By,

Katie Conroy

Advicemine.com :: kc@advicemine.com

When building or buying a new home, most people focus on having the essentials such as enough bedrooms and bathrooms, a functional kitchen, and a spacious living room. As time goes on and homeowners go through transitions in life, what they expect and want from their home also changes. Many people have come to realize that having an office in their home can make it easier to accomplish more in a shorter period of time. Whether you’re self-employed or you’ve been working for the same company for decades, having a separate space in your home for work can increase productivity. Here are some easy ways to transform your garage into your dream home office.

Put in a new floor.

Most…

How Much House Can I Afford?

Buying a home is usually the most expensive purchase people make in their lives. It is considered to be a symbol of success which signals to others that you are getting closer to fulfilling the American dream. Knowing that buying a home is a big financial and psychological commitment, finding out how much you can afford should be your #1 priority.

To start your home buying journey, you need to be mindful of the following four things:

1.     Establish your priorities

o   Make a list of your ideal home (features, location, type of property, age, square footage)

2.     Calculate how much you can afford

o   Use the 28%/36% rule

o   Know your debt-to-income ratio (most lenders prefer a DTI under 36%)

…

5 Tips for Buying and Managing Your First Investment Property

By: Katie Conroy, Advicemine.com

Buying an investment property can be a fantastic way to build wealth. If you’re interested in investing in real estate, you might be excited about your financial prospects. But if you’re planning to purchase your first investment property and expand your real estate portfolio, there’s more to the process than simply handing over your down payment and collecting rent. Here are a few guidelines to help you find the right investment property, hire contractors for strategic renovations, and determine a reasonable rental price for your tenants. For more information, visit A+ Construction and Remodeling. 

Understand the Market 

Before buying a…

Assessing Your Options When Deciding on Senior Home Care - by Lucille Rosetti @ The Bereaved

Running out of funds is the primary concern for older people as they prepare for the next phase of life, according to the Journal of Accountancy. Preparing a suitable home for your later years is just as important as financial matters, though. You need a property that you can afford and that can accommodate your changing physical abilities. Thankfully, there are many ways to tailor senior home care to suit your needs. 

Move to a new home

Many seniors opt to downsize with their golden years in mind. Maybe you aren’t particularly attached to your current house or perhaps you want to move (e.g., to be nearer to your grandchildren, or from a chilly climate to…

486 BC - Alexandros Choulos Papagorgio was eating some fine Greek cuisine, when suddenly he spilled his meal all over the floor. His wood floors now stained with oil, Alexandros had a bright idea. He used his roofing “keramik” tile as flooring material in his dining room - making the clean ups much easier.  This origination story is especially interesting since I made it up. Sorry. But this tale about a Greek man getting upset by this dilemma is far more interesting than anything else online. Besides, it achieves the message Im trying to get across - although Tile now comes in incredibly vast variety of cost, material, quality, size, etc, it’s inherent value as a building material is to protect surfaces in messy-prone areas of the home - kitchen,…

Photo by Rawpixel

 

You’ve Decided to Downsize — Now What? 6 Tips for Seniors

By: Lucille Rosetti

info@thebereaved.org │The Bereaved

There are many reasons seniors decide to downsize. For one, letting go of the burden of possessions during retirement can be incredibly freeing. What’s more, it can also help add an extra financial cushion to your retirement income. Regardless of your decision to downsize, there are a lot of bittersweet and stressful moments ahead. One of the hardest is also one of the most obvious — what to do with your current home. Here are three options to consider.

 

Rent Your Home

 

For many seniors, renting out their home can bolster bank accounts, add to a financial safety net, or foot the bill for…

What's happening in Marin real estate this week. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

November 1, 2019 Hi Alex, Welcome to the Marin Real Estate Roundup, the #1 resource for Marin County buyers and sellers.   Weekly highlights Please respond for more info or a private showing Pick of the Week (Off Market - please email for address): Chic Cape Cod Home in Palm Hill, Larkspur. 4 BD/4 BA. Rare, enchanting and ideally situated in sunny lower Palm Hill close to the historic downtown, bike path, little league field and tennis courts, this home brings together an East Coast vibe with the ease and sophistication of the Larkspur lifestyle. $3,200,000. …

What's happening in Marin real estate this week. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

October 25, 2019 Hi Alex, Welcome to the Marin Real Estate Roundup, the #1 resource for Marin County buyers and sellers.   Weekly highlights Please respond for more info or a private showing Pick of the Week: 122 Grove Ave, Corte Madera. 5 BD/3 BA. 3070 sq ft. New construction. Farm House style. Beautiful finishes and fixtures. All new and tastefully appointed with use of beautiful tile, marble, crown molding, trim, hand crafted barn doors and natural wood details. $2,825,000. New: 46 Washington Park, Mill Valley. 2 BR/2 BA. 1724 sq ft. This updated…

What's happening in Marin real estate this week. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

October 4, 2019 Hi Alex, Welcome to the Marin Real Estate Roundup, the #1 resource for Marin County buyers and sellers.   Weekly highlights Please respond for more info or a private showing Pick of the Week: 90 Alder Ave, San Anselmo. 5 BD/4 BA. 3600 sq ft. In the heart of San Anselmo's beloved Yolanda Park is the masterful blend of vintage charm & sophisticated elegance known as 90 Alder Avenue. $2,895,000. New: 29 Granada Dr, Corte Madera. 3 BR/2 BA. 1248 sq ft. This delightful light filled single level home is perfect for any buyer, including the…

What's happening in Marin real estate this week. Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

September 27, 2019 Hi Alex, Welcome to the Marin Real Estate Roundup, the #1 resource for Marin County buyers and sellers.   Weekly highlights Please respond for more info or a private showing Pick of the Week: 121 South St, Sausalito. 5 BD/4 BA. 4000 sq ft. A Rare Gem in a Coveted location. Stunning Edwardian fully restored, with period details, masterfully preserved and all modern comforts added. $3,595,000. New: 31 Ridge Ave, Mill Valley. 5 BR/6 BA. 4070 sq ft. A new construction custom craftsman home with cathedral ceilings, high-end finishes, an…