Making Retirement Dreams a Reality

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Making Retirement Dreams a Reality

So is retirement wishful thinking or reality? Shaky finances could derail future retirees’ dreams. After all, Baby Boomers have saved just $164,000 (estimated median) in all household retirement accounts.

Here are some suggestions to turn that dream into reality.

Create a budget. Include income, living expenses, paying off debt, and financial goals – building towards long-term retirement goals.

Have a financial plan. Start saving for retirement and save consistently. Avoid taking additional loans and early withdrawals from retirement accounts.

Participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans. Take full advantage of matching employer contributions and defer as much money as possible.

Housing needs. When the family was growing you may have needed that 3, 4, or 5 bedroom home. But do you need it now? Maybe your new retirement lifestyle warrants a change. Maybe a nice, smaller house or townhome with no yard work and minimal exterior maintenance makes better sense. Freeing your time to travel, spend more time with family and friends, and enjoy your favorite hobbies. Call Tim to help guide you through your downsizing decision.

To make your housing retirement dreams a reality, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, SRES, Global Luxury Home Specialist.  BRE #01224576

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www.TimBroHomes.com

5 Tips for Buyers in a Tight Housing Market

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

5 Tips for Buyers in a Tight Housing Market

When inventory is low, multiple offers tend to increase home prices. Attempting to purchase a home in this market can be overwhelming. With the right choice in proactive agents, it will happen to your satisfaction!!!  Get through this home buying process by following this process:

1.    Determine and stick to your budget. Obtain an approval letter from your lender to verify your loan amount. Take into account additional costs of ownership. Costs such as taxes, utilities and insurance should be taken into consideration when determining your payment budget.

2.    Identify desired neighborhoods and home “wants” versus “needs”. When housing inventory is tight, buyers may need to compromise on what they believe they want from a home. Certain “wants”, such as stainless appliances or hardwood floors, can be added later. However, if a buyer “needs” to be in a specific neighborhood for work or school purposes, or have a certain sized backyard, those cannot be addressed later and must be taken into account during the house hunting process.

3.    Be ready to make a decision. Desirable homes rarely stay on the market long in a seller’s market. Do not hesitate to make the offer. Do your homework, then act quickly and decisively to secure the property that is your next home.

4.    Your offer. Share with your agent your questions and concerns and get those things answered upfront. Your agent will contact the seller or seller’s agent and determine the seller’s hot buttons and get answers for you. Review those things together, while keeping in mind your wants and needs. Be flexible with things like move-in dates, contingencies, and services chosen.  Then have your agent review the best strategy for you and write the offer – NOW!   Don’t wait or you may lose the property.

5.    Work with Tim Bro. It’s important to work with the right realtor who is experienced and knowledgeable in this type of market. Tim has an excellent reputation and 20 years of experience in the real estate business.

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, “The Right Choice in Real Estate”.

When Real Estate Matters, contact Tim.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.US

Budget Accommodations for Senior Travelers

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Budget Accommodations for Senior Travelers

                                     

Perhaps your desire to travel is great, but your budget to tackle your bucket list is minimal. That’s ok. If you are willing to be a little less conventional in your approach to travel, you can still save money while getting a more authentic experience.

Some of the best options for seniors include:

Hostels – No, they aren’t just for backpacking 20-somethings who have left home to “find” themselves. Many overseas hostels are immaculate, loaded with amenities, offer private rooms with bathrooms. Learn more about www.Hostelworld.com and www.Hostels.com.

House sitting gigs – Homeowners often look for older, more mature individuals to do house sitting. This can be one way for seniors to travel on the cheap. Resources to learn more include www.TrustedHousesitters.com, www.Housecarers.com and www.HouseSitMatch.com.

House swapping – For people who own their own home and are willing to “swap” with someone in order to travel without incurring hotel and lodging fees, this may be a great option. Check our opportunities at www.HomeExchange.com and HomeBaseHolidays (www.Homebase-hols.com).

Adventures – Enjoy a full immersion experience in another culture through a variety of travel styles by booking through one of these sites geared to adventurous explorers: www.IntrepidTravel.com, www.Gadventures.com, www.Wildland.com and www.MythsandMountains.com.

Volunteer – One way to travel for free (or at very low cost) is to volunteer in your area(s) of expertise. Visit www.Idealist.org for thousands of opportunities in exotic locations. Imagine helping out in a wildlife sanctuary in Brazil, at an orphanage in Tanzania, for a community development program in Uganda or conservation programs in Costa Rica. All these and many more are listed on the site.

So, regardless of your budget, there is a way to go forth and see the world!

To get started with your home sale or purchase, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, “The Right Choice in Real Estate”.

When Real Estate Matters, contact Tim.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.US

Find a House That Meets Your Budget

Real Estate Matters with Tim Bro

Find a House that Meets Your Budget

Finding your dream home can be difficult for many reasons, one of which is that your budget often restricts your choices. Keeping a healthy budget coupled with strategic house-hunting practices can yield the best possible property that not only fits your personal budget, but also meets your lifestyle needs.

You can’t make a budget if you don’t know how much you make and spend every month. Sit down and write the hard numbers. Are you mortgaging a house as a single buyer or as a couple? The implications of each option are noteworthy and can greatly impact your finances in the long run. You’ll want to have a wide positive margin between your income and expenses if you are to pay off your monthly mortgage premiums successfully.

To get started with your next home purchase, call Tim @ 858-354-2354, “The Right Choice in Real Estate”.

When Real Estate Matters, contact Tim.  BRE #01224576

www.youtube.com/c/TimBroHomesUS

www.TimBroHomes.US

5 Ways to Start Saving without Feeling the Pinch

Saving money for your first home in San Diego, California can be a challenge. Especially, when your sole focus is on paying the bills. Tim Brodowski's insights reveal there are at least five ways to get savings underway, no matter your circumstances:

Start a Budget Based on Fact, Not Fantasy – The first step toward a workable budget (and savings plan) is knowing where your money goes. For 30 days, track every single daily expense, from paying the gas bill to picking up the dry cleaning to the ice cream cones you bought for the kids. Once you’ve added it all up, compare the total to your income.

Find and Trim the Fat – What can you live without? Cut any services you really don’t need – the all-inclusive cable plan, a rarely-used gym membership, a morning latte every day on the way to work.

Save Your Change – Get into the habit of emptying your pocket or purse each night into a piggy bank. You’ll never miss it, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the change adds up.

Boost Your Income – There are many ways to make extra pocket money these days, from getting a part-time job, to selling items on eBay, to participating in a paid online survey. You may even be able to channel your talents—photography, ad writing, ride sharing, Babysitting—into a lucrative sideline.

Start with an Emergency Fund – Place your initial savings into an emergency fund. The emergency fund should be sufficient to cover all expenses for a period of at least 6 months. Determine a safe balance to work toward—once you’ve met that balance, move your savings into an interest-bearing account.

Contact Your Personal Real Estate Consultant Tim Brodowski, Realtor, at 858-354-2354. Serving San Diego residents for almost 2 decades. BRE #01224576