Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Incredibly Low Interest Rates

Jodi Kaye, a lender in Door County says she has money available at 3.99% for a 15 year and 4.55% on a 30 year loan.

If that rate increases 1%, you will pay 10% more for the property you buy. The time to buy is NOW, call me or email me to discuss.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Extension of Tax Credit and Flood Insurance

After a close brush with the deadline, Congress has passed an extension of
the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and
Improvement Act
(H.R. 5623). The extension applies only to transactions that
have ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not yet
closed. The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension the new
closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30, 2010. There
is will be no gap between June 30 and the date the President signs the bill
into law.

NAR worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to
enact this important legislation. Extending the Tax Credit Closing deadline
will help provide additional stability to real estate markets across the
nation.

For additional information on the extension visit
www.realtor.org/government_affairs

Additionally, the United States Senate has passed the National Flood
Insurance Program Extension Act of 2010 (H.R. 5569) an extension of the
National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. This will allow
transactions to move forward. The bill is retroactive and covers the lapse
period from June 1, 2010 to the date of enactment of the extension.

For more information on the flood insurance program visit
www.realtor.org/government_affairs

Provided to Connie from the Door County Board of REALTORS.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Did you hear? STAR POWER Conference is back!

It's official ... STAR POWER is being re-launched under new leadership! As a STAR POWER Star it's incredibly exciting to be involved in the continuation of STAR POWER into a new era of industry leadership. Since you are a part of my database you automatically get $100 discount to this event.

The 2010 Conference has been booked and this years key note speaker is Dave Ramsey . I do not personally profit if you sign up on my recommendation, but if you try to sign up without going through me it is going to cost you extra money. Use the link below to get the discount.

http://www.gostarpower.com/go?w=conference&p=a254

STAR POWER also has a new saying that fits perfectly with the organization's goals:
STAR POWER is ... Success Shared™.

I'm proud to be a part of this extraordinary organization helping thousands of agents across the country learn how to be more successful, both professionally and personally. I'll be speaking on the subjects of Clients for Life and Listing Spotlight (20 question you should ask in the pre-listing meeting to get the listing every time).

Agents interested in elevating their business should definitely look into going to STAR POWER Conference. Again, the site is: http://www.gostarpower.com/go?w=conference&p=a254

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Medicare Tax on "Unearned" Net Investment Income

According to the National Association of REALTORS, “Contrary to reports and newspaper articles circulating widely on the Internet, there is not a 4.0% “sales tax” or “transfer tax” on the sale of a home included in the recently signed health care reform bill. The analysis underlying these reports is incorrect and fails to take into account the interplay of the bill’s provisions with already existing real estate tax laws that remain unchanged.”

Below are frequently asked questions regarding the new legislation published by the National Association of REALTORS:

New Medicare Tax on "Unearned" Net Investment Income

Q-1: Who will be subject to the new taxes imposed in the health legislation?

A: A new 3.8% tax will apply to the “unearned” income of “High Income” taxpayers. Another 0.9% tax will apply to the “earned” income of many of these same individuals. Both levies are referred to as “Medicare” taxes. (For a description of the new 0.9% tax, see separate Q&A entitled “New Tax on EARNED INCOME: Wages, Salaries and Commissions.”)


Q-2: Who is a “High Income” Taxpayer?

A: Those whose tax filing status is “single” will be subject to the new unearned income taxes if they have Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of more than $200,000. Married couples filing a joint return with AGI of more than $250,000 will also be subject to the new tax. (The AGI threshold for married filing separate returns is $125,000.)


Q-3: Are the $200,000 and $250,000 thresholds indexed for inflation?

No. Thus, over time, more individuals may become subject to this tax.


Q-4: When does the new 3.8% Medicare tax take effect?

A: The new Medicare tax on unearned income will take effect January 1, 2013.


Q-5: What is “unearned” net investment income?

A. Unearned income is the income that an individual derives from investing his/her capital. It includes capital gains, rents, dividends and interest income. It also comes from some investments in active businesses if the investor is not an active participant in the business.

The portion of unearned income that is subject both to income tax and the new Medicare tax is the amount of income derived from these sources, reduced by any expenses associated with earning that income. (Hence the term “net” investment income.) Thus, in the case of rents, the taxable amount would be gross rents minus all expenses (including depreciation) incurred in operating the rental property. So if gross rents were $100,000 with associated expenses of $40,000, net rents of $60,000 ($100,000 minus $40,000) would be included in Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).


Q-6: So the new tax will apply to rents from investment properties that I own?

