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The average square footage of a house in the United States is 2,430 square feet, according to the National Association of Home Builders. That figure varies significantly from state to state, however, with averages ranging from 1,164 square feet all the way up to 2,800 square feet.

Average home sizes tend to be larger in areas where prices are lower and smaller in more expensive locales, though other factors also come into play. Understanding the average square footage of houses in your area can help you set realistic expectations for your house hunt and determine how much house you can afford.

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Home Square Footage Trends in the U.S.

The size of homes in the U.S. has grown significantly over the past several decades. In 1949, the average square footage of a house for one family was 909 square feet. By 2021, it had almost tripled to 2,480 square feet, according to American Home Shield’s American Home Size Index.

One of the reasons behind expanding home sizes was American migration to the suburbs following World War II. During these years, new highways were built, demand for housing grew, and homeownership rose. People moved into bigger houses with more land outside the densely packed cities.

Overcrowding decreased at the same time. In 1950, 15.7% of U.S. homes were considered overcrowded. By 2000, the proportion had dropped to 5.7%. Today, older homes tend to have smaller floor plans, while more recent constructions are more spacious.

That said, home sizes have decreased slightly in the past few years due to rising interest rates and home prices. Home size was larger during the pandemic when interest rates reached historic lows and homebuyers were often looking for a house that could be home, workplace, and school all at once. Home sizes trended downward in 2022 and 2023 as housing became less affordable. (Learn more about how to save money for a house.)

Still, the mean square footage for new single-family homes was 2,430 square feet in the third quarter of 2023, a huge increase from the 909-square foot average of 1949.

States With the Largest Average Homes

The state with the largest homes on average is Utah, with an average home size of 2,800 square feet. Following Utah are other states in the Mountain West, including Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming. This chart shows the 10 states with the largest average home sizes in the U.S., along with their median price per square foot.

State Average home square footage Median price per square foot
Utah 2,800 $259.05
Colorado 2,464 $279.55
Idaho 2,311 $286.85
Wyoming 2,285 $189.87
Delaware 2,277 $223.75
Georgia 2,262 $180.61
Maryland 2,207 $234.53
Montana 2,200 $324.53
North Dakota 2,190 $139.12
Washington 2,185 $335.73

States With the Most Expensive Cost per Square Foot

In states with a high cost per square foot, homes tend to be smaller on average. The smallest homes are in Hawaii, where the median price per square foot is nearly $744. New York has the next-smallest real estate, with a median price per square foot of more than $421. (New York City, however, has a median price of $1,519.57 per square foot.)

That said, home prices and size don’t always have an inverse relationship. California has some of the most expensive real estate in the country, but its home sizes average 1,860 square feet. Along with cost per square foot, some other factors that influence average home size include income levels and age of the homes.

This chart shows states with the highest median price per square foot, along with their average house sizes. If you’re looking to buy in a less pricey locale, consult a list of the best affordable places to live in the U.S.

State Median price per square foot Average home square footage
Hawaii $743.86 1,164
California $442.70 1,860
New York $421.49 1,490
Massachusetts $398.77 1,800
Washington $335.73 2,185
Montana $324.53 2,200
Oregon $307.86 1,946
Idaho $286.85 2,311
Nevada $281.85 2,060

Recommended: 12 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

What to Consider When Buying a Larger Home

Buying a larger home might be appealing if you have a growing family and want space to spread out, but it could have downsides. These are some of the factors to consider before splurging on extra space:

More expensive maintenance costs

Not only may a larger home have a higher initial price tag, but it could also cost you more in maintenance costs. Home repair projects can easily cost thousands of dollars apiece, and prices only go up when you have more house to maintain. Before opting for a big home, consider what shape it’s in and any potential renovation costs. You could also do some research on the cost of services in your area to estimate future expenses.

More time to clean and organize

Larger homes take longer to clean and organize than smaller ones. You’ll have to purchase more furniture and spend more time on general upkeep. If you hire cleaners for your house, the cost of each visit will be higher if you have additional rooms that need cleaning.

Located farther from city center

Homes in and around a city are often smaller, while houses with more square feet and land are typically located outside of the urban center. This may not be ideal if you prefer to live near restaurants, theaters, and other urban activities. It could also be a downside if you work in the city and would have a longer and more expensive daily commute.

A bigger carbon footprint

A larger home will require more heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Not only will your energy bills cost more, but your bigger house will use more resources and have a greater impact on the planet. Some newer constructions may offset this footprint with energy efficient features.

Recommended: Tips to Qualify for a Mortgage

How Much Square Footage Can You Afford?

Before starting the house hunt and the quest for a mortgage loan, it’s worth considering how much square footage you can afford. Even if you get preapproved for a mortgage of a certain amount, you might prefer a smaller loan with lower monthly costs to avoid over-burdening your budget. Many first-time homebuyers opt for a smaller starter home before eventually upsizing. One way to figure out how much house you can afford is with the 28/36 rule.

The 28/36 Rule

The 28/36 rule is a guideline that can help you estimate what price house you can afford. This rule suggests spending no more than 28% of your gross monthly income on housing costs and no more than 36% on all your debt combined, such as housing costs, car payments, and student loans.

Let’s say, for example, that your monthly gross income is $6,000. Using this guideline, you’d want to keep housing costs at $1,680 per month or lower. If you have other debts, you wouldn’t want to spend more than $2,160 on those debts and housing costs combined.

Key Reasons to Purchase a Smaller Home

Purchasing a smaller home can have several benefits, including:

•   Smaller mortgage: A smaller home may have a lower cost, so you might be able to put down a lower down payment and take out a smaller mortgage.

•   More affordable bills: With less square footage, you’ll have lower monthly bills when it comes to electricity, heating, and cooling. Plus, you won’t have to pay as much in property taxes.

•   Easier and cheaper maintenance: Smaller homes can be easier to clean and maintain, and you won’t have to spend as much on furniture and decorations.

•   Extra room in your budget for other goals: If you’re saving money on housing, you’ll have more money for other things, such as home renovation projects, travel, investing for the future, and dining out.

The Takeaway

The average home square footage in the U.S. is more than 2,000 square feet, but sizes have slightly decreased recently with rising costs and interest rates. Home sizes also vary greatly by state, with the average square footage in some states more than double that in others.

Before splurging on a big house, consider your budget carefully. Use the 28/36 rule to estimate how much house you can afford, and take your other financial goals into account when considering how much you want to spend on housing each month. With careful planning, you can find a house size that meets your needs without overstretching your budget.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% – 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It’s online, with access to one-on-one help.

SoFi Mortgages: simple, smart, and so affordable.

FAQ

Are basements included in home square foot calculations?

Basements may or may not be included in home square foot calculations, depending on the state where you live and condition of the basement. If the basement is included, it generally must meet certain criteria for living space, such as having an entrance and exit point that leads outside the home.

How much square footage does a family of four need?

While everyone’s needs are different, one guideline for determining the ideal square footage for one’s family size is 600 to 700 square feet per person. For a family of four, that would be a home with 2,400 to 2,800 square feet.

Is the average house size in the U.S. increasing or decreasing?

The average house size in the U.S. increased significantly over the past 75 years from 909 square feet in 1949 to 2,430 square feet in 2023. However, the past couple of years have seen a slight decrease in house sizes due largely to rising interest rates and worsening affordability.

Photo credit: iStock/years

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Terms, conditions, and state restrictions apply. Not all products are available in all states. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information.

*SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. As little as 3% down payments are for qualifying first-time homebuyers only. 5% minimum applies to other borrowers. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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Source: sofi.com

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With the rise of companies like Airbnb, the idea of managing vacation rental properties has seen a spike in popularity. Homeowners are enraptured by the idea of making a decent income while providing a unique and fun experience for guests. Vacation rentals provide guests with a one-of-a-kind way to experience a city.

Whether you’re currently renting an apartment in Scottsdale or renting a home in Kansas City with plans of managing rental properties for other homeowners or you plan on buying a home in Albuquerque to use as a vacation rental, you can learn how to curate the best experience for your guests. ApartmentGuide reached out to successful vacation rental managers across the country to compile 15 tips for beginners starting their journey managing vacation rental properties. Read on to learn more. 

1. Prioritize quality photos

“I’m a big believer in doing things differently. When you’re competing against a multitude of hosts and property management companies, you need to determine what your competitive advantage is,” advises Dusty Winans, Owner of Padearn. “Beautiful photography can dramatically improve your click-through rate, conversion rate, ranking on Airbnb/Vrbo, and the number of bookings your property receives.

Photos should tell a story about how relaxing, inviting, or fun your property is. Don’t just take pictures of the room; zoom in and show the details. Stage some chocolate chip cookies or an ice-cold drink next to a reading nook or outdoor seating area to help guests imagine themselves there.”

