For most people, their home is their biggest investment. Our professional advice on home financing has helped many of our clients reduce their taxes and increase their investment earnings.

Talking with a financial advisor before purchasing a home or refinancing is often a wise use of time. We don't intend to talk you out of the purchase, but believe we can guide you into it with wisdom and experience that may give you the savvy to approach the purchase with confidence and direction you might not have enjoyed otherwise.

When should you refinance? How often? 15 or 30 year? Fixed or variable? Points? How much should I put down? Shouldn't I pay off the mortgage? We can answer your questions, help you reduce your taxes, improve your investment allocation mix and show you how you can increase your return while reducing your risk.

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1. Owners of Second Homes: Beware of New Tax Laws (2008-12-08)
   If you own two homes, sell the one you are living in and move into your second home as soon as possible. Tax changes taking effect on January 1 will make owning a second home much less attractive in 2009. As a result, the already depressed market for vacation homes will deflate even more.
   
   
2. Avoid Capital Gains Tax on the Sale of Your Home (2006-07-10)
   If you own a home you are likely aware of the tax benefits such as deducting your mortgage interest and property taxes. However, you may not be aware of the tax-free earnings you can take after you sell your home. Under the Taxpayers Relief Act of 1997, capital gains generated from the sale of a primary residence are tax-free. Individuals pay no taxes on profits up to $250,000. And, couples are allowed to combine their tax credit and exclude up to twice the amount from a home sale.
   
   
3. Now's the Time to Buy a House (2009-07-20)
   The bottom is forming, although it may continue to do so through early 2011.
   
   
4. We Could be in a Real Estate Bubble (2005-01-24)
   Real estate prices, especially residential, have been increasing for almost a decade. Real home prices have increased nearly 60% since 1996 - roughly triple that of previous housing booms in the late 1970s and 1980s. Home values may be peaking and ready to correct.
   
   
5. For Now, Avoid Real Estate Investment Trusts (2008-02-04)
   I received my county real estate tax bill recently, and for the first time in several years, my property tax assessment went down by about 2.8%. The drop is very small, but the trend is significant. Commercial real estate investments fell sharply during 2007 and may underperform other investment choices during 2008.
   
   
6. NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation (2006-10-16)
   The non-profit NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation is offering a series of monthly presentations in Charlottesville, beginning this Saturday. The Foundation is dedicated to bringing consumer financial education to communities across America.
   
   
7. Reverse Mortgages Are A Last Resort (2006-08-21)
   A reverse mortgage should be considered only as a last resort. With early retirement planning, such 'last resort' options can be easily avoided.
   
   
8. ARM Yourself for Mortgage Rate Increases (2006-07-31)
   The party is over for home owners with adjustable rate mortgages (ARMS). Lured by tantalizing rates as low as 3.5 percent in the early 2000s, home buyers jumped at the chance to buy bigger and better. However, in today's environment, borrowers may not be prepared for their inevitable rate adjustment. The bad news is rates are being readjusted in one direction: up.
   
   
9. Using a mortgage wisely (2003-12-15)
   While most debt is bad, a home mortgage can be used to your advantage if you follow all seven of these rules when financing or refinancing your home.
   
   
10. June: The Month of Wedding Financial Planning (2003-06-15)
    Couples getting married in June usually don't take the time for pre-marital financial counseling. Yet much of the friction in marriage stems from different financial perspectives, and how money is handled is often a factor in divorce.
    
    

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