could soon be in for some serious scrutiny. Many home buyers deduct their mortgage interest when assessing their tax bill, a perk that has helped bolster the income of millions of families – and the broader housing market. But as President Obama and Congress try to hash out a deal to reduce the budget deficit, the mortgage interest deduction will likely be part of the discussion.
