Showing posts with label Prestige Properties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prestige Properties. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Talk to a Lender. You would be surprised at what options are available.

There is increasing difficulty for first-time home buyers to save for their down payment as indicated in the graph.  Several factors that contribute to this trend include rising rents, rising home prices, student loan debt and flat wages.

down payment graph.png
Some would-be buyers feel they cannot buy a home today but a large part of those decisions may be based on inaccurate assumptions.

Nine out of ten non-owners believe they need ten percent or more for a down payment. The typical down payment for first-time buyers is six percent. VA has 100% loan programs as well as USDA for certain qualifying areas and buyers. FHA is known for 3.5% down payments. And FNMA and Freddie Mac have down payments as low as 3% and 5%.

There are gift provisions available for buyers who have an “angel” who would like to help them with their down payment.

There are ways to borrow against a person’s qualified retirement program for a down payment. It isn’t necessarily limited to the buyer but could include a relative. Interestingly, a son or daughter can borrow against their retirement to benefit their parents.

In some respects, having good credit and sufficient income is more important than the down payment. Don’t rely on “common knowledge.” Get expert advice and counsel to see if there is a way to advance your dream of owning a home.

Monday, June 26, 2017

CLUE - Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange.

If you haven’t heard of a CLUE report, it has nothing to do with the table game searching for a murderer. It is a report showing the insurance claims on your home and car for the past five to seven years.

10340976-250.jpg
This database is used by insurance companies to evaluate risks and determine rates. C.L.U.E. stands for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange. Rates can be increased not only due to legitimate claims but data entry errors also. Sometimes, simply asking a question without filing a claim can be logged as a claim.

For that reason, similar to verifying the accuracy of your credit report, it is important to check out the CLUE report on your home and car. The reports are free and there is a process for correcting mistakes.

An interesting and sometimes costly surprise occurs during the home buying process. The claim experience of the prior seller could impact the price of the premium of the new buyer. For that reason, you can ask for a copy of the CLUE report on the home you’re interested in buying prior to writing a contract.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Know your mortgage options

During the banking crisis in the Great Recession, certain types of mortgages were unavailable that are once again being offered. Fortunately, the 80-10-10 mortgage is one of those making a reappearance and it can save borrowers a considerable amount of money. 80-10-10.png

The objective of an 80-10-10 mortgage is to avoid the expense of mortgage insurance for buyers wanting a 90% loan. A buyer can obtain an 80% first mortgage and a 10% second mortgage with a 10% down payment and not be required to have private mortgage insurance.

For example, a buyer could put $30,000 down on a home priced at $300,000 and get an 80% first mortgage without mortgage insurance.

The borrower could get a second mortgage, either through the same lender or a third party.
In the example, the 80-10-10 would save a buyer $193.71 per month which can be a considerable amount of money over a ten-year period. The interest rate on the second loan will be higher than the first because there is more risk.

Helping buyers make better choices is a valuable service real estate professionals can provide. Having the right tools and information can make the decisions easier to understand. Using an 80-10-10 calculator, you can see what the savings might be for your situation.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Paying Cash? Need a tax deductions?

The National Association of REALTORS® reports in its 2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers that 12% of all buyers paid cash for their home.50441319-250.jpg
Before paying cash for a home, a buyer should decide if they might put a loan on the home in the near future.  It may affect the ability to deduct the interest on a mortgage placed on the home at a later date.

Homeowners can currently deduct the interest on up to $1 million of acquisition debt which are the borrowed funds used to buy, build or improve a home. Paying cash for a home establishes acquisition debt at zero. The only deductible interest to the owner would be home equity debt which is limited to $100,000 over acquisition debt.
Paying cash certainly seems like a simple decision but it may limit a homeowner’s ability to deduct interest on a future mortgage. You can get more information about this from IRS Publication 936 or from your tax professional.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Getting a Mortgage can have benefits than borrowing from a family member.

Occasionally, when dealing with close relatives who might also become heirs, signing a note and handling the paperwork properly may seem like a needless effort but it could mean the difference in being able to take a legitimate interest deduction.35442708-250.jpg

Home mortgage interest is deductible only if the loan is a secured debt which involves the buyer signing an instrument like a mortgage or deed of trust that makes the ownership of the home security for the debt. That instrument must then be recorded or otherwise perfected according to state or local law and the home, in case of default, must be able to satisfy the debt.

