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Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. wants your help and commentary on our Real Estate Blog

Signing Into a Tax Liens

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/08/14

Signing Into a Tax Liens

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide

Investing in real estate is one of the beneficial markets that are available today.  It allows you to make profit off of one simple investment and can help you with putting more in the bank.  If you are working towards finding new ways to earn and invest, then looking at real estate property is a good way to go.  If you are just beginning in this business, make sure that you include tax liens in your definitions.  

Whether you have a loan or own a home, there are several taxes that are attached to the property that you are working towards owning.  These include state as well as local taxes for the property.  Taxes are included in a variety of places with the purchase of the property or home, including tax liens.  Tax liens are first divided by the state and area that you are living according to the cost of living in the neighborhood you are in.  

Tax liens usually begin when someone doesn't pay their taxes on a property that they have a loan on or own.  If the taxes are overdue, the county has the right to sell the tax lien to someone else.  Usually, taxes will be given a certain amount of time to be paid.  If it isn't paid after a certain time, the tax lien turns into a certificate that can be used for purchase.  Whoever purchases this document will then have rights over the property after a given amount of time.  

Whether you own a property or are looking to own a property, tax liens will help you in understanding a different way to move into a home and to stay in a home.  When April comes, always remember to attach your tax liens to your payments, in order to ensure that you can keep the homestead open for another year.  

Servicing the Real Estate Market

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/08/14

Title: 
Servicing the Real Estate Market

Word Count:
282

Summary:
Your real estate marketing services must include information easily gathered by needy homebuyers and sellers, such as the access to your easy-to-navigate Web site.

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide


Article Body:
Your real estate marketing services must include information easily gathered by needy homebuyers and sellers, such as the access to your easy-to-navigate Web site. 

Your Web site must include your own listings as well as the area's multiple listing service. Part of your real estate marketing services to sellers must include the ability to take a home and turn it into a great photo opportunity elegantly and successfully displayed online. Photos are the key to the success of online listings. You can write an incredibly descriptive and compelling visual picture of a property for sale but it won't generate any way near as much interest as a great photo of the property. Yes, indeed, a picture is worth a thousand words. Your real estate services must include that realization and action to put that concept into production. 

What's so great about the Internet is that you never run out of space to tell your story and paint your picture. Nor does the price go up depending on the length of your story, as it would if you placed a print ad. Most Internet listing sites, including the sites of the local newspapers, offer opportunities for multiple photos of property, or in many cases a great video or virtual open house, where you can walk through the home for sale, with a 360 degree online tour. Your real estate services should include all professional expertise and assistance in accomplishing this.  
 
People want to know about the local community - the schools, the recreation, the taxes, and the entertainment. If your real estate services acquaint them with their potential new community and it looks promising, your real estate services will probably pay off with a sale.


Risks of Real Estate Investing

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/08/14

Risks of Real Estate Investing

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide

Most good things carry with them some degree of risk. The same holds true with real estate investing. Despite the promise of high rewards you should temper those ambitions with the reality that the risks involved are more often than not just as high as the potential rewards. For this reason you need to take every possible precaution in order to insure that you minimize your exposure to risk whenever possible or at the very least are prepared, financially and mentally to accept the consequences of those risks if the time comes.

The most obvious risk when it comes to real estate investing is the immediate risk of losing your investment. This risk can be a huge blow depending on how large your investment was to begin with but isn't the worst thing that can happen during the course of a real estate investment gone wrong. While I'm certainly not trying to talk you out of investing in real estate all together it is a good idea to have a realistic view of the risks and the potential rewards.

If you are flipping houses as your real estate investment you have the potential to loose a little more as you can become injured during the course of your work. The sad truth is that many who are attempting to break into the business of flipping houses have neither adequate insurance coverage (this is true of themselves and the property in general and others that may be working on the property), the money, nor the time that a serious injury might require.

