Taipei Lantern Festival
  
In March I got to complete one item off my bucket list. Ever since I saw that Disney movie 'Tangled' I was always fascinated in seeing a lantern festival. Before that, I never even knew these things existed. I thought it was one of the most beautiful scenes ever.
So I decided this year I would find one and go see it. Even though they have these events in different parts of the world, I found one in Taiwan and was set on that. I planned an Asia trip with my girlfriend there starting off with the festival.
It was just as amazing as I had imagined it and would recommend everyone to see it sometime too. What is on YOUR bucket list? My next one will be to go to Ireland and Scotland and see some castles.
7 Top Tax Refund Dos and Don’ts: It’s Your Money, Don’t Blow It!
What to Do With Your Tax Refund:1. Pay Off Any High-Interest Debt First
It doesn’t sound sexy, but if you can knock out some debt (often credit card debt) that’s costing you money each month, you can take a huge positive step financially. There are different approaches like paying off the highest interest or paying off the biggest amount first (which can sometimes mentally be a big motivator), so look at various options for paying off credit card debt to make it work best for you.
2. Stash Money Away for an Emergency Fund
Only 39% of Americans say they’d be able to cover a $1000 emergency expense with savings, according to a 2018 Bankrate survey. If you’re in the majority who doesn’t have that savings stashed away, it’s a good idea to save money for a rainy day in case you need it. An emergency fund will keep you from having to charge emergency costs on higher interest credit cards or having to get creative to pay for something that pops up.
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Selling your Home? Here's What Home Buyers Look For
We all know that different buyers have different wants and needs. For example, families will be looking for homes near good schools and lots of recreational activities.
There are some common features that the vast majority of people are looking for in 2018. Today, bigger isn’t necessarily better - it’s all about whether the house meets the needs of today’s busy lifestyles.
Here are some of the key features that can make a huge difference in the selling price of your home.
Updated fixtures and appliances
Buyers are spending every cent they have on the purchase price of the home, and they don’t want to have to spend more to get it fixed up on top of that. If you live in a home that’s in need of freshening up, some new light fixtures and cabinet hardware will go a long way. If the kitchen appliances are 1970’s avocado green, you may need to spend some money to get energy efficient, up to date appliances.
Remember, we have access to a government approved program where you can include up to $40k for renovations when you purchase that home with great bones in your perfect neighborhood!
Office Space and High Speed
Working from home is becoming more and more common, even if it’s just the occasional evening or snow day now and then. Having somewhere to focus and work on the computer is a must. Connectivity is key. A good mobile signal and high speed internet mean access to entertainment, information, and time saving opportunities of all kinds.
Amenities Close By
People want to be able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops, and gyms. As a result, buying in bedroom communities without these amenities less appealing. Buyers will spend more to get a smaller space if the location will allow them to live the lifestyle they want. Neighborhoods with short commutes are more popular than ever, and condo apartments downtown and townhouses close to downtown are also in demand.
Low maintenance
A decade or two ago, a big expanse of open lawn was an asset. Don’t get me wrong - people still want to see some landscaping, and curb appeal still sells but for a large number of people, less is more.
A larger, nicely styled walkway with some low-maintenance containers will present a welcoming appearance without taking up every free minute to maintain
Updated Kitchen and Bathrooms
You don’t need to have granite counter-tops to sell your home, but if your kitchen and bathrooms haven’t had an update since the 1980s, expect less interest and a lower selling price. Buyers don’t want to spend their weekends working on their houses - they want to just move in and have everything look good.
Buyers want well-designed, eat-in kitchens with plenty of organized storage. Ideally, the storage should be in the form of a pantry, rather than endless cupboards, especially if the kitchen is small. For bathrooms, they are looking for clean lines, walk-in showers, and as little grout as possible.
If you or someone you know is planning to sell a home that isn't updated and renovated, you could ask your realtor to promote the renovation program as part of the sale. This could get your buyer dreaming about how your home will look in the future rather than how it looks today. I've worked with some realtors who have promoted this with great success!
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