The Federal Tax Code has significantly improved the American taxpayer's ability to profit by selling a principal residence. Prior to 1997, homeowners could take advantage of a tax benefit termed the "rollover", which granted exemption from capital gains taxes on the net profit from the sale of a home. Homeowners who used profits to purchase a bigger and better home did not have to pay tax. And homeowners over the age of 55 were given a once-in-a-lifetime exclusion from taxes on profits of up to $125,000 on the sale of their principal residence.

Compare those tax breaks with our current, streamlined and potentially more profitable arrangement that replaced both the rollover and the one-time exemption. If you are a married home-seller filing jointly, you may enjoy up to $500,000 in tax-free home sale profits, provided you have occupied the property as your principal residence during two of the last five years. Taxpayers who file singly get a $250,000 capital gains exclusion. Homeowners are eligible to exclude capital gains on the sale of a principal residence as often as once every two years.

The law allows capital gain exclusions whether you "buy up" to a more expensive home or "buy down" to a less expensive one. The tax-free dollars can be used in any way you want. Consult your tax advisor for detailed advice about your particular circumstance.

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Margery Ostrow
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
211 South Street
Morristown, NJ 07960
Office: 973-285-4679
Fax: 973-927-1409
Cell: 201-874-5932
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Margery Ostrow has been in the real estate industry for over 18 years, having begun her career in New York City selling cooperative apartments and condominiums on the upper East Side, and immediately became the top-grossing salesperson her first year in business. Moving back to her native New Jersey with her family in 1991 Margery has been selling residences in Morris County ever since. With a proven track record in achieving at least 99% of list price within a 30-day time frame for sellers, Margery can definitely help the seller make more money and see the transaction move faster and smoother, from listing, through marketing and right up to closing. For Buyers she offers strong negotiating skills to help obtain the best price, attention to detail, patience, diligence and, above all, integrity. Through hard, full-time work and dedication she has achieved extreme success in helping people buy and sell their homes over the years, as a Cendant Mobility Marketing Specialist, Certified New Home Sales Specialist and Certified Corporate Relocation Specialist for ADP and other fine national companies. She has served as an active member of the community, volunteering for local school positions, serving at a local acute care nursing facility, and serving as chairperson of the grant committee of a charitable foundation. Read the testimonials of many whose lives she has touched, and then call Margery to answer all of your real estate questions and concerns!

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