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Our Mission.

You care about your home. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® cares about homeownership. To help you become the best, most responsible homeowner you aspire to be, we want to provide you with free information and tools you can use to make smart and timely decisions about your home.

From time to time, we may reach out to you to help us support legislation and/or policies that may have an impact on you, the homeowner. You can choose to join our cause. Or you can choose not to. Regardless, your privacy is safe with us.

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Author Profiles

Richard Koreto

is a freelance writer. He's been editor of many financial magazines and is the author of “Run It Like a Business,” a practice management book for financial planners. He and his wife own a pre-Civil War house in New York.

BY THIS AUTHOR

How to Get Your PMI Deduction

Deducting PMI premiums can save you hundreds of dollars. Here’s what you need to know to get the deduction. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $438/yr (on $100,000 AGI)
Effort Low 1 hr (calculate LTV)
Investment Low $50-$100/mo (PMI premium)
Added to Binder

You Might Face Tax-Filing Delay This Year

In a rush to claim the home owner tax benefits Congress reinstated? Not so fast. The IRS isn’t ready to accept your tax returns. Read More

Progress K
Added to Binder
Invest In Your Home For Tax Breaks

Tips for Investing a Tax Refund in Your Home

HouseLogic talks to CPA Alan D. Kahn, who offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home based on where you are in life — and with your house. Read More

Progress K
Investment Low 1 day (review finances)
Added to Binder
Home filing system for financial documents

A Financial Plan for Your Home

Your home is probably your biggest investment. To manage it, create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $14,887 (mortgage interest)
Effort Med 2 days
Investment Med $100/mo (extra payment)
Added to Binder
Paperwork

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit: Repayment Continues

The 2008 first-time home buyer tax credit was a loan, not a gift. You must continue repaying this year. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 1-2 hrs (complete tax paperwork)
Added to Binder
Mortgage Interest Deductions Home Equity Loans Interest

How to Deduct Your Mortgage Interest & Equity Loan Costs

Deducting mortgage interest, as well as interest on home equity loans and HELOCs, can save money on taxes. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $988 (on $100,000 AGI)
Effort Low 1 hr (review IRS chart)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Historic Preservation Tax Incentives

Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation

Tax incentives, including credits, deductions and easements are available for historic preservation but the rules can be complicated. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $500 tax credit/$2,500 spent
Effort High 60 days (initial review)
Investment High $10,000 (fees, consulting)
Added to Binder

The Best IRA You Didn’t Know About

If you can accept tradeoffs, real estate makes a great retirement plan: Put a rental property into an IRA, play by IRS rules, and grow your investment tax-free until retirement. Read More

Progress K
Effort High 1-2 weeks researching options
Added to Binder

The Moving Target That is 2012 Taxes

Just about everything tax related is on the table as we await Capitol Hill’s next move. Here’s what you need to know now. Read More

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Added to Binder
Estate Planning Home Home Estate Planning

4 Reasons You Need an Estate Plan for Your Home

The time to solve estate planning problems is before they happen. Otherwise, what you think is a loving act—leaving your home to your heirs—can turn into a financial and familial disaster. Read More

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Effort High 1 mo. for plan
Investment Med $800-$3,500 for estate plan
Added to Binder