Jacinto's Blog

The FSBO Myth

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:28:49 -0600

Real estate transactions can be tricky. The widespread myth that selling real estate is easy has lured many home sellers into making expensive mistakes by trying (and failing) to sell their own home.

Many people assume that all you need is a sales contract, a classified ad and a "For Sale" sign. But even the most basic step -- setting the correct sale price -- depends on a number of factors. The location, size and condition of your home, the relationship between the local supply of homes and the number of qualified buyers, and the recent selling prices of comparable homes in your neighborhood all affect the market value of your property. Homeowners who sell without a professional realtor often misread the local market and overprice the home.

Sellers might also mishandle contingencies, home inspections, title clearance, deadlines and disclosures. The advice and guidance of an experienced real estate agent is essential to ensure that you avoid the risk of expensive litigation and ensure a successful home sale.

Investment Properties - Tenant Tips

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:25:22 -0600

When you buy an investment property, finding and keeping a tenant is very important. It's been said that a little caution during the screening process can save a lot of headaches later on.

You can rely on an intuitive sense of how a prospect feels to you. While this is an important aspect of a landlord's decision-making process, following up on your intuition by checking on the facts is definitely worthwhile. Have prospective tenants fill out an application giving employment references and the names and addresses of previous landlords. The application should also include written permission for you to run a credit check. In most areas, it is difficult and expensive to evict someone who turns out to be less than a model tenant. Only after you check their references and credit history should you allow them to move in.

Factors to consider when selling your home.

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:20:18 -0600

There are many factors to consider when you are contemplating making a move. Price is one of the most important.

Another factor to consider is when to sell. The decision about when to put your home on the market is usually determined by when you want or need to move. Once you have decided on a move date, we can analyze the approximate time your home should take to sell by looking at the average time on the market for comparable homes in your price range. I would be happy to gather that information for you when you are ready.

When you do decide to sell, you'll want to view your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. Some points of consideration are:

* Is your home in 'show shape'?
* Are there repairs that need to be made?
* Does the paint need a bit of touching up?

Proper pricing and a home that is in 'show shape' will eliminate some of the hassles and help sell your home faster, maximizing your time and profits.

Fantastic closing gift, new client gift, and prospecting gift!

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:35:57 -0500

I found a fantastic service that I have been using to secure new business, give great closing gifts to clients, or hand out for rapport and lead generation. Basically it is a website where you pay $99.00 a month and you can print out unlimited vacation certificates for your clients. There is no strings attached or hidden salespitch/timeshare presentations. Check out the link I put up on my own personal website: http://www.jacintoshomes.com/a-vacation-on-me.asp.

So far it has been fantastic at building rapport with new clients, or on my listings I can include "free 3 day, 2 night Bahamas cruise when you purchase this home!"

Send me an email at jhausinger@gmail.com if you would like to find out more. I will send you a travel certificate so you can see what they are. It is truly awesome!

Your Tax Free Profits

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:12:07 -0500

Significant tax reform legislation was signed into law with the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. This legislation replaced both the one-time $125,000 tax-free exclusion for homeowners aged 55 and older, and the "rollover" deferment of capital gains tax requiring the purchase of a replacement home of higher or equal cost within two years of the sale of your principal residence.

With this change, a married couple filing their taxes jointly pays capital gains taxes only on that portion of home sales profits that exceeds $500,000. Single taxpayers, heads of households, and married persons filing separately may exclude up to $250,000. The exclusion is available for all sales of homes that occurred on or after May 6, 1997. Homeowners can use this tax-free provision every two years.

You are allowed to keep these tax-free profits only if you have owned and used the home as your principal residence for two out of the five years prior to the sale of the property. Although the regulations do not require continuous occupancy, the IRS specifies that your principal residence must be the home you use for the majority of time during the year. Consult your tax advisor about your personal circumstance.

Your Principle Residence

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:10:47 -0500

The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.

Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.

Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.

Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.

Taxable Profits

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:08:46 -0500

If you are thinking of selling your home and your house has risen in value since you purchased it, or you have accumulated a lot of deferred profit from previous sales, the Taxpayer Relief Act passed in 1997 could be of tremendous value.

Prior to this law, when a homeowner moved to a smaller home, relocated to a less costly area, or made a decision to rent, they were left with unfavorable tax consequences. The old tax law allowed people who sold their homes to defer tax on any profit by buying a replacement home of at least equal value within two years. At age 55, they could permanently escape tax on up to $125,000 of profit, but any profit in excess of that amount was taxable unless a new home was bought.

