THINKING OF MAKING EXTRA PAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE?
Do these things first...
Paying extra on your mortgage helps pay it off faster. But before you
start sending your spare change to your mortgage company, consider doing
this with your extra money first:
1. Do you have high-interest credit card debt or loans? You'll
save a lot more by paying down your 16% interest-rate balances than by
paying extra on a home loan that carries a 4% interest rate.
2. How long will you own the house? If plan to sell in
10 years, it doesn’t matter if you own 30% or 70%. What matters is
whether you get a strong return on your investment, which depends on how
much the home’s value has risen. You may be better off rolling your
payment into an investment account with an 8% return than a home with a
3% return.
3. Are you contributing fully to your investment account at work? Your
retirement account likely offers a higher rate of return than you’re
paying for your mortgage. Maximize your work benefits first, especially
if your employer matches.
4. Will the stock market be a better investment than your mortgage? If
you only have enough to do one or the other, talk to a financial
advisor about the return you would get if you invested extra payments
for 20 years instead of paying the mortgage faster.
THE ART OF BEING COZY IN DREARY WINTER WEATHER
Seasonal depression affects millions of North Americans every year. This
winter may be even more difficult as the pandemic lingers on, forcing
us to spend more time inside. So for everyone who suffers from low
sunlight doldrums, here's a dose of Scandinavian advice called “hygge,”
which translates as "a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality
that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being."
Use
lighting to simulate summer environments. Candles and twinkly fairy
lights offer a sense of sitting outside, enjoying a warm evening...even
if you're inside looking out (or put them inside). Sunlight lamps in
your bedroom can help you get up in the morning with a sense of
sunshine all around you.
Create
a vibrant color room. This is your bright, cheerful space to read, have
coffee, talk with friends (even if it's just on Zoom). Add mood
lighting and fun artifacts.
If
possible, purchase a heat lamp, portable hot tub, portable fireplace,
or other heat source you can use outdoors. Being warm while it's cold
and dreary out can make you feel better.
Laugh a lot more than usual. See my article at the bottom of this newsletter!
15 IDEAS FOR DECORATING A STUDIO APT
Small
spaces are growing in popularity. But how do you make a small space
look bigger...and be more functional? From using your higher wall space
(and even the ceiling space) to artfully adding room dividers, there are
ways to make studios look and be more livable. See these 15 ideas for decorating a studio apartment.
INTERNATIONAL
HOUSE-HUNTING FOR FUN
If you're an International House Hunters junky,
you binge on the travel dreams of others. You might also start thinking
about joining them. If you'd like to see what's currently for sale in
those locations try Realtor.com/International. For more off-the-wall locales, search by "LOCATION + real estate for sale." Have fun! Let me know if you need me to sell your house.
WIN A $5 GIFT CARD
It's easy to play! Just send your answer to the question below. Correct entries are entered into a monthly drawing.
If a red brick house is red, and a blue brick house is blue, and a yellow brick house is yellow, what color is a green house?
Last month's Q&A:A man was born on January 1st, 23 B.C. and died January 2nd, 23 A.D. How old did he live to be? 45 years old.
Story: LOVE IS A DECISION YOU MAKE
This is an old story, but I like it so much I wanted to share it again for Valentine's Day. Enjoy!
While I was waiting to pick up a college buddy at the airport, a man
pulling a baggage cart walked out of the terminal. He stopped near me to
greet his family.
His daughter ran to him, and he gave her a big a bear hug. When they
pulled back, he looked into her face and said, “It’s so good to see you,
sweetie. You're so smart and beautiful, aren't you?” She beamed at him.
Meanwhile, his young son was squirming and jumping up and down, waiting
for his turn. The man picked him up and said, “Look at how energetic you
are." He hugged him and looked him in the eye, saying, "I love you so
much!” Then he put his son down and said, “Now, I’ve saved the best for
last!” He proceeded to give his wife a passionate kiss, and silently
mouthed. “I love you, babe!”
I felt as if I was invading something sacred, but I had to ask, "How long have you been away?"
"Two whole days," said the main, still gazing at his wife.
“Wow!" I said. "I hope when I have a family, we're as loving as you are together."
The man suddenly turned and looked me in the eye and said, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!”
4 HEALTHY REASONS TO MAKE YOURSELF LAUGH
EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT
Not everyone needs a reason to laugh. But even if nothing is funny right
now, it pays to find a reason to laugh on purpose. Watch a comedy, read
jokes, watch puppy videos, share stories with friends, or just force
yourself to laugh. Why? Because laughing doesn't just feel good, it
makes you healthier.
Laughter boosts your immune system.
The act of laughing decreases epinephrine and cortisol, reducing
stress, promoting relaxation, and improving circulation. Deep belly
laughter is positively linked to the lymphatic and immune systems.
Laughing makes you happy. If
you laugh, you get happier. When you laugh, endorphins are released
into the blood stream. These natural pain relievers promote a sense of
relaxation and well-being. That means laughter therapy (making yourself
laugh) can make you feel happier, even if you're not feeling
particularly like laughing.
Laughing helps your heart. Studies
of Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) demonstrate that deep
sucking breaths helps our blood flow and stimulate beneficial hormones.
Laughter is one way to create deep breathing naturally. (Exercise is
another way.)
Laughing makes you more attractive.
Laughing encourages our smile muscles. That makes our faces brighter,
more welcoming. Which in turn makes us more social, more approachable,
and more effective with other people.
Contact me to iron out your real estate plans for 2021
