March Into Homeownership

Fresh Beginnings & Bright Opportunities!

 Empowering 2,000 Women and Families to achieve homeownership in 2025 

Breaking Barriers, Building Dreams – Helping 2,000 Women and Families Become Homeowners in 2025!

 Do You Know Someone Ready to Buy a Home?

At the heart of our mission is a deep commitment to empowering women and families on their journey to homeownership. While you’ve already taken that step, you might know a friend, family member, or colleague who dreams of owning a home but doesn’t know where to start.

In 2025, our goal is to help over 2,000 women and families achieve this dream. By providing expert guidance, support, and resources, we’re breaking down barriers and making homeownership more accessible than ever.

If someone you know is ready to take the next step, we’d love to help! Send them our way—we’ll walk alongside them every step of the journey.

Let’s make homeownership happen—together

Times are tough right now, especially for those with high interest debts. What if I told you that by using your mortgage to your advantage, you could eliminate your revolving debts and have more money in your pocket every month? Use some or all of that extra cash to make additional principal payments, shorten the length of your mortgage, pay less in interest over time, and own your home sooner. Even with a higher interest rate, you could potentially shorten your term and build your wealth faster than you are right now. 

Consumer Debt: What You Need to Know

With inflation, interest rate changes, and shifting financial priorities, understanding your debt is critical for staying in control of your finances. Consumer debt covers personal financial obligations like:

✔️ Credit card balances
✔️ Medical bills
✔️ Student loans
✔️ Auto loans
✔️ Mortgages
✔️ Payday & personal loans
✔️ Alimony & child support

Types of Consumer Debt:
🔹 Secured vs. Unsecured: Secured debt (like mortgages and auto loans) is backed by collateral, while unsecured debt (like credit cards and medical bills) is not.
🔹 Revolving vs. Non-Revolving: Revolving debt (like credit cards) lets you borrow repeatedly, while non-revolving debt (like student loans) is given in a lump sum and repaid over time.

Why This Matters in 2025: With higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, debt management is more crucial than ever. High-interest debt can lower your credit score, drain your savings, and limit your financial flexibility.

Smart Moves:

• Refinance high-interest debt when rates drop.
• Prioritize paying off revolving debt first.
• Leverage homeownership strategically—if you're buying, make sure you’re working with an expert who can help you maximize your financial benefits (like mortgage tax deductions!).

The bottom line? The financial choices you make today will shape your future. Staying informed and making strategic decisions is the key to long-term stability and success. And remember—you’re not in this alone!

Understanding Itemized Deductions & Standard Deduction in 2025

Tax season is here, and with today’s financial landscape, making strategic decisions about deductions is more important than ever. With rising home prices, interest rates, and tax implications, understanding how to maximize your deductions can make a real difference.

For 2025, the standard deduction amounts are:

• Single & Married Filing Separately: $15,000
• Head of Household: $22,500
• Married Filing Jointly & Surviving Spouses: $30,000

So, should you itemize or take the standard deduction?

 Itemizing could be a smart move if your deductible expenses exceed the standard deduction. Key deductions include:

• Mortgage Interest: In 2025, you can deduct interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt for married couples filing jointly ($375,000 for single filers).
• Property Taxes: You can deduct up to $10,000 in state and local taxes (SALT), including property taxes.
• Medical Expenses: Only deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).
• Charitable Contributions: Depending on your AGI, you may be able to deduct cash donations to qualifying charities.

With today’s market conditions, homeownership is an even bigger financial investment—so be sure you’re leveraging the tax benefits that come with it!

Pro Tip: A tax professional can help you decide whether itemizing or taking the standard deduction will save you the most money while ensuring IRS compliance.

Financial News

Your Homeownership Tax Benefits!

Owning a home should be both personally and financially rewarding. That’s why it’s important to take advantage of every tax break available to you—beyond just the mortgage interest deduction.

Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) - If you received an MCC from your state or local government, don’t forget to claim it!

• Complete IRS Form 8396 and report your credit amount.
• If also claiming a mortgage interest deduction, reduce it by the MCC amount.

Energy-Saving Home Improvements

The IRS rewards eco-friendly upgrades with a non-refundable tax credit! You could qualify for deductions on:

• Energy efficiency improvements
• Residential energy expenses
• Home energy audits
• Up to $2,000 for heat pumps, biomass stoves, and boilers
• $150 for a home energy audit

EV Charging Station Credit

Installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging station at home? You may be eligible for up to $1,000 in tax credits! This includes bidirectional equipment that can send electricity back to the grid. File IRS Form 8911 to claim it.

Medical Expense Deductions for Home Renovations - Certain medically necessary home improvements may qualify for tax deductions, including:

• Adding ramps
• Widening doorways
• Installing handrails
• Lowering cabinets
• Installing a lift or elevator
  Even operation and upkeep costs may be deductible! See IRS Publication 502 for details.

Need Guidance? Tax rules can be complex, so consulting a tax expert is always a good idea. If you have questions about homeownership benefits or financing options, we’re here to help!

A Smart Way for Seniors to Buy Their Next Home!

Have you heard about reverse mortgages on TV? Many people think they’re just a way to supplement retirement income—but there’s more to the story! If you’re 62 or better, you can use a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase to buy your next home.

This is a fantastic option for seniors who have recently sold—or are planning to sell—their current home and want to find a place that better fits their lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a cozy home near family, a low-maintenance condo, or something with less upkeep, HECM for Purchase can help make it happen.

With a larger down payment (typically 45% or more), you gain access to flexible repayment terms that help preserve your savings, protect your cash flow, and give you the freedom to enjoy retirement on your terms.

Your new home could be a single-family residence, an FHA-approved condo or townhome, a property in a Planned Unit Development (PUD), a 2-to-4-unit home, or even a manufactured home that meets HUD guidelines.

While you’ll need to keep up with property taxes, insurance, and maintenance, repayment isn’t required until you sell or move out.

At The Holly Walther Lending Team, we’re here to help you explore all your options and guide you every step of the way. Let’s find the perfect home for your next chapter!

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St. Patrick's Day: A Celebration of Irish Culture

St. Patrick’s Day, observed annually on March 17th, commemorates the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Over time, it has evolved into a worldwide celebration of Irish heritage, featuring vibrant parades, traditional foods, lively music, spirited dancing, and, of course, plenty of green! Whether you’re enjoying a classic Irish meal, attending a festive event, or simply wearing green to avoid a pinch, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to embrace and appreciate Irish culture.

Irish Soda Bread

 Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with the Best Irish Soda Bread! 

Irish soda bread is a classic, easy-to-make treat that pairs perfectly with your St. Paddy’s Day feast! With just flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, you’ll have a crusty, flavorful loaf that’s simply irresistible. ☘️