Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible Under the New Tax Law?

By: Leanne Potts

Published: December 21, 2018

Here's the scoop on what's tax deductible when buying a house.

Are closing costs tax deductible? What about mortgage interest? Or property taxes? The answer is, maddeningly, “It depends."

Basically, you'll want to itemize if you have deductions totaling more than the standard deduction, which is $12,000 for single people and $24,000 for married couples filing jointly. Every taxpayer gets this deduction, homeowner or not. And most people take it because their actual itemized deductions are less than the standard amount.

But should you take it?

To decide, you need to know what's tax deductible when buying or owning a house. Here's the list of possible deductions:

Closing Costs

The one-time home purchase costs that are tax deductible as closing costs are real estate taxes charged to you when you closed, mortgage interest paid when you settled, and some loan origination fees (a.k.a. points) applicable to a mortgage of $750,000 or less.

But you'll only want to itemize them if all your deductions total more than the standard deduction.

Costs of closing on a home that aren't tax deductible include:

• Real estate commissions

• Appraisals

• Home inspections

• Attorney fees

• Title fees

• Transfer taxes

• Mortgage refi fees

Mortgage interest and property taxes are annual expenses of owning a home that may or may not be deductible. Continue reading to learn more about those.

Mortgage Interest

Yearly, you can write off the interest you pay on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt. Most homeowners don't have mortgages large enough to hit the cap, says Evan Liddiard, CPA, director of federal tax policy for the National Association of REALTORS®. But people who live in pricey places like San Francisco and Manhattan, or homeowners anywhere with hefty mortgages, will likely maximize the mortgage interest deduction.

Note: The $750,000 cap affects loans taken out after Dec. 17, 2017. If you have an loan older than that and you itemize, you can keep deducting your mortgage interest debt up to $1 million. But if you re-fi that loan, you can only deduct the interest on the amount up to the balance on the day you refinanced – you can't take extra cash and deduct the interest on the excess.

Home Equity Loan Interest

You can deduct the interest on a home equity loan or a second mortgage. But — and this is a big but — only if you use the proceeds to substantially improve your house, and only if the loan, combined with your first mortgage, doesn't add up to more than the magic number of $750,000 (or $1 million if the loans were existing as of Dec. 15, 2017).

If you use a home equity loan to pay medical bills, go to Paris, or for anything but home improvement, you can't write off the interest on your taxes.

State and Local Taxes

You can deduct state and local taxes you paid, including property, sales, and income taxes, up to $10,000. That's a low cap for people who live in places where state and local taxes are high, says Liddiard. To give you an idea of how low: The average amount New Yorkers have taken in state and local tax deductions in past years is about $22,000.

Loss From a Disaster

You can write off the cost of damage to your home if it's caused by an event in a federally declared disaster zone, like areas in Florida after Hurricane Michael or Shasta County, Calif., after a rash of wildfires.

This means standard-variety disasters like a busted water pipe while you're on vacation or a fire caused because you left the toaster on aren't deductible.

Moving Expenses

This deduction is also only for some. You can deduct moving expenses if you're an active member of the armed forces moving to a new station.

And by the way, no matter who you are, if your employer pays your moving expenses, you'll have to pay taxes on the reimbursement. "This will be a real hardship to many because it’s non-cash income," says Liddiard.  Some employers may up the gross to provide cash to pay the tax, but many likely will not.

Home Office

This is a deduction you don't have to itemize. You can take it on top of the standard deduction, but only if you're self-employed. If you are an employee and your boss lets you telecommute a day or two a week, you can't write off home office expenses. You claim it on Schedule C.

Related: 2 Ways to Claim Home Office Expenses

Student Loans

Anyone paying a mortgage and a student loan payment will be happy to hear that the interest on your education loan is tax-deductible on top of the standard deduction (no need to itemize). And you can deduct as much as $2,500 in interest per year, depending on your modified adjusted gross income.

Ways to Increase Your Eligible Deductions

There are some other itemize-able costs not related to being a homeowner that could bump you up over the standard deduction. This might allow you to write off your mortgage interest. Charitable contributions and some medical expenses are itemize-able, although medical expenses must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

So if you've have had a hospital stay or are generous, you could be in itemized-deduction land.

