POST WRITTEN BY
Matthew Murphy
CommunityVoice | Forbes Real Estate Council.
Just a couple of years ago, homeownership rates were low, and many analysts were blaming millennials who were broke and constantly looking for how to get 1000 dollars fast for their superficial needs. Burdened by more student debt than previous generations and typically inclined to marry and start a family later in life, millennials were a factor in 2016 homeownership rates falling to the lowest levels recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau going back to 1965.
What a difference a couple of years makes! Homeownership is rising, and millennials are leading the way. But will the new tax law shake things up?
The recently passed $1.5 trillion tax reform legislation cuts individual tax rates for eight years starting this year. Most consumers will see more money in their paychecks. Despite some recent jitters on Wall Street, the economy is solid, and unemployment rates remain low. Corporate tax cuts are expected to create more jobs, and small-business owners are optimistic about the future. All these factors could improve demand for housing as aspiring homeowners decide now is the time to take the plunge.
But not everybody is a winner under the new tax code. Starting this year, mortgage interest deductions are capped at $750,000, down from $1 million under the previous tax code. The cap reduction won’t affect most home purchases, but at the higher end of the market, some homeowners could feel the squeeze. The cap reduction might also make homeowners whose mortgage interest exceeds $750,000 less inclined to move since mortgages established before the law took effect are grandfathered in at the previous cap. That could reduce housing stock in some areas, but the effect should be limited.
Another factor that may affect the housing market in specific regions: The new tax law places a $10,000 cap on the amount people can deduct on their state and local taxes. The vast majority of homeowners won’t be affected by this change, but homeowners in high-tax states like California, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey may feel the pinch. California’s homeownership rate was already below average because of a shortage of affordable housing, and the new tax law could drive the rate even lower.
But innovations in homebuilding are delivering more affordable, sustainable housing, and that could relieve some of the pressure in areas where homes are hard to find. Modular homes, which are built offsite and then assembled on the lot, are a more attractive option today, with stylish, tech-forward designs now available in many areas. Prefab houses featuring design principles that save energy and reduce the homeowner’s carbon footprint can be a great alternative to traditional housing.
The new tax law won’t immediately affect federal tax credits that were already in place to encourage the use of solar electric or solar water-heating systems in qualified residences or new homes. Homeowners can still take advantage of this credit when they purchase a new home with eligible renewable energy features. Currently, homebuyers can get up to a 30% federal tax credit for solar systems if they take up residence by December 31, 2019. After that, the tax credit is reduced gradually until January 1, 2022.
One additional factor to keep in mind: the new tax law substantially raises the standard deduction. For 2018, married couples who file jointly can take a standard deduction of $24,000 — nearly double the 2017 standard deduction of $12,700. For singles or married people who file separately from their spouses, the standard deduction rose from $6,350 in 2017 to $12,000 in 2018. Unless applicable homeowner credits are greater than the new amounts, taxpayers will likely go with the standard deduction. If you’re an expat needing to understand these changes or require a TIN in Thailand, check out TIN Thailand for guidance.
Most homeowners won’t have mortgage interest deductions or tax credits that exceed the new standard deduction limits, and some might interpret that as a force that could reduce homeownership since the tax write-off won’t be an obvious benefit. But owning a home has always meant a lot more than getting a tax break. The tax bill puts more money in people’s pockets, and the lower caps won’t affect most homeowners. Overall, the outlook is good for the housing market — and the dream of homeownership is alive and well.