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Metros Where People Pay the Lowest, Highest Property Taxes

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With the federal income tax filing deadline quickly approaching, taxes are on many people’s minds. So LendingTree wanted to mark the occasion by looking at a tax all too familiar to homeowners: property taxes.

How much you pay in property taxes — which are often called real estate taxes interchangeably — varies significantly and can be influenced based on the home’s worth and location, among other things.

To illustrate the variances in people’s property taxes, LendingTree looked at the median amount paid annually in each of the nation’s 50 largest metropolitan areas.

In doing so, we found that homeowners in some metros can expect to shell out thousands of dollars more a year in property taxes than homeowners in other parts of the country.

Key findings

  • Property taxes can vary significantly across the nation’s 50 largest metros. For example, annual median property taxes in Birmingham, Ala. — where homeowners pay the least in real estate taxes — are about $7,700 cheaper than in the New York metro area, where they’re the highest.

  • Birmingham, Ala., is the only metro where median property taxes are less than $1,000 a year. The median amount of property taxes paid by homeowners in Birmingham is only $909. For comparison, residents in the next two metros with the lowest median real estate taxes — New Orleans and Louisville, Ky. — owe $1,345 and $1,563 a year, respectively.

  • New York, San Jose, Calif., and San Francisco are the metros where homeowners pay the most in property taxes. Unsurprisingly, residents in these metros known for their expensive real estate shell out a lot of money in property taxes each year. The median amount paid is $8,602 in New York, $7,471 in San Jose and $6,508 in San Francisco.

  • Median property taxes on homes without a mortgage are 18% less expensive, on average, than on homes with mortgages. There are various reasons for this, ranging from home values tending to be less expensive on homes without a mortgage to some states having tax exemptions or reductions for older homeowners who may be more likely to own their home outright. Salt Lake City and Seattle — the two metros where median property taxes are slightly higher for homes without a mortgage — illustrate there are exceptions.

Metros with the lowest property taxes

No. 1: Birmingham, Ala.

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $909

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $976

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $753

No. 2: New Orleans

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $1,345

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $1,494

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $1,101

No. 3: Louisville, Ky.

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $1,563

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $1,650

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $1,413

Metros with the highest property taxes

No. 1: New York

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $8,602

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $8,819

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $8,180

No. 2: San Jose, Calif.

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $7,471

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $8,559

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $4,838

No. 3: San Francisco

  • Median property taxes paid — all homes: $6,508

  • Median property taxes paid — homes with a mortgage: $7,267

  • Median property taxes paid — homes without a mortgage: $4,384

Tax tips for homeowners

Though you can potentially deduct various home-related costs on your federal tax return — such as property taxes and mortgage interest — you’ll need to decide whether you want to itemize to take advantage.

While itemizing your deductions can make the tax-filing process more time-consuming, tax tips can help homeowners save money and determine if itemization is right.

  • To make itemizing a tax return worth it, a person’s deductible expenses must be higher than their standard deduction. For the 2021 tax year (that is, taxes to be filed in 2022), the standard deduction amount is $12,550 for single taxpayers and married taxpayers filing separately, $18,800 for heads of households and $25,100 for married taxpayers filing jointly.

  • There are limits to how much people can deduct for home-related expenses. The total amount that can be deducted for all state and local taxes, including property taxes, is $10,000 — or $5,000 for married taxpayers filing separately.

  • While easing the tax burden can help some people struggling to pay housing costs, there are often better ways to manage those kinds of expenses. Ultimately, people who feel home costs chronically overburden them may be better off looking at alternative ways of easing their burden rather than relying on tax breaks on their returns. For example, refinancing your mortgage could help you lower your monthly housing payments depending on the rate you can get.

Keep reading on Lending Tree.

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9 Things Master Gardeners Wouldn’t Do in Their Gardens

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The Family Handyman asked master gardeners for advice to help the rest of us garden like the pros. Here are the top mistakes they see and how to avoid them.

Gardening is a forgiving hobby. If you forget to water once, plants will usually bounce back after their next good soak. But there are a few bad habits that can hold a garden back.

We asked two master gardeners to share some of the most common mistakes they see in the garden and how to fix them. Here are the things that master gardeners wouldn’t do in their own gardens — things you should avoid, too.

Not Testing Soil

Charlotte Ekker Wiggins, a University of Missouri Extension master gardener emeritus and award-winning author, opens with this classic newbie mistake: “Trying to garden without knowing what kind of soil they have.” Soil makes all the difference when choosing plants, fertilizers and amendments.

