Real Estate
Gifts of real estate can be an extremely advantageous way to give to Sarah Lawrence. When you make a gift of real property, you qualify for a charitable income tax deduction based on the appraised fair market value of the property, regardless of what you originally paid for it. Also, you avoid paying capital gains tax at the time of transfer if there is no mortgage on the property.
A gift of real estate can be deeded to Sarah Lawrence outright or through a life-income gift such as charitable remainder trust. It may also be possible to set up a "retained life estate" where you transfer ownership to Sarah Lawrence while retaining the right to reside on the property for the rest of your life or a term of years, after which it passes to the College.
Testamentary gifts of real estate are also welcome, and can help reduce or eliminate estate taxes.
