Something for your radar if you’re thinking about buying or selling in Sunnyvale: 63% of city voters supported a potential property transfer tax in a recent poll. This means the tax could be headed to the November ballot. San José Spotlight has more details.
With pandemic provisions running out, most of us are coping with filing our taxes by April 15 again. Already filed? Congratulations! Here are some tips for the procrastinators in the rest of us.
Even though I prefer to use a tax professional instead of relying on an app, there’s still a lot of paperwork to pull together, and it’s easy for things to get lost. For me, it’s as simple as collecting all of our tax documents as they arrive in a special basket next to the rest of the mail. This way, when April 14th rolls around, I know where to find everything.
Paperwork is so old school. The best part about modern technology is you can procrastinate until the last minute and just send your accountant a zip file. Just don’t sleep on your property tax bill! Second installments in Santa Clara County become delinquent — and subject to hefty fines — after April 10th. Good thing they let you pay online. Learn more here.
Procrastinators rejoice! The IRS and State Franchise Tax Board announced yesterday that they would extend the deadline — again — for most Californians to file their 2022 income taxes. You may recall that the deadline was already pushed back to in response to the deadly winter storms. The new deadline is Thursday, Nov. 16, for businesses and residents in 55 of 58 counties. The Chronicle has what you need to know.
Selling your first home and purchasing your next one can seem like an insurmountable process when you’re in the thick of it. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead before the madness begins. The first step is understanding the costs beyond the listing price.
Before you commit to listing your current home, it’s a good idea to ask your agent for an estimate of all the closing costs involved. A roll call of the usual suspects includes real estate commissions, advertising, legal and professional fees, excise taxes, capital gains taxes, prorated property taxes and HOA fees, and typically surveys, inspections, etc. You’ll need to put a number to all of these items to get a full picture of your options for buying a new home, which comes with its own set of peripheral expenses.
So what are some of the costs you need to consider as a buyer? To name just a few: down payment, lending fees, title fees, insurance, inspections (if the seller isn’t paying), professional cleaning, repairs and cosmetic upgrades, utility deposits, and more. We also suggest getting pre-approved for a new home loan before you do anything else, and while you’re at it, make sure to include the costs for any renovations you may want to make. Oh, and did we mention moving expenses? It adds up quick!
From building equity to built-in savings, there are real estate principles and benefits to help your property pay you back, even in a down market.
Dual Purpose Investment
A home is both a current need and an investment in your future. You can find something that fits your family right now, but how will it suit you ten years down the road?
Valuable Savings
Mortgage payments can deliver equity, improve your credit score, and also serve as a savings account you can leverage now or tap later.
Tax Considerations
Like other life changes, homeownership comes with tax deductions, credits, and other perks. Ask your accountant to get you started with a mortgage payment deduction.
Protection from Inflation
Rents rise with inflation, and sometimes to pay for building upgrades, but payments on a 30-year fixed mortgage remain the same for, well, 30 years!
Want to learn more about the benefits of home ownership?
