By Michael Longsdon

Of all the housing trends out there, one of the healthiest is senior downsizing. Even though it’s a popular and positive concept, actually doing it can be a daunting prospect. Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals (REAP) invites you to read on for information on why it’s such a good idea, and how to make it happen so you can thrive.

Why it’s so healthy

Paring down your living environment can be just…

Buying a Second Home: What to Consider

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

At some point, many people consider buying a second home.

This new property might be your vacation getaway or an addition to your investment portfolio. But, just like buying your first home, such a large purchase requires careful consideration.

These four questions can help guide you as you weigh the potential benefits and challenges of purchasing another house.

Thinking About a Part-Time Job in Retirement? 30 Ideas to Try

Retirement comes with a wealth of positive benefits, including time, freedom and extra energy to try new things. But for some, all that extra time can cause feelings of boredom or anxiousness. This isn’t uncommon considering the fulfillment of a full time career or tending to a family are suddenly gone, and can end up resulting in a lost sense of purpose.

While retirement…

Do you want to sell your investment properties?

Many property investors want to sell their units after discovering highly favorable market conditions. Selling the properties isn’t usually an exit from investing altogether. Instead, you can put the profits to work and invest in new properties.

Sometimes the conditions are not favorable, yet you still see the need for selling your assets. For instance, you could notice that particular rental units are driving down the performance of…

Looking Ahead: What to Consider for 2021

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

At the start of a new year, it often feels natural to go into planning mode and make sure your financial house is in order.

But, the ongoing pandemic and a changing political landscape may make uncertainty a common theme for 2021.

How can you plan ahead no matter what this year may bring? Here are a few…

5 Financial Mistakes Anyone Could Make

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

As you know, planning for the future and keeping your finances on track require regular vigilance and fine-tuning.

But when life gets busy, it’s surprisingly easy to forget about the basics. That’s why even the wealthiest among us can end up picking up less-than-ideal habits.

No matter your situation, it’s a good idea to keep these potential missteps in…

Estate planning is something that all of us will have to face at some point in our lives. It’s a long process with a lot of planning, documenting, and computing.

Unfortunately, taking stock of your assets also includes thinking about taxes and other fees. Inheritance taxes and estate taxes can burn holes in your savings that you plan to pass down to your family. And while your local government is more than capable of…

4 Types of Legal Documents to Prepare

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

One part of planning your legacy and making your wishes known involves doing some digital and physical organizing.

Do you have all your key legal documents in an easily accessible but secure place?

Here’s what to have on hand and what to keep in mind as you put your essential information in order.

1. Records

We manage much of…

Managing Surprises and Sticking to Goals

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Without expenses like travel and dining out, many people have spent less and saved more over the last few months.

Others are experiencing a sudden drop in income due to job loss or early retirement.

With the timeline of the pandemic still unclear, now may be a good time to take another look at your financial goals. How can…

5 Financial Considerations of Divorce

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

No one wants to think about examining and dividing their finances, but divorce happens.

In particular, an increase in “grey divorce” (divorce involving couples over 50 years old) is something you may have heard about. The longer a couple is together, the more complicated the financial aspects of separation can become.

In the case that there is no prenuptial agreement…