Category Gigi’s Blog

Significant Life Events

What is the number one reason people move? Life’s milestones often serve as motivation for housing decisions. Whether it’s tying the knot, starting a family or pursuing career advancements, these pivotal moments ignite aspirations for stability and growth. These milestones contribute to a sustained and, at times, pent-up demand for a move.

Declining Mortgage Rates

Against the backdrop of life’s milestones, the changing mortgage rates have a considerable influence on housing demand. Declining mortgage rates, in particular, are a powerful stimulant, giving prospective buyers increased purchasing power and motivating them to enter the market...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros on organizing projects you can do now.

If I had $1 for every time I heard someone say they were going to tackle large decluttering/organizing projects on “the next snow day” — I’d have a whole lot of dollars!! 

We actually had a real snow day recently and I wondered who was able to actually tackle long awaited projects. I know that I didn’t have much to show on my snow day other than shoveling!

Before winter ends and before our spring gardeners are off and running, what “something” can you do NOW so that you:

1. feel more comfortable having friends or family over.
2. spend less time feeling guilty about what you “should” be doing.
3. feel proud of yourself.
4. create more peace in your home.

Just...

As the anticipation for the Super Bowl reached its peak, nothing beat the thrill of gathering with clients and colleagues for a pre-game pizza event. It’s wonderful to see my clients and colleagues face-to-face at my pizza client event, providing an opportunity to truly understand their needs and preferences.

Welcoming ...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about problems house inspectors might not catch.

Chimneys are not just a way to create a comfortable and welcoming ambiance in a home, they are also a critical piece of the house that requires regular maintenance to avoid any safety issues. Home inspections are a common part of the buying and selling processes. Home inspectors do not have the same level of expertise in inspecting a chimney. Additionally, they don’t have the same tools as chimney inspectors. What are some of the common problems that they might miss?

Hidden Creosote Build-Up

Creosote buildup within chimneys is a significant concern and a potential fire hazard. However, it can be challenging to detect creosote accumulation without specialized tools...

Thanks to L. K. Benson for sharing with us.

Last January, in our 2022 market commentary, we talked about how the world will never stop surprising us. Yet, despite the surprising nature of the world, our desire to try to predict the future never stops. Every conversation we have about the markets includes a question about what we think will happen next. Usually, that question begins with “I know you can’t predict these things,” but we still can’t stop ourselves from asking for a prediction anyway!

This doesn’t just happen in the markets. In sports, people spend hours trying to predict who will win the next big game or the next championship. Every election year, there is endless commentary and polls trying to predict who will be elected...

For the past 30 years, interest rates have not been constant, with no mortgage relief in sight. Rather, they have varied depending on various factors. However, the average interest rate during this period has been between 5% and 10%, which is relatively high compared to historical standards. According to industry experts, there is a possibility that interest rates will decline to around 6% or lower by the end of 2024, which would be a significant drop from the current levels. This information may be useful for you if you are thinking about purchasing or selling a property in the near future.

Here is an infographic that explains the situation:

Many industry experts have expressed their views on mortgages and how they affect our lives...

Thanks to Clean Sweep for this episode of Tips from the Pros about how to deal with animals in your chimney.

As the cozy winter season sets in, there’s nothing like the warmth and comfort of a crackling fire in the hearth. Unfortunately, sometimes unexpected guests like animals can decide to make your chimney their home. It’s easy to panic when you realize that there is wildlife living in your chimney, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of the problem without hurting yourself or the animals.

Why Are Animals Attracted to Chimneys?

Most animals who end up in chimneys are there because they want a safe place to stay. This is particularly common during the winter, as the weather can be cold and harsh outside...

Ground Beetles: How to Support These Garden Helpers During the Winter

Thanks to the University of Maryland/Maryland Grows this informative article on composting and climate change.

Do you ever wonder where insects go during the winter? This year, as you snuggle up under a warm blanket to escape the winter cold, think about how you can help the beneficial insects in your garden do the same. The harsh conditions of the cold season can be challenging to deal with. However, some insects can benefit from habitats that provide them with shelter not only during the winter but all year round. Ground beetles are a great example of insects that can be a tremendous help in the garden. They also appreciate a good nook or cranny to hide out in while the weather is less than ideal. 

Ground bee...

Verify hours and event details before you attend any events.

Bach in Baltimore

Welcome 2024 with Bach in Baltimore Orchestral Soloists playing their favorite Baroque pieces. 
January 1, 2024
4:00 pm
Zion Lutheran Church
400 E Lexington Street, Baltimore

Making Her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800

Through January 7.
Baltimore Museum of Art
10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
Telephone: (443) 573-1700
TDD: (410) 396-4930

Pirate 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon

January 6, 13.1M, 10K, 5K run
Bel Air, MD
This is a US Road Running Club Race and part of the US Road Running Race Series.
It is not required to be a club member to run with us.
Club members receive 50% off club races and a US R...

Thanks to L. K. Benson for sharing with us.

I was recently invited to speak at the National Tax Conference in Washington, DC. I took advantage of the opportunity to hear from some of the leading tax experts in the country on current tax planning strategies. There was a session on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by Kelley Long, CPA/PFS. The session provided some excellent advice on maximizing the wealth-building aspects of these accounts. You can read more from her on this topic in this Journal of Accountancy article.

HSAs

We’ve written about HSAs before, calling them a hidden gem that more people should use to help put away money for retirement...