The good news is that with homes sold after May 6, 1997, homeowners can make as much as $500,000 tax-free profits on the sale of a principal residence for joint filers or $250,000 for single filers. The $500,000 capital gains exclusion removed taxes as a consideration for most home sellers by giving them flexibility to trade up or down. It has also allowed homeowners to preserve the savings value of a home when they sell, provided they use the property as their principal residence for two of the prior five years prior to the sale.

Consult your tax advisor for your particular circumstance.

Tax Rewards for Homeowners

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:07:52 -0500

The Federal Tax Code has significantly improved the American taxpayer's ability to profit by selling a principal residence. Prior to 1997, homeowners could take advantage of a tax benefit termed the "rollover", which granted exemption from capital gains taxes on the net profit from the sale of a home. Homeowners who used profits to purchase a bigger and better home did not have to pay tax. And homeowners over the age of 55 were given a once-in-a-lifetime exclusion from taxes on profits of up to $125,000 on the sale of their principal residence.

Compare those tax breaks with our current, streamlined and potentially more profitable arrangement that replaced both the rollover and the one-time exemption. If you are a married home-seller filing jointly, you may enjoy up to $500,000 in tax-free home sale profits, provided you have occupied the property as your principal residence during two of the last five years. Taxpayers who file singly get a $250,000 capital gains exclusion. Homeowners are eligible to exclude capital gains on the sale of a principal residence as often as once every two years.

The law allows capital gain exclusions whether you "buy up" to a more expensive home or "buy down" to a less expensive one. The tax-free dollars can be used in any way you want. Consult your tax advisor for detailed advice about your particular circumstance.

Tax Deductions

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:06:04 -0500

Here is a question which is often asked about real estate sales: which home loan fees are deductible for income tax purposes? It is good to know the answer to this question before you sign on the dotted line. It may influence which loan you will choose. Loan fees for certain services are not itemized on your fee statement, but are grouped together into a single category.

The most obvious deductible fee is the loan fee paid to acquire a mortgage for a principal residence. The IRS recently ruled that the buyer could deduct the fee in the first year, even if the seller paid it! Other deductions include pro-rated property taxes and mortgage interest. On these items, the buyer may only deduct their share.

Most of the other closing costs are not deductible, but you may add them to your home's adjusted cost basis when calculating appreciation. Among these costs are appraisal, attorney, and inspection fees, as well as title, recording and notary fees. Fire insurance fees are neither deductible nor do they figure into the cost basis. If you are not sure which fees are deductible, consult a professional tax advisor.

Tax Breaks

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:05:27 -0500

Most homeowners are keenly aware of the interest tax deduction on their home loan, but there are many other tax breaks which are often overlooked at income tax time. Pro-rated property taxes and mortgage interest in the year of sale are deductible. You will find these amounts listed on your closing settlement statement. If you paid off your mortgage and had to pay a pre-payment penalty, it qualifies as tax deductible interest. If you paid an "acquisition mortgage loan fee" on a home loan, this fee can be deducted as itemized interest. Home improvement loan fees are also deductible. Any remaining loan fees from re-financed or paid-off mortgages are fully deductible at the time of the mortgage payoff.
Certain items don't qualify as deductions, but can be added to the cost basis of your home, such as transfer taxes, recording and title fees, and special local property tax assessments for new sidewalks, streets, or sewers.
Don't be intimidated by the tax code! A little research or consultation with an expert can help you maximize your real estate tax advantages.

Not at ARMs length

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:04:55 -0500

A sale of a house is just a sale, right? Not necessarily. If you are selling your house to your children or transferring title outside the open market, then the transaction may be characterized as "not at arm's length". Since such a transfer may have tax consequences, you should discuss it with a tax attorney or accountant before taking action.

The transfer of title to a son or daughter may cause the parents to lose favorable property tax treatment, require the payment of state gift taxes, or have other unexpected consequences. From a capital gains point of view, it may be more prudent for children to inherit property than to receive it as a gift. The disposition of any real estate should be considered within the entire framework of your tax and estate planning.

For answers to all your real estate questions, consult experienced professionals who are familiar with this area.

Moving and Taxes

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:03:44 -0500

Even with the changes in tax laws over recent years, you may be able to deduct some of the expenses of a move that is the result of a change in your job.

You will probably be able to deduct the costs of your move if your new work location means more than an additional 50-mile commute, if you move within a year of taking the job at the new location, and if you work full-time for at least 39 weeks (the total is 78 weeks if you are self-employed). You should keep meticulous records of all of your expenses and consult a tax expert to make sure that you take all the lawful tax deductions allowed by the IRS criteria for expenses related to selling your old home or buying your new one. The IRS publication No. 521 entitled "Tax Information on Moving Expenses" makes good reading before you make a move.

