Beating Broke

Top 10 Cities With the Best Investment Properties for Sale in 2025

January 1, 2025 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

Best cities to buy investment property for sale — Image Source: Pexels

Are you looking for an investment property? You’re not alone. A recent Gallup poll found that 36% of Americans rank real estate as the number one long-term investment. So, what are the best real estate markets with investment property for sale? Let’s take a look at the 10 best cities to buy an investment property in 2025.

1. Nashua, New Hampshire

With rising housing prices in nearby Boston, many people are flocking to nearby states like New Hampshire. Work-from-home trends have also prompted many to leave Massachusetts for Southern New Hampshire. Usually, you can get double the square footage for the same price in Nashua, New Hampshire as compared with cities in Massachusetts. With lower taxes and more affordable housing prices, it makes sense to invest in a property in New Hampshire now, especially if you’re looking to sell in the next 10 years.

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

Investment property for sale in Las Vegas — Image Source: Pexels

Las Vegas has a strong economy and rental market, making it an ideal place to purchase an investment property. In recent years, communities like Summerlin have popped up around Clark County and have become destinations beyond the strip. These communities usually are priced lower than apartments and condos on the strip and are ideal for short-term and long-term rentals.

3. Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

Raleigh-Durham’s growth has skyrocketed over the last 10 years. With many prestigious universities in the area, top hospital systems and medical research companies, and tech companies flocking to the area, Raleigh-Durham is a great place to buy investment property for sale. The demand for rental properties in the Research Triangle and lack of affordable options, make it an ideal place to invest as well. Additionally, it’s also a landlord-friendly state with relatively low property taxes.

4. Charlotte, North Carolina

Like Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, North Carolina has an abundance of opportunities for investment property for sale. It is one of the most populated areas in North Carolina and is continuing to grow. This in part is because Charlotte is home base for many Fortune 500 companies like Bank of America. As a result, the city has a strong job market with an employment growth of 2.7%. Charlotte also has an 11.9% home value increase making it ideal for investment properties.

5. Boise, Idaho

Boise, Idaho has seen significant growth in home prices over the last 10 years. There’s been growth in the job market and a growing demand for housing. Real Estate Professionals from the area say that you can still buy a property for $250,000 in Boise and get a 2% return in the next two years.

6. Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan

The mid-west is an excellent region to invest in right now. Just across the Canadian border, Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan has very low housing prices and is a destination for new industry.

7. Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers and surrounding areas like Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island are still recovering from hurricane damage from Hurricane Ian and Helene. If you’re looking for an investment property, you can get properties in need of repair at a discount.

8. Atlanta, Georgia

While housing prices can be higher in Atlanta, there are several incentives to buy an investment property here. First, the city’s population has grown by almost 20% in the last decade. The rental market in Atlanta is very strong. Plus, there are tax benefits for real estate investors.

9. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix has diverse options for investors including a variety of neighborhoods with a range of pricing. South Phoenix has become a hotspot for real estate investors due to its proximity to downtown and affordable prices. The housing market in Phoenix is competitive and resilient, so take advantage of investment property for sale in this area.

10. Seattle, Washington

Investment property for sale in Seattle, Washington — Image Source: Pexels

Seattle is home to industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft, making it an ideal city to buy investment property in. While housing prices have increased in recent years, with interest rates going down and inflation cooling, it may be a good time to buy in Seattle and surrounding areas.

Choosing The Right City with Investment Property for Sale

If you’re looking for an investment property in 2025, these 10 cities are a good place to start. With the help of a real estate agent, you can turn your investment into profits. In what cities are you looking to invest in?

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Tips for a Successful No-Spend Year

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Do Medical Bills Die With You? 5 Surprising Facts About Debt After Death

December 31, 2024 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

Medical debt has become an overwhelming problem for many Americans. The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) estimates that Americans owe at least $220 billion in medical debt. More often than not, this debt slips into collections and is left unpaid. But what if you die before you’re able to pay off your medical debt? Do medical bills die with you?

The short answer is medical bills don’t die with you. Medical debt though is considered unsecured debt. Unsecured debt includes things like student loans, credit card debt, and personal loans. These types of debt are handled differently than secured debt such as mortgages or car loans. While every situation is different, here we’ll share what happens to your debt after you die.

1. Your Estate is Responsible

Your estate pays your medical bills when you die — Image Source: Pexels

Your estate will be responsible for your medical debt when you die. This means that all of your total assets will have to cover the cost of unpaid bills. If your estate is solvent, which means it can cover the debt, any unpaid medical bills will be settled during the probate process. Then any other assets will be distributed to heirs as dictated by the deceased person’s will. Some states however require heirs to be paid out first before any debts are settled.

2. Bill Collectors May Look to a Family Member to Pay

If your estate doesn’t have the funds to pay your medical debt, or is insolvent, usually the courts will determine how much creditors will receive for the debt. Sometimes, creditors completely write off the debt. Again, this is all dependent on federal and state laws. In some cases though, bill collectors may find next of kin to repay the debt such as a spouse, especially if you live in a community property state like California. If medical bills were co-signed, that person may be responsible for your unpaid debt.

