Christine Bartsch

Garages tend to be the most misunderstood square footage in a home. It’s half storage graveyard, half “someday project” that never quite happens. Homeowners often wonder if pouring money into concrete floors, insulation, and fresh drywall will ever come back to them when it’s time to sell. Others worry they’ll over-improve a space buyers might still just use to stash holiday decorations and broken treadmills. That’s why many wonder: Does a finished garage add value?

Should you pay off the mortgage before retirement? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Your finances and goals are so unique that the path toward the retirement of your dreams will be just as tailored. For some, paying off the mortgage while they’re still earning income is a “must-do” to preserve limited funds once the paychecks stop flowing.

Every time you open your mailbox, you’ve got stacks of collection notices from every creditor. You’re behind on the mortgage with no way to catch up, and now you’re facing foreclosure. Soon, you’ll be out on the street with a big blot on your financial record. In the midst of these financial straits, there may be a slightly better option: a short sale.