Patricia Mertz Esswein
Latest articles by Patricia Mertz Esswein
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20 Things Home Buyers Will Hate About Your House
real estate As a home seller, you don't want to let the small — or big — fixes around your house that have added up over the years sabotage your bottom line during a resale.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
real estate Use this 20-point checklist to get your home ready for spring.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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10 Things Every Home Buyer Should Do
real estate Buying a home may be one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. The more you know about the process, the more money you'll save.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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10 Energy-Efficient Moves to Do in a Weekend
real estate For homeowners, it doesn't take much to help make the planet a little greener.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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Which of These Three Popular Meal Kits Are Right For You?
Kiplinger examines three popular meal kits to determine what households they're right for.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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Why You Need an Umbrella Insurance Policy
insurance If you're hit with a lawsuit, your auto or homeowners insurance may not fully cover you.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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How to Get Rid of a Timeshare
Travel It’s not easy, and you will never get back what you paid for it.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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The Downside of Selling Your Home with an iBuyer
You can skip the open houses, preparation and haggling. But you'll risk getting less money.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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Two Smart Ways to Help Your Kids Buy A House
Be aware of the IRS rules when lending or giving your kids money to help them achieve their dream
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Last updated
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A Healthy Condo Has a Flush Reserve Fund
Smart Buying Reserve funds for a third of homeowner and condo associations have insufficient cash, experts say. Here are some cautionary steps you should take.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Retirement Living: Home Is a Boat in the Caribbean
Making Your Money Last Sure, the quarters are close and you have to navigate a sea change in your lifestyle. But for some, retiring on a boat is the right way to go.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Find Your Perfect Place to Retire
Best Places Just packing up and heading south when you retire isn't the answer. We offer some smart guidance to finding your best place to retire.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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How Retirees Can Book a Last-Minute Winter Getaway
travel If you've decided on a jaunt to warmer climates late in the season, don't despair. There are still ways to find a great vacation rental.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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How Retirees Can Earn Extra Cash by Turning Their Home Into an Airbnb
retirement Airbnb hosts use these extra funds to help shore up their finances in retirement. But beware that opening your home to travelers also comes with risks.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Crucial Steps in the Search for the Right Nursing Home
long term care Finding a skilled nursing facility or nursing home after a hospital stay can be daunting. Follow these steps and tips to make the process easier.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Should You Rent or Buy Your Next Home in Retirement?
mortgages If you’re thinking about renting your next home instead of buying, consider the pros and cons of the decision.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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A COVID Storm Hits Senior Living
Coronavirus and Your Money The pandemic has created significant challenges for all types of senior living communities. Because of that, it's more important than ever to review a facility's financial stability and quality of life before making a move.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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A Retirement Home Is a Tiny House in the Kids’ Backyard
Making Your Money Last A tiny home in retirement could be a more-affordable way to downsize and still be close to family.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Planning to Sell Your Home in Retirement? Downsize Costs Along With Space
Budgeting In this hot real estate market, consider the costs of buying and selling a house along with the expenses associated with your new digs.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Retirees, Make the Most of Your Home Equity
Budgeting A home equity loan or home equity line of credit may be perfect for your retirement finances. But don't delay; a fee increase is coming.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Retirees, Create An Emergency Fund for Rental Property
Business Costs & Regulation Build a cushion to protect your income from an unforeseen crisis.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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11 Things Every Home Seller Should Do
real estate As a home seller, your goal is to sell your property quickly for the most money possible.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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The Complete Guide to Decluttering
real estate Spending a lot of time at home? What better time to get organized?
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
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Retirees, Sell Your Home Without a Hassle
retirement If you need a quick sale so you can move to a better or different situation, you have some quick-turnaround options.
By Patricia Mertz Esswein Published
retirement