Записи с меткой «estimate»

How to Avoid Appraisal Problems in the Sale of Your Home

Before you sign a contract to sell your home, check to see if the purchase offer depends on financing. Look for a clause which states that the offer is contingent on your home’s appraisal done by the buyer’s mortgage lender. This clause causes many home sellers to lose the sale or to lower the sales price later.

Appraisers draw on comparable market sales (comps) of local properties sold within the last six months to value your home. With today’s rapidly rising seller’s market, six-month-old information is ancient history. Appraised value does not always equal the true market value, or what the home will sell for on the open market.

Realtors will give you a comparative market analysis, an informal estimate of market value based on comparable sales. Lenders, on the other hand, will use the appraised value to determine a new mortgage amount. Some lenders require that the stated property value covers the mortgage amount plus their selling costs in case of foreclosure. For this reason, a sale may fall through if a home sells on the open market for more than the appraised value, which often happens in bidding wars over hot property.

We learned the importance of securing a sufficiently high appraisal when we sold a rental property in Lake Elsinore, California. We listed the house for $234,700 on Friday. By Monday morning, we had three offers: $245,000, $255,000, and $260,000. We accepted the one for $255,000 because the buyers had $80,000 down, reassuring us that they had sufficient funds.

As usual, the lender sent an appraiser to review the property. This busy appraiser didn’t take the time to view all the upgrades we put into the custom-built home. Even worse, he used only comps from the local one-mile radius. Because this home is close to a shopping district, there were not many homes sold in this limited area during the six-month period.

The appraiser used comps six months old; during this time housing costs in Southern California appreciated around thirty percent. Sales from six months previous should have gone up in value by $30,000 on a $200,000 home. This means that our home should have been worth $250,000 to $260,000, especially since buyers are willing to pay this price on the open market. To increase the value of this home, at the time there was not another three bedroom home listed in the area for under $250,000 (excluding manufactured homes). However, the appraiser valued our home for only $230,000 — and we would have lost the sale if the offer did not include a sufficient down payment.

Because a low appraisal can kill your sale, finding a buyer with a large down payment provides you with a safety net. You may also choose a buyer with strong credit who doesn’t have to put a large percentage down. If you think that your home’s appraisal could become a problem, make sure you don’t include a clause in your sale’s contract which states «subject to appraisal.»

How to Avoid Low Appraisals

Hire your own appraiser before the sale. Then ask your buyer’s or lender’s appraiser to review your appraisal.

Retain the option to approve your buyer’s mortgage lender. Make sure that the buyer doesn’t use a lender with a history of deliberately underestimating property values. A good real estate agent should know which lenders routinely under value homes.

Keep records of repairs and upgrades, including costs. Take «before» and «after» photographs. Create an organized journal with a listing of expenses and include pictures to show to the appraiser during the appraisal appointment. Stage your home for the appraiser like you do for buyers.

Secure your own property comparables to make sure the appraiser uses complete information. Call real estate agents with homes in escrow and get the sales prices. Make a list of these properties with the agent’s phone numbers and give it to the appraiser.

What to Do When Your Selling Appraisal Comes in Too Low:

1. Ask for another appraisal.

2. Protest the appraisal with documentation of your upgraded expenses.

3. Have the buyers make a larger down payment.

When you sell or buy real estate, remember that the certified appraisal is just one person’s opinion of the value of your home. The opinion that counts for you is the buyer’s: you want to be sure the buyer values your home above all others.

How Texas Assesses Property Taxes

If you own property in Texas, the state will charge you a tax on the land and everything on that land. They assess taxes on January 1st for the year. But the methods with which they calculate the amount due are in question. Many people rightly demand to know how the state government calculates the tax on each piece of property correctly. There is a handy tool that will help you to accurately estimate the correct tax amount of your property. You need to know the value assessed on your home, land and any other buildings or improvements. This amount is not what you paid for your land and home, it’s based on what value the assessor says they have currently.

Add together the values of your house and land. This will give you a total figure that will make your calculations more easy to determine. Have in mind the exemptions that you are already qualified to deduct from the assessed value of your property. Every tax unit will allow different exemptions. Then determine the levy rates or the estimated levy rates for the current year.

