Owning a home outright is a dream that many Americans share. Having a mortgage can be a huge burden, and paying it off may be the first item on your financial to-do list. But competing with the desire to own your home free and clear is your need to invest for retirement, your child’s college education or some other goal. Putting extra cash toward one of these goals may mean sacrificing another. So how do you choose?
Owning a home outright is a dream that many Americans share. Having a mortgage can be a huge burden, and paying it off may be the first item on your financial to-do list. But competing with the desire to own your home free and clear is your need to invest for retirement, your child’s college education or some other goal. Putting extra cash toward one of these goals may mean sacrificing another. So how do you choose?
Investing isn’t limited solely to stocks, bonds and cash. For many Americans, real estate is their largest investment – usually their family home. But there are other ways to invest in real estate, too.
Since the S&P 500 Index has gone from the low 700 in 2009 to its current level above 1,600, investors should be aware of their portfolio risk and have a downside strategy in place.
