Don't Go Shopping for a New Home Before You Know Exactly How Much You Can Spend!  You might have an idea of the loan payment and mortgage you can afford. But will the bank feel otherwise? It's always best to pre-qualify for a mortgage so you know exactly how much a financial institution would be willing to lend you. In the pre-qualification process, you will find out: - Exactly how much home or land you can afford. - How much cash you will need for the down payment. - The minimum down payment, and advantages of higher down payments. - What the bank feels you can afford for a monthly payment. I help buyers pre-qualify for mortgages every day. Simply fill out the form below to get started. Remember: I will respect your privacy! I know this is your personal information, and I will not distribute it to anyone, other than to my preferred mortgage broker. This service is also provided free of charge, without any obligation on your part. It is part of my job as a top Athens, Watkinsville and Colbert REALTOR® to offer services such as these. Once you fill out the form, I will quickly process your information and get right back to you! I can help you pre-qualify for your mortgage. It's my job! This is free and without obligation...
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First Time Buyers >Your Principal Residence
The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.
Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.
Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.
Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.
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| Q |
What private residence is considered the most expensive house ever built?
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| A |
The William Randolph Hearst Ranch in San Simeon, California cost over $30 million, equivalent today to $276,883,320. Bill Gates recently built a home for over $40 million.
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