The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines’ personal credit cards, offering a $75 annual Southwest credit and 7,500 anniversary bonus points. With a healthy sign-up bonus and the most benefits of any of the airline’s offerings, this is the card to get if you’re a Southwest loyalist. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Southwest Airlines has a legion of fans — largely due to its flexible change/cancellation policies and offering two free checked bags for all passengers. Unlike other airlines, Southwest doesn’t offer lounges, premium cabins or even seating with extra legroom. But it does offer a full suite of cobranded credit cards to help frequent flyers fulfill their Southwest travel goals.
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most premium personal credit card in the Southwest lineup. It offers hundreds of dollars in value with Southwest each year, and its current sign-up bonus offers a healthy point bonus.
But are its benefits valuable enough to warrant the $149 annual fee? And is now the right time for you to apply? Let’s find out.
OWEN CL/UNSPLASH
Southwest Priority Card Welcome offer
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points plus a 30% off promo code after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. TPG values Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents each, meaning 60,000 points are worth $900.
This is the first time Southwest has offered a promo code as part of a sign-up bonus on a credit card. The code will appear directly in your Southwest.com account within eight weeks of meeting the spending requirement. It can be used — only once — on a single one-way or round-trip Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away Plus, Anytime and Business Select fare, and is available for use until October 31, 2024.
Given it is a single-use promo code, it would be best to save this for a more expensive ticket. You’ll get the biggest savings when using the code for round-trip travel and/or during peak travel periods like the summer or the holidays.
Note that the welcome bonus will count toward earning the carrier’s venerated Companion Pass, which typically requires 135,000 points in a calendar year.
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Related: 13 lessons from 13 years’ worth of Southwest Companion Passes
All Southwest cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. This means if you’ve opened five or more credit cards in the past 24 months (from all banks, not just Chase), you may not be approved. Also, you can’t open a new personal Southwest card if you currently have one open or if you earned a sign-up bonus in the past 24 months on any personal Southwest card.
WYATT SMITH/THE POINTS GUY
Earning points with the Southwest Priority Card
Here’s what you’ll earn with the Southwest Priority card:
3 points per dollar on Southwest purchases.
2 points per dollar spent with Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners.
2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, including rideshare apps.
2 points per dollar on internet, cable and phone services; select streaming.
1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
This is a wide variety of bonus categories compared to other airline credit cards, though top travel cards are typically even more lucrative.
Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category
Redeeming points with the Southwest Priority Card
Redeeming points with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is very straightforward. Southwest award prices are directly tied to the cash value of the ticket, meaning the number of points you need for a flight will fluctuate, but you’ll rarely encounter times when you can’t use your points. Plus, if your plans change, you can redeposit your award without penalty.
While Southwest’s Rapid Rewards points won’t help you fly in first-class suites, they can provide great value. For instance, you can fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago-Midway (MDW) for just 8,091 points one-way, depending on the time of year. Meanwhile, other airlines often charge 10,000 miles or even more (assuming you can find availability).
SOUTHWEST.COM
If you book during one of Southwest’s flash sales, you could score awards for less than 2,500 points one-way. You can even fly to fun faraway destinations like Hawaii, Costa Rica and Mexico with your Southwest points.
Southwest Rapid Rapid Rewards Priority benefits
The Southwest Priority card offers the following benefits:
Anniversary bonus: Each year on your card-opening anniversary, you’ll receive 7,500 Rapid Rewards points, worth about $112, based on TPG’s valuations.
Annual Southwest travel credit: During each cardmember year, you’ll receive a $75 travel credit that can be used on most Southwest purchases, including tickets (but excluding upgraded boardings and inflight purchases), dropping the card’s actual cost to $74.
25% inflight savings: Receive 25% back (as a statement credit) after you use your card to purchase inflight drinks, Wi-Fi, messaging and movies.
Tier qualifying points boost: Earn 1,500 TQPs that count toward A-List and A-List Preferred status for each $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
In addition to the Southwest-specific benefits, the card comes with lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, extended warranty coverage and purchase protection. The card has no foreign transaction fees, and the annual fee is $149.
Which cards compete with the Southwest Priority Card?
Southwest Airlines currently offers three personal cards — all with the same sign-up bonus. Thus, it can be difficult to choose the right one.
If you want Southwest benefits with a more modest fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card has the same welcome bonus but extra perks to justify its $99 annual fee. These include 6,000 anniversary bonus points, 2 EarlyBird check-ins per year, 25% back on inflight purchases and 1,500 TQPs towards A-List status for each $10,000 spent on the card. For more details, read our full review of the Southwest Premier card.
If you want a Southwest card with an even lower annual fee: The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus has a $69 annual fee and an anniversary bonus of 3,000 points. You’ll also receive 2 EarlyBird check-ins every card anniversary. For more information, read our full review of the Southwest Plus card.
If you want points you can use with Southwest and other airlines: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can transfer 1:1 to Southwest — as well as a wide range of airlines — for making flight redemptions. You’ll get numerous travel protections, a $50 annual hotel credit and robust earning categories, and the card has a $95 annual fee. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
For more options, check out our full list of travel credit cards.
Related: Comparing the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority, Premier, and Plus Credit Cards
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card worth it?
If you fly Southwest at least a few times each year, you will come out ahead with the Southwest Priority Credit Card. The card’s everyday earning rates aren’t the most lucrative out there, but impressive built-in perks like upgraded boardings, a $75 annual travel credit and a 7,500-point anniversary bonus easily make up for it.
Bottom line
The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card is the most rewarding of Southwest Airlines’ personal credit cards, with a solid sign-up bonus and the most benefits of any of the airline’s offerings. If you fly Southwest often, it’s the card for you.
Official application link: Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card
Additional reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Benét J. Wilson, Jennifer Yellin, Joseph Hostetler, Christina Ly and Ryan Smith.
If you’ve ruled out winning the lottery as your chance to become a millionaire, you must have considered real estate investing a viable opportunity.
And if you haven’t, this article will plant the seed.
Real estate data firm PropertyShark took a closer look at how many property owners have made a good profit off of selling their homes since the turn of the century. More specifically, they looked at homes bought before 2001 for less than $1 million, later to be sold by their owner for $1+ million.
They then grouped the data by city, to give us a clear picture of the thriving real estate markets where investing in property can take us one step closer to becoming a millionaire. Here’s how they map out:
Image credit: PropertyShark.com
The city to land first place is — unsurprisingly — San Francisco, which minted 381 million real estate millionaires as the market skyrocketed in the past two decades. That puts it ahead of Manhattan, which, despite being double the size of San Francisco, only saw 335 people become millionaires off of selling their properties.
