20 Feb 2020
By Mark Feder

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Near 1999 High

Market Outlook
The National Association of Home Builders reported a housing market index reading of 74 in February; the index reading was one point lower than for January and was only two points below the highest reading of 76 reported in December. Readings over 50 indicate that most builders consider housing market conditions to be positive. Factors contributing to builder confidence included strong housing markets and low mortgage rates; job growth and higher wages also boosted builder confidence. Low Inventory Influences Home Prices Low inventories of available homes continued to drive demand and rising home prices. Homebuyers faced with low supplies of…
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12 Feb 2020
By Mark Feder

The Impact Of The New Housing Construction Boom

Real Estate
New housing construction starts reached a record high in December 2019 going up 16.9%. This represents a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 1.608 million homes last December, which beat the record set in December 2006, 13 years ago, according to CNBC. This was surprising news, as predictions made before the end of the year were that housing starts in December would reach only 1.375 million homes. Experts say the current housing construction boom in the United States gets its support from the easy mortgage financing available and positive consumer expectations about the economy. What Does The New Housing Boom Mean To…
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07 Feb 2020
By Mark Feder

How To Find Places To Buy Rental Investment Properties

Real Estate
Real estate, which is a rental property, has the unique characteristic under the tax code of being able to depreciate it and pretend the asset is going down in value, while, if you are a clever investor, you will acquire property that actually increases in value. Additionally, there are other tax advantages for owning a rental property that can help shelter income. Positive Cash Flow The key to success with a real estate investment portfolio of rental properties is to build value while it is self-sustainable. Have the goal of creating positive cash flow from every owned property. Making $100…
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05 Feb 2020
By Mark Feder

Green Energy Tax Credits For Home Improvement & Energy Efficiency

Mortgage
Many individuals and families are looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption. Running the heater during the winter and the air conditioner during the summer can have significant impacts on someone's energy consumption and costs. It should come as no surprise that many people are trying to reduce their HVAC usage to save money; however, there is a better way. Individuals and families can permanently reduce their fossil fuel usage and carbon footprint by investing in home improvements. Better yet, local, state, and even the federal government wants everyone's home to be more environmentally conscious, or "green." Many utility companies…
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