Jul

1

Celebrating 5 Years of 0% Downtime – Rental Properties

July 1, 2008 | Comments Off

It is amazing that even with all of the issues the economy has had, including a slump in real estate property values and sales, our two townhouses are still rented: and have been rented for every single day since they where initially available for rental.
How has it happened?  I could attribute it to sheer luck.  However, [...]

May

2

Make Sure You Can Own A Home

May 2, 2008 | 2 Comments

Make Sure You Can Own A Home
…. even if you do not want one now.
I am a big advocate of home ownership. In the US, around 70% of the families own their residence, and for a reason: it is the easier step towards financial independence. I have even advocated my tenants to [...]

Mar

3

Real Estate Tax: Won Battle #1 : This is not finished

March 3, 2008 | 2 Comments

Last month we had to abate (appeal) the Real Estate Tax Assessment the town had placed upon one of our rental properties. We got $25,000 shaved off the assessed value. We still think the town is over-assessing the property by $25,000. At a 1.2% rate, we are talking about $300 we will [...]

Feb

13

The Sneaky Real Estate Tax

February 13, 2008 | 2 Comments

Towns need cash too. They need cash for schools, roads, public services, and social services. They are pressed by two fronts: the socialists: who demand more giveaways by the town to its residents, and inflation: which increases the cost of providing the services for everyone. All that is fine when the house [...]