
At Laffey Real Estate, our real estate agents have helped thousands of clients make the right real estate moves to support their retirement lifestyle. For many, that means downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home.
But if you already own your home, deciding what to do next is a little bit more complicated.
For decades, people have used their homes as a durable vessel to create financial value. About 75% of the average America's wealth is stored as equity value in the home. Selling a home may empower you with a substantial infusion of cash, but it is not the right move for everybody.
Current homeowners can generate income with their home or even access equity without selling. So, how do you know whether you should sell or stay? Keep these factors in mind as you plan your decision.

If you've got a home inspection coming up, it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous. After all, nobody enjoys having strangers poke and prod around their home, looking for problems. Even if you think you know your home inside and out, you never know what they might find.
Our real estate agents talk to nervous sellers about this all the time. The best advice they give is to remain calm and make sure you're prepared. This will give you the best chance of having a successful inspection. Here are a few things you'll want to consider doing.

It's no secret that New York City runs on coffee, but you don't need to go to Manhattan to get a great cup of joe. There are hundreds of cafes around Long Island that will get you fueled up and ready to go! Our real estate agents encourage you to celebrate National Espresso Day on Monday, November 23rd, at one of these local coffee shops around Long Island.

World Vegan Day may have been Nov. 1, but our real estate agents are still celebrating with a hearty, wholesome vegan dish this week. The annual event highlights the dietary and environmental benefits of veganism. No matter if you're strictly vegetarian, pescatarian, or someone who likes a good meal with or without meat, you'll love the offerings at these Long Island vegan restaurants.

Real estate is a financial investment, but it's also an investment in the type of lifestyle you want to enjoy. There are advantages to purchasing a home, and there are advantages to buying a condo. Carefully weighing your options is the key to making the right choice for your future.
A house is more than just four walls and a roof that encloses a large space. It is also a yard, fence, and landscaping that you will need to maintain. And, unlike a condo, all of the maintenance is your responsibility. Unless you have an HOA, the advantage is that as the sole owner, you have full decision-making authority over how to maintain it and what you want to include in the landscaping. In general, you can expect to spend approximately 1 to 2% of the home's purchase price each year on maintenance. Further, if an HOA governs you, you will also need to pay HOA fees to maintain landscaping, parks, pools, etc. within the community.