Congratulations and Happy Anniversary for Dr.Cutler  and 

FGLCPerformance!

Whether its Chiropratic Care or Golf Improvement your interested in, give Dr. Cutler a call today to schedule your first assessment and be on your way to gaining yards in your golf game and improve your spine health! 

Dr. Cutler has appointments available for Custom Golf Movement Assessments this month. This Assessment will pin-point areas of the body that are limited in range of motion and power.  A Specific, at-home and in- office golf exercised routine will then be constructed to help you improve overall mobility, strength, power and swing speed.  

Call today to discuss your goals.  636-696-6122  

Stay tuned to see how much improvement I will have made in a few more weeks... things are already improving for me!  

Blog by your trusted realtor Linda Robben !

Things to do in Chesterfield this weekend

Joe Dirt and the Dirty Boys

Can You Buy a Home with IRS Debt?

Owing money to the IRS is unsettling for anyone. It’s also very easy to find oneself in that position. Many people are shocked to discover that they inadvertently miscalculated the amount of taxes owed either at the end of the year or from a previous year. There are also unexpected events that can cause a tax event such as a windfall profit or inheritance.

Regardless of the cause, owing money to the IRS is no fun. If you are considering a home purchase, you may be wondering how this will affect your ability to do so.

If you owe back taxes to the IRS, most likely there is a tax lien. A tax lien is a personal lien that is attached to the person and any property they own. A tax lien takes priority over all other financial obligations, including a mortgage. This puts the lender at greater risk since in the event of a default, they would only be paid after the IRS lien was satisfied.

The good news is that although owing back taxes can make buying a home more complicated, it does not prevent you from buying a home. First step is to contact your lender and explain the situation. There are many reasons people owe back taxes that do not make them a credit risk. You may be able to either pay off the taxes or arrange a payment plan with the IRS that will allow you to finance a new home. There are options, but being honest with your lender is the first step so you understand your options.

Are you looking for ways to spruce up your home? If so, you’ll want to keep an eye on the latest home decor trends. We’ve done the research and rounded up five of the biggest trends for 2023 so you can get a head start on transforming your living space. Keep reading to find out what trends are popping up all over the place in just a few short months! 

Bright Colors

Natural Materials

Sustainable Design

Modular Furniture

Artisanal Pieces

Press Release

Press Release RCS-D  2023

Press Release Authors Linda Robben RCS-D™ and Kelly Lise Murray, J.D., co-founder of DivorceThisHouse.com™ and the official RCS-D™ Designation Course.

Industry: Real Estate

Headline: Keep the House for all the Right Reasons – By Preventing Permanent Mistakes in Divorce/Elder Family Mediation

The family home is usually the most significant asset in divorce and elder mediation, often with significant debt. However, appraisal minus mortgage does NOT equal actual equity. This incomplete equation leaves your house over-valued and that works against you in family mediation for divorce and elder matters.

Don’t settle for a bad property settlement. In addition to the inaccurate and unfair division of your property, you risk damaged credit, default, foreclosure or even bankruptcy.

Remember all those documents you signed when you bought the house?

Most are missing when mediating that same house.

We provide free help to gather the house documents you need to make an informed decision regarding actual equity and whether to keep the house.

To keep your house for all the right reasons, you need a real estate agent specializing in divorce as an RCS-D TM designee.

Linda Robben, with Keller Williams Realty St. Louis  has completed course work to earn the RCS-D TM designation as a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist – Divorce™.  

Linda states, An RCS-D™ REALTOR® , is professionally trained to neutralize divorce real estate as a business transaction in the best interest of the house – and each divorcing spouse. Leading your divorce real estate team, Linda also serves as project manager working with you and your lawyers and can refer real estate and financial professionals specializing in divorce to assist with gathering house-related documents and scheduling consultations, most of which are free.

The RCS-D™ professional program was written and taught by Kelly Lise Murray, J.D. & Wendy Waselle. Professor Murray earned her J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School & is an Instructor in Law at Vanderbilt Law School. Co-Instructor Wendy Waselle has a Master’s Degree in Education & developed the RCS-D™ marketing system.

