#1 : Pay Down Credit Card Debt

If you are like many Americans, reducing or eliminating credit card debt is a top priority this year.  However, every retailer and car dealer out there is already starting to run sales in anticipation of this time of year when you get a little cash in your pocket. Avoid the tricks and stay on track! Paying down your highest rate of debt, which is most definitely your credit cards, frees up available disposable income and feels fantastic!

In the realm of real estate: Cutting out credit card debt creates an awesome snowball effect. Less credit card debt means more cash each month and better credit which often means lower interest on car loans or cash to pay up front for vehicles. This means you’ll be on track for getting your first mortgage, roll into a better home or even snatch up a rental! Best of all—the rates charges on real estate loans are tax deductible. Wonderful!

#2: Start a Savings Plan

Life is full of chances for good. Start this year with a dream and a plan. People who save get better and better at it. Whether it is a down payment for a home or a vacation figure out how much each week you need to save to reach your goal. Earmark your paycheck and deposit twice: FIRST to savings, then your regular account. Mark your calendar to check your progress after 3 months and take a moment to enjoy your progress. Talk about your goal and your successes as you progress.

#3 Create an Emergency Fund

We do not live in a perfect world. Mortgage payments come every month and vehicles are always breaking down. Most Americans change jobs EIGHT times in a lifetime. This means that it is wise to have money set aside for a rainy day. You’ll need at least a three month safety net in these hard economic times. I, and Suze Orman, recommend starting and building this fund even before tackling your credit card debt since job loss, illness and pay freezes are such common stressors-both financially and emotionally!

Do you consider credit cards you’re safety net? Going with a real estate loan is a much better call. A second mortgage often has a low, tax deductible rate with interest-only payments. In good times and bad, a home is often a great emergency fund!  

#5 Pay Your Property Taxes

You’re going to need to pay them anyway and keeping your mortgage payment low can make for a better year. Each month you’ll have extra money to use to reach your goals or if you’re like a lot of homeowners: just keeping up can be difficult at times! I know it is not exciting but having one less bill to worry about can make all the difference in the world when you’re in time of change: job, children or marital status. Worry less and enjoy your home!

#5 Buy Real Estate

By now, you could see this coming! Buying a home or a rental can help take your family’s future to the next level. Paying rent just pays someone else’s mortgage. Did you know studies prove that homeownership is even a factor in better school test scores? Here’s a great example: A $100k home loan has about $10k worth of payments a year, less than $1k a month. Of the $10k, about $5k would be tax deductible vs. a rental for the same price. Add in the deductible property tax and the tax savings are incredible! Do something good for you and yours: buy now while rates are at record lows!

Already have a home? Time to invest: a rental is good choice. It is almost always on a shorter term loan and right now are HOT in Casper. I love selling rentals and watching them build true, honest wealth. It is the only investment you can physically walk in and do something with. Most will take 5-15 years to pay off entirely: imagine when your child is a teen or headed to college and you have extra income? An extra asset compliments your financial portfolio!

That’s it! Now take that return and put it to work for you! I’ve got all kinds of good tricks for saving and investing-wherever you start. Please do not hesitate to put me to work for you! Thank you for reading my thoughts and know I wish you all the best, Rita Parker.

If you are looking to purchase a home in the Casper, Wyoming area we can help you find your dream home. We can help you purchase any property for sale in the Casper area, regardless of who the listing agent is. Use this website to search all listed Homes and Properties for sale in the Casper, WY area.

Regardless of whether you are buying or selling No Place Like Home Real Estate has the experience and resources to help you get the job done!

Please call or e-mail us for all of your real estate needs.

No Place Like Home Real Estate Inc.
Rita Parker, Broker
144 East Midwest Suite 109
Casper, WY 82601
307-234-6659
rita@findyourroadhome.com
www.findyourroadhome.com

•  WE REPRESENT YOUR INTERESTS  Real estate is a tough business, and having a professional whose sole job is to protect your interest is an invaluable asset during a transaction.

•  EXPERIENCE COUNTS  Just like any other business real estate has many ins and outs.  Unlike learning plumbing or building a deck the smallest mistake in a real estate transaction can cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars.  Ouch!!    Setting your home up to sell is like forming a painting-each layer makes it more attartive to buyers: solid pricing, home condition, advertising and marketing all must work together to get buyers in your door!

•  WE COME TO YOU  Real estate is not a job you can do from behind a desk.  We are happy to come to your home for all contract signings and meeting to ensure top of the line customer service and maximum convenience for you

•  ONE CONTACT  Unlike many larger firms, at No Place Like Home the agent YOU choose to represent you will stick with you from listing to closing.  You will not be flubbed off on another agent.

•  $$$$$$$$   We will agressively negotiate for you and your needs to ensure you are receiving the highest possible price on your property.

• MARKETING Marketing a property is a combination of advertising and know how.  No Place Like Home Real Estate LLC provides you the perfect blend of mainstream advertising and outside the box creativity that can save you both money and time on the market.

•  LOCAL, LOCAL, LOCAL  No Place Like Home Real Estate LLC is proudly locally owned and operated in Casper, Wyoming by a Casper native.  Nobody knows a town as well as someone who grew up here and appreciates the local community.

•  CALL RETURN GUARANTEE  We guarantee to return your phone call within 12 hours or the pizza during move out is on us!

•  WE SELL PROPERTIES  Selling is not a luck job; it is a skill job.  No Place Like Home Real Estate LLC takes this responsibility very seriously, and we look forward to working aggressively for you.

Contact me now about your situation and let’s find out if it is the right time for you to sell.

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