Also, if you're a single homeowner, it could be easier for you to exceed the standard deduction, Liddiard says. The itemized deductions on your house will probably more quickly break the $12,000 standard deduction threshold than a couple's similar house will break their $24,000 threshold.

Tax-Savvy Home-Buying Ideas

If you're a prospective homeowner with an eye to making the most efficient use of your tax benefits, here are a few ways to buy smart:

• Especially in expensive areas, buy a less expensive home so you don't hit the cap on mortgage debt and local and property taxes, says Lisa Greene-Lewis, a CPA and tax expert for TurboTax.

• If you're buying a higher price home, make a bigger down payment so your original mortgage doesn't exceed the $750,000 cap.

How to Decide If You Should Itemize

To see whether you should consider itemizing, plug your numbers into this clever tool from TurboTax, and you'll get their recommendation in just a few seconds.

Though every homeowner's tax benefits will be a little different, in the end, you're building equity, you'll likely make money when you sell, and you have the freedom to paint your walls any color you want and get a dog.

Related: How the New Tax Laws Affect Homeowners

Tax Deductions for Homeowners: How the New Tax Law Affects Mortgage Interest

By: Leanne Potts

Published: December 21, 2018

Tax changes for 2019 change the landscape for homeowners.

Tax season is upon us once again, and to make it even more interesting this year, the tax code has changed — along with the rules about tax deductions for homeowners. The biggest change? Many homeowners who used to write off their property taxes and the interest they pay their mortgage will no longer be able to.

Stay calm. This doesn't automatically mean your taxes are going up. Here's a roundup of the rules that will affect homeowners — and how big of a change to expect.

Related: Are Closing Costs Tax Deductible?

Standard Deduction: Big Change

The standard deduction, that amount everyone gets, whether they have actual deductions or not, nearly doubled under the new law. It's now $24,000 for married, joint-filing couples (up from $13,000). It's $18,000 for heads of household (up from $9,550). And $12,000 for singles (up from $6,500).

Many more people will now get a better deal taking the standard than they would with their itemizable write-offs.

For perspective, the number of homeowners who will be able to deduct their mortgage interest under the new rules will fall from around 32 million to about 14 million, the federal government says. That's about a 56% drop.

"This doesn't necessarily mean they'll pay more taxes," says Evan Liddiard, a CPA and director of federal tax policy for the National Association of REALTORS® in Washington, D.C. "It just means that they'll no longer get a tax incentive for buying or owning a home."

So will you be able to itemize, or will you be in standard deduction land? This calculator can give you an estimate.

If the answer is standard deduction, you'll be pleased to know that tax forms are easier when you don't itemize, says Liddiard. Find instructions for IRS Form 1040 here.

Personal Exemption Repealed

One caveat to the increase in the standard deduction for homeowners and non-homeowners is that the personal exemption was repealed. No longer can you exempt from your income $4,150 for each member of your household. And that might temper the benefit of a higher standard deduction, depending on your particular situation. 

For example, a single person might still come out ahead. Her $5,500 increase in the standard deduction is more than the $4,150 lost by the personal exemption repeal.  

But consider a family of four with two kids over 16 in the 22% tax bracket. They no longer have personal exemptions totaling $16,600.  Although the increase in the standard deduction is worth $2,420 (11,000 x 22%), the loss of the exemptions would cost them an extra $3,652  (16,600 x 22%).  So they lose $1,232 (3,652 – 2,420).

But say their two kids are under 16, giving them a child credit worth $2,000. That offsets the loss resulting in a $758 tax cut.

The takeaway: Your household composition will probably affect your tax status.

Mortgage Interest Deduction: Incremental Change

The new law caps the mortgage interest you can write off at loan amounts of no more than $750,000. However, if your loan was in place by Dec. 14, 2017, the loan is grandfathered, and the old $1 million maximum amount still applies. Since most people don't have a mortgage larger than $750,000, they won't be affected by the cap.

But if you live in a pricey place (like San Francisco, where the median housing price is well over a million bucks), or you just have a seriously expensive house, the new federal tax laws mean you're not going to be able to write off interest paid on debt over the $750,000 cap.