You may contact Linda Robben@ 314-265-2444 or Golfgal.lr@gmail.com to discuss how you can protect one of your most valuable financial assets during the stressful time of divorce. Whether your divorce is completed, just beginning or somewhere in between,  Linda can help you determine your best options now for a stronger financial future.

It’s Still a Great Time to Sell

Sellers all over the country are confused and worried they may have missed the best time to sell their home. Prices are dropping, mortgage rates are rising, and the pace has slowed but the impact on any individual seller is unclear. While the days of any home selling for any price are behind us, the current housing market is still strong. The biggest hurdle for sellers is to avoid the feeling that they missed their chance to get top dollar. Yet, many times the seller intends to buy again also; so while they may sell their home a little lower, they will also buy the new home a little lower as well.

ABCs of Success

The ABCs to a successful sale are not complicated. They are the basics of home selling, but if followed, it will ensure a timely and profitable home sale.

A) Appreciation – When sellers hear this term, they normally think of the value of the home. During a challenging market, this kind of appreciation is to appreciate every buyer who wants to come by and every offer you receive; take them seriously.

B) Give in, Don’t Dig in – Along with appreciation for offers, view all the terms in the light of where you can give in or compromise. Be easy to work with and be reasonable.

C) Stop Comparing the House Next Door – Try not to be discouraged or angry if other homes are selling faster. You don’t really know the reason; try to stay patient. Buyers are excited about the slower market. This means that buyers are still buying. Sellers who get back to the basic ABCs can be successful and achieve their selling goals

Learn how to determine your current net worth and how an investment in real estate can help improve your bottom line.

Among its many impacts, COVID-19 has had a pronounced effect on the housing market. Low home inventory and high buyer demand have driven home prices to an all-time high.1 This has given an unexpected financial boost to many homeowners during a challenging time. However, for some renters, rising home prices are making dreams of homeownership feel further out of reach.

If you’re a homeowner, it’s important for you to understand how your home’s value contributes to your overall net worth. If you’re a renter, now is the time for you to figure out how homeownership fits into your short-term goals and your long-term financial future. An investment in real estate can help you grow your net worth, build wealth over time, and gain a foothold in the housing market to keep pace with rising prices.

What is net worth?

Net worth is the net balance of your total assets minus your total liabilities. Or, basically, it is what you own minus what you owe.2

Assets include the cash you have on hand in your chequing and savings accounts, investment account balances, salable items like jewelry or a car and, of course, your home and any other real estate you own. 

Liabilities include your total debt obligations like car loans, credit card debt, the amount you owe on your mortgage, and student loans. In addition, liabilities would include any other payment obligations you have, like outstanding bills and taxes.

How do I calculate my net worth?

To calculate your net worth, you’ll want to add up all of your assets and all of your liabilities. Then subtract your total liabilities from your total assets. The balance represents your current net worth.

Total Assets – Total Liabilities = Net Worth

Keep in mind that your net worth is a snapshot of your financial position at a single point in time. Your assets and liabilities will fluctuate over both the short term and long term. For example, if you take out a loan to buy a car, you decrease your liability with each payment. Of course, the value of your asset (the car) will depreciate over time, as well. An asset that is invested in stocks or bonds can be even less predictable, as it’s subject to daily fluctuations in the market.

As a homeowner, you enjoy significant stability through your monthly real estate investment, also known as your home mortgage payment. While the actual value of your home can fluctuate depending on market conditions, your mortgage payment will decrease your liability each month. And unlike a vehicle purchase, the value of your home is likely to appreciate over time, which can help to grow your net worth. Right now, your asset may be worth significantly more than it was this time last year.3

If you’re a homeowner, contact us for an estimate of your home’s market value so that you can factor it into your net worth calculation. If you’re not a current homeowner, let’s talk about how homes in our area have appreciated over the last several years. That way, you can get an idea of how a home purchase could positively affect your net worth.

