If you want to know how to live your best financial life, you’ve come to the right place! Here, you’ll find everything from information on insurance, investments, and owning rental property to advice on savings and retirement.
With Christmas over and Super Bowl on the horizon, January is a big month to score deals on purchases for the home. Everything from holiday decor and big-screen TVs to sheets, towels and digital scales is on sale this month. Deals on furniture and appliances may also be available. Clearance is king. If you’re patient… Read more »
In many home remodeling circles, doing it yourself — or DIY — has become more than just a term, but a way of life. It’s all about surfing for the right how-to video, right? Not so fast. Unfortunately, DIY doesn’t always equate to saving money because DIY disasters can cost homeowners plenty in repairs and… Read more »
Congress and the president passed the most sweeping tax law overhaul in a generation at the end of 2017. Let’s take a look at how the tax benefits of homeownership have changed and how the new law will affect you. Tax deductions before and after. The most significant change for homeowners affects the deductibility of… Read more »
When shopping for a mortgage, one number, in particular, plays a major role — a good credit score. A higher number means you’ll be offered a lower interest rate, which means a more affordable mortgage. Here’s what you need to know about your credit score and a few tips on how to improve it. What… Read more »
No one can forget the horrible pictures of flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast after Hurricane Harvey, where tens of thousands of homes flooded and hundreds of thousands of people were displaced. Now the Carolinas are faced with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Do you know what to do if your home floods? Here’s how… Read more »
A growing national trend finds multiple generations of a family living together in one house. Far from a new fad, this way of living is a return to the way things were from America’s earliest days until the early 20th century. Let’s look at the trend, its benefits and how to make it work. Turning… Read more »
The housing crash of 2008 led to a tightening of mortgage lending standards. Now rules are loosening again. What can you expect when applying for a loan to buy a house? Is the Water Just Right? Mortgage lending rules are loosening slightly because of both a slowdown in the number of applicants and increased competition… Read more »
Baby boomers and millennials may not like the same clothing or music, but they’re finding common ground when it comes to real estate. Together they comprise the fastest growing segment of apartment dwellers in America. The younger generation has long found the rental life a convenient bridge between college dorms and homeownership. But why are… Read more »
Once you graduated from college and got a place of your own, you probably assumed your spouse would be the last roommate you’d ever have. Recently, however, adults who would otherwise be on their own have begun sharing living spaces for a variety of reasons. Could home sharing work for you? Roommates for Mutual Benefit… Read more »
The housing market continues to improve nationally through the current crisis. Industry forecasters expect pent up demand and low supply to push home prices higher in the months to come, even at historically low mortgage interest rates. If you already own a home, you’ve got an asset with intrinsic value that is likely appreciating. Here’s… Read more »
Father’s Day and high school graduations are big drivers of what’s on sale during the month of June. Grills, tools, coffee makers, TVs and other electronic equipment, and summer sporting goods are all marked down, making it a great time for home-related purchases. ✓ Kitchen gear. The latest and greatest home gadgets that appeal to… Read more »
Buying a first home is a rite of passage. After crunching the numbers, receiving preapproval for a mortgage and finding a trustworthy agent, you’re ready to go house hunting. To make the adventure less daunting, check out these programs to help accomplish your goal of homeownership. FHA Loans The Federal Housing Administration (FHA for short)… Read more »
Being a landlord is hard work, especially if you’re overseeing day-to-day management of the rental properties. Here’s what you need to consider before diving in to DIY property management or choosing to hire a pro. How much rental property do you own? A property management company may be the best solution if you own multiple… Read more »
You can thank Mom for many of the home best buys that can be scored in May with Mother’s Day sales driving many of this month’s discounts. Later in May, the three-day Memorial Day weekend offers another round of discount opportunities. Kitchen Gear The latest and greatest home gadgets that appeal to busy moms —… Read more »
It’s April, which means it’s a great time for spring cleaning, gardening, home repairs, and let’s not forget, pressing the button on those last-minute tax documents that could yield a refund large enough to make a few purchases for the home. Retailers are ready with sales in all the right categories. Home and garden Expect… Read more »
Pictures of hurricane damage in coastal communities remind us that disaster can strike suddenly, destroying all our worldly goods. To prepare for the unthinkable, insurance companies strongly urge you to keep a current inventory of your possessions in a safe place to make claims filing easier. Here’s what to do. What to inventory. Your homeowners… Read more »
When the kids are grown and retirement is just ahead, it’s time to make some tough choices. Should you stay in the family home or move somewhere smaller and cheaper? Organize your thinking. Break the decision down into these broad categories: family accessibility, lifestyle and financial. Look at each separately. Family accessibility. Location is key…. Read more »
When senior adults decide to sell their homes, hiring a “Certified Senior Housing Professional” can be a huge help. What exactly is a “Certified Senior Housing Professional?” Essentially, it’s a real estate agent who has undergone special training and certification in selling the homes of senior adults. They have been trained to understand the legal… Read more »
As senior adults age and give up driving, the need for alternative transportation soars. Since you can’t always rely on friends and family members, here’s a list of resources. Always keep safety and affordability in mind. Public transportation. Seniors often receive discounted fares on public bus, subway and train systems. Cities may also have mini… Read more »
For aging adults contemplating a major move, hiring a “senior move manager” might be a wise decision. A rapidly growing segment of the service industry, senior move managers are trained to help aging adults move to smaller homes or senior-care facilities. They have expert knowledge about the decisions, processes and costs of helping seniors downsize… Read more »
