As every homeowner knows, property insurance is a necessity. The cost of adequate insurance may seem daunting initially, but there are certain steps you can take to reduce your costs to a reasonable level.
1. Shop around for the best value. Check online for quotes from at least three reputable agencies. Be aware that some companies offer a discount of 30% to 40% if you buy online. Other possible discounts can result from insuring both the home and the contents or by insuring your home and your car with the same firm.
Also know the replacement value of your home, taking into consideration any unique features that will be expensive to replace. Keep in mind probable inflation increases at renewal time. Does your insurer automatically adjust your coverage or do you have to request the change?
2. Make periodic updates to your Gainesville FL home or property. Ways to reduce insurance costs include the following:
B) Keep plumbing in good working order and protect it from freezing.
C) Replace fuses. Inspectors are looking for circuit breakers and a safe wiring system
D) install fire detectors or even a central alarm system. Be sure to keep a record of all repairs/replacements and inform your insurance company of each one.
To a home loan shopper, there may seem to be an endless–and confusing–array of mortgage types. Of course you want to choose the option that is best suited to your current and future financial situation, but understanding the terminology, types, and monetary ramifications is not always easy. Mortgages generally fall into four categories (fixed rate, adjustable rate, step, and balloon) according to the interest rate and duration of the loan.
Basic terminology;
Fixed rate–The interest rates do not change during the life of the loan, thus allowing you to know the amount of your payments.
Adjustable rate (ARM)–the interest rate is tied to certain indexes plus a margin and can fluctuate up or down, thus affecting each payment,
Step–the interest rate and monthly payment remain the same for a specified period of time. After that the interest will change to the prevailing rate and will remain there for the duration of the loan.
Balloon–a loan payment that expands after a certain amount of time. Basically it functions similarly to a fixed rate mortgage in the earlier months/years with a delayed steep increase at the end,
The following information, courtesy of Mortgages.Interest.com, outlines the type of mortgage, the loan characteristics, and the situations most appropriate for each one. If, for instance, you plan to live in your Gainesville Florida real estate more than 10 years and desire stability in payment amounts, then a fixed rate mortgage is for you. If, however, your finances are currently strained, but you know that in 5 to 10 years your monetary situation will improve or that you will most likely move within 10 years, then an ARM or balloon mortgage may be better for you. Being familiar with these options allows you to discuss them intelligently with your real estate agent and/or lender and then select the type which best fits your circumstances.
HAFA provides incentives to families to take advantage of selling their Gainesville Florida home by means of a short sale (the home is sold for less than the value of the loan), or a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure (the home owner voluntarily gives the deed to the lender.
HAFA helps families quickly sell their Gainesville Florida homes by giving them pre-approved short sales terms before listing the property. They are fully released from future liability for the first mortgage debt, and can receive $1,500 for borrower relocation assistance. HAFA also allows investors and servicers to receive financial assistance for administrative costs, processing fees, etc. The program sounds simple, but is actually quite complex with many guidelines and rules. HAFA officially began on Monday, April 5, 2010 and will end on Monday, December 31, 2012.
Here you can watch ‘An Animated HAFA Story’, an informative video explaining HAFA…
I am a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), trained in helping families in distress avoid foreclosure. Are you or someone you know behind on mortgage payments? You do have options! A short sale may be what is needed to save your, your family and your credit. Please contact me anytime for a private consultation.
The clock is ticking on the Home Buyers Tax Credit! The deadline to have a ratified contract is April 30.This is an ideal time for both first-time and repeat buyers to purchase a Gainesville Florida home.
Basic facts Home Buyers Tax Credit:
The new deadline is April 30, 2010 (June 30th with a binding, signed contract)
First-time buyers are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price–up to $8000.00
Repeat buyers (those who have lived in one residence for 5 consecutive years of the last can receive a credit of up to $6500.00.
Income levels–$125,000 for individuals; $225,000 for couples.
The credit may be claimed on this year’s tax return(for 2009).
