The weather is warming up, the trees are regaining their green, and the kids — if you have any — are hauling toward spring break at breakneck speed. For some families, that means vacation to a distant destination, like a certain mouse-sponsored amusement park, perhaps? For others, vacation means a quick road trip to visit in-laws or other nearby loved ones. Either way, vacation of any kind means leaving your home for a number of days. And while smart technology has made taking care of ourselves and our homes easier, there are still a few things you need to do manually when preparing your house for vacation.

Clear fridge, full bellies, can’t lose.

We’re not recommending you eat everything in your fridge before making a mad dash for departure, but food doesn’t stay fresh forever. Milk, meat, produce, and other food items that go bad quickly should be consumed, composted, or straight up canned if you’re not going to be home for an extended period of time. Imagine coming back from one tropical ecosystem to find another green ecosystem growing in your fridge. *Shudders.*

Keep it clean.

If you’re anything like us, you know that there’s nothing quite as comforting as coming home to a clean home. After all, the last thing anyone wants to do is drag their luggage inside and lose it among a field of laundry. Worse still, walking into the stench of week-old dishes. If that sounds like something you’d like to avoid, consider the following:

1. Load, run, and unload your dishwasher. When it’s done, leave it cracked to let the steam escape and help the remaining water evaporate completely.
2. Don’t forget the load in the washer. Look, who doesn’t let the dishes sit overnight every now and then to help get the gunk up? Unfortunately clothes don’t work the same way. Once they’ve been washed, you’re going to want to throw them in the dryer or hang them up to dry ASAP. Otherwise you’re looking at coming back to a moldy, stinky pile of wet clothes.
3. Wipe it down, vacuum it up. You might be on vacation, but bugs and rodents might see your empty home as a hotel. To keep these uninvited guests out, consider wiping down all the countertops and vacuuming up any debris in high-traffic areas.

Leave a light on. Turn everything else off.

We’re not huge fans of waste around here, but when it comes to keeping your home and your belongings safe, leaving a light on is one of the best ways to keep ne’er-do-wells off your property. A single light in the living room or bedroom should suffice, but if you’re running a high-tech home you might consider scheduling different lights to turn on and off at various times while you’re gone for that extra measure of safety.

As for everything non-essential? Turn it off. Things like fridges, freezers, and pet feeders can stay on. Things like game consoles, microwaves, ceiling fans, coffee machines, and wax warmers can be turned off or unplugged to temporarily reduce your footprint (and your utility bill).

While you’re at it, don’t be afraid to turn off your thermostat if the house is going to be completely empty. Unless your pets are staying back, who’s the A/C running for?

Finishing touches.

One of the simpler recommendations we have for preparing your house for vacation is to wash your sheets, pillow cases, and comforter. Once those are dry, make your bed. Why? Wouldn’t you rather crawl into a clean bed than one that’s been sitting in your sweat and skin cells for upwards of a week or more? Your mattress may not live up to a hotel mattress, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give yourself something to look forward to when you get back.

While smart technology has made taking care of ourselves and our homes easier, there are still a few things you need to do manually when preparing your house for vacation.

The post Know Before You Go: Preparing Your House for Vacation appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

When thinking about the “best places to retire,” most people’s minds automatically go to a quaint little coastal town somewhere warm, but according to Forbes, there are more important traits to look for than warm weather when considering a place to retire. Taking things such as cost of living, cultural events and attractions, and quality of life into account, we’ve pinpointed 12 of the best places to retire that may be a little underrated.

1. Athens, Georgia

Home to the University of Georgia, Athens, known as “the Classic City,” is the quintessential college town. Just 70 miles east of Atlanta, it’s only a short drive away from one of the South’s most happening cities. The cost of living is 8% below the national average and the median home price is $161,000. The climate is generally warm and the city has a vibrant downtown area that plays host to several cultural events throughout the year, from music festivals to bike races.

2. Bella Vista, Arkansas

Admit it. Nobody thinks Arkansas when thinking about a potential retirement home, but the charm of this small Ozark foothills town may surprise you. Located right on the Mississippi River, Bella Vista offers beautiful views of the river and the Ozark Mountains. With a cost of living that’s 13% below the national average and a median home price of $160,000, your retirement money can go a long way here. We can’t say the same for a pricey beach town.

