Refinance Rental Property - Dont Sell It
October 31, 2008
You own a rental property for years, and never see the “big pay-off.” Is it time to cash in on your investment, now that you’ve paid down the mortgage, and values are up? Maybe not.
The Problem With Selling
Selling means you’ll have to pay a large capital gains tax. This can be avoided if you reinvest through a 1031 exchange, but then the point is that you want your money, right? Also, a good rental gets more income as rents go up. Do you want to lose this inflation-indexed retirement plan? What’s the alternative?
Refinancing Rental Property
Have you considered that if you refinance, you can get much of your gain out of the property, without paying a penny in taxes? Borrowing money is not a taxable event. You can take it and spend it however you want, and still keep your rentals.
Let’s look at an example. Suppose you have owned a small apartment building for years. You bought it for $240,000, with a downpayment of $40,000, and mortgage payments of $1650 monthly on the balance. Now it is worth $400,000, you only owe $120,000, and your cash flow is around $800/month. How do you get at that equity?
Spain Excellent Choice for British SIPP Investors
October 31, 2008
Second homes in favourite holiday destinations such as Spain are likely to be top of the shopping list when the pension rules change April 6th 2006, allowing individuals to invest in residential property through Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).
Research shows that Spain’s mature market makes an excellent choice for SIPP investors, with capital growth still high and forecast to grow at 10% a year for the next five years at least. Year-round sunshine and the high numbers of world-class golf course developments makes 30 weeks or more annual rental a realistic goal, with potential gross yields of 10% plus. This rental income would be immediately reinvested back into the SIPP and used to pay off any mortgage.
Off-plan purchases at discounted rates still offer the best opportunity to maximise profits. It is possible to buy off-plan today and then assign the contract to the pension after the rule changes, as long as the completion date is after April 6th 2006.
Planning for Real Estate with Estate Planning
October 30, 2008
One of the most important considerations you will need to make in regards to your real estate holdings and your estate includes tax planning. If not handled properly, your estate could end up getting hit with significant losses due to taxes after your demise. To protect yourself and your estate against this possibility, it’s important to plan for your real estate with estate planning.
First, it’s important to understand exactly what estate planning is and what it is not. Estate planning goes far beyond the simple drafting of a will. In essence, an estate is the total property, both real and personal, that is owned by an individual prior to distribution through a trust or a will. The act of planning your estate involves distribution of the real and personal property to your heirs, taking into consideration all the applicable laws, regulations and possible tax considerations.
The goal of estate planning is to preserve the most amount of your wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries; prior to your death. Due consideration of this must be entered into in order to avoid penalties related to certain Federal and State tax laws. Otherwise the property and wealth that you struggled to earn and obtain during your lifetime could easily be lost to the ravages of poor estate planning after your death instead of benefiting your heirs as you intended.
The Real Estate Bubble-When Will it Burst?
October 29, 2008
More and more individuals are realizing that real estate is much safer, and a better return on investment than many traditional investment vehicles. Unlike stocks or bonds, real estate investments can usually be liquidated in order for the investor to access funds in far less time. Additionally, unlike many other investment vehicles, real estate does not come with the stiff penalties associated with early withdrawal. In most cases, investors can liquidate and not have to worry about losing large sums of money. Finally, real estate provides the assurance of a higher yield of return than other types of investment.
On average, real estate appreciates about 4% per year. That means that a property you purchased five years ago, under normal circumstances with no significant wear and tear, would be worth at least 20% more than the amount you paid for it five years ago. Some real estate markets perform significantly better than others at given times and with a mild remodeling or upgrade you could be looking at substantially higher returns on your investment.
Given these facts, it’s no wonder so many people are jumping on the real estate investment band wagon. It begs the question however; when will the real estate bubble burst?
Choosing a Reputable Real Estate Appraiser
October 28, 2008
When you are considering purchasing a property; either for investment or personal use you will need to hire a real estate appraiser. If you are financing the purchase through your credit union or another financial institution will most likely be required to hire a real estate appraiser to perform an appraisal on the property. This is because your Credit Union wants to ensure that your dream home doesn’t become a nightmare and that the purchase they are financing is really worth the amount loaned.
In the best case scenarios the appraisal is returned indicating that the fair market value of the home meets or exceeds the sales price. The problem comes in when the appraisal indicates that the fair market value of the home is less than the sales price. In the latter case, the prospective buyer would either need to drop the deal or renegotiate the sales price with the seller.