State and Local Tax Deduction: Degree of Change Varies by Location

The state and local taxes you pay — like income, sales, and property taxes — are still itemizable write-offs. That's called the SALT deduction in CPA lingo. But. The tax changes for 2019 (that's tax year 2018) mean you can't deduct more than $10,000 for all your state and local taxes combined, whether you're single or married. (It's $5,000 per person if you're married but filing separately.)

The SALT cap is bad news for people in areas with high taxes. The majority of homeowners in around 20 states have been writing off more than $10,000 in SALT each year, so they'll lose some of this deduction. "This is going to hurt people in high-tax areas like New York and California," says Lisa Greene-Lewis, CPA and expert for TurboTax in California. New Yorkers, for example, were taking SALT deductions around $22,000 a household.

Rental Property Deduction: No Change

The news is happier if you're a landlord. There continue to be no limits on the amount of mortgage debt interest or state and local taxes you can write off on rental property. And you can keep writing off operating expenses like depreciation, insurance, lawn care, and utilities on Schedule E.

Home Equity Loans: Big Change

You can continue to write off the interest on a home equity or second mortgage loan (if you itemize), but only if you used the proceeds to substantially better your home and only if the total, combined with your first mortgage, doesn't go over the $750,000 cap ($1 million for loans in existence on Dec. 15, 2017). If you used the equity loan to pay medical expenses, take a cruise, or anything other than home improvements, that interest is no longer tax deductible.

Here's a big FYI: The new rules don't grandfather in old home equity loans if the proceeds were used for something other than substantial home improvement. If you took one out five years ago to, say, pay your child's college tuition, you have to stop writing off that interest. 

4 Tips for Navigating the New Tax Law

1. Single people may get more tax benefits from buying a house, Liddiard says. "They can often reach [and potentially exceed] the standard deduction more quickly." You can check how much you're likely to owe or get back under the new law on this tax calculator.

2. Student loan debt is deductible, up to $2,500 if you're repaying, whether you itemize or not.

3. Charitable deductions and some medical expenses remain itemizable. If you're generous or have had a big year for medical bills, these, added to your mortgage interest, may be enough to bump you over the standard deduction hump and into the write-off zone.

4. If your mortgage is over the $750,000 cap, pay it down faster so you don't eat the interest. You can add a little to the principal each month, or make a 13th payment each year.

5 Reasons to Stage Your Home Before Buyers Visit

Sellers seem to have mixed reactions when they hear the word "staging." Some go all-in, while others are somewhat resistant to the idea. The more reluctant homeowners ask questions like: Why would anyone bother staging a home before selling it? It sounds like a lot of extra work for me. What do I get out of it?

There's a simple answer to these questions. By staging your home effectively, you have a better chance of selling it quickly and for the highest possible price. This alone should be enough to motivate even the most reluctant seller.

But those aren't the only reasons to stage your home before inviting buyers for a visit. Here's a more complete list of benefits...

1. Staging forces you to de-clutter and organize the home.

Clearing away shelves, cabinets and closets is a big part of the home staging process. It also helps with the moving process, because you'll have to pack things away at some point anyway. So when you stage your home, you will also be giving yourself a good head start on the packing and moving process (in addition to making it seem more spacious).

2. Staging requires you to think like a home buyer, and that's a good thing.

When you set out to stage your home for the market, you'll be viewing the property as if you were a buyer and not the actual owner. You'll be thinking about the home more objectively, with less personal attachment. Adopting this kind of mindset early on will help you in many ways, from marketing to negotiating.

3. Staging increases the likelihood of a quick sale.

When listing your home for sale, you'll want to do everything in your power to increase the chance of a quick sale. Because let's face it, having your home on the market isn't very much fun. It can be invasive and inconvenient. Anyone who has sold a home in the past can attest to this fact. So the less time your house is on the market, the better. Besides, you probably have a timeline for your move, your next residence, etc. Home staging can give you an extra edge in selling the home quickly.

4. Staging helps to justify the asking price.

If you are in a seller's market, and you price your home correctly, you probably won't have to go back and forth negotiating over the asking price. You'll get offers soon enough. But in a market that leans toward the buyer, you need everything in your favor to get top dollar. When done right, staging can help you justify the asking price by positioning the home more favorably in the buyer's mind. And even if you are in a seller's market, you still want to earn the best possible price. So stage away!

