Chances are you went full-on Marie Kondo at the beginning of the year and decluttered your home. Now it’s time to clean up all that extra space! Traditional cleaners may contain harsh chemicals that could negatively impact your health. Here are a few natural alternatives to try out instead! And if spring cleaning is getting to you, and you need some reinforcements, give us a call — we have a great home cleaning service referral.

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” – Leo Tolstoy

Was your home hibernating this winter? May is a great time to freshen up your space for summer, so when it comes time to break out the hamburgers and hotdogs, your house becomes one less thing to worry about.  
 
To help you get started, we’ve provided a brief checklist – think of it as your home maintenance cheat sheet.  You’ll also find a guide for planning the perfect summer party, because nothing motivates home maintenance more than the promise of a great party!
 
As you work your way down the list, remember, we have an extensive network of contractors, landscapers, HVAC professionals, etc. If you need backup for anything, give us a call. We're happy to refer you to a top pro!

You’ve probably heard the line, “with great power, comes great responsibility.”  We can also flip that to homeownership: with great equity, comes great…mortgage payments.  Sixty-six  percent of Americans have a mortgage, and chances are, you may be one of them! Owning a home is one of the best things you can do to build equity and wealth, and paying off the mortgage comes with the territory in most cases.
 
This month, you’ll find some strategies to help you pay off your home early. Even if you      implement one or two, you could find yourself on the fast-track to owning your home outright.
 
If you have questions about your own mortgage or how to get started, we have a great mortgage professional we can connect you with. Give us a call!

Would you like to become wealthier and leave a financial legacy? Although there’s no proven way to get rich quick, there are three timeless principles you can follow to begin to build your fortune over time.
 
This month, we're sending information that outlines principles of wealth from a book displayed on every entrepreneur’s shelf: The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason. This book offers practical advice to develop smart money habits. Also listed are some helpful books and podcasts to complement your financial journey.
 
Want a reputable financial pro to help keep you on track? Give us a call – we have a great referral! 

Audit – the five-letter word no one wants to hear after tax time. But did you know the audit selection process is totally random? Chances are slim that you’ll be selected, but it’s still important to stay sharp this tax season. Check out these stats on who gets audited, and avoid the noted red flags to reduce your risk. If you’ve got more questions, let us know – we’ve got a referral for a great tax professional.

Happy tax season! There is so much to think about as we dive into the 2018 returns. Last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced many new changes to the tax code. If your head starts to spin at the mention of the word taxes, take a deep breath – the enclosed piece will help make things clearer.
 
Here you’ll find a guide that breaks down the biggest changes to the tax code to help you figure out which ones might affect your 2018 returns. We’ve also got all the major deadlines listed so you won’t miss a beat.
 
If you’re considering hiring a tax pro to help make sense of it all, call us! We have a great referral and can connect you.

Happy New Year! Whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or are just curious about your home’s value, you may be wondering: What’s in store for the housing market in 2019?
 
Experts forecast their predictions based on past and current trends in the market. The information we're sending this month outlines what to expect this year. Will the healthy national housing market continue or will an increase in interest rates throw a wrench in the works? Will houses continue to fly off the market? How will the new tax code impact housing? This piece addresses these questions and more.
 
Regardless of the state of the market, the best time to buy or sell a home is when you’re ready to do so. If you’re considering it, give us a call! Even if you’re not in the market now, give us a call for a free comparative market analysis to find out how much your home is worth!  Rick: 971-727-8505 or Jimmy: 503-688-1945

P.S. If you need your roof or gutters cleaned or repaired, give Dana at Dr. Roof a call for a quick, honest, and reasonable quote! Dana Fryer: 503-642-7690

​If building wealth is among your aspirations for the year ahead, below are some ideas for potential goals to set, depending on your age and stage of life. Although your priorities will surely change over time, the goal of continuing to build wealth may not. If you would like a referral to a financial professional in our network, give us a call!