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Getting an Older East Texas House Ready for Winter

East Texas winters are usually mild, but every few years we get a hard freeze that catches people off guard. Anyone who lived through the February 2021 winter storm remembers the burst pipes, the power outages, and the plumbers who were booked for weeks. Older houses took the worst of it. In Tyler, the average first fall frost comes around November 13 . That gives you about a month to get an older house ready. Here is a simple checklist, with a focus on the problems that show up most in older East Texas homes. 1. Protect the Pipes Under the House A lot of older homes around here sit on pier and beam foundations, and the water lines run through an open crawl space. That is where pipes freeze first. Crawl under the house, or have someone do it, and look for exposed supply lines. Wrap exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation, especially near outside walls and vents. Check that the skirting around the house is intact. Gaps and missing panels let cold wind blow right across the pipes. Close ...
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Putting a Storm Shelter in a Garage Floor: What One Day of Work Looks Like

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Spring in East Texas means storm season. Most years the sirens come and go and nothing happens close to home. But anyone who has lived here a while remembers the years when it did, and that is when people start asking about storm shelters. This past May I was on hand for an in-ground storm shelter install in a garage here in East Texas. I took photos through the day, and I want to walk through what it actually looked like. The process is simpler than most people expect, and there are a few things worth knowing before you call anyone. The shelter on install morning, before any digging started. Why the garage A below-ground shelter in the garage floor has a lot going for it. You can get to it without going outside, which matters when the wind is already blowing and the rain is coming sideways. It takes up very little room once it is in, because the lid sits flush with the floor and you can park right over it. And it does not change the look of the house or the yard. The tradeoff is that ...
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Why rural land in East Texas holds value better than most people think

 Most people chasing real estate returns head straight for residential. Houses, rentals, something with a roof on it. What gets overlooked, especially in the current market, is rural land. Specifically smaller parcels in the 5 to 50 acre range in areas like East Texas. The fundamentals here are straightforward. Rural land has low carrying costs, no tenants, no maintenance calls at midnight, and no structure to depreciate. When residential markets get choppy, land tends to hold. It is not exciting. That is the point. Greg McKinney of Mineola, TX has seen this pattern play out across Wood County and surrounding areas for years. Parcels that are priced right and properly cleared move. Buyers want privacy, space, and something they can actually use. That might be a weekend property, a place to hunt, or a long term hold. What drives value in this market is simple: road frontage, timber condition, flood zone status, and how the land presents from the road. None of those things are compli...
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How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

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  By Greg McKinney Mineola Texas Living paycheck by paycheck can be a difficult and stressful way to live. It can be hard to get ahead financially when you're only just getting by each month.   When you're barely making ends meet, it's tough to put any extra money away for savings as well. This can make it difficult to reach your financial goals, like buying a home or retiring comfortably.   It makes you more vulnerable to unforeseen events, like a job loss or medical emergency.   And the worst part is that it can be tough to break the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck, even if you're earning a decent income.   But with proper financial planning and some discipline, it is possible to stop living paycheck by paycheck and get on the path to financial security.   Let's find out more about how to stop living paycheck to paycheck. What Does It Mean to Live Paycheck by Paycheck? Living paycheck by paycheck means that your monthly income just co...
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The Dos and Don’ts of Applying for Mortgage Financing

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  By: Greg McKinney Mineola Texas Getting approved for a mortgage takes more than applying for the loan. There’s a process that all borrowers must go through to determine if they’re eligible. Lenders must determine you can afford the loan beyond a reasonable doubt, which means you must prove all of your qualifying factors.  It may feel overwhelming at first but understanding the mortgage process and what you should and shouldn’t do can help you get through the process easier.  The Do’s of Applying for Mortgage Financing   Here are all the things you should do if you want to buy a home. Following these tips will help you get to the closing table without too many issues faster.  1.     Do Check your Credit Before Applying for a Mortgage   You don’t need perfect credit to get a mortgage, but the higher your credit score, the better your loan terms and rates.  Get access to your free credit reports here and see if there’s anythi...
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How to Get out of Credit Card Debt By: Greg McKinney Mineola Texas

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  The average consumer has an estimated $5,200 in credit card debt. If that sounds like you, know that you aren’t alone. But also know that there are ways to get to of it. The pandemic, loss of employment, and now inflation have made it hard for many households to stay afloat, but with the proper steps, you can get out of credit card debt and into financial security.  Create a Budget   The first step to getting out of credit card debt is to create a budget . You don’t know how much you have to pay toward your debt until you make and use a budget.   It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Use a spreadsheet, pen, and paper, or a free app like Mint , to create a budget.  A budget is simply a map of your income and expenses. It shows your total income and expenses, how much you spend, and where you should cut back to reach your financial goals.  If a part of your budget isn’t earmarked for savings and credit card debt payoff, it’s time to rework your ...
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Emergency, Rainy Day and Sinking Funds – What are They and Why do you Need Them?

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  Emergency, Rainy Day and Sinking Funds – What are They and Why do you Need Them? By: Greg McKinney Mineola Texas Y ou’ve probably heard many terms thrown around when creating and using your budget. An emergency, rainy day, and sinking fund are just a few of the accounts personal finance experts use. What do they mean, and do you need all of them? Keep reading to find out how these funds work and who should consider them. What is an Emergency Fund? The name says it all. An emergency fund covers you in the face of an emergency. But what type of emergency? There are many ways to view an emergency fund, but the most common way is a fund to protect you should you lose your job or be unable to work for any other reason. Say, for example, your company closes unexpectedly. As a result, you suddenly lose your income; how will you cover your bills? A fully funded emergency fund could cover your expenses for three to six months. This gives you time to figure out your next steps ...
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