5. Staging can actually be fun!

At first, home staging might sound like "all work and no play." De-cluttering, painting, strategic furniture placement -- all of these things require some effort on your part. You'll have to roll up your sleeves and put in some elbow grease. But staging a home can be a creative process as well, and many people find they enjoy it once they've begun. Put on your amateur decorator hat, and have some fun.

How Do I Know the Market Value of a Home?

Home prices in the U.S. have risen more or less steadily over the last few years. In many cities, home values are now at their highest point in history -- even higher than the last housing boom. 

But what determines the "market value" of a home? How do sellers determine their list prices, and how can buyers evaluate a listing based on current market conditions. Here's a crash course in determining market value, for sellers and buyers alike.

The Definition of 'Market Value'

Let's start off with a quick definition. In a real estate context, the "market value" is the most likely price a home will sell for within a reasonable amount of time. It is based on local housing market conditions and recent sales activity. 

You'll notice this definition does not mention the original price paid by the homeowner. Unless they bought the home a month ago, the original purchase price is likely irrelevant to the current market. Likewise, the market value of a home has nothing to do with the homeowner's current mortgage balance. Some sellers list their homes for the amount needed to pay off their mortgage loans. But that doesn't always line up with the current market value of the property.

How to Determine Market Value

So, with that introduction out of the way, let's get to the heart of the matter. How do you know the market value of a home you're thinking about buying? Or the value of your own property, when listing it for sale?

The first thing you'd want to do is track home sales in the area. The longer you do this, the better. It gives you a good base of knowledge with regard to asking prices versus selling prices (hint: it's the latter of these two that determines market value).

Next, you'll want to review sales data on homes that are similar to the one you're considering. This is what real estate agents refer to as comparable sales, or comps. The more alike the two properties are, the more accurate the pricing comparison. 

Try to find as many comparable home sales as possible. This will help you support your offer amount, by showing the seller you're using actual market data from recent sales in the area. Remember, home prices can change over time. So recent comps will give you a better idea of what's happening now, in the current real estate market.

When you determine the market value of a home, you also need to take any unique features into account. For example, let's say I've found sales data for two colonial-style homes that are 2,000 square feet. The home I'm considering is also a colonial with 2,000 square feet. But it has a completely renovated kitchen, a pool, and sits on a more spacious corner lot with a great view. The other houses lack these qualities. So the house I'm considering will likely sell for more than the two comps, despite the fact that the homes are similar in size and style.

Here's a good "formula" to keep in mind when considering the market value of a home in a particular area:

Comparable sale prices + unique features = a good asking price

An Easier Way: Work With a Real Estate Agent

This is just a basic overview of market value within the context of real estate sales. There's more work involved to properly evaluate the value of a particular property, especially when the market is changing constantly. And that's where real estate agents come into the picture.

Real estate agents undergo extensive training in this area. Much of their education has to do with real estate market cycles, home prices and values, and related topics. So whether you're buying or selling a home, you could save yourself a lot of time and energy by having an agent on your side!

5 Tips for Making an Offer in a Hot Real Estate Market

Steady demand. Limited supply. That's what we are seeing in real estate markets across the country right now. Inventory is particularly tight within the lower price ranges. "The starter house is nearly missing in some markets," according to Jessica Lautz, managing director of survey research and communication for the National Association of Realtors.

Of course, conditions can vary from one city to the next. But the overall trend in housing markets across the country is that supply is still falling short of demand.

Given these conditions, it's important for home buyers to make a strong, smart offer when the right house comes along. Here are five tips for doing exactly that.

1. Understand the supply and demand situation in your area.

According to housing experts, a so-called "balanced" real estate market has five to six months of supply. This means, in theory, that it would take five or six months to sell off all homes currently listed for sale, if no new properties came onto the market.

Many real estate markets across the country have less than a three-month supply right now. And some cities have less than a two-month supply.

The first step to making a strong offer is to understand the supply-and-demand situation in your area. We are still seeing sellers' market conditions in many cities, as of spring 2018. And this could persist for some time.

2. Study recent sales prices in your area.

This is something a real estate agent can help you with, but you can do some of it for yourself. The idea here is to get a good understanding of recent sales prices in the area where you want to buy.

