The Howard Team's Real Estate Blog » 2018

Is Phased Retirement Right for You?

Tuesday, July 24th, 2018

Don’t Want To Retire Yet?…Phased Retirement Might Just Be Your Next Best Thing.

One day you’re a full time employee and the next day you’re not. That’s what retirement can feel like but if you’re looking for more of a gradual exit or no exit at all, you might consider phased retirement.

American Has a Problem

America has a big labor problem—a massive amount of highly skilled workers are retiring or have reached retirement age and that has companies concerned. Not only are people they at retirement age, they hold all of the high-level knowledge.

Even worse, many industries are experiencing a shortage of young workers to fill the gaps.

On the other side, many of those 50 and 60-something workers don’t want to retire. A Merrill Lynch-Age Wave study revealed that 72 percent of pre-retirees over the age of 50 want to continue working in some capacity. Nearly three-quarters of Americans don’t see themselves traveling the world or working in the yard all day.

A Win-Win

Rarely does it happen but in this case, the two sides compliment each other. Employers have an opportunity to retain employees of retirement age because they want to work. That’s where phased retirement comes in. Instead of completely retiring, those workers could reduce their hours, only work certain days, move to a less stressful department, or work from home.

According to a GAO report, companies report four key benefits to phased retirement:

Retaining highly-skilled, knowledgeable workers
Training and mentoring of younger, newer employees
Ability to transition workers into retirement
Easier forecasting of future workforce needs

For the employee, they receive benefits as well:

Ability to earn income especially if retirement savings are sufficient
Remaining mentally and physically active
Able to put off collecting Social Security longer making future benefit checks larger

Are Companies on Board?

Despite employers hearing that pre-retirement employees aren’t ready to leave, and a clear benefit to the company, a surprisingly few companies embrace phased retirement. A study from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies (TCRS) found that 77 percent of employers believe that their employees plan to continue working after retirement but only 31 percent of those companies embrace phased retirement. And by the way, the GAO report above is titled Phased Retirement Programs, Although Uncommon, Provide Flexibility for Workers and Employers. Both studies agree that phased retirement isn’t as common as it should be.

Why So Negative?

The biggest reason seems to be the fear of lawsuits. Could a company open itself up to litigation if it gives a benefit to employees based on age? Because phased retirement often comes with an attractive benefits package, why can’t a younger employee work part time and get the perks of a “phased” employee?

There’s also the management issue. Having employees coming and going on different schedules and working only certain days makes it difficult on company managers who have to keep things operational and efficient every day. And, of course, some companies aren’t overly excited about paying for benefits like health insurance and retirement for employees who are now contributing half as much as they once did.

Finally, it’s hard to promote somebody when there’s somebody else hanging around in doing half of the job.

Tough on the Employee

Phased retirement has its benefits but also some potential headaches for the employee too. Reduced work hours will likely mean some reduction in pay and the amount of money moving into their retirement accounts. There’s also the issue of continuing to earn an income if they want to receive Social Security benefits, and the urge for an employer to continue treating the employee as a full-time employee despite their part-time status.

How to Sell It

If you’re one of the almost two-thirds of the pre-retirement workforce that wants to try phased retirement, it will take some salesmanship. First, make a strong case for how it will benefit the company. What’s the win-win for them?

Second, consider learning a new skill. Is there another job that may not require full-time hours that would only require a little additional training?

Does your company need somebody to travel to other offices and train or evaluate? Do they regularly hire outside consultants in areas where you have expertise? Think of “outside-the-box” angles like these instead of fighting for your current position, especially if what you do now is clearly a full-time effort and the company isn’t going to hire somebody to shadow you even for a short period.

Find out if you’re on track: Retirement Calculator

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4 Awesome Kitchens That Will Make You Want Brass

Thursday, July 19th, 2018

See how this trending finish holds up to a variety of cabinet colors and styles

1. Brass on Blue

Designers: Marty Buckenmeyer of Buckenmeyer Architecture (architect) and Charlotte Cooney of Domestic Arts (interior designer)
Location: Portland, Oregon
Size: 195 square feet (18 square meters); 13 by 15 feet

Homeowners’ request. Update a dark 1970s kitchen to better reflect the traditional-style home but with a fresh point of view.

Brass. Brass pulls and pendants over the island bring warmth to the blue cabinets (Philipsburg Blue by Benjamin Moore).

