Daily Money - Navigating Today’s Tight Housing Market

The housing market is so tight right now that buyers’ agents have gotten creative. Instead of passively waiting for listings to come on the market, they’re writing letters to owners of homes their clients covet — even when those homes aren’t for sale. For homeowners who want to stay put, these overtures might seem intrusive, and rightfully so. But for others, it might be just the nudge they need. For example, maybe it’s time to downsize in retirement, but physically and emotionally that’s quite hard to do. Knowing that there’s a prospective buyer for your home, one who will love it as much as you do, could help you commit to the move. In today’s edition, learn more about what buyers are doing to succeed in today’s competitive housing market.

In Tuesday’s newsletter, I mentioned that the CARES Act allows people to deduct $300 in charitable contributions even if they don’t itemize their deductions. The contributions need to be made to qualifying organizations in 2020. In our Retire with Money Facebook group, people were asking whether this was $300 per individual or married couple. This article in The Journal of Accountancy says, “the $300 limit per filing unit applies regardless of filing status.” So this would suggest that married people filing jointly get $300 (not $600) between them. Thanks to all for raising that important question!

It’s probably best to skip a gathering this year, but if you must host, require all your guests to get a flu shot before arriving. AARP

They keep their cars for the long haul, among other healthy financial habits. CNBC SELECT

Here’s what to consider as you weigh your employer’s options. NEXT AVENUE

Tax-free bond funds can play a role in many retirees’ portfolios. MORNINGSTAR