Attention Homebuyers: Double-Barrel Stimulus Deadlines

By Jamie Johnson The great author and speaker Og Mandino once said, “I will act now. I will act now. I will act now.” This is great advice for prospective homebuyers over the next 45 days, as two key government programs that have kept home ownership more affordable than ever wind down to their completion. First, the Federal Reserve’s Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) purchase program will come to an end on March 31, just two weeks away! Without this program home loan rates could have been at least 1.00% higher…and potentially even higher…over the last year. Throughout 2009, the Federal Reserve was the primary buyer for MBS, purchasing as much as 80% of the supply in a given month. When this program ends, a lack of willing buyers will likely cause MBS prices to drop and rates to rise as a result. The second shot will come on April 30th, which is the deadline for purchasers to get under contract to qualify for the Home Buyer Tax Credit program, which has been providing a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first time homebuyers and up to $6,500 to repeat purchasers. Just How Much Will Waiting Cost? While no one knows for certain what the future holds, two things appear clear. Home loan rates will likely be higher in the future, and free money from the government will be gone. These deadlines will affect both affordability to purchase and the opportunity to refinance. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, it was estimated that 37% of all borrowers with a 30-year fixed rate have interest rates of 6% or higher. The article also quotes Credit Suisse that more than half could lower their rate by nearly 0.75%. For prospective homebuyers, any increase in interest rates erodes your purchasing power. In other words, a 1% increase in rate represents an approximate decline in purchasing power by 10%. For example, if rates increase by 1%, people who qualify for a $200,000 purchase price today may only qualify for a purchase price of $180,000 afterwards. If you or anyone you know is looking to purchase or refinance a home, waiting could be costly! Act now…so you can save later!

 I am here to assist you!! 

Best regards,

Jamie Johnson

Mortgage Advocate

Security National Mortgage Company

6965 Union Park Center, Ste. 470

Midvale, UT 84047

Office:  801-748-4878

Mobile: 801-792-0583

Fax:  801-303-9232

Real Estate Investing- Save Money on Taxes

One of the most reliable and profitable investments you can make is to buy real estate. Whether you purchase commercial buildings, residential homes, or so-called “mixed use” property that can function as both a residence and a business location, there are many options and opportunities for a return on your capital.

And there are special government programs designed to facilitate your venture - grant programs for helping fund affordable houses, small business loans for minorities, low down payment options for veterans or active members of the military, and tax breaks for those who renovate and restore historical buildings, to name a few. Just by owning your own home, for example, you are guaranteed certain tax advantages in the form of deductions and exemptions. And those perks perform as “passive” investments, by saving you dollars that you would otherwise automatically part with each year at tax time.

Here are three of the most popular tax benefits enjoyed by homeowners:

Tax-free Capital Gains

If you have lived in your home for two years or more prior to selling it, you can qualify for a 100% exception on the profit you make at closing on your investment, thanks to legislation enacted in recent years. And you can do it as many times as you want - banking tax exempt profits on your home as often as five times a decade.

Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Many loans taken out to help pay for a home come with tax deductible interest payments. Yes, consumers would like to see interest rates stay low, because this helps them leverage the loan into equity. But many borrowers fail to realize that as rates rise, so do deductions that are tied to those interest rates. So in times of rising rates, tax deductions related to home ownership help to offset those costs.

Home Improvement Expenses

If you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you may be able to deduct the cost of repairs at tax time. And if you decide to sell the home you’re living in, you may be eligible for deductions for things like landscaping, painting, wallpaper, and carpet purchased within a few months of the sale.

And if you want to expand your real estate investment beyond simple home ownership, you can do what many first-time investors do, which is to purchase a home that also doubles as an income-producing property. You can, for instance, buy a duplex and rent half of it while you live in the other half or create an office space in your garage and deduct it as your home office. If you purchase two houses you can live in one while leasing the other one to help pay both mortgages. Or you can simply buy a residence that doubles as a business, as many Bed & Breakfast proprietors have chosen to do. Ask your tax planner to explain the benefits of owning your home or purchasing property for investment income. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the benefits are some of the best in the entire tax code.

