A House within Our Means Should be a Safe Refuge

It is troubling to hear about so many people being forced out of their homes because of financial trouble. Regardless of whether people got into difficulties due to a lost job, medical bills, or just bad spending habits, people still need a place to live and no one likes to see such turmoil.

A home is a unique investment. It is a financial asset but it is also much more than that. Perhaps more people should value their homes for the intangible benefits that they provide than simply a financial instrument. A home bought with forethought and a long term view can help one’s financial status by allowing them to build equity but this should be a secondary benefit rather than the primary goal. Generally speaking, with time on their side, the right purchase can create equity by paying down the loan as well as by price appreciation and receiving certain tax benefits. But when people focus on only what they can gain from buying their home, some get greedy and create added risks that run against the stability that a good home in a good neighborhood should provide.

Not having a place to live is a terrible position to be in. We have all seen the images of families living out on the streets, in their cars, or in shelters. No one expects to be in this situation but many are today that never imagined that it could happen to them. With the benefit of history and hindsight, isn’t living within our means a more reasonable way to live? Shouldn’t we be providing ourselves and our families with a safe and secure roof over our heads before just thinking about the payoff we can get from our homes? Shouldn’t we be focusing on building memories and enjoying our friends and families in our homes more than worrying about financial gains that will come with patience and prudence?

While patience and prudence don’t sound like a lot of fun, those that do exercise such traits are the ones who are truly independent. They are the ones who own their homes and don’t let their homes own them. They buy and finance what they can reasonably afford and don’t try to “keep us with the Jones’”. By living well within their means and deciding that living within their means is living well, they have established their own high standard of living without the trappings of being overextended. They will always have a house because the house (or the bank) doesn’t own them.

We are taught that we can and should always buy up. In today’s world it is becoming more fashionable to buy right for our own circumstances. This may mean buying down or buying up, but it needs to mean buying a house within our financial means.

Buy modestly to get a start in life.
Buy modestly to have a place to raise your family.
Buy modestly to help you save for future needs.
Buy modestly to live well in retirement.
Buy modestly to get more out of life than being a slave to your property.

At Jensen communities we offer a lifestyle that over 4,600 families consider one of the best. Visit http://www.jensencommunities.com/ or call 800-458-6832 to see how you can Get in on the Good Life!

Adversity Can Create Opportunity

As Charles Dickens began in the Tale of Two Cities, “IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-”.

Boy does that sound familiar for our current times. For too many, these “times” over last several years have been difficult. Too many jobs lost jobs. Too many savings and retirement accounts diminished. Too many companies out of business. The economic devastation has hit most everyone in some way or another.

I was on a Southwest fight once where the steward began the familiar “please be careful when opening the overhead bins because shift happens”. For better or for worse, real estate cycles happen too. And when it does, it all comes down on top of us too. Unfortunately, the more extreme the cycles are, the more speculation there is. That is where people get hurt. The wheeler and dealers help to fuel the market along with those that are just trying to buy a nice decent home to live, raise a family, retire, or perhaps enjoy a second home in a different climate. It is hard to know when to jump in the game and the fear of loss helps let our emotions get the best of us.

Usually buying and holding allow people to wait out a cycle. But with lost income, the bills can pile up even with a financial safety net. For some it is just the duration of the downturn that has become the problem; they could have ridden out six or even nine months, but not years.

For those not deeply hurt by financial troubles, these can be “the best of times” to invest in a home with rock bottom prices and interest rates at still once in a lifetime levels. It can be “the age of wisdom” for those who have been cautious and can now perhaps take advantage of good buys in good neighborhoods. We all know the time is right to buy, but we also know we need to be more prudent in our approach to investing in a new home.

We continue to see many buyers who have been waiting for the right opportunity to get into the housing market, back into the market, or to buy a second home that may have been unattainable at peak prices. For them it is better to buy in a period of low prices rather than sitting and waiting for the absolute lowest price. History may prove their wisdom.

As housing continues to rebuild the momentum lost, we encourage those on the sidelines to carefully consider the options and how investing in a home now in a Jensen community may be right for you. Our staff is ready and willing to listen to your Great Recession story and hopefully be able to offer some suggestions for a more carefree and enjoyable lifestyle.

Jensen is now able to do this in New York State as well with the addition of “Cherrywood” in New Hartford NY to our family of communities. Visit http://www.cherrywoodcommunity.com/ or call 315-793-8900 for more information.

We look forward to hearing from you at one of our 29 East Coast locations. Call 800-458-6832.

http://www.jensencommunities.com/

Simply Affordable

“Our life is frittered away by detail... Simplify, simplify, simplify! ... Simplicity of life and elevation of purpose.” Henry David Thoreau ("Where I Lived and What I Lived For" Walden)

The anticipation of life in retirement on a fixed income is a humbling experience in general and particularly for those that have had their investments pummeled over the last few years and still hope to retire in the near future. Thoreau went into the Walden woods to try and live as simply and as richly as he could. It seems that those contemplating retirement could also benefit from getting into this state of mind. Baby Boomers have always been able to define new lifestyles for themselves. They have been able to experience some amazing opportunities over their lives and will undoubtedly continue to do so by seeing the glass half full rather than empty.

As our lives progress, we accumulate family, friends, and relationships. These are surely the richness of life. Unfortunately, we also accumulate a lot of stuff like a home or two, vehicles, boats, RV’s, furniture, clothing, and keepsakes. While these things helps us to enjoy our family, friends, and relationships, they can also be a burden when we want to make a move into a new home or lifestyle.