2. Write your description like you’re talking to a friend

“When writing a description of the property, don’t come across like a car salesman. Write as if you’re talking to a friend or family member,” says Dusty Winans. “Go beyond the number of bedrooms, beds, and bathrooms and talk about what makes your property special. Think about what guests might have questions about, such as pool hours, beach chairs, baby gear, proximity to attractions, etc.”

3. Add a coffee maker and tons of free coffee

“Want to increase the number of 5-star reviews and earn an Airbnb Guest Favorite badge? Splurge on a great coffee maker and provide plenty of free coffee,” says Dusty Winans. “You’ll be amazed at how this one freebie can generate so many glowing reviews for your property. Not only that, a beautifully designed coffee bar will encourage guests to share photos of your property on social media.”

4. Show your guests that you’re a person, too

“Communicate with guests from a relatable first-person perspective,” says Dusty Winans. “Introduce yourself, share a little bit about you and your vacation rental business, and let guests know you’re there for them. Give them the freedom to reach out to you directly via text for any questions during their stay. The day after check-out, reach out to guests via text, ask how their stay was, and let them know you’d love for them to come back again.

5. Be prepared for maintenance issues

“One common mistake is underestimating the ongoing maintenance needs of a vacation rental property,” says Aaron Carpenter, Owner of Bend & Central Oregon Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “Failing to address maintenance issues promptly can lead to negative reviews and dissatisfied guests. To avoid this, we recommend creating a thorough maintenance schedule, conduct regular inspections, and request that the homeowner set aside a portion of their rental income for unforeseen repairs.”

6. Set realistic expectations with homeowners

“A significant mistake is not setting realistic expectations with homeowners. Overpromising on rental income potential or downplaying the responsibilities of property management can lead to dissatisfaction among homeowners,” says Aaron Carpenter. “To avoid this, we have open and transparent discussions with homeowners about the potential income, market conditions, and the level of involvement required. We provide clear details about the property management process and any potential challenges that may arise. 

7. Make sure to clean between thoroughly between guests

“One critical mistake is neglecting to thoroughly clean the property between guest stays. Inadequate cleaning can be one of the main reasons for a negative review and a decrease in bookings,” says Aaron Carpenter. “We avoid this by creating a comprehensive cleaning checklist that covers all areas of the property, from bedrooms and common spaces to outdoor areas. We highly recommend hiring professional cleaners who specialize in vacation rentals to ensure a consistent level of cleanliness and sanitation. Additionally, always perform quality checks after each cleaning to ensure the property meets the highest standards before guests arrive.”

8. Engage with the community

“As a first-time rental manager, dive into your local community by teaming up with neighborhood spots like restaurants, coffee shops, taxi services, handymen, cleaners, florists, tour guides, and local artisans,” says Zach Vavak, owner of Lake of the Ozarks Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “Celebrate their successes and give them a chance to shine by promoting them to your guests. Get involved in local networking groups like BNI, and share your connections generously to build meaningful partnerships. Become a bridge, bringing local businesses together with your guests and homeowners, and enjoy the growth and unity that follows.” 

9. Provide guests with local recommendations

“To maximize income and success from your rental property, make sure that you provide excellent local recommendations, address issues and requests quickly, maintain a flawless property, and optimize pricing and strategy,” says Steven Brown, owner of Breckenridge Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “With hard work and smart management, you can operate a top-performing vacation rental business as a hands-on manager.”

10. Know what your reviews mean

“The number and quality of guest reviews have a significant impact on future bookings and rates,” says Steven Formica, owner of Beaver Creek Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “Historical data shows that occupancy and ADR begin to fall below area averages at 4.6 and below. Similarly, hosts with ratings above 4.9 (“Super host” status on Airbnb) or properties at or above 4.9 (“Guest Favorite” on Airbnb) earn as much as 30% more than standard hosts.” 

11. Factor in the weather

“Managing your first vacation rental can be both exciting and challenging. One tip I’ve learned is to always account for the unique aspects of your location and weather,” says Simon Kouhana, owner of Hollywood Beach Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “Here in Florida, hurricane shutters and humidity control are essential. Ensuring these are well-maintained can save you a lot of headaches and keep your guests comfortable year-round. Remember, attention to detail can turn a good stay into an unforgettable experience!” 

12. Set clear expectations with your guests

“As a first-time vacation rental manager, you should always set clear expectations with your guests,” recommends Niyi Olumide, Owner of Galveston Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. Ensure your rental listing contains pictures that accurately represent the property and be sure the property is clean and free of clutter prior to a new guest arriving.

Another great way to set clear expectations is by sending clear check-in instructions to your guests prior to their arrival, checking in on them during their stay, and follow up for feedback after checkout. Clear communication with empathy could be all it takes to receive a positive review from a guest even if the stay was less than perfect due to circumstances beyond your control.” 

13. Walk through your property like a guest

“Put yourself in the position of the guest – walk through the property and use every appliance, open every drawer, turn on the TV and browse channels/apps,” says Luke Brannon, owner and president of Orange Beach Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “If the property is not intuitive and functioning well for you, it won’t function well for your guests either. Aside from saving you from surprise emergency calls, this will ensure a better experience for your guests. This will lead to better reviews, higher revenue, and happier homeowners.” 

14. Always keep your guest in mind

“You want to set yourself apart from all of the other companies and maintain a five-star status?  Focus on creating a top-notch guest experience by putting yourself in their shoes,” says Corie Thompson, Owner of Gulf Shores Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “Have several eyes on the property before a guest arrives to make sure it is spotless and guest-ready. Communicate with each guest during their stay to get ahead of any issues they may have before they check out and leave you a review. Most guests appreciate that there is someone out there that cares about their experience and someone they can call if there is an issue.”

15. Spend time at the property

“As a first-time rental manager, spending time at the physical property can greatly simplify your management tasks,” shares Ian Vogt, Assistant General Manager of Destin Airbnb Vacation Rental Property Management by Grand Welcome. “By familiarizing yourself with the property’s nuances and potential issues, you’ll be better equipped to handle any challenges that arise.”

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Considering a move to Raleigh, North Carolina? You’re not alone. Known for its thriving job market, vibrant outdoor spaces, and rapidly growing community, Raleigh has become a top destination for people looking to start fresh in a new city. Not sure if the Triangle is for you? Read on to find out what to expect if you’re considering a move to the Raleigh area in 2024.

You know it from: Bull Durham, Cold Mountain

Average 1 bedroom rent: $1,392 | Raleigh apartments for rent, Raleigh houses for rent

Average home price: $450,000 | Raleigh homes for sale

Average cost of full-service moving services: $130/hr for 2 movers

Average cost to rent a moving truck: $19 – $39/day

Top industries: Clean Technology, Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing

Move here for: Career opportunities, Higher education, Great beer

Be sure to bring: Your resume and hiking boots

1. The Research Triangle drives innovation

Raleigh is part of the Research Triangle Park (RTP), one of the largest research parks in the world. This hub of innovation attracts top tech companies and universities, including North Carolina State University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RTP is a major employment center, offering numerous job opportunities in tech, biotech, and education. Its presence has spurred economic growth and development throughout the region, making Raleigh a hotspot for young professionals and entrepreneurs.

Moving Tip: If you’re looking for a city with a robust job market and cutting-edge research, Raleigh should be on your radar.

2. Raleigh’s green spaces are abundant

Raleigh boasts an impressive array of parks and green spaces. Pullen Park, one of the oldest amusement parks in the U.S., offers paddle boats, a carousel, and plenty of picnic spots. Umstead State Park provides over 5,000 acres of trails, camping, and fishing right in the city’s backyard. The extensive greenways and bike trails make it easy to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. With a commitment to preserving nature, Raleigh ensures that residents have access to serene and scenic environments.

3. The cost of living is relatively affordable

Compared to other major tech hubs, Raleigh offers a relatively affordable cost of living. Housing costs, while rising, are still lower than the national average. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare are also reasonably priced. This affordability makes Raleigh an attractive option for those looking to relocate without breaking the bank. However, it’s important to note that prices are increasing as more people move to the area, so getting in sooner rather than later might be a good idea.

4. Education is top-notch

Raleigh’s education system is highly regarded, with Wake County Public School System being one of the largest and best in the state. The area’s universities, including NC State, provide excellent higher education opportunities. Magnet and charter schools offer specialized programs that cater to diverse educational needs. Raleigh’s commitment to education is evident in its investment in school infrastructure and teacher support. Additionally, the presence of multiple universities fosters a culture of lifelong learning and intellectual engagement.

5. The food scene is no joke

Raleigh’s culinary landscape is a blend of Southern comfort food and international cuisine. Downtown’s Morgan Street Food Hall features a variety of food vendors, offering everything from BBQ to sushi. Local favorites like Beasley’s Chicken + Honey serve up classic Southern dishes with a modern twist. The city also hosts numerous food festivals, celebrating everything from beer to barbecue. With a growing number of farm-to-table restaurants, Raleigh is becoming a foodie haven.

