Many people romanticize the idea of paying off their home mortgage early so they can enjoy their home in retirement, but when it comes to the later years of life, a big house can actually be too much to handle. If you've started to consider a smaller home and are wondering why it might be a good decision for you and yours, here are a few things you may want to consider. It's Much Easier To Maintain It is often the idea of the palatial estate with a pool that homeowners get excited about, but when it comes to reality, the larger the home, the harder it is going to be to take care of and maintain. If you don't have a maid or a butler, a smaller home will enable you to spend a lot more of your … [Read more...]
Smart Ways To Create Equity Within Your Home
Home equity is the difference between what your home can sell for and what you owe on it. Generally, the longer you own your home, the more equity you build. This is money you can use before you sell your home through a home equity loan. Just keep in mind that a home equity loan is secured with your home. If you can't make the payments, you can lose your home. Use Your Home Equity In Smart Ways: Remodel Your Home - If you've wanted to add on a family room or modernize your kitchen, consider using your home's equity to fund the project. Home improvements usually increase your home's marketability and value. Make Needed Major Repairs - Your home's equity can be a funding source … [Read more...]
Renters Missed Out On Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars This Past Year
Rent has gone up significantly during the past year. Even though it is not unusual for rent to go up over time, the average rent across the country has increased significantly during the past year. This means that the average rent will probably be even higher next year than it is this year. Even though this is one of the biggest deterrents against renting, there are other reasons to get out of the rental market as well. Renters Stand To Lose More Money This Year One of the biggest reasons why renters are losing so much money is that the average value of a house has gone up significantly. During the past year, the average value of a home in the United States increased by more than … [Read more...]
Keep Your Home Free From Clutter With These Helpful Unpacking Tips
The thrill of purchasing a new home is unparalleled; however, once you close on the sale, the dreaded unpacking process begins. You probably did not realize just how much stuff you had until you had to pack it all up. Worse yet, you need to unpack it when you get to your new home. If you don’t unpack intelligently, your new home could end up disorganized and full of clutter. With this in mind, how can you unpack without leading to a tremendous amount of clutter in your home? Get Rid Of Items You Do Not Need As you go through the boxes, ask yourself if you are actually going to need the items as you unpack them. If you do not need them, consider donating them to a local charity. Just … [Read more...]