Capital Gains Exemptions

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:02:25 -0500

Home sellers are always interested in their tax deduction options. If you recently sold a home without meeting the basic ownership and use criteria for waiving capital gains tax, you might still be able to claim reduced exemptions if you meet certain other criteria.

Homeowners who had to sell because of a change in place of employment can qualify for reduced tax. You must prove that the job change occurred while you owned and used the home as your primary residence, and that your new job is located at least 50 miles farther from your residence than your previous place of employment.

A reduced exclusion from capital gains tax may also be granted for health reasons. If your motivation for selling your house was to obtain diagnosis, treatment or cure for a disease or injury to you or a family member, you can apply for an exclusion. Unforeseen circumstances such as death, unemployment, divorce or natural disasters may also reduce your capital gains tax. Consult a tax professional for advice about your unique circumstance.

Benificial Tax Laws

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:01:39 -0500

American tax law offers a significant capital gains tax exemption that allows taxpaying homeowners to unlock home equity and end the spiraling cycle of "investing up." First-time buyers enjoy expanded rules for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) and 401(k) plans, rules that allow penalty-free withdrawals to purchase a home.

Every two years, married sellers of principal residences who file joint federal income tax returns are allowed a $500,000 exclusion ($250,000 for singles) from capital gains tax. For sales that took place after May 6, 2003, the maximum capital gains tax rates for profits above the exclusion dropped from 20% to 15% for higher income taxpayers, and from 10% to 5% for lower income taxpayers.

Homeowners can now consider several new options. People who find themselves at an empty-nester stage (no children at home) in a four or five bedroom home with a large equity have been able to unlock their equity dollars, using the income to help their children buy a first home, take a luxury cruise, remodel the house or purchase a second home for vacation or retirement.

Consult your tax advisor for advice regarding your particular circumstance.

Help Your Real Estate Agent

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:48:16 -0500

Once your home is listed for sale, it may be difficult for you to step aside and let your agent take over. When prospective buyers arrive, you may want to stand by to point out the closet extenders, the hidden spice cabinet behind the kitchen door, the energy-saving storm windows or the updated copper plumbing. If you really want to help, however, you will leave the house whenever it is being shown!

We have found that the sales process does not really begin until buyers have begun to voice their objections about a property. Sometimes these concerns are serious enough to remove your house from consideration. Often, however, people voice objections as an automatic response when they really love the house and want to buy it. Real estate professionals are trained to know the difference.

If a seller is standing at the agent's elbow, the buyer won't be comfortable enough to allow the process of raising objections take place. If the buyer feels intimidated or suppressed, we could lose the sale. The best way to help is to give your real estate agent room to make the sale.

A Good Real Estate Agent

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:46:47 -0500

Real estate sales are complex transactions in which innumerable snags can occur. Professional real estate agents are trained to handle the many facets of buying a home. A good real estate agent is an invaluable asset to your venture if you are in the market for a house.

When you find a real estate agent with whom you feel confident, it is important to enter into a committed working relationship with that person. Concentrating your search with one real estate professional will allow the agent to become totally familiar with your housing needs, desires, and financial capacities.

Maintaining loyalty to the real estate agent of your choice will serve you more than scattering your attention among several agents. When an agent feels your commitment, he or she will devote great energy to finding the right home for you.

School Districts

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:45:45 -0500

The quality of the school district is a most important determinant of the market value of a house. For buyers with children, the quality of the local school system may be as critical to their decision as the appeal of the house.

The desire for a quality education usually causes parents who are in the market for a home to ask questions about the local school district. What is the annual expenditure per pupil and the average class size? Are special programs available? What percentage of high school graduates go on to college? What is the physical condition of the schools and the district's record in handling school bond proposals? Parents may also want to know the school board's educational philosophy.

A professional real estate agent has the experience and knowledge to help you choose the right community for your family.

Relocation Services

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:44:58 -0500

The services of a good real estate agent are especially important when you are moving to a new city. You may know very little about the different neighborhoods or the local market conditions in the new area. An experienced agent can help you explore the possibilities in order to find a great house in your price range.

Give us a call if you are planning a move to a new city. As part of a nationwide relocation network, we can put you in touch with a superb real estate agent who can make house hunting a breeze. They will contact you before you arrive to discuss your housing needs, where you will be working, and what features in a new house and neighborhood meet your criteria. They can send you information about transportation, shopping, and community services that are important to you. When you arrive for your first house hunting trip, the agent will be prepared to show you the best homes for sale in your price range that fit your needs.

Relocating

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:44:14 -0500

Moves are right up at the top of the list of stress-producing situations. It is not uncommon to feel a little overwhelmed by the process of relocating. You must sell your old home, pack up, leaving behind many friends and memories, and then get settled in the new area.