6. Traffic is a challenge

Raleigh’s rapid growth has led to increasing traffic congestion, particularly during rush hour. Major roads like I-40 and I-440 often experience heavy traffic, making commutes longer. Patience and planning are key to navigating Raleigh’s traffic effectively. With a TransitScore of only 29, public transportation options do not meet the needs of all residents. Carpooling and flexible work hours are common strategies to cope with traffic woes. While the city is working on improving infrastructure, it’s something to be aware of when planning your move.

7. The weather is generally mild

Raleigh enjoys a mild climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching the 90s. Winters are generally mild, with occasional snowfall that rarely accumulates. Spring and fall are particularly pleasant, with moderate temperatures and beautiful foliage. This climate allows for a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Moving Tip: Summertime humidity can be intense, so be prepared for sticky weather.

8. The music and arts Scene is dynamic

Raleigh is home to a vibrant arts and music community. The North Carolina Museum of Art hosts impressive collections and outdoor concerts. Red Hat Amphitheater and The Ritz are popular venues for live music, attracting both local and national acts. The city’s numerous galleries and theaters provide a platform for visual and performing arts. Annual events like the Hopscotch Music Festival draw large crowds and celebrate Raleigh’s artistic talent.

9. Sports fans have plenty to cheer for

Raleigh is a sports lover’s paradise, home to the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and NC State Wolfpack. PNC Arena is the go-to venue for hockey games and major concerts. College sports, especially basketball and football, are a big deal, with passionate fans supporting their teams. The city also has a growing interest in soccer, with North Carolina FC and NC Courage gaining popularity.

10. The craft beer scene is booming

Raleigh’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with numerous breweries calling the city home. Popular spots like Raleigh Brewing Company and Crank Arm Brewing offer a variety of unique brews. Brewery tours and tastings are common weekend activities, and beer festivals are held throughout the year. This thriving industry not only provides great beverages but also fosters a sense of community among beer enthusiasts.

11. The job market is strong and diverse

Raleigh’s job market is one of the strongest in the country, with low unemployment rates and a diverse range of industries. Tech, healthcare, and education are major sectors, thanks in part to the presence of RTP. Major employers like IBM, Cisco, and Duke Energy have significant operations in the area. The city’s economic stability and growth potential make it an attractive destination for job seekers.

12. The housing market is competitive

Raleigh’s popularity has led to a competitive housing market, with homes and apartments often selling or renting quickly. Desirable neighborhoods like North Hills and Cameron Village are particularly sought after. While prices are rising, there are still affordable options available, especially in the suburbs. Working with a knowledgeable real estate agent can help navigate the market and find the best deals.

Moving Tip: The fast-paced housing market is a testament to Raleigh’s appeal, but it’s important to be prepared and act quickly when you find a place you love.

Methodology: Average rent prices sourced from Rent.com August 2024. Home prices sourced from Redfin August 2024. Average moving costs sourced from MoveBuddha. Employment data sourced from Visit Raleigh.

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In the upscale waterfront and golf community of Admirals Cove in Jupiter, FL, the ultimate trophy home is looking for some deep-pocketed new owners.

Recently listed for a whopping $49 million, the massive waterfront home is by far the most expensive house for sale in Jupiter at the time of writing, with the runner-up asking a little over a third of its worth. That one — set in the same Admirals Cove community — is priced just under $17 million.

But this isn’t the house’s first rodeo; when it was listed in 2021 by its then-famous owner, former race car driver and racing team owner Johnny Gray, it became the first mainland home in Northern Palm Beach County to break the $30 million mark. Back then, it was asking $32.5 million.

Since then, the larger-than-life house — which comes with almost 20,000 square feet of ultra-luxurious living space, the finest amenities, a pool that cost more than $1.5 million to build, and enough water frontage to park a mega yacht — has been heavily remodeled and expanded.

It’s now listed with Rob Thomson of Waterfront Properties & Club Communities, the same agent that repped it the first time around.

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The former home of race car driver Johnny Gray

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

Up until a few years ago, the sprawling Jupiter mansion was owned by Johnny Gray, a former professional race car driver who now co-owns the David Gilliland Racing team, based in Mooresville, North Carolina, alongside NASCAR driver David Gilliland.

Gray, a retired NHRA drag racer-turned-oil company executive, began drag racing in the early 1990s, climbing the ladder from the National Hot Rod Association’s Competition Eliminator division to Pro Stock and later, the Funny Car category with Don Schumacher Racing. He retired in 2013, with his family — son, Shane, and grandson, Tanner — now carrying on his legacy.

Johnny Gray sold the property in mid-2021 for $24,000,000, public records show. The buyers were identified by the industry press as Sarah Ann and George McMahon. George founded and served as CEO of Bryan, Texas-based Utility Fleet Sales.

With 365 feet of water frontage, it can accommodate a mega yacht

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The property spans nearly 1.5 acres of prime, protected waterfront with 365 feet of Intracoastal water frontage, offering spectacular water views.

Its generous frontage means it can easily accommodate larger boats, including a mega yacht.

Building something similar would cost more than $85M

Per the listing, a trophy property like this could never be built again in Jupiter due to its size.

“Priced $5 million below 2024 appraised value and $35 million below replacement cost, which today would be in excess of $85 million,” the listing states, adding that “This offering provides a truly unique opportunity that literally can’t be recreated today at any cost.”

The $49 million offering: The specs

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

Now, what goes into a house to warrant a $49 million asking price? Quite a lot, as we’re about to see.

The Admirals Cove mansion features nearly 20,000 square feet of living space, a million-dollar movie theater crafted by an associate of film legend George Lucas, an air-conditioned 22+ car, state-of-the-art garage with indoor parking for a tour bus, a trophy room, a million-dollar winding pool with swim-up bar, two Jacuzzis, a waterfall, a dock for a 160ft. mega yacht, and other amenities.

Remodeled and expanded in 2023

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties
Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The 2016-built house has just undergone a $12 million+ renovation meant to both remodel and expand the property, completed in 2023.

The renovation was carried out by the same award-winning team at Turtle Beach Construction that built the home, ensuring the same quality level and craftsmanship were maintained.

Grand, two-story living room

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The interiors are nothing short of spectacular, reflecting the price point with lavish furnishings and finishes.

Standout spaces include the grand, two-story living room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, an opulent dual staircase with iron railings, and the apartment-sized primary suite.

Sports lounge room with 5 TVs

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The house was clearly built with entertainment in mind, featuring entertainment areas galore.

Among them is a sports lounge room with 5 TVs for the ultimate game day experience, but there’s also a custom bar and movie theater built during Johnny Gray’s ownership by an associate of legendary director George Lucas.

Arcade room with golf simulator

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The entertainment-ready space that caught our eye was the arcade and game room, fitted with everything one might need for a good time, including a shuffleboard and golf simulator.

The palatial primary suite overlooks the resort-style backyard

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The massive primary suite is almost like a retreat in itself, with its generous proportions, adjacent rooms, two bathrooms, private terrace, and seating area overlooking the extensive backyard.

And has separate bathrooms & walk-in closets for the lady and gentleman of the house

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

Not only does the primary suite come with two closets, but it also comes with two large baths, each specifically tailored to meet specific needs.

See also: This record-breaking $40M house is the most expensive home ever sold on Miami Beach’s Palm Island

“Her” bathroom has a hair salon and boutique-style closet

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The two bathrooms and adjacent closets have starkly different designs, with “her” amenities boasting a clean, crisp white design.

The bathroom has a water room with a large infinity-edge soaker bathtub with underwater LED lighting, a large steam shower, and a stylish hair salon with a wash station that opens up to a boutique-style closet with a hidden washer and dryer.

“His” bathroom opens up to “a closet fit for a king”

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

As for “his” bathroom, it has a sophisticated, wood-toned design with a custom glass tile and marble shower, opening to a closet fit for a king, as well as a hidden washer and dryer.

The pool alone cost more than $1.5M

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The expansive waterfront pool, which cost more than $1.5 million to build, features not one but two hot tubs, a pedestrian bridge that crosses the pool with cascading waterfalls, fire bowls, a swim-up bar, and drop-down TV.

But the entire outdoor area is resort-level

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

All the outdoor areas enjoy 180-degree views of the Intracoastal and across to a park and beautiful white sandy beach preserve that will not be built on. Several loggia seating areas provide shade and comfort all year long.

And features two outdoor kitchens

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

In case future owners would like to take full advantage of the sprawling outdoor space and its enviable waterfront location, there are two outdoor kitchens to accommodate events of all sizes.

It even has a showroom garage

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

Paying tribute to its race car former owner, the house has a showroom-level garage that can fit a 45′ motorcoach and 22+ cars. The space has marble flooring, an air compressor system, three double-car lifts, storage and workspaces, a restroom, and even a laundry room for when things get messy.

Located in Jupiter’s ritzy Admiral’s Cove community

Photo credit: Pelican Pix Photography / Waterfront Properties

The potentially record-breaking property at 176 Spyglass Ln is part of the exclusive Admirals Cove, one of Jupiter’s premier communities featuring a luxury lifestyle centered around high-end boating, yachting, and 45 holes of pro-style golf.