A more unexpected finding was that the Los Angeles market lost the third spot in favor of Brooklyn; the New York borough came in on #3, with 281 people making a good profit off of selling their homes for over $1 million.
Trailing closely behind, “the city of Los Angeles, with a population of more than 3.9 million, made 280 people millionaires since the turn of the century,” Robert Demeter reports for PropertyShark, adding that “L.A. isn’t as expensive as some of the neighboring cities in the county, but being spread out with a large number of residents, it’s no surprise it made it so high on our list. Affluent neighborhoods such as Bel-Air, Venice Beach and Brentwood most certainly paved the way for homeowners to become millionaires after selling their properties.”
Other notable markets where people achieved millionaire status by selling their homes are Potomac, MD (182 millionaires), Bethesda, MD (175 millionaires), San Jose, CA (119 millionaires), Queens, NY (93 millionaires), Scottsdale, AZ (86 millionaires), and Plainfield, IL (78 millionaires).
Out of the top 25 “millionaire cities”, 7 are located in the Silicon Valley area, where the median home price regularly goes over the $1 million mark.
It’s worth noting that the study only looked at the profits made off of selling homes in these markets with a sale price over $1 million.
It doesn’t take into account other financial holdings, investments or net worth of these individuals, who may have already been millionaires before selling their homes.
However, it’s a great indicator of markets that are most likely to mint out millionaires after buying local real estate.
2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down payment up to $5,000,000* (subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $548,250 (Call 877-432-5626 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Merced county. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA mortgage loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Merced County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
Previous two years of W2s
Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
Most recent 60 days bank statements
Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
Find a home
We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Merced County flood zones
Get the necessary inspections
Termite inspection: required
Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
Get the home appraised
We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Merced County and schedule the process
Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
Building permit
Elevation certificate
Lock in your interest rates
Pro tip: Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
Close the deal and get packing!
You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of March 31, 2021, the median home value for Merced County is $326,192. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $53,672.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
Single-Family: $600.
Individual Condo: $600.
Manufactured Homes: $600.
2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
In Merced County, there are many flood plains, especially in the low-lying areas. Your agent can help you to check whether a property will require flood insurance.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
For questions about property tax, you can get in touch with Merced County Assessor Barbara Levey. Her office is located at 2222 M. St. Merced, CA 95340 or by calling (209) 385-7434.
Veterans, owner-occupiers, and senior citizens may be eligible for property tax relief. You can find out whether you qualify through the county assessor. In addition, the Assessor’s Office can do re-appraisals to determine property values and flood risks.
What is the Population?
The county’s population of 277,680 is, 61% Hispanic, 26% White, and 7% Asian.
Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 29% under 18 years old and 11% older than 65.
In total, the county has about 79,606 households, with an average of three people per household.
What are the major cities?
There is a total of six cities in the county including the city of Merced which also served as the county seat. In addition, the five other cities in the county are Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, and Los Banos.
About Merced County
Merced County, California is located right in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley. This region is known as the breadbasket of the US because of its agricultural production. In addition, while Merced is away from the bustle of California’s biggest cities, the I-5 runs through the county and connects it to the rest of the state.
The City of Merced is the county’s cultural and economic hub. In addition to its connection to California’s primary highway system, it is also home to a major train station. The downtown area has plenty of exciting restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
The county is also home to plenty of green space. There are two national wildlife preserves along the river, where you can hike or bike along miles of trails. Plus, the City of Plenada, on the county’s eastern edge, contains one of the entrances to Yosemite National Park. Residents don’t just enjoy the park’s natural beauty but the droves of tourists it brings to the region each year.
Veteran Information
The county is currently home to 9,662 veterans.
Merced County is home to four VFW post:
Post 4327 Robert M Kelley – 939 W. Main St. Merced, CA 95340.
Post 8327 Livingston – 1605 7th Street, Livingston, CA 95334.
Post-2487 Lieut. Laurence F. Muth – 615 E Street, Los Banos, CA 93635.
Post 7635 Joseph G. Rose – 145 5th Street, Gustine, CA 95322.
VA Medical Centers in the county:
Merced VA Clinic – 340 East Yosemite Avenue, Suite D, Merced, CA 95340.
County Veteran Assistance Information
Merced County Veteran Services – 3376 N State Hwy 59, Merced, CA 95348.
VA Home Loan Information
For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
Name (ID): VILLA DEL SOL (C01070) Address: NONE MERCED CA 95348-0000 MERCED Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/16/1986 Review Completion Date: 11/16/1986
With international airfare up 20% compared to last year, a business-class fare deal to Europe, with availability this summer, is absolutely amazing.
Fares from across the U.S. to Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium start as low as $2,400 round-trip.
Deal basics
JAMES O’NEIL/GETTY IMAGES
Airlines: American, United, Delta, Air Canada, Lufthansa, British Airways and TAP. Routes: From Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Miami, Baltimore, Washington, Los Angeles and others to Europe. How to book: Browse Google Flights and book directly with the airline. Travel dates: May through December 2023 and January through March 2024; exact availability depends on the route. Book by: ASAP.
Going, formerly known as Scott’s Cheap Flights, originally discovered this deal. Sign up for Going to get deals up to 90% off via its Premium membership, which users can try for free for 14 days and then $49 per year. You can also upgrade to the Elite membership for $199 per year and receive all the Premium deals plus premium economy, business-class and first-class alerts.
Sample routes
The following flights were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below round-trip flights will be available when you book.
To Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), from:
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), starting at $2,515.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), starting at $2,809.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), starting at $2,814.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), starting at $2,916.
To Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), from:
SEA, starting at $2,650.
SFO, starting at $2,677.
To Brussels Airport (BRU), from:
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), starting at $2,028.
Miami International Airport (MIA), starting at $2,226.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), starting at $2,379.
O’Hare International Airport (ORD), starting at $2,416.
To Geneva Airport (GVA), from:
LAX, starting at $2,305.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), starting at $2,315.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Minneapolis−St. Paul International Airport (MSP), starting at $2,320.
SFO, starting at $2,381.
HOU, starting at $2,391.
IAH and Denver International Airport (DEN), starting at $2,417.
To multiple airports in Germany, from:
LAX or SEA to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), starting at $2,380.
IAH to FRA, starting at $2,437.
DEN to FRA, starting at $2,438.
HOU to Munich Airport (MUC), starting at $2,449.
DEN or LAX to MUC, starting at $2,484.
IAH to MUC, starting at $2,484.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to FRA, starting at $2,619.
SEA, starting at $2,660.
Since this deal includes round-trip flights on multiple airlines, be sure to book with each airline directly and review the terms and conditions of the fare type, as they vary by carrier.
