• Real Estate Tax Planning: 4 Things You Should Do Before the End of the Year,Lucido Global

    Real Estate Tax Planning: 4 Things You Should Do Before the End of the Year

      As the year draws to a close, real estate investors and homeowners must turn their attention to real estate tax planning. Proper tax planning can help you maximize your financial benefits and minimize your tax liabilities. This blog post will guide you through essential considerations and strategies to optimize your real estate tax planning for the end of the year. Understand the Basics of Real Estate Taxes- Before diving into year-end tax planning, it's crucial to have a solid grasp of the basic types of real estate taxes. The two primary categories are property taxes and capital gains taxes. Property Taxes: These are assessed annually by local governments and are based on the assessed value of your property. Property tax rates can vary significantly from one location to another. Paying attention to any property tax assessments and ensuring they are accurate is the first step in real estate tax planning. Capital Gains Taxes: When you sell real estate, you may be subject to capital gains taxes. These taxes are determined by the profit you've made on the property, which can be categorized as short-term or long-term capital gains, depending on the holding period. Review Your Real Estate Portfolio - Take stock of your real estate holdings and consider any changes you've made during the year. Have you bought or sold properties? Have you made significant improvements to your properties that could impact your tax situation? A clear understanding of your real estate transactions for the year is essential to make informed decisions regarding tax planning. Maximize Deductions and Tax Credits- One of the key aspects of real estate tax planning is maximizing deductions and tax credits. Consider the following strategies: Mortgage Interest Deduction: If you own a primary residence and itemize your deductions, you can typically deduct the interest paid on your mortgage. Review your mortgage interest statements and ensure they are accurate. Property Tax Deduction: You may be eligible to deduct property taxes paid on your primary residence and, in some cases, investment properties. Verify the amounts and eligibility for these deductions. Home Office Deduction: If you use a portion of your home for business purposes, you may be eligible for a home office deduction. Ensure you meet the IRS criteria for this deduction. Energy-Efficient Upgrades: Making energy-efficient improvements to your properties can not only reduce your utility bills but also make you eligible for tax credits. 4. Plan for Capital Gains Tax - If you've sold a property during the year, you'll need to account for capital gains tax. Consider the following strategies to minimize your tax liability: 1031 Exchange: A 1031 exchange allows you to defer paying capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds from the sale of one property into another "like-kind" property. This strategy is subject to specific rules and deadlines. Primary Residence Exclusion: If you've sold your primary residence, you may be eligible for a significant capital gains tax exclusion. Ensure you meet the ownership and use requirements to qualify for this exclusion. Year-end real estate tax planning is a critical aspect of financial management for homeowners and real estate investors. By understanding the basics of real estate taxes, reviewing your portfolio, maximizing deductions and tax credits, planning for capital gains tax, and seeking professional guidance, you can ensure that you're making informed decisions to minimize your tax liabilities and maximize your financial benefits. Start your real estate tax planning early to take full advantage of the opportunities available to you.

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  • 9 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home,Lucido Global

