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March 4th, 2012
Reducing debt was the third most common New Year’s resolution this year. Saving money was first and spending less was second, but reducing interest on credit cards would work on all of the top three. Here are some ways to do it.
* Zero percent interest on balance transfers. Financial advisors say if you owe $5,000 on a 15 percent APR card, you could save $750 in interest during the next 12 months. To get the zero percent offer, your credit score will probably have to be 700 or higher. Even if you opt for a 2.99 percent offer, you’ll save money. Whatever amount you transfer, it should result in savings that are more than the 3 percent or 4 percent up-front fee you will pay.
Cautions:
Never sign up for a balance transfer offer unless you are sure you can make at least the minimum payment each month. Just one late payment will cause your interest rate to rise by a huge amount. If you don’t pay the amount you borrowed by the end of the time it’s offered, the rate will skyrocket on the balance owed, both on this credit card and others. Never charge new purchases to a low-interest offer card even if new purchases are covered. It just makes the card more difficult to pay off.
Debt consolidation loans
Some banks and credit unions offer unsecured consumer loans at 10 percent interest or less.
Debt consolidation only works if you can make loan payments without charging again on your credit cards.
It’s important to create an emergency fund so you will not be forced to use credit cards for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or auto repairs.
Tags: Healthy Living in NC, Investment Property, Real Estate, Wilmington
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February 28th, 2012
Wilmington, North Carolina is supporting the National Garden Bureau and joined the Herb Society to name 2012 the Year of the Herb.
To help gardeners, the herb society offers its top 10 list. Gardening expert Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp says these three are easy to grow from seed: basil, chives and dill and can be used in so many dishes.
The next seven can be purchased as plants at garden centers: Greek oregano, bay leaf, rosemary, common thyme, parsley, common sage and lavender.
Whether herbs are planted in a large garden, small garden spot or in pots on your deck, the taste of fresh herbs can make any recipes tastier.
Tags: Beach, Healthy Living in NC, Real Estate, Wilmington
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February 24th, 2012
When you dip your paintbrush, you usually wipe the excess against the side of the can. Before you know it, paint is dripping down the side of the can. The little groove around the rim gets so full of paint that it splatters everywhere when you hammer the lid back on.
Avoiding the mess is easy. Just wrap one or two rubber bands around the can from top to bottom, going across the middle of the can opening.
When you fill your paint brush, just tap it against the rubber bands and the excess paint will fall back into the can.
Tags: Investment Property, Property Management, Real Estate, Wilmington
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February 17th, 2012
Have your home inspected before you list.
Most homeowners do well to make their home look nice by painting, cutting the grass and fixing anything that breaks. Make sure your home is more than just a pretty face.
Before you list, consider spending a couple of hundred dollars to have your home inspected by a professional. He can spot conditions that cost little to repair now but could put off prospective buyers.
Inspectors often can point out do-it-yourself or handyman repairs. Electrical and plumbing work are two of the most common building code violations. Heating and air conditioning systems can be examined and recommendations made. Homes of all ages benefit from exterior maintenance to keep moisture from creating issues and concerns.
People who don’t have the time or inclination to crawl about the attic, basement or crawlspace should know that these are some of the areas a home inspector examines. Inspectors frequently uncover problems completely unknown to the homeowner. Fixing the big problems before you list can make your home much more attractive to a buyer and make you feel more confident.
Contact me to find a list of home inspectors you can choose from. Make your home the best and ready for sale.
Tags: Investment Property, Property Management, Real Estate, Wilmington
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February 17th, 2012
Keeping your home safe is always on my mind so I thought this door safety would be good information. All of a home’s exterior doors should have a way to see who is at the door.
Doors with glass windows less than 40 inches from the lock can easily be opened by breaking the glass. Replace glass with an unbreakable material or reinforce glass. Remember, you want to see them and they can’t see you.
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February 14th, 2012
The leading cause of death for men and women in the US, including Wilmington, NC, is cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke. They kill an estimated 630,000 Americans each year.
Heart disease can be prevented. American Heart Month (February) is a good time to decide what you can do to achieve a heart-healthy life.
The most common type of heart problem is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to a heart attack. You can reduce your risk through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication, such as a statin.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign urges citizens to spread the message that heart disease is not only a man’s problem. More women die of cardiovascular disease than from the next four causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. Women once believed breast cancer was their greatest health risk; new data show that while one in 30 women die of breast cancer, one in three women die of heart disease.
80% of all cardiac events can be prevented if people made the right choices for their hearts. The advice for both men and women is the same.
Watch your weight. Quit smoking. Control cholesterol. Control blood pressure. Drink alcohol in moderation. Get active and eat healthy. Manage stress.
A little bite of work goes along way.
Tags: Healthy Living in NC, Property Management, Real Estate, Wilmington
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February 4th, 2012
Say you want to buy a gift for about $50. Then you see something you like for $55 or $65. You buy it anyway, especially if you have no more time for shopping.
