MONEY, HOUSING, CHILD EDUCATION: WHERE DOES ONE MOVE?

It's no secret that the suburbs within the I-95 belt in the Boston area are extremely expensive (at least in the towns everyone says are the towns you should live in). The bigger question is, does the town and school systems make for a successful education and child, or is it the influence at home that determines the child's success?

Many argue that if you can stretch your financial limits to get into one of the "elite" towns you should do that because you'll not only get superior teachers, but your child and yourself could "rub shoulders with important people". Now call me a simple Midwestern boy, but there is more to being successful than surrounding yourself with people of wealth. Just because you get into one of the so-called "elite" school systems, doesn't mean you are guaranteed a superior education for your child or that they'll go on to a successful career and life. I believe the influence that comes out of one's home plays a more significant role through parental educating and encouragement. Teachers are wonderful and educated people, however I believe the sincere acknowledgment and love shown from a parent is more motivational than anyone in a school system.

Bottom line: do the best you can, provide the best you can, and be proud of what you're able to give back to your family. Not everything is measured in dollars and cents, in many ways those items you can't buy are more valuable than the ones you can.

Here's a great article outlining the trials and tribulations of buying a home in the Boston market when a major consideration revolves around the school systems.
http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/blogs/renow/2010/12/should_you_stre.html

- Design is what you make it.

To Rent or To Buy

Many people ask themself this same question. The truth of the matter, the answer may be chosen for you. Lenders have tightened up on mortgages making first time home buying more difficult. Interest rates are at rock bottom, however if you haven't saved up enough for the down payment you can forget about acquiring a loan. You know who wins in this scenario? Developers. Apartment building projects has risen of late as developers recognize the need for housing is still high as well as the desire to live near work and all the benefits city life offers, however without the ability to obtain lending for that first purchase one's options are rent or live on the street...not much of a choice there.

Bottom line, if you have some savings then you have a choice. If you're like so many people out there and have been hit hard the past couple of years by this economy, your savings has been depleted or may not exist at all and thus you're given one option; RENT. Many big developers have seen this and are putting together projects to fill this necessity. Check out this article addressing just this situation.

http://www.boston.com/realestate/news/articles/2010/11/13/builder_says_time_is_right_for_boston_apartments/
- Design is what you make it.

Reality Sets in for Homeowners

Well the reality of the housing market is impacting the reasons behind the recent escalation of home improvement projects being performed. According to the WSJ (http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109389/the-new-rules-of-remodeling) many home owners recognize the hard truth, the days of quick renovation to trade up for the bigger house next door are over. This is not necessarily a bad thing, what many homeowners are doing instead, they're building additions to accommodate the space they need and/or renovating the current space in their home to better suit their living lifestyles. This is a huge win for the design and construction world. It also acts as baby steps for the economy to recover. Once the housing market can become strong again, the economy typically gets into full swing. So keep those renovation projects going, enlarge your home with an addition, and purchase more home improvement materials so we can get back to being the prosperous nation we've so grown accustom to being.

- Design is what you make it.