Housing
Housing for 2nd Half of the Year
BlogHousing for 2nd Half of the Year At the beginning of the year we put out a 2024 housing outlook that First Trust published. In that report it talked about how unique 2023 was for housing but also an expectation for home sales to pick up in 2024 with expected...
Are we Living in the Roaring 20’s?
Blog“Are we Living in the Roaring 20’s?" With all of the negative headlines that are easy to pick up on and read about on the news it can sometimes be lost on us what we are currently experiencing. Coming out of COVID in 2020, net worths are at all time highs, stock...
2024 Housing Outlook
Blog“2024 Housing Outlook" As we kick off another year, I’m filled with optimism. Not because I think everything will be smooth sailing, but because even if we have a tough year, the economy has proven resilient over the long-term and this will be another chapter in...
“Housing Market Frustrations”
Blog“Housing Market Frustrations" Last week I spoke about the complacency we feel in the US economy despite some attractive economic metrics. Yes, unemployment is historically low, yes GDP grew over 4% in the third quarter of 2023, and yes inflation seems more under...
“House Rich but Cash Poor”
Blog“House Rich but Cash Poor" If you are like many other Americans who have owned a house over the past ten years, you’ve seen very nice appreciation and therefore equity build-up in your home. While this shows up on a Net Worth statement, it oftentimes doesn’t lead...
“The Increase in Americans Retiring Overseas”
Blog“The Increase in Americans Retiring Overseas” America can be an expensive place. Having personally lived overseas, it’s not to say that other areas are always cheaper, but the reality is that more and more Americans are finding retirement locations...
“Quoting and Comparing Home and Auto Insurance”
Blog Quoting and Comparing Home and Auto Insurance Many of you may not know, but May was national insurance planning month and while insurance isn’t the most exciting of topics, it is usually a place that monthly or annual savings can be found with a little...
Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?
Blog “Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?” Umbrella insurance is an important risk management tool, particularly for people who have wealth, income, or future income potential. Additionally, it’s cheap relative to most other types of insurance! I’m always amazed at the...
5 Numbers to Watch in 2023
“What is one number you are keeping an eye on in 2023?”
‘The Housing Outlook for 2023’
Blog“The Housing Outlook for 2023" One of the most talked about headlines in 2022 was the housing market and how it finally started to soften and reverse course as the federal reserve rapidly raised interest rates. It begs the question about what 2023 will...
‘What Happens if House Prices Fall 20%?’
Blog"What Happens if House Prices Fall 20%?" There are a lot of articles circulating about housing and the BIG price crunch that could be coming in 2023/24. This week, we explore an article form Ben Carlson where he explores what would happen if housing does drop 20%...
Caring for Aging Parents
“What difficulties or learnings do you have from caring for aging parents?”
Mortgage Rates and Offer Prices
“Increasing interest rates are expected to cool the housing market. It may be worth considering your desired monthly payment amount vs. your desired purchase price in this changing environment!”
‘ Putting your House in a Trust ‘
Blog “Putting your House in a Trust" Trusts aren't just for the uber-wealthy. Anyone with financial or physical assets may consider setting one up to make life a little bit easier for those you leave behind when you die. When you establish a trust, you...
‘An Extremely Difficult Time to be a Home Buyer’
Blog“An Extremely Difficult Time to be a Home Buyer” There are a number of “takes” on the current housing market and whether we are in a bubble or whether much of the price growth is warranted. I’m not here to answer that particular question but this recent...
History Suggests Rising Interest Rates Are Good for Stocks
Blog “History Suggests Rising Interest Rates Are Good for Stocks" Over the past few weeks, the stock market has trended down. From Feb. 12th to March 8th the S&P 500 is down 2.8% and the Nasdaq is down 10.5%! While this is only a 3-week period it has...
Should I Use Retirement Savings to Pay Off the Mortgage?
Blog“Should I Use Retirement Savings to Pay Off the Mortgage?" Beginning retirement with no debt might sound appealing. After all, you’re on a fixed income, and it’s not unlikely that you’ll go back to work and start earning an income in your final years of...
The Coronavirus Housing Boom
Blog “The Coronavirus Housing Boom" If one thing is certain, we have all been spending more time in our homes over the past 6 months compared to the months and years prior. While many sectors of the economy have been negatively impacted from the pandemic,...
When Should I Refinance My Mortgage?
Blog “When Should I Refinance My Mortgage?" This week’s post is a revamped version of a post from 2019. With mortgage rates now at historic lows, we feel it is valuable to revisit this idea. Everybody loves to save money, and since we are in a period of...
When Should I Re-Finance My Mortgage?
“When Should I Re-Finance My Mortgage?" Everybody loves to save money, and since we are in a period of unprecedentedly low interest rates, the shiny object of refinancing can be an attractive proposition. But how do you know whether refinancing makes sense for your...
What to Consider when Buying a House
“What to Consider when Buying a House"It’s the American Dream, right? Buying a home seems to be a rite of passage in the United States. A move that will take you from pretending to be an adult to actually being one. At least, that is what so many have perpetrated...
What Is Private Mortgage Insurance?
“What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?" For many people, putting a 20% down payment on a new house is not an easy task. With house prices growing at incredible speed since the 2008 recession, many major cities and suburbs are becoming un-affordable for the...
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