Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity’s Post

June is National Homeownership Month! Be sure to check out these awesome resources from NAR, including: 🔧 NAR's Homeownership Month Digital Toolkit 🥂 Success Stories 🤝 REALTORS® Relief Foundation Fundraising Effort 🏠 NAR Housing Opportunity and Fair Housing Grants ...and much more! #NationalHomeownershipMonth #HomeownerResources #NAR #HomeownerToolkit

🏡🇺🇸 Housing Resources for Veterans: Supporting Our Heroes 🇺🇸🏡 Did you know there are numerous housing resources available to assist Veterans in finding safe and affordable housing? 🏠 Whether you're a Veteran yourself or know someone who is, we want to ensure you have access to these essential resources. Here are a few valuable programs and organizations: ✅ VA Home Loans: VA loans offer competitive interest rates, low or no down payment options, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirements. They make homeownership more accessible for Veterans and their families. ✅ Veterans Affairs Support: The VA provides a range of housing assistance programs, including supportive housing for homeless Veterans, adaptive housing grants for disabled Veterans, and foreclosure prevention assistance. ✅ Local Nonprofits: Many local nonprofits and organizations are dedicated to helping Veterans find suitable housing, offering rental assistance, transitional housing, and community support. ✅ Housing Counseling: HUD-approved housing counselors can provide guidance on budgeting, credit improvement, and navigating the homebuying process. ✅ Community Partnerships: We've partnered with local businesses and organizations committed to supporting Veterans, offering discounts and services to make your housing journey smoother. If you or someone you know is a Veteran in need of housing assistance, please reach out to us. We're here to connect you with the resources and support you deserve. 🤝 Let's work together to find the perfect place to call home. 🏡❤️ #VeteransHousing #HomeSweetHome #SupportOurHeroes #VeteransSupport #HousingResources --

Why should I make a Will? It’s important to understand what will happen to our estate if we die without a Will. We probably all understand that we should have a Will but the reality is that most of us don’t have one. In fact, it’s suggested that around two thirds of the population in England & Wales don’t currently have a valid Will in place. Making a Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death. If you have not made, or do not have a valid Will, your property will pass according to the Law of Intestacy. This may not be what you would have wished. In any event it is likely to take longer to finalise than if you had made a Will. During this time your beneficiaries may not be able to draw any money from your estate and it can lead to arguments and distress for your relatives. If you are single You might want your estate divided amongst friends, relatives and charities of your choosing and in the proportions you want. If you are married Don’t assume “my other half will get everything”. Brothers, sisters or parents may have a claim. Often your children have a right to part of your estate. If you are living as a couple but not officially married, you may be treated as a single person and a surviving partner may get nothing at all. One thing you can be certain of – there will be arguments and disputes at a time when the family should be coping with the loss of a loved one. If you are a parent You should consider who you would like to look after your children in the event of your death. This is particularly important in the case of single parent families or unmarried parents living together. A valid Will nominating guardians is invaluable in such cases. If no one knows what you would have wanted, the Court will decide on the future of your children, and it may not be what you or your children would have wished. If you are retired Maybe you made a Will a long time ago. It probably needs updating to include additional grandchildren or deletion of persons you no longer feel you wish to leave anything to. If you haven't made a Will If you have not yet made a Will, get in touch with us at www.bluelightwills.co.uk or send us an email at enquiries@bluelightwills.co.uk or give us a call on 0800 6 101 101 *It is advisable that you review your Will every 2-5 years to take into account any changes in circumstances.*

If you're hoping to buy a home but struggling to save for a down payment, don't despair. Down payment assistance is available, and it can make a big difference in your home buying budget. According to the Homeownership Program Index, there are over 2,000 homebuyer assistance programs available across the country. These programs can offer grants, loans, and other financial assistance to help you with your down payment and closing costs. To find out if you're eligible for down payment assistance, contact your local housing authority or a nonprofit housing organization in your area. They can help you identify programs that you may be eligible for and walk you through the application process. Here are some tips for finding and applying for down payment assistance: • Start by researching the programs available in your area. You can find a list of programs on the HUD website. • Contact your local housing authority or a nonprofit housing organization for more information about programs in your area and to get help with the application process. • Be prepared to provide information about your income, credit score, and other financial information. • Ask about any fees or restrictions associated with the program. • Make sure to apply for the program well in advance of your home purchase. Down payment assistance can be a great way to make homeownership more affordable. By taking advantage of these programs, you can achieve your dream of homeownership sooner than you thought possible. #downpaymentassistance #helpmakehomeownershipmoreaffordable #fourcornersboardofrealtors

Understanding Affordable Housing: Key Programs Every Manager Should Know Affordable housing remains a critical issue in the United States, impacting numerous families and individuals. As a housing manager, it is crucial to be well-versed in the types of affordable housing programs available. Discover 8 types of affordable housing programs that every manager needs to know, each designed to provide essential support to communities in need. From government subsidies to nonprofit initiatives, these programs play a vital role in ensuring safe and affordable living conditions. Learn more about how you can make a difference by understanding these essential programs. https://lnkd.in/drGWTKB3

In South Carolina, you may explore down payment assistance programs such as the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) and the Palmetto Heroes Program. Additionally, local housing agencies and nonprofits often offer assistance. It's advisable to contact SC Housing or consult with a local mortgage lender for the most up-to-date information tailored to your situation. Nonprofits in South Carolina that may assist with down payment include: 1. **South Carolina Community Loan Fund (SCCLF):** They focus on providing financing and technical assistance for community development projects, including affordable housing. 2. **Habitat for Humanity affiliates:** Local Habitat for Humanity chapters often work on affordable housing solutions, and some may offer down payment assistance or affordable mortgage options. 3. **Palmetto Community Action Partnership:** This organization may provide various services, including housing assistance programs, in different regions of South Carolina. 4. **United Way of South Carolina:** United Way organizations often collaborate with local nonprofits to address community needs, including affordable housing initiatives. Remember to directly contact these organizations to inquire about their current programs and availability of down payment assistance. #housingassistance #homebuyer #firsthome #buyer #realestate

