Author Nick: patrickoconnor
Name: Patrick Oconnor
Site: http://www.poconnor.com
About Author: Patrick C. O'Connor has been president of O'Connor & Associates since 1983 and is a recipient of the prestigious MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute. He is also an registered senior property tax consultant in the state of Texas and has written numerous articles in state and national publications on reducing property taxes. He continues to set the standard in direction and quality of our appraisal products, adding services ranging from business valuations and business appraisals to cost segregation analysis for income tax reduction.
Tax reductions and tax deductions are a common benefit of cost segregation. When real estate investors and tax practitioners learn about the income tax deductions and tax reductions resulting from cost segregation they are sometimes skeptical; they are concerned it is a tax shelter or tax scheme. This simply is not true. Cost Segregation provides [...]
In Event of Foreclosure Foreclosure of a mortgage typically extinguishes all claims to the property. In other words, if you’ve negotiated a lease and started a business, your right to use the retail space is terminated by foreclosure unless there is a separate agreement. Will Lender Cancel? In many cases, the lender has a defined period [...]
In Texas a disabled veteran’s tax exemption is not the same as a disabled person’s tax exemption. To receive a disabled veteran tax exemption, you must be either a veteran who was disabled while serving with the U.S. armed forces or the surviving spouse or child (under 18 years of age and unmarried) of either a [...]
Highest and best use analysis can assist an owner in maximizing return. Highest and best use analysis can be performed for acreage, site development, and for improved properties. Research and planning can substantially increase investment returns. If in a metropolitan area, highest and best use can be a combination of uses including single-family, multifamily, and [...]
Feasibility studies are a combination of a market study and financial analysis used to determine if it is financially feasible to develop a proposed property. They are also performed to evaluate the feasibility of renovating or upgrading an existing property. Feasibility studies determine whether a property is financially feasible and whether its complete and stabilized [...]
Initial Research Leasing retail space seems like it should be easy. You just drive to shopping centers which are near your house and select one which is convenient for you. Then you call the leasing agent and ask them to send the lease. Then sign the lease, mail it to them and you are in [...]
Tax Rule No.1: Don’t cheat the IRS. But that doesn’t mean you should cheat yourself. Take every legal tax deduction you can. In addition to the numerous tax deductions the Internal Revenue Service allows, research indicates that most U.S. taxpayers do not claim all deductions to which they are entitled. Some of the tax deductions [...]
If you disagree with the appraisal district’s value or any action of the appraisal district about your property, the Texas Property Tax Code (TPTC) provides several options to appeal your property taxes. Most appraisal district offices will meet with you informally to review your protest and usually make an offer, but if you are unsatisfied [...]
Sam sold 2 commercial properties in June 2008 and was discussing tax planning with his CPA and cost segregation provider. The sales price for the properties was $5.2 million and $3.3 million. Sam had owned both properties for about 8 years. The cost segregation specialist estimated Sam could save more than $175,000 in 2008 income [...]
Due Diligence The previous sections of leasing retail space addressed selecting the general location, selecting the type of retail space and the sighting how to find your retail space. The next several parts will address issues to consider when evaluating a specific retail space option. Access Issues for each option include traffic counts, traffic patterns, [...]