This will help you in a couple of ways. It will save you time during the house-hunging process, by eliminating the need for repetitive research and pricing "sanity checks." It will also help you make a strong, realistic offer backed by recent sales trends. And speaking of offers...

3. Make a strong and timely offer, backed by comparable sales.

In a slow housing market, where sellers are ready to jump on the first offer that comes along, home buyers have the luxury of taking their time. A buyer might start off with an initial offer below the asking price, just to open negotiations. The seller would probably come back with a counteroffer, or accept the first offer.

But it doesn't work that way in a more competitive real estate market with limited inventory. In a tight market, buyers are better off making their first offer as competitive as possible. Otherwise, the house could go to a competing buyer.

4. Consider writing a love letter to the seller.

A house love letter, that is! Recent studies have shown that buyers in competitive real estate markets can improve their chance for success by writing a heartfelt letter to the seller. Sure, real estate is a business transaction. But there's a personal side to it as well. Writing a personal letter to tell the sellers what you love about their home might just tip the scales in your favor.

5. Get an agent on your side. 

It's always a good idea to have help from a local real estate agent. It's even more important in a tight market with limited inventory. An agent can help you move quickly, putting together a strong offer that's supported by recent sales data.

Income Needed to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan

When you apply for a home loan, the mortgage lender will conduct a thorough review of your income situation. Income is one of the most important factors to a lender, along with your credit score and debt level. This article answers a common, income-related question that home buyers often ask: How much income is needed to qualify for a mortgage loan?

The first thing to know is that mortgage lending standards and requirements can vary from one lender to the next. For example, if I approach a handful of lenders about a certain home loan, and my income level is on the "border" of acceptability, one company might approve me for the loan while others turn me down. That's because they have their own business models and assessment procedures.

In addition, your household income level is only one piece of the mortgage qualification process. Lenders will review other things as well, including your credit score and your total amount of debt. Remember, your debt takes away a big part of your income -- so the two things are usually reviewed together. 

How Much Income to Qualify?

These days, most lenders set the bar somewhere around 43% to 45% for the total debt-to-income ratio, or DTI. This means that if your recurring monthly debts use up more than 45% of your monthly income, you might have trouble qualifying for a loan. On the other hand, a borrower who only uses about 35% of her income to cover the monthly debts should be in good shape, as far as lenders are concerned.

These numbers are not set in stone. Some lenders may allow total DTI ratios above 45%, especially when there are certain "compensating factors."

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):

"Larger lenders may still make a mortgage loan if your debt-to-income ratio is more than 43 percent ... But they will have to make a reasonable, good-faith effort, following the CFPB’s rules, to determine that you have the ability to repay the loan."

So, where do you stand? What's your total debt-to-income ratio? You can find plenty of calculators online to help you calculate your DTI level. That's a good place to continue your research.

Applying for a Mortgage Quote

When you've done the necessary research, and feel that you're ready to take on a mortgage loan, the next logical step is to apply for quotes from lenders. The good news is that this process is easier than ever, thanks to the internet. You can apply online and get information sent to you by email. 

Granted, you'll have to fill out a more complete application at some point, along with plenty of supporting documents (tax records, bank statements, etc.). But the initial online application is a good way to get the ball rolling.

Don't Overstretch Your Income

The last point I want to make is that a mortgage lender cannot tell you what you can afford. They can only tell you what they are willing to lend you, in terms of a loan. You must determine your own affordability limits, before you even start talking to lenders. 

Doing some basic budget math up front could help you avoid financial issues down the road. So take a good, hard look at your current debt and income situation -- and decide what you're comfortable paying each month in the form of a mortgage payment.

Mortgage Rates Rise to Their Highest Level in Over Four Years

Are you thinking about buying a home in the near future? Do you need a mortgage loan to finance your purchase? Here's a trend you should know about. This week, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan rose to its highest level since 2013. This is based on the weekly industry survey conducted by Freddie Mac.

Mortgage Rates Hit 4-Year High in April 2018

On April 26, 2018, Freddie Mac published the latest results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS). This survey has been running for decades, and it gives us good insight into various trends. The company describes it as "the foremost reliable, representative source of regional and national mortgage rate trends."

