Five Creative Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

An energy efficient home is a by-product of several key ingredients, which starts with green home design and ranges from high performance windows to tight home construction and ducts. Every Tribute Home is more than 40% more efficient than a typical existing home giving each customer significant savings on their monthly utility bills. However, if you're looking for even more energy saving ideas as the temperatures rise this spring, here are five other ideas which are both Eco-friendly and creative.

1. Plant A Tree
   A strategically placed shade tree can reduce your cooling bill by 25%.
   
2. Grill Outside Or Use Smaller Kitchen Appliances
   Toasters, slow cookers, microwaves or other small appliances use up to 75% less energy than an electric oven, and won't heat up your home as much either.
   
3. Keep Your Walkways Lit-But With Low Voltage
   You need to be able to see outside if you'll be entertaining at night in nice weather. However, to save money on your electric bill, use low-voltage lighting kits to light your deck, patio and walkways. An added benefit of using low voltage lighting outside is that the softer light will attract fewer insects.
   
4. Only Run The Dishwasher When Full, At Night.
   Running a half full dishwasher is wasteful. Running it during the day can also heat up your home, triggering you to turn on the air conditioning. To save money, only run full loads at night while you're sleeping. Use the air-dry cycle for additional energy savings.
   
5. Wash & Dry Loads of Laundry Back To Back, At Night
   When you have to do laundry, consider doing multiple loads, so that you can dry one load after the first. This prevents the dryer from losing heat, and reduces warm up and drying times. By doing laundry in the evening, you also prevent the heat from warming the house during hot summer days.

If you're considering purchasing a retirement home but have yet to explore all of your options, we invite you to learn more about Tribute Homes. Tribute Homes builds energy efficient homes for 55+ active adults. With multiple lakeside and golf communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, we offer homes in settings that match any lifestyle. To speak with our sales associates about your options, you can contact us directly by calling (800) 381-2984 or visit us on the web at www.tributehomesusa.com.

Benefits of Living in a Lakeside Community

By design, many Tribute Homes are located in lakeside communities in North Carolina and South Carolina. We know that just because you're retiring, doesn't mean that you plan to spend your time lying around. Our 55+ active adult lakeside communities provide the perfect opportunity for you to stay busy.

Here are five benefits to retiring to a lakeside community.

1. Perfect for Hosting & Entertaining Family and Friends
   Living in a lakeside community means never worrying that your house guests will be bored when they come to visit. Lakes provide recreational opportunities galore for all of your guests. Whether it's merely a walk around the lake, or the pretty backdrop to your summer cook-out; living near a lake provides benefits for all of your friends and family.
2. Affords Free Exercise Opportunities
   Living within a lakeside community is like living near a gym without the monthly fee. From walking around the lake, to swimming, rowing, fishing, waterskiing and more; lakeside living provides opportunities for active 55+ residents to get their daily exercise without ever having to leave the neighbourhood
3. Keeps Things Quiet
   Lakes serve as natural noise-reducers. Although sound carries well over lakes when the lakes are calm; when lakes in your community are active; with fishers or boaters for example, the lake acts as a bit of a sponge absorbing the noise, so that the environment around the lake is typically quiet.
4. Reduces Stress
   Water is a calming influence for many people. The soft sounds of water lapping against the shore can help erase the stresses of the day.
5. Helps Your Home Hold Its Value
   It's no secret that homes near the water tend to hold their value, even during economic swings, because people always want to live near the water. Moreover, there are only so many lakes to go around, which drives up the demand for homes near lakes.

If you're considering purchasing a retirement home but have yet to explore all of your options, we invite you to learn more about Tribute Homes. With several active adult lakeside communities in North Carolina and South Carolina, we offer homes in settings that match any lifestyle. To speak with our sales associates about your options, you can contact us directly by calling (800) 381-2984 or visit us on the web at www.tributehomesusa.com.

The Ins and Outs of Reverse Mortgages

Did you know that individuals seeking reverse mortgages are at an all time high? Though there are benefits of arranging this type of loan in your retirement years, it’s important to understand all the facts before making such an important decision. To help you better understand reverse mortgages, we’ve put together some key considerations below.

