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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development

By RD Blakeslee

Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development

Do real estate developers necessarily build a whole subdivision of houses or something like Donald Trump's tower? Well, Grandfather says ... "No." When integration came to America's public schools, a "colored" school in Union, West Virginia, ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development

5 Comments April 19, 2018

Why I Refuse to Buy Earthquake Insurance

By Len Penzo

Why I Refuse to Buy Earthquake Insurance

When it comes to living in Southern California, earthquakes are a part of life. Thankfully, in my thirty years of homeownership here, and despite several very large temblors, including a couple of 7.0 shakers, I've never had to worry about any ...

Continue reading Why I Refuse to Buy Earthquake Insurance

28 Comments February 26, 2018

3 Essential Tips for Finding the Best Home Loan

By Sabado Domingo

3 Essential Tips for Finding the Best Home Loan

Going through the mortgage process can be an intimidating, overwhelming experience, even for people who have done it before. For newcomers, it can be especially difficult. It's easy to understand why: you're facing the prospect of entering into an ...

Continue reading 3 Essential Tips for Finding the Best Home Loan

7 Comments February 14, 2018

A Quick Overview of 4 Potential Loan Options for Homebuyers

By Sabado Domingo

A Quick Overview of 4 Potential Loan Options for Homebuyers

When we think of financing for a home, we often assume that there are very few options. Sure, we know about first-time home buyer's options. We might also know that we can find loans with varying term periods. But there are other options out there ...

Continue reading A Quick Overview of 4 Potential Loan Options for Homebuyers

Leave a Comment February 2, 2018

What to Consider Before Closing a Deal on a Vacation Home

By Corazon Gritar

What to Consider Before Closing a Deal on a Vacation Home

As you work to become more financially secure, leisure time might feel more precious than ever. This is why many professionals choose to purchase their own slice of paradise: a vacation home. Whether this is a new idea for you or you've been ...

Continue reading What to Consider Before Closing a Deal on a Vacation Home

5 Comments January 31, 2018

Mailbag: Should I Contribute to the 401k or Save for a Home?

By Len Penzo

Mailbag: Should I Contribute to the 401k or Save for a Home?

I have been doing financial research and would love your opinion. I'm a young stay-at-home mom, and my husband just graduated from college. He got a great job within a few months of graduating, and we are looking toward buying a home. His job, also ...

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11 Comments January 3, 2018

10 More Old Wives’ Tales Masquerading As Financial Rules of Thumb

By Len Penzo

10 More Old Wives’ Tales Masquerading As Financial Rules of Thumb

There are people out there who swear that if you're lucky enough to see the first flower of springtime on a Friday, it's a sign of impending wealth. I know. I don't buy it either. Still, let's assume these folks know what they're talking about; ...

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50 Comments December 18, 2017

U.S. Housing Market Seeing Unchanged Mortgage Rates from Last Year

By Corazon Gritar

U.S. Housing Market Seeing Unchanged Mortgage Rates from Last Year

According to recent data, mortgage rates rose slightly this year, but are now essentially back to where they started a year ago. The average 30-year fixed rate reached 3.95% with an average 0.5 point. Two weeks ago, it was at 3.90% and at 3.94% a ...

Continue reading U.S. Housing Market Seeing Unchanged Mortgage Rates from Last Year

Leave a Comment November 29, 2017

How to Know If It’s Better to Renovate Your Current Home or Move

By Tex Freitag

How to Know If It’s Better to Renovate Your Current Home or Move

Home buying is an emotional decision, seldom dominated by the most rational part of the mind. That's not to say that there is nothing practical about buying a home. But practicality is only one part of the equation. There's always a mix of practical ...

Continue reading How to Know If It’s Better to Renovate Your Current Home or Move

2 Comments November 24, 2017

100 Words On: Why the Most Valuable Monopoly Property Isn’t Boardwalk

By Len Penzo

100 Words On: Why the Most Valuable Monopoly Property Isn’t Boardwalk

When playing Monopoly, the conventional wisdom is that the best property to own is Boardwalk because it commands the highest rent. However, savvy players know the most valuable property is actually Illinois Avenue. How can that be? Well, one of the ...

