Author Archives: bchrealestate

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone�but it can also come with a lot of questions. From financing and credit scores to mortgage options and closing steps, understanding the process can help you make informed decisions with confidence. That’s … Continue reading →

When it comes time to sell your home, one of the most important financial details you’ll need to know is your "basis" in the property, that is, the total amount you’ve invested in the home over time. Your basis determines … Continue reading →

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for mortgage rates to drop back below 4% before making a move, it’s time for a reality check. While we all loved the historically low rates of 2020 and 2021, those numbers … Continue reading →

"What if your next home came with built-in income? Discover how living in one unit and renting out the others could slash your housing costs and build your wealth at the same time." When most people think about buying a … Continue reading →

There’s a classic example used in behavioral psychology: the marshmallow test. In this experiment, children were given a choice: eat one marshmallow now, or wait a little while and get two. The lesson? Those who could delay gratification tended to … Continue reading →

Through a 28-year lens, tax policies on home sales haven’t kept pace with rising home values. That’s putting homeowners in a bind and stifling real estate opportunities across the board. Since 1997, the capital gains exclusion on the sale of … Continue reading →

When a home goes under contract, many assume it’s a done deal, but in reality, most real estate contracts include contingencies, or conditions that must be met for the sale to proceed. These clauses are designed to protect both buyers … Continue reading →

1. Take Advantage of Homeowner Tax Benefits Mortgage Interest Deduction: Deduct interest on up to $750,000 of acquisition debt (for loans after 2017). Property Tax Deduction: Deduct up to $10,000 in combined state and local taxes (SALT). Capital Gains Exclusion: … Continue reading →

In real estate negotiations, it’s not uncommon for both buyers or sellers to include expiration dates on offers and counteroffers. These deadlines serve several important purposes that help keep the process efficient, transparent, and fair to both sides. First and … Continue reading →

Every home experiences some degree of movement over time, often called settling. It’s a natural part of the aging process for any structure, especially in areas with varying soil conditions, temperature swings, or after the first few years of construction. … Continue reading →