Blog Category

Disciplines for Financial Health

Most of us, when pressed to really talk about our personal finances, must admit that there are some things we wish were different, some ways we feel a bit financially-schizophrenic. It is normal. And it is a sign of health when we can admit these internal tensions.

Posted by equity design at 9am on 03/24/09
Filed Under: Coaching, Financial Health, Planning

Economic Downturn and Personal Taxes

We have received a few questions lately around taxation issues when people are navigating their own economic problems. Our friend Will over at Baker & Gingell PC forwarded this reminder that life questions often have tax connections. If these questions pop up in your life check out the IRS.gov site, call your tax adviser or contact Will.

Posted by equity design at 10am on 03/13/09
Filed Under: Financial Health, Planning, Taxes

Homeowner Records: What to Keep for Taxes

Many of you know our friend Will Gingell over at Baker & Gingell PC. Here’s some advice he sent over to help clarify what we should all be keeping with regard to our properties.

Posted by equity design at 3pm on 03/09/09
Filed Under: Financial Health, Planning, Taxes

Tax Planning Tips

It’s that time of year again! Working with our allied professionals we have compiled some tax planning tips to help you as you prepare to meet with your adviser or go it alone.

Posted by equity design at 12pm on 03/04/09
Filed Under: Financial Health, Planning, Taxes

Economic Stimulus – Tax Credit for Homebuyers

Just signed and sealedâ€¦a $787 Billion Stimulus Plan made up of tax cuts and spending programs aims at reviving the US economy. Although the package was scaled down from nearly $1 Trillion, it still stands as the largest anti-recession effort since World War II.

Home owners and potential homebuyers stand to gain from key provisions in this stimulus plan. Here is what we know as of today… (Read more…)

Posted by equity design at 5pm on 02/17/09
Filed Under: Mortgage, Planning, Taxes

It is probably time to Refinance

We would love to get all philosophical with you about financial health and planning. And it is true that we want every friend and client to be in a secure and wise loan. But the reality is RATES ARE GREAT. We are looking at rates that are at some all time lows. Yes, there are some unique challenges right now. (read more…)

Posted by equity design at 2pm on 12/17/08
Filed Under: Debt, Financial Health, Mortgage, Planning

spending plans

Our Mortgage Trust colleague and friend Evan Swanson recently wrote on the subject of budgeting. We agree when he says, “At the root of success or failure regarding a householdâ€™s finances is how well they control their spending”. Read on for some good articles and tools to help you out…

Posted by equity design at 11pm on 11/04/08
Filed Under: Debt, Financial Health, Planning

Real Wealth and Personal Justice

There is one big issue that comes up over and over within our Equity Design Community: What is the next Priority in my financial Plan?
We have written an article to answer that very question.

Posted by equity design at 3pm on 10/09/08
Filed Under: Community Wealth, Financial Health, Mortgage, Planning

25/24 Rule

We want to help our community build sustainable and accountable spending habits (reversing the American spend-addiction). The 25/24 rule is one such habit that is harvesting great results in people’s budgets and family cultures.

The rule is fairly simple.

Posted by tony kriz at 9am on 09/28/08
Filed Under: Financial Health, Planning

Fannie and Freddie

All over the financial news this week we read of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the swift move of the government over the weekend to all but nationalize these two entities. There are and will be many ramifications from this move, but uncertainty abounds on the medium and long term effects. One thing is for certain though - rates have dropped on average .5%.

Posted by equity design at 11am on 09/09/08
Filed Under: Financial Health, Mortgage, Planning

FHA Loans – What Real Estate Professionals Needs to Know

FHA loans have become more prominently used in the recent few months because of the various underwriting flexibilities that conventional loans do not have. Many of these flexibilities used to be found in ALT-A & subprime mortgage programs but because of the credit collapse these loans are no longer available. Read on to learn more about FHA loans in today’s market…

Posted by equity design at 9am on 08/15/08
Filed Under: Mortgage, Planning

Details on Tax credit for 1st time home-buyers

Last week President Bush signed the new housing bill into law. One of the provisions which was included in this bill to help the ailing housing industry is a tax credit for first time home-buyers. We wanted to take a quick moment to highlight the details for those of you who will qualify for this credit:

Posted by equity design at 6pm on 08/06/08
Filed Under: Assets, Planning, Taxes

6 Tasks to Triumph in Tough Economic Times

We live in tricky times. There is no denying that our current economic environment offers hurdles (and opportunities). The combination of the slowed housing market (Portland has flatlined and in some areas homes have lost value) coupled with the credit crunch, has infused fear into the American population.

Insecurity and fear are often cured by self-examination and intentional living.

Posted by equity design at 12pm on 07/15/08
Filed Under: Coaching, Community Wealth, Debt, Financial Health, Mortgage, Planning