New Listing - 2-Unit in Dekalb

Two Things You Should Strongly Consider Doing After Purchasing a Home

Purchasing a home is one of life’s most exciting milestones. You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and finally unlocked the door to a place you can call your own. But what happens after the thrill of closing day? While decorating, unpacking, and settling in often take center stage, there are two crucial steps every homeowner should take to secure their future: setting up a living trust and obtaining a term life insurance policy. Here’s why these steps matter and how they can protect both your home and your loved ones. 1. Set Up a Living Trust and Transfer Your Home Into It A living trust is a legal document that allows you to place your assets—including your home—in a trust while maintaining control of those assets during your lifetime. Once your home is in the trust, it becomes part of your estate plan and bypasses the lengthy and often expensive probate process. When you put your home into a living trust, you ensure that: Your loved ones avoid probate: Probate can be a long, str...

Sycamore Named A Top in Affordability for Retirement

You may find it hard to believe, but S ycamore, Illinois was named one of the top ten places to retire according to U.S. News & World Report. Anyone who lives here or just passes through can appreciate the charm and personality of this small town complete with a historic and thriving downtown district. And now they have been recognized nationwide. Mayor Ken Mundy doesn’t seem to be one bit surprised. “We’ve got a growing number of retirees here”, Mundy said. “I know people who have left and come back”. Sycamore, Illinois was the only city from the Midwest to be represented on the list. Sycamore is in the company of many cities that are in warmer climates such as Arizona, California, Hawaii and Florida just to name a few. Sycamore, Illinois is a desirable location due to its free busing transportation for senior citizens and close proximity to major retail shopping, an 18 – hole golf course , a public library , bicycle friendly nature trail , recreation and the I-8...

Wondering How Much Cash You REALLY Need to Become a Homeowner?

For many aspiring homeowners, the biggest question is, “How much do I need to save to buy a home?” While the answer depends on various factors, breaking it down into clear components can help you plan your savings and make homeownership more achievable. Here’s a step-by-step guide to understanding the savings needed to confidently purchase a home priced at $420,000. 1. Minimum Down Payment The down payment is the first major savings milestone. Many buyers are pleasantly surprised to learn that you don’t need a 20% down payment to buy a home. In fact, with many loan programs, you can get started with as little as 3% of the purchase price. For a $420,000 home, 3% comes out to $12,600. This amount is your entry point into homeownership. However, if you can save more than the minimum, you’ll benefit from smaller monthly payments and potentially lower mortgage insurance costs. Think of the 3% as the starting line, but aim to go beyond if possible. 2. Closing Costs Many buyers overlook c...

Jennifer Daring

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