Written on September 24, 2011 by Brooke Wardlaw
Earlier today, we talked about Chicago real estates richest residents, as listed according to Forbes magazine.
Next years list could include someone new: Rosie ODonnell has bought a beautiful home in Chicagos prestigious Lakeview neighborhood.
ODonnell is moving to town to host, The Rosie Show, a Chicago-based talk show that will premiere on Oprah Winfreys OWN network starting October 10 and will be filmed at Oprahs Harpo Studios at Washington and Carpenter Streets in Chicago.
ODonnell, 49, purchased the Wrigleyville home and all its furnishings from the seller, who is reportedly an executive at the Oprah Winfrey Network.
The 6,000-square-foot abode, which had an asking price of $2.5 million, was built in 2007 and is located on an over-sized lot at 1517 W.
Full article…
Posted in Real Estate Notes | Comment Now!
Written on September 23, 2011 by George Geoghegan
Ecuador’s 1,452-mile coast holds some of the best real estate values in this part of the world
Ecuador’s 1,452-mile coast holds the best real estate values on my beat. That’s saying something. I’ve scouted real estate in 16 countries in the last year alone.
Along Ecuador’s Pacific coast, $50,000 buys you a beachfront condo. Expect to pay no more than $100 per month to cover your property tax, condo fees and other holding costs.
You are spoiled for choice. But for me it’s a choice of one. One project and place. There’s only one best in class.
You see, of all that coast, it’s a 100-mile stretch that stands out. The nicest beac
Full article…
Posted in Mortgage Help | Comment Now!
Written on September 23, 2011 by Rose Ryrie
Many over 55s have a substantial amount of debt. Figures show that large amounts of people approaching retirement are falling to save anything to help support them when they finally do leave work.
Reports paint a picture of a divided Britain with a growing gap between the ‘super’ rich and the very poor. More than 1 in 5 people are struggling and an increasing number are entering retirement ‘saddled’ with debt.
Tom McPhail, head of pension’s research at financial advisers Hargreaves Lansdown suggest “we should encourage as many people as possible to save for retirement. The fact th
Full article…
Posted in Home Loan Consultant | Comment Now!
Written on September 22, 2011 by Brooke Wardlaw
The policies offer a number of tax breaks, a good annual return, and relief from inheritance tax.
Several changes in the taxation of death benefits arising from an assurance vie policy have recently occurred, although the policies remain very positive for inheritance tax planning.
Non-Resident Policies
The previous total exemption from tax for the beneficiaries of policyholders who took out a policy before they became French resident and before age 70 years has been abolished.
This change applies retrospectively to all existing policies.
If the policyholder dies while French resident then the beneficiaries (wherever they are resident) will now be subject to inheritance tax on their share of the policy death benefits, after an allowance per beneficiary of €152,500.
This is disappointing, but this has always been a loophole in the law that was likely to be closed and the inheritance tax benefits remain very favourable.
Tax Rate on Higher Benefits
There are now two rates of tax that apply to benefits per beneficiary, again after the €152,500 allowance:
‘Démembrement’ Clauses
The tax treatment of ‘démembrement’ beneficiary arrangements has changed and, again, this change applies retrospectively to all existing policies.
Previously, both the surviving spouse and the children escaped any inheritance tax charge on the death of the original policyholder.
Under the new rules a surviving spouse will still receive the life interest without a tax charge, but a tax charge may now be levied on the children’s acquired rights.
This tax charge will vary according to the age of the surviving spouse at the date of death of the policyholder, the amount invested and the number of children (or other beneficiaries) involved.
In the m
Full article…
Posted in Real Estate Notes | Comment Now!
Written on September 22, 2011 by admin
Packing is one of the most important steps of the moving process, which is why you need to make sure that you know how to properly pack all of your belongings before the day of the move. Through packing your belongings properly, you would be able to have the peace of mind that when you arrive at your new home, they would all be in the same condition that they were in before you packed them. Packing your belongings properly would also minimize the cost of the moving supplies that you need to buy as well as maximize the available space in the moving truck or van that you would be renting. Here are some top tips that you can surely use as you deal with all the packing that you need to do before relocating. Full article…
Posted in Real Estate Notes | Comment Now!