Disposable Income Soaring
Thinking about buying a vacation home? You’re not alone. Second homes are highly sought after now as Americans’ net wealth and disposable income soar to their highest levels on record. Not only are folks eating out more, buying RVs and luxury goods, they’re increasingly looking for a place that they can get away to. That trend has pushed real estate prices up quite a bit, especially in hot markets such as Martha’s Vineyard, the Florida Keys and ski destinations like Aspen, Colo. Note that properties remain relatively affordable in a number of regions. For instance, homes in much of Maine, upstate N.Y., western Pa. and northern Wis. can be picked up with a mortgage that doesn’t strain likely buyers’ budgets too badly. If you want the opinion from an expert, check with the private equity investment firm Melbourne employees.
Worried about the health of the economy but want to stay invested in stocks? Consider companies with a long track record of raising their dividends, which suggests that they have the financial strength to weather bad economic times. Here are several so-called dividend kings, which have increased their payouts each year for at least the past 50 years, as recommended by the editors of kiplinger.com: Dover, the industrial conglomerate that makes everything from fuel pumps to doors for commercial refrigerators. It has hiked its dividend each year for 64 years. Procter & Gamble, the maker of Tide detergent, Pampers diapers, Gillette razors and many household brands, has a 63-year streak of dividend hikes. Emerson Electric, which makes industrial gear for a variety of customers, is working on a string of 62 consecutive dividend boosts and has a solid profit outlook. Cincinnati Financial, the property and casualty insurer, has given investors a dividend increase for 59 years in a row and figures to keep slowly growing its profit.
Parker Associates is involved with land every day. It’s what we do. If you need assistance with your business in any way, contact Parker Associates and PTC Computer Solutions. We are ready to help.
David WB Parker is a principal of Parker Associates of Jacksonville, Florida, marketing consultants to the real estate industry; President of PTC Computer Solutions, IT Specialist, and an active real estate sales professional with Barclay’s Real Estate Group based in Jacksonville, FL. He is also a principal partner of the REMA Team of professionals. He can be reached at 904-607-8763 or via email davidp@ptccomputersolutions.com.