Student Debt Holding Back Millennials

A new survey from the National Association of REALTORS® shows that the student loan debt carried by millennials has major implications for the U.S. economy. The typical millennial student loan debt load is $41,200, which is greater than their average annual income, $38,800. This has delayed several major financial and personal milestones, including: •    83% of millennials surveyed say they have had to delay buying a home •    86%  have made career sacrifices •    41%  delayed marriage •    55%  postponed having children •    61% are not adequately saving for retirement Story Springboard Read NAR and American Student Assistance’s report “Student Loan Debt and Housing Report 2017.” Speak with some millennials in your area about how student loan debt has affected their purchasing habits and their ability to save for major life events. Talk with REALTORS® about the number of millennial homebuyers they have worked with and if they have noticed student debt affecting their ability to buy or had an impact on the type of home they purchased.

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Remodeling Your Home, Love Your Home!

According to a new report from the National Association of REALTORS®, homeowners that complete a remodeling project are more satisfied with their home. Seventy-five percent of owners who finished a project claim to have a greater desire to be in their home, and 65 percent say they have increased enjoyment in their home. Remodeling projects also bring homeowners a sense of achievement, with 77 percent of owners saying they felt a major sense of accomplishment when thinking of their completed project and 56 percent saying they feel happy when they see their projects. Story Springboard Review NAR’s 2017 Remodeling Impact Report for more information on the emotional and financial benefits of home remodeling projects. Speak with homeowners who recently completed a remodeling project about their experience and how they feel about the outcome. Talk to a REALTOR® about which remodeling projects owners should undertake if they are hoping to recoup the costs at resale.

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Preparing for Winter in Fall

Autumn’s arrival means sweater weather, pumpkin flavored everything and getting the house ready for winter. Smart homeowners know that the perfect time to start preparing for cold weather is before the weather arrives. Come October, homeowners should be switching the direction of their ceiling fans; a fan spinning clockwise will help suck up warm air and distribute heat. And no one wants to be outside once the temperature drops significantly, so autumn is the perfect time to deep clean windows. It will be worth it when the sun shines in on even the darkest days of winter. Homeowners should also schedule a checkup for their heating unit. Maintenance technicians get busy come winter, so it is important to make an appointment early! Story Springboard Check out HouseLogic’s “More Safe, Less Sorry” spotlight for more information on preparing a home for winter. Speak with repairpersons in your area about the most common and avoidable home problems they see come winter. Talk with REALTORS® in your community about the advice they give to new homeowners on dealing with temperature changes.

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