Money Talks Blog by Oxford Planning Group

On Memorial Day, let's take time to be thankful for all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country safe. 

Thank you 

Happy Holidays from all of us at Oxford Planning Group. 

We wish you peace and time spent surrounded by loved ones.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving - a time for gratitude, memories and for caring about others. At Oxford Planning, we have much to be thankful for.  We are blessed with a great family, friends, clients, associates and a wonderful community with so many great people. 

We hope you enjoy the spirit of this holiday.  Additionally, we hope that your favorite team wins, that you enjoy watching the Thanksgiving Day parade and that your favorite dog wins the Westminster dog show.

Thank you all for your continued confidence in our firm.  We are here to support your needs and you always come first to us.

Today we stand tall and proud in honor of our Veterans who have served tirelessly and bravely to maintain and protect the freedoms that we are accustomed to. 

At Oxford Planning Group, we are focused on our client’s futures and we thank our Veterans for making these futures possible.  We strive to take advantage of the gifts we have been afforded and work hard every day to help our clients achieve their goals and to make their best financial decisions. 

This recent election day will be remembered by many as highly contested political races.  These political races reflect the passion and diverse beliefs held by our countries’ citizens.  Now as the election has ended, it’s our hope that we will support our leaders as best we can, continue to push forward for what we believe in and stay active in our communities. 

After all, the freedoms we live with reflect the hard work and service of our Veterans.  Outside of the United States, many are not so fortunate, do not have as much freedom and live in countries plagued by corruption. 

So today, on Veterans Day, let’s remember to celebrate our veterans, both Democrats and Republicans, who have served our great country.  We thank you for your service.  

Many life events can create a need to downsize your home. As families grow older and children move out of the house or area, parents often want to live in a smaller home or a home closer to their children and grandchildren. No matter the reason, downsizing has the potential to provide a simpler and lower-maintenance lifestyle. As you think about downsizing your home, consider these benefits:

Financial – If downsizing your home pre-retirement, lowering your mortgage payment by purchasing a smaller home could increase the funds that you save toward retirement or pay toward outstanding debt. Also, by selling your home and downsizing, you may be able to put down a large down payment or purchase a smaller home with cash, thus reducing or eliminating your mortgage payment.

Utility Savings – Downsizing not only has the potential to lower your mortgage payment; it can also lower home expenses. By purchasing a smaller home, you will likely use less electricity, resulting in a lower power bill. Additionally, purchasing a home with a smaller yard, or a condo with no yard, can save on the expenses of landscape maintenance and pest control. 

Less upkeep – In addition to lower energy bills, a smaller home means a smaller area to clean and furnish. With less property, you will most likely have less yard work as well as fewer repairs and renovations. This will hopefully provide you with more time for your family and the things you love.

While downsizing your home has many benefits, make sure to run the numbers. Look at costs associated with selling the primary home, which may include preparing the house for sale, the real estate agent’s commission, moving costs and the cost of the new home. Also, while moving into a smaller home usually means a smaller mortgage payment, location and cost of living can have an effect.

This blog provided courtesy of David Koonce NMLS# 480428 of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation.  Feel free to reach out to David if you have any mortgage needs or questions.  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Call: 410-220-0205or 301-332-3234.