Professional real estate agents understand both the difficulties and the rewards of making a major move. By listening carefully to what you want and need, your agent will get a feeling for the style of home, neighborhood location and amenities you are seeking. He or she can also point you in the right direction for information about schools, shopping, public transportation, and groups of people who share your interests. If you are considering a move, call a professional real estate agent for information about the area you would like to live in. Discuss the type of house you are looking for and your price range so that the agent can acquaint you with the available homes that will meet your criteria when you are ready to begin looking.

Moving Companies

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:43:16 -0500

Contacting different moving companies is one of the first steps in moving to a new house. You will find a variety of service options and price ranges from which to choose, whether you are moving across town or thousands of miles across the country.

Call several companies for estimates. Ask each company exactly how their charges are calculated and what is included. How much insurance is included in the estimate? What is the cost for additional coverage? Are there special provisions for fragile or unusually valuable items? Is the delivery date guaranteed?

If economizing is important to you, ask if there are ways to cut down on the cost by providing your own boxes and packing your household goods by yourself. Household movers are competitive, and comparison shopping can help you get the best value for your moving dollars.

Evaluating Neighborhoods

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:42:33 -0500

When sellers think about curb appeal, they usually think about their own front yard and the effort required to keep the house looking good. When prospective buyers look at homes, they evaluate both the house and the neighborhood. The price that your neighbors get for their house will have an impact on the value of your home.

This knowledge makes its own case for doing your part to make the neighborhood appealing. The time to take remedial action is before you think about moving, especially if your house is the one with peeling paint, over-grown bushes, rusty bicycles, and cracked sidewalks. The value of your home will be largely determined by the recent selling prices for comparable properties, and neighborhood "eyesores" do not help to keep the values up. Even if you don't feel that you will ever move again, you will enjoy living in a house that is a real source of pride.

Enhancing your Home

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:41:42 -0500

A moderate climate can help your home sell, but wherever you live, you can enhance your home's hidden potential by bringing the outside into your home. Minor remodeling projects can be tailored to suit your taste and your budget.

Study the placement of your home on the property. A small window can be made larger to let more light into a room and expand the view. You can create an entertainment area for guests by installing a sliding glass door which opens onto your garden or adding a patio or deck. The addition of a skylight in a dark room can make a dramatic improvement.

You can also consider ways to enhance the outdoor features of your home and integrate them into the living space of your home. Such improvements can often greatly increase the value of your property.

Considering Locations

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:40:47 -0500

The large, stately house that you drive by every morning on the way to work has had a "For Sale" sign sitting in the front yard for months. When you finally call for an appointment and see the house--you love it! And the price is lower than prices for similar houses on quieter side streets.

Houses located on busy streets may represent excellent buys in terms of space and amenities for the price. Some buyers who are very sensitive to noise or concerned about small children or pets may automatically rule out houses that are located on busy residential streets. If you don't share these same concerns, you won't consider a busy location to be a deterrent to buying the property. If the sellers have made pricing concessions on the property based on its location, this could provide an opportunity for you to own a far grander house than you thought you could afford!

Just remember that when you sell the house, the pool of prospective buyers may be smaller, and you may have to pass on a similar price break to the next owner.

Buying Out of State

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:40:02 -0500

People who are moving to another state are usually concerned about how they will be able to monitor the purchase or sale of a home across state lines. Your local real estate agent can assist you in the process of buying or selling property out-of-state.

The National Association of Realtors is a nation-wide network of real estate sales professionals, similar to the local Association of Realtors. Almost every real estate professional is who is a member of the local association is also a member of the national organization. This professional affiliation among real estate agents all across the country works to your advantage when you buy or sell out-of-state property.

Your local real estate agent can contact an agency in the area where you want to buy or sell. When the relationship with the out-of-state real estate agent is established, your agent can coordinate arrangements by selecting houses for your consideration and helping you to strike a deal when you have made a selection. Having a local sales professional to help you work out any problems that may arise is a real plus.

Negotiations Part 2

Jacinto Hausinger (Keller Williams Realty) — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 13:04:29 -0500

If you are the buyer in a home sale transaction, you should be prepared to submit an offer to the seller. An offer is not simply the price -- there are more components involved.

The real estate agent will act as the conveyor of information. There are a few things to look out for in such negotiations: 1) include a finance contingency, even if you have loan pre-approval, 2) insist on an engineer's, termite and radon inspection contingencies, 3) itemize the personal property you want included, such as chandeliers or drapes, and 4) submit the closing date you prefer.

Buyers should be prepared to make their best offer first, but if that offer is not acceptable to the seller, they should expect to go through a round of counter-offers.