Articles by Richard Matus as Featured in the Piedmont Post               

     


Use your IRA for Real Estate
Piedmont Post
March 25, 2003

With the stock market and the economy still shaky, your IRA is not quite the dependable nest egg it once was. The stock market may still be in the doldrums, but that doesn’t mean your IRA has to be dragged down too. Real estate may just be the thing to get your IRA back on solid ground.

The real estate market remains an attractive bright spot in the economy for investments--particularly in the Bay Area. Many people are unaware that IRAs can be invested in a variety of ways, not only stocks, bonds or other paper investments; but also houses, condos or commercial property. This allows more flexibility when planning your retirement. You can avoid the great up-and-down swings of the stock market with real estate. You can even consolidate IRAs or make partnerships with other accounts for larger purchases. This is a particularly attractive idea for married couples or partners.

While the rules sanction against living on property that you purchase with your IRA, you can buy that dream house you want to retire in with your IRA then have it distributed to you when you do retire. And if you qualify for a Roth IRA, there are ways to incur no taxes when the deed is transferred to you.

At the most basic level, you set up a self-directed IRA through an institution that provides the service and becomes the trustee of your account. Then, you transfer funds from your current IRA to your new self-directed IRA. The institution executes your decisions and administrates your account. They can also help manage your account and help find the best investments for your IRA.

The caveat is that there are a number of rules and stipulations regarding your investment and the manner in which it is bought and managed. Most experts agree that unless you’re a savvy investor, a self-directed IRA is best executed with the help of a specialized management firm. A self-directed IRA is a potential minefield for penalties that an adviser can help you sidestep. Two local companies that have expertise in this field are Pensco, in San Francisco, and Entrust Administration, based in Oakland.

Just some of the rules to consider:

* You may not personally own the property which you intend to purchase
* Neither you, your spouse nor your family members (other than siblings) may have owned the property prior to its purchase by your IRA
* Neither you nor your family members (other than siblings) may live in or lease the property while it's in your IRA
* Your business may not lease or be located in or on any part of the property while it's in your IRA
* Breaking the rules could incur a penalty of anywhere between 15% and 155% of your IRA’s value.

If you would like to know more, visit www.bestEBproperties.com for more information.

The above information is for your general reference only. Always consult a professional when seeking advice in regards to these matters.
     

Modernizing Homes Adds Value
Piedmont Post
April 8, 2003

No, we’re not surfing the web on our microwaves. We’re not turning on the oven from our PDAs while at the office. And our houses are not greeting us by name as we enter. Some of the promises of the future are still in the future, but there have been a number of technological advances that are laying the foundation for our very own Jetson home.
Even in older homes, adding technological amenities not only adds value to your property, but it is a great way to bring your house to modern times without the hassle of a major construction overhaul.

Heart of the Home

The kitchen has taken on more importance than ever in homes. With time and scheduling lessening opportunities for family dinners, having a few bites while chatting with loved ones is the evolved substitute for our busy lives. More focus technologically has been placed on the kitchen to create an even warmer and more convenient environment. Adding some tech-touches to the kitchen is a subtle way to modernize without having to lose the nostalgic charm of a house.
One of the top remodeling trends is a heated floor in the kitchen, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. A radiant heating system is installed underneath the tiles, wood or laminates to keep the floors toasty and make the room inviting no matter what the hour.
Next generation appliances that give us back much needed time are making their ways onto store shelves and into our kitchens. We are already accustomed to seeing ovens and stovetops that cook in a fraction of the time it once took. A new trend is appliances that couple convenience with a healthy lifestyle--steamers, grills, smoothie makers, and any specialty appliances that promise low-fat results.

On Our Way

Increasingly, more households are laying the groundwork for the future by networking their homes. In-Stat/MDR, a high-tech market research firm, reports that there has been a 25% jump in the number of networked U.S. households. In addition, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that more than one-third of new homes come equipped with pre-wired packages. Even the term “wired household” will soon be obsolete, as the popularity of wireless networks increases in the networking market. As wireless technology becomes more advanced, it will be that much easier to network historic houses.
While the home of the future is still not entirely upon us, these are some ideas that whet our appetite for what’s to come. For more ideas, try consulting an electronic architect that specializes in this type of remodeling, especially in older homes.

For more information, check www.bestEBproperties.com.

The above information is for your general reference only. Always consult a professional when seeking advice in regards to these matters.