For example, most major airlines’ business-class fares on flights from the U.S. to Europe feature lie-flat seats, but not all. Most bigger carriers do, but some older planes might not have the most up-to-date seats, so be sure to check the details for the aircraft listed for your specific flight before you book.
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as:
Bottom line
PIDJOE/GETTY IMAGES
This is an opportunity to save up to 50% off round-trip business-class flights to Europe. Run, don’t walk to catch this deal before it flies away.
Hello! Today, I have a great article from JT. JT has a great story about how he was down to his last dollars living in a hostel, to hitting his retirement number just a little over a decade later. If you’re looking for another great retirement article, I also recommend How This 28 Year Old Retired With $2.25 Million. Below is his article on how to retire in your 30s. Enjoy!
Have you ever seen a grown man ugly cry?Our faces scrunch up like a squeezed sponge, wringing the water from our eyes.Our shoulders shake uncontrollably.We gurgle out a noise that’s a cross between a laughing hyena and a grunt.We’re not pretty.
It was 2000.I was ugly crying on the bed of the Spanish Harlem hostel where I was living, down to my last dollars.Months earlier, I graduated college, sold my car, and drove from Los Angeles to New York City with sunny West Coast optimism.Then after months of getting rejected from job after job after job, reality blew in like an East Coast blizzard.
They say, “New York City:If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”For those of us who have tried, it can feel more like, “Since I can’t make it here, I can’t make it anywhere.”
I wasn’t crying because I failed.I was ugly crying because I thought I was a failure.
And yet, a little over a decade later, I hit my retirement number.So what happened between the tears of sadness and the tears of joy?I’ll tell you exactly what I did to hit my retirement number in my 30s.
Related articles on how to retire in your 30s:
What is Your “Retirement Number?”
First, let me define what I mean by retirement number. It’s not just sitting under an umbrella on a faraway beach sipping fruity cocktails (although that would be nice!).It’s simply the point where if you were to quit working, you could still cover your basic needs.Basically?It’s when going to work is a choice.
You might find out, like I did, that you actually want to keep working.The best part of reaching your retirement number isn’t money, it’s agency. It’s the ability to spend your time the way you choose — unless you have little ones like I do waking you up at 6:00am every morning!
Sound pretty good?Here are my 6 steps to find out your retirement number and how to reach it.I’ll spend more time on the first 2 because they are the foundation for the remaining 4 steps.The math might seem a little intimidating at first, but if you write it down on paper, you’ll find that it’s not too bad.As you’ll see, you don’t have to be a math or money genius to retire early!
The 6 Steps to Retire in Your 30s:
Budget to a Balance Sheet:
When many of us think about our finances, we focus on what’s called the “income statement.”As a result, the budgets you see are most often just an income statement, like this:
Understanding your savings amount is a good starting point, but it’s where most people stop.Instead, use it as a starting point.The savings amount from your income statement is there to help make your “balance sheet,” which is just a fancy way of understanding what you have and what you owe.It will take some time go gather up your statements, but it’s not harder to make than your income statement.
Your balance sheet is basically:
Your savings amount flows into your “What You Have” bucket since that savings is now what’s called an “asset.”Think of it like when you eat cashews and have several left in your bowl.You’d go and put the remaining cashews back into the bulk container.Those cashews just went from leftovers to future snack.
Next, add your investment account balances to your “What You Have” bucket.Don’t include your car, house, jewelry, or any other physical things unless you actually plan to sell them within a year.You’re trying to figure out all your “What You Haves” that can be used to fund your living expenses, and last I checked, biting into your steering wheel wasn’t all that filling.
“What You Owe” is your credit cards, student loans, mortgage, and that loan you took out from your uncle.The technical term for these is “liabilities.”So, once you organize your information, you basically have your balance sheet.You’ll see in the next steps why having a good grasp of both your income statement and your balance sheet is so important.
Know Your Retirement Math:
A study by financial planner William Bengen found that if you withdraw 4% a year, your money would last you at least 30 years if you had a 50/50 portfolio of stocks and bonds.Others have found that most of the time (although on a 60/40 stock/bond portfolio), you would actually end up with more than when you started.
Bengen got to this 4% rate by back testing the withdrawal rate that would have worked even through the Great Depression, basically taking the worst case scenario in history.
The 4% withdrawal rate is a helpful guide for knowing how much to withdraw, but not very helpful to let you know how much you should have to withdraw from.To find that, you’ll need to convert it into a goal.We’ll start with the 4% withdrawal equation:
But that’s not a goal.It’s basically where you are today if you were to try to retire early.To convert it into a goal, you’ll need to do some mathematical jujitsu with the equation above (not to worry, I did it for you!).It’s the same equation, but I’ve mixed it in a blender to make it more helpful:
If you look carefully, I just reversed the “retirement withdrawal” equation.I changed the “retirement withdrawal” to “living expenses” and inverted the 4% to make it 25.By doing this, you can get to your “Retirement Number” goal.
You might be thinking 25 times your expenses is a big, scary number.It can seem unreachable.But, I’m excited to show you how it can work in your favor.To do that, turn the “25 times” into the ratio:
When you look at it as a ratio, you can see the power of reducing your expenses.For every $1 you shave off of annual expenses, you’ll need $25 less in your “What You Have” bucket to hit your retirement number.To illustrate how powerful this is, let’s look at an example:Say you spend $35,000 a year but shaved off $4,000 in expenses.Take a look at what happens:
If you put your money into the stock market, you might get the historical 7% annual returns.Your account might get bigger.But it also might get smaller.But if you cut expenses, you’re guaranteed to get a 2,500% return!($4,000 savings x 2,500% = $100,000 effect on your retirement number)
Isn’t math fun?
You’ll notice I’ve only focused on “What You Have,” so why did I want you to know your entire balance sheet?It’s a little circular, but I think you’ll get it one you think about how the income statement and balance sheet talk to each other:
Reducing your expensive “What You Owe” (like credit cards) items on your balance sheet leads to…
Lower expenses on your income statement, which leads to…
Higher savings on your income statement, which leads to…
Increasing your “What You Have” on your balance sheet, which leads to…
Hitting your retirement number sooner!
So don’t ignore your “What You Owe” number.The sooner you get rid of your high interest rate ones like credit cards, the sooner you can hit your goal.
Alright, so how are we going to apply this to our actual lives?
(Do you wish you knew how to do this when you were younger?Would you like to teach it to your child?I’ll show you how teaching your children about money can be fun, fast, and easy starting here.Download the FREE Guide to Helping Your Child Start Their First Business and you’ll also get access to a FREE course on how to get your finances in shape for early retirement!)
