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Its widely thought that home ownership is a key to building wealth but is it? And should you consistently make sacrifices to buy your own home?            Lets start with the first question: Is owning a home essential to building wealth? It would probably be more accurate to say that home ownership can be helpful in building wealth. Building home equity essentially, the difference between the size of your homes value and what you still owe is certainly valuable. Plus, the bigger your equity, the less you might have to take out in a new mortgage if you ever want to buy a different home.            Now for the next question: How much should you sacrifice to buy your own home? This isnt an easy question to answer because buying a home isnt just a financial issue its also an emotional one. Many people simply like the feeling of owning a home. If you fall into this category, you might be willing to make many sacrifices to join the ranks of homeowners.            However, if youre relatively young and you are part of a single or even a dual-income household, you may well find that your other priorities are more important than home ownership, at least for the moment. These priorities can include paying off student loans, reducing other debts, paying for child care, meeting health care costs and even saving for retirement. With all these expenses, you might not be able to take on a big mortgage, along with real estate taxes, homeowners insurance and the inevitable but costly repairs that come with owning a home.            In addition to the danger of becoming house poor by paying too high a percentage of your income on your mortgage, you could face another issue by sinking too much money into your home and thats liquidity. A home is much more illiquid than savings or investment accounts, so if you needed money in a hurry, and most of yours was tied up in your home, you might be in a jam. You could tap into your home equity through a loan or a line of credit, but thats basically taking on even more debt, though these loans and credit lines typically offer lower interest rates than other forms of borrowing.             So, heres the bottom line: You dont need to feel that you are missing out on a chance to build wealth by not buying a home immediately especially if you would feel extremely stretched by the mortgage payments, given how expensive homes are today. You wont hurt yourself and, in fact, youll likely help yourself by taking care of your most pressing priorities first.             Of course, this doesnt mean that you can never become a homeowner. If you would still like to own a home someday, you could start saving for a down payment, keeping the money in a liquid, low-risk account. Just as importantly, though, you should plan on how owning a home can fit into your budget and how it will affect your cash flow. If you can manage it, you may indeed find that theres no place like home.Chad Choate III, AAMS 828 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-462-2445 chad.chaote@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones-Member SIPC

The wildfires currently ravaging Southern California, and their tragic consequences, are reminders of just how exposed we are to natural disasters. If youve been affected by these fires, what steps should you take to begin the recovery process?Once you and your loved ones are in a safe place, consider these suggestions: Contact your insurance company. Call your homeowner's insurance company as soon as you can. You may need to be patient, though, as the company could be swamped with claims. You may also eventually need to contact a legal professional regarding your insurance coverage or your legal rights related to the disaster. Review your financial options. If you have already established an emergency fund containing several months worth of living expenses, you may need to tap into it now. You also may need to access the cash components of your investment portfolio. Seek help from disaster relief organizations. If your home was destroyed or severely damaged, contact the Red Cross or another relief group for help with temporary housing, food, clothing and other necessities. Contact your employer. If you are temporarily rendered homeless, it may well affect your ability to work. Contact your employer to explain the situation, though they will likely be quite familiar with what happened. Depending on where you work, you might even have access to some type of employee assistance program. Photograph and document the damage. If its possible, and when its safe to do so, take pictures of the damage to your home and belongings, and create an inventory of lost or damaged items. You might also have existing photos that can be of use to your insurance company. Go through your documents. Your paper documents bank statements, insurance policies, investment account information may have been destroyed in a fire or other disaster, but you may still have electronic copies on your computer, and they are likely also available online. Go through these documents to determine what you have and what you may be entitled to.  Look for temporary relief measures. In the wake of a hugely destructive fire or other disaster, you may be entitled to temporary relief measures, such as mortgage forbearance, loan deferments or government assistance programs. If you live in a Presidentially Declared Disaster area, you might be eligible for disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Visit their website at fema.gov. Evaluate your longer-term financial strategies. Once you have gotten past the short-term emergency period, you may need to review your entire financial picture and long-term strategies. This may involve reallocating your investment dollars, revising your budget or setting new financial goals. If you work with a financial professional, they can help you in this area.Surviving a wildfire may be one of the most emotionally devastating experiences you will ever encounter. But you dont have to go through it alone a team of professionals, including a financial professional, can provide the resources and experience to help get you back on the path toward rebuilding your life.   Chad Choate III, AAMS 828 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-462-2445 chad.chaote@edwardjones.com This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

