Cities shifting rules on short-term rentals
A number of cities have been passing new rules governing Airbnb, HomeAway, and other short-term rental hosts. For example, Charleston, South Carolina allows property owners to rent out their primary residence, with restrictions. The new rules ban whole house rentals and limit guests to no more than four adults at one time. Hosts will have to register with the city to stay in compliance. The city of Los Angeles, meanwhile, is considering similar legislation. The latest draft caps the number of days someone can rent out their home at 120. But qualified hosts without nuisance complaints can pay a fee…..
Continue ReadingFive rights that trust beneficiaries have
If you are the beneficiary of a trust, it may feel like you are at the mercy of the trustee. But depending on the type of trust, trust beneficiaries may have rights to ensure the trust is properly managed. A trust is a legal arrangement through which one person, called a “settlor” or “grantor,” gives assets to another person (or an institution, such as a bank or law firm), called a “trustee.” The trustee holds legal title to the assets for another person, called a “beneficiary.” The rights of a trust beneficiary depend on the type of trust and the…..
Continue ReadingEscalation clauses: a bidding-war option
If you’re vying for housing in a red hot real estate market, you may want to add a new tool to your arsenal: an escalation clause. An escalation clause is an addendum to your offer stipulating you will raise your offer to beat any competing buyers, up to a set price. Escalation clauses are useful in competitive markets where homes get multiple offers. If you end up in a bidding war, the escalation clause automatically raises your bid, giving you the advantage over other buyers. For example, you might offer $400,000 on a home with an escalation clause stipulating that…..
Continue ReadingThree reasons why giving your house to your kids isn’t the best way to protect it from Medicaid
Are you afraid of losing your home if you have to enter a nursing home and apply for Medicaid? While this fear is well-founded, transferring the home to your children is usually not the best way to protect it. Although a home generally does not have to be sold in order to qualify for Medicaid coverage of nursing home care, the state could file a claim against the house after you die. If you get help from Medicaid to pay for the nursing home, the state must attempt to recoup from your estate whatever benefits it paid for your care. This…..
Continue ReadingHUD makes reverse mortgages less attractive
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has made changes to the federal reverse mortgage program. Citing the need to put the program on better financial footing, HUD has raised reverse mortgage fees for some borrowers and lowered the amount homeowners can borrow. The changes took effect on October 2, 2017. They affect borrowers who take out new loans, but not existing loans. A reverse mortgage allows a homeowner who is at least 62 years old to use the equity in his or her home to obtain a loan that does not have to be repaid until the homeowner moves, sells,…..
Continue ReadingHow to reverse Medicare surcharges when your income changes
Are you a high-income Medicare beneficiary who is paying a surcharge on your premiums but who has experienced a drop in income or is anticipating one? If your circumstances change, you can reverse those surcharges. Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries (individuals who earn more than $85,000) pay higher Part B and prescription drug benefit premiums than do Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes. The extra amount the beneficiary owes increases in stages as the beneficiary’s income increases. The Social Security Administration uses income reported two years ago to determine a beneficiary’s premiums. So the income reported on a beneficiary’s 2016 tax return is used to determine…..
Continue ReadingWhat happens when a nursing home closes?
The expansion of alternatives to nursing homes, such as assisted living and community care, has been financially challenging for the nursing home industry, and every year a small percentage of facilities close their doors. The state or federal government may also shutter a facility for safety issues. Moving into a nursing home can be a stressful experience by itself. If that nursing home closes, residents can experience symptoms that include depression, agitation, and withdrawn behavior, according to The Consumer Voice, a long-term care consumer advocacy group. While there may not be much that can be done to prevent a closure, residents do…..
Continue ReadingShould you enroll in two popular Medigap plans while you can?
If you will soon turn 65 and be applying for Medicare, you should carefully consider which “Medigap” policy to enroll in because two of the most popular plans will be ending soon. Between copayments, deductibles, and coverage exclusions, Medicare does not cover all medical expenses. Medigap (or “supplemental”) plans offered by private insurers are designed to supplement and fill in the “gaps” in Medicare coverage. There are 10 Medigap plans currently being sold, identified by letters. Each plan package offers a different combination of benefits. Plans F and C are popular Medigap plans in part because they both offer coverage…..
Continue ReadingKnow when to consult a real estate attorney
It’s generally wise to seek the advice of a real estate attorney any time you buy or sell a property. Common sale scenarios pose specialized legal risk, and you should consult an experienced attorney if any of the following apply to your sale: Judgements or liens: If there’s a lien on your property, retain an attorney to evaluate the validity of the lien and how to remove it before it holds up a sale. Heir to a property: If you’re an out-of-state heir, you should work with an attorney to ensure all ownership and title issues are in order. Talk…..
Continue ReadingGetting a mortgage with frozen credit
Remember the Equifax data breach last summer? Roughly 145 million Americans had their personal information and credit data compromised, leaving them open to identity fraud and theft. As a result, U.S. credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) saw a surge in consumers signing up to freeze their accounts. Now some would-be homebuyers are running into a hurdle in the mortgage application process: frozen credit. Fortunately, you can request a temporary “thaw” that allows lenders to access your account without permanently lifting your freeze. You’ll need to contact each of the three major credit bureaus separately, and you may need to…..
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