Make As Much As You Can:
I know — you’re shocked!
Even though it’s basic, let’s take a moment and think through the implications of what this means.It means that if you’re serious about retiring early, you don’t work for passion.You work for money.If Goldman Sachs is offering you a job but you’d really rather be glassblowing, take the Goldman job, hang in for as long as you can, then retire early and spend the rest of your life glassblowing.Till the ground now so that you can enjoy the fruit of your harvest later.
As for me, I persisted and eventually found myself at a hedge fund that allowed me to stay in New York City.But most of us don’t have the opportunity to immediately get a six figure job.What then?
Side hustle.
Michelle has 65 Ways to Earn Extra Money.There should be at least one that tickles your fancy.Remember, you are trying to increase your income so you can increase your savings so you can increase your “What You Have.”
So that I could extend my runway until I could get a full-time job, I worked as a sales associate at Banana Republic.When I finally did land a full-time job, much to my friends’ puzzlement, I kept my sales associate job and turned it into a side hustle.(Imagine how mortified my boss at the financial firm where I worked felt when she ran into me at Banana Republic!).My balance sheet thanked me, as it helped me quickly pay off my “What You Owe” items, including student debt.
Change Your Spending Mindset:
Change your default question from “What can I afford?” to “What can I withstand?”Often times, when we get an upgrade in pay, we too often automatically think we need an upgrade in lifestyle.Why default to this assumption?
Let’s say you just got a promotion that is paying you $5,000 more a year.You’re tired of asking your roommate clean up her dishes.Your car is fine, but basic.You think about how hard you’ve been working and how you deserve your own place and a new car.
We’ve all felt this tug to spend more.But as we’ve seen in step 2, the ability to minimize your spending is the most powerful thing you can do to reach your retirement number.
Even though I was making six figures, I lived with roommates in non-prime areas of Manhattan until I got married.I never had a doorman.I hardly took cabs.I stayed in and cooked most nights.Within a few years, I paid off $15,000 of school debt and started building up my net worth.
Invest (Almost) Everything:
Saving is not the same as investing.Saving is the act of putting money away for a rainy day.Investing is putting money to work.In fact, if you simply save without investing, you actually lose money due to inflation.
After you’ve saved enough for 3 to 6 months of living expenses, invest the rest.The S&P 500 has historically returned 7% a year, after inflation.Meanwhile, the average annual salary raise has been around 3%.This difference is huge!It means that at a certain point, your investments will actually start making more than what you’re saving per year.Then, with enough time, it will actually start making more than your entire annual salary!
Basically, you’re trying to shift your finances from the picture on the left to the picture on the right.
Now, the last step can be tricky, but greases the path to your goal.
Move to a Lower Cost Area:
This is the trickiest part but also has the most potential to get you to your early retirement goal. An easier way to do this is finding an employer that also has a location where you want to be. For the East Coast, that’s either moving from Manhattan to a borough like Queens or transferring to another city like Philadelphia or Stamford.On the West Coast, it’s like moving from San Francisco to Portland.(Or, for the ultimate move, live in an RV and see the entire country like Michelle!)
A few years ago, I moved to Philadelphia while keeping my New York City salary.In so doing, I significantly reduced my housing expense by thousands of dollars…every month. With that one move, because I reduced my biggest expense, my wife was able to stay at home with our 3 children.In other words, it allowed my wife to retire (although her work as a SAHM is much more challenging than mine!).At the same time, I was still able to accelerate our retirement timeline by decades!
So, if reducing your expenses is the most powerful thing you can do to reach your retirement number, cutting your housing expense is the most powerful thing you can do to reach your expense reduction goal.
But Can You Really Hit Your Retirement Number Before 40?
Let’s put all six steps together.
You’ll see that it can be done without making six figures.Let’s say you make $50,000 out of college and have a side hustle that makes you an extra $12,000 a year (I based this on the 20-25 hours a week I worked at Banana Republic while keeping my full-time job).Also, you live with a roommate and pack lunches most days a week and only occasionally eat out for dinner.
Your salary and expenses each increase 3% a year, which is in line with historical inflation.
Your investments earn 7%, which is the historical S&P 500 return above inflation.
At ages 28 and 34 you get a promotion, getting a $5,000 bump in salary each time.
Your first promotion at 28 gave you more responsibilities, so you decided to quit your side hustle.
At age 34, you move to a lower cost part of town, reducing your living expenses by 15% over the prior year (yes, it’s possible – I saved more than this moving from Manhattan to Philadelphia).
As you can see, by the time you’re 39, you could withdraw almost $43,000 a year.So, if you were this person and quit your job at 39, you’d have enough to cover living expenses and taxes until social security kicks in.
As you can see, it’s possible even if you don’t have a big salary.So the real question is not “can you?” but “do you?”Do you have the desire to transfer the math into your actual lifestyle?Do you put in the effort to create the habits to sustain this level of investing for almost 2 decades even when life throws you curve balls (which will happen)?Do you set aside time and energy to start a side hustle even when your friends are going out and having fun without you?Do you say “no” to the tug to spend more and that desire to show the world how successful you are by the clothes you wear or car you drive?
If you do, then the only thing between you and achieving that goal is…you.
A Different Cry:
Several years ago, I had a different moment while sitting down.This time, I was looking at my balance sheet and realized that I had surpassed my retirement number.There was no blubbering this time, just a calm lightness.I felt liberated.From then on, every day I walked into work was because it was my choice.
The funny thing?I realized I wanted to keep working because I was still having fun.For now.My 67 year old boss just retired.Instead of the joy and excitement you would’ve expected, he had a lot of fear about how he was going to fill the rest of his days.Do you want this fate?You work so hard for so long that when you do have financial freedom, you’re either too old or too set in your routine to experience all the things you used to want to do.
For someone working toward a single purpose for so long, it’s actually challenging to not have a big goal anymore.And the time to figure out what else to do is while you’re still employed.This is why I started Just Making Cents so that I could still have purpose and projects of my own choosing, and to have greater impact on people’s lives.
And that’s when life gets really fun.
Author bio: JT is passionate about viewing money differently, having spent over 15 years on Wall Street.He writes about money from the perspective of faith and as a father of 3 spunky kids.
Are you interested in learning how to retire early? Why or why not?
In today’s modern world, the house goals of yesteryear are a distant memory.
Long gone are the days of window shutters, oversized crystal chandeliers, multiple small rooms, intricate designs, wrought-iron railings, small windows, and large porches with overhanging beams.
Modern mansions favor simple and clean designs with open spaces.
