Tag Archives: ownership

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International Clients Buy Detached Single-Family Houses

About 64 percent of international clients typically buy detached single-family homes, which they intend to use for primary residence and for longer than six months.   This information is based on the National Association of REALTORS®  2013 Profile of International Home Buying Activity, which captures transactions of REALTOR® respondents with international clients in the 12 months ended March 2013.

International clients include persons who principally reside in another country (Type A) and recent immigrants and foreigners on temporary visas in the U.S (Type B).  About 49 percent of REALTOR® respondents reported that their international client was a Type B client.

Resident foreigners include recent immigrants, professional and managerial employees of businesses and institutions, and International students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities who are in the U.S. on a temporary but extended visit; all of these groups may plan on using the property year round for primary residence.

Read more…

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Claim Energy Efficiency Tax Credit for Homeowners Before it’s Gone

Saving Money

The federal government wants to encourage homeowners to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. To do so, back in 2005 Congress enacted a tax credit for “nonbusiness energy property.”

This was a tax credit (subject to a $500 lifetime cap) for certain energy efficiency improvements to a taxpayer’s existing principal residence. The credit expired at the end of 2011, but was brought back from the dead by the fiscal cliff tax deal back in February. It was made retroactive to apply to 2012 and then expire at the end of 2013.

So, if you haven’t used up your lifetime $500 limit already, 2013 could be your last chance to do so.

Read more…

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Singles Make Up Quarter of All Buyers

More Americans are opting to live alone, with single buyers making up a quarter of all home purchases last year, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. In the U.S., there are 33 million one-person households, and living solo is becoming an international trend, MSN Real Estate reports.

Why are so many living alone? People are marrying later, divorcing more, and living longer, sociologists say.

Read more…

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What IRS Recognition of Gay Marriage in every state Means for Real Estate

One of the principle legal questions left in the wake of the United States Supreme Court’s decision striking down key portions of the Defense of Marriage Act (United States v. Windsor) was the tax impact it would have on same-sex spouses. That is, would the IRS now recognize the marriages of same-sex spouses who live in any state, or only in those states that legally recognize same-sex marriages?

For example, if a same-sex couple was married in Massachusetts (which recognizes same-sex marriage) but lives in Florida (which does not recognize such marriages), would the IRS consider them married?

Read the article…

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Simply Home Newsletter, September 2013

Simply Home Newsletter

This Newsletter includes the following articles:

  • Nature’s Palette
  • A Healthy Companion
  • LEDs, CFLs or Incandescent
  • More than a Jack-o’-lantern

Simply Home Newsletter, September 2013

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The Social Benefits of Homeownership

Social Benefits of Homeownership

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Real Estate’s New Big Buyers: Middle-Aged Women

Middle-aged women have become the fastest growing group of single female home owners, according to a new study by the real estate brokerage Redfin. The number of 45- to 54-year-old single female home owners has soared 120 percent from 1982 to 2012.

The Redfin report revealed the top U.S. cities for single successful women, factoring in the percentage of women with four-year college degrees, percentage of women with a salary greater than $65,000, and the percentage of women who are single between 25 to 39 years old.

Read the rankings and more details…

And see where Seattle ranks!

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3 Real Estate Scams to Avoid

Money

Though the housing recovery is trucking along, that doesn’t mean real estate scams have gone away. Home owners have been duped out of an average of $4,000 to $5,000 from scams, but even five-figure losses aren’t uncommon for those who have fallen prey to fake loan modifications and other housing fraud. Forbes recently highlighted three of the most common real estate scams today.

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Home Ownership Makes Happier, Healthier Families, Survey Shows

Home

Owning a home can make families healthier, happier, and more financially secure, according to new research by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. on the benefits of home ownership. Researchers worked with Habitat for Humanity families to evaluate how their lives changed after moving into their homes.

Eighty-nine percent of the Canadian families surveyed said their lives improved since they moved into their homes. Eighty-six percent said they’re happier since owning a home.

Read more results of the survey…

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Simply Home Newsletter, July 2013

Simply Home Newsletter

This Newsletter includes the following articles:

  • Rules of the Road
  • Double Duty Herbs
  • Give Your Immune System a Boost
  • A Safe Home

Simply Home Newsletter, July 2013