Here are the results of the survey for the week of April 26, 2018:

    •    30-year fixed mortgage loans had an average rate of 4.58%.
    •    15-year fixed mortgage loans had an average rate of 4.02%.
    •    5/1 adjustable (ARM) loans had an average rate of 3.74%.

Here's what is truly noteworthy about these latest indicators. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage (the most popular loan product used by home buyers) just hit its highest level in years. To date, the average rate for a 30-year home loan hasn't been this high since August 2013.

As Freddie Mac officials reported in their April 26 report:

"Mortgage rates increased for the third consecutive week, climbing 11 basis points to 4.58 percent. Rates are now at their highest level since the week of August 22, 2013. Higher Treasury yields, driven by rising commodity prices, more Treasury issuances and the steady stream of solid economic news, are behind the uptick in rates over the past week."

Buying a Home Now Versus Later

Granted, the interest rates that are actually assigned to home loans can vary from one borrower to the next, and for a number of reasons. Loan type, credit scores, and discount points all play a role. The numbers above are merely averages across all of the surveyed lenders.

It's the overall trend here that's most important. And the trend is that average mortgage rates have shot up quite a bit over the last few months.

Home prices, meanwhile, continue to rise in most cities across the country. According to the real estate information company Zillow, the nationwide median home value rose by around 8% over the last year (as of April 2018). And while prices have slowed a down a bit in many areas, they are expected to continue moving north over the coming months -- and into 2019.

These are important trends for home buyers, particularly those who need mortgage financing to complete their purchases. Rising rates can chip away at your buying power, as can rising home values. So those who are planning to buy a home in 2018 might want to consider purchasing sooner rather than later.

Disclaimer: This article includes data, trends and forecasts relating to the housing industry nationwide. This information was provided by third-party sources outside of our company. The information above is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Homes Expected to Sell Fast in 2018, Like Last Year

A recent report showed that homes across the U.S. sold faster than ever during 2017. And experts believe that 2018 could be an even hotter real estate market, due to a chronically low level of homes for sale. So buyers should be prepared for competition.

A Fast-Moving Real Estate Market in 2018

Here's the big message for home buyers and house hunters in 2018: Be prepared to move quickly when you find a house you want to buy. Nationwide, homes sold at their fastest pace on record last year. And this year could match, or even outpace, that record.

According to a recent report from the real estate information company Zillow, it took a median of 81 days to sell a home in 2017. That was nine days faster than the previous year. The fastest-selling month for houses was June of 2017, when it took about 73 days for a home to sell (including the actual closing process). Since it can take between four and six weeks to close a sale, this means the typical home was on the market for around 30 days, before going under contract.

Buyers Still Dealing With Limited Inventory

So here we are in spring 2018, and housing markets across the country are still red-hot. This is largely due to the dearth of inventory seen in many areas. Home buyers in 2018 are facing limited inventory this home-shopping season, which has been the case for the last three years.

According to the latest figures, housing market inventory across the country has declined on a year-over-year basis for 37 months in a row. This leaves fewer options for home buyers, while boosting competition and prices. In 2017, nearly a quarter of all homes sold across the U.S. went for more than the list price. This shows that stiff competition could be leading to bidding wars and driving prices higher.

According to Aaron Terrazas, senior economist at Zillow, 2018 will be marked by fast home sales.

"As demand has outpaced supply in the housing market over the past three years, buying a home has become an exercise in speed and agility," Terrazas said in a recent news release. "This [year] is shaping up to be another competitive home shopping season for buyers, who may have to linger on the market until they find the right home but then sprint across the finish line once they do."

Tips for Buying in a 'Fast' Market

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make the house-hunting process more efficient, and to make your offer stand out.

Here are five tips for buying in a competitive market:

1. Review recent home sales in your target area, to get a feel for pricing.
2. Work with an experienced real estate agent who knows the local market.
3. Get pre-approved for mortgage financing to help narrow your price range.
4. Move quickly with a strong offer when the right house comes along.
5. Keep the big picture in mind; don't quibble with the seller over "nickels and dimes."

The fastest-selling real estate markets of 2017 were mostly located in California and the Pacific Northwest, where inventory is most constrained. San Jose, California; San Francisco and Seattle topped the list. But these conditions are affecting many cities and towns across the country, to varying degrees.