While traditional mansions offer intricate and elegant details, today’s luxury homes feature straight lines, geometric shapes, a flat or low-sloped roof, and clean exteriors with little to no texture.
Luxurious homes of the past featured building materials such as brick, wood, plaster, stucco, and stone. Meanwhile, contemporary mansions favor newer, more technologically-advanced building materials including reinforced steel and concrete.
And windows, lots and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows.
Sophisticated smart homes are all the rage, as are connected outdoor spaces, white rooms and simple color palettes, open floor plans, glass walls allowing for ample natural light, green features, security settings, and the utmost privacy.
While traditional mansions typically featured a number of small, single-purpose rooms, modern floor plans include seamless open-ended spaces.
After all, one cannot be confined to small spaces while living that luxurious lifestyle!
A closer look at 18 of our favorite modern mansions
When it comes to stunning estates, we’ve got you covered.
From wraparound pools featuring panoramic views to glass walls for days, to dream chef kitchens, to seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, we’re taking a look at 18 modern mansions that have knocked our socks off.
And we think you’ll (really, really) like them too.
A Marc Whipple-designed modern mansion with a wraparound pool
Designed by acclaimed architect Marc Whipple, this massive 11,200-square-foot home in Beverly Hills is quite a stunner.
Photo by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of Compass
Offering six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two half baths, the multi-million dollar manse features disappearing walls of glass, so that its residents can enjoy the stunning views from each and every room.
Speaking of views, they’re completely unobstructed, with downtown Los Angeles, Catalina Island, and the coastline on full display. Those lovely landscapes can be seen from the home’s stunning wraparound pool.
Other luxurious amenities include a movie theater, a secret Zen garden, gym, guest house, glass wine cellar, gated driveway, and an outdoor kitchen.
Photo by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of CompassPhoto by Tyler Hogan, courtesy of Sally Forster Jones of Compass
This Beverly Hills manse had its moment of fame a few years back, when it was rented by Rockstar hitmaker Post Malone. It was later listed for sale with a whopping $26 million asking price.
A breathtaking Hollywood mega mansion with museum-quality energy crystals throughout
Built in 2021, this mega mansion is located in the heart of Hollywood.
Boasting panoramic views of downtown Los Angeles, the Pacific Ocean, and the canyon, the home offers six beds, nine baths, and nearly 10,365 square feet of living space.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
The sophisticated smart home features museum-quality crystals sourced from around the world and placed with extraordinary care throughout to energetically enhance the residence.
Offering double-height ceilings and incredible indoor/ outdoor living spaces, the California compound also includes a custom home theater, fitness center, wine cellar, second living room and all the finest custom finishes.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
Setting a new gold standard for Southern California living, the picturesque backyard — which is front row to the city and canyons — features a beautiful sparkling pool/spa, a built-in BBQ area, and a grassy green lawn.
See more of this unique Hollywood mega-mansion here.
A striking $150M modern mansion in Bel-Air with 360-degree views
This beautiful home in Bel-Air has all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a modern mansion (and then some).
Photo credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of Compass
Designed by award-winning architecture and design firm, Saota, the private compound is perched on a promontory high above the city — opening up to unobstructed, 360-degree views of Los Angeles.
Set on a 1.15-acre lot, the swanky crib offers nine bedrooms and fourteen baths spread across 20,841 square feet.
Some of the luxury amenities include an infinity pool with a secluded cabana and pool-side sunken fire pit, three separate staff quarters, and a one-bedroom guest house with a separate, private pool.
Photo credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Matthew Momberge courtesy of Compass
This magnificent manse was owned by George Ruan, co-founder of online coupon-clipping company Honey (now part of Paypal).
The Razor House in San Diego, the real-life Iron Man house
The one-of-a-kind architectural masterpiece known as The Razor House was designed in 2007 by San Diego-based architect Wallace E. Cunningham.
Photo credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The Agency
The striking concrete and glass mansion — dubbed ‘the Iron Man house’ due to its resemblance to Tony Stark’s mansion in the famous Marvel movie — is perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Offering endless concrete terraces, the stunning estate has mesmerizing views of surrounding hills and the ocean below.
Photo credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Gary Kasl courtesy of The Agency
Featuring several outdoor lounge areas, the luxurious three-story home comes with six bedrooms and six baths, with nearly every room opening up to jaw-dropping views.
In 2019, Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz bought The Razor House in a $20.8 million deal.
Villa Vella, one of Europe’s finest contemporary homes
Spanish dream house, anyone?
Dubbed Villa Vela, this sprawling 23,476-square-foot property is located in the sun-bathed province of Andalusia, Spain.
Photo credit: The Agency
Sitting behind its own gates, at the end of a sweeping driveway, Villa Vela offers a total of six bedrooms and six baths.
The posh property has been designed to be free-flowing and, as such, has an open plan, including floor-to-ceiling retracting windows that open directly onto a terrace that stretches from one end of the house to the other.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
Not to mention, each of the suites has its own outdoor space, and they also all connect directly to the vast upper terrace, its lawn, garden, and dining area, and benefit from breathtaking views.
A futuristic, yacht-shaped mansion perched high atop the Los Angeles hills
This 17,000-square-foot modern residential oasis in the upscale LA neighborhood of Brentwood is redefining luxury living.
Photo credit: The Agency
Southern California-based architectural firm de Loren & Associates purposefully designed the building by superior wellness standards, without sacrificing on design but rather adding to it.
Inspired by the clean lines and interior spatial layouts of yachts paired with the motion of the sea, the curving exterior facades are reminiscent of ocean waves, wind, and clouds that make not only for an exhilarating lifestyle but also appealing to the eye.
The modern mansion boasts seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and three powder rooms across three levels.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
Featuring a massive list of upscale amenities, the beautiful Brentwood home offers a 610-bottle wine cellar, commercial speed glass elevator, movie theater, state-of-the-art gym, a 300 sq. ft. green wall, and a lower-level entertainment area with a full bar, pool table and more.
And there’s plenty of room for Stormi and Wolf to explore! Turns out, this luxurious residence is owned by none other than rapper Travis Scott.
A newly-built Encino mansion with bright, airy, and warm interiors
We can’t get enough of this amenity-rich mansion with modern interiors and a killer guest house.
Photo credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury Level
The seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom Encino home offers 9,081 square feet of living space enclosed within a private, gated estate with surrounding landscape.
The stunning estate is a beautiful example of modern California living, with picture-perfect interiors, exquisite finishes, jetliner views, and plenty of attractive amenities.
Featuring warm wood tones, the large windows and Fleetwood doors open up to unobstructed views and plenty of natural light.
