Gulf Life Now

In this episode of Gulf Life Now , we break down the critical steps you need to take once your offer is accepted to avoid common pitfalls that can derail your home purchase. From inspections and appraisals to financing and communication, we share insider tips based on real-world experience to help you navigate the process smoothly and close on your dream home with confidence. Thanks for joining us...

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 remai...

You just closed on a new home.  Now it's time for all of those things you need, such as window coverings, new door locks, and more.  Listen as we discuss what you need. Some things you probably have not thought about.    Logan-Anderson Gulf Coastal Realtors.    This is one in a series about Millennials' financial literacy.

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 ti...

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 violat...

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://log...

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 ag...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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? ...

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...

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 d...

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...

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...

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 o...

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 prope...

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...

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...

Smart door locks are great until you can't get into your house because of dead batteries.  Listen to our podcast as we go into some solutions that can help you select the best batteries, and lock, and understand what you can do to extend battery life.    This podcast was made from actual real-world experience by the author Bill Anderson who manages vacation rental properties using smart locks...

It is a nice feeling to pay off your house.  Not everyone should pay off their house even if they can afford it.  Consider the interest rate you are paying.  If it's 2-5% or even 6%,  you could be going backward financially. Cash is king and we are in turbulent times now.  Everything costs more and it's important to be in a position to pay for living expenses and have funds set aside for...

One of the most popular questions I answer on Quora.  Listen to this podcast about buying a house as a senior.  Should you buy a house at age 60 or greater?  If you are considering what to do preparing for retirement or in later years, listen to this podcast for some facts and suggestions. Renting vs buying is always a challenge but for older Americans, that decision is critical.  You need as much...

Prices are lower now than they have been for the past few years at many vacation rental properties. Fewer people have taken vacations which has caused many owners and managers to reduce their rates.  There is a good possibility with the pending election next year that more people may feel good about taking vacations. Higher bookings usually mean higher prices in future months.  This is the time no...

You thought that Mardi Gras was only in New Orleans.  Wrong.  The official Mardi Gras celebrations started in Mobile Alabama and spread to Louisiana after it had already started along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Most of the cities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast host Mardi Gras parades starting in late January 2024 and ending on Fat Tuesday, February 13, 2024.  Some of the parades are as big if not...