Next, you need to multiply the amount you were assessed minus your exemptions for the unit of the city, and then multiply that by the city’s official tax rate percentage. Also, you need to continue calculating each unit as being separate from the rest. Then add up all of your unit’s amounts that are taxable. This will give you the amount due or the estimated amount due for the current tax year.

Always keep in mind that the estimation of property tax sent out at the beginning of every year is only an estimate. Your property values will remain the name, however, unless you dispute them. Tax rates are not normally finalized until closer to the end of the current year.

If you wish to appeal your tax bill, you should know that most appeals of property taxes are successful. The property value can’t be increased at your informal meeting, so you don’t have anything to lose. Most disputed accounts are settled at the informal meeting. The appraisal district almost never retaliates against homeowners who appeal their property taxes.

How to Start a New Business

Copyright (c) 2009 Sherry Tingley

The economy has forced many people to consider alternative lines of income and many are starting their own businesses. There are a lot of ways to make money with your own business, but before you start there are a few things you should learn.

First things first, you must be very clear on the type of business you are to set up. Success begins when you have clear goals and know how to take actions to achieve these. Before starting, you must write down your business idea clearly. This will help you plan strategically. Different types of business have different types of strategic approaches and marketing strategies in order to become successful. You should also set your goals based on your skills. Let’s be realistic here. Being successful in business also depends on your skills and attitude. If you think your expertise is not adequate, then you can ask for help and assistance from business professionals. In order to start your business properly, be sure you have sufficient financing. And one thing more, choose a good spot to start your business. Upon considering all of these, things will go on smoothly.

There are other things you need to get started legally and officially. You cannot just put up a shop and sell products without having some permits. Above all, you need a business permit/license to start. This is a universal truth, whatever state or country you live in, a business permit must be obtained. In the US, business licenses are issued by the state, so expect some differences in requirements and guidelines per state. You can get a business license online or go directly to the county clerk’s office. It is suggested you go directly to the clerk’s office and Occupational License Department to get answers to your questions right away. Sometimes, there are areas or zones where certain business establishments are not allowed.

Another thing you need to do is to register your business name with the Internal Revenue Service. You are required to have either a Federal Tax Identification number or an Employee Information number. This can be obtained online at www.irs.gov. You will want to estimate approximate taxes and business fees that you will need to pay. These things may appear tedious but after getting everything done legally, you won’t be facing any more problems regarding your business.

A resale certificate or a wholesale license is also needed. Any business establishment that sell products need a reseller’s permit. Having this permit allows you to collect sales taxes. For more information on how to get a reseller’s permit, you can go to http://www.businessnameusa.com. You may also want to visit http://www.business.gov for more details on starting a business.

Here are some useful links you might want to visit to help you with your business plan and strategic planning:

http://www.themanager.org/pdf/Businessplan.PDF

http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/startBusiness.asp

http://www.state.nj.us/njbusiness/starting/

http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/

INCOME TAX-FILING INFORMATION

Do i have to file return?

You must file a federal income tax return if you are a citizen or resident of the United States or a resident of Puerto Rico and you meet the filing requirements for any of the following categories that apply to you.

The filing requirements apply even if you do not owe tax.

1. Individuals—in general:

If you are a U.S. citizen or resident, you must file a return depends on three factors:

• Your gross income,
• Your filing status, and
• Your age.

Gross income.  This includes all income you receive in the form of money, goods, property, and services that is not exempt from tax.

Filing status.  Your filing status depends on whether you are single or married and on your family situation. Your filing status is determined on the last day of your tax year, which is December 31 for most taxpayers.

Age.  If you are 65 or older at the end of the year, you generally can have a higher amount of gross income than other taxpayers before you must file. You are considered 65 on the day before your 65th birthday.

2. Dependents:

If you are a dependent See the above table to find out whether you must file a return.

Responsibility of parent.   Generally, a child is responsible for filing his or her own tax return and for paying any tax on the return. But if a dependent child who must file an income tax return cannot file it for any reason, such as age, then a parent, guardian, or other legally responsible person must file it for the child. If the child cannot sign the return, the parent or guardian must sign the child’s name followed by the words «By (your signature), parent for minor child.»