Photo credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury LevelPhoto credit: LA Light Photography and The Luxury Level
The carefully thought-out finishes give the home a modern vibe that extends into the bedrooms as well. The second level of this luxury Encino home has four bedrooms, including the master suite, which walks out to a 1,200-square-foot balcony with a fire table.
Naturally, this wonderful modern manse caught the eye of a famous buyer; it’s now owned by Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and husband Justin Mikita.
A modern 4-story house facing one of the most beautiful coastal shorelines in all of California
We love this modern mansion set in the most desirable area of Manhattan Beach, The Strand, an oceanfront neighborhood lined with modern-looking mansions that typically sell in the $5 million to $15 million range.
Photo credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties Group
Spanning 6,978 square feet of modern living space, the home offers six bedrooms and eight baths.
Designed by renowned L.A. studio KAA Design, this four-story home was envisioned around life, in all its texture, at the beach.
Rather than cluster sleeping areas on a single floor, they’re strategically spaced across the four levels, with the third floor being home to a primary suite with a private office that’s luxuriously sequestered in the style of a penthouse.
Photo credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties GroupPhoto credit: Paul Jonason courtesy of Stroyke Properties Group
The private elevator takes residents and guests down to the beach room, which is level with the Strand itself, and lounge on the patio, front row to a peaceful scene of sea, sand, and sky.
Read more about this beautiful modern mansion here.
A $70M contemporary marvel that reimagines luxury living for the 21st century
Located in the coveted Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, this modern mansion is what happens when a star-studded team consisting of award-winning architect Noah Walker, AD 100 interior designer, Jamie Bush, and renowned landscape designer, Christine London LTD comes together.
Image credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The Agency
Spanning 19,000 square feet, this beautiful abode is set on a sprawling four-acre lot and offers six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms alongside many recreation rooms.
The plush property has 270-degree views of the city, ocean, and canyon, and a long list of amenities that include a theater room — with acoustical wall paneling and a commercial cinema-quality projection system — a gym with a steam room, a 75-foot indoor lap pool, outdoor architectural pool and dual offices.
Image credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The AgencyImage credit: Benny Chan courtesy of The Agency
We first covered this luxurious contemporary home when it first came to market last year with an ambitious asking price of $70 million.
Just a few months later, it was purchased by music mogul Scooter Braun (better known as Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s manager, and Taylor Swift‘s manager-turned-foe) for $65 million.
The Ora House in San Diego, where contemporary architecture meets serene living
In the hilly, seaside neighborhood of La Jolla in San Diego, a modern cliffside mansion has all the dream house vibes.
Street view of the property. Photo credit: Blue Heron
Built by Blue Heron’s BH Elite custom home division, the Ora House, as the property has been named, is a true architectural marvel.
The stellar design team incorporated the same innovative biophilic design and advanced Savant technology used in Blue Heron’s flagship home, VM001 in Las Vegas, to “enhance the flow of life while creating an overall sense of peace and natural wellbeing.”
The cliffside estate is set in La Jolla’s exclusive Bird Rock Waterfront enclave and totals 8,878 square feet of living space.
Photo credit: Blue HeronPhoto credit: Blue HeronPhoto credit: Blue Heron
The architectural marvel has five bedrooms and eight baths across its four levels, with each level embracing the outdoors with spaces tailored for both entertaining and private moments.
A striking celebrity compound with a modern heptagon-shaped house
Check out this contemporary compound in La Crescenta, Calif.
Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass
Designed by AD100 architect Michael Maltzan, this dramatic, heptagon-shaped house has spaceship vibes, is surrounded by seven exterior walls (some made out of glass), and is anchored by an open-air courtyard that sits right at the center.
Nearly all the rooms of the house come with sliding floor-to-ceiling windows that open up to either the serene courtyard or beautiful mountain and city skyline views.
Some of the stand-out features of the modern mansion include a primary suite with an entire wall of glass that opens up to a generously sized balcony and a particularly unique bathroom with a blue curved penny-tiled wall surrounding the shower.
Photo credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Cameron Carothers courtesy of Compass
This unique home was owned by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Peter Balzary, known professionally as Flea.
A $25 million Napa Valley glass house with killer views
Surrounded by over 40 acres of lush grounds set amidst California’s world-class wine country, this striking architectural home goes by the name of Karinya.
The highly suitable moniker originates from the Australian aboriginal culture and is simply translated as “peaceful home.”
Image credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell Banker
Built in 2017, the stunning estate is nestled in the small community of Deer Park right next to St. Helena in Napa County.
Spanning 8,837 square feet, the impressive residence was built with natural materials, a deep connection to the valley’s views, and a design that boasts both beauty and luxury.
Not a detail is spared at Karinya, with many luxurious features such as endless walls of glass, a 2,000-bottle wine room, and an acoustically-designed media/ theater room.
Image credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell BankerImage credit: Adam Rouse courtesy of Coldwell Banker
Fitting a modern dream house, it also comes with a detailed smart home system with mobile phone control access that controls the music, air conditioning, security and programmable LED recessed lighting in 11 separate zones and a fire sprinkler system.
See more of this lovely Napa Valley home here.
A modern mansion that was once featured in the Oscar-winning “La La Land” movie
Set in the popular Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles, this modern mansion offers an impressive cutting-edge design.
Photo credit: Compass
The six-bedroom home wows with its soaring ceilings and walls of glass that bring the outdoors in.
Complete with an infinity pool and spa (with a cascading waterfall) and a nifty pool/guest house with a sundeck for outdoor entertainment, the home is peppered with outdoor spots to relax and enjoy the lovely Cali weather.
In case you’re getting a strong sense of deja vu, this beautiful home was featured in the popular film, La La Land.
As the story goes, Mia (played by Emma Stone) and her friends attend a lavish party hoping to meet influential people in the business and finally get their lucky break.
You guessed it, this memorable movie scene was filmed at this gorgeous Los Angeles estate.
A celebrity chef’s former home with a massive kitchen anchored by a 24-foot stone island
Located in the coveted Via Bluffs enclave of Pacific Palisades, this modern mansion spans 6,500 square feet of luxurious living.
Photo credit: credit: Smith Cho / Compass
Offering massive sliding windows that open up to beautiful views of Potrero Canyon and beyond, the sumptuous five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is filled with natural light streaming in from the surrounding floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, while the skylights pour even more light onto the main and top floors.
The Pacific Palisades property also flaunts features like a dual-faced fireplace, a nearly 24-foot kitchen island, and a distinct living room that’s pouring out onto the outside deck overlooking the pool.