What Is A Reverse Mortgage?

In short, a reverse mortgage is a loan that you take out against the equity you’ve built up in your home. Instead of making monthly payments to the bank, a financial institution makes that same monthly payment to you. The equity in your home can still appreciate, and you receive a stable income stream for the term of your arrangement. To be eligible for a reverse mortgages, you have to be at least 62 years of age or older. Though the amount of cash that you’re able to receive depends on your age, amount of home equity, and prevailing interest rates, the general rule of thumb is that the oldest applicants with the most expensive homes generally qualify for the biggest loans.

If you’d like to learn more about the specifics of a reverse mortgage, there are a number of other resources available on the web. You can also consult with your financial advisor to determine whether a reverse mortgage makes sense in your overall financial plan. Additionally, you should also consider how you anticipate using the money, how long you plan to live in your home, and what your other options are.

How will you use the money?

Since the payments received from a reverse mortgage draw down against the equity in your home, which is likely your most valuable asset, it’s important to use the money wisely.

How long do you anticipate living in your home?

People who make the best candidates for reverse money mortgages are individuals who plan on staying in their homes for at least seven years.

Is a reverse mortgage my best option?

Though reverse mortgages are appealing for a number of reasons, it’s important to be thorough when considering a reverse mortgage and when selecting a mortgagee. Compare rates and terms from several banks before finalizing your reverse mortgage to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

If you’re considering purchasing a retirement home but have yet to explore all of your options, we invite you to learn more about Tribute Homes. With several active adult communities in both Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina, we offer homes in settings that match almost any lifestyle. To speak with our sales associates about your options, you can contact us directly by calling (800) 381-2984 or visit us on the web at www.tributehomesusa.com.

How To Stay Stimulated During Retirement

When transitioning from full time work to retirement, life can become very difficult and even confusing for some. At first, it may seem like something you have always wanted, though as time goes on and if you are not staying active, life may not seem as fulfilling as it once did. At Tribute Homes in South Carolina, our inviting, friendly, and active retirement communities offer residents a chance to take control of the new life chapter they’re entering.

One rule of thumb for keeping both your brain and body stimulated during retirement is to take on new activities that you find fulfilling and meaningful. Now is your chance to be creative—become a volunteer at a museum, take up a new past time, or maybe plan weekly nights out with your friends or family. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s something that you’re passionate about, as this will bring a sense of fulfillment to your time.

If you’re able, traveling is always a great option for staying on the path to a mentally and physically rewarding retirement. Traveling anywhere for any length of time will be something that can keep you motivated both physically and mentally. Experiencing new places and surroundings is a way to build strong relationships with others as well as the relationship you posses with yourself.

Now that you are retired you still must concern yourself with staying active and keeping yourself in a healthy physical state. It may be easier and tempting after years of work for you now to spend your days on the couch. Though there’s nothing wrong with sitting back and relaxing now and then, it’s important for everyone to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Whether it be taking classes at the local YMCA, joining a gym, or just taking a daily walk, physical activity is a proven necessity for a happiness, health, and longevity. Setting active goals for yourself will keep you motivated and feeling great.

Use the time and energy you once spent on work-related goals and turn the concentration to setting and achieving new life goals for you’re future. During retirement, you’ll have more time to truly focus on what may have been put on the back burner all of these years. Taking a few moments to write out your goals will allow you to visualize and conquer your desires.

If you’re nearing the age of retirement, our staff at Tribute Homes in South Carolina encourages you to contact us today to learn more about our retirement communities that provide residents with everything they’ve been seeking for a new part of their life. Call Tribute Homes today at (800) 381-2984 or visit us on the web at www.tributehomesusa.com.

How to Make the Most Out of Your Retirement Savings

Entering retirement can be as satisfying as it is scary. You've saved your whole life for this time, but many retirees are left wondering if it will be enough? To help make sure you can maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement, it’s important to stretch your retirement dollars as far as possible. To help you make the most out of your retirement savings Tribute Homes, one of the largest active adult community developers in Carolinas, has put together this list of important tips to keep in mind before and during retirement.

Develop a budget and stick to it!