Jupiter has been increasingly attracting star power in recent years. High-profile residents include golf legend Tiger Woods, retired NBA star Michael Jordan, and Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle. So we’re looking forward to seeing who will move in next, especially with Jupiter’s finest mansion now on the market.

More stories

A Jupiter, FL house across the waterway from Tiger Woods’ place sells for $15.4M

26 Jaw-dropping Miami-area mansions that will make you want to move to Florida

Mar-a-Lago neighboring mansion undergoing a massive renovation eyes $40 million sale

Source: fancypantshomes.com

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Living frugally doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice delicious meals. With a little creativity and smart planning, you can enjoy tasty, nutritious food while saving money.

This post will share the best food frugal living ideas to help you cut costs without compromising on flavor. From meal planning and bulk buying to using leftovers wisely, these tips will make your grocery budget stretch further and help you build a more frugal, sustainable lifestyle.

Grocery Shop Less Often

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Shopping less often helps you save money. Instead of frequent trips, plan your meals and buy only what you need. This reduces impulse buys and helps you stick to your budget.

To learn more: 20 Simple Ways on How to Save Money on Groceries

Meal Plan Based on Cheap Ingredients

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Save money by planning meals with affordable ingredients. Check your pantry and fridge, then create a plan using what’s already there. This makes budgeting easier and reduces food waste.

To learn more: Meal Planning 101 (plus save money each week)

Always Use a Shopping List

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A shopping list helps you stick to your budget. Write down what you need before going to the store, and avoid impulse buys. This simple habit can save you a lot of money.

Avoid Convenience Foods

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Convenience foods may be easy, but they often lack nutrients and can be pricey. Save money and eat healthier by cooking at home. You’ll avoid added sugars and unnecessary costs.

Learn More: 10 Simple Tips on How to be Frugal with Food

Eat at Home

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Eating at home is cheaper than dining out. Cook your meals to save money and have control over your ingredients. It’s a simple way to manage your budget.

Learn More: Become a Pro at How to Meal Plan for a Month

Make Your Own Coffee

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Make your own coffee at home to save money. Use an electric French press or a reusable cone to brew delicious coffee without spending much.

Make as Many of Your Dinners as Possible at Home

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Cooking dinner at home saves you money and time. It eliminates the need for takeout trips and helps you manage your budget better.

To learn more: 100+ Frugal Meals for When You’re Broke or on a Budget

Maybe Use a Meal Delivery Service

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Meal delivery services can help you eat fresh and organic food without the hassle of shopping. They make healthy eating more accessible and can sometimes be cost-effective.

Learn More: Are Meal Plan Subscriptions Worth the Cost?

Buy Produce from Large Supermarkets

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Large supermarkets often have better prices on produce than stand-alone farmer’s markets. This can help you save money on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Eat Out Smart

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Choose affordable local restaurants and look for specials or happy hours. Eating out smartly helps you enjoy meals without overspending. Find happy hour specials or kids eat free nights!

Use Your Own Coffee Mug

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Bring your own coffee mug to cafes to get discounts on hot drinks. This simple habit saves money and reduces waste.

Learn More: How to Be Frugal Green: 91+ Tips to Save Money and Environment

Pack Lunch for Work or School

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Packing lunch saves money compared to buying it. Prepare meals at home and bring them with you to cut down on daily expenses.

Shop Grocery Ads

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Check weekly grocery ads to plan your shopping. Look for sales and loss leaders to save money on your grocery bill.

Slashing Grocery Bills

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Save on groceries by shopping at discount stores, buying in bulk, and choosing generic brands. These strategies help you slash your grocery bills significantly.

Figure Out Food Habits

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Identify where you spend the most on food and cut back on processed items. Focus on buying healthier, more affordable options to reduce your grocery costs.

To learn more: What is the Best Cheap Food to Buy When Broke?

Cutting Coupons

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Use coupons to save money on groceries. It might take some effort, but the savings from cutting coupons can add up quickly.

Buy Store Brands

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Store brands are often cheaper than name brands. Stores like Costco, Wal-Mart, and Kroger offer quality products at lower prices.

Don’t Shop Hungry

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Shopping while hungry leads to impulse buys. Eat before you shop to avoid unnecessary purchases and stick to your budget.

In-Store Grocery Apps

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Use in-store grocery apps to find the best prices and discover new recipes. These apps make it easier to save money and plan meals.

Learn More: Best Cash Back Apps: How to Earn Money and Save Money

Eat Meatless Meals

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Try eating more vegetarian meals to save money. Meatless meals are often cheaper and can be healthier, providing more fiber and protein.

Don’t Eat Out

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Eating out costs more than cooking at home. Save money by preparing your meals at home instead of dining out.

Use Cash Back Apps

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Cash back apps offer rewards for purchases. They provide discounts and coupons that help you save money on groceries and other items.

Learn More: Best Cash Back Apps: How to Earn Money and Save Money

Use Ibotta Every Time You Shop

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Ibotta rewards you with cash for shopping. Scan barcodes and complete tasks to earn money back on your purchases.

Stop Buying K-Cups

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K-Cups are expensive and wasteful. Switch to a reusable alternative for a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to enjoy your coffee.

Now, Make Sure You Check out these Frugal Home Must Haves

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Incorporating frugal home must-haves into your daily life can lead to significant savings and a more efficient household. These tips and items are designed to help you stretch your budget further while maintaining a comfortable and functional home. Start implementing these strategies today and watch how small changes can make a big difference in your finances.

To learn more: 25 Frugal Home Must Haves To Save Money for Clean and Organized Home

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.

Source: moneybliss.org

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Need to free up some room in your room or get rid of appliances that you have replaced? Here are the 9 best places to sell used appliances to make extra money. Instead of throwing out your used appliances when you upgrade to new machines, you can sell them for extra money. These appliances usually…

Need to free up some room in your room or get rid of appliances that you have replaced? Here are the 9 best places to sell used appliances to make extra money.

Instead of throwing out your used appliances when you upgrade to new machines, you can sell them for extra money. These appliances usually have plenty of life left in them still and people will pay to take these from you, saving you the time and hassle to take these appliances to the dump.

In this guide, I’ll go over the best places to sell used appliances, ranging from Facebook Marketplace to local scrap metal companies. Whether it’s a refrigerator, dishwasher, or washer and dryer, you can sell your appliances for cash.

Best Places To Sell Used Appliances

Here’s a list of the best places to sell used appliances for cash.

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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.

1. Facebook Marketplace 

Facebook Marketplace is a great place to sell used appliances online. It has lots of potential buyers (everyone uses Facebook these days!) and makes it easy to list your items.

To get started selling an appliance on Facebook Marketplace, log on to Facebook and navigate to Facebook Marketplace. Click “Create a Listing” and select a category like appliances or household goods. Make sure to add high-quality photos of the appliances from different angles and highlight any dings, dents, or imperfections. You’ll also want to include details such as make, model, age, condition, dimensions, and any unique features the appliance has.

I went on Facebook Marketplace and I saw a lot of appliances for sale, such as microwaves, stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, washers, dryers, and more.

2. Local Facebook groups

Local Facebook Groups are a great place to sell used appliances. I’m in a few local Facebook buy-and-sell groups and they’re one of the quickest ways to sell things around my house.

These groups are an easy and quick way to sell used items because you’re targeting a local audience which means you can find a buyer in your town. There’s no shipping hassle, which means faster transactions. You’re also saving money on fees since local Facebook groups do not charge fees to buy and sell items.

To find a local buy/sell Facebook group, go to the Facebook search bar and enter keywords like “[your city] buy and sell”. 

I recently saw someone list all of the used appliances in their kitchen (they were doing a remodel), and they had a LOT of people wanting to buy their items.

3. eBay 

eBay is a great platform to sell used appliances online simply because so many people use this site. This means your items have the reach to people who are looking for what you’re selling. With eBay, you can reach people all over the country and even internationally. 

You also have the option of selling used appliances through auctions, allowing people to bid on your appliance until the auction ends. Or you can choose to sell the used appliance for a fixed price.

eBay has seller protections and policies in place, and can also help resolve disputes with buyers. This helps if you run into any issues with non-payment or fraudulent buyers. 

4. OfferUp 

OfferUp is an app that allows you to buy and sell items locally. This app functions the same as other online platforms, but is specially designed for mobile use. The app is super user-friendly making it easy to browse listings, message others, and arrange transactions. 

The app has millions of users in the United States, so you have a good chance of finding someone to buy your used appliance. Listing an item on OfferUp is fast and easy to do on your phone. The app also has safety features like user ratings, ID checks, and safe meeting spots.

There are no listing fees on OfferUp, however, there is a 12.9% fee for the item’s final price when you accept a buyer’s offer. OfferUp has seller protections in place including secure payment options and fraud prevention measures.

