The Legal Risks of Short-Term Rental Hosting
In recent years, short-term home rentals have soared thanks to online services such as Airbnb and VRBO. Renting your property...
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Demystifying Tax Rules for Airbnb Hosts
You may rent out a guest bedroom to short-term tenants through Airbnb or another home-sharing site. If so, it’s essential...
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Know the Tax Rules for Vacation Rental Owners
If you own a house that you use as a vacation rental but also use the property yourself at times,...
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Don’t Overlook These Moving Checklist Items
Moving is much more than packing boxes, hiring a mover or renting a truck. Here is a checklist of “must-do”...
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Comparing Wills and Trusts: Which Do You Need?
Proper estate planning can be a dreaded task but think of it as a gift to your heirs. Two primary...
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Is Rental Furniture Right For You?
You’ve finally bought your first home and have little money available to furnish it, or you’re a traveling medical professional...
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Can You Disclaim an Inheritance?
You might wonder why someone would turn down an inheritance, but it happens and often for good reason. Refusing to...
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Understanding the Home Office Tax Deduction
If you run your business from home, you should know the IRS rules for claiming the home office tax deduction....
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Is Electronic Monitoring of Guests in Your Home Allowable?
Homeowners may want to use electronic monitoring equipment — video and audio — to monitor guests in their home in...
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Your Guide to Investment Property Financing
incCountless Americans have built enormous wealth by owning investment real estate. However, the biggest challenge for entry into this lucrative...
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Decorate Your Rental To Feel Like Home
Does living in a rented space mean you’re stuck with drab floors, the same blah neutral paint in every room,...
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How Does Section 8 Federal Housing Assistance Work?
The federal government offers housing assistance to allow low-income families, disabled people and the elderly to rent decent, clean homes...
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Financing Real Estate Purchases With Other People’s Money
If you want to begin investing in real estate, you may find that traditional financing sources like conventional and government-backed...
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Screening Tenants for Your Rental Property
When you buy an investment property to rent out, you put lots of money and effort into the purchase, renovation...
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Is Renting a Home Right for You?
You probably think first of an apartment when it comes to renting a place to live. But it’s also possible...
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From Your Family to Another: Selling Antiques
Those antiques your grandmother left are lovely, but you may nonetheless choose to sell them. Perhaps you don’t have space...
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Investment Property Repairs and Renovations: How They Affect Your Taxes
Owners of residential investment property often spend money on repairs or renovations. These expenses can be written off on your...
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Five Tips for Managing Monthly Bills
Financial success requires certain disciplines. You need to know what you’re spending your money on, spend less than you earn,...
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Buying Smart At Estate Sales
Estate sales can offer quality used goods at great prices. But in addition to cash or credit card, it helps...
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What Are the Differences Between Distressed Properties?
When a homeowner is forced to give up a home because of financial hardship, the house is referred to as...
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How to Be a Good Roommate
Living with roommates can save you money -- or help you afford a nicer place to live -- but beware...
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Six Things Every First-Time Renter Should Know
Before signing the lease on your first apartment, don’t forget to read the fine print. That’s where you’ll find the...
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Protecting Your Personal Information After a Data Breach
In today’s world of prolific online hackers, we all need to exercise due diligence to protect our personal information. The...
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Retirement Savings Relief During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most of the American economy, triggering massive job layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts. In March...
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Selling Your Home As Investment Property
Most homeowners sell their houses to traditional buyers who plan to make the property their home. But investors also buy...
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Investment Property Income and Expense Reporting to the IRS
For many Americans, owning investment real estate is a steady path to financial security. Renting out your investment property means...
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Student Loan Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), passed in March 2020, provides multifaceted financial relief to Americans during...
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Real Estate Investing in a Self-Directed IRA
Most individual retirement accounts (IRAs) invest in traditional securities: stocks, bonds and mutual funds. If you are looking to diversify...
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Begin Investing in Real Estate by House Hacking
Many people have built financial security by investing in real estate, but finding start-up capital can be challenging. House hacking...
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Purchasing a House at a Property Auction
If you’ve wanted to buy real estate as an investment, you might consider buying a house at a foreclosed property...
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Buying a Vacation Home With Family or Friends
For years you’ve enjoyed renting a vacation house with extended family or friends. One thought keeps recurring to all of...
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Should You Furnish Your Rental Property?