***Remember that a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar deduction in what a taxpayer owes. If the credit exceeds the amount owed, a refund will be issued.
Something to consider when selling your home is the Capital Gains ramifications. Will you owe Uncle Sam money after the sale of your Gainesville FL home? Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for your property and what you sell it for. Here is how you calculate your Capital Gains.
Calculating Capital Gains
(+) PURCHASE PRICE – Price paid for property
(+) COST OF PURCHASE – Transfer fees, attorney fees, inspections
(+) COST OF SALE – Repairs, commissions, attorney fees, inspections
(+) COST OF IMPROVEMENT – Room additions, deck, for example, though not replacing existing
(=) ADJUSTED COST BASIS OF YOUR HOME
(-) AMOUNT YOU SELL YOUR HOME
(=) CAPITAL GAIN
A Special Real Estate Exemption for Capital Gains
Even though the above calculation may indicate you owe Capital Gains, there is a special real estate exemption. Since 1997, up to $250,000 in capital gains ($500,000 for a married couple) on the sale of a Gainesville FL home is exempt from taxation if you meet the following criteria:
You have lived in the home as your principal residence for two out of the last five years.
You have not sold or exchanged another home during the two years preceding the sale.
NOTE: As of 2003, you may also qualify for this exemption if you meet what the IRS calls “unforeseen circumstances” such as job loss, divorce, or family medical emergency.
The most important piece of a person’s financial life is their credit score. Whether buying a new Gainesville home, applying for a job, refinancing your Gainesville home, paying off debt, or getting utility service, your credit score will drive the outcome. One would think that Americans are all aware of what the scores are measuring and what factors play a part. But, most Americans do not know enough about the three digit rating or what is involved. Do not let these credit score myths get in your way when preparing for the purchase of your next Gainesville home.
Myth: Checking a credit report can either damage or lower your score.
A credit report can be conducted by you or someone like an employer as many times as desired with out having any impact on your credit score. Reviewing your credit report will never change your credit score. Just make sure that reports are retrieved through the bureaus or a legitimate score seller.
Myth: Age, sex, and income are factors that affect your score.
None of this information plays a role in determining your score. A higher income may make it easier to pay off debts, but income and net worth have no impact of credit scores.
Myth: A credit score can be destroyed by shopping for a loan.
When seeking to extend credit, too many inquiries can have a negative impact your credit score. However, when several inquiries are made by the same type of lender with in a 14 day period they only count as one inquiry against your credit.
The most important piece of a person’s financial life is their credit score. Whether buying a new Gainesville home, applying for a job, refinancing your Gainesville home, paying off debt, or getting utility service, your credit score will drive the outcome. One would think that Americans are all aware of what the scores are measuring and what factors play a part. But, most Americans do not know enough about the three digit rating or what is involved. Do not let these credit score myths get in your way when preparing for the purchase of your next Gainesville home.
Myth: Checking a credit report can either damage or lower your score. A credit report can be conducted by you or someone like an employer as many times as desired with out having any impact on your credit score. Reviewing your credit report will never change your credit score. Just make sure that reports are retrieved through the bureaus or a legitimate score seller.
Myth: Age, sex, and income are factors that affect your score. None of this information plays a role in determining your score. A higher income may make it easier to pay off debts, but income and net worth have no impact of credit scores.
New tax code changes create benefits for owners of a Gainesville home. For years, many people have usually turned away from considering taking on the financial responsibilities of being a homeowner. Renters and prospective home owners are well aware of all the financial stress that comes with owning a home, which makes them hesitant to make the big step and commitment. What might not be known is that homeowners are receiving more tax benefits now than ever before. The Internal Revenue Services, known as the IRS, has made owning a Gainesville home a more favorable option in several ways.
Monthly house payments bring the biggest tax benefit to home owners. The interest included in the monthly mortgage payments is tax deductible as long as the loan is for less than a million dollars. IRS guidelines also allow deductions for interest on refinancing and home equity loans. However, they do put limits on how much is actually allowed to be deducted. Borrowing against the equity of your Gainesville home is an option renters do not have. Renters also do not have the ability to file federal tax deductions on their monthly rental payments.
