financial information: Caruso's Real Estate Alert!
- 08/18/11 08:51 AM
Alert! Alert! As you already know, Realtors spend a lot of time on the road. With all the mileage we rack up, it should be interesting to note that the IRS recently announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011, in recognition of the recent gas price increase. Taxpayers may use optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes. The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1st through December 31st – an increase of … (0 comments)
financial information: Caruso's *SAN CLEMENTE* Closed Sales Report ~ May
- 06/29/11 08:48 AM
Is the market is improving or at least stabilizing!? We provide the latest market updates regularly, as well as personal consultation of market direction... The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for MAY: The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the 0-$500,000 Range: 2011 27 listings closed escrow 2010 27 listings closed escrow The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $500,000-$1,000,000 Range: 2011 48 listings closed escrow 2010 50 listings closed escrow The San Clemente Closed Sales Report for Homes Sold in the $1,000,000+ Range: 2011 7 listings closed escrow 2010 11 listings … (0 comments)
financial information: Closing Costs with Caruso!
- 04/26/11 06:55 AM
A question I get a lot from clients is "How are closing costs estimated?" First let me tell you what they are. Closing costs are financing and legal costs associated with a home mortgage. They can vary significantly by type of loan and by state. A way to guesstimate is 3% of purchase price. Closing costs will differ by the sale and where you live. You will have to pay for the Title search and Title Insurance. You also pay for the Appraisal. You will have to pay a Recording fee, Homeowner's Insurance, the pro-rated Property Taxes and partial Monthly … (1 comments)
financial information: Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Completely?
- 11/17/10 06:23 AM
It seems that paying off a mortgage or even paying down the balance early might seem enticing to most borrowers. There's the big savings in interest payments and the freed-up cash flow that can result, not to mention the emotional benefit of wiping out what for most people is the largest financial burden of a lifetime. With interest rates as low as they are these days it may be easier to make those additional payments. But deciding whether to do so requires a careful balancing of math and psychology, financial advisers say. Even an extra $25 a month toward the mortgage … (3 comments)
financial information: Are Americans Still Worried About Making Housing Payments?
- 11/13/10 05:17 AM
More than half of Americans are worried about not having enough money to pay their mortgage or rent, according to a survey recently released by the Washington Post. A third of respondents were "very concerned" about their ability to make housing payments, while a fifth were "somewhat concerned," adding up to 53 percent of respondents. This contrasts with the results of similar surveys the newspaper conducted in February 2009 and December 2008. In the 2008 survey, 37 percent of respondents said they were at least "somewhat concerned" about making their housing payments -- by February 2009, that figure had risen … (4 comments)
financial information: REOs with Caruso
- 07/27/10 06:38 AM
Recently. RealtyTrac the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, released its first U.S. Foreclosure Sales Report, which shows that foreclosure homes accounted for 31% of all residential sales in the first quarter of 2010, and that the average sales price of properties that sold while in some stage of foreclosure was nearly 27% below the average sales price of properties not in the foreclosure process. A total of 232,959 U.S. properties in some stage of foreclosure are scheduled for auction or bank-owned. REOs sold to third parties in the first quarter, which is a decrease of 14% from the previous … (2 comments)
financial information: Caruso's Credit Report Update!
- 04/29/10 06:38 AM
Companies that offered free credit reports appear to be skirting a new federal disclosure requirement designed to crack down on misleading advertising. Under the requirement, companies that advertise free credit reports in connection with the sale of credit monitoring or other products must prominently disclose that consumers can get a truly free credit report from the government-authorized Web site annual creditreport.com. A limited disclosure requirement for all media started in February. A final, more explicit disclosure requirement took effect Friday for print, direct mail, telemarketing and Web advertising. The final rule for TV and radio ads applies Sept. 1. Rather … (2 comments)
As seen in The New York Times, David Streitfeld goes into detail on the program that will pay homeowners to sell at a loss. In an effort to end the foreclosure crisis, the Obama administration has been trying to keep defaulting owners in their homes. Now it will take a new approach: paying some of them to leave. This latest program, which will allow owners to sell for less than they owe and will give them a little cash to speed them on their way, is one of the administration's most aggressive attempts to grapple with a problem that has … (2 comments)
financial information: Protect Your Home and Finances
- 04/03/09 08:41 AM
Did you know that approximately every 3 seconds, someone becomes the victim of identity theft? These staggering figures show us that it is important to take steps to protect our home and finances....but how? The following tips are some ways to help keep you and your finances safe: *Review your credit report on a regular basis and check for suspicious activity. *Do not give out personal information over the phone, such as credit card or social security numbers. *Never give our your pin number to anyone *Install security programs on your computer to prevent hackers.
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