Here is another infographic you can use for a social media or blog post targeting potential contacts! This time on expectations vs reality in real estate! Feel free to share this image wherever you like, download it right below the image!
Right from the beginning - expectations on pricing can be really tricky. If selling a home; one may add their emotional value to the price-tag and want to list at a price outside of the market range. If buying a home; one may be unrealistic about their budget! These are hard expectations to come to terms with and the reality is that an agent can help competitively price a home and also look for homes within a realistic budget!
Speaking of selling a home - the expectation is that selling a home means a chunk of change in the pocket. While this is nice in theory, selling a home can cost a good amount of money when closing costs, staging, etc. are thrown into the mix.
A really difficult expectation vs reality is the one placed on the agent themselves. Agents need work/life balance as well. Working hours outside of 9-5, doesn't make them at anyone's beck and call. Agents do want to help however, and will do the best they can! Respecting a professionals time is always the right move.
Perhaps the expectation that is hardest to deal with is finances. Especially when it comes to buying, finances can cause a lot of frustration. If one has a large down payment OR great credit score; it may not be enough to get them a home. A lot of times buyers need both great credit and a sizeable down payment - this reality can be harsh.
All in all, it's important to be clear on the realities of real estate!
Here is another infographic you can use for a social media or blog post targeting potential contacts! How to retire without rent is hard to do! Feel free to share this image wherever you like, it can be downloaded right below the image!
Retiring without crippling debt is a goal everyone has. This can be easier said than done when maintaining a mortgage or rent.
Typical Planning
The average American adult retires at sixty-seven years of age. Depending on an individuals career and financial situation - this might seem like an unattainable goal. People need to work in order to maintain their lifestyle and one of the biggest expenses at any stage of life is housing. In order to retire, one must be able to sustain their lives without working and this can be really hard to do.
Social security payments go to the majority of those who retire and equate to a little under $1500 per month. These payments allow one's retirement account to not dwindle too quickly. The average 401k account balance is $190,000 in total. This may seem like a large chunk of money - but in actuality will not get anyone very far. This balance comes out to a little over $350 a month, which obviously won't cover a housing payment or anything like that.
These numbers pale in comparison to the average monthly mortgage payment of $1322. The age of 34 is when people become homeowners typically and their jobs cover their mortgage payments! This is great until one retires and the average monthly income is barely over eighteen-hundred dollars. This means that almost all of the monthly income of one who is able to retire goes towards a mortgage - which means that they can't really retire at all.
Planning ahead is key when it comes to retiring worry free!