Check out my July Newsletter

Dated: July 3 2024

Views: 701

"Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement." ~Nelson Mandela
Jamey's image Associate Broker
Jamey Kramer 
248-348-7200
RE/MAX Classic
ABOUT âž¤
We've all heard that eating a good breakfast is important. But there are other ways to start your day that begin before breakfast. Here are 6 simple kick-starts that can all be done in the space of 15 to 20 minutes: 
  • Drink a large glass of water: Hydration is one of the most important ways of maintaining your health, from lowering inflammation to improving liver function. A full glass of water right after waking up will jumpstart your metabolism and make you feel more energized.
  • Get some morning exercise: Even a simple activity such as doing jumping jacks while your coffee is brewing can help. If you have more time, take a brisk walk or do a yoga session. Exercise boosts the blood flow to your body and brain. 
  • Flood your mind with positive thoughts: Positivity has been proven to improve everything from brain function to physical health. Not only do you feel better, but your attitude towards others improves and you feel more capable. Read positive affirmations or write in a journal. 
  • Plan your day: Take a few minutes to list the things you need to do today and set priorities. Having a clear plan can reduce stress make your day more productive and satisfying.
  • Picture the outcome: Along with your positive thoughts and planning the day, take a moment to picture exactly how you want to feel throughout the day, how you want the day to go, what results you want from the day. 
 ~Jamey. If your morning includes browsing Zillow for homes, let me know if you want to go house hunting for real. Happy day! 248-348-7200
 
➤ Rates at the time of publication are 6.95%. Click above for today's rate.
➤ During the latest FOMC meeting decision, released on June 11-12, 2024, the Fed again held rates steady, continuing a pause from an aggressive rate-hiking campaign that began in March 2022 to fight rising inflation. That means mortgage rates are unlikely to change by much. The Fed meets again at the end of this month.  
Common wisdom says that we should try to pay off our mortgages early to save on interest. But that advice doesn't always make sense. For example, if you have a super low mortgage rate of under 3% and a high-yield savings account offering over 4%, you'd benefit more from the savings rather than making extra mortgage payments. Here are a few other situations when it doesn't make sense to pay extra on your mortgage:

Your home needs a lot of work: You might want to put your extra cash into repairs that improve your quality of life and make your home a better long-term investment. After all, there's not much sense in paying your mortgage early if you've allowed the house to fall apart.

You have higher-interest debt: If you have credit card debt or other high-interest loans that exceed your mortgage's interest rate, it's probably more financially beneficial to pay off the debts first. 

You get tax deductions on mortgage payments: Mortgage interest is often tax-deductible, especially if you itemize your deductions. This deduction can reduce your taxable income, potentially saving you money on your taxes. If you're in a higher tax bracket, this tax savings could outweigh the savings you'd get from paying your mortgage early. (Discuss with your accountant.)

You need more retirement savings: Investing extra funds into into retirement accounts, such as RRSPs (Canada) or 401k/IRAs (US), can yield significant benefits. These accounts can offer tax advantages and compound interest, which can help your savings grow faster than the interest saved by paying off a lower-interest mortgage early.

~Jamey. Interested in selling your home this year? Talk to me about the process. 248-348-7200
 

According to NASA, indoor plants clean your air

Incorporating certain types of indoor plants can significantly improve our home's indoor air quality. NASA's Clean Air Study found that plants like the spider plant, snake plant, and peace lily can absorb harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air. Plants also convert our exhaled carbon dioxide into oxygen, making their green leaves not only a beautiful natural addition to our home decor, but also natural air purifiers that make us feel better physically.

Keeping a CC Balance Won't Boost Your Credit Score

Despite soaring credit card balances and falling FICO scores in 2024, there are still people thinking that carrying a balance boosts their credit score. Matt Schulz of LendingTree calls this the "cockroach of credit scoring myths" because it just won't go away. Both credit utilization rate and credit use are important, meaning you should use your card and then pay it off in full each month. Holding a balance won't increase your score and just means you're paying extra interest you don't need to.

10 expensive things that homeowners say are totally worth the price

These things may cost more, but they may be an investment in your quality of life that you'll appreciate every day.
  1. Ceiling fans
  2. A good vacuum cleaner
  3. A good mattress
  4. A bidet
  5. Motion sensor/automatic lights
  6. A good set of knives
  7. Keyless door entry
  8. Pull-out pots and pan drawers
  9. An automatic espresso machine
  10. A snowblower

A Perfect Summer Sandwich

This summer, here's a lovely taste sensation to try: the Cucumber and Tomato Sandwich. Imagine juicy, sweet tomatoes mingling with crisp, cool cucumber slices on a bed of herby cream cheese packed between whole wheat bread. Wow! My mouth is watering. Here's the recipe on EatingWell.com, adding a few extra touches to make it zing!
Did you know that duct tape was invented during World War II to repair ammunition boxes, not for duct tubing as the name suggests? I didn't. You may never have wondered about it, but the science of making tape be sticky is quite involved. In this video, you can watch Engineer Guy demonstrate how duct tape is made.
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agent image   Jamey Kramer
248-348-7200
RE/MAX Classic
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Jamey Kramer

Jamey is a native of Metropolitan Detroit and began his real estate career in 1992. His tireless energy and boundless passion have made Jamey an undeniable force in the real estate industry. Jamey has....

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Address: 26870 Beck Rd
Novi, MI 48374
Phone: 248-348-7200
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