Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?

Dear Friend,                                                                                                                 August, 2019

     

Do you want to pay off your home mortgage before the term is up? And should you? In today’s Service For Life! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn both the pros and cons to consider before making the decision.

 

You’ll also learn how to set up an ergonomically friendly workspace, tips for flying with the whole family, and how to get started with the de-cluttering process – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more.  But first .....

Some Good News!  Interest Rates…

 

Yes, they shot up last year, and that slowed some things up.  But since then, interest rates have dropped. As a matter of fact, we are at the lowest rate in three years! 

 

This does two things.  It helps buyers, not just from the first-time buyer, but also the second and third time buyer who currently owns a house and has to put it on the market.  And the second thing it does is, people who had a low interest rates on their home, and maybe thought, "I’m not going to sell right now" or "I don’t want to lose my low interest rate", will have that opportunity now,  because they still can buy their house at a very low below 4% interest rate.

 

Of course, like every other "window of opportunity", this, too, will disappear at some point, so if you are thinking of making a move, make sure you take advantage of these low interest rates before they're gone! 

 

Call Austin & Lynn..... and Start Packing!   :-)

 

 And if you or anyone you know is thinking of making a move, buying or selling a home, please call or text us at (480) 734-8781 with their name and phone number, so we can provide them with the same expert market knowledge and high level of customer service we are known for! 

 

 We truly appreciate your friendship and referrals. Enjoy your issue!

Warmest regards,

 

Austin Goodale & Lynn Goodale

480.734.8781          602.799.7099

Goodale Realty Team at JK Realty

  

P.S. When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the Free Special Reports we provide?  They may be people wanting to move closer to work, downsize for retirement, or relocate for a job and need to sell their home -- tell them about our Free Special Report: “Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.”  You'll do them a great favor because this guide shows how they can net the most money from their home in the least amount of time. To request a FREE copy, call 1-844-311-4598 "24/7" and select Special Report #7000 

 

WARNING: Don’t even think of selling your home without our Free Special Report,“Avoid  These 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.” For your FREE copy, call 1-844-311-4598 & Select Special Report #7000


August, 2019

Serving All East Valley Cities


 

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Pros and Cons: Paying Your Mortgage Off Early

    

            Is it better to pay off the mortgage on your home early so you can live free and clear of home ownership debt? Or is it better to make scheduled payments in full and on time, but not bother rushing through the payment process? Here are a few things to consider when making the decision.

 

Why would you want to pay off the mortgage early?

  • Large debts can be emotionally draining.
  • Mortgage lenders are making lots of money at your expense.
  • There are other costs associated with having a mortgage, like private mortgage insurance, that can add up.
  • Paying off a mortgage early offers financial security and flexibility to put money toward other expenses.

Okay, I’m interested! But how do I do it?

  • Refinance to a lower interest rate, which can drop interest payments.
  • Refinance to a shorter loan time frame. Your monthly payment may increase, but if you pay more each month for a shorter period of time, you’ll pay the loan off faster, build equity faster, and save on interest payments.
  • Make a lump-sum payment toward the principal (such as with a tax refund) — but make sure you won’t be hit with a prepayment penalty before you do.
  • Pay a little more each month. Consider rounding up your payments so you’re paying a bit extra on the principal.

Hold up! There are a few reasons NOT to pay your mortgage off early.

  • Before paying off your mortgage, focus on other finances. You need a significant emergency fund (6-12 months of living expenses) and should pay into a retirement account. Also, pay down any high-interest debt before getting ahead on the mortgage: credit cards, student loans, and other sizable debt.
  • Money spent paying down mortgage can’t be spent elsewhere. For example, done intelligently, investing in the stock market is likely to result in a higher financial return than paying off a home mortgage loan.
  • You might lose a tax break. You might be able to deduct interest paid on your mortgage, which reduces your annual taxable income (review recent tax changes, as more people are now just claiming the standard deduction).

 Get FREE Money Saving Home tips at www.SearchHomesInGilbertAZ.com

Curious About Our GUARANTEED Home Sale Program?
If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, call 1-844-311-4598 to request Free Special Report #7022, “How To Avoid Getting Stuck With 2 Homes -- Or None At All” This report will be your secret weapon to avoid the classic real estate "Catch 22" quandry.

Word of the Month…

Studies have shown your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)…

 

Digital detox (Di-ji-tal dee-tox) noun

Meaning: a period of time when a person chooses to refrain from using digital devices

Sample Sentence: She decided to take a digital detox while on vacation and not check her social media accounts.

Chil-i Out

Do you know the difference between chile powder and chili powder? Chile powder is made of dried chile peppers, ground with no other additions. Chili powder blends chile peppers with other spices like cumin and oregano (for making chili).

