The Decision To Rent Or Buy A Home (March 22, 2018)

The decision to rent or buy a home has always been a significant financial consideration. However, whether to rent or buy is a particularly hot topic right now, given a booming real estate market, new mortgage interest deduction limits and a rising mortgage interest rate environment.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a Millennial thinking of buying your first home, a professional relocating for work, or a retiree downsizing to a condo or apartment: The own-or-rent decision is a complex one, influenced by a host of factors. We offer tips and insights about renting versus buying. Read More

Tax Reform May Prompt State Migration (March 5, 2018)

As a top-ranked wealth management firm, SageVest prides itself on providing our clients and others with timely and knowledgeable information on a broad range of personal finance and investment management topics.

In response to the sweeping US tax reforms that recently took effect, we’ve offered guidance from a range of different perspectives. Most recently, Jennifer Myers was quoted in Bloomberg News, discussing how new state tax deduction limitations may have widespread and unintended consequences for states, businesses, and individual employees. Read more in ‘New Tax Laws May Make It Easier To Woo Talent To Low-Tax States’. Read More

Washingtonian Top Fee-Only Financial Planner In The DC Area (December 21, 2017)

2017 marks 10 years since Jennifer Myers first founded SageVest Wealth Management as an independent, fee-only financial planner in the Washington, DC area. Throughout the last decade, our firm has remained committed to delivering excellence in investment and financial planning services to individuals, families, and business owners throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the wider DC Metropolitan region.

We’re always honored to receive recognition for the exceptional level and breadth of knowledge, experience, and service that we render for our clients. Read More

Top Wealth Manager Award For SageVest’s Jennifer Myers (October 23, 2017)

At SageVest Wealth Management, we offer a highly personalized approach to wealth management, one where our focus is always on you. We get to know you and your family, and as a fee-only fiduciary, always place your best interests first. Furthermore, as a woman-owned investment management firm, we’re particularly attuned to the complexities of financial planning for women, families, and multiple generations.

We’re delighted that our dedication to exceptional personalized planning and investment advice has again been formally recognized. Read More

Jennifer Myers – A NoVA Top Financial Professional (August 28, 2017)

Top Financial Professional in Northern Virginia

As our clients know, SageVest Wealth Management takes pride in connecting you with your wealth in impactful and meaningful ways. Our team of advisors provides personalized, comprehensive financial advisory and investment management services to individuals, families, and business owners across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Greater Washington, DC area.

It’s fitting, therefore, that Jennifer Myers was again recognized this year as a Top Financial Professional in the Northern Virginia area. Read More

Questions To Ask Before Buying A Vacation Home (August 3, 2017)

When you’re on vacation, the allure of securing a place in paradise year-round can be intoxicating. How can you bottle that vacation bliss? Buying a second home is the most commonly contemplated answer.

Vacation home ownership offers distinct perks. However, it also entails a significant investment of money, time, and other resources. Like any major financial decision, it’s worthy of careful consideration. Ask yourself the following questions before you purchase a vacation home. Read More

Why You Should Have A HELOC (July 12, 2017)

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When it comes to your financial stability, planning ahead is essential. A Home Equity Line Of Credit (or HELOC) can gain you an added level of financial security for the future, and is best considered while you’re in a healthy financial position.

Having an open line of credit on your house can be a valuable tool. It serves as a cash insurance policy, giving you financial flexibility when and should you need it, at nominal costs of securing capital. A HELOC gives you the ability to draw upon the value of your home, but you’re never obligated to do so. You can simply pay an annual fee to know that you have access, if needed, without incurring debt. When might a HELOC be of use? Read More

Downsizing Your Home (April 11, 2017)

For decades, home sizes have been increasing. The average American home today is about 1,000 square feet bigger than it was in the 1970s. Now, however, a competing trend is emerging. Led by the ‘Tiny House’ movement, there’s a shift towards enjoying a more minimalist lifestyle and downsizing to more sustainable living spaces.

There are a host of reasons why you might be considering downsizing your home. It may be in preparation for aging, to reduce living expenses, to simplify your lifestyle, for eco-friendly principles, or more. Whatever the reason, downsizing involves serious consideration. There are a lot of decisions to make as you embark on your downsizing journey. Read More

Decluttering Your Life (March 22, 2017)

Papers, mementos, clothes, and more: there are many reasons why we amass an abundance of things that can end up making our homes look and feel messy. Keeping clutter under control enhances your home’s attractiveness, function, and value, and numerous studies prove that it can improve your overall outlook on life.