In a family situation, a parent, grandparent or other relative may decide to loan a buyer the money to purchase a home because they have it available and it isn’t earning much in certificates of deposit. They offer to loan it for a rate equal to what a conventional lender is charging but without the fees.
While it may appear to be a win-win situation, there could be problems if things are not done correctly. Even if the borrower makes the payments, they are not entitled to an interest deduction unless three criteria are met: 1) sign a debt instrument specifying the terms 2) securing and record the debt properly and 3) the home is sufficient collateral for the loan.

It would be prudent to consult with an attorney before you sign the final settlement papers to be comfortable that both buyer and the lender-relative are complying with IRS regulations. For more information, see IRS Publication 936 – Home Mortgage Interest.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Insurance Claims - Be Prepared.

People who experience a property loss are usually asked by their insurance company for proof of purchase which can come in the form of a receipt or current inventory of their personal belongings.receipts or inventory.png
Even the most organized people might find it challenging to find receipts for all the valuables in their home. If the inventory isn’t up-to-date, a homeowner might forget to add some items to the claim and may not recognize the omission for long after the claim is settled.

The inventory can serve as a guide to make sure a homeowner gets compensated for all the loss.

Photographs and videos can be adequate proof that the items belonged to the insured. A series of pictures of the different rooms, closets, cabinets and drawers are helpful. When video is used, consider commenting as it is shot and be sure to go slow enough and close enough to things becoming recorded.

For your convenience, download a Home Inventory, complete it, and save a copy off premise. Good places for your inventory could be a safety deposit box or digitally, in the cloud if you have server-based storage available like Dropbox.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Avoid Paying Capital Gains on Inherited Property

A person called into a radio talk program with a situation that was troubling to the caller and disturbing based on the potential tax liability that may have been avoided.18732493-250.jpg
The caller’s elderly father had deeded his home to his daughter a few years earlier because in his mind, his daughter was going to get the home eventually and this would be one less thing to be taken care of after his death. The daughter didn’t really care because the father was going to continue to live in the home and take care of it so that it would be no expense to her.
Obviously, unknown to either the father or the daughter, transferring the title of a home from one person to another could have significant tax implications. In this case, when the father “gave” the home to his daughter, he also gave her the basis in the home which is basically what he paid for it. If she sells the home in the future, the gain will be the difference in the net sales price and her father’s basis which could be considerably higher than had she inherited it.
If the home was purchased for $75,000 and worth $250,000 at the time of transfer, there is a possible gain of $175,000. However, when a person inherits property, the basis is "stepped-up" to fair market value at the time of the decedent's death.  If the adult child had inherited the property, at the time of the parent's death, their new basis would be $250,000 or the fair market value at the time of death and the possible gain would be zero.
In most cases, there are less tax consequences with inheritance than with a gift. There are other factors that may come into play but being aware that there is a difference between a gift and inheritance is certainly an important warning flag that would indicate that expert tax advice should be sought before any steps are taken.

Monday, October 10, 2016

Tax benefit you or your loves ones should know about.

Special consideration is made by IRS for the sale of a jointly-owned principal residence after the death of a spouse. Surviving spouse may qualify to exclude up to $500,000 of gain instead of the $250,000 exclusion for single people if certain requirements are met.30725703-250.jpg
  • The sale needs to take place no more than two years after the date of death of the spouse. 
  • Surviving spouse must not have remarried as of the sale date. 
  • The home must have been used as a principal residence for two of the last five years prior to the death.  
  • The home must have been owned for two of the last five years prior to the death.
  • Survivor can count any time when spouse owned the home as time they owned it and any time the home was the spouse’s residence as time when it was their residence.
  • Neither spouse may have excluded gain from the sale of another principal residence during the last two years prior to the death.
If you have been widowed in the last two years and have substantial gain in your principal residence, it would be worth investigating the possibilities. Time is a critical factor in qualification. Contact your tax professional for advice about your specific situation. Contact me to find out what your home is worth in today’s market. See IRS Publication 523 – surviving spouse.