3. Filial Responsibility Laws

Family taking responsibility for medical debt — Image Source: Pexels

More than half of states have laws where adult children are responsible for their parent’s medical bills if they can’t pay. Usually, these laws don’t have to be enforced because Medicaid will cover the cost of these expenses. If the medical services aren’t covered by Medicaid though, your children could have to foot the bill.

4. Medicaid May Ask Your Estate to Repay Them

If you are a Medicaid recipient and over 55, when you die your state’s Medicaid may pursue your estate. Bills from nursing home care, hospital stays, or prescriptions could be collected from your estate. Your survivors won’t be held responsible, and debts will only be collected if you are not survived by a spouse or children under 21.

5. Does Medical Debt Effect Credit Scores?

Medical debt is handled differently than other forms of debt. However, if your medical debt is sold to a third-party collection agency, it can negatively impact your credit score after a period of time. Collection accounts for medical debt stay on your credit report for seven years which can significantly damage your credit.

Do Medical Bills Die with You?

While medical bills don’t die with you, how they are repaid after your death may vary. Each situation is unique so it’s best to contact an estate lawyer to discuss your specific situation. Are you worried about medical debt after you die? Leave your questions in the comments.

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Tips for a Successful No-Spend Year

December 30, 2024 By Teri Monroe Leave a Comment

If you’ve tried to have a no-spend month or year in the past, you may have quickly given up on your goals. It’s easy to not be realistic with our financial goals when we are trying to decrease spending in the upcoming year. Around 20% of Gen Zers and Millennials attempt to have a no-buy year, but frequently abandon their goal when things get tough. However, if you frame your no-spend goal in the right way, you’ll have an easier time sticking to it. Let’s take a look at some tips that can help you reach your goals in 2025.

1. Differentiate Wants and Needs

Differentiate between wants and needs during your no-spend year — Image Source: Pexels

It’s unrealistic to say that you won’t buy anything in the next year. But you can set healthy limits for yourself. For example, you probably don’t need another hoodie, but you may need new shoes for work. Try to anticipate these needs as best you can when you are budgeting. You can also give yourself small allowances for each category each month.

2. Limit Your Spending to One Day a Week

Little purchases throughout the week add up. Some people find that designating one day per week to make essential purchases helps them curb their spending. For instance, instead of stopping at the grocery store three or four days per week, make a larger trip one day a week. This will help you track your spending better. Plus, you’ll be forced to use things you already have in the pantry for instance before restocking.

3. Focus on Things That Aren’t Materialistic

To feel less restricted, you may find it helpful to focus on not buying stuff. You could allow yourself instead to focus on experiences and hobbies and give yourself a small budget for those things. Some people incorporate rewards for hitting their financial goals, like a trip at the end of the year.

4. Determine Your Goals

Before on a no-spend year, make sure you have specific goals. You may want to create an emergency fund or save $10,000 this year. You may want to change your shopping habits and set up healthy parameters for yourself. Ultimately, no-spend years are a great opportunity to change our behaviors and relationship with money.

5. Keep a Journal

In your journal, you can outline things that you can and can’t buy, how you will handle impulses, your goals, and your rewards. You can also keep a log of how you are feeling throughout your no-spend year. Write down when you averted an unnecessary purchase and celebrate your little victories along the way. This will help you stay on track all year long.

6. Get Rid of Your Triggers

Get rid of your triggers like Amazon Prime — Image Source: Pexels

If you know that window shopping is problematic for you, don’t go to the mall. You may also want to leave your credit cards at home and only carry cash for incidentals. If online shopping causes you to overspend, you may want to unsubscribe from marketing emails and get rid of Amazon Prime. Additionally, if ordering takeout is a trigger, delete DoorDash and Uber Eats. Instead, create a limit for yourself that you can only eat out or get takeout twice per month. Choose limits that are realistic instead of saying you’ll never do these things.

7. Say No to Yourself

The hardest person to say no to is yourself. Often, we get into the habit of saying “I deserve this.” Maybe we have a stressful week and need to blow off steam, this is when bad spending habits usually crop up. If you can learn to say no to yourself and redirect yourself toward healthier behavior, your no-spend year will be much more successful.

8. Surround Yourself with Positive Influences

Reading material to support a no-spend year — Image Source: Pexels

If your TikTok or Instagram feed is full of influencers who convince you to make impulse buys, unfollow them. Instead, surround yourself with positive influences and content. For example, Buy Now! on Netflix may give you motivation to continue your healthy spending habits. Follow influencers, read books, and watch TV shows that align with your money philosophies to stay on track.

Staying Motivated During a No-Spend Period

If you fall off the no-spend wagon, don’t give up. The only way to set new habits is with time and practice. Instead, if you make a mistake, re-evaluate if your goals are realistic for you and what is and isn’t working. The more flexible you are, without being overindulgent, the more success you’ll have in the long run. Have you tried a no-spend period? What was the most challenging aspect?

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