The Home To Love

08/24/2026

Many millennials are finding they are able to cut discretionary spending in favor of having to rely on family members or sacrificing retirement savings to fund a home purchase. It is another sign that millennials are finally gaining their financial footing in a stronger economy.

Review your expenses and look for what you can reduce or eliminate. Do you really need the additional 60 channels with your cable package? Can you downgrade your internet speed? While these might not be ideal, there are a few concessions you might have to make in order to save up enough money.

One trick to spending less during the month is to try a spend-free weekend. For just one weekend out of the month, try to not spend a single dollar. You might be surprised how much you actually spend in a given weekend, and how quickly money can add up if you stay in instead.

Here’s a bonus suggestion for you (my wife would never agree to this because she “needs” her vacation.) but if it works for your family, great!

Skip vacations for a year.
Exploring a new destination can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it’s also often an expensive one. The average family of four spends about $4,500 on vacation – that’s a big chunk of cash. Saving the money you would have spent vacationing you can make significant contributions toward a down payment.



Phone: (281) 685-9327
Email: [email protected]

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

Amelia Earhart piloted a Lockheed Vega 5B 2,447.8 miles from Los Angeles to Newark, NJ, in a record 19 hours, 5 minutes, becoming the first woman to fly solo coast to coast. She would break her own speed record the next year, flying across North America a second time in 17 hours, 7 minutes.

Following her first ride in an airplane, in December 1920 while attending an air show in Long Beach, CA, Earhart took up flying as a hobby and purchased her first plane, a used two-seater Kinner Airster, in 1922. She became the 16th woman to earn a pilot’s license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, and would use her bright-yellow biplane to set her first unofficial record: becoming the first female pilot to reach an altitude of 14,000 feet.

08/23/2026

Paying off high-interest credit card debt can be an effective step toward saving for a home down payment. When a large portion of your monthly budget is going toward interest charges, it becomes much harder to set aside money for future goals. By reducing or eliminating those balances, you can free up cash each month and redirect it into a dedicated home savings account.

There can be additional benefits as well. Lower credit card balances may improve your credit utilization ratio, which can help strengthen your credit profile. Reducing monthly debt obligations may also improve your debt-to-income ratio, an important factor lenders consider when evaluating mortgage applications.

While paying off credit cards may not directly increase your down payment fund overnight, it can create more room in your budget and put you in a stronger financial position when it's time to apply for a mortgage. In many cases, reducing high-interest debt is a smart first step on the path to homeownership.



Phone: (281) 685-9327
Email: [email protected]

08/22/2026

For many repeat homebuyers, the equity and proceeds from selling a rental property, vacation home, or inherited real estate, can provide the cash needed for a down payment while reducing the need to tap into savings or take on additional debt.

In some cases, homeowners decide that a secondary property no longer fits their current lifestyle or financial goals. A vacation home may see less use over time, a rental property may require more management than desired, or an inherited property may not align with long-term plans. Selling these assets can unlock equity that has been building for years and put those funds to work in a new home purchase.

While this strategy is not as common as saving from income or using equity from a primary residence, it can be an effective option for those who own additional real estate. The proceeds from a sale can help increase purchasing power, lower monthly mortgage payments, or even reduce the amount of financing needed for the next home.

For homeowners with additional real estate holdings, leveraging existing property assets can be a practical and often overlooked way to help fund the purchase of a new home.



Phone: (281) 685-9327
Email: [email protected]

08/21/2026

In some situations, current estate and gift tax laws may allow families to use structured gifting or inheritance planning as a thoughtful way to transfer wealth while also helping a family member achieve homeownership. When coordinated properly, this can be an effective strategy to support a first home purchase while aligning with broader financial goals.

However, these decisions go far beyond simple money transfers. They can have lasting implications for taxes, long-term estate planning, credit considerations, and even family relationships. It’s also important to consider how any gift or inheritance fits within the overall estate strategy and whether it supports both short-term needs and long-term intentions.

Because of the complexity involved, these arrangements should never be made casually. Professional guidance from a licensed attorney, tax advisor, or estate planning specialist is strongly recommended before moving forward. Proper structure helps ensure compliance with current laws and avoids unintended consequences.

Every family has a different financial situation, set of goals, and set of dynamics. What works well for one household may not be appropriate for another, which is why a customized, well-advised approach is essential when planning wealth transfers tied to real estate purchases.



Phone: (281) 685-9327
Email: [email protected]

08/20/2026

You can use certain IRAs to help with a home down payment, but the rules depend on the type of account and what money you withdraw.

Here’s a simple breakdown:
-- Traditional IRA - You can take money out early for a first-time home purchase without paying the 10% penalty (up to $10,000 lifetime). You still pay regular income taxes on the money you withdraw. Best for: Flexibility, but not tax-free access.
-- Roth IRA - This is usually the most helpful option. You can always take out your contributions anytime with no taxes or penalties. You may also use up to $10,000 of earnings for a first-time home purchase if the account is at least 5 years old. The $10,000 limit is lifetime, not per purchase. Best for: Tax-free access to your own contributions.
-- SEP IRA - Used mainly by self-employed individuals. Follows the same rules as a Traditional IRA. The $10,000 first-time homebuyer penalty exception may apply. Works like a Traditional IRA in most cases.
-- SIMPLE IRA - Common in small business retirement plans. If the account is under 2 years old, early withdrawals can face a higher penalty (25%). After 2 years, it works more like a Traditional IRA. The $10,000 homebuyer exception can apply. Best for: Possible use, but timing matters a lot.

- The $10,000 limit is for your lifetime, not each home purchase.
- “First-time homebuyer” means you haven’t owned a home in the last 2 years—not never in your life.
- Roth IRAs are often the most tax-friendly option.
- Retirement accounts should be used carefully since they are meant for long-term savings.

Simple takeaway: Yes, all major IRAs can help with a home purchase, but they are not all equal.



Phone: (281) 685-9327
Email: [email protected]

08/20/2026

Benjamin Harrison was elected president in 1888, defeating incumbent Grover Cleveland in the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote—a rare split outcome in U.S. history.

His administration is often defined by major federal economic and regulatory expansion. Congress passed the McKinley Tariff of 1890, which significantly increased import taxes, and the Sherman Antitrust Act, one of the first U.S. efforts to regulate big business.

Harrison also supported conservation efforts, signing legislation that expanded the national forest reserves system, laying groundwork for modern public land protection. During his term, six new western states—North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming (admitted shortly before his presidency)—strengthened the nation’s expansion into the West.

His administration modernized the U.S. Navy and pursued a more assertive foreign policy, expanding American influence abroad. However, efforts to pass federal protections for voting rights for African Americans and national education funding ultimately failed in Congress.

Harrison left office after losing his 1892 reelection bid to Grover Cleveland, making him one of only two presidents to serve non-consecutive terms in office.

U.S. Presidents have had one of the most difficult jobs in the country and whether we love them, hate them, or don’t even know who they are, they deserve our respect.



Email: [email protected]
(281) 685-9327

08/20/2026

Higher Rates Could Actually Help Housing Supply – Here’s How.

You may have heard the number of homes for sale isn’t growing like it was. And maybe that has you worried you won’t find a home you love when it’s time to make your move.