Taxes

Dec
03

City Transfer Tax Update

Posted In: Alameda County, Berkeley, Contra Costa County, El Cerrito, Oakland, Taxes
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Happy December!  Last month voters passed some ballot measures that will affect transfer tax rates within certain cities.  If you intend to buy or sell a home in the following cities next year this could apply to you. Starting next year, possibly as early as January 1st, the following changes will occur: ALAMEDA COUNTY Berkeley (Measure P) For sales above [...]
Sep
10

Who Should Vote for Prop 5, Property Tax Law

Posted In: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, General Real Estate News, Legal, Taxes
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(as reposted from the Abio blog) Proposition 5, a measure developed by the California Association of Realtors, is headed to the ballot Nov. 6, and advocates say it could ease not only the property tax burden on seniors, but also relieve the state’s housing crunch. Here’s what you need to know before you vote on Prop. 5, also known as the Property Tax Transfer Initiative: [...]
Apr
18

Taxes, Boo

Posted In: Good ol' Fashion Humor, Taxes
Are you done with your taxes?  Yes, No or it’s complicated? Last year two of my clients were told by their tax preparer that they needed to buy a house for tax purposes.  I guess if there is a good reason to buy a house, that is one! Check out these companies, they didn’t pay their taxes! http://front.moveon.org/d-which-corporations-are-the-biggest-freeloaders/?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4dac7c525ef33dc1,0  
Jun
03

Transfer Taxes for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties

Posted In: Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, For Buyers, For Sellers, Oakland, Richmond, Taxes
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Many cities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties impose a point of sale ordinance on real property.  The chart below will show which cities will impose a transfer tax.  Both Alameda County and Contra Costa County have a county transfer tax of $1.10/$1,000. Example: If the sales price of a house in Berkeley is $500,000 then the seller can expect to pay $500 for [...]
Mar
02

So Much for the Move-Up Tax Credit

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures & Short Sales, General Real Estate News, Taxes
There is so much mixed feelings about the market right now.  In the Berkeley and surrounding areas, one street is seeing multiple offers and the next isn’t.  The number of foreclosures has gone down drastically, although most buyers think there are buckets of bank-owned homes ready to come on the market.  I don’t think this is the case. No wonder buyers and [...]
Feb
16

Posted In: Green Living, Taxes
Green is in!  What does the future hold for the world of green?  Green market research firm SBI Energy forecasts that in the next five years, the market for energy-efficient home renovation products will grow 15 percent, 50 percent faster than the renovations market as a whole. According to the report, the energy-efficient market will reach $35 billion and claim [...]
Nov
05

First time homebuyer tax credit extended and expanded!

Posted In: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Taxes
Home buyer tax credit extended, expandedSan Francisco Business Times – by Kent Hoover   The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday that would extend and expand the tax credit for first-time home buyers. The provision was included in a bill that also extends unemployment benefits by an additional 14 to 20 weeks and lets all companies, not just small businesses, [...]
Oct
30

It’s a Scam

Posted In: For Buyers, General Real Estate News, Taxes, Uncategorized
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A client of mine recently closed on his first house.  As I do with all of my clients I forewarned him that he would receive a TON of junk mail and advised him on what to ignore and what not to ignore, and if he received anything that he was confused about to let me know. He contacted me regarding a [...]