Living Life in Real Estate

  Renting but dreaming of homeownership? Here's how to save for that down payment: Set a savings goal: Determine how much you need and when you want to achieve it. Create a budget: Track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back. Automate savings: Set up automatic transfers to your savings account each month. Increase income: Look for opportunities to earn extra money through side gigs or freelance work. Reduce housing costs: Consider downsizing to a more affordable rental or finding roommates to share expenses. Minimize debt/expenses: Pay down debt and avoid unnecessary expenses to free up more money for savings. Ready to turn your renting days into homeownership? Let's get started today! #downpaymentsavings #budgetingtips #debtreduction #financialgoals #homeownershipdreams #mortgageplanning

 Living in South Mississippi provides many opportunities to see unique things.  Halloween is just 3 months away, so start planning ahead on what you want to do to take advantage of the area.  I'm going to list a few suggestions, but watch the events section of the newspapers (Stone County Enterprise, Sun Herald) or events on Facebook for more ideas.  I am not paid by any of these suggestions. One idea is the Historic Ghost Cemetery Walking Pub Crawl of Bay St Louis by Mystic Ghost Riders.  This walking tour runs daily except Monday and Tuesday, but I think it would be great to do around Halloween.  It is $29 per adult.  It is a guided walk and you can enjoy drinks if you choose to.  Some of the stops include the Train Depot, The Cedar Rest Cemetery, Century Hall, and the Hancock County Courthouse.  Tour starts at the Blind Tiger in Bay St Louis.  For more information go to https://mysticghostrides.com/ghost-tours/ghost-and-cemetery-...

The primary theme of this blog is real estate, so let's get started by talking about one aspect of homeownership.  I have lived in my current home for almost 17 years.  I have previously owned homes in two different states.  I lived in one for three years and the other for four years.  Both sales were due to moving out of state for jobs.   How long does the general public live in their homes? Some things to consider: Homeowners must stay in their primary residence for 2 years out of 5 years to avoid capital gains taxes. (There are other requirements to avoid capital gains taxes so do that research or consult an accountant).  Dave Ramsey (and I'm sure other financial experts) suggest getting a 15 year fixed APR loan.  Would this mean that homeowners tend to stay in their homes longer than 15 years? According to the National Association of Realtors" (NAR) blog for 2018 stats, homeowners in south Mississippi - Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula area stay a...