It doesn’t matter how old you are someday you will hopefully retire. According to Pew Research Center, there are 75 million baby boomers in the United States and retirement is coming quick or may already be here. So if you are a boomer or just thinking about retirement and feeling like you are not prepared there is still time to get on the right track. Here is a retirement checklist to help get you started:
Know how much you need to live
The first step in planning for retirement is to know how much money you will need to live. Make a list of all of your expenses and your sources of income. If your costs outweigh your guaranteed income you may need to reevaluate your costs.
Rethink your retirement savings plan
Unless you have a pension you will not have a set amount of money to live on for your retirement. If you have a 401k or other employer-sponsored retirement plan you will need to plan to make that money last. It may be best to meet with a financial planner to determine ways to maximize your income stream. A financial planner may also help you consolidate your retirement accounts.
Understand your social security benefits
Depending on the age at which you start social security withdrawals you may have less money than you thought. Social security withdrawals before the age of 70 could result in 20-30% less in benefits. Deciding what age you will retire and when you will draw on your social security benefits is an important decision.
Plan for inflation
Like it or not the cost of living goes up. The cost of health care also continues to rise and without proper planning for inflation in living costs and health care your retirement income could run out sooner than you planned. A good start for planning is to know that over the past one hundred years the average inflation rate has been 3.4%.
Have a will
It is important to establish a will and/or living will. This will help you and your family make important decisions regarding health care, long term care and estate issues.
Tackling retirement planning ahead of time will help you begin the next chapter of your life worry free and allow you to plan for the fun times ahead.
This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $315,000.This is a Cape style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.28 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $315,000.This is a Cape style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.28 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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Did you know that pets can significantly reduce your home’s value? Homebuyers are hesitant to buy a home with pets because they are weary of odors and damage. If you are a pet owner here are some tips to ensure you get the highest final sale price for your home:
1. Start outside. The outside of your home is the first impression, it is the first thing a potential buyer sees. Fill and holes in the yard that have been dug by pets. Make sure to walk the yard and pick up any pet waste.
2. Check the woodwork. Pets have a habit of chewing. Go through your home and look for any damage. Check the floor trim, the threshold of your doors, and the corners of doors and cabinets. Also don’t forget to check carpet, window ledges and screens, especially if you have cats. Hardwood floors can also get scratched by pets too. You may need refinish your floors if they have pet scratches.
3. Check the carpet. Carpets are usually best replaced rather than repaired. It is almost impossible to remove pet odor from carpet. If the carpet has been chewed or frayed from scratching it can likely be stretched and re-tacked by a professional.
4. Look for stains. There can be stains on carpet, flooring, drywall, and trim. Make sure to repair or replace any items that are stained before a buyer sees them.
5. Address odors. You may not even notice pet odors in your home but they will be very obvious to buyers. Ask someone else to give you an honest opinion of pet odors in your home. Make sure to vacuum daily and open windows if you can. It’s not just accidents that cause bad odors. Your pet’s hair, dander and sweat also create odors.
6. Clean your furniture. Even though the buyer is looking at the house, if your furniture is stained or ruined buyers will still devalue your home.
7. Keep the pets away. If possible remove pets from your home when showing it. You could board them, or have a friend keep your pets while you’re showing your home. If that is not possible make sure to buy pet crates to keep them locked up and out of the way.
