Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
JUNE 2025
901-388-5808 DouglassRunger.com
The House That Was ‘Out of Budget’ — Until It Wasn’t What Our First Home Taught Me About Money, Mortgages, and Meaning
You never forget buying your first home — it was a wild ride for us. My wife Jodi and I were engaged in 2006, living in our own apartments. We already had plans to get married the following year, and we knew we wanted to buy a home together. The whole process taught us a lot, from figuring out mortgages to touring homes to finally landing on a zero lotline house that looked like it belonged in San Francisco. June is National Homeownership Month, and as I look back on that first home we loved so much, I can’t help but think about how much those early steps shaped how I feel about home. At the start of our house hunt, I thought I had a clear ceiling on what we could afford, but I had never gotten a mortgage before. We got a bit of a lifeline in the form of the talented team at Hobson Realtors — my wife just happened to be friends with Jennifer and Joel Hobson, the owners, who assigned a great agent right away. We looked at multiple properties, but only the first one stood out, and it was out of our self-described price range. Joel decided to take over our house hunt personally, and I quickly realized he was the man in Memphis real estate. It was unbelievable how he could walk up to a home, peek inside, and just know there was no point in going any further. He took us to one last house — the first one that had stayed on our minds the whole search.
We loved it, he loved it, and when we saw the numbers on paper spread out over 30 years, we realized we were silly to think it was out of reach.
The home we have now was the complete opposite of that first one. It was late 2016, and most turnkey homes were out of our price range. One day, while driving home from work, I took a random street and went by a house with a For Sale sign. When we looked it up, it was better than we could imagine, with a pool and several price drops. It was priced to sell, but we would need to almost completely redo it inside. It was a lot of work, but we adore our home, and all our renovations increased its value. Both of our homes taught me a lot about the process. The advice I would give is to do your due diligence with inspections, even if you pay a little out of pocket for something extra, it’s worth it. Location is everything. You want to make sure you move into a desirable area so you can enjoy living there and have a property someone will want to buy one day. Do your research, ask all the questions you can think of, and learn the home’s history. Whether it’s your first place or your forever one, the journey to homeownership will shape you in ways you don’t expect. You will learn what you value, what you can live without, and what matters most to you in the place you call home. Our homes taught us something different, and every time I sit next to our pool, I’m reminded of everything it took to get here.
I remember telling Joel after we signed for everything that I might have overpaid a bit. He said, “That means you made the right decision. If you have to save a little more money or spend more than you originally planned, but it’s a home that will make you happy, it’s the right investment.” We lived happily in that totally low-maintenance, practically turnkey home for 10 years. That was an eye-opening experience. It proved that first-time homebuyers don’t have to limit themselves entirely to their budget. Do the legwork and understand your credit, but know that you can likely afford more than you think.
901-388-5805 • 1
Few outdoor activities are more fun to do as a family than beating the heat in the water. A facility as simple as a community pool can offer fun for all ages, including wading, diving, and lap swimming. As summer gets underway, consider making plans to try more complex aquatic sports as a family. Here are four exciting options that will inspire the whole family to take the plunge. STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING This sport originated among Hawaiian surfers and began gaining momentum nationwide about a decade ago. Participants stand upright on a flat, buoyant board and propel themselves over lakes, rivers, and oceans with a single paddle. Paddleboards are bigger than surfboards and are stable enough to hold a picnic in a waterproof bag! SNORKELING Snorkeling is a great family activity for all ages if you’re vacationing near an ocean. Flippers, watertight goggles, and snorkels are easy to rent or buy. Exploring the wonders beneath the waves is as easy as floating on the surface and paddling your flippers. While any clear ocean waters can be fun to explore, consider trekking to Hawaii or Cozumel to see spectacular schools of fish and rock formations. Make a Splash!
Water Fun for the Whole Family
CANOEING AND KAYAKING Few aquatic activities offer more opportunities for reflection and quiet conversation than paddling a canoe or kayak. These watercraft are usually available to rent near lakes and rivers, and, barring rough weather, navigating with them is relatively safe and easy. Pack a picnic, explore, and see what you can find along a river or lakeshore. WATERSKIING While this sport requires access to a speedboat and a skilled operator, arranging to try it can offer unforgettable thrills. Nothing can compare to the exhilaration as you first rise above the waves and stand on your skis; participants also get a full-body workout! Waterskiing poses a challenge for beginners when crossing the wake and keeping their legs beneath them, but the rewards are worth the effort! This summer, consider vacationing near a body of water to explore these aquatic activities or others, such as sailing or bodyboarding. You will create lasting memories and may ignite passions your kids will enjoy for years!