Monday, October 3, 2016

Real Estate is in High Demand

Real estate is the overwhelming preferred choice by Americans as identified in a recent survey. With the Dow Jones industrial average reaching record highs, it might be expected that the stock market would be the favored choice but that wasn’t the outcome.
Analysis of the report suggests that the popularity for houses could be that they are tangible assets that you can see where your money is actually invested compared to stocks and bonds which tend to be unclear where the money is invested.Best way to invest.jpg
There are several distinct advantages of homes as investments over other popular alternatives.
  1. High loan-to-value mortgages available
  2. At fixed interest rates
  3. For long periods of time
  4. On appreciating assets
  5. With definite tax advantages
  6. And reasonable control.
Another advantage of rental homes is that most people are comfortable with them. It is the same type of property that they live in but used as a rental. They have a tendency to understand the key components such as value, appreciation, rent, maintenance and financing.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Investment in rental homes.

Rental homes can be a natural alternative investment choice for homeowners because they are already familiar with houses. Maintenance on a rental is not that much different than on your personal home. The same plumbers, painters and other workmen can be used to make repairs. 20947848-250.jpg
Single family homes offer an investor high loan-to-value mortgages at fixed interest rates for long terms on appreciating assets with defined tax advantages and more control than other investments.
  1. High loan-to-value mortgages – most investments require that you pay cash but rental properties can be purchased with 20% down payment.
  2. Fixed interest rates – most commercial loans are based on a floating rate such as prime interest plus one or two percent compared to real estate loans as fixed rates for the term.
  3. Long terms – commercial loans are generally short-term such as six months or a year with the possibility of being renewed for another six months or a year unlike real estate where a 30-year mortgage is commonplace.
  4. Appreciating assets – real estate has a long-term history of going up in value.
  5. Defined tax advantages – many investments are taxed as ordinary income but rental real estate enjoys a non-cash deduction called cost recovery, the profits from sale are taxed at lower long-term capital gains rates or may be eligible for a tax-deferred exchange.
  6. Control – rental homes don’t require partners and afford the investor more options than investing in mutual funds and other traditional investments.
The demand for good rentals is strong and the rents continue to go up in most markets.  There are people who choose not to buy or cannot buy a home who would prefer to live in a single family home rather than an apartment.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Refi? Should you or should you not!

It is estimated that seven million out of 50 million homeowners could save money by refinancing their existing mortgages. Obviously, if the replacement mortgage has a lower rate than your existing one, you will save money.
If you bought a home before 2011 and are paying mortgage insurance, you should investigate refinancing to eliminate that requirement. Even if you don’t get a lower interest rate, the savings could amount to hundreds of dollars a month.
If a home you purchased since 2011 has appreciated enough, it could easily justify refinancing to eliminate the required mortgage insurance. Most loans don’t require mortgage insurance if the loan-to-value is 80% or less. There are some programs for 90% mortgages that don’t require mortgage insurance. It is certainly worth investigating with a trusted mortgage professional.
Continuing to pay mortgage insurance that could be eliminated is like having a broken cell phone and continuing to make the monthly payments for something you can’t use and don’t need.
If your current mortgage is several years old, instead of getting a new 30 year mortgage, you might consider a 15-year term. The money you save with a lower interest rate could help you to retire your loan in a shorter time so that your home would be paid for.
30-year average FRM.png

Monday, May 9, 2016

Property Taxes! Why do they go up!

You may never stop paying for some improvements

14041766_s.jpg
You've saved the money and are ready to pay cash to build a new pool for your home.  However, that's just the beginning of your soon to be increased expenses which will include maintenance, higher utilities and higher taxes.
Homeowners obviously benefit by a larger equity when their home increases in value due to appreciation.   A not-so-obvious effect that will also more than likely take place is that their property taxes will increase.  In most cases, a property's assessed value is generally tied to market value to calculate the property taxes based on the tax rate for that year. 

Similarly, a homeowner can affect the value of their home by making capital improvements.  Some small items may never be recognized by the taxing authority but items that require a permit, certainly are brought to their attention.  Items such as a fence, roof, remodeling, windows, new rooms or swimming pools can easily increase the assessed value of a property.