A simple, inexpensive soil test solves this problem. DIY home soil test kits are one option. However, Ekker Wiggins recommends contacting university extension offices, which “offer easy soil sample testing for $15-20 a test including recommendations of how to amend soil for the desired crops.”

Buying or Planting Too Much

Buying too many plants or seeds, or planting them too close together, is another common garden mistake. Not only can it lead to an unruly, unattractive garden, but Ekker Wiggins says “planting plants without room around them to grow can overtax the soil of nutrients resulting in less than healthy plants.”

Check the spacing before sowing seeds and be sure you’re not planting them too closely. You can save leftover seeds, but they do expire eventually, so be sure to use them next season.

When dealing with perennials, it can be tempting to plant them so they look full and lush now. However, when they reach their mature size, they’ll look overcrowded.

Instead, follow this advice from Haeley Giambalvo, a certified Texas Master Naturalist, member of the Texas Native Plant Society and owner of Native Backyards: “Spacing correctly from the get-go can save a lot of time and headache down the road by avoiding having to reposition or remove plants that have overgrown their space.”

Over-Fertilizing

Most plants don’t need to be fertilized as often as you might think. Garden fertilizers can even be detrimental to some plants, causing them to become leggy or to produce less fruit.

Ekker Wiggins cautions against over-fertilizing hanging baskets in particular. “It’s best to water hanging baskets with half to a fourth of the recommended fertilizer dose so the plants don’t expand roots, grow excessive foliage and have few blooms,” she says. She recommends slow-release granular fertilizers for beginner gardeners.

Mulching Too Close to Tree Trunks

Mulching around trees helps them retain moisture and weather the winter, but mulching incorrectly can do more harm than good. The wrong way, according to Ekker Wiggins: “Adding mulch up to tree trunks instead of leaving space between the trunk and the mulch.”

When mulching around your trees, leave three to five inches between the mulch and the tree.

Not Composting

We’ve already discussed the importance of testing and amending your soil, and compost is one of the best organic soil amendments. The best part? You can make it yourself for free!

Master gardeners know the power of compost and take full advantage of its nutritional power. Learning how to compost will take a garden to the next level, and it’s good for the environment, too. “Approximately 40 percent of all food in the U.S. is tossed out,” Ekker Wiggins says. “Put it to good use restoring the soil that grows our food.”

Planting Against Hardiness Zone

It’s possible to successfully grow plants from other climates. That’s actually the case for many annual flowers. However, it’s disappointing to plant what you think is a perennial just to find out it isn’t compatible with your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone.

“It can be tempting to buy one of every pretty flower you see in full bloom at the nursery,” says Giambalvo. “Many nursery flowers are native to other parts of the globe and require special care and babying to thrive in your climate. For that reason, I recommend new gardeners choose plants that are native to their local area.”

Watering Too Much, Too Little or at the Wrong Time

Watering too often is a common garden mistake that master gardeners see inside and outside. It can cause root rot and other plant diseases.

Research how much moisture each plant needs and water accordingly. Some like to dry out completely between waterings, while others like more consistently damp soil. Most houseplants do not need to be watered every day, and some don’t even need to be watered every week.

Underwatering plants is another issue master gardeners see a lot. Young outdoor plants in particular need regular watering. “Planting native plants does not mean they don’t need water,” Ekker Wiggins says. “Native plant seedlings need to be regularly watered until their roots get established.”

Giambalvo adds: “Even the hardiest of plants need time to adjust to their new location once they’ve been transplanted.” Give them plenty of water at first, then taper off as their roots develop.

Planting Without Considering Sunlight

When designing your garden or landscaping, consider more than aesthetics. A plant that would look fabulous in your sunny side yard might wither and die from too much direct light. Conversely, not all flowers are made to brighten up the shady corner under a tree.

Before you start planning which plants to buy, Giambalvo recommends monitoring your planting area and making note of the hours of direct sunlight it gets throughout the day. Research plants that will fit your chosen area’s light conditions, and always check the label before impulse buys at the nursery.

“Full sun plants thrive in an area that gets six or more hours of direct sun a day, while shade plants want less than four hours of direct sun a day,” Giambalvo says.

Weeding Completely by Hand

Once a garden is planted, weeding becomes an endless chore. Doing all that work by hand is a mistake master gardeners don’t make. With the right prep work, you can prevent a lot of the weeds from growing in the first place.

“I like to create a weed barrier by lining a garden bed with flattened cardboard boxes and then covering with a few inches of wood mulch,” Giambalvo says. Keeping plants and soil healthy will also help get rid of weeds in the garden.