Learn From the Legends Celebrities Who Showed Us What Not to Do in Estate Planning
When it comes to estate planning, even the rich and famous can make costly mistakes. From Prince’s missing will to Aretha Franklin’s handwritten notes, celebrity estate blunders are more than juicy headlines — they are cautionary tales that prove why proper planning can make all the difference. Let’s peek past the velvet ropes at three of the most high-profile estate missteps so you can avoid them. PRINCE When iconic musician Prince unexpectedly passed away, he left behind an estate worth around $200 million. But he didn’t have a will or clear instructions on what would happen with his money, recordings, or unreleased music. Based on intestate laws, his six surviving family members would be his heirs, but it turned into a
lengthy legal battle. The case dragged on for over five years, and other issues, like heavy tax obligations, came up. Eventually, the court divided the assets and handed his music rights to a professional music company. It’s an important reminder that an estate plan can quell ugly battles between siblings and help your family avoid a lengthy legal process. ARETHA FRANKLIN Legendary singer Aretha Franklin died in 2018. She had four surviving sons but didn’t have an estate plan to divvy up her assets. The situation got even more complicated when her family discovered two handwritten wills in her home. Both wills had very different instructions, leading to a long court process and many family disputes about which document to use. Ultimately, the
court chose the most mutually agreeable will. The Queen of Soul’s story highlights why a properly executed will can save a lot of heartache and time. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman had a will when he passed away, but hadn’t updated it to include all his children. Because the will only mentioned one of his three children and his girlfriend, it created uncertainties about asset division. This oversight is a stark reminder of the importance of keeping your estate planning documents up to date to ensure your loved ones are cared for as you wish. If you want to play a starring role in your estate planning to protect your family and legacy after you’re gone, contact Douglass & Runger for a consultation.
2 • DouglassRunger.com
Getting married is one of life’s most rewarding moments, but as the wedding bells ring, there’s more to think about than the big “I Do’s.” When it comes to estate planning, tying the knot is more than just changing your last name and merging finances. Newlyweds need to make sure their wills and estate plans reflect their love story, ensuring both their hearts and assets are kept safe for many years to come. HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVES If your spouse gets hurt, sick, or unable to communicate their wishes due to their health, it’s important that you’re able to take care of them. Health care directives allow you to designate your partner as someone who can make important decisions about your care if you cannot. This legal document will help spell out your preferences for medical treatment, life-sustaining measures, and end-of-life care. It will also ensure you can play an active role in your loved one’s well-being. Without this in place, you could have difficulty gaining crucial information about your spouse’s medical details. WILLS, TRUSTS, AND LOVE Work together as a team to fully understand your shared assets, such as bank accounts, real estate, valuable personal items, and finances. Knowing what you as a couple have can help guide you as you create a will, trust, or overall plan. It’s essential to develop clear instructions in your will about how you want your assets divided, especially if you have children. The unexpected can happen at any time, and as you are now pooling your belongings and merging your lives, there’s more to consider and protect. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS If something happens to you or you pass away before your spouse, you want to make sure they will have the means to live a healthy, happy life after you’re gone. Once you get married, update your beneficiary designations to include your partner. This applies to life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other vital assets. Ensuring your loved one is named as the primary beneficiary helps provide peace of mind that your wishes will be honored when it matters most. At Douglass & Runger, we know that a marriage isn’t just a union of two hearts; it’s a partnership that requires careful planning for the future. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Weddings and Wills What Every Newlywed Needs to Know
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
Simple Summer Garden Pasta
This light, flavorful dish with juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese is a fresh, satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients • 4 cups cherry
• • • • •
1 tsp kosher salt
tomatoes, halved 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper 1 lb angel hair pasta
•
1 cup fresh basil
•
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese Cooked, chopped chicken for serving (optional)
•
•
Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined. 7. Serving suggestion: Add cooked, chopped chicken for more protein! INSPIRATION “The beginning is always today.” —Mary Shelley
901-388-5805 • 3
2865 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 DouglassRunger.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1 Pools, Paperwork, and Property Dreams 2 New Family Aquatic Sports for Summer Fun What You Can Learn From the Stars’ Mistakes 3 Protecting Your Love Story Simple Summer Garden Pasta 4 A Fresh Look at a Familiar Bird INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Little Birds, Big Discoveries Are Hummingbirds Actually Solitary Animals?
If you’ve ever set up a hummingbird feeder in your yard or even seen one zoom through your garden, you know how independent they are. Hummingbirds usually fly solo and fiercely guard their feeding spots and potential mates from each other. However, a recent discovery challenges what we thought we knew about these tiny birds — some may be more social than we assumed. A SURPRISING DISCOVERY Ornithologist Gustavo Canas-Valle recently found multiple hummingbird nests grouped together in the same area in Ecuador’s High Andes. Researchers previously attributed this unique behavior, which had never been documented in hummingbirds, to the freezing temperatures at more than 12,000 feet. However, they’ve found several more
groups of hummingbirds roosting and nesting together in the surrounding region, suggesting they choose to live together. Despite the observations, other scientists feel it’s too quick to label hummingbirds as social animals. Charles Brown, a University of Tulsa behavioral ecologist, argues that cohesive social groups work together to help each other, which they did not observe in this case. Canas-Valle admits that more research will determine whether the birds simply tolerate one another due to environmental conditions or actively cooperate as a group. However, his initial observations suggest group collaboration already exists, and he expects to find other hummingbird species engaged in the same activities.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR HUMMINGBIRD RESEARCH This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about hummingbird behavior. It remains to be seen whether hummingbird nesting habits are more flexible than we initially thought or if the behavior is unique to particular species or regions. Researchers now have a new avenue to explore, and future studies will hopefully shed additional light on whether hummingbird nesting is a survival strategy or a one-off quirk. Either way, findings like these are a reminder of how surprising nature can be.
4 • DouglassRunger.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator