What you need for a mortgage pre-approval
Whether you’re self-employed or applying for an FHA or USDA loan, here’s the pre-approval paperwork you need. If you’re serious about buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a critical step. It’s also a tedious one. Lenders seem to want a mountain of documents and have so many {{ start_tip 124 }}requirements.{{ end_tip […]
Last chance to get your home at a bargain!
A loaf of bread used to be a nickel. A movie ticket was a dime. Not anymore. Houses were also much less expensive than they are now. Inflation raised the price of all three of those items, along with the price of almost every other item we purchase. The reason we can still afford to […]
Three Things Buyers Want
This weekend in Colorado Springs!
Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts 190 S. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 An audience favorite, Rock of Ages is one of Broadway’s most successful musicals. This is nothing but good fun entertainment! It will feature the music of iconic bands such as Styx, Poison, Twisted Sister and White Snake among many others. […]
Standard or Itemized Deductions
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples. There will be some instances that homeowners may be better off taking the standard deduction than itemizing their deductions. In the past, homeowners would most likely be better off itemizing but the $10,000 limit of state and local […]
Are closing costs tax deductible?
Here’s the scoop on what’s tax deductible when buying a house. Are closing costs tax deductible? What about mortgage interest? Or property taxes? The answer is, maddeningly, “It depends.” Basically, you’ll want to itemize if you have deductions totaling more than the standard deduction, which is $12,000 for single people and $24,000 for married couples […]
Buy a home young to build your wealth
Homeowners who purchase their homes before the age of 35 are better prepared for retirement at age 60, according to a new Urban Institute study. The organization surveyed adults who turned 60 or 61 between 2003 and 2015 for their data set. “Today’s older adults became homeowners at a younger age than today’s young adults. […]
Alternative to Shredding
Anyone want pretzels?
German food is the ultimate comfort food; the hearty schnitzel and creamy spätzle will fill your belly and delight your tastebuds. There’s a wonderful German restaurant in Colorado Springs that has the most delicious food ever – and the soft pretzels here are huge! Edelweiss has been a Colorado Springs favorite since 1967. It’s the […]
