Blog | Robert Lizek

Home refinance: Costs to consider

Refinancing your home can have major benefits: a lower monthly payment, cash use of home equity for a variety of purposes, generate more appetizing mortgage terms, etc. However, there are a few things to remember when entering into a mortgage refinance, like refinance cost. Here are a couple of cost options ...

How To Make Your Home Sale “Smooth Sailing”

If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you know that rough waters can result in a miserable experience. Even on modern ships equipped with stabilizers, choppy seas and bad weather can leave you stuck below deck – and possibly seasick. In fact, the expression “smooth sailing” comes from a desire ...

Step-Up Basis and Real Estate

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay Suppose you’ve inherited your parents’ longtime home. Suppose they paid $100,000 for it, and it’s now worth $300,000. Had they sold it while it was in their possession, they would have avoided paying capital gains tax due to the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Now that ...

What to Consider When Deciding How Much to Put Down on a Home

Buying a home requires extensive financial planning. While the widely accepted standard for down payments has been 20% of the purchase price for decades, many are wondering if that’s still required. In reality, there are ways to qualify for a mortgage with less than 20% down payment—even some options without ...