Most states have an established time frame in which to challenge the current tax assessment for that year.  The process is relatively simple and doesn't require professional representation.  It generally involves showing that there is an error which has overstated the value or that current comparable sales indicate a lower value.
If you'd like more information or need the comparable sales data, please let us know.  We would be happy to help you investigate the possibility of lowering your property taxes.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Real Estate Values

Real estate lost a lot of value during the recession but most areas have rebounded considerably.  In some cases, the homes are worth more than they were before the housing bubble burst. 60178926_250.jpg
The dynamics are classic for this type of market: inventories are low, mortgage rates are low and demand is high.  All price ranges are on the rise with some at an even higher rate because the short supply is causing competition among buyers.
Another reason many homeowners' may have more equity is simply not staying current with what is going on in the market.  In a recent FNMA study, it indicates that 23% of owners believe they have negative equity in their home when actually, it is 9%.  37% believe they have greater than 20% equity in their home when actually 69% of homeowners do.
Even if you're not planning to sell your home, knowing the value helps you understand your financial position better.  Home equity debt up to a $100,000 limit is tax deductible and can be used for any purpose.  Owner's commonly refinance to eliminate mortgage insurance, consolidate mortgages, pay off higher interest rate debt like credit cards or student loans or to buy out an ex-spouse's equity.
Be aware that an automated value model like Zillow Zestimates uses algorithms to determine a price and while it might be in the ballpark, AVM results may only be accurate about 20% of the time.  A comparable marketing analysis or broker's price opinion will be more accurate due the subjective approach that will be used by an agent with personal experience in the area.  An agent will consider factors like condition, floorplan, marketability and demand.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Buy Down?

There is an infrequently-used mortgage program available that could be the solution to a buyer's or seller's problem.
2-1 Buy Down - 2.pngA temporary buydown is fixed rate mortgage that the seller has prepaid interest at closing to lower the payments for a number of years.  The borrower must qualify at the note rate but gets the benefit of lower payments for the early years.
A 2/1 is a common buydown that the first year's payment is calculated at 2% lower than the note rate and the second year's payment is calculated at 1% lower than the note rate.  The third through thirtieth years' payments are the note rate.
Let's set the scene.  A buyer is using their available cash for down payment and closing costs to get into the home.  They'd like to put their own touches on the home when they move in but may not be able to for a year or two since most of their cash was used.
In this example, a $250,000 home is purchased with a 3.5% down payment and a 4% mortgage for 30-years.  Normally, the principal and interest payment would be $1,151.76 for the full 30-year term.  If the seller will pay the lender $4,736 at closing, it can be applied to pre-pay part of the interest for the first two years.
2-1 Buy Down - chart.png
The first year, the buyer's P&I payment will be $891.71 for 12 months based on a 2% interest rate or 2% lower than the 4% note rate.  It is $260.06 lower per month in the first year.  The second year, the buyer's P&I payment will be $1,017.12 for the next 12 months based on a 3% interest rate or 1% lower than the 4% note rate.  It is $134.64 lower per month in the second year.
A bonus for the buyer will be that the cost of the buydown paid at closing by the seller becomes prepaid interest that is deductible by the buyer in the year of purchase.  The buyer gets lower than normal payments for the first two years and a sizable tax deduction.
This type of program can be very beneficial to a seller who wants to offer terms to improve the marketability of their home rather than lower the price.  The challenge will be explaining it to not only potential buyers but even agents who are not familiar with this program.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Investments are a good move

Buying rental property can be an excellent decision and the better informed you are, the more likely you'll have favorable results.  The following suggestions can help you with your decisions.
rising homes.jpgReal estate is a long term investment affected by supply, demand and the economy.  It isn't an investment that is easily converted to cash.  The costs to acquire and dispose of real estate are sizable and need to be spread over years to minimize their effects on the rate of return.
Invest in average price homes or slightly below average price to appeal to the broadest market not only when you are renting but later on when you sell it.  The average price is relative to the market you are in and those specific prices.
Lower-priced homes will rent for more relative to higher-priced homes.  There is an inverse relationship between rent as a percentage of the price.  As the price increases, the rent as a percentage of the price decreases.  For example, a $200,000 home might rent for $1,750 a month or 0.88% where a $400,000 home might only rent for $2,250 a month or 0.68%.
Choose predominantly owner-occupied neighborhoods because when you sell the home, it will appeal to a homeowner who will most likely pay a higher price for the home.  Homes in predominantly tenant-occupied neighborhoods tend to sell to investors who pay lower prices and will not be emotionally involved with the purchase.
Purchase a property with the idea of selling it in mind.  You may be able to get a property for a bargain price today but if it is due to a functional obsolescence like a bad floorplan or not enough bathrooms, that problem will still be there when you're ready to sell the property.  Identify what the problem is and what solutions are available.  The property may rent fine in that condition but before you sell, it will need to be corrected.
Get the home inspected before you purchase it.  Having the property checked out can save thousands in unanticipated expenses. 
Consider getting a home warranty on your rental.  The annual premium can limit the out of pocket expenses for repairs and maintenance.
Risk can be minimized by understanding the investment and what is involved in the acquisition, operation and disposition.  For the typical homeowner, rental property is something that they can relate to because of the similar attributes of the home they live in.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Millennials Are Taking Over!