Homeowners are also allowed to deduct the points paid in order to purchase their home. If the deductions are itemized, points can be deducted the same year the home is purchased. Every point is equal to 1% of the entire loan amount. When the seller pays certain fees during the purchase, points are also deducted.
Gainesville home buyers to benefit from more FREE money…
The $8000 first-time home buyer tax credit was scheduled to expire in just a few short weeks…Nov 30, 2009. I say ‘was’, because the Senate voted unanimously to extend the credit on Monday and the House of Representatives approved the extension yesterday afternoon by a vote of 403-12. The extension includes an expanded tax credit to repeat home buyers. The bill now goes to the President for his signature which is expected to happen today.
Home Buyer Tax Credit Expansion and Extension
The $8,000 tax credit will be extended and available for first-time home buyers through May 1, 2010.
A new $6,500 tax credit will be available for repeat buyers who purchase between December 1, 2009, and May 1, 2010. To qualify, buyers must have used the home sold or being sold as a principal residence consecutively for 5 of the previous 8 years.
Prospective buyers with binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, will be allowed an additional 60 days to complete the transaction.
Income limits are expanded to $125,000 on a single return and $225,000 on a joint return.
Limitation on the cost of a purchased home is $800,000.
If you know anyone looking to buy their first Gainesville home at a time when prices and interest rates are still down, or if you are thinking of buying another Gainesville home and getting the new $6,500 credit please contact me today.
If you are buying Gainesville FL real estate, you will want to know what your credit score is. Lenders look at your credit history, debt-to-income ratio and your credit score when qualifying you for a home loan. Credit scores range between 200 and 800, with scores above 620 considered desirable for obtaining a mortgage. The following factors affect your score:
1. Your payment history. Did you pay your credit card obligations on time? If they were late, then how late? Bankruptcy filing, liens, and collection activity also impact your history.
2. How much you owe. If youowe a great deal of money on numerous accounts, it can indicate that you are overextended. However, it’s a good thing if you have a good proportion of balances to total credit limits.
3. The length of your credit history. In general, the longer you have had accounts opened, the better. The average consumer’s oldest obligation is 14 years old, indicating that he or she has been managing credit for some time, according to Fair Isaac Corp., and only one in 20 consumers have credit histories shorter than 2 years.
4. How much new credit you have. New credit, either installment payments or new credit cards, are considered more risky, even if you pay them promptly.
5. The types of credit you use. Generally, it’s desirable to have more than one type of credit – installment loans, credit cards, and a mortgage, for example.
For more on evaluating and understanding your credit score, visit www.myfico.com.
Thinking of buying Gainesville FL real estate? Learn about the home buying process at GatorHomes.com or MyGatorCondo.com or give me a call for more personal service.
insuring your home and your car with the same firm.
Fixed rate–The interest rates do not change during the life of the loan, thus allowing you to know the amount of your payments.
First-time buyers are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price–up to $8000.00
can receive a credit of up to $6500.00.
Something to consider when selling your home is the Capital Gains ramifications. Will you owe Uncle Sam money after the sale of your Gainesville FL home? Capital Gains are calculated as the difference between what you paid for your property and what you sell it for. Here is how you calculate your Capital Gains.
Myth: Checking a credit report can either damage or lower your score.
The most important piece of a person’s financial life is their credit score. Whether buying a new Gainesville home, applying for a job, refinancing your Gainesville home, paying off debt, or getting utility service, your 
Monthly house payments bring the biggest tax benefit to home owners. The interest included in the monthly mortgage payments is tax deductible as long as the loan is for less than a million dollars. IRS guidelines also allow deductions for interest on refinancing and home equity loans. However, they do put limits on how much is actually allowed to be deducted. Borrowing against the equity of your Gainesville home is an option renters do not have. Renters also do not have the ability to file federal tax deductions on their monthly rental payments. 