A large open-layout living area is anchored by an impressive dream kitchen.
Photo credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / CompassPhoto credit: credit: Smith Cho / Compass
This beautiful home was once owned by celebrity chef, Everyday Italian, and Giada At Home star Giada de Laurentiis.
A beautiful modern mansion tucked in the Hollywood Hills
Built in 2019, this Marc Whipple-designed home is a true Hollywood gem.
Located on the glamorous Sunset Strip, in the Hollywood Hills West neighborhood of Los Angeles, this home oozes that clean-lined modernist approach, while still offering warmth and comfort.
Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom Hunter
The posh property incorporates five bedrooms, six bathrooms, as well as two half-bathrooms, all with breathtaking views spreading from the Hollywood sign right to the Pacific Ocean.
The main entrance offers an open-concept kitchen and three terraces that total 5,000 additional square feet of outdoor living space.
And, the middle level features a second living room and a luxurious ‘floating glass box’ master suite.
Photo credit: Tom Hunter Photography.Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom HunterPhoto credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom HunterPhoto credit: Tom Hunter Photography.Photo credit: credit: Jonathan Ducrest and Tom Hunter
All the bedrooms offer easy access to the infinity pool, which provides stunning views of the surroundings and a perfect setting to enjoy summer nights and sunsets in complete privacy.
A Malibu gem that’s often rented to high-profile celebrities
This Malibu celeb magnet is the epitome of indoor-outdoor Cali living, featuring large glass walls that seamlessly blend the interior with the grounds.
Perched above the Pacific Ocean, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,100-square-foot Malibu mansion is every bit the modern gem.
Photo credit: Hagai Aharon
It’s the perfect property for entertaining, as it includes an infinity pool with fabulous ocean views, a spa, and a fire pit.
The entertainment continues inside, as the house includes not one, but three indoor fireplaces, as well as a media room, making sure you stay entertained throughout the entire year.
Amenities include everything you could possibly need, from in-unit laundry and air conditioning to five parking spaces, an outdoor patio, and a cabana.
The house not only rents out to celebrities such as Matthew Perry, Cardi B, and Taraji P. Henson, but it’s also owned by one.
Betty Moon, a celebrated Los Angeles musician, songwriter and producer, currently owns the plush property which she recently renovated before listing it for rent.
An impeccably designed modern mansion that embraces indoor-outdoor living
Located in the upscale neighborhood Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, this three-story home was designed and built by renowned developer/designer duo David and Eliana Rokach.
Photo credit: The Agency
This multi-million dollar mansion offers a sprawling 13,543 square feet of modern living space and packs nine bedrooms and twelve bathrooms.
Boasting unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Canyon, the stunning estate offers an open-concept living/dining room finished in a chic, contemporary style.
The living room features custom-made electronic sliding steel doors that open to a beautiful outdoor area, which features a barbecue area, a grassy backyard, and an infinity-edge swimming pool opening up to views for miles.
Photo credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The AgencyPhoto credit: The Agency
A modern hillside lair with canyon views
Situated in Los Angeles’ coveted Brentwood neighborhood, this hillside lair with expansive living spaces, eco-friendly details, and ultra-high-end finishes gives us serious dream house goals.
Photo credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of Compass
The main entrance features a Japanese-imported Yakisugi front door and bonsai adorned atrium that leads to the open-concept living space.
Here, a chic palette of luxurious stone and reflective glass is accented by unique designer details, and floor-to-ceiling windows provide natural light throughout the day.
Photo credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of CompassPhoto credit: Noel Kleinman courtesy of Compass
Offering sweeping views of the canyon, the four-bedroom home comes equipped with the latest technology for entertainment, comfort, and sustainability.
This includes a full automation system, Lutron Solar System lighting, home theater and surround sound from Bang & Olufsen, a home gym, and much more.
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Would you be worried about noise, traffic, or unwanted media attention?
[find-an-apartment]
Mr. Bieber has engaged in some questionable activities, suggesting — for some, at least – a possibility of less than neighborly behavior. There was the report of an alleged egging of a neighbor’s home in Los Angeles, and also claims that Bieber has allegedly driven a car unsafely. A petition to deport Bieber from the United States has received over 269,000 signatures.
An informal poll conducted by the author among a few friends revealed varied opinions about hypothetically having Bieber as a neighbor:
“I’d move.”
“I’d worry for my safety, and take measures to protect myself.”
“I’d want to help and mother him.”
“I’d be thrilled to get close to the ‘celebrity life.’”
“I’d ignore or tolerate the extra attention…to a point.”
“I’d prefer Jennifer Lawrence.”
What challenges might a celebrity presence bring to a neighborhood? Any fringe benefits, perhaps?
Would you move if a celebrity became your neighbor?
Here at Apartment Guide, we thought the situation merited some thought on the nature of the neighbor relationship.
What is good neighbor behavior?
Good neighbors are respectful: they pay attention to loud music or other unreasonably distracting behavior which might annoy their neighbors.
Good neighbors are good pet parents. They control their pets so that neighbors don’t have to interact with them, if they would prefer not to.
Good neighbors follow parking and garbage disposal guidelines in the community.
Good neighbors don’t engage in unsafe behavior at home.
Good neighbors are tolerant of differences between people. They realize when personal prejudices might affect how they treat a neighbor.
Good neighbors watch out for each other. They’re aware of what’s going on in the neighborhood.
Good neighbors follow the Golden Rule: behave toward others as you would have others behave toward you!
Considering a move to a larger apartment? Wondering if you can afford a second bedroom?
We wondered the same thing and decided to look at our data to see what metro areas had the biggest percentage rent increase from one bedroom to two bedrooms.
In metros with at least 50 apartment listings, we looked at the lowest-price one bedroom and two bedroom apartment units to determine the average percentage increase between the two inside the same community. We included only apartment listings for which there were both one and two bedroom offerings located on the same property.
The Top Ten
1 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
34%
2 San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX
32%
3 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX
32%
4 Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
30%
5 New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA
29%
6 Tulsa, OK
28%
7 New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
28%
8 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
28%
9 Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO
26%
10 Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI
26%
They say everything’s bigger in Texas…
If you live in one of four major metros in Texas, there’s a premium on that extra bedroom. In fact, they were the top four on our list. These four Texas areas are the only ones on our list with 30% or greater increases between average one and two bedroom apartment rental rates.
The CBS affiliate in Dallas/Fort Worth recently attributed the booming rental market to high-paying jobs for younger people. According to national market analysis manager for MPF Research, Jay Parsons, “the apartment market key segment is the folks between the ages of 20 to 34-year-olds, and that segment has grown in DFW (Dallas and Fort Worth) by about 8-percent in the past five years,” helping the rental market there reach a more than 94-percent occupancy rate.
