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There is often a misconception of what a final walk through is and why it’s important.  A final walk through can sometimes be referred to as a pre-closing “inspection.”  Although you are probably excited and anxious to close on your new home, the final walk through is important and many things should checked and inspected and not overlooked. The final walk through is NOT a home inspection.  In most cases, a buyer has had the opportunity to perform a thorough home inspection prior to finalizing the contract for purchase.  It is a common contract contingency that you should be aware of when purchasing a…

The obvious advantages to residing in Florida is the weather and no state income taxes.  Another lesser known, but equally as important, advantage is Florida’s homestead laws. “Homestead” can be a deceptively complex issue in estate and tax planning when individauls finally decide to become Florida residents, including asset protection, property tax savings, and restrictions on the estate plan. Florida’s asset protection for homesteads is anchored in the state’s constitution (Article X, Section 4). Homestead property owned by a natural person is…

One of the major differences between owning a home and renting one is the allowable home buying tax deductions. The tax deductions can have a serious impact on the overall cost of comparing renting vs. buying. One of the advantages of owning a home is the tax savings benefit. If you have purchased a home in the last year you are going to want to make sure that you have The list below summarizes the deductions that many people forget about when buying Real Estate. While those that have owned a home before may be familiar with some of these tax…

Chances are, when you think about investing in real estate the first thing that comes to mind is your home. For many people, their home is the single largest investment they will ever make. But have you ever stopped to consider that once you purchase a home it becomes part of your overall portfolio of investments? In fact, it’s one of the most important parts of your portfolio because it serves a dual role as not only an investment but also a centerpiece to your daily life. Though a home is one of the largest investments the average…

Even though fall is in full swing here in Western North Carolina, it is not too early to start to think ahead to the Christmas Holidays and plan your visit to the area. Here are our top 6 things to do in Asheville, NC this winter. 1. For those of you who love to be outdoors, one of the best things to do in Asheville, NC this winter is go hiking. We are just south enough that you don’t need snow boots but just north enough that there will be consistently cold weather that is perfect for spending…

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may feel overwhelmed by all the terminology you hear during the process. Here are some of the terms you are likely to hear. Listings: Real estate agents frequently refer to homes for sale as “listings.” A “listing” on a website shows information about the home, like the price and number of bedrooms. Comparative Market Analysis (CMA): This is an evaluation of comparable recently sold homes in a neighborhood (known as “comps”) to determine a fair price range for a certain home on the market. Dual agency: Dual agency occurs when the listing agent selling a home…

It’s not a bad time to be a home buyer. Just don’t think the odds will be on your side indefinitely. Mortgage standards, such as credit score requirements, have started to loosen, and mortgage rates remain low. Although it is a seller’s market in many parts of the country, many sellers realize that today’s buyers are more conservative and will not overpay. Still, if you are planning to buy, act quickly. The housing market is expected to heat up in coming months and rates will eventually rise — believe it or not. You may have heard that it’s hard to…

Exclusive Buyer’s Agents give buyers their undivided loyalty. Most real estate agents and buyer’s agents work in traditional brokerages that take listings. Because of that, they have an inventory that they must sell. In addition, if that brokerage brings both the buyer and the seller into the transaction, they get to keep the entire commission, making the transaction more profitable. These can be strong incentives to steer a buyer to one of their own listings. It also means that their buyer loses many of the benefits of hiring a real estate agent including negotiating on his…

For many a foreign national, the United States has always been a great place to invest in. Buying Real Estate in the United States does not give foreign owners any rights or privileges regarding legal stay or status. If you’re interested in staying in the states longer than allowed by a standard visa, contact an immigration lawyer. By determining the primary use for your property and how long you plan to own it, you’ll be able to provide information to your real estate agent that will help guide the search and sale. How will you use the Property? Before you start your…