Once you enter retirement your income and expenses change significantly, and you need to sit down and develop a budget to reflect those changes. Start off by entering in your, and overestimate them. This will help you trim some fat if you discover your budget isn't feasible. Major ticket items like your mortgage payment, health insurance premiums, and other recurring expenses should be accounted for first. You can then add additional expenses, like food and clothing, entertainment, travel, utilities, and other. Next, you’ll factor in your income and then revisit your expenses. A vacation home in an active adult community may be affordable than you think if you cut back your travelling; it just depends on what you and your family wants. Keep in mind that a budget isn't set in stone; it’s better used as a helpful planning guide for long term planning.

Adjust Your Investment Portfolio

When you first started saving for retirement, your risk profile was much different. Simply put: you had more time to ride out the ups and downs in the equity markets and other riskier investments. Now that you’re counting on the money you saved to live on, you’ll want to start moving those fund into more conservative investment vehicles like cash, bonds, and annuities. The sooner you can start planning for retirement, the better prices you’ll be able to liquidate your existing positions at. A qualified financial adviser will be able to assess your individual situation and develop with a plan that works best for you.

Minimize Your Taxes

Taxes can take a major bite out of your retirement savings, and you’ll want to minimize your tax bill as much as possible. One way to minimize your taxes is to focus on reallocating investments in your tax deferred retirement accounts first. This will help minimize any taxes due on realized gains. In the same vein, selling investments that you've lost money on in a taxable account will also generate valuable tax shields for gains withdrawn from tax-deferred accounts later on. A professional tax adviser or financial adviser will be able to help you keep your tax bill as low as possible.

Generate Additional Income

Being retired doesn't mean you have to stop working entirely. In fact, many retirees find that starting their own small business is a great way to fill their time and generate additional income. Think about it: if you can minimize withdrawals from your retirement account by as much as $10,000 for 10 years, it’s the equivalent of having saved an additional $125,000 (assuming a 5% annualized return).

There are lots of books and other resources (almost too many) that go into more detail for helping you get the most out of your retirement savings, but the above tips provide a good place to start when planning for retirement. 

Many new and prospective retirees find that moving into an active adult community, like the ones developed by Tribute Homes, is a great way to stay active and socialize with other like-minded adults. Whether you dream of retiring in a golf course or lakeside community, Tribute Homes has a number of developments to fit your lifestyle. To learn more about Tribute Homes’ active adult communities in South Carolina visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or call us on the phone at 800-381-2984. We look forward to making your retirement dreams come true.

Importance of Staying Active During Retirement

Earlier in life, you may have envisioned yourself lounging around, carefree throughout your retirement days—not really doing much to speak of. However, this is not the path taken by most retirees, and it’s certainty not the healthiest way to spend your time. Indeed, staying active during retirement helps you live a longer, healthier, and live a more fulfilling life than you would watching daytime television. Retirement is a new beginning—a time to grab life by the horns and live out your dreams. After all, you don’t have to worry about the morning commute anymore.

To better help you understand the importance of staying active during retirement, Tribute Homes has put together a list of the top benefits associated with living an active lifestyle.

Staying active during retirement is good for your brain

There are a number of studies that have found that physical activity helps reduce your risk of cognitive decline, Alzheimer disease, and dementia of any type. Maintaining healthy cognitive functioning is essential to living an independent lifestyle in your later years, and the good news is you don’t have to run a marathon to qualify as staying active. Simply going on an evening walk with your spouse, playing golf, tennis, or swimming all help keep your brain healthy as you get older. Even if you think you are years away from having to worry about cognitive problems, it is often said than an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Getting yourself into healthy habits will make it easier to stay active as you get older, and it’s never too soon (or too late) to start.

Staying active during retirement is good for your physical health

In addition to keeping your brain healthy, living an active lifestyle during retirement is also good for your physical health. Some of these benefits include: maintaining a strong and healthy heart though cardiovascular activities; keeping your muscle toned; keeping your bones strong; and maintain a healthy weight. Physical activity also reduces your risk of a number of illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. 