Choosing a Realtor
October 27, 2008
Purchasing a property, either as an investor or as a prospective homeowner can be one of the most exhilarating and frightening experiences of your life. In both situations it is imperative that you find just the right property at the right price. With so many options to choose from it can quickly become overwhelming. Start with Credit Unions to help you make the most of this exciting purchasing process.
Searching for the right property can be exhausting. Not only do you have to keep a price range in mind but you also must search out the elements of neighborhoods that are important to you. Choosing the right realtor makes a difference between chaos and calm.
There are a few tips that you should keep in mind when choosing a realtor. Considering the fact that you are making a major investment, it’s important that you locate a realtor you will feel comfortable working with. You will need to find a realtor who is competent and professional, as well as knowledgeable and who respects your time and the fact that you are committing to a serious investment.
Researching Property for Real Estate Investing
October 26, 2008
Much is being said lately about investments. There are many investments that one could make: stocks, notes, gold, retirement plans, etc. However, one of the safest ways to invest is in real estate. Credit Union Rate is your source for information on the market and the investment potential it offers.
It is important to note that no investment is safe, and that all investments have risk. However, real estate investing tends to have less risk, as most property values go up rather than go down. And even when interest rates are in flux, the overall value of real estate tends to increase. It is a good idea to talk with your credit union financial adviser about current trends in your area, and how real estate investing can diversify your portfolio.
But like any good investor, knowledge is required to make a wise investment decision. You should have a good idea of what it is you are investing in, as well as what its potential worth is. Making investments blindly is a good way to lose, rather than make, money.
Here are some tips for more efficiently researching property with real estate investing potential.
Real Estate for Beginners: Residential Property Taxes
October 26, 2008
Whenever you own a piece of land, you will be taxed for it. Whether it is commercial property or residential property, there is still a tax to pay, whether it is for a village, town, city, county, or state. Most residential private property taxes are handled on the local level, going no higher than the county. Depending on the nature of the business, it may be handled by a variety of entities, including state and federal agencies. Each specific area and state has its own way of levying property taxes.
This article is intended as real estate for beginners and will focus on property taxes as they relate to residential private property. Your Credit Union financial advisor can also provide a good deal of valuable information; call today to schedule your free consultation.
How property taxes are used. Each locale uses the revenue earned from property taxes for different purposes. It can be anything from road repairs and utility upkeep to firefighter salaries and emergency response. Most areas, however, use the money received from property taxes for school districts. Taxes are levied and then distributed to schools in a district according to the amount of money received from property taxes. This often puts homeowners in a bind, as most of them want quality education for children, but are reluctant to vote to pass measures that will result in a property tax increase.
Advantages and Disadvantages to Selling a House on Your Own
October 25, 2008
As with any business transaction, there are pros and cons to selling your own home. Many people are intimidated by the whole process, but if you know what you are up against, and if you are aware of what needs to be done, you will be more effective at selling on your own, or you will be better at making sure your agent does what you prefer. No matter how you decide to sell your home, involvement in the process is important to ensure that you get the best deal possible.
ADVANTAGES
You do not pay commission. This is the biggest advantage people who sell their own homes receive by not hiring a real estate agent. Some agents charge a flat fee while others take a percentage of what the selling price. By selling on your own, you could save anywhere from $4,000 dollars to more than $13,000 dollars. Whether you want to use the proceeds to purchase another property, invest or save, creditunionrate.com can help you make the most of the every dollar you save.
Industrial Income Property Financing: Part 3 of 3
October 24, 2008
Financial Concerns
Of the three types of income property, industrial property requires the greatest degree of technical expertise and experience. Likewise, financing the acquisition of an industrial income property can be, at best, very risky without adequate planning and know-how.
The first thing to consider is what kind of industrial application the building will be used for. Not all lenders will fund the purchase of all types of industrial income property types. For example, funding the purchase of industrial real estate to be used for petroleum refining is a risky investment for many lenders. Make sure your lender is able to support your income property goals.
LTV rates for most industrial income property loans run at a maximum of 75%, so plan on having a nice pile of investment capital on hand. Industrial loan interest rates can also be a little higher than for other income property types-usually between 5.6% and 7.5%. The 20-year term that comes with most industrial income property loans is fairly typical.
Managerial Concerns
Because of the nature of manufacturing facilities, liability becomes much more important than in residential or commercial income properties. Securing the proper type and amount of insurance can help mitigate much of the risk you will take on after you lease your industrial facility.