M
Piedmont Post
April 22, 2003

We’re blessed here in the Bay Area with a wonderful Mediterranean climate that provides pleasant weather nearly year-round. A great way to take advantage of the weather is to develop an outdoor living area. This goes beyond pulling out the barbecue from the garage and arranging the vinyl patio furniture. Outdoor living areas are becoming increasingly sophisticated and now function as a new kitchen, dining room, family room and entertainment area all in one.

An outdoor living area redefines what a backyard can be to a house. It extends the boundaries of living area to create a versatile space that reaps the most use out of a property's square footage, while increasing the value of the home.

Before you start shopping for that Weber grill, some forethought is needed to create an exterior living area that is integrated with the interior. First, map out your needs for the area. Will your focus be intimate family time or do you plan to host large summer parties? The layout is also a key consideration. You want your outdoor kitchen to be convenient to your indoor one, reducing traffic between the two, but not in direct sight because a pile of dirty dishes is a potential eyesore at the end of every day. The sun is also your best and worst friend; a sunny afternoon lunch sounds idyllic, but can also wreck havoc on a salad or create an oppressive dining experience.

Dining areas situated near trees or awnings can keep the sun on your good side.
Give yourself a lot of space around the grill since people tend to congregate around the cook and keep the grill downwind from the dining area to keep smoke away from your guests. Installing a countertop next to the barbecue adds much needed space and convenience. Other additions to the grill area include a full sink, under-counter shelving or a half-sized refrigerator for storage and for those budding chefs, a fire pit or a brick oven, which adds a new dimension to home cooking.

Besides the cooking area, there are a number of other features that enhance an outdoor living area. A gazebo or a cabana makes a perfect spot for a romantic meal. A fireplace or woodstove is a great way to extend the lifespan of an outdoor living area well into the fall and winter months. A hot tub makes your outdoor living area a personal sanctuary at any time.
It’s beautiful outside; improve your home to take full advantage of the weather.

For more information, check www.bestEBproperties.com.

The above information is for your general reference only. Always consult a professional when seeking advice in regards to these matters.


M
Piedmont Post
May 27, 2003

No, we’re not surfing the web on our microwaves. We’re not turning on the oven from our PDAs while at the office. And our houses are not greeting us by name as we enter. Some of the promises of the future are still in the future, but there have been a number of technological advances that are laying the foundation for our very own Jetson home.
Even in older homes, adding technological amenities not only adds value to your property, but it is a great way to bring your house to modern times without the hassle of a major construction overhaul.

Heart of the Home

The kitchen has taken on more importance than ever in homes. With time and scheduling lessening opportunities for family dinners, having a few bites while chatting with loved ones is the evolved substitute for our busy lives. More focus technologically has been placed on the kitchen to create an even warmer and more convenient environment. Adding some tech-touches to the kitchen is a subtle way to modernize without having to lose the nostalgic charm of a house.
One of the top remodeling trends is a heated floor in the kitchen, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. A radiant heating system is installed underneath the tiles, wood or laminates to keep the floors toasty and make the room inviting no matter what the hour.
Next generation appliances that give us back much needed time are making their ways onto store shelves and into our kitchens. We are already accustomed to seeing ovens and stovetops that cook in a fraction of the time it once took. A new trend is appliances that couple convenience with a healthy lifestyle--steamers, grills, smoothie makers, and any specialty appliances that promise low-fat results.

On Our Way

Increasingly, more households are laying the groundwork for the future by networking their homes. In-Stat/MDR, a high-tech market research firm, reports that there has been a 25% jump in the number of networked U.S. households. In addition, the National Association of Homebuilders reports that more than one-third of new homes come equipped with pre-wired packages. Even the term “wired household” will soon be obsolete, as the popularity of wireless networks increases in the networking market. As wireless technology becomes more advanced, it will be that much easier to network historic houses.
While the home of the future is still not entirely upon us, these are some ideas that whet our appetite for what’s to come. For more ideas, try consulting an electronic architect that specializes in this type of remodeling, especially in older homes.

For more information, check www.bestEBproperties.com.

The above information is for your general reference only. Always consult a professional when seeking advice in regards to these matters.


© Copyright 2006 Richard Matus. All rights reserved.
Richard Matus is a Real Estate Agent at Prudential California Realty, Grand Lake and is licensed by the state of California to represent Buyers and Sellers. Richard is an active member of the East Bay Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. The information contained in this website is deemed reliable, but is not warranted.

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