Real Estate Archives - Optio Money

The True Cost of Neglect: How Deferred Home Maintenance Creates Money Pits

Real Estate / By Contributing Author / 5 minutes of reading

Have you ever wondered how deferred home maintenance creates money pits? Beyond the surface, there lies a web of hidden costs and consequences that homeowners often underestimate. In this journey, we’ll uncover the true extent of these financial burdens, emphasizing the importance of proactive home care. Discover how vigilance today can save you a fortune tomorrow

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DIY vs. Professional Movers

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 6 minutes of reading

f you are trying to save on expenses, you need to actually make sure what you’re doing is effective! So, let’s look into DIY vs. professional movers: which saves you more money? On the face of it you’d think DIY would be the clear winner. But…

When it comes to moving, the cost of time and labor is a crucial factor to consider. DIY can save you money, but it often requires a significant investment of your time and effort. Depending on the value of your time you might be better off spending the money.

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7 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Real Estate / By Contributing Author / 6 minutes of reading

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if your home was worth more?

While buying or building your home might’ve already cost you a lot, price appreciation could allow it to be worth more than you spent. Regardless of your plan for your home—if you want to sell it in a few years or pass it down to your children when the time comes—increasing your home’s value can be a wise investment.

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Is a Home Warranty a Good Investment?

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 6 minutes of reading

With how much buying a house affects your finances, it’s natural to want to protect that investment. Home warrantees are marketed as one way to secure yourself even if something goes wrong. After all, when you invest in a home, you’re investing a significant portion of your savings, and unexpected repairs or replacements can quickly strain your budget. That is where the role of a home warranty in protecting your investment comes in. They can provide you with a safety net that covers the cost of repairs or replacements of major systems and appliances.

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What Happens to Old Solar Panels?

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 3 minutes of reading

Most solar panels have a 25 -30 year Guaranteed Lifespan. But that doesn’t mean that they no longer produce any electricity at that point. The guarantee says they will still produce X percent of their original rated wattage. Usually, that is something like 85% after 25 years. So, they are still producing well at that point. So what happens to them?

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How Buying a House Affects Your Finances

Real Estate / By Contributing Author / 5 minutes of reading

One of the biggest financial decisions you will have to make in your life will be buying a house. Most people own three homes during their lifetimes with the average first home purchased at the age of 27. Their second home is usually purchased about 5 years later as their family grows. And the final move generally comes around retirement or becoming an empty nester.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Investing in Real Estate

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 6 minutes of reading

Investing in real estate can be good. One of the primary advantages of real estate investing is the leverage. Typically real estate investors borrow the majority of the purchase price so if the real estate appreciates the investor can make many times his/her investment.

However, more critical is having and sticking to a budget. If you tie up too much of your own capital, you can get into financial difficulties before you can start cashing in on your acquired properties, especially if you must do repairs or renovation before the properties become viable. Whether you are planning to sell or rent out your properties, no one would want them if they are in bad condition! In other words, you need to learn how to manage your finances before you start seriously thinking about doing any investing.

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Surprising Ways a Storage Unit Can Save You Money

Real Estate / By Contributing Author / 4 minutes of reading

No matter if you are in the process of moving houses or you want to live a simpler life, storage units are a great option. By renting a unit out, you’ll be able to store your personal or business items in a secured and safe location and won’t have to

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7 Unexpected Costs Of Moving To A New Home

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 6 minutes of reading

No matter how well you plan your budget, unexpected costs of moving to a new home can happen and mess up your plans. However, there are ways to prepare in a way that will keep your move cheap and within your budget. To help you, we’ve composed a list of the most common costs people don’t expect. By knowing what you can expect, you can set funds aside to complete your move without feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

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Is Downsizing Right for You?

Real Estate / By Tim McMahon / 5 minutes of reading

There are a variety of reasons one might choose to downsize. Some do it because it’s easier to maintain smaller homes, while others do it to save significant amounts of money in the long run. Children moving out of the home is a common reason, as well. But, no matter the reason, smaller houses mean smaller bills. That’s a fact. So, if you want to live a simpler life, you may choose to sell some of your furniture and other possessions and move to a smaller home.

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