Another risk common to real estate investing is the fact that stuff happens. Market trends tumble, companies go out of business leaving towns and the local real estate market in shambles, accidents happen during the course of the work, natural disasters occur, and buyers change their minds and pull out at the last minute. Each of these things can have devastating consequences and are almost always events that are completely beyond your control as a real estate investor.

If that wasn't enough many investors fail to have a proper inspection and find out when it is really too late that there are serious structural problems and other sorts of things wrong with the property. These things cost money to repair and cut into profits, occasionally resulting in a loss. The thing is that once you find out something is wrong with the property you are honor bound to either reveal the problem to potential buyers or fix the problems before selling the house. In the case of a flip, many major problems will undo the work that has already be done. If this doesn't remind you of the importance of a thorough inspection I have no idea exactly what will but inspections are important for many reasons and can save a lot of time and money if you have one done ahead of time.

Do not allow the risks of real estate investing prevent you from taking the plunge. They are spelled out here to remind you that prudence and caution are wise when investing in real estate not to talk you out of this potentially lucrative field of investing. If you are interested in real estate investing there is no reason on earth you shouldn't take the time and make the effort to learn more about its potential.




Veering Away From Problems In Buying Or Selling Real Estate Websites

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/07/14

Veering Away From Problems In Buying Or Selling Real Estate Websites

Despite the so many benefits in buying and selling websites, there would always be major problems. These take place is the buyer or the seller of the website do not have any idea what are the things that should be done and how can solve minor problems along the way. In order to veer away from major problems that can be encountered in buying or selling a website, here are some things that the buyer or seller should take into consideration:

1. Accomplish major monetary issues.

In this case, the major objective of the seller is makes a positive image so the deal would proceed smoothly. For the seller to do this he or she should put into order the website’s monetary statements and financial documents sufficiently. This is to ensure that there will be no problems once the buyer would want to know the financial status of the website. For the buyer, it is also a must for him to check if the proprietor have already arranged a complete set of financial papers ‘at least a record containing information in the previous two years’ to know what is the financial viability of the website.

2. Be transparent on financial declarations.

The seller before selling his or her website should take in up him or to herself the responsibility of having the financial declarations reviewed ideally by an accounting firm. If this is not possible, at least the financial declarations have been compiled by the website possessor in an orderly manner. For the buyer, he or she must also check if the financial declarations have been audited and the statements can meet his or her expectations. This is also advantageous for the buyer because if the financial declarations are precise and accurate, he or she would save time because there will be no need for recalculation.

3. Be careful on sudden closings.

Buyers and sellers alike should be very careful on sudden closings because it can alter the financial reports themselves. For initial transactions, these pieces of information do not have to be audited but should be audited before the final arrangement takes place. The seller should be very careful in sudden closings because he or she could not sell the site if there are financial warts. The seller should also keep in mind that the buyer will be able to find financial problems due to sudden closing eventually so there is no point of not fixing it now.

4. Avoid negotiations that are devoid of having worked out.

There is a difficulty in having diverse deals and arrangements in no time. This is because the buyer will not have enough time to find our if there were devoid negotiations in past. For both parties to avoid this kind of problem in buying and selling websites, they must find time to recover dissimilar tax implications so the deal will not be put off.

5. Always be open to suggestions.

This will work both ways for the buyer and seller because being open to suggestions will not only make their negotiations easier but will also enable them to move on and start anew. If the buyer is not open to suggestions, stiffness on his or her part may cause a problem because the seller would think that he is being pushed on the wall or he might think that the buyer does not trust him or her enough and all the accomplishments his or her website has achieved over the years. When this happens, the buying and selling of websites will be cancelled and can lead both parties to square one.

Why Buy An Existing Real Estate Website?

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/07/14

Why Buy An Existing Real Estate Website?

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide

Internet is the new medium for all kinds of knowledge people looks for. It has become a very indispensable tool of learning and instruction for all kinds of subjects. With the success of the Internet in the past years, buying and selling websites have also prospered and became a staple means of making money. With any new website of course there are two challenges: creating the product or service and then considering what if anything, is the public are willing to compensate you for it.

