Thursday, May 3, 2012

Things Your Parents Got Right!

Listen to Your Elders



Great article - Author unknown....

I have been in a rehab facility for a couple days and what is most impressive is how the other patients are so upbeat and social. Now, most of the residents here are seniors and they are quite engaging and inquisitive. As they see me working on my laptop or hear me on my phone, they always ask what I do. When I talk about being in the mortgage business and my interaction with real estate agents, there is no shortage of opinions on these topics. But what I found most exciting was the universal belief in homeownership and that now was a great opportunity for young people.

“My wife and I bought our home in 1967. We raised a family and paid off our mortgage. It’s going to be the only real asset we will pass on to our kids. But really, that house IS our family- all the memories. Buying a house is the best thing a family can do.”

“We paid $29,000 for our home in 1969. It’s worth about $500,000 now. We should have sold it for $600,000 a few years back, but still, it was a great investment.”

“We refinanced our home twice- once for improvements and once to pay for our kids’ college education. It was the only way we could have afforded college in 1985. I can’t imagine how people pay for it today.”

“When my husband passed here years ago, I took out a reverse mortgage to help make ends meet. I was also able to give some money to my granddaughter to use for a down payment on a new home for her family. I like seeing the results of my giving, while I am here to enjoy it.”

It was great to hear those who have done it are glad they did. If you are still debating a purchase (with these great prices and low rates), maybe you need to sit and chat with some seniors- people whose experience you can learn from.
PS – I am going home tomorrow. One week after surgery. Doctors and nurses are amazing.

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