It seems that more in the middle years (if they haven’t already) start to seek out more purpose and/or find opportunities to give back. A simpler life, home and finances provide the freedom of time and money to be more purposeful when you have more time to make the most out of life.
A more physically and financially manageable place to live is key to achieving that goal of finding more freedom in your life.

At Jensen communities, we can help with a simply affordable home.

http://www.getinonthegoodlife.com/

Start a New Trend

I am on the email list for www.Trendwatching.com E-newsletter. It is fun to peruse each month as it makes me think of things I have not thought of and from a very different perspective than I would on my own. Kind of helps to stretch the mind so to speak.

We all get into habits and/or tend to follow trends on paths others have forged for us. It is refreshing to find one self all alone and venturing off into uncertain territory. To know what is right and follow it, despite what the rest of the herd may be doing, is both exciting and uncomfortable. Perhaps we do not venture off enough but it is high time that we do.

This is not to say that all trends are bad. It seems that trends only get out of hand when people take them too far and for too long. The housing bubble would have caused a lot less pain if it had burst as a birthday balloon rather than a hot air balloon.

It is time to start a new trend in housing. It’s pretty obvious that Mc Mansions may still be constructed for the well healed homeowner but Joe and Mary Middle America will now be more realistic. Hopefully people have learned not to buy a home that will never get furnished. Hopefully they have learned that our homes are no longer bank accounts on which we can take indefinite withdrawals. Hopefully they have learned that mortgage loans are something to be paid off and that our homes should be used to save not spend.

Anyone can do this by finding and purchasing a home within their means. Yes, it requires making realistic choices and deferring satisfaction, but reality wins over delusion in the long run.
A small, convenient, and easy to care for home should also be easy on the pocketbook and therefore allow for the achievement of other financial goals as well. If you can’t buy furniture, it’s pretty hard to save for a vacation, education, retirement, a wedding or anything else that is important and worthwhile to you.

Happy house hunting from www.jensencommunities.com.

Encouraging Signs for a Brighter New Year!

For too many people 2009 was a dismal year. That was especially true for those forced to sell a home in the toughest market in decades.

I for one do not want to see a return to the "irrational exuberance" of an out of out of control real estate market. While most of the East Coast did not see the wildness of the CA, AZ, NV or FL markets, going up or down too far and too fast always creates problems in the long run. "Moderation in all things" is one of my mantras.

At Jensen communities we are encouraged by more phone calls, emails, written inquiries and site visits to our sales centers. The number of buyer deposits is on the rise and prospective buyers are more positive about moving forward. Confidence that one is making the right decision is more important than ever.

The $8,000 new home buyer tax credit was a big hit and helped make sales that otherwise might not have happened. The extension and expansion of the credit through the beginning of 2010 and to also aid any buyer of a primary home ($6,500 credit), should keep new buyers joining the ranks of homeowners and allow others who qualify to move up the ladder with a little incentive and bonus.

I was reading a blog the other day that suggested that people need to buy for the right reasons (i.e. "to provide shelter, create a refuge, and make memories"). More people are soberly making new housing choices but this should not take the fun out of the process or the end result. One's home should always be a comforting and enjoyable place to be. One pleasure in making the right decision however (buying a house within your means) should be the peace of mind that comes with sound financial planning.

Wishing you the best in 2010 and inviting you to visit any and all of our 28 communities along the Eastern Seaboard.

www.jensencommunities.com

Happy Holidays

For over eighty years in good times and bad Jensen's Inc. has tried to stay focused on our customers. We believe that the best way to take care of the residents in our manufactured home land lease communities is to:

1) Provide good value,

2) Provide good customer service, and

3) Provide assurance that our communities will stay viable for the long haul.

If you or a family member is looking to buy a home in a land lease community, why would you want anything else?

Jensen partners with its residents to achieve our interdependent goals. People want a nice, friendly and affordable place to live in their own home and Jensen wants to provide such a place for a fair profit. Everyone wants to enjoy pride in ownership as well as at least steady and over the long term appreciating property values.

This year more than most, we are all happy to have a roof over our heads and bright prospects for the future. Better times are on their way but Jensen communities aims to be there for its customers through thick and thin. We offer an affordable option to live in your own home in some great neighborhoods. We hope that you will visit one of our communities to see how you can "Get in on the Good Life!"

In the spirit of the holiday season, we hope that you enjoy the comfort of family and friends, but remember those less fortunate with a toy or food donation with so many in need.

Peace and good will to all.

http://www.jensencommunities.com/

Energy Star Homes and Appliances

Lowering monthly expenses is on everyone’s minds these days. A dollar we don’t have to pay for electric, gas or oil each month is a dollar we can use to pay down credit card bills, the mortgage, or into our bank account.

Buying a new Energy Star Home complete with Energy Star rated appliances reduces your monthly expenses below that of comparable homes and appliances. In fact, buying an Energy Star home may even qualify you for a larger home and mortgage due to the expected lower expenses. And once you have made the modest upfront investment, and energy efficient home is the gift to your family that keeps on giving every month and every year you own the home.

Manufactured homes are inherently tighter and less drafty than many site built homes. They are built in climate controlled environments, the framing lumber is more typically cut on larger and more accurate saws, and floor, wall and roof systems are framed on jigs to ensure good fit. The additional sealing, gasketing, and insulation typically needed to make a manufacturer’s homes Energy Star are easily completed in the factory setting.

So besides the money you can save with an Energy Star Home, you get the added comfort of a tightly built house. More information on Energy Star (including New Homes, Home Improvements, and Products can be found at: www.energystar.gov.

Find out more at www.jensencommunities.com and “Get in on the Good Life!”