In spite of a website’s precedent performance, an existing website will, at the exceedingly slightest, comprise a record from which you will be able to build positive decisions. Even if the website was not money-making in the earlier period, your strengths may possibly provide themselves completely to turning it into a feasible project. Furthermore, you have the capability to substantiate what the website did in the past that resulted in the existing standing of the business.

The pros and cons

In anything, there will always be pros and cons. In terms of buying an existing website, some of the pros might include the fact that the website has been operating already; there is the likelihood of an existing client base is there; there is a greater chance that the prior website owners are to be expected to provide support and concern; and there is a greater opportunity of accomplishing success compared to sites that will start from a scratch.

The cons in buying existing website might include that it might be hefty; the website shift can be expenses since you have to get some documents and account transfers to be done; and it would require you more time to do some investigations and background checks about the reliability of the website.

In order to check if the website can work for your buying and selling business, consider the following:

1. Dealing with issues in infrastructure.

You will have the advantage of purchasing a website that has an infrastructure as well as clientele, suppliers, servers, and systems. This will permit you to center on constructing the business than go up against to a start up or new website where the whole thing starts in on at ground zero.

2. Doing price checking and comparing its differences.

Buying an obtainable website does not signify that it will charge you extra. In fact, numerous times it is take away costly than beginning a new website. Even in those cases where it may have need of a premium, at the slightest you know what you are being paid if you scrutinize it correctly.

3. Checking its flexibility.

You will have far more flexibility when bargaining the acquisition of an existing website in opposition to any other alternative existing; it is not even close! Everything from the pay for price to financing is open to compromise. Does not it make more sense to put yourself into a situation where you have the maximum number of decisions available?

4. Assessing the levels of competition.

Do away with the competition or merge with the competition. In this case you buy competing websites or negotiate a merger to combine with them to create one large enterprise. Depending on the industry you operate in this can be a very smart strategy to create market dominance. One of the best examples is website hosting. Often smaller hosts are bought up by larger hosting businesses with the result-increased stability and professionalism.

Tips On Buying And Selling Real Estate Websites

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/07/14

Tips On Buying And Selling Real Estate Websites

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide

If you are into buying and selling websites, then you must be very well equipped especially in coming up with strategies that could help you gain more profit.

Many people who are successful in the buying and selling of websites business consider tips are vital strategies in going about the business and keeping up with it. This is because these tips come from people who have ‘been there’ and ‘done that’ which make them reliable sources for the business.

If you are into the buying and selling of website business, here are some tips that can help you get by.

1. If you are selling a Real Estate specific website, make sure that you settle on the price that you want it to be sold, just like selling house or physical property. Giving a fixed price that for a website is a must because this will be a determining factor for the buyer. And since the price of the website is considered as one of its selling points, the price should not be awfully high and have got to be constant.

2. There is a need for you to sign a Non-Compete Clause or NCC. This will demonstrate that you are a stern seller, meaning that you are flexible and negotiable at the same time.

3. Carry on running your website competently. This will give you ‘as a seller’ credibility and would attract many potential buyers as they visit your site.

4. Allocate a lot of confidential and classified information. If you give a smaller amount of information, buyers might be a bit unenthusiastic. On the other hand if you provide more information, the offers will be added.

5. You have got to maintain your tax filings, financial information, budgets and industry plans up to date. Financial transparency is very important in selling a website because it reflects your ethics as a business owner and would also give the overall impression that you are credible to your buyers.

6. You ought to take all endeavors for providing precise particulars because each serious offer will insist a high level of correctness, in particular with regard to cash statements.

7. If you have varied the proceeds from more than a few websites, sever connections between them except when you have it in mind to sell all of them as one.

