Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that it’s still more affordable to own than rent in most of the country.

There is, however, another financial advantage to owning a home that’s often forgotten in the analysis – the wealth built through equity when you own a home.

Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American, discusses this point in a recent blog post. She explains:

“Once you include…

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IN MY DREAMS, my laundry room is airy and bright, with wooden folding tables and shelves with baskets to intelligently organize detergents, sewing supplies, my ironing board and clothespins. In other words, it would resemble a modest-size Apple store, except with a whole section devoted to orphan socks.

But the laundry room in my reality is a hellhole. It’s a tiny closet, actually, where space is so tight I can barely close the door on the stacked machines that I jammed in there. They hulk, stupidly, among other random items including the vacuum, an empty guitar case and a weird bed coverlet known as “the meat blanket” because its mottled pink-and-white pattern resembles a slice of Mortadella sausage.

#laundryroomporn—photos of cramped…

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As we look back over the past year, we’ve certainly lived through one of the most stressful periods in recent history. After spending so much more time at home throughout the health crisis, some are wondering if they should move to improve their mental health and well-being. This is no surprise since the U.S. Census Bureau reported an increase in the percentage of adults with symptoms of anxiety and depression in a recent Household Pulse Survey.

There’s logic behind the idea that making a move could improve someone’s quality of life. When people change their scenery, they often feel happier. Catherine Hartley, an Assistant Professor at New York University’s Department of Psychology and co-author of a study on how new experiences impact happiness,…

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You have to be a good salesperson to sell real estate.

FALSE!

I hate to think that one of you out there may not pursue or continue in real estate because someone told you that you need to be a good salesperson. Don’t let that scare you off. Most clients want someone who will listen to their wants and needs and who can communicate with them. If you can do those things, the rest just follows. There are ways to present yourself and handle your business that will separate you from the "pushy real estate salesperson" image. Think "consultant" for better results. Try to stay out of "sales" mode, even if you're starving for a deal.

Image by: v2osk/Unsplash

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This year challenged us to reprioritize everything – from the way we use our time to where we work, how we socialize and gather together, and our needs at home. For many, this also meant making decisions about how to best support and engage with our extended families, near and far.

In some cases, we weren’t able to see our relatives and loved ones who were living in senior facilities. In others, maybe older children moved back home. Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“A lot of families have an aging senior relative who was living independently or in senior care and wanted to move them into their home.”

These changes led more homebuyers to invest in…

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There is something about the way our holiday decorations hold so much magic and sparkle when we put them out but by the end of the season, we can't wait to take it down. So as the holidays come to a close and we all begin to put away our decorations, it's foreseeable that we want to declutter just about everything (including our kids!). The problem is...we want to make it some huge project and then we never do it. However if you keep it simple, you can get more done that you thought.  

Even if you are not moving, one of the more challenging parts of home ownership is keeping your home clutter free, knowing how to downsize your spaces and how to practically reduce the number of your belongings. This guide will help you improve your skills so you can get…

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Pardon our forwardness...but bidets are becoming the topic of more and more conversations lately! Some of you are installing them yourselves in your personal bathrooms and many of you are wondering which one to try. Well â”€ here are some of the top seats to start your search. We'll leave the instructions to someone else!

 

Imagine if there was a way of decreasing your need for toilet paper, while still getting fully clean after using the bathroom. Many people have known about this simple solution for centuries: the bidet. Unfortunately, this porcelain washlet you can see all over Europe isn't as popular in the Unisted States.

A true bidet can require time and money preparing your bathroom with new piping, plus space for a new appliance. If you…

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How do you start your morning? Do you wake up in rush or do you take your time? Most of us start running a reel in our mind of all the things we need to do. However, if you changed your reel and made a list of all things you were grateful for and told yourself positive affirmations, your day may look differently. The more positivity that you encounter throughout the day, the more positive you’ll stay. It’s actually a proven fact!

Try putting positive quotes on your mirror so you can read them while you brush your teeth or blow dry your hair. Remind yourself that you’ve got this. You can do all the hard things. You can make that call that you’ve been putting off.

Seize the day!

Image by: Unsplash

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Before the new year begins, take some time to think about what you want 2021 to look like. Are you looking to jump in full time and commit to your goals? Are you worried you don't know what you're doing? Do you wonder if you can build the business that you've always dreamed of? Write down all your fears. Once they are on paper, they can't have power over you anymore. They are just hurdles to get over!

If you need assistance determining what your hurdles are and getting over them, reach out to me. I would love to talk and see if we can work together to make all your goals come true.

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How many of you like (I use that term loosely) to play games with your family? I'll admit, we didn't grow up playing many games but so many of my friends families did. I was so jealous! However, I do have some pretty great memories of a Monopoly and Pictionary game going bad on Christmas Day. Let's just say...some things were thrown! 

We hope you enjoy your holidays with your family whether you're playing games or not.  

 

If you want to have some bonding time with your family that doesn't revolve around watching a show or movie, game night can be an easy way to bring everyone together for an hour or two. Bonus: They can also be great for breaks during remote instruction or homeschooling, and playing non-electronic games has been shown to…

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