But keep in mind that investments in real estate are not as limited as they used to be. The traditional options of buying property to live in, lease to others, or barter as a time-share are still viable and practical ways to help grow a nest egg. But there are also numerous other methods for leveraging investments in real estate, and many of them don’t even require an actual acquisition of real estate property.

You can, for instance, purchase a mutual fund that invests specifically in real estate assets, and in that way participate indirectly in the real estate market through shareholder ownership of stock. Or you can trade various real estate related options, trusts, and funds, and reap benefits from property equity without ever actually owning any buildings or land.

Whatever investment approach you choose, it is wise to take help from professionals who can assist you along the way. Attorneys who specialize in real estate, tax planners, Realtors, insurance brokers, and building appraisers and inspectors are among those experts who can offer guidance and insight to investors, to help them avoid risks while capitalizing on the potential that real estate offers to both experienced and first time investors.

About the Author

Troy Fullwood, self made millionaire, nationally known investor, real estate guru, speaker and coach; would like to share with you creative ways to building your own “Money Tree.” In 1997, Troy founded a company called Pinnacle Investments. The main focus is buying first lien performing and non-performing commercial and residential real estate notes.

Socially Responsible Real Estate Investing

There are many ways to practice socially responsible real estate investing. In this article I will outline what I believe to be the best way to invest in real estate in a socially responsible manner.

I run into all kinds of people, many of whom are less than charitable when they find out I own rental property, and that I also flip houses and mobile homes. I frequently find myself disagreeing with those same people about just what socially responsible real estate investing means. For some strange reason, many people are predisposed to look down on those who engage in such capitalistic endeavors. Often, these are the same people who take advantage one or more of the many government programs that my tax dollars support.

Here?s what I mean when I talk about socially responsible real estate investing.

I am a man of my word, so when I say I?m going to do something, I make every effort to do it. This applies to offers I make on properties, promises I make to tenants, and agreements I make with contractors and service providers. In my mind, there is no more powerful way to engage in socially responsible real estate investing.

Being a landlord and property investor makes me a productive member of my local economic community. I strongly support and add to the tax base, and help provide a healthy living to several Realtors, contractors, and service providers. I also bank locally, and contribute to my local Real Estate Investor club. These are all great ways to pursue socially responsible real estate investing.

In addition, I provide clean, safe, affordable housing to several tenants, including children and senior citizens. I also provide housing to those in the lower income brackets through HUD?s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. Providing this type of housing is another powerful way to practice socially responsible real estate investing.

There are those who believe that in order to practice socially responsible real estate investing, one needs to provide free housing to the deserving poor. I do not agree with that assessment. The Bible says, ?The laborer is worthy of his hire,? and certainly that applies to property owners. I commend those who choose to be charitable, but I do not believe it should be legislated. It needs to come from the heart, and be supported by a consistent practice of sound business principles.

That attitude, and the underlying economic practices, are reasons why the United States of America has been, and continues to be, the most charitable nation on the face of the earth. Practicing socially responsible real estate investing isn?t the result of some feel good nonsense, but rather the application of wise investing habits and moral consistency.

Now, go make more offers!

Socially Responsible Real Estate Investing

There are many ways to practice socially responsible real estate investing. In this article I will outline what I believe to be the best way to invest in real estate in a socially responsible manner.

I run into all kinds of people, many of whom are less than charitable when they find out I own rental property, and that I also flip houses and mobile homes. I frequently find myself disagreeing with those same people about just what socially responsible real estate investing means. For some strange reason, many people are predisposed to look down on those who engage in such capitalistic endeavors. Often, these are the same people who take advantage one or more of the many government programs that my tax dollars support.

Here?s what I mean when I talk about socially responsible real estate investing.