A: Maybe. Remember that net investment income includes only net rental income. Thus, gross rents would not be subject to the tax. Rather, gross rents would be reduced (as they are under the income tax) by all allowable expenses, including depreciation, cost of repairs, property taxes and all other expenses related to the property. AGI includes net income from rent, so if your AGI is above the $200,000/$250,000 thresholds, then the rental income might be subject to the tax. For many investment real estate owners, the net rents will be the same as or similar to the amounts reported on their Schedule E, filed with their Form 1040 Income Tax Return. (For calculations, see Q-8, below. See also Q-9 through Q-12 related to capital gain from sale of principal residence, losses on sale and to vacation homes, below.)


Q-7: Does the tax apply to the yearly appreciation of an asset?

No. Capital gains are subject to this new tax only in the year when the asset is sold. The amount of the gain will be measured in the same way that it is for income tax purposes. This rule applies to real estate and all other appreciating capital assets. Net capital gains are taxable only in the year of sale.


Q-8: How is the new 3.8% Medicare tax calculated?

A: The new 3.8% Medicare tax is assessed only when Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is more than $200,000/$250,000. (See Q-2 above.) AGI includes net income from interest, dividends, rents and capital gains, as well as earned compensation and several additional forms of income presented on a Form 1040 Income Tax Return.

The tax is NOT imposed on the total AGI, nor is it imposed solely on the investment income. Rather, the taxable amount will depend on the operation of a formula. The taxpayer will determine the LESSER of (1) net investment income OR (2) the excess of AGI over the $200,000/$250,000 AGI thresholds. Thus, if net investment income is the smaller amount, then the 3.8% tax is applied only to the net investment income amount. If the excess over the thresholds is the smaller amount, then the 3.8% tax would apply onlyto the excess amount.

For example, if AGI for a single individual is $275,000, then the excess over $200,000 would be $75,000 ($275,000 minus $200,000). Assume that this individual’s net investment income is $60,000. The new 3.8% tax applies to the smaller amount. In this example, $60,000 of net investment income is less than the $75,000 excess over the threshold. Thus, in this example, the 3.8% tax is applied to the $60,000.

If this single individual had AGI if $275,000 and net investment income of $90,000, then the new tax would be imposed on the smaller amount: the $75,000 of excess over $200,000.

Rules of thumb for predicting the application of this tax year to year are not readily determinable, largely because the proportion of net investment income compared to AGI will vary from year to year and from individual to individual.


Q-9: Will the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion on the sale of a principal residence continue to apply?

A: Yes. Any gain from the sale of a principal residence that is less than $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (joint return) will continue to be excluded from the income tax. The new 3.8% tax will NOT apply to this excluded amount of the gain.


Q-10: Will the 3.8% tax apply to any part of the gain on the sale of a principal residence?

A: The new Medicare tax would apply only to any gain realized that is more than the $250K/$500K existing primary home exclusion (known as the “taxable gain”), and only if the seller has AGI above the $200K/$250K AGI thresholds.

So, for example, if the taxable gain was $30,000 and a married couple had AGI (which would include the taxable gain) of $180,000, the 3.8% tax would not apply because AGI is less than $250,000. If that same couple had AGI of $290,000, then the application of the 3.8% tax would be subject to the same formula described above. The $30,000taxable gain on the sale would be less than the $40,000 excess above $250,000 AGI, so the $30,000 gain would be subject to the new 3.8% tax.


Q-11: Is rent from a vacation home subject to the 3.8% tax? And what about the gain on sale of a vacation or rental property?

A: The application of the tax will depend on whether the vacation home has been rented out, the period for which it has been rented and whether the property is solely for the enjoyment of the owner. If the owner has rented the home out to others, then the 14-day rent exclusion will continue to apply. Thus, if the owner rents the property to others (including family members) for 14 or fewer days, there would be no net investment tax. (Note that no deductions for expenses would be available, as under current law.)

If the home has been rented to others (including family members) for more than 14 days, then the rents (minus related expenses) would be considered as part of net investment income and could, depending on AGI and the calculations described above, be subject to the new tax.

If the vacation home has been used solely for personal enjoyment (i.e., there is no rental income and no associated expenses), then a gain on sale would be treated as net investment income and could be subject to the tax, depending on AGI. Similarly, if the property had generated rents, any net gain on sale could also be included in net investment income. The amount of the tax (if any) would depend on the calculation formula, above in Q-8.


Q-12: My rental property generates a net loss each year. How will those losses be factored into the new tax? And what if I have net capital losses when I sell?