 

Smart Clothes Shopping

How many clothing items in your closet do you actually wear? Avoid falling into fast fashion trends with these tips:

-Invest in high-quality clothing with better materials and production.

-Buy clothing that fits or have it tailored properly so you actually wear it.

-Buy clothes that you’ll realistically wear and that look good on your body type now (not the one you wish you had or used to have).

-Care for clothing with proper washing, ironing, and storage.

A Sad Show

Q: Why did the theater cry?

A: Because it had tiers.

Quotes To Live By…

“I have lost friends, some by death, others through sheer inability to cross the street.”    –Virginia Woolf

 

“You may catch more flies with honey than vinegar, but you’ll get them to work harder if you use a flyswatter.”                Jerry Lewis

 

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Get An Ergonomic Workspace

 

            A sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health. Unfortunately, office jobs require we spend many of our waking hours sitting. Do the next best thing to a stand-up desk and support your body by creating an ergonomically friendly workspace.

 

At your workspace:

  • Support your back. Adjust the back of your chair so it fits your body shape. Add extra lower back support if needed so your back rests comfortably against the chair.
  • Properly position the keyboard. Elbows should be at the sides of the body when sitting properly in your chair and typing on the keyboard. Avoid leaning forward to reach the keyboard.
  • Place the computer screen at eye level. Avoid strain on the neck by placing the top of the computer screen right at the level of your eyes. If you work on a laptop, this means you’ll need to boost the height of the laptop and get an external keyboard to type on.
  • Rest your elbows at 90 degrees. The office chair should have arm supports so your elbows rest at a 90-degree angle. Without arm supports, you’ll likely end up hunching your shoulders.

 

If you have the ability to choose your own office chair, look for these ergonomic features:

  • An adjustable seat. When sitting in the chair, feet should be flat on the floor. Thighs should be horizontal, and arms even with the desk height.
  • Appropriate width and depth. Make sure you can sit comfortably with your back against the backrest and 2-4 inches between the backs of the knees and seat of the chair.
  • Comfortable, padded, breathable material.
  • Lumbar support for the lower back.
  • Adjustable armrests.

Check out current property listings on www.SearchHomesInGilbertAZ.com

How to Sell High When Selling Your Home

 

     When you sell your home, setting your asking price is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Here's why: Price is often the first thing a buyer sees -- it is often your home's "first impression" -- and many buyers will pass by homes sight unseen if they are not priced appropriately -- so it is imperative that you make a good first impression. But ... it's not as easy as it sounds --pricing too high can be as costly to a homeseller, as pricing too low -- and looking at what homes in your neighborhood have sold for is only a small part of the best pricing strategy. So what's a seller to do?

     Glad you asked! Industry insiders have created a new Special Report entitled "Homesellers: How to Get the Price You Want (and Need!)" to help you understand critical pricing strategy from three different angles, so you can price your home to not only sell, but sell for the price you want & need.  To order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-844-311-4598 and enter #7016 -- call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  And if you know someone planning to sell in the coming months, tell them to get this Report!

 

Brain Teaser

Feed me and it gives me life. Give me a drink of water and I will die. 
What am I?

 (See page 4 for the answer.)

 

What’s My Home Worth?

Call us to conduct a Maximum Value Home Audit. Request this “no charge” in-depth home value analysis by calling us at 602-799-7099

To Refrigerate...Or Not?

Many condiments state “refrigerate after opening” on their labels. But what actually needs to be refrigerated?

 

YES:

-Mayonnaise – Anything with egg as an ingredient goes to the fridge!

-Ketchup – Quality suffers if it’s kept unrefrigerated.

-Maple syrup

-Salad dressings (if they contain any vegetable matter)

 

NO:

-Anything high in acids or salt like hot sauces, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and mustard. However, store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.

-Honey

-Nut butters

Newsfeed Websites

Instead of visiting dozens of websites every day, use an online news feed to curate, sort, and read your favorite sites all in one place. You can select your favorite topics- and usually can add sites or stories from your browser to read later. These three have apps you can use on your phone, too!

 

www.feedly.com – Sort and manage up to 100 different news sources in the free version.

 

www.newsblur.com – Curate up to 64 sites in the free version and share content with friends.

 

www.inoreader.com – Offers an uncluttered, easy way to view all your news sources.

Stress-Free Family Flying

 

            Traveling is a great way to build memories with your family — if done thoughtfully. Last month we offered general family travel tips. This month we take to the skies. Buckle up!