This story is heartbreaking, angering, and shameful. Where are we as a society when bad credit can justify someone's homelessness? As a teen mom, this story was nearly me. While I have not experienced homelessness (thank God!), I have lived on this edge and it is scary. It is beyond defeating to have to choose between groceries and a bill that really means very little to anyone on the receiving end, but fear of collection compels you to choose the bill. And it's exhausting to have no choice but to live resourcefully, relying on WIC, school stipends, and second jobs while trying to be a new, young mom with no instruction manual and little support system or empathy. The "you did this to yourself" judgement from people when they learn that you have credit card debt and can't pay all of your bills each month "on the good money you make" annihilates your self-esteem. At the time, my income was considered above median (@ $30K/ year), but just like this woman, I made too little to afford Bay Area rent and utilities, and made too much to "qualify" for any assistance. So what else can you do but be self-reliant and use credit, until you can't. I got lucky and had a bail out of sorts when we loaded up a borrowed car (because the last straw was someone rear-ending us and totaling our only vehicle), buckled in our 3 yr old and 6 mo old, and moved to Seattle on the insurance money we received. We lived in my dad's house for three months rent free while we looked for jobs and daycare. We were down to our last $200 when my husband landed the job he spent 20 years in with Seattle Parks. But we could have so easily become the Audets at so many forks in this journey. And 23 years after my story was on this edge, not much has changed in our society. Well, except for $30K/ yr used to be not quite enough, and now $72K/ yr is not enough to live on! How did we get here? And how can we reverse the tides? Medical bills should not push someone over the financial cliff. And qualifying for help should not only consider a person's income. We forgot to see people as people somewhere between the interest profits of credit companies and the padded pockets of pharmaceutical dealers. To the people working so hard and feeling locked out even still - I see you. This is exactly why when someone approaches me and asks me to look at their resume and coach them on how to get a job or promotion, I say yes every time. Because I was once there and I'm so grateful for the people who said yes to me. Helping one person at a time realize their potential and move over this mountain is one thing...but lifting a whole society out of the downward spiral that perpetuates stories like the Audets (and mine) takes all of us.

Whether by choice or circumstance, increasing numbers of ageing adults and couples have no children to pass their wealth onto. With thoughtful estate planning, however, child-free individuals and couples can ensure family members, friends, or charities close to their heart benefit after they’re gone. In this article we share top planning tips for those in this situation. https://lnkd.in/efvJzgFv #wealthmanagement #juliusbaer #estateplanning #wealthplanning

📰 Estate Planning Essentials: Why You Need an Attorney by Your Side Insights: - Estate planning goes beyond just making a will; it also includes instructions on healthcare decisions, appointing guardians for minor children and pets, and setting up charitable donations. - Creating an estate plan now is crucial to avoid discord among loved ones and ensure proper decision-making in case of incapacity. - Seeking help from a licensed estate planning attorney can provide guidance on complex estates, asset inclusion, beneficiary identification, wills and trusts, healthcare directives, and tax planning. 💭 Planning for the future can be uncomfortable but crucial. Consulting an estate planning attorney ensures your assets are protected, your loved ones are cared for, and your wishes are fulfilled. What steps will you take to secure your legacy? #EstatePlanning #FinancialFuture Note: This article provides an overview of estate planning essentials and the importance of seeking professional help. It is recommended to consult with a licensed estate planning attorney for personalized advice and guidance. https://lnkd.in/e7eYb9TP

Sharing is Caring – Your Beneficiaries   You thought about your estate and met with an attorney and an accountant, and you considered all of the aspects of what you were going to leave to whom. You had the attorney prepare your will and you were content that your wishes would be carried out.   Several years have passed and events have occurred. The events can happen to you, or they can happen to your beneficiaries. These events might change the manner in which you achieve your testamentary intent.   First, consider a bequest to your spouse. This might be simple, or not. Between the time you wrote your will and you died, your spouse might have become disabled or mentally incompetent. Your spouse might be receiving assistance from the government in the form of Medicaid or a similar program. A bequest to this spouse could render the spouse to be ineligible for the assistance and the net effect of the bequest is to give the money to the government.   Continuing with spousal bequests, the surviving spouse might contract a disease or sickness which requires extended hospitalization of daily care. Here again, a bequest to the spouse could in effect be a bequest to the hospital or care facility.   If you have children, a spousal bequest can be dangerous. If you leave everything to a surviving spouse without qualifying language and the surviving spouse remarries, all of your stuff might go to her new husband or his new wife.    There are similar problems with bequests to your children or to third parties. Children present a new dynamic. Most people say, “to my spouse and to my children, equally if my spouse doesn’t survive me.”. This may be a good idea when the children are under say twenty-five but what of one of them becomes a captain of industry and the bequest from you is a mere drop in his financial bucket? What if one of them is doing philanthropic work and is not living high on the hog at all? A bequest to him would be appreciated but would a bequest to his favorite charity not be appreciated more? What if a child becomes the epitome of a spendthrift, buying all sorts of gizmos and gadgets with no regard for their useful life or cost?   These are but a few of the questions which must be addressed and answered in preparing your will. Your estate planning consultant will discuss these questions and others with you.   Enjoy your day. John Martin Miles 6050 Eagle Close Lane                              Sugar Hill, GA 30518                                  404-725-7937                                john@johnmiles.com