5. Craigslist 

Craigslist is a simple website where you can find jobs, housing, items for sale, and more. Selling a used appliance on Craigslist is a good idea because you can list items in your local area. This makes it easy to find buyers near you.

For items like large appliances, Craigslist is a popular place buyers look to get these items since people prefer to buy locally to avoid shipping costs. Craigslist has zero fees for selling used appliances, which means no listing fees or commissions. 

Listing an item on Craigslist is fast and easy. You can add photos, descriptions, and set a price in just a few minutes. People on Craigslist are always looking for things like refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, and other large appliances. So, you’re likely to find someone who wants to buy what you’re selling.

6. Local used appliance store 

You can also sell your appliance to local appliance stores. These stores usually have an easy selling process, allowing you to quickly sell your appliance without having to list it on an online marketplace and wait for a buyer to pick it up. Used appliance stores also pay immediately for these items, which means you can get cash on the spot.

Used appliance stores know a lot about appliances and can check the condition of yours. They will give you a fair price for it. You also avoid the risks of selling to individual buyers, like scams or not getting paid.

To find a local used appliance store near you, search on Google “used appliance stores near me” and you’ll likely find at least one store that sells used appliances near you. 

7. Pawn shop

Pawn shops are a great place to sell used appliances for cash. They are convenient, give you money right away, and have no listing or selling fees. You get cash on the spot, so you have quick access to your money. Selling at a pawn shop means you don’t have to worry about fees taking away from your profit.

Finding a pawn shop near you is easy, and you probably have a few nearby. To find one, just search “pawn shops near me” online. A list of pawn shops will show up based on how big or small your city is.

8. Garage sale

Selling used appliances at garage sales or yard sales is a great option because it allows for direct sales to local buyers in your community. Garage sales attract shoppers looking for bargains which can mean a quick sale for your used appliance. There’s also the great benefit of being able to declutter and sell all kinds of items around your house you no longer use.

The best time to have a garage sale is usually the weekends, when the weather is good (spring, summer, and fall), and when there are local events going on in your town. For example, my city has tons of garage sales on weekends where there is also a festival going on. This is because the festival brings in over 100,000 people, which means more people to check out your garage sale that otherwise wouldn’t be in the area. 

Recommended reading: 22 Ways To Make Quick Money in One Day

9. Local scrap metal company

Selling used appliances to a local scrap metal recycler is a good idea if your appliance is no longer in working condition. Scrap metal companies may accept appliances in their entirety, but others will want you to separate the metal components. Make sure to contact the scrap metal company to see how they accept used appliances.

You can find local scrap metal companies by searching “scrap metal company near me” on Google. Once you find a scrap metal company you like, contact them and share which appliances you have and their condition. Once you take the appliance to the scrap metal facility, the appliance will be weighed to determine the amount of metal it contains. You’ll be offered a price based on the current market value of the metal and payment is usually either cash, check, or via electronic transfer depending on the company. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about how to sell used appliances.

What kind of used appliances can I sell?

You can sell all kinds of used appliances around your home, including:

  • Refrigerators
  • Washing machine and dryers
  • Stoves and ovens
  • Dishwashers
  • Air conditioners and heaters
  • Water heaters
  • Fans and air purifiers 
  • Vacuums 
  • Microwaves
  • Coffee makers
  • Deep freezers
  • Blenders
  • Toasters

The condition of the used appliances, age, brand, and other features will factor into the resale price. The appliance should be in working condition and reasonably cared for.

How can I make money with old appliances? 

There are many ways you can make money with old appliances, including:

  • Selling them on sites like eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc.
  • Trade-in programs where certain appliance manufacturers will exchange your old appliance for credit towards a new appliance
  • Appliance resale shops where the business specializes in buying and selling used appliances
  • Selling the old appliance for scrap metal
  • Disassembling and selling individual components like the motor, control panels, and knobs of the appliance online 

How can I sell my washing machine? 

To sell your washing machine, make sure you clean and prepare it before posting pictures or handing it over. Gather any important manuals and take high-quality photos of the machine from different angles. You’ll also want to make sure to take pictures of any imperfections or damage, so buyers can see everything clearly.

Next, decide which selling platform you want to list your appliance. The most popular platforms include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, and you’ll have to write a descriptive listing that highlights the key features of the appliance and share what kind of condition it is in. You should also share whether the buyer has to pick up the appliance or if you’re willing to deliver it for a fee. 

How can I make money with my old fridge?

You can make money with your old fridge by selling it online (such as on Facebook or Craigslist), placing ads in your local newspapers, or by selling it for scrap metal if it’s no longer in working condition. If your fridge has workable parts, you can sell the individual components online. Common parts that you can sell from your fridge include shelves, drawers, door handles, and compressors. Before selling your old fridge, make sure to thoroughly clean it for the buyer (no one wants to willingly buy an old, dirty, stinky fridge).

Where can I sell used appliances online?

There are many places where you can sell your used appliances online such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, OfferUp, Letgo, Nextdoor, and appliance-specific websites such as Appliance Exchange and Used Appliances For Sale.

What is the best app to sell used appliances?

The best app to sell used appliances includes Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. These apps allow you to list items for sale to users in your local area making it convenient to reach a large audience of buyers. These apps are easy to use and allow messaging between buyers and sellers.

What can I do with a used appliance if no one will buy it?

If no one will buy your used appliance, you may want to donate the appliance to a charitable organization (like the Salvation Army), thrift store, or community center that accepts donations of used appliances. You can also recycle the appliance by seeing if your city has an appliance recycling program (many do!). If you decide to throw away the used appliance, make sure to dispose of it properly. Your city likely has specific regulations for throwing away large appliances, so it’s important to follow guidelines to make sure you’re throwing them away properly. 

Best Places To Sell Used Appliances – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on the best places to sell used appliances to make extra money.

As you can see there are many places to sell your used appliances ranging from Facebook Marketplace to a used appliance dealer. So whether your appliance is in working condition, needs a repair, or is no longer running, you may be able to find a way to sell the item for cash.

Many people let the appliance company take away the old appliance when they purchase a new one, even if it still works because it’s easy. I understand, appliances are big and heavy. But you could make some extra cash by selling it instead!

So, whether you have a laundry set, a stove, a fridge, or something else, you may want to list it or sell it online to see if you can make any extra money.

Have you ever had to sell used appliances in your home? How much money did you make?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com

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Living frugally doesn’t mean giving up the things you love. It’s about making smart choices and finding ways to save money without sacrificing comfort.

In this post, you’ll find the top frugal living tips for around the house. These practical ideas will help you cut costs on everyday expenses, reduce waste, and make your home more efficient. Whether you’re looking to save on your utility bills, groceries, or household items, these tips will help you stretch your budget and make the most of what you have.

Adjust the temperature

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Turn down the heat or air conditioning at night to save on energy bills. It’s good for your wallet and your health.

Cut back cell phone plan

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Save money by reducing your cell phone plan’s data plan. Make sure it still meets your needs. This is especially true for preteen or teen cell phone plans.

Make clothes last longer

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Wash clothes less often and use gentle detergents to keep them looking new. This helps you spend less on clothes.

Shop for clothing on clearance

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Buy clothes on clearance to save money. I have found that shopping off-season can get you great deals. Plus only buy what you truly need.

Learn More: How to Shop for Clothes on a Budget

Eliminate cable or satellite TV

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Save money by streaming shows online instead of paying for cable or satellite TV. You may opt for monthly billing to binge watch shows.

Switch cell phones

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Consider switching to a cheaper cell phone provider. There are so many new providers to the market. Just check if they offer good service in your area.

Look into your energy usage

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Adjust your thermostat a few degrees to save money on energy. Invest in a comfy sweatshirt to stay warm.

Limit trips to the salon

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Save money by cutting your own hair or letting your natural color grow out. This was one of the ways we paid off debt faster!

Turn off unused lights

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Turn off lights when you leave a room to save on your electricity bill. This is a simple adage, but it still holds true.

Buy in bulk

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Save money by buying items like toilet paper and toothpaste in bulk. Be wise with what you buy that will you actually use the extra items.

Save money on laundry

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Wash clothes at night and hang them up to dry. This saves money and keeps clothes in good shape. For U.K. folks, this is a normal practice.

Check out the Must Haves for a Frugal Home

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Incorporating these frugal living tips into your home can significantly reduce your overall costs. By embracing a minimalist approach, being mindful of your spending, and making smart choices, you can create a comfortable and budget-friendly living space that aligns with your financial goals. Remember, small changes can lead to big savings over time, so start implementing these frugal home essentials today for a brighter and more financially secure future.

To learn more: 25 Frugal Home Must Haves To Save Money for Clean and Organized Home

Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!

Did the post resonate with you?

More importantly, did I answer the questions you have about this topic? Let me know in the comments if I can help in some other way!

Your comments are not just welcomed; they’re an integral part of our community. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how these ideas align with your journey towards Money Bliss.

