Retirement is a significant transition, often representing a major financial shift in a person’s life. Having as few expenses as possible is typically ideal, ensuring that any retirement funds can last through the remainder of a person’s life. By paying off debts, your monthly obligations can be lowered. If you are wondering whether your mortgage is one of the debts you should tackle, here are five reasons to pay off your home loan before you retire.
Overall, homeowner’s insurance is fairly comprehensive. It financially protects you from the burden associated with a variety of potential events. This ensures that you can move forward with repairs or replace stolen or damaged belongings. However, homeowners insurance doesn’t cover everything. In fact, there are some gaps that many don’t expect. These gaps can lead to a rude awakening if certain kinds of events occur. If you are wondering what is not covered by homeowners insurance. Here are five things that usually aren’t.
The current dilemma I am having is whether to stash my savings for a down payment on a house or contribute to my Roth so I have cash available for buying opportunities.
I’m pinching pennies, and I’m saving money wherever I can so that cash is accessible when I need it. I just don’t know what to do with it.
Do I put it towards a down payment or set it aside for investment opportunities. Like most things in life, the answer will lie somewhere in the middle.
I’ve mentioned in prior reflections that I’m renting right now.
I’m renting because I got divorced and exhausted all of my savings on the down payment for my house. That house is currently being rented by another family, and my ex-wife and I still own it.
That’ll help build equity into the house so we receive more if/when we decide to sell, which is good.
I’m happy with my current living arrangements. I like the place. I like the neighborhood. My commute to work is 2 minutes, and I’m close to all of my family and friends. All good things.
The only bad part is I have no outdoor space to call my own. I have no yard.
I’m trying to frame it positively by saying that I’m not spending my time on yard work, and instead, have more time to spend with my son/work on myself when he’s not here. These are both very good things.
However, I want to give my son a space to play. A place to put a jungle gym and a sandbox. A place where he can just run around and have fun.
I want to give him that because he deserves it. I want to use my savings for a down payment on a house so we can have a place to call our own.
Here’s the second part of my dilemma. I see a lot of chances to put my money to work in the market.
I’m able to play the long game because of my investment philosophy and my training. The best investors I have long term time horizons.
What I mean to say is I can see past the present and I have an idea of what my investments can do over the long term, and the [possible] reward for investing now can’t be ignored.
That’s why I’m having a difficult time deciding what to do.
As a parent, you want to give your kids everything. I want to have a place we can call our own.
At the same time, I know how valuable it is to start saving and investing early so I can take advantage of compounding returns.
So here’s what I’m thinking. I’m going to develop a “savings plan”. I’ll take the dollar amount for an ideal down payment and how far in the future (in terms of years) when I’ll want to use it.
I’m thinking of $25,000 for a down payment and four years until I’ll use it. I’ll, then, divide $25k by 48 to get my monthly savings goal. Anything over that number I’ll put in my Roth.
That’ll take care of saving for a house and for retirement.
My Experience with Life Insurance
What is Time Horizon and Risk Tolerance?
My Life and How I Manage Stress
My House and What Brought Me Here
Whenever you buy a home, regardless of its age, it’s highly likely that you’ll be given a chance to purchase a home warranty. Often, these services are marketed as safety nets. Offering you protection against potentially large expenses, like repairs or appliance replacements. In many ways, it sounds like the perfect way to get some peace of mind. Especially after making such a big investment by buying a house. But the big question is. Are home warranties actually worth it in the end? If you’re considering a home warranty. Here’s what you need to know.
New homeowners often can fathom shouldering a major financial burden. After all, they’ve likely put down quite a bit of money to acquire the property. For most this means diving deep into their savings to make the purchase happen. As a result, the idea of having to pay for a new appliance or critical home system repair now is incredibly daunting. That’s why home warranties are appealing.
Home warranties are advertised almost like insurance. It protects homeowners from unexpected costs like those mentioned above. It’s essentially a service contract. One that allows home buyers to pay an amount upfront in exchange for financial assistance if a qualifying event occurs within a specific period. That concept provides a sense of security, making it enticing for many.
Every home warranty is different. However, the service contracts do typically have quite a bit in common. In most cases, they are limited to items and systems that were in good working condition at the point the homeowner bought the property.
