Jennifer Daring

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...

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...