A: Net losses from rents and net capital losses reduce AGI. Thus, the losses themselves would not be subject to the tax. If, after losses, AGI still exceeds the High Income thresholds, the 3.8% tax would still apply if there were any interest or dividends income. (Capital losses reduce capital gains. If losses exceed gains, no more than $3000 of capital losses may reduce other income in any year.)

Note that passive loss limitations will continue to apply to rental income and loss.


Q-13: All of my income is derived from real estate investments that I own and operate myself. Will my rents and gains be subject to the new tax?

A: No. If the ownership and operation of real estate you own is your sole occupation, then those activities are what’s called your “trade or business.” Income derived from a trade or business is not subject to the new 3.8% tax, but could be subject to the 0.9% tax on earned income.

If the owner of rental properties has a “day job,” however, real estate investments are not considered as a trade or business, but are rather considered as investments, even if they are a major source of income. Note that many Realtors engage in business activities are that are the “typical” selling, leasing and brokerage endeavors usually associated with the term “REALTOR®.” If they also own real estate assets as part of their own personal investment portfolio, the rents from that portfolio could become subject to the new 3.8% tax on net investment income, depending on AGI.


Q-14: Is there a real estate “sales tax” or a transfer tax in the new health care bill?

A: No. There is neither a real estate “sales tax” nor a real estate transfer tax in the bill.


Q-15: Will “High Income Filers” lose any portion of the Mortgage Interest they are allowed to deduct?

A: No. The mortgage interest deduction is unchanged. No cap was imposed on any itemized deductions.


Q-17: Why is this new tax called a “Medicare tax?”

A: The revenues generated from this tax will be allocated to the Medicare Trust Fund that is part of the Social Security System. That fund is currently on shaky financial footing. The additional revenues generated from the new earned income and unearned income taxes are intended to shore up the Medicare Trust Fund.


Q-18: How will this new tax affect marginal (the highest) tax rates when it is combined with existing law and with the possible expiration of the Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001?

A: Marginal tax rates are the tax rates assessed on the “last” dollars included in taxable income. If the Bush tax cuts are allowed to expire, then the marginal rates for upper income individuals will increase, particularly for capital gains income.


For information on The National Association of REALTORS, go to: www.realtor.org/healthreform

Thursday, May 20, 2010

New Carbon Monoxide Detectors Law

New Law Will Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors in All Homes

MADISON, WI – On March 10, 2010, Governor Doyle will sign into a law Senate Bill 415, legislation that will require all homes to have carbon monoxide detectors beginning on February 1, 2011.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous, poisonous gas, which cannot be detected by human senses. Dubbed the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide claims more than 2,000 lives each year and sends more than 40,000 people to the emergency room in the U.S. alone. At high concentrations, carbon monoxide can be fatal within minutes. Twenty-three other states already have laws requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residential properties.

This new law will expand the current carbon monoxide detector requirements to all one and two-family homes and parallels requirements for smoke alarms for ease of installation. Specifically, this new law will require carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in the basement of the dwelling and on each floor level except the attic or storage area of both newly constructed and existing homes. For new construction, the alarms must be hard-wired in order to be current with national model safety codes. For existing homes, the alarms can be battery operated and can be multi purpose (smoke and carbon monoxide). Dwellings with no attached garages, no fireplaces and no fuel-burning fireplaces are exempted from this requirement.

Similar to the smoke alarm law, the new carbon monoxide detector law does not have a fine or penalty associated with non-compliance. However, all home inspections will be required to check for carbon monoxide alarms.

The above is a news release by Tom Larson, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association

About the WRA
The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association is one of the largest trade associations in the state, representing more than 14,000 real estate brokers, sales people and affiliates statewide. Sales estimates for the states, broad national regions, and the U.S. are provided by the National Association of REALTORS®, which seasonally adjusts quarterly sales figures. All county and regional sales figures and median prices within Wisconsin are compiled by the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association and are not seasonally adjusted.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Door County's First Quarter Mkt Stats




In reviewing Door County's first quarter market statistics, I find it interesting that for the first time (as long as I can remember), the List Price to Sales Price (LP/SP) statistic has decreased below 90% in ALL property types except condominiums. Door County's LP/SP statistics have held in the 90% bracket until now.

The time it takes to get a property sold (TOM) is on average 1.5 years. Take note, vacant waterfront lots took, on average, 1,036 days to sell!

The market is the market. We cannot change it, but by understanding it, we can position ourselves to make the best of it. Knowledge is key!

Visit my web site often to stay on top of Door County's real estate market: www.ConnieErickson.com

I post updated Door County real estate market statistics quarterly and am available to discuss current market conditions anytime. I welcome your call or e-mail. I love talking real estate!