I am a man of my word, so when I say I?m going to do something, I make every effort to do it. This applies to offers I make on properties, promises I make to tenants, and agreements I make with contractors and service providers. In my mind, there is no more powerful way to engage in socially responsible real estate investing.

Being a landlord and property investor makes me a productive member of my local economic community. I strongly support and add to the tax base, and help provide a healthy living to several Realtors, contractors, and service providers. I also bank locally, and contribute to my local Real Estate Investor club. These are all great ways to pursue socially responsible real estate investing.

In addition, I provide clean, safe, affordable housing to several tenants, including children and senior citizens. I also provide housing to those in the lower income brackets through HUD?s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. Providing this type of housing is another powerful way to practice socially responsible real estate investing.

There are those who believe that in order to practice socially responsible real estate investing, one needs to provide free housing to the deserving poor. I do not agree with that assessment. The Bible says, ?The laborer is worthy of his hire,? and certainly that applies to property owners. I commend those who choose to be charitable, but I do not believe it should be legislated. It needs to come from the heart, and be supported by a consistent practice of sound business principles.

That attitude, and the underlying economic practices, are reasons why the United States of America has been, and continues to be, the most charitable nation on the face of the earth. Practicing socially responsible real estate investing isn?t the result of some feel good nonsense, but rather the application of wise investing habits and moral consistency.

Now, go make more offers!

Real Estate Investing- Save Money on Taxes

One of the most reliable and profitable investments you can make is to buy real estate. Whether you purchase commercial buildings, residential homes, or so-called “mixed use” property that can function as both a residence and a business location, there are many options and opportunities for a return on your capital.

And there are special government programs designed to facilitate your venture - grant programs for helping fund affordable houses, small business loans for minorities, low down payment options for veterans or active members of the military, and tax breaks for those who renovate and restore historical buildings, to name a few. Just by owning your own home, for example, you are guaranteed certain tax advantages in the form of deductions and exemptions. And those perks perform as “passive” investments, by saving you dollars that you would otherwise automatically part with each year at tax time.

Here are three of the most popular tax benefits enjoyed by homeowners:

Tax-free Capital Gains

If you have lived in your home for two years or more prior to selling it, you can qualify for a 100% exception on the profit you make at closing on your investment, thanks to legislation enacted in recent years. And you can do it as many times as you want - banking tax exempt profits on your home as often as five times a decade.

Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Many loans taken out to help pay for a home come with tax deductible interest payments. Yes, consumers would like to see interest rates stay low, because this helps them leverage the loan into equity. But many borrowers fail to realize that as rates rise, so do deductions that are tied to those interest rates. So in times of rising rates, tax deductions related to home ownership help to offset those costs.

Home Improvement Expenses

If you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you may be able to deduct the cost of repairs at tax time. And if you decide to sell the home you’re living in, you may be eligible for deductions for things like landscaping, painting, wallpaper, and carpet purchased within a few months of the sale.

And if you want to expand your real estate investment beyond simple home ownership, you can do what many first-time investors do, which is to purchase a home that also doubles as an income-producing property. You can, for instance, buy a duplex and rent half of it while you live in the other half or create an office space in your garage and deduct it as your home office. If you purchase two houses you can live in one while leasing the other one to help pay both mortgages. Or you can simply buy a residence that doubles as a business, as many Bed & Breakfast proprietors have chosen to do. Ask your tax planner to explain the benefits of owning your home or purchasing property for investment income. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the benefits are some of the best in the entire tax code.

But keep in mind that investments in real estate are not as limited as they used to be. The traditional options of buying property to live in, lease to others, or barter as a time-share are still viable and practical ways to help grow a nest egg. But there are also numerous other methods for leveraging investments in real estate, and many of them don’t even require an actual acquisition of real estate property.

You can, for instance, purchase a mutual fund that invests specifically in real estate assets, and in that way participate indirectly in the real estate market through shareholder ownership of stock. Or you can trade various real estate related options, trusts, and funds, and reap benefits from property equity without ever actually owning any buildings or land.

