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Stephanie Colestock

Posts by Stephanie Colestock

Tenants in Common: Definition and Explanation
Estate Planning

Tenants in Common: Definition and Explanation

Sharing ownership of a property with another person (or persons) can be legally established in a number of different ways. One possible legal arrangement is through tenancy in common, which allows you to own a portion of a property with… read more…

How REITS Are Taxed
Investing

Understanding How REITs Are Taxed

Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, can be a great addition to a well-diversified portfolio. These investments offer a solution to those looking to benefit from real estate assets. However, they also come with their own unique tax implications. Here’s a… read more…

A house
Estate Planning

How a Transfer on Death Deed Works

Part of planning for the future involves getting your estate in order, and determining who you want your assets to pass to when you die. If you have real estate property, and want it to transfer to loved ones without passing… read more…

Three friends discuss how to jointly own a residence
Estate Planning

Community Property vs. Joint Tenancy

When it comes to sharing property with another person, there are a few different forms of legal ownership to choose from. Of these, two common shared estate ownership options include joint tenancy and community property. Though these joint tenancy and community… read more…

Mortgage documents
Mortgage

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Early?

Whether you experience a sudden financial windfall or just find yourself with leftover cash in your budget each month, you might be wondering what to do with those extra funds. One option is to contribute more money toward the loan… read more…

Man looking at toy houses with a magnifying glass
Investing

Fundrise vs. REIT: Real Estate Investment

Adding real estate to your investment portfolio can be an excellent way to generate strong returns and hedge against market downturns or inflation. If you’re not interested in purchasing and managing a property on your own, though, there are alternatives. Both… read more…

REIT vs. Rental Property
Investing

REIT vs. Rental Property: Which Is Better?

Adding real estate to your investment portfolio can be a smart way to diversify, boost returns and even hedge against the risk of inflation. When it comes to choosing how you’ll invest in real estate, though, there are a few… read more…

Woman calculating her unified tax credit
Taxes

Understanding the Unified Credit and Gift Tax Exclusions

Typically, you can expect to pay taxes when you earn your money when you spend your money and even when your money grows. However, you and your loved ones may also be expected to pay taxes on your money when… read more…

Real Estate Passive Income
Investing

Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Passive Income

Passive investing is one of the most common strategies for increasing your income, growing your investment portfolio and building a healthy nest egg for the future.  Done right, it won’t have to take lots of your time and energy. Real estate… read more…

SmartAsset: How to Buy Real Estate With Your IRA
Retirement

How to Buy Real Estate With Your IRA

An IRA, or individual retirement account, may already play an important role in your overall retirement plan. What you may not realize about this kind of tax-advantaged plan, however, is that you can use it to purchase real estate and further… read more…

Thai senior woman
Retirement

What Is Graded Vesting, and How Does It Work?

An employer’s benefits package may be one of the biggest draws when you take a new job. However, it’s important to know that not all of these benefits may be available to you right away. Even if you find that the position isn’t right for you a few months in, leaving may mean forfeiting certain… read more…

Young man struggling to make an important investment decision
Financial Advisor

What Is a Certified Financial Therapist (CFT-I)?

Few of us would claim to be perfect with our money. We may save less than we planned, overspend on occasion or forgo the monthly budget on vacation. However, there are some financial habits that are much more serious, such as compulsive spending or money-related anxiety. A certified financial therapist, or CFT-I, may be able to… read more…

Retired couple walking on a beach
Retirement

Understanding How Auto-IRA Plans Work

If your workplace doesn’t offer a retirement savings plan, such as a 401(k), you may be left wondering how you can adequately invest for the future. Thankfully, many states are now sponsoring auto-IRA plans in an effort to bridge the retirement plan coverage gap that exists for many employees. Let’s take a look at what an… read more…

What Is Tangible Personal Property? Definition and Examples
Taxes

What Is Tangible Personal Property? Definition and Examples

In addition to paying sales tax on the things you buy, you may also be required to pay taxes on its perceived fair market value later on. These personal and business taxes are assessed on certain tangible personal property items,… read more…

Financial advisor with clients
Estate Planning

What Is the Prudent Person Rule?

Most of us are at least familiar with the premise behind the Golden Rule. Essentially, it states that we are to treat others how we’d want to be treated. When it comes to the relationship between investors and fiduciaries responsible… read more…

Special needs teenage girl with her mother
Estate Planning

How Pooled Special Needs Trusts Work

When it comes to setting aside money for someone with special needs, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind. For instance, how do you provide for everyday needs and living expenses while also maintaining eligibility for public… read more…

How to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes
Taxes

How to Avoid Capital Gains Taxes

Capital gains taxes can take a major bite out of your investment earnings if you don’t manage your portfolio specifically for them. The strategies that allow you to minimize the capital gains tax include holding investments for the long term,… read more…

SmartAsset: 403b vs. IRA
Retirement

403b vs. IRA: Key Differences

In the process of saving for retirement, you’re likely to come across both 403(b) and IRA account options. While both of these can offer you similar benefits, there are some very important differences to note between the two accounts. Here’s a… read more…

Stock brokers discuss liquid alternatives
Investing

Understanding How Liquid Alternatives Work

Creating a strong investment portfolio means diversifying investments to hedge against volatility and loss. One way to do that, especially for investors who are unable to access hedge funds, is with liquid alternatives. Here’s what you need to know about this type of security. A qualified financial advisor can help you decide whether liquid alternatives are a… read more…

FHA Loan Requirements
Mortgage

What Are the FHA Loan Requirements?

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are a government-insurance mortgage product offered to qualified borrowers across the country. These loans, which are offered by private lenders and secured by the FHA, may make homeownership more accessible and affordable. This is especially… read more…

Primary vs. Contingent Beneficiary
Life Insurance

Primary vs. Contingent Beneficiary

An important part of estate planning is deciding who will get your assets when you pass away. This means naming primary and contingent beneficiaries on important accounts such as your life insurance policy and retirement account. But what do these terms… read more…

Remote check depositing with a cell phone
Checking Account

Do You Have Too Many Bank Accounts — or Too Few?

These days, bank accounts can do a lot. They make it easy for you to track your spending and receive transaction alerts, often in real-time. They allow you to transfer between accounts and even send money to others in just… read more…

Newly built house
Mortgage

FHA Loans: A Guide for Home Buyers

There are many different types of mortgage loans to consider when buying a home. One option is an FHA loan; for those who qualify, these government-insured mortgages can offer competitive terms and rates that make homeownership possible for more buyers. Let’s… read more…

Man in a data center
Investing

Data Center REITs: A Guide for Investors

Many investors find real estate investment trusts (REITs) to be a solid investment choice. These companies can provide passive income and long-term growth, without the typical requirements of owning property. One subset of this real estate investment sector has led the charge above others in recent years, and that’s because demand for data centers is at… read more…

Hospital
Investing

Healthcare REITs: A Guide for Investors

Whether we’re talking about acute medical care or long-term assistance, healthcare is one industry that has a tendency to remain in-demand through all market cycles. Healthcare REITs are one way for investors to diversify their portfolios while also capitalizing on this necessary sector. Here’s a look at what healthcare REITs are and how this investment could… read more…