income


An Estimated 1.2 Million Households Were Lost During Recession

According to a study released today by the Mortgage Bankers Association,and estimated 1.2 million households were lost from 2005 to 2008, despite the population increase of 3.4 million in the study area. This decline in households is likely what contributed significantly to the excess supply of apartments and single family homes on the market. Read more about the 1.2 Million households lost during the recession in the press release below from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Continue reading

Posted in News | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Lost By One Day

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Lost By One Day
As the days of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit come to an end, buyers should make sure they know the restrictions on time and income to obtain the credit. You must have a contract signed on or before April 30, 2010 and must close on the purchase on or before June 30, 2010. One day late, and you won’t get the tax credit. Also, if your adjusted gross income is over $125,000, if you are single, or $225,000, if you are married, you will get a reduced credit or none at all. You may want to talk to your accountant to see where your income stacks up to make sure you get the home buyer tax credit.

Continue reading

Posted in Tax Credit | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Time Restrictions

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Time Restrictions
If you’re looking to take advantage of the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit or the $6500 long term (move up) (repeat) home buyer tax credit, you’d better hurry. You have to have a contract signed in hand soon and you must close on the home by June 30, 2010. You also must meet the income restrictions of the tax credit and other requirements, including that the new home purchased must be used as your primary residence. If you purchase the home and rent it out, you may have trouble qualifying for the tax credit.

Continue reading

Posted in First Time Home Buyer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Investment Property Short Sale Generates Phantom Income

When an investment property is sold as a short sale, it generates what is known as “phantom income.” The IRS looks at the difference between what the property is worth and what your sold it for in the short sale as income. You should receive a 1099 for the phantom income generated by the short sale of the investment property.

Continue reading

Posted in Investment Property | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit and Nonresident Aliens

The $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit is quite popular these days and everybody that might qualify for it wants to qualify for it. But there are strict rules relating to who can qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit. If you are a nonresident alien you do not qualify for the tax credit. But if you buy a home with someone who does qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, the nonresident alien won’t get the benefit but the other person should get the benefit of the tax credit.

Continue reading

Posted in First Time Home Buyer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

$8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Not Available If You Purchase A House From Your Parents

The $8000 first time home buyer tax credit is quite a bit of money. But you must meet all the guidelines and restrictions. Some of the restrictions may seem unfail To qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, it must be your primary residence and you must fall under a certain income limit and the purchase of the home can’t be from a relative. You can claim the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit if you make up to $75,000 for individuals, $150,000 filing jointly. The tax credit begins to phase out after that, and is eliminated at $95,000 ($170,000 for joint filing) of income. If you buy the home from a relative, you won’t qualify for the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit.

Continue reading

Posted in First Time Home Buyer | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

$8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Has Income Restrictions

If you are a first time home buyer and want to claim the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit, make sure you meet all the guidelines and restrictions. To qualify for the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, it must be your primary residence and you must fall under a certain income limit. You can claim the $8000 first time home buyer tax credit if you make up to $75,000 for individuals, $150,000 filing jointly. The tax credit begins to phase out after that, and is eliminated at $95,000 ($170,000 for joint filing) of income.

Continue reading

Posted in First Time Home Buyer | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Should I Invest Beyond The Company Match in My 401(k)?

If you work for a company that offers a match for a 401(k) should you take it? And, how much should you contribute to the 401(k)? If the company offers to match 50 percent of the contribution up to the first 6 percent of your salary you contribute to the 401(k), should you contribute over and above that amount? So many companies today are eliminating 401(k) match programs simply because they can no longer afford them. A listener to Ilyce’s radio talk show wants to know if he should contribute 10 percent to a part-time employer’s 401(k) program. The company will match 50 percent of his 401(k) contribute up to 6 percent of his salary. He wants to know if he should contribute 10 percent of his salary to the 401(k) even though the employer will not match the last 4 percent.

Continue reading

Posted in 401k | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Home Values Decline, But Buyers Struggle To Afford Home Buying

With grocery stores advertising good deals, it’s just one sign of retailers helping consumers. A recent study released by the Center for Housing Policy compared housing affordability against how much people earn. The study found that while the home prices have declined, many people still cannot afford to buy on their incomes. And in contrast to other states, Florida has become less affordable.

Continue reading

Posted in Home Buying | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is Playing The Lottery A Waste Of Money?

One in five Americans believes that winning the lottery is the only practical way to become wealthy. But a better alternative to winning the lottery to become a millionaire is to save. Here’s how to turn those lottery investments into profitable savings.

Continue reading

Posted in Consumer Advice | Tagged , | Leave a comment