Other special features. Walnut wood shelves. Backsplash of handmade subway tile.

Designer secret. “Blue cabinets are more forgiving than white in terms of maintenance,” designer Charlotte Cooney says.

Backsplash tile: subway tile in milk glaze color, 3 by 6 inches, Bread and Butter Tile Co.; countertops: Caesarstone in Calacatta Nuvo, polished; lighting: Schoolhouse; wall paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore

2. Brass on White

Designer: Kimberly Ayres
Location: San Francisco
Size: 340 square feet (32 square meters)

Homeowners’ request. As much cabinet storage as possible, an attractive place for appliances, a workhorse island, plenty of light and a stellar view.

Brass. Brass cabinet pulls, light fixtures and faucets. “We chose brass accents for a touch of a midcentury vibe, a favorite style of the homeowner, and for overall warmth,” designer Kimberly Ayres says. “Brass cabinet pulls and pendant lighting soften the island’s marble waterfall design.”

Other special features. The cabinets are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl at 50 percent. “As much as we love natural marble, it simply wasn’t a good fit for this family, who worried about stains and maintenance,” Ayres says. “We chose Neolith [a porcelain material from Spain] for the island and perimeter countertops, and everyone is pleased.”

Designer secret. “This room has a nice ceiling height, so we divided the hanging upper cabinets into two rows,” Ayres says. “I used the golden ratio to work out door heights in order to create a perfect proportion.”

Cabinet pulls: Bar series, Lew’s Hardware; pendant lights: Schoolhouse; bar stools: CB2; sconces: Circa Lighting; cabinets: custom, Kenwood Cabinetry; countertops: Neolith in Calacatta, silk finish

3. More Brass on White

Designer: Amy Sullivan of Simplified Interiors
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Size: 230 square feet (21 square meters); 23 by 10 feet

Homeowners’ request. A big kitchen with plenty of light and storage, and that feels open to the living area and backyard deck.

Brass. Brass pendant lights and cabinet hardware. “We added brass in ways that would not be expensive to change if the homeowner wanted to adjust with future trends,” designer Amy Sullivan says.

Other special features.Calacatta Gold marble backsplash. Salvaged-wood open shelves. A hidden office with file drawers, a coffee station, an appliance garage, storage for a mop and vacuum, and more.

Designer secret. “We started with what could not change in the space — the ceiling beam on the left side that supported the house — and from there built a kitchen that was all about balance and light,” Sullivan says. The right beam is faux, and the French doors and two windows are new additions.”

“Uh-oh” moment. “When the counters were installed on this project, we had the installers leave the plastic film on them, as the space was still under construction and we wanted them protected,” Sullivan says. “The next week when we took the plastic off, we realized the color on the slabs was inconsistent. We later discovered that one section was from a different dye lot — they were quartz. It was disappointing to find such a big problem so close to the end of the project. After many conversations with the stone resource, they corrected the problem and reinstalled the countertops.”

Pendants: West Elm; bar stools: Cost Plus World Market; countertops: Silestone

4. Brass on Black

Designer: Federico Martin of IRP Designs
Location: Rye, New York

Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with a Los Angeles look.

Brass. Golden hand-brushed metal cabinet hardware, accents and custom hood. Brass pendant lights.

Other special features. Raw chestnut wood shelves. Backsplash is large-format subway tile in a stacked pattern with dark grout. Black matte lacquered cabinets. “The black lacquered matte with gold finish gives that L.A. vibe,” designer Federico Martin says.

Countertops: quartz in Absolute Blanc, Compac, The Surfaces Co.; bar stools: CB2

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Going On Vacation, Here’s My Top Vacation-Proof Houseplants

Tuesday, July 17th, 2018

Whether its Summer, Autumn, Winter or Spring, you’re bound to go on vacation at some point – but what about those beautiful houseplants?…Let me introduce you to some indoor plants you can safely leave while on vacation—without lining up a plant sitter.

Succulents and Cacti

Packing your bags and heading off on vacation doesn’t have to mean you return to a house full of dead plants. Choose the right low maintenance houseplants, and you can take off for even a few weeks without losing a single leaf. I’ve had all of these succulents shown in the image above. If anything, I’ve come back & they’ve grown! For instance, the one on the left, in the front – that stem grew & flowers bloomed.

