I grew up on a 5-acre property in the “middle of nowhere” North-Central Florida. Paved roads ended about a mile from my home and you had to know how to drive on dirt just to make it out there. The nearest towns were a good 20-minute drive. Needless to say, there weren’t a lot of … More HOA or Hell-No-Way?
Whether you’re sick of rising rent prices, are looking for more stability or want to start building equity, buying the right home has a lot of advantages. Even if you are not quite ready now, it’s always a good time to start preparing for your home purchase. Here’s what you need to do. Wants and … More What to Do Before You Buy
Back in 2010, Jimmy McMillan – a dude who looks like he is straight out of a Quentin Tarantino film – ran for Governor of New York as part of “The Rent is Too Damn High Party.” Flash forward to 2022, and forget about Democrats and Republicans, this is a party we can all get … More The Rent is Too Damn High – But Here’s What You Can Do About It
So, I did a thing. I helped a great buyer rejoin the ranks of South Florida homeowners. Spoiler alert – that buyer was me! Much has changed from 2013, when I bought my first home, to today, but there are also some interesting similarities, and tons of lessons learned along the way. Maybe it’s just … More A Tale of Two Sales – Lessons from Buying in Crazy Markets
There aren’t many situations in one’s life as major as buying or selling real estate, particularly if the transaction deals with your primary residence. “In my home! Where my children come and play with their toys!” Thank you for indulging me in this gratuitous Godfather Part II quote. A million and one questions plague … More How to NOT Lose Your Mind During a Real Estate Transaction
This year, I’ve been on a personal finance journey unlike ever before. It has been incredibly eye opening and rewarding. It began with buckling down to pay off debt, which led to reading and researching to keep myself motivated, and getting a little obsessed along the way. While learning about personal finance, I discovered the … More Is House Hacking Right For You?
In 2015 I started traveling internationally over Thanksgiving week, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon. First was a weeklong Caribbean cruise, tagging along with my friend who works onboard ships. If you’re lucky enough to stow away on a cruise ship, it’s good to be friends with the person in charge of … More Why I Love Traveling on Turkey Day
I’ve been hearing the packing cube hype for a while now, but hadn’t pulled the trigger on purchasing a set for myself. I felt confident in knowing how much stuff I could shove into a bag. I’ve taken cold-weather international trips with only a carry-on. “Packing cubes, I don’t need no steenking packing cubes,” I … More Packing Cubes: It’s Hip to Be Square
If you’re like me, and love music and travel, music festivals are a great way to enjoy two of your favorite things at once. If you’ve never gone to one, or just want to ensure you’ll have a good time, here are some questions to consider when choosing a music festival. What are the conditions … More Know Before You Go: Sizing Up a Music Festival
Earlier this month, I shared a Facebook post from the oft-hilarious Florida Memes, which asked, “What are the most ‘Floridian’ phrases you use?” One of my friends wrote, “My Publix.” As in, most of us Floridians so strongly identify with our community’s Publix grocery store as to have their very own Publix that they love, … More My Publix
Maggie Gunther 