8. Do away with difficulties in your website prior to you trying to sell it. This should be a given fact but since many sellers tend to ignore it, they should be consistently reminded about it. Dealing with difficulties prior to selling the website is very important because it will not only relieve you off the problem but can also help in building your reputation as good seller.

9. Always maintain audited financial statements because it designates the potential feat of your business. It also helps out the buyers to get financing ability from banks.

10. Before you sell the website, make certain that you give all fundamental information about your Real Estate website as well as search engine status information, income and loss statements, traffic reports, and precise of the website business model.

For those Appraisers, Realtors, Inspectors, etc. who are buying websites, top tips will include financial checking and monitoring the trend of the website for the previous years can help you decide whether the website you are planning to buy can give you additional profit rather than becoming a problem.


Building Tips For New Homebuyers

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/06/14

Title: 
Building Tips For New Homebuyers

Word Count:
238

Summary:
The life-changing event of purchasing a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming. Prospective homebuyers can save themselves from headaches by working with their builder on these useful construction do's and don'ts.

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide


Article Body:
The life-changing event of purchasing a new home can be both exciting and overwhelming. With homebuyer horror stories of houses plagued with mold, leaky roofs or worse, it's no wonder some homebuyers get cold feet. Prospective homebuyers can save themselves from headaches by working with their builder on these useful construction do's and don'ts:

A) Help prevent mold before it starts. Ask your builder to use vapor retarders in addition to insulation in your home's walls. Smart vapor retarders like CertainTeed's membrane allow wall cavities to "breathe" so excess moisture within the wall can escape. This helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Other vapor retarders can trap moisture in your walls, creating an environment that supports mold growth.

B) Work with your builder to ensure that no mechanical equipment, ductwork or plumbing is built into exterior walls, vented attics or vented crawlspaces.

C) Take control of your home's temperature and acoustics by ensuring your contractor insulates with the correct R-value for your region. Regional R-values can be found online at www.certain teed.com.

D) Windows are often the largest single source of heat loss and heat gain in a home. Select vinyl windows with low-E glass and a high-performance glazing system that reduces heat transmission through the glass.

E) Know what's under your roof. For instance, waterproofing shingle under-laments go under asphalt roof shingles to further protect your home's interior from winter leaks caused by ice dams and wind-driven rain.


Building Into Home Equity Loans

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/06/14

Building Into Home Equity Loans

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide


The last thing that anyone wants after they have moved into a home is to find that everything needs to be repaired or re-modeled.  Whether you have just moved in or are in the process of re-modeling, you will want to make sure that the home you have is comfortable.  If you want to make sure that you keep the finances low key for repair, then make sure that you have the right loan.  One option to consider is a home equity loan.  

Home equity loans are a loan that allows you to borrow money against your first home loan.  For instance, if you have a mortgage, you can take out a second loan against the first mortgage, known as a home equity loan.  You can use this extra money in order to pay off payments or to refinance your home.  You can borrow up to eighty percent of your first loan in order to invest money exactly where you want it.  

Home equity loans aren't necessarily to just help you pay off or repair certain things.  You can use the loans as a way to invest in your home so that it can be improved and you are able to profit more off of the changes.  Many will get home equity loans in order to improve their home.  Others will get the loans in order to consolidate other bills and pay other things off.  This will essentially give them a higher credit score and allow them to receive a better standing when higher investments are made.  

One of the major considerations to make before getting a home equity loan is whether you will be able to profit off of it.  Several will take out the loan which will only add on debt instead of help them to take it away because payments are not made.  Because the loan is against your home, if you aren't financially stable, you may end up loosing your home.  Make sure that you are prepared before you jump into this kind of investment.  

If you are looking for a way to improve your home, or to consolidate your credit or to simply help pay off your mortgage, then home equity loans are one option.  If you know the ropes of this type of loan, you can easily benefit from the various things that it has to offer.   

Build A New House Or Buy An Existing One? Use Your Head And Your Heart.

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/06/14

Title: 
Build A New House Or Buy An Existing One? Use Your Head And Your Heart.

