The Rollins College Mascot, Tommy the Tar (a tall ship sailor) and I wish all of you, and Dorothy, a prosperous 2017.
Darryl

We all know that living near a good school increases the value of your home. But who knew a neighboring cemetery can adversely affect your property value? Or that proximity to a hospital isn't a good thing? In fact, we now know - or should know - that nothing is more important when selling your home than your neighborhood. So if you're buying, think ahead; purchase your dream home in the wrong location and you may be buying into a nightmare. Here are some location no-nos:
 

• Realtor.com research has found that living near a cemetery will lower your property value by 12.3% and having a hospital nearby means when you sell you can expect an impact on your sale price of 3.2%. Also note: make sure you move near a "good" school; a "bad" school will reduce your home's value by 22.2%.
• An article in the Journal of Transport Economics and Policy indicates that having an airport nearby can discount the value of your home. The greater the noise level, the greater the negative impact.

Among the amenities to look for in your neighborhood-to-be:
 

• Proximity to transit. According to a Transit-Oriented Development in America survey, 55% of Americans would pay more to live near good transit options. The study, conducted by consultant HNTB Corporation, found that 57% of respondents liked not having to depend on cars to "work, live, and play."
• A neighborhood on its way up-not down. In transitional neighborhoods, you get a lot of value for your home-buying buck. Your real estate agent is the best source of information and will also know if there are any planned roads or developments that may impact the neighborhood-positively or negatively.
• Water, parks, and green spaces. A nearby waterfront can add up to 25% to the value of your home. A fabulous view is also a moneymaker when it comes time to sell.

 

Eventually repeating the same success as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Dungy still battled against doubters in his abilities. Could a Super Bowl victory be the only place of redemption? Or was there another, better way, to understand the big picture of his life?

What New Year's resolutions did you make for 2017? Be honest - were they the same ones you made for 2016? Researchers tell us that only 8% of those who make New Year's resolutions actually achieve their goals. Perhaps if we made some of these individuals' resolutions, that statistic would improve:

Buy a more accurate scale.

Stop hanging out with people who ask about my New Year's resolutions.

My New Year's resolution is to decipher the obscure meaning of yours.

Accomplish the goals of 2016, which I should have done in 2015 because I promised them in 2014 and planned them in 2013.

My New Year's resolution was going to be to quit all my bad habits, but then it occurred to me - no one likes a quitter.

My New Year's resolution is to spend more quality time with you. Will you accept me as a Facebook friend and let me follow you on Twitter?

Since it is tradition to break my New Year's resolutions, I think this year I'll try for being lazy and see what happens.

My New Year's resolution is to simply remember to write the date as 2017, instead of 2016.

My New Year's resolution is to not make any New Year's resolutions, and now that I've broken it, I'm all done with resolutions this year.

There are good reasons why homes are investments worth considering. And it's not just about the mystique of home ownership. For example:

As a renter, you have nothing to show for the years you've paid someone else for housing. As a homeowner, you gain equity and build up assets that will benefit you in the future.



Upgrading a home is different from improving a rental property. When you leave your rented apartment, you leave your improvements behind. If you sell your home, and you've made value-added improvements, you'll likely see those changes reflected in the value (and selling price) of your home.

Finally, home ownership can give you security; no one can raise your rent. Only you can decide if buying is right for you, but it may help to discuss your situation with a real estate agent to answer questions you may have.

Why, when everything is going so well, do we rock the boat? In a recent article on greatist.com, writer and life coach Susie Moore reports, "Self-sabotage is most common when life is at its best."

It sounds odd, but some people simply can't abide success. When they achieve it, they don't believe they deserve it, and they subconsciously frighten themselves into failure. Others feel guilty for leaving less successful friends behind - or they believe success is a burden and sabotage themselves so it doesn't happen again.

In her article, Moore highlights the work of author Gay Hendricks, who writes, "Conquer your fears and take life to the next level" in his book The Big Leap. Hendricks calls it "the upper limit problem," and asserts that everyone suffers at least a little from the conviction they've gone as far as they should or could go - their upper limit - and as a result, they give themselves a subconscious reason to build defeat into their next efforts.

Says Hendricks, "...the more successful you get, the more urgent it becomes to identify and overcome your upper limit problem." He insists that each of us must combat our upper-limit problem to achieve our full potential.

How? Face those fears. As Moore herself found, "Knowledge of these fundamental fears allows us to help release their power over us." She adds, "Transcending your upper limits is possible. You can choose an upward spiral. Your very own big leap awaits."

So choose the upward spiral...and don't rock the boat!

A recent RISMedia article pointed to a survey recently undertaken by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, which found that "(n)early all (96%) of U.S. investors surveyed who have invested in real estate believe their decision has helped them achieve some form of financial success."

The interest in investing in real estate may be driven by our largest demographic-the millennials, who, according to the survey, show a greater interest in making a real estate investment than do boomers. Millennials in particular are more interested in personal real estate purchases (homes) than in buying commercial properties; the survey noted that "79% of investor respondents feel it is important to invest in a property that they could use for themselves or a family member at some point."

There are various ways even a small investor can participate in real estate investments, such as a self-directed or real estate IRA. However, many fear they aren't sufficiently knowledgeable about real estate investing. As the RISMedia article points out: "Unlike many other investments that can be made with the click of a button, real estate investments are often complex and require careful consideration."

To ensure that your investment will be a good one, it's important to consult with a financial professional who is familiar with real estate investing, as well as an investment-savvy real estate agent.

Yes, we have an on-line store to help our members promote Dorothy.com. You can purchase signs, business cards, clothing, marketing materials, license plate brackets, etc. When you purchase through our store you earn 1 brick for every dollar spent.