Are Homeownership Tax Advantages at Risk?

You may be aware that Congress is considering changes to tax law that stand to negatively affect you as a current or prospective homeowner. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)—the largest trade association in the country, which advocates for real estate professionals and homeowners—as Congress pursues comprehensive tax reform it should focus on doing no harm to housing and America’s 75 million homeowners by maintaining current tax laws for homeownership and real estate investment.

NAR President Gary Thomas recently testified before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee concerning Federal tax provisions that affect residential real estate. Thomas urged specific support for maintaining the current deduction for home mortgage interest. The mortgage interest deduction helps many families become homeowners, which is the foundation for a healthy middle class, and it is vital to the health and stability of housing markets.

Sixty-five percent of families who claim the deduction earn less than $100,000 per year, and as a percentage of income, the biggest beneficiaries are younger middle-class families.

“The mortgage interest deduction makes sustainable homeownership more affordable for millions of middle-class families; these families are the nation’s backbone,” said Thomas. “Protecting these hard-working Americans should be Congress’ top priority as it pursues comprehensive tax reform. On behalf of our one million REALTOR® members and millions of homeowners, we urge Congress to do no harm to housing.”

In his testimony, Thomas emphasized the fact that homeownership has had long-standing support in the country because of its many benefits to individuals, families, communities and to the nation’s economy.

Thomas explained that the current tax code contains housing-related provisions that help facilitate homeownership, build wealth for families and provide stability to communities. Altering these policies could marginalize current and future homebuyers as well as jeopardize the nascent housing recovery and the overall economy.

“REALTORS® know that homeownership is an investment in your future,” said Thomas. “NAR remains committed to preserving the current tax measures for homeownership so that millions of Americans can continue to build the kind of financial security that owning a home can provide.”

As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Lending is tight, and with the way the market is moving, it may be getting even tighter. But that doesn’t mean your dreams of owning that three-bedroom colonial should be dashed to pieces. It just means you need to impress your lender. Below are a few top tips:

Maintain job security. If possible, you should stay at your current job while building up your credit and zeroing in on that mortgage. Your lender will want to analyze your work history, and make sure you are reliable and have a steady stream of income. If you know you need to switch jobs soon, put off your home purchase until you are securely in your new position.

Fluff your credit. Your credit is key for securing a mortgage. If yours isn’t up to snuff, spend a year or so working on it before talking to a lender. How can you work on your credit? Pay down any credit card balances and stay on top of your bills. You should also check your ratio of credit available to credit used.

Trim your spending habits. You're trying to prove to your lender that you can manage your finances and debt. Putting a huge chunk of your salary toward a new car or that stunning living room set will raise a few eyebrows. Avoid excessive credit card purchases while gearing up for a mortgage application.

Save. This goes hand in hand with trimming your spending habits. Saving for your down payment will be very helpful when it comes to applying for a mortgage. Aim for 20 percent of the amount of home you can afford. A large down payment will prove to lenders that you’re serious as well as a good saver. It will also give you immediate equity and reduce your monthly payments from the get-go.

While securing a mortgage is a tricky process, it’s not impossible—and impressing your lender is only going to help.

1. Draw a plan to define a clear idea of what you want the end result to look like. Write down any and all thoughts you have in regards to the desired room design. Draw where you think furniture pieces may go; describe how certain elements will be incorporated. The plan can change throughout the remodeling process, but having that visual at the start will help guide the project as things progress. If you are having difficulty formulating a remodeling plan, call a professional handyman or designer to help with direction and give you more ideas.

2. Research the various elements involved in your plan. Oftentimes, other people have carried out the same projects themselves and can offer valuable advice. Save time by learning from others' experiences, rather than by your own trial and error. If you find your kitchen remodeling, for example, is beyond your capabilities, a skilled handyman may offer expertise that can enhance your plan beyond your expectations. Once you have done your research, you will have a better idea of how much money and time are required to complete the plan.

3. Create a budget that you are comfortable devoting to your project. Before you begin purchasing materials and securing labor, you need to set a limit to ensure that spending does not get out of control. At this point, your plan may need alterations to fit within your budget restraints. Proper budgeting ensures your plan can be carried out to completion.

4. Gather help from experienced craftsmen to ensure your success. While some handy homeowners may opt to remodel alone, having others help will make the process a smoother experience. In some cases, that can be as simple as collecting friends and family to share the labor. Unfortunately, this type of help does not always give you the professional results you hope to achieve. Sometimes it may be best to bring in a professional. In order to complete kitchen remodeling, for example, you will most likely need some professional help.

5. Get the appropriate permits required by your local government to make sure your project complies with local building codes. Make sure to apply at your local town office for any necessary permits involved in your remodeling project. If you are unsure of how to go about this or which permits you require, handyman services can be extremely helpful.