Word Count:
875

Summary:
Building a new home is a truly exciting undertaking. Understanding the implications of your decision could help you to avoid unwanted adventures and challenges along the way.


keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_size, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #Measure, #house_size, #House_square, #square_footage #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide


Article Body:
I have been the general contractor on four homes in the DFW area that have gone through full re-models, and I am living in living in the second house I have purchased during my years of home ownership. To some that may seem like a lot of houses, to others it may seem like I have just started. The simple fact is we Americans move a lot; 10 to 12 times in a lifetime depending on whom you consult. Chances are you are going to purchase a house during quite a few of those moves and somewhere along the line you may have the opportunity to build a new home.

Should you?

Everyone has fantasized at some point about his or her dream house. You may want closets big enough to live in; a bathroom that doubles as a spa; a kitchen in which you could produce programs for the Food Network But, as in most fantasies, there is usually some epic journey required to achieve the goal. And building your dream house follows that plot line all too closely. 

But is not it the dream that makes the quest worthwhile? Yes, if you can weather the storms and battles along the way. And the determination to keep moving forward is usually a function of a strong will and a big heart. But it helps to use your head before you set off on your personal version of ìThe Lord of the Rings.î

It is likely that you have options when you begin the process of buying a home. There may be existing homes in the area that are affordable and that meet your needs. But there are always things about any property or house that do not exactly meet with your approval. The basement may not be finished or the yard may be too small or the interior DÈcor may have to be entirely redone. It is virtually impossible to buy an existing home without making compromises.

Building new allows you to imagine, design and build the home that accommodates needs and amenities that are important to youÖ within a budget of course. And that is one thing that must be considered. A new home will be more expensive, on a cost per foot basis, than an existing one. That is due to the cost of land, the price of building materials and labor expense. You might also find that taxes are high as a new area is developed and the municipal authorities factor in the required infrastructure for a growing population and the need for services like education, law enforcement and recreation. You may find yourself subsidizing some of these costs as an area develops.

The ongoing costs associated with an existing house are more predictable. However, there will likely be more maintenance expense than for a new house and energy costs tend to be higher with older properties because newer homes are more energy efficient. 

Commuting costs may be an issue. Developers must go further and further out to find enough land to accommodate a new subdivision. That may mean higher costs for commuting to work and to access other businesses and venues that may be closer to the nearest major population center. You should consider this from both a monetary perspective and to determine if you are comfortable with an additional investment of time.

If your new house is built in a subdivision there may be ongoing fees required. In addition, there may be covenants that are designed to protect property values that may apply serious restrictions on your ability to enhance your home and/or your property down the road. 

A new home needs new landscaping. This may be included in the price of the home but there will likely be a limit to what is covered under the agreement. To landscape the property in a way that is truly satisfying may require an additional outlay. 

Beware of construction delays! Building contractors are notorious for setting deadlines they miss and making promises they can not keep. Make sure you do some thorough research about the builder and his track record before you commit. Weather is always unpredictable and may have an effect but that should be factored in from the start.

A new subdivision can be a hornet’s nest of building activity.  If you move into your home early in the process be prepared for hammering, sawing, trucks, mud and general chaos for quite a while as the subdivision progresses. This is a lifestyle issue and is a temporary inconvenience. But some have found this level of activity disconcerting and disruptive especially when they are settling into their ‘dream home’ and trying to savor the experience.

If you build new be prepared to stay for a while. With new construction all around you it would be difficult to compete with the rest of the properties available for others who want to build a house from the ground up. You would have to make it worth their while and that usually means a compromise in price.

All this being said (and trust me there is more that could be said) there is nothing quite as satisfying as showcasing the house to family and friends that you designed and built and that reflects your unique vision and personality. If you survive the journey, you will likely have turned your fantasy into reality.


