USAA - Spring 2015 - (Page 15)

expectations upfront can help ensure a productive relationship." Burrage also points prospective homebuyers to USA A's Home Circle®, an online program that provides loan calculators, buying guides and other resources. Location, Location, Location After Carol Gee and her husband retired from the Air Force, they moved to Atlanta. There, they spent two years in rented housing before they bought. "We wanted to familiarize ourselves with the different areas, especially in a place like Atlanta where the traffic is horrible," says Gee, 64. "I didn't want to buy a house until we knew where our work would be. We bought a house within 7 miles of our jobs." Renting for a while before buying in a new area can be wise. It gives new residents time to get situated and decide whether they want to stay. And it allows them to put care into choosing a location that weighs many factors, including commute, nearby schools, area resale value and cultural opportunities. Helfant-Browning, whose firm is also part of the MoversAdvantage program, urges families to check out schools by making an appointment with the principal before buying. "Educators welcome families to ask questions and get a sense of their school because that's where they're going to get their volunteers," she says. If school is out of session, see what others in the community are saying. Scott Halliwell, a Certified finanCial P l a n ner™ with USA A, says PHOTOGR APHY BY BERLIN GREEN (PREVIOUS SPREAD) "Consider who the Joneses are. Are they people who share your thoughts on how to maintain property?" - Scott Halliwell, a Certified f inanCial P lanner™ with USAA New LED Bulbs Forget compact fluorescents. LED bulbs are a quick, ecofriendly way to green your space and possibly save some coin in the long run. Modern LED bulbs illuminate instantly, are dimmable and come in multiple sizes, wattages and color options. But the biggest advantage is the lifespan: around 25,000 hours, triple the length of compact fluorescents, meaning fewer bulbs to buy. Recycled Tile Add some budget-friendly, green style to your kitchen with a tile backsplash made from recycled materials. Recycled glass tiles, available at home improvement stores, make it possible to create a DIY backsplash for less than $300. Plus, you'll "upcycle" material otherwise bound for the landfill. SPRING 2015 USA A 15

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USAA - Spring 2015