Gulf Life Now

In this episode, we flip the script and speak directly to homebuyers about the vital role real estate agents play throughout the homebuying journey. From the first conversation about credit and loan pre-approval to helping you find the right property, managing inspections, resolving issues, and guiding you all the way through closing—your agent is your advocate. We’ll also discuss how agents remain a resource after the sale, offeri...

That great 2017 tax bill which gave us all a big tax break is going away.  Elected officials can't seem to get it reauthorized before the end of the year.  It is getting in the way of at least one campaign that wants to scrap it because they did not create it.  They want to replace it with some other program.

Because we can not trust our elected officials to reauthorize the bill, it's time to do some serious tax ...

There is always someone who wants to skirt the law.  People contact property owners who have listed their property with real estate agents under contract.  They don't care that the real estate agent and the property owner have an agreement.   They know it exists that is how they found the property by scraping the internet listings.  

They also know that interfering with a contract is a violation of law with heavy pena...

No one knows where mortgage interest rates are headed.  There are some indicators that we discuss in this podcast.  Interest rates are not the only factor in your decision to refinance or buy a new home.  You need to balance the various factors to make a decision.

We hope this podcast can help you move along in your decision-making process with some knowledge.

 Please visit our website https://loganandersonllc.com...

Everything is changing in the Real Estate industry.  After August 17, 2024, if you want representation in buying a house, you will have to agree to pay your agent for their efforts if the agent is not being compensated by the seller.  

For decades sellers have been paying both sides of the commission.  The Justice Department believes that sellers have been coerced to pay the buyer's agents against their will.  Real es...

Apparently, some bureaucrats in DC have not learned their lesson from the massive real estate market failures of 2008-2010.   Freddy Mac a government buyer of mortgage paper is starting a new pilot program to buy second mortgages.  They want to help people "unlock" that equity in their homes.

When I say the government, I mean you and I will be responsible for those loans if they default.  Also pumping more money ...

On average homeowners insurance rates have gone up 20% from 2021-2023 with a further 6% increase forecasted for 2024.  You know the drill, inflation, government spending, etc. have caused insurance companies to raise their rates.

What can you do about it?  This podcast attempts to explain the current situation with homeowners insurance and provide recommendations for ways to help control the cost of insurance for your prop...

Real estate commissions are often misunderstood.  We discuss the concept, of who gets what and when plus who actually pays.   This is the first part of a longer discussion on how real estate is sold in the United States.  Our process has been in place for generations and there are those who want to change it.   

Please listen and understand if you are in the market to buy or sell real estate, you need to listen to this an...

When you bought your house, it is very likely that the rating of the school district had an effect on the price you paid for your house.  Many people with school-age children shop for a new home based on school ratings.  But how does that affect retired people and others without school-aged children?

That is the point of this podcast, we explore what is in effect school quality and how it impacts the prices of homes in the...

New houses come with warranties.  Older homes should be evaluated not just on their selling price but on the quality of the entire property.  Look at the useful life of the air conditioner, heater, water heater and more.  What about that plumbing?  The wiring can be old and in need of repair.  How about that fence?

Is the foundation in good condition even with tree roots growing up to the house?  We discuss some key things...

Many people love the idea of owning an escape from the day to day in the form of a second home.  Listen as we discuss the concept of a second  home, how and where to buy it and the process involved with financing and owning.

You may want your adult children to be part owners by creating a family project.  This will help share the costs and provide some ownership opportunity for your adult children who may not actually own ...

Before you decide to buy that RV or boat, you should listen to our suggestions and recommendations on the topic.   There is nothing better than to listen to the voice of experience before you spend tens of thousands of dollars on an RV.

After listening, you will decide that you will not move forward with buying or you will buy but now you are armed with good information about how to get the best deal.  

The point ...

Considering starting a small business?  You need to listen to this podcast.  We cover the essentials of the financial side of starting your small business in some detail.  You will probably not hear this topic presented elsewhere in the same way.  Mr. Anderson has years of personal experience to pass along.

The key takeaway from this article is to separate your personal finances from your business finances when starting a ...

Lots of people have a second home which was partly purchased for tax deductions.  Changes in the tax code starting in 2018 have eliminated much of the property tax and interest deductions available to second-home buyers.

The very large standard deduction is great but why not take advantage of tax law to save more of your income?  Create a business to rent your second home.  Flip that property into the business and you can ...

Is it ok to follow the herd to Florida for retirement?  Did you come up with the idea of going to Florida because your friends are moving there?  Did you see it on TV?  Have you considered any place that is not at the end of a long trail from Blue states?

Listen to this podcast as we discuss that there is much more to consider before selling your house in California and moving to Florida.   Look out into the future after m...

Stop using your checking account for your small business.   Use an accounting system to track all income and expenses plus allow people to pay you by credit card.  And do it for free.

We recommend a free online accounting system called Waveapps.com    to track your business.  Even if you have a part-time or side gig, do it right, put everything into an accounting system.

If you have a rental property or multiple r...

You have a magic wand.  Every time your checking account or credit card is tapped out, you wave the wand and there is more money to spend.   So how do you get one of those?  Unfortunately, you can not.  Only governments, Federal, City, and Local have those wands. 

You and I must balance our spending with our income or be in trouble.   Our government does not see it that way.  If they want to buy something, they just do it...

Most people do not understand what impacts mortgage interest rates.  The typical response is the FED rate affects mortgage rates.  While there is some truth to this, it's the 10-year treasury bond that most lenders use to determine long-term mortgage interest rates.

The reason for this discussion is in part to inform you about how long-term mortgage interest rates are set but also to discuss how this system affects fu...