Sorry, Suze Orman. We Disagree.
Suze Orman is an excellent resource for people seeking tried-and-true financial advice. She’s a bestselling author, columnist, and speaker. She knows her stuff. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take issue with her advice.
For instance, in her recent blog post, Suze says this about refinancing:
“The big mistake is that after spending years paying down their existing 30-year mortgage, people then refinance into a new 30-year mortgage. This is so very wrong. Let’s say you have been paying your original mortgage for 14 years. Now you decide to refinance and you take out a fresh 30-year mortgage. Sure, the new mortgage is at a lower interest rate, but you just extended your mortgage-payment on this home to 44 years! That’s 44 years of interest payments.”
OK, Suze, we get it. What you’re saying makes sense — but only if you’ve been financially stable for quite some time with considerable savings in the bank. That, however, is not the world we’re living in these days.
A refinance relieves the stress of mounting debt that plagues so many people who have been directly affected by the pandemic, whether it’s job- or health-related. Because we’re in a period of historically low rates, a refi will beat any bank loan you could hope to get.
The people I have worked with are looking for the financial relief a refinance provides. No one should feel ashamed for seeking help, even if they have made poor financial choices in the past. We’re not all perfect. Not even Suze.
If you’d like to chat about mortgage options, please call me at 617-965-1236. If you’re planning to buy this year, let’s talk soon. I look forward to speaking with you.
Ready to buy a new home or refinance the one you own? Please get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer your questions and help guide you through the process. I look forward to speaking with you.
Home Improver: Is the Water Table Rising?
This has been one of the rainiest springs and summers in a long time. What does that mean for the water table? Is it rising? How can it affect your home?
Let’s start with a definition, from our friends at National Geographic:
“Well beneath the ground, at various depths depending on geography, topography and weather conditions, pockets of water, called aquifers, exist. The water table marks the boundary between that available water and the dry surface.”
Water tables can rise when they take on more water than they drain off. This can be from unusually high amounts of rain, or excess water from higher elevations. They are sometimes above the level of basement floors or crawlspaces. This may put your home at risk for flooding.
Watch for lingering puddles in your yard after a couple of days of heavy rain. It is very likely that the puddle is the top of the table and has temporarily exceeded what the yard can handle. There’s not much you can do to stop the flooding once it’s happening, but there are preventative measures that can be taken.
Basement and foundation waterproofing professionals, as well as landscaping contractors, can help homeowners develop a plan to mitigate water damage. This can include the installation of drains and pumps to move water away from the house. Special paints and sealants also can protect the foundation.