Read more on Apple News.

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How to Afford a Second Home or Vacation Property

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If you're a homeowner looking for ways to build wealth and invest in the future, you may want to consider buying a second home.

This is possible even if you don't have the cash on hand for these types of investments, as you can purchase a second home or vacation property with a variety of financing options. Here's a three-step plan to secure your vacation home or second home.

Set Your Financial Goals
If you're thinking about buying a second home, one of the most critical things is your finances. You need to figure out how much you can afford and what kind of financing you want. If you have a stable job or other sources of income, you may be able to get a second mortgage. And as with any loan, there are terms, regulations and requirements that you must meet.

Determine Your Budget
Whether you are buying a seasonal residential home or a vacation property that you plan to rent out, budget is important to consider. If you don't know how much you can borrow based on your salary, ask a loan professional what other factors to take into account. These may include the minimum down payment and the interest rates. An advisor can help you determine what type of loan will be best for your situation.

Find Your Preferred Loan Program
The most effective way to find the most suitable loan program—and get approved—is to work with an experienced lender. Start by figuring out how much you want to borrow and what kind of property you want. For instance, institutions like Raw Land Lenders offer a variety of loan types, including hard money loans, raw land loans and bridge loans. You may even be able to release equity from your properties, pay off demanding banks and consolidate your debts.

The Benefits of Owning a Second Home or Vacation Home
Owning a second home or vacation home can be a worthwhile investment, but you need to know all the pros and cons. Some people don't want to buy a second property because they think they won't have enough time to enjoy it, or their job doesn’t allow them to travel. However, owning a second home can be useful for many reasons. These include generating rental income, having an emergency place to stay and being able to take a vacation in your favorite state without having to pay for hotel accommodations. 

Take these factors into consideration when deciding whether a second home is right for you.

Read more on RISMedia.

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The Hidden Costs of Buying a Condo

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A condominium may appear to be an excellent investment at first glance.

Most come with numerous amenities, maintenance-free living, and a great location. However, there are hidden costs that are often talked about. Nobody likes financial surprises as they can cause excessive stress levels.

Let’s take a look at a few of the hidden condominium buying costs that must be accounted for before purchasing.

Homeowner’s Association Charges

Condo owners can avoid landscaping, roof repair, deck repair, and sometimes even window repair charges. However, their investment isn’t entirely maintenance-free. Condos have annual, monthly, or quarterly charges in the form of homeowner association fees that cover typical building maintenance.

These fees tend to increase at per with the property value and as the property ages and requires more maintenance.

Understanding property association fee amounts, frequency of payment, and rules governing increases are critical in ensuring they don’t overeat into your pocketbook or wallet.

When buying a condo, carefully look over the financial statement. Ensure there is economic stability and plenty of money in the reserve fund.

Special Assessments Are Unplanned Expenses

Property association charges generally cover typical costs. However, unplanned expenses are inevitable and must be passed over to condominium owners when they occur. These are known as special assessments and are typically significant expenses.

They can be a tough pill to swallow, especially for new owners who have just purchased and weren’t aware of them.

A typical example would be expenses to rebuild a balcony that has been deemed unsafe. If all balconies must be redone, the cost is generally shared among all condo owners. Another example is the roof on the clubhouse needing replacement. These costs can add up quickly.

Most unplanned expenses aren’t optional and need to be met by every property owner. The importance of knowing a condominium’s prior unexpected expenses history can’t, therefore, be overlooked.

It also helps to know the protocol for unplanned expenses. There are many questions to be asked when buying a condo and anything related to fees is crucial.

Additional Insurance

While the property must have insurance, condominiums have unique insurance needs. Even if you take a mortgage to finance your purchase which typically comes with insurance, you should consider severe but commonly overlooked risks.

For instance, condominiums spread across the beach to offer expansive ocean views come with additional risks. Proximity to the beach is a great marketing tool. However, standard homeowner insurance policies don’t cover damage linked to hurricanes, flooding, and wind.

The location of many oceanfront condos makes them susceptible to flooding. Most are located in or near flood zones demanding additional insurance protection. It’s therefore up to a condominium owner to take additional coverage for their unit.

To avoid hidden insurance costs, it’s advisable to see what the current insurance protects before buying the condo. The exclusions at this stage can be used to negotiate for a better buying price.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to see if the additional insurance cost makes sense. Insurance agents can assess current coverage to identify further needs.

Consulting an insurance agent ensures you uncover hidden insurance costs that help you make a more informed condo purchasing decision.