Your desire to declutter may be a response to a life event, like inheriting belongings from a family member, deciding to downsize your home, the end of a relationship, or the start of a new one. Regardless of the impetus, there’s a process to calming your clutter. Read More

Six Reasons Why You Might Not Elect Joint Ownership (March 15, 2017)

Joint ownership is one of the most common forms of asset titling. It offers numerous benefits centered on sharing use and control, it allows transparency of assets, and it helps with daily money management and bill paying.

While the decision to jointly title assets often seems straightforward, there are underlying considerations to be taken into account, particularly when it comes to non-spousal shared assets. For the following reasons, think carefully before you sign on the dotted line to initiate joint ownership with a significant other, family member or friend. Read More

Housing Choices In Retirement (February 17, 2017)

For many of us, our home is our largest asset. It also represents one of the biggest decisions to be made in retirement. Choosing whether to stay in your home or to move is a common consideration, as you enter retirement or at a later date. There are a multitude of things to contemplate, including location, family and friends, memories, climate, home maintenance, finances, and your health, just to name a few.

If you, a family member or a friend are deliberating on this topic, we offer some insights into the most important aspects of this decision, to help you evaluate your housing options, now and longer-term. Read More

7 Mortgage Tips For Retirement (December 13, 2016)

Entering retirement debt-free is psychologically and financially liberating. Yet for many individuals, enjoying lower expenses during retirement can turn out to be nothing more than a myth, in large part due to your mortgage.

Your mortgage payment is typically your largest monthly obligation. Today, people seldom stay in the same house long enough to pay off a 30-year mortgage. Even if they do, many people restart the payment clock by refinancing or by taking out a home equity loan. Here are seven tips to consider if you’re contemplating your mortgage as you enter retirement. Read More

Reverse Mortgages In Retirement (June 28, 2016)

Home equity is one of the largest assets for many Americans. This may be especially true if you’re a retiree living in the DC Metropolitan area; the family home that you bought years ago is likely to be worth many times what you originally paid for it.

Besides selling your home and downsizing, a reverse mortgage may be an option to access the equity in your home. Financial professionals are increasingly recognizing the potential role that reverse mortgages can play in retirement planning. We offer a brief summary of the program, its withdrawal methods, and how it compares to the more traditional Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). Read More

It Might Be Time To Refinance. Again. (April 2, 2016)

Mortgage rates have recently fallen under 4% again. Whether you’re in the market for a new home or simply considering your options in terms of a current loan, this could be a great time to evaluate opportunities for refinancing or purchase.

We offer the following advice to help you determine whether the new rates offer you the potential for savings, and if it’s time to make a move. Read More

Home Expense Records: What You Need To Keep (February 24, 2016)

If you’re like most people, you’d love to reduce the clutter in your life. This includes paperwork, particularly the volumes of home expense receipts.

We’re often asked what you need to keep versus what you can toss. Here’s a quick overview on how to make sure you have what you need to reduce any taxable gain exposure on your house when it’s sold, while opening up some valuable living space in the meantime. Read More

Consider Before You Co-Habit (October 21, 2015)

Living together without the union of marriage is increasingly common, among both younger and older couples. For many, living blissfully without the complications of marriage, tax penalties and more is ideal. It certainly reduces life complexities in many ways. However, as with just about everything in life, there are pros and cons to consider.

Before you and your loved one decide to take the plunge and move in together, it’s important to discuss the financial fundamentals of cohabiting. Jennifer Myers was recently quoted in an article from US News and World Report, addressing some of the money issues that non-married couples should consider: ‘Financial Mistakes Couples Make When They Move In Together‘.

Vacation Homes (June 24, 2013)

A rustic cabin or a seaside cottage? Buying a second/vacation home can be an alluring prospect. Before you decide to purchase one, though, you should consider a number of issues. These include the costs associated with owning a second/vacation home, the attributes of the home, its rental potential, and the income tax treatment. Even if you rent it out or deduct part of the costs of ownership from your taxes, a second/vacation home is primarily a luxury, not an investment. You should buy one to add value to your life instead of to your net worth. Read More

The information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. This article is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of SageVest Wealth Management and should not be construed as investment advice. All expressions of opinions are subject to change and past performance is no guarantee of future results. SageVest Wealth Management does not render legal, tax, or accounting services. Accordingly, you, your attorneys and your accountants are ultimately responsible for determining the legal, tax and accounting consequences of any suggestions offered herein.

In accordance with IRS CIRCULAR 230, we inform you that any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by a taxpayer, for the purpose of (a) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or that may otherwise be imposed on the taxpayer by any government taxing authority or agency, or (b) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

The provision of a link to any third party website does not mean that SageVest endorses that website. If you visit any website via a link provided here, you do so at your own risk and indemnify SageVest from any loss or damage incurred.

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