Whatever investment approach you choose, it is wise to take help from professionals who can assist you along the way. Attorneys who specialize in real estate, tax planners, Realtors, insurance brokers, and building appraisers and inspectors are among those experts who can offer guidance and insight to investors, to help them avoid risks while capitalizing on the potential that real estate offers to both experienced and first time investors.

About the Author

Troy Fullwood, self made millionaire, nationally known investor, real estate guru, speaker and coach; would like to share with you creative ways to building your own “Money Tree.” In 1997, Troy founded a company called Pinnacle Investments. The main focus is buying first lien performing and non-performing commercial and residential real estate notes.

Socially Responsible Real Estate Investing

There are many ways to practice socially responsible real estate investing. In this article I will outline what I believe to be the best way to invest in real estate in a socially responsible manner.

I run into all kinds of people, many of whom are less than charitable when they find out I own rental property, and that I also flip houses and mobile homes. I frequently find myself disagreeing with those same people about just what socially responsible real estate investing means. For some strange reason, many people are predisposed to look down on those who engage in such capitalistic endeavors. Often, these are the same people who take advantage one or more of the many government programs that my tax dollars support.

Here?s what I mean when I talk about socially responsible real estate investing.

I am a man of my word, so when I say I?m going to do something, I make every effort to do it. This applies to offers I make on properties, promises I make to tenants, and agreements I make with contractors and service providers. In my mind, there is no more powerful way to engage in socially responsible real estate investing.

Being a landlord and property investor makes me a productive member of my local economic community. I strongly support and add to the tax base, and help provide a healthy living to several Realtors, contractors, and service providers. I also bank locally, and contribute to my local Real Estate Investor club. These are all great ways to pursue socially responsible real estate investing.

In addition, I provide clean, safe, affordable housing to several tenants, including children and senior citizens. I also provide housing to those in the lower income brackets through HUD?s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. Providing this type of housing is another powerful way to practice socially responsible real estate investing.

There are those who believe that in order to practice socially responsible real estate investing, one needs to provide free housing to the deserving poor. I do not agree with that assessment. The Bible says, ?The laborer is worthy of his hire,? and certainly that applies to property owners. I commend those who choose to be charitable, but I do not believe it should be legislated. It needs to come from the heart, and be supported by a consistent practice of sound business principles.

That attitude, and the underlying economic practices, are reasons why the United States of America has been, and continues to be, the most charitable nation on the face of the earth. Practicing socially responsible real estate investing isn?t the result of some feel good nonsense, but rather the application of wise investing habits and moral consistency.

Now, go make more offers!

Real Estate Investing- Save Money on Taxes

One of the most reliable and profitable investments you can make is to buy real estate. Whether you purchase commercial buildings, residential homes, or so-called “mixed use” property that can function as both a residence and a business location, there are many options and opportunities for a return on your capital.

And there are special government programs designed to facilitate your venture - grant programs for helping fund affordable houses, small business loans for minorities, low down payment options for veterans or active members of the military, and tax breaks for those who renovate and restore historical buildings, to name a few. Just by owning your own home, for example, you are guaranteed certain tax advantages in the form of deductions and exemptions. And those perks perform as “passive” investments, by saving you dollars that you would otherwise automatically part with each year at tax time.

Here are three of the most popular tax benefits enjoyed by homeowners:

Tax-free Capital Gains

If you have lived in your home for two years or more prior to selling it, you can qualify for a 100% exception on the profit you make at closing on your investment, thanks to legislation enacted in recent years. And you can do it as many times as you want - banking tax exempt profits on your home as often as five times a decade.

Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Many loans taken out to help pay for a home come with tax deductible interest payments. Yes, consumers would like to see interest rates stay low, because this helps them leverage the loan into equity. But many borrowers fail to realize that as rates rise, so do deductions that are tied to those interest rates. So in times of rising rates, tax deductions related to home ownership help to offset those costs.

