Top 5 home remodeling trends 2020. Take a closer look at remodeling activity and the projects and features homeowners are trending towards. What are the top home remodeling trends? The annual Houzz & Home Study, the largest survey of residential remodeling, building and decorating activity, answers that question, and more. Not surprisingly, given the strength [...]
Should I refinance to a 15 or 20 year mortgage? This reader wants to live mortgage-free and both refinanced term lengths offer significant interest savings. Q: We took out a mortgage in 2011. It’s a 30-year with an interest rate of 5.125 percent. Our expected payoff date is 2041, but we’ve been paying biweekly. We [...]
Enforcing no smoking rules in condos. Condo boards can amend the rules and regulations to prohibit smoking, but how can they enforce the new rule? We continue to receive questions and comments about our recent columns on smoking (here and here) as well as the rules that condominiums and other associations are putting into place [...]
Understanding COVID-19 homeowner relief resources. How to find coronavirus relief for homeowners offered by mortgage lenders, banks and the government. There’s a lot of confusion about what types of coronavirus relief resources are available for homeowners and who’s eligible for them. Over 60 percent of homeowners have no knowledge of COVID-19 resources or are unsure [...]
COVID-19 pandemic update: property tax payment extensions and penalty waivers. There are now 16 states offering some form of COVID-19 property tax relief. Relief programs for financial obligations continue to become available as more Americans have their incomes disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic slowdown. The average American household spends $2,375 [...]
Second home vs investment property: IRS tax rules. If a property was used as both over time, what are the tax implications when the property is sold? Q: I read your article on avoiding capital gains tax on second homes in our Sunday paper. I have a question that is along those same lines, except [...]
1031 exchange process, timelines and examples. There are a number of ways to successfully complete, or complicate, a 1031 exchange. A few weeks ago, we wrote about like-kind exchanges (also known as an Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchange) and the temporary relief being granted to some buyers and sellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. For [...]
COVID-19 pandemic update: home improvement projects impacted by coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted home improvement projects. New insights from Houzz reveal how coronavirus is changing home renovation. The COVID-19 pandemic put much of our daily lives at a standstill. Everything from buying, selling and home improvement projects has stalled. We stopped going out for [...]
What happens when HOA rules aren’t enforced? This reader wants to know what happens if a board approves a request that violates governing documents. Q: I am on the board of directors of my homeowners association (HOA). The dues to our HOA are voluntary. We can't assess liens against any property in our community, we [...]
Revocable vs irrevocable trust: which is better. The difference between revocable and irrevocable trusts and the purpose each serves in estate planning. Q: I am divorced and have two grown daughters. I am placing my house in a trust. My attorney is recommending an irrevocable trust. Which do you prefer, revocable or irrevocable and why? [...]