    9 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home

    Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and togetherness, and hosting it in your new home can be a wonderful experience. It's an opportunity to create lasting memories and establish new traditions. However, along with the excitement, there are some challenges that come with hosting Thanksgiving in a new space.   The Pros of Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home: Personal Touch: Your new home provides a blank canvas to infuse your personal style and traditions into the celebration. You have the creative freedom to decorate and set the ambiance just the way you like. Creating Memories: Hosting Thanksgiving in your new home can be the start of cherished family traditions. Your house becomes the backdrop for warm memories that will last a lifetime. Homely Atmosphere: Thanksgiving at your new place can offer a more intimate and cozy atmosphere, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort for your guests. Convenience: No travel means you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time navigating traffic or rushing from place to place.   The Cons of Hosting Thanksgiving in Your New Home: Stress: The pressure to create a perfect Thanksgiving can be overwhelming, especially in a new environment. The stress of cooking, cleaning, and decorating might take away from the enjoyment. Space Limitations: Depending on the size of your new home, you may face challenges accommodating a large number of guests. Consider seating, table space, and kitchen capacity. Unfamiliar Kitchen: If you've recently moved, you might not be entirely familiar with your new kitchen's layout and equipment, which can lead to challenges in meal preparation. Unforeseen Issues: In a new home, you might encounter unforeseen issues, like plumbing problems or electrical hiccups, which could disrupt your Thanksgiving plans. Tips to Avoid the Cons: Plan Ahead: Start planning well in advance. Make lists of tasks, create a timeline, and delegate responsibilities to guests if needed. Keep It Simple: Consider a potluck-style dinner where each guest brings a dish. This reduces the stress of cooking and encourages a sense of shared responsibility. Maximize Space: Rearrange your furniture or consider renting additional tables and chairs to make the most of your available space. Test Your Kitchen: Familiarize yourself with your new kitchen's appliances and layout before the big day. This will help you avoid surprises and streamline meal preparation. Delegate Tasks: Don't hesitate to ask for help. Enlist the assistance of friends and family to set the table, assist in the kitchen, and manage other tasks. Set a Cozy Atmosphere: Create a warm and inviting ambiance with candles, decorations, and cozy seating areas. Use your new home's unique features to your advantage. Plan for Entertainment: Organize games, activities, or a movie marathon to keep guests entertained before or after the meal. Prepare for the Unexpected: Have a backup plan in case of unforeseen issues. Know the contact information for local service providers if you need help with repairs. Embrace Imperfection: Understand that not everything will go perfectly. Thanksgiving is about enjoying the company of loved ones, not about having a flawless event.

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  • The Holly Ritchie Team joins Lucido Global,Lucido Global

    The Holly Ritchie Team joins Lucido Global

    TOP KELLER WILLIAMS TEAM PARTNERS WITH THE HOLLY RITCHIE TEAM TO LAUNCH NEW PARTNERSHIP.               Holly Ritchie teams up with Lucido Global to launch The Holly Ritchie Team Powered by Lucido Global. Based in Canfield, Ohio and led by Holly Ritchie, The Holly Ritchie Team is a well-known top producing team in their market as well as within the KW franchise. Servicing first time home buyers, VA, FHA, luxury, lake front properties, builders, and investors in The Valley, (Tri-County area of Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties), The Holly Ritchie Team has received the Pinnacle of Performance, the top level achievement for real estate teams in the state of Ohio, 11 years in a row. Holly has also received the Pinnacle of Performance with OAR as an individual agent from 2003-2014 after starting her career in 2001. She quickly became a top producing agent in the region, selling an impressive $22,000,000 in volume in 2014. As Holly’s professional career took off, she realized she would need help managing leads in order to continue growing her business.“We have an insane amount of leads that we need help nurturing,” said Ritchie. “We chose to partner with Lucido Global because they have the tools to help us better follow-up on leads, create new leads, and ensure our clients are well taken care of.” Holly is most excited about the innovative and one-of-a-kind tech tools that Lucido Global will bring to their business, “I met with the top KW expansion networks…None of them had what Lucido Global offers,” said Holly. "We strategically look to partner with passionate, proven-go getters who share our values and vision for growth," said Bob Lucido, Co-Founder and CEO of Lucido Global. " We're excited and honored Holly has chosen for The Holly Ritchie Team to Powered By Lucido Global. We look forward to serving and thriving together!" We are excited to have Holly as a partner leading and growing our Ohio market. Please join us in welcoming The Holly Ritchie Team to the Lucido real estate family!TheHollyRitchieTeam.com     WE’RE ON A MISSION TO CHANGE LIVES BY REDEFINING REAL ESTATE. Maryland-based real estate team Lucido Global is expanding in Canfield, Ohio. The team - which does business as Lucido Global, Lucido Global Team, and Bob Lucido Team in 14 different states and 2 countries - is with one of the largest real estate companies in the world, Keller Williams Realty. Bob Lucido, CEO, President, & Associate Broker, is also recognized as one of the top Luxury KW real estate agents in the nation. From our specialized services to our client experience, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations - and we’re looking for partners who are committed to the same. We’re not looking to grow with just anyone. We’re looking to partner with serious, business-minded individuals eager to create win-win opportunities and build bigger and better businesses together. We’re looking to expand strategically with new host market centers in our targeted locations. If this sounds like an ideal opportunity, we want to talk.

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