This growth in apartment demand may help explain why Dallas/Fort Worth tops our list. On average, it costs 34% more to rent a two bedroom apartment than a one bedroom in this rental market.
Where you might opt to move up
What about the other end of the spectrum?
It is least expensive, on average, to make the same move in these spots:
Birmingham-Hoover, AL
16%
Reno-Sparks, NV
16%
Columbus, GA-AL
16%
Akron, OH
16%
Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville, SC
16%
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL
16%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC
15%
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
15%
Fayetteville, NC
13%
Fresno, CA
12%
In Reno, renting a two bedroom apartment is less of a gamble!
Metros that fall somewhere in the middle
Several major markets fall more to the middle range, in our look at the data.
Portland, Oregon – arguably as hip a city as Austin – costs less on average to make the switch from one to two bedrooms.
For a time last year, Nashville, Tennessee, had the highest percentage rent growth in the nation. But renting a two bedroom apartment in the city is only, on average, 22% more expensive than renting a one bedroom – a more reasonable difference than in about 25 other metro areas on our list.
Major metros like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and the Washington, D.C., area are not at the top of this list, despite their popularity — and relatively high rent rates.
Methodology: In 2014, in CBSAs (Core Based Statistical Areas, also commonly referred to as metros) with at least 50 apartment listings on ApartmentGuide.com, we looked at the lowest-price one bedroom and two bedroom apartment units to determine the average percentage increase between the two inside the same community. We included only apartment listings for which there were both one and two bedroom offerings located on the same property.
If we were to ask you to imagine your dream home, what would your mind conjure up?
Perhaps you’d love a penthouse in the skies or a palatial property with sweeping gardens. What about a lush forest paradise away from civilization or an opulent oceanfront property?
Maybe a hillside mansion with an infinity pool or a good ol’ swanky apartment in a coveted address is more your style.
What if we told you that you no longer need to choose just one view or destination because you can have it all?
A luxurious penthouse on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: Ocean Residences
Welcome aboard the NJORD, a one-of-a-kind superyacht that redefines luxury living as we know it.
Aptly named after the Norse god of the wind and seas, NJORD is being developed by Ocean Residences Development and German shipyard, Meyer Werft.
A look at the luxury homes aboard the NJORD Superyacht
Once completed, NJORD will offer 117 private residences that range from 1,500 to 9,000 square feet with two to six bedrooms. There will also be 16 duplexes and triplexes that have their own private elevators.
The prestigious homes will be priced from $8.5 million to $70 million.
The project is expected to be completed by 2026, but the first ten homes aboard the NJORD Superyacht are already up for grabs. And they’re quite spectacular!
Bedroom of a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean Residences
To add a personalized touch, the developers have brought many interior designers and architects on board including Kelly Hoppen and David Linley who have worked on the first 10 units as well as Jean-Michel Gathy, Francesca Muzio, Sabrina Monteleone, Taylor Howes, and 1508 London.
Inside a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean ResidencesInside a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean ResidencesInside a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean ResidencesInside a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean Residences
Future residents can choose from 15 different floor plans and — while each residence is intended to be unique — there are also certain similarities like floor-to-ceiling windows, smart home technology, Gaggenau appliances, and of course, private balconies with spectacular views of the ocean.
Inside the luxury homes of the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: Ocean Residences
The epic 948-feet superyacht also includes other features like gourmet kitchens with custom cabinetry by Studio Becker, walk-in closets, ensuite bathrooms, personalized housekeeping, laundry, and tailoring services.
The luxury doesn’t end there though.
The vessel comes with a travel and excursion concierge for the more adventurous residents, a Eurocopter 160, four superyacht limo tenders, two dive and fishing boats, a dive center, and an excursion lounge.
The deck of a penthouse aboard the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: Ocean Residences
All of the residents’ culinary requirements will be taken care of in the six world-class restaurants and bars on board.
For the health and mental well-being of residents, there’s the Chenot Spa and Wellness Center and a Chenot Gym and Fitness Center.
Other than that, there’s also a telescope space observatory, a golf simulator and pro shop, a gourmet market and shops, a kids club, outdoor terraces, and multiple pools.
Lastly, the party never has to end thanks to the onboard nightclub, jazz lounge, and 10,000 -bottle wine cellar.
The first 10 private NJORD residences are now on the market
While the groundbreaking residential project is only slated for completion in 2026, the first private homes aboard the superyacht have recently been listed for sale.
The living room of a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean Residences
The sales and marketing for the first ten residences aboard NJORD will be led by global real estate brokerage The Agency, with CEO/founder Mauricio Umansky and principal & managing partner Santiago Arana at the helm.
“We are proud to represent the sales and marketing for the first ten incredible residences aboard NJORD, one of the most innovative and exclusive residential offerings in the world,” says Mauricio Umansky.
“With its thoughtfully designed residences, endless array of amenities and philanthropic and scientific purpose, buyers have the unique opportunity to live aboard one of the finest vessels to ever be built,” Umansky added.
Bedroom of a luxury residence on the NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: David Linley | Ocean Residences
If Mauricio Umansky’s name rings a bell but you don’t know where from, you might know him from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (he’s Kyle Richard’s husband).
You’ll also be seeing a lot more of him on Netflix’s Buying Beverly Hills, which follows him and his stellar team of real estate agents. And we’re kind of hoping the new reality series will also give us a closer look inside the NJORD Superyacht and its luxury residences.
“We’re delighted Mauricio Umansky and Santiago Arana of The Agency will be at the helm of sales and marketing for the first ten luxury residences aboard NJORD,” said Kristian Stensby, Founder and CEO of Ocean Residences Development.
“With their combined record-breaking career success, global reach and white-glove service, we can’t think of a better team than The Agency to represent NJORD, the finest address everywhere in the world.”
Luxury meets sustainability
NJORD is more than just a collection of upscale residences.
The NJORD Superyacht. Photo credit: Ocean Residences
It’s an adventure around the globe and, according to Alain Gruber, COO of Ocean Residences Development Ltd, residents can choose to either completely relax or participate in the activities and expeditions planned by the concierge.
The best part about NJORD (other than the fact that you will get to circumnavigate the planet) is that you will do so sustainably.
The developers aim to build it under strict environmental regulations to minimize its carbon footprint.
The vessel will not only use carbon-neutral fuel but also include a professional oceanographic laboratory, a cloud computing system, multibeam echo sounders, and other resources to help the scientific community tackle environmental issues like climate change.
Talk about a new wave of residential living!
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