Burdensome student loan debt and a penchant for purchasing new electronics by 20- and 30-somethings can make saving up for a down payment on a home seem impossible. But Millennials and other potential home buyers may be surprised to discover that previous generations had money-saving challenges of their own. Consider for a moment that many of our valued elders did not have the level of opportunity to attend college and earn a high-paying job. Look further back and you may realize that the Greatest Generation suffered through the Great Depression only to fight World War II. Somehow, these … [Read More...]
Downsizing at any stage of life can offer multiple benefits. Less square footage may come with a smaller price tag and usually means less space to clean. However, when downsizing a home, there's usually the question of what to do with everything. That's when creative storage ideas become essential. Before Downsizing, Take Stock Before selecting the best storage options, it's important to first take stock of all personal items, from furniture to clothing, kitchen gadgets, and keepsakes. Sort into items to keep, donate, discard, and place in long-term storage. Long-term storage may mean … [Read More...]
Downsizing at any stage of life can offer multiple benefits. Less square footage may come with a smaller price tag and usually means less space to clean. However, when downsizing a home, there's usually the question of what to do with everything. That's when creative storage ideas become essential. Before Downsizing, Take Stock Before selecting the best storage options, it's important to first take stock of all personal items, from furniture to clothing, kitchen gadgets, and keepsakes. Sort into items to keep, donate, discard, and place in long-term storage. Long-term storage may mean … [Read More...]
Downsizing at any stage of life can offer multiple benefits. Less square footage may come with a smaller price tag and usually means less space to clean. However, when downsizing a home, there's usually the question of what to do with everything. That's when creative storage ideas become essential. Before Downsizing, Take Stock Before selecting the best storage options, it's important to first take stock of all personal items, from furniture to clothing, kitchen gadgets, and keepsakes. Sort into items to keep, donate, discard, and place in long-term storage. Long-term storage may mean … [Read More...]
Homeowners are well aware that peripheral costs swell over time and can put a strain on incomes. Utility bills increase, home insurance creeps up annually and taxes rise with the cost of schools and road repair. That's why many communities have enacted homestead exemptions that can help stabilize and even lower tax bills in some cases. Although these exemptions are not well publicized, knowing how they work and how to apply could save you a good deal of money. Understanding The Homestead Exemption A homestead exemption helps homeowners lower and/or fix the amount you pay in local taxes. … [Read More...]
Last week's economic releases included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, pending home sales and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth, Pending Home Sales Dip Home price growth slowed in June according to Case-Shiller's national home price index. Home prices rose 0.30 percent from May and were 6.30 percent year-over-year as compared as compared to 6.40 percent. In May. Analysts have predicted stabilizing home prices for months and June's reading indicated that home prices may slow … [Read More...]
