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Simplifying A Difficult Senior Planning Decision: The Family Home
By Robert D. Cavanaugh, CLU
As Father Time marches on, the question of what to do with the home becomes a greater concern. In some cases, ruminating on the alternatives can dominate one's thinking. If a person is aware of the various options and chooses a path that makes the most sense, peace of mind can often be the result.
Studies have shown that 90% of married couples and 62% of single persons reach retirement owning their own homes. Coupled with non-monetary considerations of whether to stay or sell, one major objective is how to convert the equity in the home to an income.
In some cases, selling the home is the most attractive option. However, remaining in the home could be simpler and less stressful. Many people are too quick to jump to the "sell" option because they are not aware of all the options that would allow staying in the home and extracting the equity as well.
Weigh each of the following options against selling before throwing in the mental towel and listing the home.
An AARP study done in 2000 showed that more than 90% of seniors wanted to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Almost 82% still wanted to stay even if they needed care.
That is a very loud vote. Therefore, I would recommend looking at long term care insurance that either only provides home care or a more comprehensive plan that includes home care. Many seniors balk at the topic of long term care because they figure they will never go to the "home." Statistically, 50% of them are right. What many fail to realize is that at some point almost everyone will need some kind of help. Home care benefits may provide the needed assistance while allowing the person to remain in their home.
As seniors age, the upkeep of the home may become overbearing. The lawn still needs cutting, the bushes trimmed and the flower beds kept free of weeds. The inside needs dusting; the carpet needs vacuuming and the windows need washing. Eventually, in many people's minds, these become reasons to sell.
I would invite you to put a pencil to this. Look at hiring someone to come in and clean. Hire a lawn maintenance company or the teen-ager down the street trying to pay for his car. Having these things taken care of in this manner is a lot less expensive than moving to a retirement home.
If the home is too big, close some rooms off. If it cost too much to heat or cool, seal the vents in un-used rooms.
Sometimes it may make sense (both for the senior and the child) for one of the children to move in and serve as a caretaker, cook, lawn-cutter and/or pool boy/girl.
There are several ways to get the equity out of the home, while continuing to live in the
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Just got a GFE from a broker on a loan amount of 350k and wanted to get some feedback.
Rate = 3.875
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Is this standard? With the 801 fee the APR is slightly north of 4.
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How greatly do previous years taxes filed effect your ability to obtain a mortgage? Do you have to have the same level of income for the past two years to get a mortgage loan?
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Hi? I?m trying to get pre-approved for my first mortgage loan within a few months. My present score is 786. I paid off a vehicle loan with time payments. I have 6 credit cards 3 are department store cards with a combined limit of around 8k with no balance the other 4 are regular visa cc's with a limit of 9k combined no balance or late payments. I want to close 3 of the visa cards bringing my limit back to 5k. The one I am keeping I just opened about 2 weeks ago. My question is if I close the...
home.
First, the home could be re-financed. interest rates today are low. Properly invested, the funds released could cover the new payments. If not, the difference could be less expensive than rent. Depending on the person's age, putting a part of the proceeds into an immediate annuity may even cover the payment and then some.
If the person has a retirement plan that mandates required minimum distributions starting at age 70 1/2, the interest deduction on the new could be a welcome offset to the RMDs, which must be included in taxable income.
For large estates subject to estate taxes, placing the home in a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) can potentially remove the home, and any appreciation from the date of the transfer into the trust, from the taxable estate. Proper trust drafting can also provide for the housing needs of the survivor of a married couple and, ultimately, leave the home to the children.
Selling the home to the children is another option. By structuring the sale and lease back according to the rules, the $250,000 single person or $500,000 married couple capital gains tax exclusion could apply. Here, again, the parents would continue to live in the home and pay rent to the children. This removes the home from the taxable estate as well.
A gift-leaseback is an alternative. The value of the home will use up part (or all) of the lifetime unified credit. Consult a tax attorney if the value of the home is large and this option is one of the ones on the table.