Source: moneybliss.org

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Want to know how to make $2,000? Here’s how you can make extra money online and offline. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to bring home more money or saving up for a large purchase, making $2,000 can make a big difference. In this post you’ll learn: Making an extra $2,000 can seem like a…

Want to know how to make $2,000? Here’s how you can make extra money online and offline. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent looking to bring home more money or saving up for a large purchase, making $2,000 can make a big difference.

In this post you’ll learn:

  • Ways to make $2,000 fast
  • How to make $2,000 per day
  • How to make $2,000 online

Making an extra $2,000 can seem like a big goal, but it’s definitely achievable with the right approach. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, save for a vacation, or just make more money, there are many ways to reach your goal.

How To Make $2,000 Fast

Here’s a list of ways to make $2,000.

1. Freelancing 

If you have skills like writing, editing, programming, bookkeeping, digital marketing, data entry, SEO, graphic design, or transcribing, you can find jobs online. You can also find jobs if you know how to use software like Adobe, Canva, WordPress, or email marketing tools.

I recommend checking out UpWork to see which skills you have (you may be surprised to see what’s listed there) and start applying for jobs.

I’ve done quite a bit of freelancing and have found jobs on UpWork, Fiverr, and FlexJobs. This is a great way to make money since it’s flexible and usually done on your own schedule. There are many other freelance platforms as well!

Recommended reading: 16 Best Freelance Jobs & How To Get Started

2. Blogging 

I started a blog back in college and it’s still one of my favorite ways to make semi-passive income. I currently make between $2,000-$4,000 a month on my blog and it’s entirely passive, meaning I no longer do any work on it.

There are tons of ways to make money blogging including affiliate partnerships, sponsored posts, ad revenue, and selling your own goods or services.

You can create your own blog here with this easy-to-use tutorial. Michelle also has a Free How To Start and Launch A Money-Making Blog Course you can join, and it will help you start and launch a successful blog! Once you start a blog, you can learn how to monetize it with affiliate income and sponsored posts.

You can learn how to start a blog with the free How To Start a Blog Course (sign up by clicking here).

3. Proofreading

If you have an eagle eye for detail, love finding spelling or punctuation errors, and want to learn how to make $2,000 online, you may want to become a proofreader. Working as a proofreader is generally quite flexible and you can work from anywhere in the world since your job is done from a computer.

You can find jobs proofreading for authors, law firms, blogs, and more. This is a great way to make a side hustle income or a full-time living as proofreaders can make around $50,000 a year.

Here is a FREE 7-day course just for people who want to stop wasting time and start making more money with their proofreading skills. I definitely recommend that you check it out.

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This free 76-minute workshop answers all of the most common questions about how to become a proofreader, and even talks about the 5 signs that proofreading could be a perfect fit for you.

4. Flip items for resale

You’ve likely seen TikToks where people flip stuff for profit. In case you don’t know what a flipper is, this is someone who buys something at a lower price and sells it at a higher price for a profit. This can also sometimes mean fixing up the item in order to sell it at a higher cost.

This is a great side hustle that can turn into a full-time job and is perfect if you want to know how to make $2,000 without a job (well, a traditional 9-5 job!).

A ton of people do this full-time!

This job is quite flexible because you can find stuff to flip on your own schedule. If you have kids, you can even take them along to garage sales and flea markets to score items to flip. This side hustle takes about 5-10 hours a week for beginners which can earn you up to $1,000 a month in the beginning.

Here is a free webinar, Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days, that will help you learn how to make money by flipping items as well.

5. Transcription

A transcriptionist is someone whose job is to turn files into text documents. You listen to what is being said in the file and type it into a text format. Transcriptionists usually make between $15-$30 an hour on average.

This job is flexible because you can choose to work part-time as a freelancer or full-time with an agency. As a transcriptionist, you must have good typing skills and a fast typing speed. You need excellent listening skills since you’re listening to files and having to type them up quickly.

A great free resource to take is FREE Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? You’ll learn what transcription is and why it’s a highly in-demand skill, who hires transcriptionists, what it takes to become one, and more.

Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners

6. Pet sitting 

One of my favorite side hustles is pet sitting. I’ve found all of my pet-sitting jobs on Rover, but you can also check out other dog-walking apps like Wag, Care.com, PetSitter, and more. Finding jobs can be hard at first if you don’t have experience, so it is usually important to set your rates lower than your competitors (this way you can get some reviews!).

Once you get jobs and reviews, you can slowly increase your rates and build your clientele. This is a great way to make a few hundred a week on top of a full-time job or other side hustles.

Recommended reading: 7 Best Dog Walking Apps To Make Extra Money

7. Sell crafts 

If you have a hobby or craft you enjoy, you may want to try selling your items on Etsy. With almost 100,000,000 active Etsy buyers, Etsy is a great website to sell your handmade goods to people all around the world.

Here are some things you can sell on Etsy:

  • Printables
  • Stickers
  • Rugs
  • Soaps
  • Bath bombs
  • Crocheted and knitted items
  • Jewelry

I shop on Etsy all the time, and I love it!

Recommended reading: 16 Best Things To Sell On Etsy

Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.

8. Virtual assistant 

A virtual assistant is in charge of all kinds of tasks including:

  • Email management
  • Customer support
  • Graphic design
  • Social media management

I’m currently a virtual assistant and love it. The pay is high and I get to work on my own schedule. To find jobs, I recommend checking out UpWork, FlexJobs, and Fiverr. Type in “virtual assistant” on any of these job boards and you’ll quickly find tons of job listings with details including pay, benefits, work tasks, hours, and more.

9. Writing 

If you have any kind of writing experience, try finding writing jobs online. There are thousands of online writing jobs out there from companies that need help creating blog posts and content for their company.

Even if you don’t have writing experience, I still recommend checking out job board sites and applying for low-paying jobs. This will get you experience as you build up your portfolio and help you land more jobs down the line.

I have been a freelance writer for years, and it’s a great way to make extra money. In fact, I’m writing this article as a freelancer!

10. Find Craigslist gigs for extra money

Craigslist is still quite popular in cities and there are always new jobs popping up. You’re most likely to find jobs in:

  • Labor (construction, warehouse work, landscaping)
  • Customer service (call centers)
  • Tutors
  • Short-term freelancing gigs
  • Moving

Always remember to be careful on any website, especially Craigslist. If anything ever feels suspicious or off, listen to your gut.

11. Delivering food 

One of the easiest ways to make money is by delivering food with DoorDash. This is because they are always in need of new DoorDashers.

With DoorDash, your job is to deliver meals to customers. You can work on your own schedule and work as little or as many hours as you want to. Depending on where you live, you can deliver food by bike, scooter, or car.

How much you earn depends on each delivery, how much you earn in tips, and how fast you deliver items. The DoorDash app makes it convenient to accept delivery jobs, find out where to go, and how to get there.

12. Invest in real estate

Though it’s not a quick way to make money, you can make money in the long term by investing in real estate. When done right, real estate investing can be a lucrative way to make passive income and help diversify your investment portfolio.

There are many ways to invest in real estate including:

  • Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)
  • Buy a house and flip for profit
  • Buy a house, live in one room, and rent out the rest of the rooms
  • Use an online real estate platform like Fundrise or Crowdstreet

Recommended reading: 23 Best Real Estate Side Hustles To Make Extra Money

13. Develop apps

There are a few ways to make money developing apps including in-app purchases, in-app subscriptions, advertising, affiliate links, and sponsorships.

You can test and research ideas that might do well in app form. Ask yourself what people need help with and how your app can solve their problems. Then, validate your idea by having people fill out a survey to get a better idea of what kind of app you should create.

You also need to figure out how you’ll market your app and get new customers. This might require you to reach out to blogs in your app’s niche, influencers, and media outlets to get coverage for your app.

Also, there is a side hustle related to this – you can test and try out new apps with Freecash. You can get paid from $1.00 to $75 per app. Some apps listed on Freecash (these numbers may change) include TikTok, which pays $8 if you’re a new user, and Upside, a gas cash back app, which currently pays $24.01 to new users. HBO pays $3.96 for new users subscribing to a free trial. There are many other apps you can earn from as well. Click here to sign up for Freecash (it’s free!).

14. Online surveys

Getting paid for surveys is not going to get you rich, but it’s an easy way to make money in your spare time. Companies pay people to fill out surveys because they need opinions on products and services. Once you finish filling out a survey, these survey sites typically pay you with cash, via PayPal, or gift cards.

Surveys aren’t full of hard questions that take hours to complete. The questions are usually short and straight to the point. Companies are trying to better their products and services, and surveys help them do this.

Here are some of the top surveys that pay in cash and free gift cards to sign up for:

  1. Swagbucks
  2. Survey Junkie
  3. Branded Surveys
  4. American Consumer Opinion
  5. InboxDollars
  6. Pinecone Research
  7. Prize Rebel
  8. User Interviews

Recommended reading: 21 Best Free Surveys That Pay Cash Instantly

15. Social media management 

Working as a social media manager is a job that seems to be always hiring. I did a quick search on Fiverr and found many job listings pop up. This is because companies look to hire out for their social media management.

