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Buyers usually pay a big premium for brand new homes, but not these days. The price gap between a new home versus an existing home is near historical lows....
There’s a rule a lot of people grew up hearing: pay off your mortgage before you retire. It sounds clean, simple, responsible. But these days, more retirees are walking into their golden years w...
I’m a 64-year-old single male living alone in the house I inherited from my mother. It’s in a nice area, and while the house is in good shape, it’s starting to feel too big for just ...
Buy a second home now, or wait until retirement? It depends....
Buying a home is still one of the smartest financial decisions someone can make, if it’s done right. It’s not just about owning property, it’s about protecting your budget now and bu...
Now is the time to discuss estate planning with your loved ones to ensure the Great Wealth Transfer is efficient, tax-aware and in line with your legacy goals — not Uncle Sam's....
Real estate income isn’t just for landlords. There are plenty of hands-off ways to make money. Some of these real estate strategies you can even manage from your phone. ? Click or scroll through...
From housing to health care, see how flying solo in retirement can stretch your funds further....
Bad things can happen when you're unprepared, such as big-time taxes and family turmoil. Generational planning can help protect the people you love. Here's some expert advice to help you out....
I’ve been in real estate long enough to see what happens when homeowners ignore routine maintenance. A loose pipe, a foggy window, a slow leak, none of it feels urgent until it wrecks your budge...
Regularly updating your financial and health care power of attorney documents ensures they reflect your current intentions and circumstances. It's also important to clearly communicate your wishes to ...
Your home is probably your biggest asset, so if you're getting a divorce, the stakes are high. Keep it? Sell it? You need to have a good plan in place for how to handle it....
Most people recognize that owning real estate is one of the most powerful investments you can make. But few realize ... Read more...
Ralph and Alice in Monument, Colorado have $4.6 million dollars saved at ages 63 and 58. Should they do Roth conversions? How do they avoid IRMAA? Mary Jo in Escondido, California wonders if she shoul...
Estate planning isn't just about distributing assets. Working with a financial adviser can ensure you've considered the big picture — and the finer details....
One of the most overlooked risks in real estate investing isn’t rising interest rates, leverage, or even tenant issues—it’sexecution fear. You run the numbers. The property checks al...
For a long time, the American Dream meant something simple: buy a home, raise a family, earn more than your parents did, and maybe retire before your knees give out. That story used to be believable, ...
My wife and I have been married for 28+ years, and one of the reasons is that we split everything down the middle. I worked for about 40 years, while she became a stay-at-home mom in 1996. Now that we...
Are rising HOA fees derailing your second home dreams? Annual dues, insurance premiums, and taxes are rising, boosting total ownership costs. Here's what you can do....
When my son was born in 2017, I decided to focus on being a stay-at-home dad (SAHD). Every early childhood development book I read emphasized that the first five years are the most critical for a chil...
Surprise! Fritz here. I know I said I was retiring from full-time blogging, but we’ve just started a two-month home expansion project (a 700 sq ft addition), and our house […] The post My...
There’s growing discussion of “social” housing as part of the solution to the ongoing housing crisis. While it can have various meanings,social housingis essentially public or subsid...
You may fantasize about RV living or owning a cabin in the mountains or by the beach. Both options can be affordable and fun, but kick the tires first!...
Using an independent agent for auto and home insurance gives you a different channel for lower premiums. It's worth a try. Learn the Nuts and Bolts I put everything I use to manage my money in a book....
Your will and estate plan should leave your heirs feeling loved. An expert weighs in on how to avoid family feuds after you're gone....
We need to keep the lines of communication with our clients open so that we can anticipate and help them navigate issues that arise over time....
I live in a wonderful home in a great neighborhood. I am single and property values have exploded making it hard for young people to buy even a starter home. It’s zoned a double lot so there is ...
Two-thirds of Americans don't have an estate plan. If you're one of them, these are the essential steps to take now to prevent problems for your family later....
Combining a reverse mortgage known as a HECM with a QLAC (qualifying longevity annuity contract) can provide longevity protection, tax savings and liquidity for unplanned expenses....
I have tried to post previously, but my posts haven’t gotten approved. I’m not sure if the content of this one will be allowed. However, what I am looking for is specific input from single...
Estate planning attorney notes how emojis are crossing over from casual conversation to litigation. What was once dismissed as 'just an emoji' is now carefully scrutinized....
Here are free tools to add an advance directive for dementia to your estate plan. These directives detail your preferred medical care for each stage of dementia....
Estate planning is more than just writing a will. These are the documents you'll need in order to protect your family if you're seriously injured or worse....
I live in Cleveland. I work in South Dakota. I travel all the time. Here's how and why I've planned my work life to be so far from home. The post Why I Designed My Life Working Part-Time 931 Miles fro...
My husband just retired at 71. I (63) hope to work several more years - I really love my job. We just put an offer in on a house that is older (1828), larger and on a much bigger lot than our current ...
Homebuilders pulled back some projects this spring, but many are hoping that a pause on higher tariffs on China will bring more certainty on supplies and prices....
You’ve probably seen the clips, Grant Cardone or someone similar pacing on stage, telling you to pull money out of your 401(k) to buy real estate. He makes it sound bold. Like you’re takin...
Husband and I are in the process of beginning to get serious about moving in a few months. We already have a realtor, know the area we'll be going to (same state, just closer to family) and will be us...
If you want a house that looks sharp without draining your bank account, you don’t need a full remodel. A few smart updates can make your home feel fresh, modern, and dialed in, without the hass...
Not everyone wants to sit still in retirement. It sounds relaxing, until prices go up, healthcare surprises you, or boredom kicks in. That’s why more retirees are figuring out ways to stay busy ...
Various kinds of workers are available to help a loved one stay at home. It's necessary to distinguish what each level of worker is trained to do before you hire anyone....
Today we answer a question from Peter about what happens when a parent dies with a fully planned estate that avoids probate — and how the Small Estate Affidavit process works in practice. We dis...
In our latest Ask the Editor round-up, Joy Taylor, The Kiplinger Tax Letter Editor, answers questions on gifts, the estate tax and stepped-up basis upon death....
How retirees can use reverse mortgages or HELOCs to unlock tax-free income, preserve portfolios, and boost financial flexibility in uncertain markets....
Two bills supported by both ICI and IRI among two dozen being considered by House Financial…...
Answering reader questions about how to know if a real estate deal is too good to be true, the importance of doing thorough due diligence before investing in any real estate deal, and whether all-in-o...
I believe that housing is expensive because too many people are skipping the first step. Starter homes used to be how you got in the game. Now everyone wants their dream house on the first try, and th...
When you decide to sell a house, you might encounter a preemptive offer—a bid that arrives before you list publicly on the open market or reach your set offer due date. This scenario often unfol...
In the final installment of our 3-part estate planning series, we dive into one of the most overlooked—but critically important—aspects of planning: protecting your heirs’ inheritanc...
FROM THE ARTICLE: Pressing Need Understood: Making Housing More Affordable. 2025 AARP National Survey of Adults Ages 50 and Older. By Joanne Binette, AARP Research. Published May 20, 2025. Lack of aff...