By giving a gift card instead, you’ll spend exactly what you intended, and the person who receives it can spend it on exactly what they want.
Sites such as GiftCardGranny.com and PlasticJungle.com sell gift cards from popular retailers with discounts on the face value. You could save even more by buying the card from one of them.
Tags: Healthy Living in NC, Wilmington
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February 1st, 2012
On February 20, our nation will celebrate what is now referred to as Presidents Day. It is meant to honor and remember the past presidents of the U.S. and their contributions to creating the country it is today.
To many states, the day remains Washington’s Birthday. February 22 is President George Washington’s actual birthday. Our first president was elected to that post by a unanimous vote in 1789. His birthday was made a national holiday in 1885.
Often referred to as the Father of Our Country, Washington inspired his group of ragtag troops to victory over the British, and later presided over the Constitutional Convention. Both Washington D.C. and the state of Washington are named after him. The monument bearing his name is one of the most recognizable tributes in our nation’s capital. The U.S. Senate takes a moment to read his Farewell Address every year, a tradition that dates back to 1862.
Washington’s Birthday is now celebrated on the third Monday of February each year, but to some states, it is known as Presidents Day. Advocates in the 1960s wanted to honor both Washington and President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12, on a single federal holiday. Lincoln is known for his Civil War presidency during which he freed the slaves, but saw the nation break apart and begin the Civil War. His famous Gettysburg Address is considered one of the greatest speeches of all time. Contrary to popular belief, Washington’s birthday has never been officially changed to Presidents Day
Tags: Healthy Living in NC, Wilmington
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January 25th, 2012
Your estate consists of the property you own outright and jointly, including bank accounts, real estate, stocks and bonds, vehicles, jewelry, and retirement accounts.
When you add up the value of these assets, it’s easy to see that you need a plan for how you want them distributed after you’re gone. Estate planning is not just for the rich or those who have a great deal of money or property.
Making a will is the first step. It should tell what property you wish to leave to family members, friends and organizations. It should tell who will act as guardian to manage property for dependent children. It will name an executor to manage your estate, pay debts and taxes, and distribute property according to your wishes.
For some people, a will is enough, but those with more assets or special situations should consult an estate planning attorney. They include people who want control of what happens to property after their death, parents who have a child with a disability or special needs, couples with children from first, second or third marriages, or those who fear someone might declare their will to be invalid.
If you’re worried about how much an attorney’s services will cost, bring up the subject when you make the appointment. Many questions you have can be answered quickly, while others may take an hour for a meeting and more time for research. Some attorneys offer a free first visit and fixed estimate for legal work involved.
Estate plans should include who will make decisions about your medical care and final arrangements, such as whether you want to be cremated or buried.
This planning also involves finalizing one or more documents that give legal force to your wishes for property management and medical care.
The good news is that your plan can be updated as time goes by. Your wishes at age 45 or 50 will probably change in the next 10 or 15 years.
Tags: Healthy Living in NC, Investment Property, Wilmington
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January 16th, 2012
It’s true that money can’t buy happiness, but knowing that the value of your assets will grow over time does give you peace of mind.
Negative press is leaving some home buyers stuck on the fence, but here are a few reasons to climb down.
In the long run you come out ahead; in the short run you enjoy your home. The paper value of your home won’t rise much in the next couple of years. But if you want a home where you can raise your children or retire for the rest of your life, the paper value will rise significantly, or probably double or triple during that time.
The recent survey by the Hartford/MIT Lab’s Home for a Lifetime survey shows that half of all homeowners prefer their current home for retirement. Another 10 percent may choose to retire there, but aren’t yet sure.
A home is like a savings account. Your initial costs of home buying will come back to you many times over during the life of your mortgage. Your stake in the home builds every month. You’ll have more than rent receipts in the future.
Mortgage payments are fixed; rental payments rise. On a fixed-rate mortgage, you know what your payment will be each month for years to come. (As inflation rises, you’ll be making those payments with less expensive dollars.)
Apartment rents through the third quarter of 2010 were up 2.4 percent nationwide for the year and up twice that amount in larger cities. Nice apartments were hard to find because the national vacancy rate is the lowest since 2006, according to a study by real estate research firm Reis, Inc.
There are many more reasons for having a home of your own, reasons that have little to do with the financial aspects.
Stability and community. You get to know the neighbors. Your kids won’t have to change schools. They can keep their friends. You get to know their teachers and which parks, neighborhood facilities and merchants are best for you. Studies show that as people develop positive relationships with neighbors, they have more happiness and less stress.
You get to be the boss. Dealing with a landlord and negotiating repairs are hassles you won’t have to deal with. As the boss of your own place, you can paint, renovate and redecorate as much as you want and in any color or style you want.
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