Author: Daniel Bortz

These Experts Help People Downsize and Move

Posted in WashingtonianTagged , , , ,

In her 22 years helping seniors move, Charna Kinneberg has encountered all sorts of collections—fine china, shot glasses, baseball cards, Beanie Babies. One of the most memorable: the client with more than 70 Madame Alexander dolls, which sold at auction for $5,000. Another client, with the last name Bell, owned dozens of bells—“crystal bells, porcelain bells, metal bells, all kinds,” Kinneberg says.

Many people loathe moving, but for seniors who are downsizing, sorting through decades of possessions can be both emotionally and logistically challenging. That’s where “senior move managers” like Kinneberg come in.

Click here to read the full story.

What Factors Affect Your Home Insurance Cost?

Posted in Kiplinger'sTagged , , ,

It’s no secret that home insurance costs are rising, in large part due to increased claims from floods or other natural disasters. Prices are also increasing due to industry consolidation and disruption as insurance companies exit whole markets. You’ll need to check your policy more frequently to ensure you get a good deal and enough coverage.

Click here to read the full story.

Mortgage Declined? Here’s What to Do

Posted in Realtor.comTagged , ,

No one likes to be told “no.” (Rejection hurts—we get it.) And having your application for a mortgage declined is particularly devastating, because it throws your entire dream of homeownership into doubt. Still, just because one lender rejects your mortgage application doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to buy a home.

So if you’ve been denied a home loan, the first step is to ask the lender why you had your mortgage declined, to know what you’re up against. Todd Sheinin, mortgage lender and chief operating officer at New America Financial in Gaithersburg, MD, says there are three main reasons why people get rejected.

Click here to read the full story.

What You Can Negotiate When Buying a Home

Posted in Kiplinger'sTagged , ,

Good news, house hunters: Home buyers are getting more negotiating power.

Buyers received concessions from home sellers in 45.5% of home sales by Redfin agents between December 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023. That’s up from 31.1% in February 2022, according to a March 2023 Redfin report. And we’re not just talking about price cuts. As mortgage rates rise and home buyer demand cools, more sellers are picking up closing costs for buyers and footing the bill for home repairs to close deals. 

Still, most buyers don’t know what bargaining chips are on the table. “Many times, home buyers aren’t aware that they can negotiate for things other than a home’s sale price,” says Jason Gelios, a real estate agent at Community Choice Realty in southeast Michigan. 

Click here to read the full story.

10 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Summer Weather

Posted in Kiplinger'sTagged , ,

Summer is around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be a scorcher.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac’s summer 2023 forecast, most regions in the United States can expect warmer-than-average temperatures. Thunderstorms are also on tap for the Southeast and south Central regions of the country, and heavy rainfall is expected in the Central states.

Kiplinger talked to home experts on how to prepare your home for this summer’s weather conditions.

Click here to read the full story.

Save Big By Going Green At Home

Posted in Kiplinger'sTagged , , ,

here has never been a better time to make your home more energy efficient. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law last year, is a game changer for homeowners looking to make green home improvements and save money on utility bills. “It’s a monumental piece of tax legislation” that’s packed with tax credits and deductions, says Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt. 

At the same time, the new law has “a lot for homeowners to parse through, and there are a lot of nuances for what qualifies and what doesn’t qualify for a tax break,” Steber says. 

Click here to read the full story.

10 questions to ask when choosing a day-care provider

Posted in The Washington PostTagged , ,

Looking for a day-care center for your little one? You’re far from alone.

Nearly six out of every 10 children younger than 5 in the United States receive nonparental care, the U.S. Education Department reports. Of that group, 62 percent attend a day-care center.

Finding the right day-care program for your child, though, can be a challenge, especially if you’re a first-time parent who’s unfamiliar with the process. And, depending on where you live, you may have a lot of options, with an estimated 856,238 day-care facilities operating across the United States, according to 2021 estimate by Statista, a market research firm.

Click here to read the full story.

How to Save Money on Pet Costs

Posted in Kiplinger'sTagged , , ,

Seven out of 10 American households own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA)(opens in new tab). And pet costs consume a significant portion of many people’s budgets. Dog and cat owners, for example, spend an average of $111 each month on their animals, according to a recent AskVet(opens in new tab) survey. Some surveys suggest pet costs may be even higher. According to a 2022 Lemonade poll(opens in new tab), pet owners spend an average of $276 on their animals each month.

Multiply the monthly cost by the typical lifespan of your pet, and you’re talking serious money. However, many people “underestimate the lifetime cost of owning a pet,” says Brandi Hunter Munden, a spokeswoman for the American Kennel Club(opens in new tab). “From emergency vet visits to food to doggy bags, these costs add up.” And 26% of pet owners said they were struggling to afford their pet due to inflation, an August LendingTree survey(opens in new tab) found. The good news is there are smart ways to trim your pet’s expenses.

Click here to read the full story.

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter and Lower Your Heating Bills

Posted in Money.comTagged , , ,

Winter is the season for holiday festivities, ice skating and cozying up in front of a fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa. But if your house is not prepared for the elements, the winter cold can take a toll on your home — and your finances.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your house from snow, ice and freezing temperatures and avoid costly repairs.

Click here to read the full story.