June is National Homeownership Month and the industry is celebrating. The great news is that if you are the market for a new home that despite the recent market downturn, there are still incredible advantages to owning a home.
• On the financial side, there are tax incentives that help make owning a home affordable for thousands of American families.
• In most instances, all of the interest and property taxes a home owner pays can be fully deducted from their gross income to reduce taxable income.
• These deductions can result in thousands of dollars of tax savings for families every year, especially in the early years of the mortgage when interest makes up most of the payment.
• When the home owner sells their primary residence, they can also take advantage of the capital gains exclusion. A couple who own and live in their home for two years and then decide to sell can keep up to $500,000 of the profit tax-free, and a single owner can keep $250,000.
• Home buyers planning to buy a brand-new house or condominium have additional advantages. Today’s new homes are being built with features such as:
o Energy-efficient tankless water heaters, Energy Star appliances, HVAC systems, insulation and windows and doors that make the home more comfortable and can save the home owners significant money over the long term.
o Lifestyle-friendly, spacious layouts featuring open spaces, high ceilings and rooms that flow into each other more easily, like the popular great room.
o Electrical wiring systems that accommodate modern appliances and components such as high-definition televisions, security systems, fire alarms and sophisticated lighting and audio setups.
• It is important to remember that a home is more than just an investment; it is a place to raise a family, build lifelong memories and that can be decorated and renovated to suit a family’s changing needs and sense of style.
• Over the long term, homeownership is still a solid stepping stone to a future of financial security for your family. Equity earned over the years can be used to help pay for school tuitions, to downsize into a retirement home, or for a range of future financial needs.
The current buyer’s market—with a variety of homes for sale in all price ranges, near-record low interest rates and banks ready to lend money to qualified buyers—offers many advantages to anyone looking to achieve the American dream of homeownership. There are lots of homes for sale in Atlanta. Make sure to browse through our site for homebuyer incentives and specials.