Additionally, home warranties focus on failures that result from standard wear-and-tear, not events like thefts, fires, and floods, which fall into the hands of homeowners’ insurance companies. Further, if a homeowner neglects system or item maintenance, causing it to fail or to require repairs, that usually isn’t covered.
Which items and systems are included will be spelled out in the service agreement. Similarly, the approved failure circumstances will also be outlined.
The price of a home warranty can vary depending on numerous factors. The property’s location, existing items, and current systems all play a role in the cost. Similarly, the home’s age will impact the price tag. However, it isn’t uncommon for the price to come in between $350 and $600 a year, not including the service call fees, which usually run about $75 to $125 per visit for each contractor specialty involved.
In comparison to replacement expenses and typical repair costs, that can seem like a bargain. For example, central air conditioning replacements can run $5,000 or more, depending on the specifics of the system, and just one appliance can run from $350 to $8,000+.
A home warranty does provide some protection against the unexpected; that’s really the biggest benefit it provides. Plus, it can help reduce the cost of certain repairs, as the warranty itself may come with a significantly smaller price tag than shouldering the financial burden without one.
Additionally, if you are selling a property, throwing a home warranty into the deal could make your property a more attractive buy. It gives the homebuyer a degree of protection, which might make them feel more secure about moving forward.
However, home warranties are limited. If a lack of proper maintenance is a factor, the company won’t cover anything, and you still have to pay the service call fee. The concept of “proper” maintenance is a bit ambiguous, so there’s no guarantee that the home warranty company’s definition will match yours, leading to arguments. This is especially true if the previous owner was negligent, and the new owner can’t undo the damage on their own. That could be enough for a company to deny a warranty claim.
Home warranties also come with claim and dollar maximums, along with exclusions. While they aren’t incredibly expensive, many are highly limited, impacting their value.
Finally, aside from providing peace of mind, you don’t get anything from a home warranty if you have no claims. If a person put that cash in a high-yield savings account instead, they may be able to afford any repairs or replacements on their own once the need arises.
Ultimately, a home warranty does potentially have value, especially if a home seller wants to throw one in as part of your purchase. However, if you are considering adding one yourself, reading the fine print is a must. You need to see if the requirements and restrictions provide you with value.
It’s also wise to research the warranty provider using trusted resources. Not all companies are as reputable as others, so finding one that has a solid reputation is essential.
Otherwise, there’s always an alternative. If you build up a healthy emergency fund, you may be able to cover any unexpected costs yourself, eliminating the need for a warranty. For many, that approach works, so make sure to keep it on the table while you examine your options.
Do you think home warranties are worthwhile investments? Why or why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
First, it depends on your definition of behind. It may not be the same as the bank’s definition (not shocking). Let’s examine:
Most companies allow a 15-day grace period before tacking on any additional fees. I know that being self-employed, my mortgage company calls me on the second of the month if I didn’t pay on the first, but there’s nothing to worry about if you’re “behind” less than 15 days. No big deal. That’s why they call it a “grace” period.
If you’re in that 15 to 30-day time frame, prepare for a ton of telephone calls from your mortgage service provider (probably between two and four a day). You’ll also begin receiving letters reminding you that if you forgot to pay your bill, now would be the perfect time to make that payment.
Back when my income was very unsteady, a sneaky trick my mortgage company would pull was to send out another bill insinuating that I was two months behind and that if I disagreed with them I should call ASAP. Sneaky snake oil salesmen they were.
During this fifteen to thirty day period, if you can’t pay, don’t worry about the phone calls. You’ll have to pay a small late fee of some kind, but there still won’t be any damage to your credit report.
It’s important to note here: If you’re running up against that 30-day late period, it’s best to drop everything and pay your mortgage. Even if you’re habitually late 29 days; it’s better than being 30 days late from a credit reporting standpoint.
Now the letters and phone calls increase dramatically until you’re 60 days late. Your credit report will note your current late status. Your credit score will fall.
Here the phone calls and letters will cease. Does the mortgage company give up? Ah…that would be nice, but alas, no. They change tactics.
Once you’re over 60 days late, they’re going to send someone out to your house, just to make sure it and you are still there. You can see these people coming a mile away.
They circle your block two or three times, usually, they don’t look like they belong in your neighborhood, then they run up to your front door, peer in a window or two and leave a note on your door saying “Sorry we missed you. Please call us at once.”