The Guide to Subdivide

by Dallas Appraiser L.L.C. on 08/05/14

Title: 
The Guide to Subdivide

Word Count:
707

Summary:
People find many creative ways to leverage a profit on real estate. One possible way to turn a profit on a purchased property is to subdivide. Subdividing your property can allow you to keep your home, by reducing your lot size and selling it off. The process to obtain a permit to subdivide may not be an easy or quick one, but if you're armed with the right information and follow your application methodically, it's certainly a possible and potentially profitable option.

keywords: #DFW, #Tarrant, #Johnson, #Dallas, #home_appraiser, #home_appraisal, #Property_appraiser, #home_value, #real_estate_appraisal, #Appraisal, #Appraiser, #Home_ownership, #equity, #REO, #foreclosure, #property, #Home, #House, #Real_Estate, #money, #hard_money, #Loan, #Mortgage, #Refinance, #subdivide 

Article Body:
People find many creative ways to leverage a profit on real estate. One possible way to turn a profit on a purchased property is to subdivide. Subdividing your property can allow you to keep your home, by reducing your lot size and selling it off. The process to obtain a permit to subdivide may not be an easy or quick one, but if you're armed with the right information and follow your application methodically, it's certainly a possible and potentially profitable option. 

First off, it's important to note that each municipality will have their own unique application process for subdivision. This article details the most common steps in the subdivision process, although the process may differ from state to state, or town to town. 

If you're looking into purchasing a property that you'll subdivide down the line, do some investigating before hand. You'll need to look at a survey of the land in question and look into the municipality's subdivision requirements. The property your looking at subdividing will have to satisfy certain minimum lot requirements according to your municipality's application. Take note, that different areas of the same town may have different minimum lot requirements. Doing such an investigation can not guarantee that you'll be successful with a subdivision application on a given property, but it can give you an idea as to whether or not subdivision may be possible. 

If you're looking into subdividing a property you already own, you'll want to start with cross comparing your local subdivision requirements with a survey of your property. If by dividing your lot into two, both sections satisfy the minimum lot requirements, you're on the right track. If this is not the case, check into minimum lot requirements for differently zoned areas in your town. If there's a zone in which you can satisfy the minimum lot requirements, you might consider applying for re-zoning as a first step towards subdividing. 

If the zoning code permits your lot, the next step is to check for any subdivision ordinances that may make it impossible for you to do so. These ordinances, for example, may require a particular amount of frontage onto city streets. In some cases, new streets and utilities will have to be installed prior to the sale of a lot within the new subdivision. If you qualify under zoning and subdivision ordinances you can then move onto the next steps. 

If you've jumped through the above hoops and still seem to be standing, the next step, typically, will be to hire a land surveyor who'll draw up a plan of the prospective lot. If you talk with your local building and zoning department you'll be able to get a good reference and sort out how much the process will cost.

This plan will then go to the city, who may require numerous amendments to your original plan. Likewise, they may not approve it. It's often recommended that you talk with a local attorney who handles zoning and land use matters, to help you through this process. 

Another aspect to consider before subdividing is how you plan on making your profit. When you subdivide, your property will be considered two parcels. If you sell the land you're currently living on, you're selling a primary residence and so are eligible to keep up to $250,000 in profits from the sale, tax free. On the other hand, if you're selling the lot that you do not live in, this is treated as an investment property, and you'll be taxed appropriately on it-- 15 percent capital gains, plus whatever your state charges for capital gains tax.


One way to avoid the capital gains tax is through the 1031 tax free exchange, or like-kind exchange. To defer taxes on the sale of this property, you must purchase a different investment property for at least the same price as the property you are selling. You'll need to meet specific deadlines and have a third party intermediary hold the revenue from your property in escrow while you find a replacement property.

In the case of subdivision applications it's truly best to follow every step with precision and accuracy if you want to be successful. This may cost you up front, but you'll be rewarded in the long run.


Many Articles are third party works - purchased Private Label Rights - Articles are not necessarily our own opinions, perspectives, or advice.