Will it improve your marketability and profit to furnish your rental property? The scenarios vary depending on how the property...
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Is a Ground-Floor Apartment or Condo Right For You?
Choosing a ground-floor apartment or condo presents both advantages and challenges. Is ground-floor living right for you, or would you...
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Buying Rental Property With Existing Tenants
If you’re buying rental property with existing tenants, whether they occupy the entire space or only a basement or garage...
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Buying Rural Land for Farming and Livestock
Perhaps you want to raise livestock and have your eye on some land in the country. Here’s how to know...
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Safe Student Housing for Off-Campus Rentals
Rising on-campus housing costs and waiting lists for college dorms may mean you and your students are looking for a...
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How to Sublet an Apartment the Right Way
Apartment renters may find themselves needing to move before the term of their lease ends. Can you get a new...
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Could Your Home Be a Movie Location Rental?
Homeowners get paid handsomely for renting their homes to production companies for movie, television or commercial shoots. Can you cash...
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How to Buy a House for Your Home Business
Working from home has many appeals that can add value to your life. But before buying a house for your...
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Understanding the IRS Code 1031 Exchange
Owners of business or investment property may want to sell and reinvest in a similar new property. An IRS rule...
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A World of Difference: Residential and Commercial Real Estate
Think you know real estate because you’ve bought and sold a home? Think again. Commercial real estate is a different...
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Boomers and Millennials—Odd Couples in Housing
Baby boomers and millennials may not like the same clothing or music, but they’re finding common ground when it comes...
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Are You a Candidate for Home Sharing?
Once you graduated from college and got a place of your own, you probably assumed your spouse would be the...
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Should You Manage Your Rental Or Leave It to the Pros?
Being a landlord is hard work, especially if you’re overseeing day-to-day management of the rental properties. Here’s what you need...
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Six Steps to Peaceful Apartment Living
Apartment life, by definition, means you’re living in close quarters -- literally on top of one another in most instances....
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Is a Mountain Retreat In Your Future?
While the stunning views and clean air of mountain living are certainly appealing, be sure to weigh the challenges of...
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Renting Accessible Housing
If you own a rental property, fairness and accessibility are key when renting to disabled tenants. Here’s an overview of...
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How and When to Sell a Fixer Upper
Your “handyman special” needs so much work, you’re not sure it’s worth the time, effort and money it will take....
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Be Certain the Law is On Your Side When Evicting a Tenant
Evicting a tenant from a rental property is one of the most unpleasant tasks a landlord faces. Consult the laws...
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What You Need to Know About the Fair Housing Act
If you are a new landlord, it’s crucial to learn about the Fair Housing Act. Though it was established as...
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Making Money on a Vacation Rental
One of the greatest benefits of owning a rental property is its wealth-building capabilities -- other people are paying for...
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The Pros and Cons of Renting to College Students
If you’ve ever considered buying a house or apartment building as an investment rental property, think about doing so in...
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How to Use Your Home to Make Money
Thanks to today’s online and cell phone technology, pretty much everyone has the opportunity to be a landlord. Using services...
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He Said, She Said: How Men and Women Differ on Home Finance
Stereotypes aside, men and women think differently when it comes to home finances and debt. Who is more careful with...
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Seven Tips for Being a Good Tenant
Whether you rent an apartment, duplex or house, getting along well with your landlord and neighbors is vital. Unless you...
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Seeking Foreclosure Opportunities With Your Eyes Wide Open
While the opportunities to make money on foreclosed properties may be enticing, it’s crucial to know the risks and challenges...
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How to Develop Your Own Land
If you own raw undeveloped acreage, the land may be your route to financial security. Subdividing residential lots or owning...
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Land Development a Million Dollar Challenge
Real estate investing has made many a millionaire, so it’s not out of the ordinary if you have the resources...
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Timeshares and Vacation Clubs: Do Your Homework
If you enjoy an annual trek to the mountains or beach, and enjoy the simplicity of staying at the same...
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Want to flip a house like they do on TV?
They make it look so easy, those house-flipping shows where they take a wreck of a home, turn it into...
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‘Taxing’ Questions on Second Homes
Are you in the market for buying a second home? You probably have lots of questions -- what’s it like...
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Do You Have What It Takes to Become a Landlord?
Owning rental property can bring a nice return on your investment, but be sure you weigh the pros and cons...
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