Staying active during retirement is good for your emotional health

A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that physical activity reduces the risk of subsequent depression for older adults. In addition to increasing your life expectancy, physical activity also helps you live happier. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which are a chemical associated with happiness and an overall sense of well-being. In addition to making you feel better on the inside, staying active also gives you more opportunities to stay engaged with friends and family. Golf outings, tennis matches, and water aerobics are all great ways you can stay active while having fun. Which leads us to our last point….

Staying active during retirement is fun

If you were very active before retirement, chances are you already know that being active is fun. However, if you’re looking to start new habits, the best way to do it is to start off slow. The worst thing you can do is overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once, only to get disinterested and talk yourself out of continuing your goals later on. Social sports, like some of the ones discussed above (Golf, Tennis, Water Aerobics) are all great ways to have fun, and if you’re having fun then you’re more likely to continue those activities. It’s win-win situation!

To help you stay active during retirement, Tribute Homes has developed a number of active adult communities in South Carolina with tons of amenities to make sure you’ll always have something to do. Some of these amenities include recreational facilities, golf courses, pristine lakes for boating and fishing, and more. To learn more about Tribute Homes’ offerings, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or call us directly by phone at 800-381-2984.

Why you need to start preparing for your retirement now

With retirement just around the corner for many baby boomers, the time to start preparing for your retirement is now. You've worked hard your whole life for this moment, and you need to make sure that all your ducks are in a row so you can live the retirement lifestyle you've always dreamed of.  To help make sure your retirement is everything you've hoped for, Tribute Homes, a new home builder specializing in active adult communities throughout the Carolina, has put together this article explaining the importance of preparing for your retirement now.

Determine what kind of retirement lifestyle you can afford

One of the trickiest aspects of transitioning from working full time to retirement is the idea that you’ll be living off of your savings. While everyone’s retirement picture is different, there are some guidelines that most financial advisers recommend when planning for retirement. 

First, you’ll need to figure that you’ll only be living on 70 to 80 percent of your pre-retirement income. Since you won’t be commuting, and won’t need to regularly replace your work clothes, this reduction in income is somewhat offset by a reduction in your work-related expenses. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure that you don’t outlive your retirement savings, so you should overestimate the number of years you’ll require an income.

Once you know how much income you have to work with, you can start to figure out the lifestyle you can afford, i.e., develop your retirement budget. Ask yourself questions like: Do you want to buy a second home, or move into a retirement community? How often do you plan to travel? How will you deal with unexpected medical expense? Are you still providing financial support for your children? All of these are good questions to start thinking of now. If you find that your budget isn't balancing like you hoped, it’s easier to make adjustments before retirement — while you still have time to adjust — than to wait until you’re already living off your retirement savings.

Avoid penalties on your retirement savings

Some retirement accounts have minimum required distributions that you have to make to avoid incurring penalties. For example, as of 2012, IRAs require that you begin withdrawing money when you reach the age of 70.5 at a rate of roughly 3.6 percent per year. You’ll also want to sit down with you financial adviser to discuss how you should start re-balancing your investments as you get closer to retirement. You may be able to avoid capital gains taxes, or otherwise maximize your total account value by making adjustments early on. You don’t want to get into a situation where you’re forced to liquidate assets at less-than-desirable costs or penalties. 

Plan for major purchases and expenses

Many retirees choose to move into an active adult community, or buy a vacation home to spend part of the year at. Planning for major purchases well-before you enter retirement will help you determine the timing of certain expenses to make sure you can comfortably afford these purchases. You’ll also want to plan for health care costs, which are increasing at a rate of approximately 6 percent per year. You may be shocked to learn that a 62-year-old couple that lives to 92 years old will spend approximately $400,000 in health care costs (excluding long-term care costs). You can read more about health care costs during retirement here. 

While there are plenty of other good reasons to start planning for your retirement now, they all come to the same conclusion: it’s better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.

If you’re considering moving to an active adult community, you should consider one of Tribute Homes’ new home developments in South Carolina. We've built everything with the active adult in mind, and we know you’ll love the time spent on the lake, playing golf, or relaxing with your new friends. To learn more, visit us online at www.tributehomesusa.com or call us directly at 800-381-2984.