George L. Duarte - Mortgage Loans Fremont California Horizon Financial Associates

How To Keep Records For Your Real Estate Business Anyone who is looking to build a successful real estate business needs to keep meticulous records. When buying and selling property, there are a lot of tax and legal responsibilities. While some people may not want to think about this issue, the IRS may audit a real estate business. In this case, it is critical to have documentation that demonstrates proof of income as well as any credits or deductions that might have been claimed.

Some of the most common deductions that are claimed in the real estate business include depreciation, mortgage interest, repairs, insurance premiums, administrative costs, and property taxes. In order to keep records for a real estate business, there are a few categories to consider.

Improvements That Have Been Made To Properties

There are two ways that someone can deduct the costs of improvements or repairs made to properties. First, someone can deduct the entire cost of the expense during the year that it was incurred. This means the cost of materials, labor, storage, and more.

The other way that someone can claim this deduction is to depreciate its cost over a predetermined period of time. This time period is going to depend on the nature of the repair. In this case, the depreciation period would begin on the date the repair or improvement is made.

The Cost Of Cars, Mileage, And Parking

Another key category is mileage and parking. There are plenty of people who use a car to get from place to place. If this car is used for work purposes, it can be claimed as a deduction. In order to keep proper records of mileage and parking, it is important to keep either a digital or paper log for the purposes of each trip.

Then, with the number of miles driven in hand, this can be multiplied by the suggested mileage rate provided by the IRS. The grand total can be deducted from someone’s gross taxable income that year. The alternative way to calculate this is to forgo the standard rate issued by the IRS and deduct the cost of gas, maintenance, and depreciation of the vehicle. Some people like to calculate the deduction both ways and use the larger total. Just be sure to have records to support this claim.

Remember that partenering with a trusted home mortgage professional can be a great asset for your clients and generate referral leads for your business.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week -March 2nd, 2020 Economic readings released last week included Case-Shiller and FHFA Home Price Indices and reports on new and pending home sales. The week wrapped up with a report on consumer sentiment and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims.

Case-Shiller, FHFA Report Faster Home Price Growth

Home prices rose by 3.80 percent year-over-year in December according to Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index rose by 2.90 percent year-over-year in December as compared to November’s reading of a 3.50 percent gain over-over-year; Case-Shiller reported 0.40 percent growth in home prices from month-to-month.

The 20-City Home Price Index reported no change in the top three cities for year-over-year home price growth. Phoenix, Arizona reported 6.50 percent home price growth in December followed by Charlotte, North Carolina’s reading of 5.30 percent home price growth. Tampa, Florida reported 5.20 percent year-over-year home price growth.

The Federal HousingFinance Agency reported its 34^th consecutive quarter of home price growth in December. Home prices rose by 5.10 percent in the fourth quarter of 2019 and were 0.60 percent higher month-to-month.

2019 saw home buyers leave pricey coastal metro areas in favor of less expensive markets in mountain states and in the South. Home prices in these areas rose as demand increased. Overall, real estate pros reported lingering shortages of homes for sale in many areas, but low mortgage rates prompted would-be buyers to enter the market. Increased demand for homes further boosted home prices in many areas.

Mortgage Rates Fall as New Jobless Claims Rise

Freddie Mac reported lower mortgage rates last week as 30-year fixed mortgage rates dropped four basis points to 3.45 percent. The average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was also four basis points lower at 2.95 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.20 percent and were five basis points lower.

Discount points averaged 0.70 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.80 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.20 percent.

First-time jobless claims rose last week; 219,000 new claims were filed and exceeded expectations of 214,000 claims and the prior week’s reading of 211,000 first-time claims filed.

New and Pending Home Sales Increase in January

764,000 new homes were sold in January on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis according to the Commerce Department. Analysts expected 722,000 new home sales based on December’s reading of 708,000 new homes sold. Low mortgage rates boosted sales as buyers turned to new home developments to take advantage of rock-bottom mortgage rates.

Pending home sales rose 5.20 percent in January as compared to a dip of -4.30 percent in December according to the National Association of Realtors®. Pending home sales were 8.70 percent higher in the South and 7.10 percent higher in the Midwest. Pending sales rose by 1.20 percent in the Northeast and fell 1.10 percent in the West.

The University of Michigan reported slight growth in consumer sentiment in February with an index reading of 101.0 as compared to January’s reading of 100.9. Analysts expected no change from January’s reading.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings on construction spending and labor sector reports on public and private-sector job growth and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims will also be released.

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