Continue reading 100 Words On: Why the Most Valuable Monopoly Property Isn’t Boardwalk

20 Comments October 19, 2017

How New Home Crowdfunding Path May Let Millennials Live the American Dream

By Corazon Gritar

How New Home Crowdfunding Path May Let Millennials Live the American Dream

American Millennials are making the news once again. This time, it's because the demographic as a whole can't afford to purchase homes. According to a recent survey by Apartment list, a staggering 80% of Millennials, those born between the years ...

Continue reading How New Home Crowdfunding Path May Let Millennials Live the American Dream

5 Comments August 1, 2017

The 15 vs. 30 Year Mortgage Debate: Why a 30-Year Loan Is Better

By Len Penzo

The 15 vs. 30 Year Mortgage Debate: Why a 30-Year Loan Is Better

According to Freddie Mac's most recent survey, there is currently a spread of 0.72% between the 15- and 30-year fixed rate mortgage benchmarks. I think most people naturally assume that, when it comes to choosing between a 15- or 30-year fixed rate ...

Continue reading The 15 vs. 30 Year Mortgage Debate: Why a 30-Year Loan Is Better

102 Comments July 31, 2017

Outdoor Living: What to Consider When Buying a Family Vacation Home

By Corazon Gritar

Outdoor Living: What to Consider When Buying a Family Vacation Home

No matter where your family lives, there is no arguing that natural spaces are often more appealing. Fresh air, sprawling lakes, and abundant wildlife offer an escape from everyday distractions, so it's no wonder that 37% of families say that ...

Continue reading Outdoor Living: What to Consider When Buying a Family Vacation Home

1 Comment July 19, 2017

100 Words On: Why Tracking Your Net Worth Is So Overrated

By Len Penzo

100 Words On: Why Tracking Your Net Worth Is So Overrated

Many people dream about reaching the million-dollar net worth milestone, as if that lofty benchmark somehow guarantees a strife-free financial life. Preposterous! Net worth -- the value of your total assets minus your total liabilities -- is ...

Continue reading 100 Words On: Why Tracking Your Net Worth Is So Overrated

48 Comments June 22, 2017

Basic Tips for Buying Your First Home on a Budget

By Enero Febrero

Basic Tips for Buying Your First Home on a Budget

Buying your first home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. The old standard of saving a 20% down payment seems like an insurmountable task at times -- but there are alternatives available that can make owning your home a dream come ...

Continue reading Basic Tips for Buying Your First Home on a Budget

3 Comments May 3, 2017

100 Words On: Why A Home Shouldn’t Be Considered an Investment

By Len Penzo

100 Words On: Why A Home Shouldn’t Be Considered an Investment

It's often said that a house is our biggest investment, yet the primary function of any house is to simply provide us with a place to live. Yes, handsome gains can be had for those with good timing. However, as investments go, houses rarely match the ...

Continue reading 100 Words On: Why A Home Shouldn’t Be Considered an Investment

21 Comments March 30, 2017

Real Estate Agents: Why They’re Not Worth It

By Len Penzo

Real Estate Agents: Why They’re Not Worth It

I've sold one house in my lifetime -- way back in 1997 -- and I did that without a real estate agent. Yep ... For sale by owner (or FSBO). It wasn't supposed to be that way.I actually started out with a realtor because I thought it would be crazy ...

Continue reading Real Estate Agents: Why They’re Not Worth It

104 Comments March 20, 2017

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

By Anum Yoon

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

The reverse mortgage is a financial option that has been around for decades, but relatively few people ever use them. However, the truth is, many people in their sixties and older end up with a majority of their wealth tied up in their home, while ...

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Leave a Comment January 31, 2017

7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

By Sabado Domingo

7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

So you think you found the home of your dreams? Well, that potential dream home could easily turn out to be a nightmare if you don't pay attention during the house hunting process. After all, it's easy to overlook pest problems; many new home buyers ...

Continue reading 7 Signs That the Home You Want to Buy or Rent Has a Pest Problem

4 Comments December 16, 2016

How to Know When It’s Time to Cut and Run On an Investment

By Sabado Domingo

How to Know When It’s Time to Cut and Run On an Investment

Nobody ever likes to admit when they are wrong, but sometimes it really is best to just cut your losses and run. This can apply to many different things in life, from relationships to money, but since this blog primarily focuses on good personal ...

Continue reading How to Know When It’s Time to Cut and Run On an Investment

3 Comments November 30, 2016

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