Making the Most of Real Estate Windfall: Avoiding Capital Gains

The wife wants to hold on take a loan out against the lot and purchase another property for investment. What do you think
 

A: Wow. Let me get this straight. You paid $49,000 for the lot and can flip it 18 months later for $200,000. That's some investment.

The real question you should ask is how much more appreciation the lot will have going forward. Is it the kind of thing that will double again in 10 years? Would you ever build on the lot and then move into that property (and be able to claim the tax exclusion for your current residence and then that property)?

I think you need to examine the tax consequences of selling today. You'll basically pay 15 percent on your profit, which is about $150,000, minus the sales commission you pay, if any. That's $22,500 in capital gains tax. You'd still have $177,500 in cash, but it's a hefty tax bill. Can you swallow it? Then, sell and move on.

On the other hand, if you decide that someday you might want to build on that lot and the value continues to appreciate, you may want to find another way to finance your boat and pool and other investment real estate property purchases. By building and moving onto the lot, you would be able to shelter up to $500,000 in capital gains tax free, under current IRS law.

Another possibility is to borrow against the property to do all of these things, and keep the land. When you find another investment property, you can try a 1031 tax-free exchange (also known as a Starker Trust). This will defer any capital gains you have on the sale of this investment property.

Of course, one of the problems investors have is knowing when to call it quits. (I've noticed gamblers have this problem as well.) If you feel, after you've examined all the issues, that the profit you have now is enough for this property, it may be time to pull the trigger, sell, and move on.

Unfortunately, I can't make this decision for you. But I encourage you to talk to your tax preparer (whose advice you will need if you choose to sell) and think about what you want to do and what you want to buy down the line.

Congratulations on your windfall.

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