To find jobs in social media management, go to job boards like UpWork and type in “Social Media Management.” You’ll see posts from entrepreneurs and companies looking to hire a social media manager. These job listings will tell you what they need, like scheduling posts on Instagram and Facebook, creating visuals using Canva, and responding to comments from followers.

16. Babysitting 

One of the easiest and quickest ways to make money is babysitting. I’ve found all of my babysitting and nannying jobs on Care.com, but you can also check out SitterCity, UrbanSitter, or Babysits. People are always looking for babysitters for date nights, errands, and special events.

To increase your chances of landing jobs, make sure to get a background check on the website (Care.com has this option) as this will make you stand out from other candidates. If you have previous experience babysitting, ask for references so hiring parents can see that you’re a good candidate for their job listing.

17. Bookkeeping 

Becoming a bookkeeper can be a great way to learn how to make $2,000 from home.

A bookkeeper is someone whose job is to maintain clean and organized financial records for a business. Some tasks can include sending invoices on your client’s behalf, running payroll for your clients and their team, preparing state tax filings, and helping the client make business decisions for future expenses.

A bookkeeper’s income can vary depending on how many clients they have, how much experience they have, and how much they charge. On the low end, bookkeepers can earn $2,000 a month, while on the high end bookkeepers can earn $16,000 a month. Bookkeepers are in demand. According to the Department of Labor and Statistics, about 200,000 new jobs open in the US for bookkeepers each year.

Here is a free training – How to start a profitable bookkeeping side hustle, that can generate $2,000 to $16,000 a month (part-time)!

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This free training will show you how to start a profitable bookkeeping side-hustle in the next 30 days—even if you have no prior experience!

18. Online tutoring 

An online tutor is a teacher or expert who helps someone in a particular subject through the internet. This is done through video calls on a computer. Online tutors can make between $15 an hour to well over $100 an hour. Tutors are most often in needed in subjects like math, science, and foreign languages.

Many sites are hiring online tutors such as Tutor.com, Varsity Tutors, and Outschool.

19. Sell old electronics 

Before throwing away your old electronics, consider selling them or trading them in.

Best Buy and Amazon both have trade-in programs and many other places are always looking to buy electronics. Electronics that are most easy to sell include smartphones, tablets, laptops, gaming consoles, smartwatches, digital cameras, and e-readers like Kindles.

You can sell electronics on sites like:

  • Decluttr
  • Facebook Marketplace
  • eBay
  • Gazelle

If you want to learn how to make $2,000 in 3 days, I usually recommend finding stuff to sell!

20. Photography 

There are many ways to make money with photography including freelance photography, portraits, real estate, and product photography. You can also sell your photos to stock agencies like Shutterstock or Unsplash if you want to run an online business that makes $2,000.

To get started selling your photography, build an online portfolio of your work. This is going to help you attract new clients and customers. Always keep your customers satisfied and happy as word of mouth makes a big difference in the photography business.

It’s important to market your services on social media and have a professional website so people can get in contact with you easily.

Recommended reading: 18 Ways To Get Paid To Take Pictures

21. Rent a room 

If you have a spare bedroom you’re not using, renting out that spare room is an easy and convenient way to make extra income.

It’s important to do a few things including cleaning and decluttering the room, researching market rates, taking high-quality, well-lit images of the room, and checking local laws to see if it’s legal to rent out a room where you live.

You can potentially rent out your room short-term on sites like Airbnb or find someone who is looking for a room for the long-term. If you find someone renting out a room for the long-term, it’s important to get a security deposit, a contract in place, and references from the renter.

My sister (the owner of this site) has rented out spare rooms in the past, even to me!

22. Rent your car 

Renting your car can be a great way to earn extra income, especially if you’re not driving it that often.

First, you’ll want to check with your insurance to see if you’re allowed to rent out your vehicle. You’ll also need to see if you need a special license to rent your car. Once you have those things dialed down, choose a rental platform.

There are many platforms including Turo, GetAroundUSA, and HyreCar.

23. Work overtime

Working overtime is one of the best ways to make the most money. This is because employers usually pay a higher hourly wage for overtime hours. There are tons of jobs that pay extra for overtime including working as a plumber, pilot, home health aid, electrician, automotive technician, and so many other jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about how to make $2,000.

How to make $2,000 in passive income? 

There are many ways to make $2,000 in passive such as blogging (via affiliate marketing or ad revenue), selling crafts like printables on Etsy, investing in real estate, and renting out your room or car.

How to make $2,000 a week online? 

To make $2,000 a week, you need to make about $285 a day. Breaking it down this way makes the number seem less daunting and more achievable. To make $2,000 a week, you’d need to pick up quite a few freelancing or Craigslist gigs, flip high-profit items, or rent out a room on Airbnb or your car on Turo. Doing multiple things will increase your odds of making $2,000 a week online.

How to make $2,000 per day?

Making $2,000 per day is going to require a lot of work and even then it’s not always possible. After all, $2,000 a day would be $60,000 each month! Working gigs won’t be enough and instead, you’ll have to get lucky by flipping a high-profit item (like real estate) or starting your own business.

How to make $2,000 online?

There are many ways to make $2,000 online, such as with freelancing gigs, blogging, virtual assisting, social media management, and selling crafts on Etsy.

Best ways to make $2,000 – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on the best ways to make $2,000 fast.

Making $2,000 can seem tough at first, but once you start trying out different side hustles and get into a groove, making extra cash gets easier.

Good luck on making $2,000!

Which way do you want to make $2,000?

Recommended reading:

Source: makingsenseofcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

There are quite a few homes throughout Minnesota that can be traced back to the legendary musician.

Paisley Park was Prince’s most famous property, with the 65,000-square-foot complex serving as his home, recording studio, and creative sanctuary.

But there was also his former Lake Riley mansion, his private retreat away from the public eye, plus a sprawling estate on Galpin Boulevard in Shorewood, the Purple Rain house in Minneapolis, and quite a few other, lower-profile properties mostly located around Chanhassen and Minnetonka.

Now, freshly landed on the market is a home that undoubtedly held a very dear place in the artist’s heart: a single-level 4-bedroom home in Golden Valley that Prince built for his mom, Mattie Della Shaw Baker.

Listed for a modest $699,900 with Coldwell Banker Realty’s Andrea Soule, the Golden Valley house has quite a few giveaways that it was once owned by music royalty. And its current owners took extra care in preserving some of the rockstar design elements after learning who the home’s former owner was.

Prince built the Golden Valley house for his mom, Mattie

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

The Purple Rain singer, songwriter, and producer, born Prince Rogers Nelson, purchased the property back in 1985 and demolished the former structure to make way for the 3,231-square-foot home.

He then had the current house custom-built for his mother, jazz singer Mattie Della Shaw, who reportedly lived there with one of his brothers until she died, according to court documents filed in a legal fight against Prince’s estate after his death in April 2016. She passed away in 2002, at the age of 68.

The current owners weren’t aware of the home’s history

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

When current sellers Alatheia Stenvik and Zachary Johnson bought their suburban Minneapolis home in 2020, they had no idea who its famous former owner was — until they signed the purchase agreement.

Nevertheless, the unique design, more reminiscent of music venues rather than suburban homes, drew them to the property. “It had this glamorous vibe to it unlike anything we’d seen before,” owner Alatheia Stenvik told Minneapolis’ Star Tribune. A vibe they sought to protect, even as they proceeded to renovate the 4-bedroom home.

The house retains some of Prince’s design choices

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

“In our changes we didn’t want to take away the glam look it had. We wanted to keep the ambiance and its original style,” the owner said.

So they kept the home’s signature sunken living room — still outfitted with its original chandelier and railings — and the bold, black-and-white kitchen.

But it has quite a few upgrades

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

“Our goal in all of the updates was to make it livable and clean, but we also wanted to keep all the original features of the home,” Stenvik told the Minnesota newspaper.

The couple installed new carpet throughout the house. They also painted the home and invested in some bigger upgrades — that included replacing the roof, gutters, and driveway, and adding a new bedroom in the basement.

Beyond the house’s glamorous past: The Specs

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

Celebrity aspect aside, the home can hold its weight: Spanning 3,231 square feet, it comes with 4 bedrooms, 1 full bath and 2 half-baths, spacious living areas meant for entertaining, and 2 standout fireplaces, all set on a desirable corner lot near shops, restaurants, and a short drive to downtown Minneapolis. It also has a 2-car garage.

The outdoor areas

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

Outside, a catwalk leads to a reinforced deck that can reportedly hold a hot tub. The lot spans 0.49 acres and backs up to a natural buffer by railroad tracks.

See also: Prince’s beach house in the Caribbean finds new owner, changes name to Emara Estate

It’s located in Golden Valley, Minn.

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

Looking to build their own house on a farm, the current owners are ready to pass along the house to someone who can enjoy its many attributes — and great location.