It’s at this point you should start preparing for your next steps. If you’re 60 or 90 days past due, it’s probably a lingering problem, but all hope isn’t lost.
The best thing you can do when you’re behind is to communicate with your lender. Home lenders have instituted a number of programs to help you work through your late status.
The second biggest thing to remember is that the people you talk to don’t know you and you don’t know them. They don’t care about your problems. It makes no difference to them whether you stay in your house. They’re a thousand miles away in a cubicle. Stay calm while talking to your lender.
When you’re behind more than 30 days, you need to start talking – but don’t wait until it’s too late. Call your mortgage company, explain your personal circumstances, and begin laying the groundwork to solve the problem.
Can you pay the late payment over a couple of months? How about rolling that payment to the back of the mortgage? Can they waive a fee or two? Sometimes they will, sometimes not, but you’ll never know if you don’t ask.
Next week I’ll talk about the different options you have when you’re really behind on your mortgage and what they all mean. Stay tuned!
For more on paying off your Mortgage and ways to help you do it check out these articles.
Pay a Little Extra on Your Mortgage – What a Difference it Makes
6 Tips for Paying off Your Mortgage Quickly (Without Going Broke)
Don’t Be Afraid to Refinance: 6 Options to Meet Your Financial Needs
Photo: Hanging On: Jess2284
We’re often told that the most important thing when buying a home is location, location, location, but do you understand what that means exactly? It means homes can go up or down in value based on where they’re located. (That’s why some people buy fixer uppers in good neighbourhoods.)
Location, location, location is the number one rule in real estate, yet many buyers overlook it. You can improve your home in many ways. You can upgrade the flooring, renovate the kitchen and throw on a deck, but the one thing you can’t change is the location. You could have the nicest house on the block, but if your neighbourhood is going downhill, you could have a tough time selling it.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a home in Toronto or Vancouver, every city has its good parts and its not-so-nice parts.
Signs of a Good Location
Signs of a Poor Location
Urban or Suburban?
Are you looking to live in the city, or do you prefer the suburbs? Deciding between urban and suburban can be as difficult as choosing between a house and condo.
Living in the city has its benefits. You’re closer to where all the action is. Usually, plenty of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues are nearby. You’ll save money and time on transportation if you’re within walking distance of work. You may not even need a car.
Urban living isn’t without its drawbacks. Since you’re buying in a prime location, you’ll typically pay more for less. In an urban area, you may only be able to afford a condo. Some people are suited for the condo lifestyle. If you’re used to living in a house, it might be a tough adjustment.
In the suburbs, you can typically stretch your home-buying dollar further. If you’re planning to raise kids, a house with a yard may be a priority. You may not have nightlife at your doorstep, but you’ll likely have the great outdoors—enjoy parks and outdoor activities.
For some, the biggest downside to the suburbs is the distance from downtown. If you work downtown, your travel time will be longer. You’ll also be farther from downtown shopping and entertainment.
Brought to you by Sean Cooper
When you’re ready to sell your first home, you’re going to have a different mindset than when you were a home buyer. At this point, you’ll be familiar with the associated costs of home ownership, upkeep requirements, and the fact that being a homeowner isn’t as easy as it seems. Even with all that knowledge, however, when you’re selling your home you’ll be back to square one. [Read more…]
Cash home buyers are a relatively new trend, but have become an alternative to selling your house traditionally through an estate agent. Cash house buyers are generally companies with a team of people that are experts in surveying, estimating, buying, and selling houses. By having all of these skills in the business, they don’t have to rely on third-party people or companies to estimate or survey your house. This means you can get an estimate on your house very quickly, and the company will make a cash offer for your house. This comes with several advantages.
Avoiding selling fees
As cash home-buying companies have all of the stuff necessary to make the sale, you avoid the significant fees that come with selling a house. This includes the money spent on getting an estimate, which will usually be done by a third party for a cost. It also includes solicitor fees. Usually, both you and the seller will pay solicitors to do all of the communications and negotiations. With a cash home seller, this isn’t necessary. Some cash home sellers will try to add in a fee for the survey and estimate of the value of your home. If this is the case, then make sure to avoid them, as some can charge over $1000 for this service. Find a company that’s as inclusive as possible.
