Tag Archives: equifax finance blog

Online Shopping Sales Tax and ID Theft Protection

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ID protection for online shopping

ID protection for online shopping

Two things that probably do not enter your mind when shopping online are sales tax and ID theft protection. However, the experts at the Equifax Finance Blog think they should spring to mind with every item your ‘click’ into your virtual shopping cart.

Currently, thousands of Americans have being clicking their paychecks away for this season’s latest holiday gifts. Many gifts are probably shipping from several states away as we speak. In their article, “

Online Shopping, Sales Tax, and You,” the Equifax Finance Blog experts want to remind you to look at your sales total before clicking ‘submit’ on your purchases.

If your total does not reflect a sales tax, it is a purchase that you will need to keep records of for you taxes due in the springtime. This is because many local governments are suffering from the lack of funds being collected in person at local businesses due to the overwhelming influx of online shoppers.

It may not seem like a big problem to some, but for many states who rely on the sales tax for governance funding (which is used for schools, highways, etc.), it is a real concern. If you haven’t been paying sales taxes for your online purchase, check out Governing.com and find out what you should have paid.

When tax season comes some individual tax returns may have a ‘Use Tax’ line on them. This line is where online shoppers will need to fill out their shopping payment information.

Being aware of your online shopping purchases can also become an identity theft solution for some shoppers, because comparing your purchase history plus bank statements regularly is always a smart idea!

For more information about taxes, credit reports,

ID protection and more, please check out the Equifax Finance Blog today!

New Housing Market Predictions Paint Rosy 2013

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Housing market predictions up from lower inventory

Housing market predictions up from lower inventory

The recovery is alive and well, and is painting some good 

housing market predictions for spring 2013. This change is the result of a number of factors, which the Equifax Finance Blog explains in the new article, “

One Million Homeowners Are Back in the Black.”

The 20 percent less inventory than the same time last year has made homes more valuable, and that rise in value has accounted for an overall $457.1 billion rise in home equity, or 7.4 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2011. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners will rise above owing more than their home is worth if prices continue to rise, and many who have delayed selling their home will have a chance to re-enter the market.

These homeowners rejoining the market as home sellers will add inventory to give buyers more choices on where to spend their money, and that additional inventory may either cause prices to normalize or to rise as homes are quickly taken off of the market. This presents a bonus for both buying and 

selling a home, in addition to a big boost for the housing market recovery.

For more personal finance tips and tricks, as well as real estate analysis and predictions, direct your browser to the Equifax Finance Blog.

Home Styles Change to Meet Buyers’ Needs

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When buying a home, pay attention to storage space

When buying a home, pay attention to storage space

If you look at homes built just 10 years ago, you can see huge differences from current home styles. Plans and designs have changed to meet the needs of modern buyers, but what are those needs? Are they met in Carolina new homes you might be considering buying? The Equifax Finance Blog shares some key information about home features that you may find interesting in the new article, “

What Do Buyers Want in a Home?”

Armed with data taken from the Census Bureau’s 2011 Characteristics of New Housing report, the new article shares housing trends that can help you recognize some of the best features when

buying a home. For instance, buyers in 2011 were really keen on storage space for their busy lives, from pantries in kitchens to walk-in closets in master bedrooms. However, buyers are turning away from some traditionally thought of luxuries. They cut out big additions like media rooms and full outdoor kitchens. Instead, the money that would be put aside for those types of spaces is being used on premium appliances such as fire pits and high-end grills.

To learn more about real estate trends and

housing market predictions, check in with the Equifax Finance Blog.

Truths about Real Estate Investing

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Investing in Real Estate

Investing in Real Estate

Real estate

investing is big business these days, but just as with any “boom” there are some misconceptions out there about what’s really trending. Steve Cook, real estate and government writer, discredits five popular real estate investing myths in his article “

Buying a Home: Facts and Fictions about Investing” on the Equifax Finance Blog.

Myth 1: Real estate investors are basically flippers who buy and sell properties as fast as they can. Flipping isn’t easy these days, because home prices are still incredibly low in most areas. Investors want to buy low and sell high and flippers are having a hard time doing that. They can buy low, but just can’t sell high.

Myth 2: Real estate investors must be rich because they buy homes with cash. According to a study by the National Association of Realtors, 51% of investors did not pay cash – they either took out mortgages on the homes and lived there while fixing them up or they took out home equity loans or second mortgages on their homes. Of the 49% reportedly paying cash, many of those were actually bought with loans from real estate investment firms. The number of homes truly bought with cash is probably much lower.

Myth 3: By turning homes into rentals, investors change the nature of neighborhoods. Cook does a good job explaining the rental/ownership cycle that many neighborhoods will experience. Right now, demand on rentals is high, and investors can make more money by

buying a home and holding onto them as rental units. But as the market shifts, which it will, those renters will want to buy, and demand for rentals will decrease. As rents decrease, it will no longer be cost effective for investors to keep holding onto those properties – they will make more money by selling them.

Myth 4: Investors are interested only in lower-priced properties. Investors can get the best deals on foreclosures and short sales, which are priced much lower than comparable homes for sale. Smaller, entry level homes are in greater demand than larger, more expensive ones, and cost less to fix up.

Myth 5: Real estate investors are full-time professionals. Real estate investing is filled with newbies, one-timers and those who didn’t intend on getting into it. A recent Move study showed that only 36.5% of investors has experience in one or more property transaction.

Have you considered real estate investing? If so, now may be the time. Visit the Equifax blog for more tips on real estate, as well as retirement, credit, insurance and more.

Special Deals for the Ready to Buy in HUD Homes

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HUD Homes can be great for ready homebuyers or those eager for investing

HUD Homes can be great for ready homebuyers or those eager for investing

Those looking for the inside scoop on some lesser known real estate deals should consider HUD homes, where those that are ready to buy can scoop up great deals. HUD homes are often popular for those interested in

investing, but they can also be a great path for cash-strapped but savvy homebuyers. The Equifax Finance Blog explores how these homes are different in a recent article, “

How To Buy A HUD Home.”

A HUD home is a special kind of

foreclosure which has been repossessed from Federal Housing Agency loans. In an effort to get these homes back with people living in them, HUD homes are often competitively priced with special incentives for owner-occupiers. These special incentives include a special 30 day window of opportunity for owner occupiers to put in offers.

The offer period and many other facets of HUD homes are different from traditional homes, so it is more important than ever to have an experienced HUD real estate agent when looking for a deal with these homes. The agent can help your tell good from bad in these homes, help you strategize through the online offer process, give you sound advice throughout the entire process and more.

For information about HUD homes as well as

real estate predictions and news, explore the frequently updated Equifax Finance Blog.