Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement? Deciding whether to pay off your mortgage before retirement is a common dilemma. While eliminating mortgage debt can reduce financial stress, it may not always be the best move for long-term financial security. When Paying Off Your Mortgage Makes Sense Lowering Expenses: Mortgage payments are often a retiree’s biggest expense. Eliminating them frees up cash flow for travel, healthcare, and other needs. The median monthly mortgage payment for older adults was $1,470 in 2022, making this a significant financial relief. High-Interest Rates: If your mortgage has a high or adjustable interest rate, paying it off could save money in the long run. Conversely, if your interest rate is low (under 3.5%), it may be beneficial to keep the loan and invest savings elsewhere. Higher Returns from Low-Risk Investments: If you can earn a higher return investing than your mortgage interest rate, keeping the loan might be the smarter choice. For instance, if your mortgage rate is 3% but you can invest in Treasury notes yielding 4%, investing may be preferable. When You Should Keep Your Mortgage Low Cash Reserves: Draining savings to pay off a mortgage could leave you “house rich, cash poor.” Experts recommend retirees maintain 12–24 months of liquid savings to cover unexpected expenses. Potential Tax Benefits: Mortgage interest deductions can reduce taxable income, making it beneficial to carry the loan in certain situations. However, deductions are limited based on when the loan was acquired and its balance. Ultimately, the decision should align with your financial situation and comfort level. If paying off your mortgage provides peace of mind without compromising liquidity, it may be worthwhile. Otherwise, maintaining the loan and investing elsewhere could be the better option. Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2025/02/pay-mortgage-retirement  

The Best Time to Start Planting Your Garden Central Florida’s warm climate provides nearly year-round gardening opportunities, but the best time to start planting depends on what you’re growing. Unlike northern regions with distinct spring planting seasons, Central Florida operates on a different schedule due to its mild winters and hot, humid summers. For Vegetable Gardens Late winter through early spring (January to March) is ideal for cool-season crops like lettuce, carrots, broccoli, and kale. Warm-season vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, and cucumbers, thrive when planted in late February through April. A second planting window opens in late summer (August to September) for another round of warm-season crops before winter sets in. For Flower Gardens Flower gardens also follow seasonal patterns. Spring (March through May) is perfect for annuals like petunias and marigolds, while fall (October through November) is great for perennials such as lantanas and salvias. For Fruit Trees Fruit trees, citrus and avocados are best planted in early spring to establish strong roots before summer rains. Native plants and drought-resistant species can be introduced almost any time but do best in fall when temperatures cool slightly. By understanding Central Florida’s unique climate, gardeners can enjoy vibrant, productive gardens year-round with the right planting schedule.  

St. Patrick's Day Recipe - Shamrock Party Punch Ingredients:  1 12 oz can frozen limeade concentrate 1 12 oz can frozen pineapple juice concentrate 2 packets lemon-lime flavored drink mix (e.g., Kool-Aid) 1 cup granulated sugar 2 liters lemon-lime soda, chilled 1.5 quarts lime sherbet Lemon and lime slices for garnish (optional) Directions:  In a large pitcher, combine the frozen limeade concentrate with 3 cans of water (using the limeade can for measurement). Add the frozen pineapple juice concentrate and 2 cans of water. Stir in the lemon-lime drink mix packets and 1 cup of sugar until fully dissolved. Refrigerate the mixture until thoroughly chilled. When ready to serve, pour the chilled mixture into a large punch bowl. Gently stir in the chilled lemon-lime soda. Add scoops of lime sherbet to the punch bowl, allowing them to float on top. For an extra festive touch, garnish with lemon and lime slices. Source: Lizoncall.com  

Q: I’m buying a home and my insurance agent found a prior claim for water damage that the seller didn’t disclose. What should I do? A: Sellers and their agents are required by law to disclose any facts about the house that materially affect it’s value. If you work within the timelines of your contract, there’s plenty you can do. Whether it’s a home, a flip, or a future rental, you have a right to know all there is to know about the condition of the house. An inspection may not reveal everything. It’s the sellers responsibility to be transparent. Give them the benefit of the doubt: Depending on how long ago the claim was filed, and how well it was repaired, the seller may have forgotten all about it. They may not have even mentioned it to their agent. Make a formal request for disclosure: Request an explanation for the claim including what was damaged, how the property was affected, who repaired it, and how it was repaired. This explanation should be returned to you in writing and should be signed and dated by the seller. If the repairs were done properly and according to code, you should have no trouble getting this information from the seller. If you’re not getting a response, or the response is vague, there might be a larger problem. Have the site of the damage re-evaluated by a licensed contractor to get the information that the seller isn’t providing. Consider your options: At this point you can Accept the house the way it is Renegotiate with the seller to either have the damage repaired properly or to give you credit at closing to have it done yourself. Cancel the contract and find another house. When it comes to non-disclosure, the normal deadlines for inspection and discovery don’t apply. If you find out the seller hid important information, you have recourse - even after you’ve bought the house. A good agent will help you understand your options. You know the one! Call me today to help you negotiate for a house you can love.