Melanie Siben Real Estate Lady

12/20/2024

Florida starter home prices have jumped since 2018, with rising rates and investor competition making it more difficult for first-time buyers.

The deck is stacked against typical Floridians trying to get into their first home in today’s market. Price increases, high interest rates and competition from investors have edged people out of what is considered a starter home, changing the profile of a first-time home buyer significantly as a r...

12/18/2024

Calculating how much to set the rent for your property has changed dramatically.

Knowing how to price your rental property has been an issue since the dawn of time (or whenever the first rental was). Before the internet and modern technology, investors were driving around hoping to see a “for rent” sign and writing down (on paper) how much each place was going for. Fast-forw...

12/15/2024

Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just exploring your options, knowing the rules around short- and long-term capital gains can help you make informed decisions.

Selling a rental property can be a profitable venture, but it may also come with a significant tax bill. When you sell any home for more than you paid, the IRS can classify the profit as a capital gain. There are exclusions on your primary residence, but what are capital gains on a rental property?

12/14/2024

To help give you a clearer sense of whether devoting your time, energy and your money to commercial real estate investment is right for you, GOBankingRates talked to some experts.

Have you ever driven past an empty office building and wondered about the possibilities that could open up if you dialed the Realtor’s number? Or seen a multi-unit dwelling that you know could be a money-making machine with some TLC and the right marketing?

12/13/2024

To pay the remaining balance for longterm renewable energy today, home and business owners can pay cash, look at third-party ownership (TPO) options, or explore a variety of other solar financing products.

Sunlight is free, but solar systems still cost money. Thankfully, though, the price of going solar has plummeted over the past decade — even with higher interest rates recently — and there are many programs, incentives, and rebates available to drive down total costs even further.

12/10/2024

If you’re wondering how to buy multiple rental properties, the trick is to ensure your current properties are solid and well-established.

Buying multiple rental properties requires the same steps as buying one—you’re still going to research the best spots and figure out how to manage your place effectively. However, you’re doing it on a larger scale, so you’ll need to be more organized and proficient to maximize your ROI. If y...

12/09/2024

A structured, documented approach to addressing violations protects landlords legally and financially.

You have discretion in determining what to do when a tenant violates the lease. It doesn’t always have to lead to an eviction. It depends on the severity of the violation and other factors, like a medical emergency, temporary job loss, or something else.

12/06/2024

Where are all the hallways disappearing to in American homes? Researchers say hallways have become one of the first casualties of high home prices and expensive costs associated with home building, according to a new study by Realtor.com.

The decline of hallways is part of a broader trend where designers are finding creative ways to maximize living space in smaller homes. The report highlighted this shift, noting that the median size of newly built single-family homes dropped to 2,140 square feet in the first quarter of 2024, a decre...

12/05/2024

Property records show the spread traded hands for $10.75 million. In 2022, Gere and his wife, the Spanish publicist Alejandra Silva, spent $10.8 million for the compound.

Golden Globe-winning actor Richard Gere has just sold the New Canaan property he purchased two years ago from multi-Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Paul Simon, reports the New Canaan Advertiser. The deal appears to have taken place off-market — and while the identity of the new owner isn’t ...

12/03/2024

The full-floor residence, with its 60-foot row of striking steel-clad windows showcasing the Hudson River, first hit the market for $8.5 million in January.

The industrial-chic dwelling is at 495 West St., between Jane and West 12th streets. It’s in architect/developer Cary Tamarkin’s nine-story, seven-unit boutique building, which dates to 1998 and boasts full-floor apartments and two duplexes. The building helped anchor Hudson River Park.

12/02/2024

Home sales are expected to pick up across the country next year, particularly in Southeastern markets like Atlanta.

11/30/2024

Last week, there were 9% more newly pending home sales than the same week a year ago and home sales are ticking down for the season. Mortgage rates continue to move higher and that’s impacting buyers.

What will the housing market look like in 2025? We already see many signals for what to expect, including last week’s data on inventory, new listings and price reductions, which I analyze below. For a more comprehensive look, read our 2025 Housing Market Forecast covering home prices, home sales v...