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Real Estate « Financial Matters

Articles:

  • Annual board of review to fight property taxes soon (Oakland Press – 1/18/09)
    Patti's comment: This is an important issue for folks to look at as their property tax statements come in.
  • Emerging Issue Impacting up to 30,000 Seniors with Reverse Mortgages (NLRC e-lert 1/13/11)
    AoA has just published a new web page with information on an emerging issue effecting up to 30,000 seniors with Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (aka reverse mortgages) and the role of the Aging Network in Assisting Older Mortgagees.
  • Hiring a Lawyer for Loan-Modification Help (New York Times – 12-16-10)
    Struggling homeowners can sometimes benefit from hiring a lawyer to try to modify a mortgage or avert foreclosure, but avoiding scam artists and sketchy practices requires vigilance. 
  • Home Heating Tax Credit (2/27/17)
    This tax credit is designed to help Michigan homeowners or renters who are low-income, disabled, receiving unemployment compensation or other qualified residents, pay for a portion of their heating expenses.
  • How to Avoid Uncapping Property Tax Assessments (Harley Manela-ICLE-12/7/09)
    Tax assessors look for opportunities to “uncap” property assessments so they can raise the property taxes on your client’s property. These tips will help you avoid problems.
  • Reverse Mortgages (Time Goes By)
    Info on the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), the best and most popular Reverse Mortgage, because it’s guaranteed by the still-solid Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
  • Tapping Into Homes Can Be Pitfall for the Elderly (New York Times – March 2, 2008)
    Erika Baker was 67 years old, divorced and worried about her job when a saleswoman showed up at her door in late 2006.
  • Tax Break for Surviving Spouses Selling Homes (Wall Street Journal – Jan. 20, 2008)
    Some widows and widowers thinking of selling their home may benefit from a new law enacted last month. The new law effectively gives them more time to sell and still be eligible for the maximum home-sale tax break available for married couples who file jointly.

Publications:

  • A Reverse Mortgage Solution (Mortgage Now, Inc.)
    In today's adverse financial climate many seniors find themselves either unable to comfortably meet their mortgage payments and or need additional income to meet their obligations. Selling your home in a declining real estate market may not be a wise option. Tapping the equity in your home through a reverse mortgage is worth considering.
  • Reverse Mortgage (Wells Fargo – Tim Thomas)
    A quick Q&A guide on how to optimize retirement cash flow without selling your home.

Organizations & Services:

  • FHA Reverse Mortgages (HECMs) for Consumers – (U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development)
    The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is FHA's reverse mortgage program which enables you to withdraw some of the equity in your home. You choose how you want to withdraw your funds, whether in a fixed monthly amount or a line of credit or a combination of both.
  • National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Assn.
    For consumers interested in learning more about reverse mortgages.

Resources: Websites

  • Landlord-Tenant Laws and Statutes (Landlord Protection Agency)
    Here's a state-by-state guide with links to statutes for both landlords and tenants.
  • Mortgage Calculators
    A variety of mortgage calculators to help you figure out the break even point, APR, when it's worth it to pay points, etc.
  • Predatory Mortgage Lending (National Consumer Law Center)
    With six million foreclosures looming in the near future and the subprime mortgage market in a complete shambles, now is the time to reevaluate the issues raised by the current mortgage regulatory structure. New approaches should be considered to creating a mortgage regulatory system which will work for everyone in the future. The big question is how the mortgage production system should changed – to encourage good credit to be accessible, and to protect homeowners and investors from credit which is neither sustainable nor secure.