1031 Exchange Expert: Qualified Intermediary, 1031 Exchanges, Accommodator, California and the U.S., etc., etc,

AVERAGE AMERICANS SPENT 26.5 HOURS PREPARING TAXESIt took the average American more than 26.5 hours to prepare their taxes this year. This is an increase from 25.4 hours three years ago. It costs Americans an average of $207 to prepare their taxes, up from $185 three years ago. For more informati...

1st STEP - EDUCATION FREE POWER OF INVESTMENT ANALYSIS SEMINARThe falling property prices have brought the investors out of the woodwork! First time homebuyers and investors are the best sources of business in today's market. If you are wanting to develop and investor niche, this seminar is your ...

Step-By-Step Instructions to Develop An Investor Niche1.  Attend a seminar that teaches you how to analyze small investment properties using Gross Rent Multiplier, Cap Rate and Cash on Cash. It's important to understand what is important to an investor client. . .before and after-tax cash flow.2....

CAUTION IS NEEDED WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS, REPAIR COSTS & PREPAID RENTSecurity deposits, repair costs and prepaid rent that are allocated among buyer and seller in a purchase and sale contract through a standard prorations clause, can be a source of taxable boot if not handled carefully. The prora...

The California Association of Realtors "Market Matters" Newsletter had mostly rough news. However, it's not all bad. Lenders are having to adjust to higher foreclosure rates leading them to allow defaulting borrowers to remain in their homes. They also noted that 96.4% of mortgage payments were o...

PROPOSED RESPA CHANGES WOULD MAKE ESCROW OFFICERS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXPLAINING LOANS!!!I've just finished reading the changes HUD proposes to make to RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act). One of the most shocking aspects of the proposed changes is to make closing officers (read, escrow) re...

RECENT CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION PROVIDES MORE OPTIONS FOR SELLERS OF DISTRESSED PROPERTY* Many of you are aware of the restrictions (and scarily, many of you are not) that were imposed by California Civil Code Section 1695.17;it required that if a notice of default were filed on a proper...

I've been following the news stories regarding the protests during the Olympic Flame torch relays in London, Paris and today in San Francisco. Essentially, the protests are by people opposed to China's occupation and annexation of Tibet (my understanding). There are other groups protesting about ...

The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee approved a tax bill meant to address the housing and credit "crisis." The committee is proposing giving first time homebuyers within income limits a refundable $7500 tax credit that they would have to repay to the government over 15 years. The...

DEFINITION OF LIKE KIND PROPERTY"HOLDING PERIOD" ISSUESIRC section 1031 states that property "held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment" must be exchanged for like-kind property. A frequently asked question is, "Exactly how lod does a property need to be held to be consider...