Quick sale
Most house sales take a considerable amount of time. Depending on if the house is a new build or not, you may find yourself in a chain of sellers all needed to get confirmation on the purchase of their own home before you can buy theirs. If one sale falls through, then you’ll need to wait for your seller to buy a new house before you can move in. This process can sometimes take a year or even more. This is how cash home buyers can help. Because cash home buyers are never in a chain and are buying your house with cash, the time of the sale is reduced significantly. There’s no waiting for your seller to find a new house, and there are no issues with mortgages falling through.
Lower stress
Selling a house is a traditionally stressful job. There’s a lot of money at stake, and the process can take a long time. This is particularly stressful if you need to sell the house of a loved one that has passed, or if you need to sell quickly to get the money to cover another investment. This is where cash house buyers can be very useful. You can get your house sold in a short amount of time with the least amount of stress possible. Be aware that the amount that a cash house buyer will buy your house will typically be 10-15% lower than if you sold privately through an agent. Some of these fees will be covered by the saving you make in fees, though, and the rest can be attributed to the cost of having a stress-free sale.
I think it’s widely known that there are two types of assets: appreciating and depreciating. I think it’s less known what each of these means and why they are used.
I this article we will look at what each term means, examples of each, and how to use them effectively.
What’s appreciation?
Appreciation is the increase in value. The majority of assets used to accumulate and grow wealth are appreciable.
What’s depreciation?
Depreciation is the exact opposite. It’s the loss of value. The most common example is a car, but more on that later.
Appreciating assets
Depreciating assets
What’s the point?
Conclusion
Appreciating and depreciating assets both serve a purpose. It’s important to know the difference between the two and how to use each one effectively.
For more information about appreciating or depreciating assets, and for our disclosures, visit our website www.crgfinancialservices.com.
If reading this blog post makes you want to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.
Seeing as the housing market is incredibly hot right now, I found it appropriate to talk about buying and selling a house.
This is a very big decision and can be an extremely stressful endeavor. You can alleviate some of that stress if you know what to do and what to expect.
Buying
Do your homework
Whether you are building new or buying an existing property, you need to do your homework. Hire reputable contractors, realtors, inspectors, etc. You can cheap out with these services, but over the long-term, it’ll cost you.
Always do the inspection
This is a must, must! The inspection can save you so much money! Say you visit a house and love it, but want to get in ASAP, so you skip the inspection. After a few months, you notice some significant shifting and cracking.
Guess what, you need your foundation fixed. That could run you, depending on the severity of the issue, $20,000 or more.
Another example and costly example would be a roof replacement.
Not only can it save you money, but some issues found in the inspection can be added to your contract. If the inspector comes back with some issues, you can include that in your amended contract, and have the seller fix whatever the issue is before closing.
Finances
There are many financial conditions that come into play when buying a house.
Selling
Clean and declutter
Make your home spotless. Vacuum and put lines in the carpet if you can. Sweep and scrub floors. Clean windows. Make sure the kitchen and bathrooms are especially clean.
Take pictures and art off of the walls, and leave minimal amounts of furniture. People want to walk into a home and imagine their art and their furniture. They want to “make themselves at home,” and imagine what it would be like if they lived there.
Fix the big issues
This could come out during the inspection too, but fix blatant, big issues. Roof repairs/replacement, furnaces, air conditioning units, etc. The goal is for someone to buy your house, so if you have the big issues taken care of, people have fewer excuses to say yes.
Curb appeal
Trim the hedging, cut the grasses, and make that garden look perfect. You need people to say wow before they walk in. If they love the house before they step inside, they’ll be in a better state of mind going in.
If your yard is ugly and they know it, they’ve already been disappointed, and everything they see inside won’t be as impressive.
Get the word out
Put that house on every and any social media, website, etc. as you can. Hopefully, your realtor does a lot of this for you, but the more people know about it the better.
Make sure you tell your neighbors also because the people who buy your house will, obviously, be living next to your neighbors. They want good people next door. Preferably, someone they know and trust.
Conclusion
Buying and/or selling a home is a very important decision, and probably the biggest purchase you’ll ever make.
Use these tips to help you through the process.
To learn more about the financial aspect of buying or selling a home, and for our disclosures, visit www.crgfinancialservices.com.
If reading this blog post makes you want to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.