If the homeowner(s) are age 62 or older, a reverse may be a viable option. The National Council on Aging calculates there are 13.2 million seniors who could qualify for a reverse of $20,000 or more. The average would be $72,000.
Reverse mortgages can reduce or eliminate the children's inheritance. Today, there are Federal Rules for reverse mortgages and about 90% are federally insured. Fees can be high and will differ among lenders. Shop around.
Prior to making the decision to stay in the home or sell, each of these options should be part of the discussion among the senior, their children and financial advisors.
About the Author
Robert D. Cavanaugh, CLU is a 36-year financial and estate planning veteran and author of the free newsletter, "The Estate Preservation Advisor". For cutting-edge, easy-to-understand financial planning resources and techniques to increase your income, reduce taxes and preserve your estate, go to http://theestatepreservationadvisor.com/freevideo.htm
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buying a mobile home on a rented lot
Am in the process of divorcing my present husband and found this mobile home to live in. What would be a good way to finance it?
Who owns the home
My friends son passed away several years ago, his mother lived with him prior to his death and has paid the mortgage, property taxes, insurance, etc... on the property for almost 10 years. She is wanting to get the property in her name and Bank of America will not talk to her. Her son has a child who is almost 10 yrs old who lives with his biological mother. My friend says that she will do a will and live the property to her grand son, however can the 10 yr old son's mother take the home afte...
Inquiries to dissappear completely?
I have 5 inquiries that are due this month from different credit bureaus. Basically I will be inquiring free on Experian and about 3 inq on TU and EQFX. They will be 1 year old......according to USAA credit monitoring. Is this the right time or I will need to wait 1 more year for the inquiries to dissappear completely? Thanks for the answer
Letter of explanation
Please help. My underwriter wants a letter of explanation on a couple of late car payments from 2 years ago. The car loan was in my name but the car was my sisters? should I say that? Will they think I?m full of it? Anybody have similar experience?
File with underwriter
Well, my file went to the underwriter on Monday after we worked with our broker to get everything together. Now, they are playing the waiting game. I know that someone has looked at the file only because they did come back on yesterday asking for us to sign 2 forms that were not included in the file. I have followed up with our broker today to check status and he is placing a call with the lender. Fingers crossed we can get our answer soon.
Divorce
My husband and I own commercial real estate. We are contemplating divorce and have been legally seperated for 2 years now. The joint property we own, he operates a shoe repair and uphostery shop and he resides there. He has full use of the property and he wants me to share in with the mortgage, insurance, and taxes. He receives all profits and does not share any with me, but he wants me to share in the cost of his expense. He gives me $300 a month for our 6 yrs old daughter and not on a regular ...
Banks selling mortgages - Escow mess ups & raised Mort Incre
My Husband and I just went through a mortgage modification loan with a bank. We were andquot;forcedandquot; to not pay our mortgage for 2 months in order to qualify for the modification loan. We have always made our mortgage payments on time. We got the Mod. loan.
Since the sale of our mortgage, 2nd time banks have sold our mortgage to another bank, our escrow gets screwed up, monthly payment goes up.
Currently the andquot;NEWandquot; bank now holding our loan, is harassing us by saying that the e...
Feedback on GFE
Just got a GFE from a broker on a loan amount of 350k and wanted to get some feedback.
Rate = 3.875
801 = 7k
802 = 11k
Is this standard? With the 801 fee the APR is slightly north of 4.
Previous year tax returns
How greatly do previous years taxes filed effect your ability to obtain a mortgage? Do you have to have the same level of income for the past two years to get a mortgage loan?
Close cards before pre-approval
Hi? I?m trying to get pre-approved for my first mortgage loan within a few months. My present score is 786. I paid off a vehicle loan with time payments. I have 6 credit cards 3 are department store cards with a combined limit of around 8k with no balance the other 4 are regular visa cc's with a limit of 9k combined no balance or late payments. I want to close 3 of the visa cards bringing my limit back to 5k. The one I am keeping I just opened about 2 weeks ago. My question is if I close the...
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