Home Improvement Expenses

If you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you may be able to deduct the cost of repairs at tax time. And if you decide to sell the home you’re living in, you may be eligible for deductions for things like landscaping, painting, wallpaper, and carpet purchased within a few months of the sale.

And if you want to expand your real estate investment beyond simple home ownership, you can do what many first-time investors do, which is to purchase a home that also doubles as an income-producing property. You can, for instance, buy a duplex and rent half of it while you live in the other half or create an office space in your garage and deduct it as your home office. If you purchase two houses you can live in one while leasing the other one to help pay both mortgages. Or you can simply buy a residence that doubles as a business, as many Bed & Breakfast proprietors have chosen to do. Ask your tax planner to explain the benefits of owning your home or purchasing property for investment income. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the benefits are some of the best in the entire tax code.

But keep in mind that investments in real estate are not as limited as they used to be. The traditional options of buying property to live in, lease to others, or barter as a time-share are still viable and practical ways to help grow a nest egg. But there are also numerous other methods for leveraging investments in real estate, and many of them don’t even require an actual acquisition of real estate property.

You can, for instance, purchase a mutual fund that invests specifically in real estate assets, and in that way participate indirectly in the real estate market through shareholder ownership of stock. Or you can trade various real estate related options, trusts, and funds, and reap benefits from property equity without ever actually owning any buildings or land.

Whatever investment approach you choose, it is wise to take help from professionals who can assist you along the way. Attorneys who specialize in real estate, tax planners, Realtors, insurance brokers, and building appraisers and inspectors are among those experts who can offer guidance and insight to investors, to help them avoid risks while capitalizing on the potential that real estate offers to both experienced and first time investors.

About the Author

Troy Fullwood, self made millionaire, nationally known investor, real estate guru, speaker and coach; would like to share with you creative ways to building your own “Money Tree.” In 1997, Troy founded a company called Pinnacle Investments. The main focus is buying first lien performing and non-performing commercial and residential real estate notes.

Socially Responsible Real Estate Investing

There are many ways to practice socially responsible real estate investing. In this article I will outline what I believe to be the best way to invest in real estate in a socially responsible manner.

I run into all kinds of people, many of whom are less than charitable when they find out I own rental property, and that I also flip houses and mobile homes. I frequently find myself disagreeing with those same people about just what socially responsible real estate investing means. For some strange reason, many people are predisposed to look down on those who engage in such capitalistic endeavors. Often, these are the same people who take advantage one or more of the many government programs that my tax dollars support.

Here?s what I mean when I talk about socially responsible real estate investing.

I am a man of my word, so when I say I?m going to do something, I make every effort to do it. This applies to offers I make on properties, promises I make to tenants, and agreements I make with contractors and service providers. In my mind, there is no more powerful way to engage in socially responsible real estate investing.

Being a landlord and property investor makes me a productive member of my local economic community. I strongly support and add to the tax base, and help provide a healthy living to several Realtors, contractors, and service providers. I also bank locally, and contribute to my local Real Estate Investor club. These are all great ways to pursue socially responsible real estate investing.

In addition, I provide clean, safe, affordable housing to several tenants, including children and senior citizens. I also provide housing to those in the lower income brackets through HUD?s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. Providing this type of housing is another powerful way to practice socially responsible real estate investing.

There are those who believe that in order to practice socially responsible real estate investing, one needs to provide free housing to the deserving poor. I do not agree with that assessment. The Bible says, ?The laborer is worthy of his hire,? and certainly that applies to property owners. I commend those who choose to be charitable, but I do not believe it should be legislated. It needs to come from the heart, and be supported by a consistent practice of sound business principles.

That attitude, and the underlying economic practices, are reasons why the United States of America has been, and continues to be, the most charitable nation on the face of the earth. Practicing socially responsible real estate investing isn?t the result of some feel good nonsense, but rather the application of wise investing habits and moral consistency.

Now, go make more offers!