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When will the market turn?

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Housing affordability has declined dramatically in 2022 due to continued rising home prices and a three-percentage point jump in mortgage rates.   Based on the popularity of Google searches for "housing bust" or "housing bubble", it could be surmised that buyers are anticipating relief, but they are probably not going to see it anytime soon. Home price appreciation is moderating and is down from the 20% level experienced in 2021.   Some of the major industry prognosticators are estimating anywhere from 9% to 14% for 2022.   Interest rates are expected to continue to rise through the end of 2022 and could be at 7%.   Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 6.66% on October 6, 2022. Even though homes currently for sale increased to 3.2 months in August 2022, it isn't that much more than it was for the same month in 2021 when it was at 2.6 months.   Most markets are still entrenched in favor of sellers because a balanced market ...
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Why Keep Track of Home Improvements

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Homeowners receive a generous exclusion on the gain of their principal residence up to $250,000 for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly.   Most people probably consider the gain or profit in a home to be the difference between the purchase price and the sales price. IRS allows a taxpayer to lower the sales price by the selling expenses before calculating gain.   Normal expenses like real estate commission, title policy, attorney fees, and other sales expenses may be included if they are normal and customary. Another significant adjustment is that capital improvements made during the holding period can be added to the cost basis.   Normal maintenance like repairs are not considered improvements.   IRS says that if the expenditure materially adds value (features) to the property, or appreciably prolongs the useful life of the property, or adapts a portion of the property to a new use, it can be considered a capital improvement. Exam...
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44 Times More Than a Renter The Federal Reserve Board's Triennial Survey of Consumer Finances recently revealed the net worth of a homeowner was $231,400 compared to $5,200 for a renter.  The net worth of homeowners increased 15% from 2013 to 2016 while renters' decreased by 5%. Appreciation and principal reduction are the two dynamics that affect a homeowner's equity.  Each payment is applied to the interest for the previous month and the principal reduction to retire the mortgage. A $300,000 home purchased with a $294,566 FHA mortgage at 5% for 30 years has an average monthly principal reduction $362 in the first year. Two percent appreciation would benefit the buyer by $500 a month.  In this example, the equity grows by $860 a month for the homeowner.  A tenant would have to invest $660 a month over and above the rent they're paying. Based on the assumptions listed above, the $10,500 down payment would become approximately $85,000 of...
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