The current U.S. real estate market is a burden and an asset to American investors, an article from Housing Predictor, an online forecaster of market trends, reports.Citing as evidence thousands of reported home foreclosures, as well as homes that have been on the market for a substantial period of time without selling, the article notes that for a select group of investors, the time is drawing near to consider investments that could potentially turn into lucrative purchases and over time provide significant monetary returns.The central issue is timing. Many investors are waiting to see how the government’s bailout affects Wall Street and consequently influences the real estate market, but many more investors are holding out until the bottom of the housing market hits its lowest rates.Housing prices will continue to fall in the immediate future, and the nation’s credit crisis has put the brakes on consumer spending and made it difficult to obtain a reasonable mortgage. This means that housing prices could tumble even further and that investors could see more attractive prices for potential purchases.But this wait-and-see approach has risks. If housing prices do not continue to go down, the opportunity for an investor to acquire property at its ideal price might pass him by. All this keeps mortgage companies, banks, real estate forecasters, and investors closely monitoring America’s temperamental housing market.The next reasonable question to ask is when the bottom will hit. Housing Predictor forecasts that by 2009, and through 2010, most markets across the country will reach their lowest rates. The bottom will not come at once to every market in the country. Instead it will be a slow procedure, one that leaves some markets with their worst days behind them and others with their worst days still ahead. Based on current trends and data, the housing market will make a turnaround in 2010 and 2011. But the bottom is already near in California, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, which means that by the time the rest of the country is enduring its hardest times, these markets could very well be showing signs of growth.Real Estate Investors understand the benefits of vigilance and timing. For some, whose previous investments have left them in a position to spend today, the market is an asset. And for others, perhaps just starting out, this too is a time of opportunity. But it is an opportunity that will largely be defined by the vision, resources, and wisdom of the investments. Warren Buffett has said that his investment philosophy is simple: Be cautious when others are aggressive, and aggressive when others are cautious. This statement is as true today as it was when the housing market was at its strongest.Nowhere near its peak and still growing with tremendous strength, modern design has budding interior designers everywhere excited and spending. Across the globe, more and more consumers are environmentally conscious and have specific ideas and expectations when it comes to furnishing their homes. They want products that have superior design, products that are eco-friendly and practical. But they also want products that reflect their personalities and domestic lives, products that mark an increased enthusiasm for sustainability and uniqueness.This enthusiasm is global and has sparked increased sales for products with a keen sense of modern design. In Europe, Questo Design focuses on producing quirky accessories and highly stylized furniture. The Scandinavian inspired company Ikea brings sensibility and affordability to its myriad lighting, kitchen appliances and decor products. In the U.S., Design Within Reach, Hive, and 2Modern, are but three of the hundreds of companies whose collective business goal is offering sophisticated products to a hungry and intelligent consumer market.Splinter off a section of modern design consumers and you will find people looking to buy or sell modern homes built with the same principals and sensibilities. A vast market is available for those who want their homes to be a symbol of their creativity, ingenuity, or personal style.From San Francisco’s Bay Area to Boston’s historic outskirts, residential and commercial spaces designed with innovative architecture and sustainability continues to attract investors. These homes serve as local attractions and are often the focus of modern living oriented magazines such as Dwell and Metro Green+Business. They are places where industry meets intelligence, where design is defined by craftsmanship and durability.Homeowners interested in selling their modern home today have key advantages in the current real estate market. The first advantage is that many modern homes now on the market attract buyers who have distinct interests in specific architecture and amenities that can only be found in certain modern homes. It’s a straightforward theory that is verified when thousands of people with similar tastes buy and sell homes to one another.The second advantage is that a unique, modern home will always be just that: unique and modern. Even when styles and tastes change, superior craftsmanship and design allow modern homes to stand out and remain marketable. This market sustainability makes a modern home an investment that will experience years of healthy monetary returns.A modern home is in some ways an extension of the person who lives there. It is about design and architecture. But it’s also about character. As someone buying or selling a modern home understands, a home is more than a roof and windows and floors. It is a space that informs and accentuates the people who live there. For these reasons, whether you are an investor, a person in the market to buy or sell, a modern home is a wise and rewarding investment, no matter the economic climate.
Maximizing Deductions on Your Real Estate Rental Property
Do you own rental property that’s been producing a marginal profit or a loss the past few years? Short of raising the rent again, you’re fighting an uphill battle as your expenses continue to grow. But one way you can maximize your rental dollars is to squeeze every last tax deduction from your activities. A little extra diligence can boost your profits or turn red ink into black. Surprisingly, many landlords don’t grab all the deductions they’re entitled to. Following is a list of 10 key landlord deductions that you should be taking advantage of.Top 10 deductions for landlords1. Interest. It’s usually the biggest deduction on the list, so don’t forget it. You can deduct mortgage interest on loans to acquire or improve your rental property, plus other interest incurred for assets or services used in the rental activity.2. Depreciation. Most likely, this is the second-biggest deduction. You must depreciate residential rental property over 27.5 years.3. Local travel. Track your auto expenses related to the rental activity. This isn’t limited to travel to and from the rental property. For instance, you can deduct trips to the hardware store or office-supply store. Use the standard mileage rate to figure your deduction. For 2007 the standard mileage allowance is 48.5 cents per mile.4. Long-distance travel: If you’re required to travel overnight for your rental activity, you can deduct your airfare, lodging and other related expenses (including 50 percent of the cost of meals). Also, you can mix in a little pleasure, as long as the primary purpose of the trip is related to rental activity.5. Repairs. Write off the cost of “ordinary and necessary” repair costs in the year in which they’re incurred. These include expenses for repainting, fixing gutters and leaks, plastering and replacing broken windows. Note: The cost of improvements, as opposed to repairs, must be capitalized and added to your basis.6. Insurance. You can deduct insurance premiums for your rental property, including fire, theft and flood insurance and landlord liability insurance. If you have regular employees, you can also write off the cost of health insurance and workers’ comp insurance costs.7. Salaries and contractor fees. When you hire someone to work for your rental activity, you can deduct his or her wages as a business expense. Similarly, you can deduct fees paid to independent contractors-such as plumbers or landscapers-who provide services. You will be required to issue to any individual independent contractor a 1099 if you pay them $600 or more during the year. You may also be required to collect 7% in New Jersey withholding tax and remit that to the New Jersey Division of Taxation.8. Professional fees. Generally, you can deduct the fees paid to professionals-attorneys, accountants, property management companies, investment advisors and the like-to the extent that the costs are attributable to your rental activity.9. Home-office expenses. If you use a room at home for administrative tasks related to the rental activity-and the activity has no other principal place of business-you can deduct expenses attributable to a home office. Thus, you can deduct a percentage of regular home expenses (utilities, insurance, etc.) and the full amount of direct expenses, such as a separate telephone line. The use of the home office must be regular and exclusive.10. Casualty losses. Finally, if your rental property is damaged by a sudden event, including vandalism or theft, you may be able to claim a casualty loss for the damage suffered (less insurance reimbursements).