SRES® Blog

If inflation and a chilly stock market are making you nervous about the viability of your long-term financial plan, you're not alone. Even millionaires say they're feeling pinched, and some no longer feel confident that they're prepared for retirement, according to "The Million Dollar Question," a global survey by Natixis Investment Managers. Some millionaires, 35% of survey respondents, said they'd need a miracle to secure retirement. In the report, investment advisors outline the top five mistakes investors make in their retirement plans. Here are three to avoid: 1. Inflation – Don't

If you’re considering tapping Canada’s Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit to create a multigenerational household, think beyond the physical space. Discussing everyone’s needs and expectations in advance can make the living arrangement more fulfilling for each family member. Generations United, which conducted the study Family Matters: Multigenerational Living Is on the Rise and Here to Stay, offers ten tips on making such living arrangements successful. They include: 1. Build relationships through shared activities across the generations, including learning together, cooking, and

Who doesn’t like those what’s in and what’s out lists? They’re especially helpful when you’re making home renovation decisions or tweaking your design in anticipation of selling your home. Forbes talked with home industry experts, including interior designers, a real estate broker, and an HGTV personality, to identify 12 kitchen design trends on the way out for 2023. Here are five. 1. Open kitchens 2. All-white kitchens 3. The farmhouse style 4. Faux finishes 5. Matte black hardware Read more about commentators’ thoughts on kitchen design elements at. If you’re not a Forbes subscriber, the

A recent National Institute on Ageing (NIA) report, "Ageing in the Right Place: Supporting Older Canadians to Live Where They Want,” outlined how to help Canadians age where they want and stay out of institutional settings. One of its key points concerns boosting home safety, something you can do right away on your own. Tapping materials produced for November’s Fall Prevention Month is one starting point. For example, look at the link to the home self-assessment tool. It walks you through your house room-by-room, helping you identify dangers in each space and outlining how to address each

During this time of inflation, you try to save money wherever possible. Since the cost of homeowners insurance can vary, it may be worth looking for better rates to protect your home. Here are three considerations. Shop around. Get quotes from at least three companies, and be sure to make apples-to-apples comparisons among them. Learn more about how to size up policies. Multi-policy discounts. Buy your home, car, and other insurance from the same company. Insurers often offer multi-policy discounts when you get more than one policy from them. Ask about discounts. Some companies may lower your

The Inflation Reduction Act will offer financial incentives to make home upgrades to reduce your carbon footprint and help you make your home healthier and more comfortable, and reduce your energy bills. Here are three resources to get you up to speed on the topic. 7 Simple Steps to Decarbonize Your Home Learn what decarbonization means and the steps you can take to improve your home’s comfort and performance. Electrify Everything in Your Home – This handbook makes a case for making changes at home. It covers the how-to and potential costs of replacing fossil-fueled appliances with electric

You may want to invest additional money for upgrades when budgeting for a new home. Home buyers spend close to $12,000 on alterations and repairs during the first year after closing, according to NAHB’s analysis of Consumer Expenditure Survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That figure includes over $4,000 on things like building outdoor patios, fences, pools, and driveways. They spend another $3,167 on landscaping. New appliances are another significant cost – an average of $4,254 – as are new furnishings, with an average spend of $5,122. Other projects done by new buyers include

This year’s AARP Livability Index (https://livabilityindex.aarp.org/) included information about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), often known as in-law suites and guest houses, for the first time. After all, ADUs may be an attractive aging-in-place option for the 88% of Americans between the ages of 50 and 80 who, in the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, said it's very or somewhat important to live in their homes as long as possible. The rub is that in many places, zoning laws don’t permit ADUs. But that’s changing, and AARP has been advocating for ADUs. The District of

Not long ago, the perception was that Millennial buyers wanted move-in-ready houses. That placed a burden on sellers who felt like they had to invest considerable time and money to sell their homes. New research by Real Estate Witch (https://www.realestatewitch.com/2022-millennial-home-buyer-report/) suggests that Millennials, facing inventory shortages and stiff competition for homes, are compromising on their must-haves. For you, that may mean that you won’t need to invest as much in upgrades and deal with the angst and inconvenience of major renovation projects. Some ways that Millennials

Even if you’re not in the market for a new primary home, you can still cash in on the historically low interest rates we’re experiencing. Start with an online calculator (here’s one: https://www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/refinance-calculator.aspx) to see whether it makes sense to refinance or take money out of your home. Here are three possible uses for your home equity. Buy a vacation or investment property. If you’ve been longing to be a snowbird or become a landlord, find the down payment for a purchase. Make your home age-friendly. Invest in some of the higher-ticket aging-in