This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $321,000.This is a Cape style home and features 6 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.20 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Holliston, MA recently sold for $289,900.This is a Raised Ranch style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.48 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Holliston, MA recently sold for $510,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 10 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 1.84 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Hopedale, MA recently sold for $214,500.This is a Colonial/Antique style home and features 10 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 5 bedrooms, 0.34 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Southborough, MA recently sold for $411,000.This is a Cape/Ranch style home and features 10 total rooms, 3 full baths, 4 bedrooms, 0.91 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $321,000.This is a Cape style home and features 6 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, 0.20 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Holliston, MA recently sold for $289,900.This is a Raised Ranch style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.48 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Holliston, MA recently sold for $510,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 10 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 1.84 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Hopedale, MA recently sold for $214,500.This is a Colonial/Antique style home and features 10 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 5 bedrooms, 0.34 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Southborough, MA recently sold for $411,000.This is a Cape/Ranch style home and features 10 total rooms, 3 full baths, 4 bedrooms, 0.91 acres, and was sold by
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Exceptional value! This traditional ranch has plenty of potential! Located in a residential neighborhood. Find hardwood flooring on most of the first floor. The electrical service has been upgraded. It is easy to like the spacious rooms & good flow. The warm living rm boasts a fireplace. Don’t miss the walkout basement opens on to the spacious backyard. Extra sized garage has room for storage. Minutes to all major commuter routes & MBTA. Make this fine house into your new home, call today
Discover the beauty of this Colonial home in the Appleridge neighborhd! Don’t miss the spectacular panoramic views of the eastern skyline! The eat-in kitchen boasts new solid surface counters & breakfast bar. You’ll love the warmth family rm w/fireplace, cathedral ceilings & atrium door that opens onto a 3-season porch. The king-sized master bedroom has ample space. The lavish Master Bath features a whirlpool tub & separate shower. Close to MBTA.Act today to make this great house your home!
There are so many things to think of when buying a home. It can be difficult to think of everything when you are house shopping. When you tour potential homes it can be easy to get caught up in things that may not be as important after you move in like storage, parking, and privacy.
When home shopping you should make a checklist of the things you must have in a home so you don’t get caught up in the new granite countertops or the beautifully decorated master bedroom. Think function over style when making a buying decision.
Here are some things you may want to consider putting on your must-have list.
Storage
When walking through a home make sure to make note of the amount of storage. A good staging job can disguise a home with too little storage. Imagine the home with no furniture and picture your furniture and belongings in place. If you are seriously interested in the home bring a sketch pad and measure the rooms and draw a quick sketch of walls, doors, windows and closets.
Location
Consider the location of the home to places you frequently travel. You may only be a few miles from the store or work but what is the commute like? Do a practice run at rush hour from the home to your work. If you are moving near public transportation give that a try too. Make sure to try the commute both ways.
Enough Power and Water Imagine waking up the first morning in your new home and finding out the water pressure is barely enough for a shower or the water gets cold half way through. It is important to determine if the plumbing and wiring can accommodate your lifestyle. Check the size of the hot water tank and run a few plumbing items at a time to check the water pressure. Talk to your home inspector about the electrical system. Make sure the home inspector knows the kinds of electrical equipment you run and the number of people that will be living in the home.
Privacy
Many buyers overlook privacy until it’s too late. Try to spend some time in the house. Look out the bathroom and bedroom windows and test what you see. Do a walk-through of the home and pretend to go through your day. Sit in the back yard and on the deck to see and listen to the neighbors.
This Single-Family in Ashland, MA recently sold for $550,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 9 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 0.70 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Canton, MA recently sold for $555,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 1.07 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $210,000.This is a Colonial/Antique style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 2 bedrooms, 0.43 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $315,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 7 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.21 acres, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $327,500.This is a Cape style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 4 bedrooms, 0.18 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Single-Family in Framingham, MA recently sold for $351,000.This is a Raised Ranch style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.47 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Condo in Hudson, MA recently sold for $292,200.This is a Townhouse style home and features 6 total rooms, 2 full baths, 2 bedrooms, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Marlborough, MA recently sold for $453,000.This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 0.31 acres, and was sold by
Office – REALTY EXECUTIVES Boston West
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This Condo in Marlborough, MA recently sold for $241,000.This is a Detached style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 3 bedrooms, and was sold by
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This Single-Family in Westborough, MA recently sold for $340,000.This is a Cape style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 4 bedrooms, 0.69 acres, and was sold by
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