Final Thoughts

Owning a condo is a great way to have a vacation property or downsize after retiring without compromising on most things. However, the above information highlights the hidden costs of owning a condo that is commonly overlooked. Acknowledging these costs of buying a condo is critical to ensure your condominium investment makes sense in the long term.

Before making that final purchase decision, talk to the Realtor, insurance agent, loan provider, and property association manager. These professionals should be part of the final process in determining if purchasing a condo is right for you.

Keep reading on RISMedia.

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Are You Ready for Real Estate Investing?

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Real estate investing is among the oldest and most rewarding asset classes.

It's a great way of building wealth and can be one of the more reliable types of investment. New investors are usually aware of these benefits, but some are not aware of the several different categories of real estate investments available.

For a savvy investor, focusing your efforts on a specific niche can be the first step in succeeding in your pursuit of financial independence and the benefit of a passive income. What do you need to know about the best types of real estate investment opportunities for your needs? Let's find out.

Types of Real Estate Investing

In 2020, the revenue from the property management field reached an unprecedented $88.4 billion in the U.S. If you're a prospective investor determined to develop, acquire, own or flip real estate, you should first understand the industry by dividing property investment into its various categories.

Residential

Based on US Census Bureau records, renter-occupied housing units accounted for about 30.4% of the overall inventory during the fourth quarter of 2020. Renting just makes sense for a large portion of the population, even if they have a choice to rent or own a property. These properties include houses, apartment buildings, vacation houses, and townhouses where individuals or families pay you to reside in the property. Details about their length of stay are stated in the rental or lease agreement.

Pros: short leases (due for renewal every 6-12 months) allowing you to capitalize on any positive adjustments in the market conditions.

Commercial

Office buildings and skyscrapers basically constitute commercial buildings. Property owners lease out these spaces to companies or small business owners, who then pay rent to use the property. Commercial real estate prices have been on an upward trend. This statistics indicates this category has a considerable ROI in the long term.

Pros: Benefit of longer leases, usually multi-year. Typically, this approach helps generate greater stability in cash flow and often cushions you as the property owner from rental rates decline.

Cons: Markets fluctuate, and its possible rental rates may increase rapidly within a short period. Due to the dated agreements, a property owner may not have the flexibility to increase the rent to match the competitive market rates.

Industrial

These properties generate income from customers who frequent properties such as industrial warehouses, storage units, distribution centers, manufacturing facilities, and other purpose-built properties. As a real estate investor, you charge significant fees and earn service revenue as a means to increase your return on investment.

Retail

Retail properties include shopping malls, strip malls, retail storefronts, among others. Depending on the agreement type, property owners can also receive a portion of sales generated by the stores alongside a base rent. This strategy helps create an incentive for them to maintain the property in remarkable condition and attract shoppers.

Mixed-Use

Typically, mixed-use properties blend any of the above classifications into one project. This catch-all category of real estate investments is attractive for those with considerable assets since they offer a level of built-in diversification that helps control risk.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs have risen in popularity in the real estate investment community as an alternative way to invest in real estate. They are popular with investors who don't want the responsibility of overseeing the management of an investment property.

But what's a REIT? This real estate investing strategy involves investment in shares of a corporation dealing or owning real estate properties and allocating a considerable amount of its earnings as dividends.

Cons: tax complexities. Dividends don't enjoy the same favorably low tax rates common stocks attract. But REITs can be an excellent addition to your investment portfolio, preferably when you buy them at the right value—with an adequate margin of safety. Besides, you can also opt for more esoteric areas like tax lien certificates.

As a rule of thumb, lending money for real estate is regarded as real estate investing and can also be accounted for as a fixed-income investment. Akin to investing in bonds, you generate your returns by lending money in favor of interest income.

Investing in a real estate/building and later leasing it back to a tenant, for instance, as a restaurant, is at par with fixed income investing instead of an actual real estate investment. In this case, you're simply financing a property—but this somewhat hedges between investing and financing. Overall, you technically own the building and have a claim to its appreciation and profits.

Getting Started in Real Estate Investing

Every kind of investment has its share of potential benefits and shortcomings, and real estate investing is no different. Smart investors minimize their risks by anticipating the twists in cash flow cycles, economic cycles, potential for natural disasters, and changes in lending traditions. So, it's best to analyze and weigh the opportunities very thoroughly before deciding if real estate investing is the right choice for you.

Real estate investing can carry many rewards with benefits potentially lasting a lifetime. If you apply due diligence, you can capitalize on the available opportunities in what can be a fun and lucrative path.

Read the full article on RETechnology.

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