 

  • Board early. Most airlines invite families to board first, so take advantage to get settled in.
  • Avoid busy airports and peak travel times. Mid-week, early and mid-mornings, and late at night are good options.
  • Come prepared with entertainment. Pack coloring books, games, crayons, stuffed animals, movies on a portable DVD player, and anything else that might keep your kids busy.
  • Pack your carry-on bag with an assumed 48-hour delay. This means you’ve got a change of clothes, diapers, and enough to entertain the whole family should your original travel plans be thrown off track. Bring your own snacks as well.
  • Avoid unnecessary stops. If possible, fly straight to your destination.
  • Choose seats that let you keep a bag within arm’s reach. This means avoiding the bulkhead seats, even if they have extra room.

 Ready, Set, De-Clutter: Part 1

 

            Who said spring cleaning should only happen once a year? Any time is a good time to declutter … but where to start and how to do it well? This month, get in the right frame of mind. Next month, we’ll tackle the bedroom!

 

Before you begin:

  • Set aside time to focus on decluttering.
  • Avoid buying anything new for your home during the decluttering process.
  • Think about what you want the space to look like after decluttering. Throughout the process, revisit this vision.

 

Next:

  • Choose an area that causes the most stress or an area that impacts your daily life.
  • Start with visible surfaces like desktops and tables, then tackle hidden places like drawers and cabinets.
  • Re-evaluate and reorganize large items like furniture.
  • Deal with each item, and make sure there is a proper place for everything.

See the 10 Best Buys at www.EastValleyBestBuyHotList.com

Lost A Loved One?...

Our hearts go out to you -- our parents passed last year, their memory is still fresh -- not just the grief we feel, but also the practical questions, "Now what?" & how to handle the estate, insurance, accounts, creditors, & so on. If you or someone you know has lost a loved one, and has an estate to deal with, send us their name and number so we can provide them with information & resources to help them through this difficult time. 

Thanks For Thinking of Us!

Did you know we can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping us in mind with your referrals…and for spreading the word about our services!

Brain Teaser Answer:

Fire

College Visits 101

Class is in session! How to get that almost-collegiate ready for college visits:

- Visit during the school year. That way you can get a feel for the actual vibe of campus life.

- Make a visitation plan. Before hitting campus, check to see if there are tours at certain times, and make appointments with professors, coaches, or student club officers in advance instead of just dropping in.

- Grab the student newspaper. What are the hot topics on campus? Are students’ concerns being addressed?

- Explore the facilities. Don’t forget to stop by the student union building, gym, and cafeteria. Ask if you can tour a dorm.

- Don’t feel pressured to go. Visiting in advance is not a requirement!

THANK YOU for reading our

Service For Life!® personal newsletter. We wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome.

AND…whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to call and say “Hi,” we’d love to hear from you…

 

Austin & Lynn Goodale

Goodale Realty Team at JK Realty

602-799-7099

[email protected]

Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.

Real Estate Corner…

 

Q.  I’m seeking financing to purchase a home.  What questions should I ask a mortgage lender to get the best deal on a home loan?

 

A. Before you meet with the lender, learn important financing terms such as origination fee, discount points, and lock period.  This way you’ll be prepared to ask relevant questions. Here are some examples:

 

  • Will I be charged an origination fee?  If so, how much?
  • Will I be charged separate discount points?  If so, how much?
  • Will I be charged any of these separate fees:  processing, document preparation, underwriting, tax service, or flood certification?
  • Will there be additional fees at closing?
  • Is there a lock period with this loan?  If so, how long?
  • Are there any penalties if I pay off the note early?
  • What is the interest rate I’ll be charged, and is it fixed or variable?
  • What term (length) of loan provides the best payment for my budget?

For definitions of these terms and more financing tips, ask for our Free Special Report called “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home.”  We’ll send a copy right to you.

     

            Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership?  Please call us at 602-799-7099.  Perhaps we’ll feature your question in our next issue!

 

Find Out What The Home Down The Street Sold For Call 1-844-311-4598 ID# 7041

Avoid These 6 Costly Errors When

Moving to a Larger Home

 

A new report has just been released which identifies the 6 most common costly mistakes that homebuyers make when moving to a larger home. When you're looking to move-up, & already own a home, it can be complicated -- sell first? Or buy first? It's critical for you to understand these issues before you list your home for sale. 

 

Not only is there the issue of financing to consider, but you also have to sell your present home at exactly the right time, in order to avoid the Real Estate "Catch 22" situation of either owning and paying for two homes until yours sells, or, worse, the dilemma of selling your home before you have a new home to move to -- no place to live during the gap between closings.   

 

In answer to this issue, Industry Insiders have prepared a FREE Special Report entitled "6 Mistakes to Avoid When Trading Up to a Larger Home."  To hear a brief recorded message and order your FREE copy of this report call toll-free 1-844-311-4598 and enter 7007. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.