‘Campfire’ Crassula

Keep the home fires burning with this colorful succulent. As leaves mature, they shift colors from green, to gold and orange, and finally ripen to bright red. Bright light coaxes the best leaf hues from indoor plants. The thick leaves hint that you can leave this plant for a week or two with no watering worries. The formal name for this beauty is Crassula capitella‘Campfire’.

Aloe

Just give this sturdy succulent bright light, and you’ll be on your way to a happy, healthy houseplant. Aloes need watering only every couple of weeks or so, which means you can take more than a weekend away with no worries. Well-draining soil provides the right rooting environment for this low maintenance houseplant. Come home with a sunburn from that awesome vacation?…Get relief by cutting one of your Aloe leafs off. Either cut it down the center or in half. Rub the clear “gel” from the plant onto your burn. **Be sure you’re not allergic to Aloe**

Flapjacks

Flattened paddle leaves give this succulent a playful feel and bring strong architectural interest to any setting. Indoors, give this South African native bright light, and water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Low thirst means you can skip town for a week or two with no thought for watering. Also known as dog tongue, desert cabbage and paddle plant, this plant is known botanically as Kalanchoe luciae. I have a Kalanchoe & like with many succulents a stem or leaf will fall off or break. If it’s still hardy, stick the bottom of the piece that fell off – right back into the dirt, next to the plant if you want – most of the time a new plant will grow.

Wax Plant

Known botanically as Hoya, wax plant is one of those houseplants that always makes you look good. It’s next to impossible to kill—unless you water it too much. This plant is a succulent, able to store water in its thick leaves and stems. It grows in low light, but you’ll get to see its waxy blooms in a high light setting. Feel free to leave this one for a week or more without water.

Tanzanian Zipper Plant

This cutie may resemble a cactus, but it’s actually a type of euphorbia—Euphorbia anoplia, to be exact. Euphorbias are cactus cousins known for retaining water. The thickened stems on the zipper plant hold enough water that you can slip away for a relaxing two-week trip. Give this plant bright light for best growth.

Red-Headed Irishman

Dry soil and bright light keep this cute cactus looking its best. It’s so notoriously easy to grow that it’s one of the most widely grown cacti worldwide. Expect your plant to form clumps as it ages, producing “babies” along its base. Botanically, it goes by Mammillaria spinosissima.

String of Buttons

The stems on this succulent pierce the center of each leaf, stacking them up like buttons on a string. The thick leaves hoard water, so you can get away for a relaxing two-week vacation without a second thought for this houseplant. Stems tend to trail, making this a good choice for hanging baskets. Botanically, this quirky plant goes by the name Crassula perforata. Another one would be “hens and chicks” funny name, but great succulents!

Sago Palm

You’ll be growing living history when you add sago palm to your home. The leathery leaves have a delicate, fern-like appearance that disguises the plant’s rugged personality. This beauty is a living fossil, a leftover from dinosaur times. You’ll see best growth in bright light, but it survives in low light. The easiest way to kill it is overwatering.

Glowee

Also known as snake plant, Glowee is a living nightlight. Give it a little natural sunlight each day, and you’ll be rewarded with a soft green and gold glow as night arrives. Glowee is a succulent, so it doesn’t need much water to keep it going. Keep soil on the dry side. This plant can tolerate very low interior light levels, although the glowing effect diminishes

ZZ Plant

With ZZ plant, you can take off for a year and return home to find it looking perfect. It needs that little water. The thick leaves have a natural shine, and it’s happy in any light, low to bright. The only drawback is its slow growth rate, which means it might cost a little more at the nursery (because it takes longer to grow). The double Z stands for Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Owl’s Eyes Cactus

Cactus are famous for needing little care, and owl’s eyes is no exception. Give this woolly cactus a bright, south-facing window and sharply draining cactus potting mix, and you’re good to go. Water sparingly, and keep it in a pot that’s just a bit wider than the cactus itself. It’s also goes by the name owl eye pincushion. In botanical circles, it’s called Mammillaria parkinsonii.

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Top 4 Home Renovations For Max ROI

Thursday, July 12th, 2018

Some Highlights:

Whether you are selling your home, just purchased your first home or are a homeowner planning to stay put for a while, there is value in knowing which home improvement projects will net you the most Return On Investment (ROI).
Minor bathroom renovations can go a long way toward improving the quality of your everyday life and/or impressing potential buyers.
Upgrading your landscaping or curb appeal helps get buyers in the door. These upgrades rank as the 2^nd and 4^th renovations for returns on investment.