Child’s earnings. Amounts a child earns by performing services are his or her gross income. This is true even if under local law the child’s parents have the right to the earnings and may actually have received them. If the child does not pay the tax due on this income, the parent is liable for the tax.

3. Children under age 18:

If a child’s only income is interest and dividends (including capital gain distributions and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends) and certain other conditions are met, a parent can elect to include the child’s income on the parent’s return. If this election is made, the child does not have to file a return.

4. Self-employed persons:

You are self-employed if you:

• Carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor,
• Are an independent contractor,
• Are a member of a partnership, or
• Are in business for yourself in any other way.

Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as certain part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job.

5. Aliens:

Your status as an alien—resident, nonresident, or dual-status—determines whether and how you must file an income tax return.

Resident alien.  If you are a resident alien for the entire year, you must file a tax return following the same rules that apply to U.S. citizens. Use the forms discussed in this publication.

Nonresident alien.  If you are a nonresident alien, the rules and tax forms that apply to you are different from those that apply to U.S. citizens and resident aliens. See Publication 519 to find out if U.S. income tax laws apply to you and which forms you should file.

Dual-status taxpayer.  If you are a resident alien for part of the tax year and a nonresident alien for the rest of the year, you are a dual-status taxpayer. Different rules apply for each part of the year. For information on dual-status taxpayers, see Publication 519.

Who should file?

Even if you do not have to file, you should file a federal income tax return to get money back if any of the following conditions apply.

1. You had federal income tax withheld from your pay or made estimated tax payments.
2. You qualify for the earned income credit. See chapter 36 for more information.
3. You qualify for the additional child tax credit. See chapter 34 for more information.
4. You qualify for the health coverage tax credit. See chapter 37 for more information.
5. You qualify for the refundable credit for prior year minimum tax

What if i made mistake?

Errors may delay your refund or result in notices being sent to you. If you discover an error, you can file an amended return or claim for refund.

You should correct your return if, after you have filed it, you find that:

1. You did not report some income,
2. You claimed deductions or credits you should not have claimed,
3. You did not claim deductions or credits you could have claimed, or
4. You should have claimed a different filing status. (Once you file a joint return, you cannot choose to file separate returns for that year after the due date of the return. However, an executor may be able to make this change for a deceased spouse.)

How a Structural Drafter can help you in Engineering Project?

The structural drafter serves as the link between contractor and structural engineers. Modern structural draftsman perform structural drafting using sophisticated CAD tools such as AutoCAD, StruCADD, revit, RebarCAD to generate detailed drawings from design data and sketches. Structural drafters closely work with architects and civil engineers to prepare and provide necessary technical drawings. Applying local building codes and specific standards, they perform mathematical calculations, cost estimates and structural analysis prior to creating designs.

Today, structural drafters are referred to as skilled CAD draftsmen. They may work independently or as a member of construction team or as support for architects, structural engineers and industrial designers. They are able to work for a number of engineering verticals such as building construction, civil engineering, industrial structural design or urban and regional planning. Structural drafters are employed by public works department, architectural and construction firms, real-estate developers and engineering consulting companies among many other industries.

A structural drafter is responsible for following tasks:  
# Analyze drafts and information provided by the structural engineer
# Develop structural drawings from hand-drawn sketches and design data
# Use computer-aided design (CAD) and drafting tools for analysis
# Assist in Construction documents and provide drawing sets
# Check design drawings to conform to specifications
# Modify drawings as per new specifications and standards
# Provide estimation for the costs and amount of materials required
# Make sure that safety and design specifications are followed properly
# Assist in getting approval from local authorities

Drafters are required to update their knowledge and skills on regular basis in order to keep informed with latest technological developments in rapidly changing field of structural engineering. Although structural drafters use CAD with a great deal, it is still only a computer tool. Hence, structural drafters must possess necessary drafting skills and knowledge of industrial standards in addition to CAD skills.

For any queries related to structural drafting and hire structural drafters email us at info@structuralcaddservices.com

Visit us at http://www.structuralcaddservices.com/structural-2d-drafting.php for more information.