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Showing posts from April, 2024

Making Sense of Home Improvements: What Adds Value?

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Before diving into renovation projects, it's important to understand which upgrades are likely to boost your home's value and which ones may not yield a significant return on investment. While certain improvements can enhance your home's appeal and attract potential buyers, others may fall short of expectations. It's prudent to explore examples of home improvements that have the potential to increase your home's value, as well as situations where renovations may not have a substantial impact on its worth. By gaining insights into these factors, homeowners can make informed decisions and maximize their return on investment when upgrading their properties. Home improvements that may increase the value of the home: Hardwood floors ... Refinishing or updating to wood floors have good appeal and have a high return on the cost. Kitchen Remodel - Updating the kitchen with modern appliances, countertops, and fixtures can increase the home's value by imp

Bridging Wealth Gaps: Homeownership's Stand Against Inflation

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When exploring the benefits of homeownership, it's more than just having a place to call your own. Among its many advantages, homeownership stands as a formidable safeguard against inflation and a strong vehicle for long-term wealth accumulation. This article will delve into the dynamics of appreciation and amortization, explaining why owning a home can be one of the most impactful financial decisions you can make. Inflation, the overall upward price movement of goods and services in an economy, erodes the purchasing power of money. In simpler terms, as inflation rises, each dollar you have buys a smaller percentage of a good or service.   The same inflation that is driving rising mortgage rates is putting upward pressure on home prices and rents. Over the past sixty years, homes have appreciated in value at an annual appreciation rate of 5.56% according to the Federal Reserve Economic Data.   As a homeowner, you want to benefit from the appreciation.   Inflation for th

Baby Boomers' Wave to Downsize

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As the first groups of baby boomers gracefully rides the wave of aging, they are setting new trends in the housing market, giving birth to what experts fondly refer to as the "Silver Tsunami." This phenomenon is not merely about a change in address; it's a lifestyle transformation tailored to meet the unique needs of the golden years. With approximately 10,000 people reaching the age of 65 every day, the United States is witnessing an unprecedented demographic shift. By 2030, all baby boomers will have passed this milestone. Among these remarkable statistics, the AARP's estimate stands out: a staggering 74% of total U.S. homeownership belongs to individuals over 50, with more than half of this demographic opting for downsizing their home as a strategic move. The Silver Tsunami is, in essence, a testament to the demographic strength of the baby boomer generation. Born between 1946 and 1964, this generation has played a pivotal role in shaping American soci

Keep more profits from home sales

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In recent years, home values have soared, presenting an opportunity for homeowners with substantial equity to consider a unique tax benefit. Section 121 in the IRS code allows for homeowners who meet certain requirements to exclude up to $500,000 of capital gain on the sale of their principal residence.   Single or married taxpayers filing separately can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gain.   Taxpayers must meet the following requirements: They must have owned and used the home as a principal residence during at least 2 out of the last 5 years. They should not have excluded gain from another home during the two years before the current sale. The property should not have been acquired through a 1031 exchange during the past five years. Capital gain is determined as selling price, less sales costs, less basis in the property which is the purchase price paid for the home plus capital improvements made during the tenure.  Capital gains more than the exclusion amounts are t