Known for its dense suburban feel, many parks, and award-winning schools, Golden Valley is one of the best places to live in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It’s also a stone’s throw from Minneapolis proper, making for an easy commute.

“A great home with its own unique place in local history”

Photo credit: Matt Sari / Square Feet Floor Plans

“Arriving at the property, the distinctive entrance welcomes you, evoking a sense of anticipation for what lies beyond the doors.”

“Inside, the large open layout, retro design elements like the sunken living room and unique bathroom tile, and catwalk to the deck, create the perfect setting for entertaining,” listing agent Andrea Soule says, before summing it up better than we ever could: “This is a great home with its own unique place in local history.”

Another Prince-owned house is up on Airbnb

Photo credit: Eric Ogden / Airbnb

If you’re not in the market for a new home but would love to walk in Prince’s footprints, Airbnb might have the answer. The vacation rental website has recently introduced Icons, a new category of extraordinary experiences for 2024 that will allow a few lucky travelers to stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house, among other equally desirable accommodations.

More stories

Earth, Wind, and Fire founder Maurice White lived in this Bel Air Ridge home for over 4 decades

Once home to Stevie Wonder, this Beverly Hills compound has views for days

From Jimi Hendrix’s Red House to Janis Joplin’s pink home, we revisit the most iconic rock star houses from the 1960

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Collection accounts are bad for your credit score. These negative marks on your credit report indicate you might not pay your bills on time—or ever, which is why lenders don’t like to see them.

Collection accounts can stay on your credit report for up to 7 years. This makes it harder to get approved for credit during that time. Learning how to remove collections from your credit report can help you clean up your credit history and open better financial doors in the future.

What Are Collection Accounts?

When a lender doesn’t receive payments for a line of credit, they may choose to eventually sell that credit to a debt collection agency to get some of their money back. That line of credit will then be reported to the credit reporting bureaus as a collection account—a collections account for a credit card, personal loan, etc.—and the debt collection agency will then try to collect on that debt for themselves.

For you, that means that if you have a debt in collections you may have the collections agency contacting you to collect on your debt, and your credit score will likely have gone down because of that collections account.

How to Remove Collections from Your Credit Report

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, we need to level with you. Collection accounts aren’t easy to remove. Before you proceed with an action plan, make sure your expectations are realistic. If a collection account on your credit report is accurate and you pay it off, it won’t just disappear. To remove an item completely, you’ll have to negotiate with the debt collection agency and ask for a goodwill removal.

If you have a lot of inaccurate collection accounts on your report, you might need help from a reputable credit repair agency. Credit repair agencies can help navigate credit bureau territory, and they frequently can help consumers understand how to handle trickier situations.

But if you’re committed to a DIY approach to collection removal, the following steps may help you clear up your credit profile.

1. Review Your Credit Report and Validate the Accurate Data

Obtain copies of your credit reports from all three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Each credit bureau has different information about you. Therefore, if you challenge an unsubstantiated collection account on all your credit reports, you’ll have to create disputes with each bureau.

You’re entitled to one free copy of your credit report per bureau each year. To get your credit reports, head to AnnualCreditReport.com. You’ll be able to view all the information on file about you at each agency—but you won’t see your credit scores. To see a quick credit snapshot and your informational credit score, sign up for Credit.com’s free Credit Report Card, too.

Review the items on your credit report to make sure they’re accurate.

  • Do you recognize the listed lenders?
  • Does your account information seem accurate?
  • Are all the items on your report familiar to you?
  • If you fell behind with payments on an account, when did it happen?

With all that information in hand, you’ll be ready to make your next move.

2. Dispute Inaccuracies

Credit bureaus aren’t allowed to report inaccurate or incomplete information. Therefore, if any of the information you see on your credit report is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to challenge the accuracy of that item. When a credit bureau receives a challenge, it has between 30 and 45 days to investigate and confirm—or correct—the information it holds on file about you.

You can dispute inaccuracies online or by sending a letter. If you choose the online route, sign up for a free account with each credit bureau and follow their process for filing an online dispute.

If you choose to send a letter, include all of the following:

  • A copy of your credit report with the inaccurate information circled
  • Identifying information about the inaccurate account, including the account number
  • Why the information is inaccurate
  • What you want the credit bureau to do—remove the information or edit it for accuracy
  • Any backup documentation that illustrates you’re correct in your dispute

3. Send a Pay for Delete Letter

You can’t get accurate information removed from your credit report through a dispute. However, you may be able to get a debt collection agency to remove a collection from your report if you agree to pay the debt.

Here’s how to remove paid collections from your credit report—or at least try to do so:

  • Send a letter to the debt collection agency or ask via phone for this option.
  • If the agency agrees, get the agreement in writing. 
  • Pay the debt
  • Follow up to make sure the debt is removed from your report.

Note that this is a long shot, as many debt collection agencies won’t change accurate information on credit reports. The agency may have an agreement with the credit bureaus not to do so.

4. Pay Down the Collection Accounts

If you can’t get a paid collection account removed from your credit report, it may be a good idea to work on paying it. A collection account that is paid looks less negative on your credit report than an account that’s still open. Therefore, this may earn you a bit of goodwill with future creditors. Plus, a paid collection account may have a smaller impact on your credit score than an unpaid collection account.

5. Ask for Goodwill Deletions

If you have an excellent credit history, you may be able to get the original creditor or collection agency to remove the derogatory mark as a favor or act of “goodwill.” You’ll generally have to pay the collection account off first, though, if you haven’t already done so.

If you have an otherwise blemish-free credit history, go ahead and ask the financial institution for a goodwill deletion. Removal after payment might be against their rules—but goodwill deletions might not be, and it never hurts to ask. You can find goodwill letter templates online to help you communicate with your lender.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Wait and Check Back

Waiting might not be an instant fix, but it’s usually a successful tactic. After seven years, most collection accounts fall off your credit report—so if you’re closing in on seven years, just hang on. The impact on your credit score is probably already lessened. After the collection account disappears, your credit score might improve. 

FAQs

What Are Debt Collection Agencies?

Debt collection agencies are third parties that work to collect old debts. In many cases, they buy old debts from creditors at a fraction of the actual debt value, hoping to collect the debt and make a profit.

For example, say a credit card company has $100,000 in consumer account debt that’s at least 180 days past due. These debts are in default. The credit card company may package this debt and sell it to a debt collection agency for $10,000. The company doesn’t believe it will collect the debt and doesn’t want to spend the money to chase it.

The debt collection agency does chase the debt. Even if the agency collects only $20,000 of the original $100,000, it makes a profit.

What Does It Mean to “Go into Collections”?

If you find out that your debt has gone into collections, it can mean one of several things:

  • Your creditor may have moved the debt from the regular billing department to an internal collections department. This is an escalation that means the creditor may take further action to collect the debt.
  • Your creditor may have hired a third party to collect its old debts and sent your account to them. The creditor still is overseeing the effort, but the third party is handling the collection activity.
  • Your creditor may have sold the debt to a debt collection agency. 

How Does Debt End Up in Collections?

Debt ends up in collections when you fail to pay the debt as agreed. This can happen when you don’t make payments for a period of time. Generally, missing a single payment and catching up won’t mean your debt ends up in collections. Most lenders wait until you’re several months behind before taking action.

Debt also can end up in collections by mistake. Typos, paperwork issues, or lost payments could lead to your debt ending up in collections or a collection being listed on your credit report. This is why it’s important to regularly keep an eye on your credit reports.

Can I Have a Paid Collection Removed from My Credit Report? 

If you pay your collection account off, you might be able to get the collection agency to remove the negative item from your credit report at the same time. Sometimes, collection agencies offer. to remove negative items to sweeten the deal. 

On other occasions, collection agencies claim they can’t remove negative items, even if accounts are fully paid. Lenders and collection agencies often can take this step if they’re willing to, so if you receive a stonewall response, restate your case to the agent’s supervisor or manager.

If you do negotiate to have the account listing removed or modified, make sure you get the agreement in writing. 

How Many Points Can My Credit Score Increase if a Collection Is Deleted?

When collection accounts get removed, credit scores can increase. In other words, as long as collection accounts stay on your credit report, they can hurt your score. 

How much your credit score will go up depends on a number of different interlocking factors. Late payments and collection accounts make up 35% of your FICO score, though, so removing a collection account can often achieve a positive result. 

If you’re not able to get a collection account removed, don’t despair. The older the account gets, the less it’ll affect your score—and after seven years, it’ll likely vanish.

How Long Does It Take for a Paid Collection to Come Off Your Credit Report?

Collection accounts stick around for about seven years after the last payment date on your delinquent account. Remember—every time you make a payment on your collection account, that timer resets, so if you do intend to settle a genuine debt, do so as quickly as possible.

Payments that are 30 or 60 days late won’t generally affect your credit score as much as payments that are more than 90 days past due. If possible, catch up with your payments within a month or two—and certainly before your account goes to collections.

Source: credit.com