1. Create an Informative and Transparent Website The foundation of building trust online starts with your website. Families will look for clear, honest information about your services, team, and approach to care. Your website should serve as a hub of transparency, where visitors can easily access information about your offerings, certifications, and values. Tip: Include details such as your companys mission, staff qualifications, and the services you offer. Also, ensure that your website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and free from clutter. 2. Showcase Testimonials and Reviews from Families Nothing builds trust faster than genuine, positive feedback from satisfied families. Testimonials and reviews act as social proof, providing real-world evidence of your service quality. When potential clients see that others have had positive experiences with your home health service, they are more likely to feel comfortable choosing you for their loved ones. Tip: Ask your current clients for testimonials after a successful caregiving experience and highlight these reviews prominently on your website and social media. Videos of satisfied families speaking about their experience can be particularly effective. 3. Be Active on Social Media and Share Helpful Content Social media platforms are a fantastic way to build trust and credibility online by showing your expertise and engaging with families. Sharing informative posts, caregiving tips, and personal stories helps humanize your business and fosters a sense of connection. Social media also gives potential clients the opportunity to interact directly with you, which can further build their trust in your service. Tip: Post regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and consider creating short videos or live Q&A sessions to answer frequent questions about home health services. You can also share articles or blogs that educate families on senior care. 4. Highlight Industry Certifications and Partnerships Certifications, accreditations, and partnerships with trusted organizations help demonstrate that your home health service meets high industry standards. When families see that your business is certified by reputable bodies, it reassures them that your services are reliable, professional, and trustworthy. Tip: Display logos of the certifications or associations you are affiliated with on your website and marketing materials. This can include certifications like the Joint Commission, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, or any other relevant organization. 5. Offer Free Resources and Educational Content Another way to build trust and credibility online is by offering free resources and educational content. Families will appreciate having access to helpful information about senior care, health tips, and caregiving best practices. This positions your business as an authority in the field and builds long-term relationships with potential clients. Tip: Consider writing blog posts, creating downloadable guides, or offering webinars on topics that are valuable to families. For example, you could offer a guide on how to choose the right caregiver or how to manage dementia care at home. 6. Provide Clear and Transparent Pricing Information When families are searching for home health services, they want to know what they are getting into financially. Offering transparent pricing helps build trust by eliminating uncertainty. Providing a clear breakdown of your pricing structure or offering free consultations can go a long way to making potential clients feel comfortable moving forward. Tip: If your pricing model is complex, consider offering packages or explaining what each service includes, so families know exactly what to expect. Make sure your pricing is easy to find on your website. 7. Engage in Community Outreach and Local Partnerships Being active in your local community can significantly enhance your credibility online. Engaging in local partnerships with hospitals, senior centers, or health care providers demonstrates that you are a trusted part of the community and that families can rely on you for quality care. These partnerships often result in referrals, which can drive more business your way. Tip: Partner with local organizations for events, health fairs, or workshops that provide value to families. Highlight these partnerships on your website and social media to reinforce your commitment to the community. 8. Respond Promptly to Inquiries and Comments Trust is built through communication. When families reach out to you with questions or concerns, responding promptly and professionally can set you apart from competitors. Being attentive and providing thoughtful answers shows that you value their time and their loved ones care, which can go a long way in gaining their trust. Best Practice: Set up an automated system to acknowledge inquiries and ensure that they are followed up on within 24 hours. This can help prevent leads from falling through the cracks and shows that your business is responsive and reliable.  Additional Tips:Do not Overpromise: Be realistic about what your services can provide. Overpromising and underdelivering can damage your reputation. Use Professional Photos and Branding: High-quality photos of your team and services give off a professional vibe and can make families feel more confident in choosing your business. Stay Consistent: Whether it is your website, social media, or customer service, consistency in messaging and quality is key to building trust.  Building trust and credibility online is crucial for positioning your home health service as a top choice for families. By following these stepscreating a transparent website, highlighting testimonials, offering educational content, and moreyou can establish a solid online presence that attracts families seeking trusted care options for their loved ones. Ready to gain more visibility and build trust with families looking for home health services? Join Seniors Blue Book today to add your listing and increase your credibility with our trusted platform. Start building your online reputation now and reach the families who need your services the most.