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Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile

Tuesday, July 10th, 2018

Explore where and why one of these popular tile choices makes more sense than the other…

All tile is created equal, right? Not quite. Porcelain and ceramic may belong to the same family, but they’re two slightly different products. One may be more advantageous than the other depending on where you’re installing it. Here we pose five scenarios and explain whether porcelain or ceramic is the better choice.But before we walk through each scenario, let’s note the key difference between porcelain and ceramic tile. Though they’re manufactured with different types of clay, the Tile Council of North America defines porcelain in terms of water absorption. Specifically, porcelain tiles absorb less than 0.5 percent of water. Ceramic and other non-porcelain tiles absorb more than 0.5 percent water.

Scenario 1: You’re installing tile in a room with high moisture content.The best pick: Porcelain

Remember, the TCNA defines porcelain as tile that absorbs less than 0.5 percent of moisture. Why doesn’t porcelain absorb much moisture? According to the TCNA, porcelain is naturally dense, which means it’s harder to penetrate. In other words, it’s nearly waterproof. This property makes porcelain a no-brainer for bathroom installations, as well as other areas of your home that are exposed to moisture.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that ceramic is a bad choice for bathrooms. In fact, many homeowners install ceramic in their showers and on their bathroom floors. However, porcelain’s impermeability will ensure you have the best protection against moisture.

Kitchens can also be considered wet zones due to liquids encountered during food prep and clean up, as well as the presence of your sink and dishwasher. You may feel more comfortable with porcelain in the event your dishwasher or sink leaks.

Mudrooms usually bear the brunt of the dirty shoes and feet that enter your home daily. Porcelain is built to withstand exposure to moisture from rain, sleet or snow. You may also prefer porcelain in your laundry room in the event your washer leaks.

Scenario 2: You’re on a budget.The best pick: Ceramic

Not all porcelain tile is costly, but if you shop around long enough, you’ll start to notice a trend: It’s generally more expensive than ceramic is. If you’re on a tight budget, ceramic will fit the bill. It’s difficult to find a quality porcelain tile under $3 per square foot; high-end porcelain tile will easily surpass $5 per square foot. Ceramic, on the other hand, seldom costs more than $4 per square foot, and there are plenty of affordable styles under $2 per square foot.

Budget doesn’t mean passé when it comes to ceramic tile. Fortunately, you can still find ceramic tiles that showcase the latest industry trends, such as wood-look tile.

Scenario 3: You’re installing tile in a space with high foot traffic.

The best pick: PorcelainBoth ceramic and porcelain excel in high-traffic areas in comparison with other flooring types (such as hardwood, laminate and carpet). But porcelain is a denser tile, and as a result it offers better long-term resistance to scuffs and scratches. Through-body porcelain, where the color on top of the tile goes all the way throughout the tile’s body, is especially scratch resistant. Living rooms and hallways are two of the perfect places to install porcelain. Households with children and pets will appreciate porcelain’s durability.

As the heart of the home, kitchens experience a fair share of foot traffic too. If your cooking space is your home’s social hub and a common gathering place for your family and guests, porcelain is the best option.

Scenario 4: You’re a DIY aficionado.The best pick: Ceramic

Density isn’t always a perk. Ceramic is easier to cut and install than porcelain is. According to the TCNA, non-porcelain tiles are easier to affix to the floor than porcelain tile. If you’re planning to install tile yourself, especially in a situation where many cuts are required, you could find yourself in hot water. The job could quickly turn sloppy, and you may dish out more money to have a pro correct your mistakes.

Scenario 5: You’re remodeling your patio floors.The best pick: Porcelain

When it comes to patio flooring, the great outdoors can be unforgiving. This is another scenario where porcelain’s impermeability wins. When ceramic tile freezes, it absorbs moisture. This causes ceramic to expand and break. You could be looking at a flooring replacement much sooner than expected.

If you live in an area that is prone to hard freezes, ceramic tile is out of the question for an outdoor space. If you live in a climate where freezes are occasional or uncommon, ceramic is risky at best. Carefully weigh your decision when deciding between porcelain or ceramic.

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