Survey Finds Younger Buyers Taking Over

A new survey released today suggests concerns about younger buyers waiting in the wings are overblown. The 2015 National Association of REALTORS® Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends study, which evaluates age-based differences of recent home buyers and sellers, found that the Millennial generation represented the largest share of recent buyers.
This was the second consecutive year that NAR’s study found that the largest group of recent buyers came from those who were 34 and younger, comprising 32 percent of all buyers in 2014 and 31 percent in 2013. Buyers aged 35 to 49, often considered part of Generation X, followed closely behind with a 27 percent share of 2014 sales. Millennial buyers represented more than double the amount of Baby Boomer buyers.
“Over 80 percent of Millennial and Gen X buyers consider their home purchase a good financial investment, and the desire to own a home of their own was the top reason given by Millennials for their purchase,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Fixed monthly payments and the long-term financial stability homeownership can provide are attractive to young adults despite them witnessing the housing downturn and subsequent slow recovery in the early years of their adulthood.” 
The survey also found that fears over younger consumers using the Internet to bypass real estate professionals aren't necessarily credible either. While an overwhelming majority of all buyers (88 percent) search for homes online, most then purchase their home through a real estate agent, with Millennials using agents the most, at 90 percent.
“Nothing can replace the real insights and guidance REALTORS® deliver to help consumers navigate the complex buying and selling process,” says NAR President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark.
Methodology: NAR mailed a 127-question survey in July 2014 using a random sample weighted to be representative of sales on a geographic basis. A total of 6,572 responses were received from primary residence buyers. After accounting for undeliverable questionnaires, the survey had an adjusted response rate of 9.4 percent. The recent homebuyers had to have purchased a home between July of 2013 and June of 2014. 
Still, challenges remain for these younger buyers. Yun says their share of purchases would be higher if not for the numerous obstacles they face: “Many Millennials have endured underemployment and subpar wage growth, and rising rents and repaying student debt have made it very difficult to save for a downpayment. For some, even forming households of their own has been a challenge.” 
The survey also found these common characteristics of younger buyers in 2014:
  • The median age of Millennial homebuyers was 29, their median income was $76,900 (up from $73,600 in 2013) and they typically bought a 1,720-square foot home costing $189,900 ($180,000 a year ago).
  • The typical Gen X buyer was 41 years old, had a median income of $104,600 (up from $98,200 a year ago) and purchased a 1,890-square foot home costing $250,000 (same as last year).
  • Generation X buyers were the most likely to be married (68 percent), and Millennial buyers were more likely (compared to other generations) to be part of an unmarried couple (14 percent).
  • On their primary reason for purchasing a home, a desire to own a home of their own was highest among Millennials at 39 percent. A change in a family situation – likely the birth of a child – was the highest (13 percent) among Gen X buyers. 
  • The share of Millennials buying in an urban or central city area increased to 21 percent in the past year (19 percent a year ago), compared with only 12 percent of older boomers.
  • In terms of neighborhood choice, Millennials were most influenced by the quality of the neighborhood (75 percent) and convenience to jobs (74 percent). Convenience to schools was most desired by Gen X buyers.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Lee County area residential sales in January increase 10% from prior year

