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4. BEFORE YOU SPEND A

DIME in the future (beyond just your
Now that you have an accurate idea
about how much you’ll have to work
housing needs).
with, there are a few more people you
may want to chat with before you • An attorney who specializes in
spend a dime of that money — and handling estates is becoming more

before you even list your house for and more crucial for people. The
sale. further ahead you start planning

your estate, the better off you and
If you don’t already have an your heirs will be. The laws change
accountant, a financial planner, and frequently, and they vary from state

perhaps even an attorney who helps to state, and many people lose quite

with estate planning, you should a bit of their wealth due to poor or a
strongly consider doing so before you lack of planning.
make any firm decisions.

f you have professionals in these
• An accountant can help you assess fields that you already know, trust,
any tax implications, obligations, and work with, make sure to consult

and benefits you may be able to them. If not, make sure to find ones
take advantage of. to consult with by asking friends and
• A financial planner can help you family for referrals or by doing some

assess how much of your money research online.
you should spend on housing and

perhaps even help you decide While this might seem like a lot of
whether it makes more sense for people to turn to and have to pay for

you to rent something or buy it and advice, the time and money you
whether to pay cash or finance it. spend on these professionals can

He or she can also help you allocate really pay off by helping to ensure
the proceeds from the sale of your you don’t lose any of the wealth
house to achieve what you’d like to you’ve created for yourself.

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