Geek's Number Talk: Parenthood Deferred

Digging deep into the data, the Census Bureau recently found that people are having children later in life. Between 1990 and 2019, the median age of first-time parents rose from 27 to an all-time record of 30. A variety of factors are at play here but the bottom line is more people are having kids in their 30s and 40s instead of their 20s. This shift could also have a significant impact on when new families get into the housing market. The AP has more numbers.

Chic vs. Geek: Spring Cleaning!

It’s the time of year when we come out of hibernation and wake up to the fact that we have way too much stuff! So where do you start with whittling things down?

CHIC (PEARL)

Start by getting organized. Go room to room and make three piles: Trash, Shred, and Keep. The names should make the contents self-explanatory. Aim for about a 30-30-30 split, with 10% flex area for all of those items you can’t imagine living without but can’t quite justify keeping around. And if you’re on the fence, just pull a Marie Kondo, spin around, and go with your gut.

GEEK (KEVIN)

You still need room for all those piles, so my suggestion is to get the big stuff out of the way first. Most residential waste collectors offer a certain number of free large item pickups per year for things like old furniture, appliances, and exercise equipment. You can generally find out who collects the waste in your city by calling the 3-1-1 non-emergency info line.

¿Seis de Mayo?

What do you do when Cinco de Mayo falls on a Thursday night and you have to work on Friday? You party on Seis de Mayo! Enjoy a cocktail tonight, and send us your pics…

Geek's Number Talk: The Honeymoon is Over

According to a new report from Redfin, average monthly mortgage payments are up 39% over just one year ago — a record spike — while interest rates are at their highest mark in more than a decade. But while median sales and asking prices are still rising, home searches, touring activity, and mortgage applications are all in decline, indicating a slowing market as buyers take pause. Get more numbers from Forbes.

Chic vs. Geek: Gaming the Rates

With interest rates soaring, how can buyers keep their mortgage payments manageable?

CHIC (PEARL)

If you want to reduce the burden of interest, the best thing to do is pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible. That could mean making a higher down payment or devoting any unbudgeted income to reducing your principal. Turn your side hustle from a money maker to a money saver!

GEEK (KEVIN)

If you don’t have a lot of extra cash lying around, congratulations! You’re officially the average homebuyer. But you can’t let the uncertainty of interest rates dictate when and how you make an offer on a home you want. And there’s no guarantee that rates won’t keep rising!