3. Clemson, South Carolina

The second college town on the list shares its name with the university that calls it home. Clemson is settled on Lake Hartwell and is about an hour from Athens and about two hours from Charlotte, NC, the second most populous city in the South. The cost of living is right at the national average and the median home price is $129,000. With a warm climate and a high walkability rating, Clemson is a great place to be during any time of the year.

4. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Described as an “outdoor playground,” Colorado Springs is a city of about 455,000 just 60 miles south of Denver. The cost of living is a little high at 5% above the national average, but Colorado Springs has plenty of activities to get involved with to lead an active lifestyle well into retirement age. Bikes are very popular, as are volunteering and nonprofit organizations. The city also is home to several well-known cultural events throughout the year. The median home price is $242,000.

5. Green Valley, Arizona

Green Valley is a collection of dozens of retirement communities with a total population of about 32,000 just 20 miles south of Tucson. The cost of living is 4% below the national average and the median home price is $157,000. Days are hot, but nights are a lot cooler thanks to the town’s 3,000-foot elevation, and winters are barely winters at all. The crime rate is low and there’s a very good tax climate for retirees with no state income tax in Social Security benefits. Green Valley is the perfect place to settle in with plenty of things to do for retirement-aged people.

6. Savannah, Georgia

Just 30 miles inland from the Georgia coast lies the lush river city of Savannah. Savannah has a population of around 146,000 and is one of America’s oldest and most beautiful cities. The cost of living is 14% below the national average and the median home price is about $118,000, making Savannah one of the country’s biggest retirement spots as far as value goes. It’s a walkable city with a lot to do and get involved with, especially in the summer months.

7. Port Charlotte, Florida

Finally, a Florida town! Just 100 miles south of Tampa, Port Charlotte is a small inlet town of 56,000 on the Gulf Coast. You can expect the typical Florida weather, but with a cost of living at 6% below the national average and a median home price of $150,000, you’ll get more bang for your buck here than other places on the Florida coast. It’s a relatively new area as well, as it was founded in 1757 but remained undeveloped for more than two centuries.

8. The Villages, Florida

The Villages is a fast-growing, senior citizen-oriented community of about 171,000 just 60 miles northwest of Orlando. The cost of living sits right at the national average and the median home price is $250,000. There’s plenty to do for retirement-aged people including golf, recreation centers, entertainment, town squares, nature trails, and an abundance of lakes and rivers to explore. With the typical Florida climate and a thriving local economy, The Villages is a great place to start the next chapter of your life and invite your family to come hang out during the summer months.

9. Peoria, Arizona

Settled just northwest of Phoenix, Peoria is a decent-sized desert suburb of about 167,000. The climate is hot, and the cost of living sits at 9% above the national average, but this desert utopia more than makes up for it with plenty of golf courses, recreation centers, museums, and nature trails to spend time exploring. Median home prices are around $240,000 and the city has a thriving local economy. As the icing on the cake, Arizona doesn’t carry a state income tax on Social Security benefits.

10. Ocean Pines, Maryland

A beautiful, bikeable community on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Ocean Pines is a coastal town without the touristy feel of other popular retirement spots. It’s a small town of 12,000 just eight miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a bit pricier than some of the other places on this list with a cost of living sitting at 5% above the national average and a median home price of $215,000, but its moderate climate and coastal location make this wooded, waterfront paradise a retirement hotspot.

11. Wenatchee, Washington

150 miles east of Seattle on the scenic Columbia River lies the sunny city of Wenatchee. Thankfully, since it’s situated on the dry side of the Cascade Mountain Range, Wenatchee doesn’t see nearly as much rain as other cities in Washington. Known as the “Apple Capital of the World,” the city is home to a population of about 33,000 and a median home price of $225,000. The cost of living is about 11% above the national average, but it consistently ranks highly on lists of best cities for successful aging. If you’ve been interested in exploring the Pacific-Northwest, Wenatchee may be the place for you to retire.

