It's staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, then over the next three years, your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash! You're paying their mortgage when you could be building equity in your own property.
What if I don't have the money to buy a home right now?
There are many loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want to sell the home quickly.
There are many benefits of home ownership to consider, most of all, tax deductions. Let's take a look at how advantageous this can be as a homeowner:
How much is tax deductible?
Tax deductions vary, but the IRS has laid out solid rules. They also have several tax publications full of helpful information worth taking the time to read. Publication 530, Tax Information for First-Time Homeowners, is very thorough, as is Publication 936, Home Mortgage Interest Deduction. For quick reference, you can refer to Tax Topics 505, Interest Expense, and 504, Home Mortgage Points.
These publications often refer to local and state guidelines, so you may want to consult a CPA to answer all the questions that arise from reading these materials. Here are a few tips you should know up front:
Real Estate taxes are deductible on a primary residence. Real Estate taxes are paid at settlement or closing, or through an escrow account.
Mortgage interest is deductible on a loan to purchase, build or improve your home. Your lender will provide you with a Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098) to list the total interest paid during the year. This should include any deductible points paid for that year.
Pre-paid interest is deductible in the year it is paid. At the close of a real estate transaction, borrowers usually pay for the interest on their loan that falls between the closing period and the first of the next month. Mortgage payments are made "in arrears" so when a loan is closed mid-month, there is interest due to the new lender which must be paid in advance.
If you are building a home, the interest on the construction loan is deductible. The construction period cannot exceed 24 months prior to the date that you move in if you claim this as your primary residence.
Call me to discuss your specific needs and we'll find the program that's right for you.We have a variety of low down payment and no down payment programs available.
Karl Peidl
Accredited Loan Consultant
Lincoln Mortgage Company
251 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 102
Hammonton, NJ 08037
609-878-7013
kpeidl@linc-mort.com
www.karlpeidl.com
Pennsylvania: Licensed by the PA Department of Banking as a First Mortgage Banker and licensed pursuant to the PA Secondary Mortgage Loan Act. New Jersey: Licensed by the N. J. Department of Banking and Insurance Maryland: Authorized Mortgage Lender by the State of Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation. Florida: Licensed Mortgage Lender by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Delaware: Licensed Lender by the Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
Stop Paying Your Landlord's Mortgage!
7 comments • Karl Peidl - Accredited Loan Consultant • October 21 2009 07:41AM
Also, rates "always" go up in the second year of a president, so these rates will probably change!
Now more than ever, it's time for renters to take the plunge and purchase their first homes. With values "way down" and interest rate low, it's the perfect opportunity to break-out of the rental rut.
Heath - These rates absolutely will change. There are just way too many indicators out there pointing toward a rate increase.
Tom - I totally agree. There's never been a better time to buy your first home.
Thank you for this post I will passing this information on to my clients!
Thanks Monique. I hope it helps.
Interest rates are incredibly low and home prices are even lower. This will be the time we look back on and talk about all the time. We will tell our grandchildren how great of an opportunity we either captured or missed. Great Stuff.
Great Lakes Insurance Group Agency
www.getgliga.com