How can real estate increase my net worth?

When you put your real estate dollars to work, it’s possible to grow your net worth, generate cash flow, and even fund your retirement. We can help you realize the possibilities and maximize the return on your investment.

Property Appreciation

Generally, property appreciates in one of two ways: either through changes to the overall market or through value-added modifications to the property itself.

1. Rising prices

This type of property appreciation is the one that many homeowners are enjoying right now. Buyer demand is at an all-time high due to a combination of record-low interest rates and limited housing inventory.4 At other times, rising home prices have been attributed to different factors. Certain local conditions—like a new commercial development, influx of jobs, or infrastructure project—can encourage rapid growth in a community or region and a corresponding rise in home values. Historically, home prices have been shown to experience an upward trend punctuated by intermittent booms and corrections.5

2. Strategic home improvements

Well-planned and executed home improvements can also impact a home’s value and increase homeowner equity at the same time. The type of home improvement should be appropriate for the home and in tune with the desires of local buyers.

For example, a tasteful exterior remodel that is in keeping with the preferences of local home buyers is likely to add significant value to a home, while remodeling the home to look like the Taj Mahal or a favorite theme park attraction will not. A modern kitchen remodel tends to add value, while a kitchen remodel that is overly expensive or personalized may not provide an adequate return on investment.

Investment Property

You may be used to thinking of investments primarily in terms of stocks and bonds. However, the purchase of a real estate investment property offers the opportunity to increase your net worth both upon purchase and year after year through appreciation. In addition, rental payments can have a positive impact on your monthly income and cash flow. If you currently have significant equity in your home, let’s talk about how you could put that equity to work by funding the purchase of an investment property.

1. Long-term or traditional rental

A long-term rental property is one that is leased for an extended period and typically used as a primary residence by the renter. This type of real estate investment offers you the opportunity to generate consistent cash flow while building equity and appreciation.6

As an owner, you don’t usually have to worry about paying the utility bills or furnishing the property—both of which are typically covered by the tenant. Add to this the fact that traditional tenants translate into less time and effort spent on day-to-day property management, and long-term rentals are an attractive option for many investors.

2. Short-term or vacation rental

Short-term rentals are often referred to as vacation rentals because they are primarily geared towards recreational travellers. And as more people start to feel comfortable travelling again, the short-term rental market is poised to become a more popular option than ever in certain markets. In fact, with travellers continuing to seek out domestic options in lieu of international travel, this may be the perfect time to consider an investment in a short-term rental property.7

Investing in a short-term rental offers many benefits. If you purchase an investment property in a top tourist destination, you can expect steady demand from travelers while taking advantage of any non-rented periods to enjoy the home yourself. You can also adjust your rental price around peak demand to maximize your cash flow while building equity and long-term appreciation. 

To reap these benefits, however, you’ll need to understand the local laws and regulations on short-term rentals. We can help you identify suitable markets with investment potential.

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Ready to calculate your personal net worth? Contact us for an easy-to-use worksheet and to find out your home’s current value. And if you want to learn more about growing your net worth through real estate, we can schedule a free consultation to answer your questions and explore your options. Whether you’re hoping to maximize the value of your current home or invest in a new property, we’re here to help you achieve your real estate goals.

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be financial advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.

Sources: 

1. Financial Post –
   https://financialpost.com/real-estate/canadian-home-sales-prices-surge-to-new-record-in-march
2. Forbes –
   https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/what-is-net-worth/
3. Global Property Guide –
   https://www.globalpropertyguide.com/North-America/Canada/Price-History
4. Canadian Real Estate Association –
   https://creastats.crea.ca/en-CA/
5. Trading Economics –
   https://tradingeconomics.com/canada/housing-index
6. Canadian Apartment –
   https://www.reminetwork.com/articles/hopeful-outlook-for-canadas-rental-market/
7. MoneySense –
   https://www.moneysense.ca/spend/real-estate/is-now-the-time-to-buy-a-vacation-home/