What is a Deed-Restricted Community? What to Know Before You Buy or Build a Home
By Lisa Kaplan Gordon Feb 22, 2023 (Getty Images) The day I planned to close on an acre lot where I hoped to build a brand-new house, my real estate agent turned up a deed restriction that limited the number of garages I could construct. I [...]
Want to Buy an Old Home? These Are the Most Common Repairs to Watch Out For
By Ana Durrani Mar 2, 2023 (Getty Images) Many homebuyers seek out old houses for their charm and character. The architecture of an old home, like a Tudor, Victorian, or Colonial, offers owners a sense of originality not typically found in new builds or cookie-cutter tract home neighborhoods. “There’s [...]
Tax Deductions on Home Equity Loans and HELOCSs: What You Can (and Can’t) Write Off
By Audrey Ference Feb 26, 2023 (Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay) Do you have a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC)? Homeowners often tap their home equity for some quick cash, using their property as collateral. But before doing so, you need to understand how [...]
Buying a House Remodeled Without a Permit? Here’s What You’re on the Hook For
By Margaret Heidenry Feb 15, 2023 (Getty Images) Imagine attending an open house and stepping into a newly remodeled master bathroom complete with brand-new Carrara marble tiling and a luxurious free-standing tub. Home improvements like this are enough to make potential home buyers fall in love, and it may even [...]
What is the Definition of a Bedroom? Make Sure You Know the Legal Bedroom Requirements
By Cathie Ericson Feb 14, 2023 (Getty Images) Welcome to the nuances of real estate speak, where not everything is as it seems. You can’t simply place a bed in any size average space and call it a master bedroom. There are, in fact, a number [...]
How to Take a Home Office Tax Deduction When You Work From Home
By Margaret Heidenry Feb 21, 2023 (iStock) Of all the tax breaks available, the home office tax deduction is among the murkiest and most misunderstood. And the passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has made things even more complicated. So if you work [...]