12. Maryville, Tennessee

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Maryville, Tennessee is a charming small town of 28,000 just 18 miles south of Knoxville. The cost of living is a whopping 13% below the national average and a median-priced home will run you about $154,000. The weather is mild for most of the year, but there is some snow during the winter months. The local economy is thriving and you’re just a few miles from beautiful mountain views and the Tennessee River.

Looking to buy a retirement home in one of these awesome cities? Give us a call and get pre-qualified today!

The post 12 Underrated Places to Retire in the United States appeared first on Cardinal Financial.

It’s spring break season! As the weather slowly warms up, so might you to the possibility of opening up your home to vacationers. This time of year, homeowners around the globe will take advantage of the opportunity to rent out their homes and make some extra cash. Will you? Here are some advantages (and potential pitfalls) to renting out your home.

pro: can give you extra income

Probably one of the most common and convincing reasons why homeowners rent out their home during spring break is because of the allure of extra income. While some people might take up a part-time job to bring in a little side money, others take to renting out their home. Doing so can help offset the costs of homeownership.

If you’re renting out a couple of rooms in your primary residence, this cash from renting out your home can go toward your utility bills, taxes and insurance, or your mortgage’s principal balance. However, if you’re renting out your investment property during that week, you may not make enough from spring break alone to cover the cost of owning that property—but you could at least make a dent in what you owe.

con: your visitors might not be the greatest

So you can make extra money by renting out your home to vacationers. Sounds great! If that’s the case, why wouldn’t you do it? Many homeowners forego renting out their property during spring break because they don’t want to deal with potentially bad tenants. The truth is, some guests aren’t the greatest. They might be messy, dirty, or disrespectful to your home. They may not leave the place better than they found it (which is what you’re hoping they’ll do, right?).

Two things can help you decide to rent or not to rent out your home: one is checking with your insurance company. You may or may not be covered for damages made by your tenants. Definitely review the terms of your home insurance coverage and even call your insurance company to get further confirmation. But let’s say you’re covered—another thing that can help you decide is screening your tenants. More on that in another blog post, but basically, homeowners often say OK to renting out their home because they have the ability to screen and/or interview their visitors, which helps instill a bit of confidence in the type of stranger they’re welcoming.

pro: you might get a tax break

Homeownership has long been a major part of the American dream. For some, it may still be. And for good reason. Not only do homeowners experience the freedom of owning their own place and the financial benefits of building equity and good credit, many also receive tax breaks when tax refund season comes around. (Due to the new tax reform passed in January, the new cap on mortgage interest deduction is set to $750,000 for new mortgages only.) Pretty sweet deal if you ask us!

con: if you’re not used to being a landlord, you might not like it

Similar to having not-so-great visitors, if you’re not used to being a landlord, you might not enjoy it, even if it’s only for one week out of the year. During your visitors’ stay (if you haven’t hired a property manager) you’ll have to be on call for any problems that arise—from getting locked out to clogged toilets, there’s a whole slew of issues you may have to resolve for your visitors! For some homeowners, a lack of wanting to deal with mishaps like these is reason enough to say no to renting out their home. Will this be a determining factor for you too?

pro: there are lots of resources out there to help you

Lots of homeowners choose to rent out their property during spring break because they have the support of many tools and resources to help make it happen! Airbnb is an ever-popular site for renting out your home, but alternatives are out there if you’re willing to try something different. These sites offer great services for listing your home, including receiving inquiries and managing your relationships with your tenants during their stay.

We also recommend consulting a legal, financial, and/or real estate advisor to help you manage this new endeavor. Many homeowners solicit help from such an advisor because they have the professional experience and legal backing to properly advocate for you and help you through the process.

Are you interested in purchasing an investment property for the purpose of renting it out to make some extra income? We can help! Our industry-leading Conventional and Jumbo financing could be the loan you need to finance your next rental property. Call us today!

Did this blog post help you understand the pros and cons of renting out your home? Give us a shout-out on social media!

The post Spring Break: Should I Rent Out My Home? appeared first on Cardinal Financial.