Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Question All Tenants Should Ask: Should I Continue Renting?

The question plaguing every tenant who wants a home of their own is whether they should continue to rent or is it the right time to buy?
The combination of good prices and low mortgage rates make it considerably cheaper talto own than rent in most markets. Assuming a person is qualified with a down payment and won't be moving for several years, there may not be a better time to buy a home.
In the example below, the total house payment is $1,281.01 compared to $1,500 to rent the same home. Before you consider any of the financial benefits attached to home ownership, it's cheaper to own than to rent.
The net cost of housing falls to $764 or just more than half the house payment when you consider the principal reduction due to normal amortization, a modest appreciation and the tax savings along with a reasonable maintenance expense that a tenant would not have to pay.
One of the biggest benefits is the growing equity. As the value goes up, the unpaid balance goes down. A favorable leverage causes their low down payment to grow to $40,609 in a short seven years based on a modest 1% appreciation.
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There's an expression often heard in real estate circles: "Whether you rent or buy, you pay for the house you occupy." You're either buying it for yourself or you're helping the landlord buy it.
Check out a Rent vs. Own to see how your numbers will compare to this example or call me to do it for you.

Mortgage Debt Relief Act Extended Through 2013


Good News!
Lawmakers managed to extend the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act as part of their 11th hour deal to avoid the fiscal cliff. For those owners contemplating a short sales, this means that you may not be liable for taxes on debt forgiven. The law, established in 2007, was set to expire Dec. 31, 2012 and was extended for another year.
For sellers, the Act only applies if you lived in the property as your personal residence for two of the five last years and it only applies to purchase money or money used to make capital improvements to the property.
Always consult a legal professional when reviewing the option of a short sale.
Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes:
It is an excellent time to buy with interest rates the lowest they have been in close to FIFTY (50) Years….still!!!
When looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest information

A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year for 2013

After spending the holidays with family and friends, this is a time of the year to start thinking about changes to make in our lives, both personal and in business. We wanted to share one of ours with you.
Our goal is to become your REALTOR® for life. We want you to think of us first when you need to buy or sell and IT-resolutionsthat you’ll recommend us to your friends too. That kind of trust has to be earned and we’re committed to helping you be a better homeowner even when you’re not buying or selling.
The strategy is simple. A well-informed homeowner will make better decisions. We’ll periodically offer information through articles and social media on a wide variety of home-related topics like maintenance tips, tax law changes, financing suggestions, insurance, equity building strategies, and rental property investments.
Please contact us if you need a recommendation on a service provider. Our experience has built a list of reputable and reasonable contractors that you can rely upon. When you have any kind of home-related questions, I hope you’ll have the confidence to call us.
Happy New Year. We sincerely look forward to helping you or your friends.
Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes:
It is an excellent time to buy with interest rates the lowest they have been in close to FIFTY (50) Years….still!!!
When looking for Mt Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net for the latest information

November 2012 Mt Hood Closed Residential Sales

Here is a list of Homes, Condos and Cabins closed in the month of November in the Villages of Mt Hood from Alder Creek to Government Camp on the Western slopes of Mt Hood. This area includes homes in Welches, Brightwood, Rhododendron, Government Camp and Sandy, Oregon.
November Sales2012

Check out all unique Homes and Cabins in the Mt Hood area by property type:
Interest Rates are excellent and Home Prices are still affordable, a winning combination to to buy in 2013. When looking to buy Mt. Hood Real Estate come to MtHoodRealEstate.net