Lee County area residential sales in January increase 10 percent from prior year

Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE)By Alabama Center for Real Estate (ACRE) 
Follow on Twitter
on February 27, 2015 at 11:48 AM, updated February 27, 2015 at 11:57 AM
0
Reddit
Click here to view or print the entire January report compliments of the ACRE Corporate Cabinet.
Sales: Lee County area residential sales totaled 66 units in January, an increase in sales growth of 10.0 percent or 6 units above the same period last year. 2014 sales increased 7.7 percent from the prior year.
Forecast: January sales were 4 units below our monthly forecast. The Center's 2014 sales forecast projected 1,344 closed transactions while the actual sales were 1,378 units, a favorable variance of 2.5 percent.
Historical Sales.jpgView full sizeLee County residential sales increase 10% in January from last year. Housing Inventory has been favorably reduced by 41% from the January 2011 peak. Infograph courtesy of ACRE. All rights reserved. 
Supply: The Lee County housing inventory in January was 817 units, a decrease of 2.0 percent from January 2014 and 41.3 percent from the month of January inventory peak in 2011 (1,393 units).
January inventory in Lee County did increase 1.9 percent from the prior month. This direction contrast with historical data indicating that January inventory on average ('10-'14) decreases from the month of December by 5.6 percent.
The inventory-to-sales ratio in January was 12.4 months of housing supply. Restated, at the January sales pace, it would take 12.4 months to absorb the current inventory for sale. The market equilibrium (balance between supply and demand) is considered to be approximately 9.0 months during the month of January.
Demand: January residential sales decreased by 34.7 percent from the prior month. This direction is consistent with seasonal buying patterns and historical data indicating that January sales on average ('10-'14) decrease by 48.6 percent from the month of December. Existing single family home sales account for 56 percent (up from 52% in Jan'14) of total sales while 30 percent (up from 28% in Jan'14) were new home sales and 14 percent (down from 20% in Jan'14) were condo buyers.
Pricing: The Lee County median sales price in January was $178,700, a 9.2 percent decrease from last January. The January median sales price also slipped 6.2 percent compared to the prior month. Historical data ('10-'14) indicates that the January median sales price traditionally increases from the month of December by 4.5 percent. Pricing can fluctuate from month-to-month as the sample size of data (closed transactions) is subject to seasonal buying patterns so a broader lens as to pricing trends is appropriate and we recommend contacting a local real estate professional for additional market pricing information.
Industry Perspective: "Consumers are as positive about their personal finances at the start of 2015 as they have been since we launched the National Housing Survey in 2010, and this optimism seems to be spilling over into housing market attitudes," said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. "Consumers are more optimistic about the environment both for buying and for selling a home today, and the share who plan to own on their next move has jumped back up, reversing a three-month trend toward renting. These results are in line with lender optimism about future growth in their mortgage origination business, as shown in our Mortgage Lender Sentiment Survey™. Overall, these are good signs to start off 2015 and are consistent with our expectation that strengthening employment and economic activity will boost the speed of the housing recovery." For full report, go HERE.
See how Lee County compares to other Alabama real estate markets.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Lee County Residential Monthly Report is work product developed in conjunction with the Lee County Association of REALTORS to better serve Opelika/Auburn consumers. The ACRE monthly report is provided to illustrate the "general" market direction & trends when comparing prior periods with the most current available data. Real estate is local and statistics will fluctuate between areas within a city including subdivisions. ACRE recommends that you consult a local real estate professional for "specific" advice associated with your market.
The foundation of the Lee County Association of REALTORS is to promote and enhance the success of its members through education, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
The Alabama Center for Real Estate's core purpose is to advance the real estate industry in Alabama by providing relevant resources in the areas of research, education and outreach. ACRE was founded by legislative act in 1996 due to the efforts of the Alabama Real Estate Commissionthe Alabama Association of REALTORS and the Office of the Dean, UA Culverhouse College of Commerce to serve the State of Alabama real estate industry and the consumers it serves. ACRE is not a state-funded entity, rather its operates in part because of the goodwill & generosity of the ACRE Corporate Cabinet, Alabama real estate licensees and our statewide ACRE Partners. For other Alabama real estate resources & news, please visit our website and our ACRE blog. You can also follow ACRE from our facebook page and on twitter @uaacre.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

REALTOR.com Architecture Guide



Architecture Guide

Residential Styles | Structural Elements

Guide to Residential Styles

Every house has a style. Sometimes it has two or more; because of renovations and new, eclectic mixes, fitting a home into one specific category can be daunting or even impossible. Thankfully, there’s no need to memorize complicated architectural terminology. REALTOR® Magazine has compiled a convenient compendium of common styles. Delve in and learn to highlight the details that give a home character, history, and romance.