Cathie Ericson

Building a life together is the most exciting part of entering a committed relationship, but it can also be the most challenging financially. Combining finances, focusing on joint goals and even just figuring out the paperwork can feel daunting — and that can be especially true for LGBTQ+ couples.
While LGBTQ+ couples have many of the same needs as all couples, when it comes to financial planning, there are some real differences worth considering. Here are five financial planning steps for LG...

Renting out a house can be an option when you’ve got to move but you aren’t quite sure if it’s time to sell. Sure, many homeowners who need to move decide to sell their current home so they can have plenty of cash to buy their next digs.
Owning rental property, after all, brings in predictable, long-term income. But make no mistake, backing into a landlord role comes with some hefty responsibilities—and no small amount of headaches.
Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you decide w...

Curious to learn more about how to make money in real estate? Are you itching to invest? We don’t blame you—real estate can be a solid investment as part of an overall portfolio, and a great way to ramp up cash flow.
But what’s the best way to invest in real estate—without too much risk? There are two main real estate investing strategies: Fix and flip, or buy and lease out your real estate purchases.
Real estate can be an exciting avenue to significant dividends. Hopeful landlords, though, s...

I was the requested writer for a suite of sponsored content on various markets for Sotheby's International Realty

Getting ready to sell your house? Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work because there are tons of things to do before listing your home!
Selling a home, after all, entails a whole lot more than just planting a “For Sale” sign on your front lawn or uploading a few random photos of your place—especially if you’re angling for the most cash. (And, honestly, who isn’t?) That’s why we put together the ultimate checklist for selling a house.
Things to do before selling your house
So...

While the majority of corporate America struggles to entice workers back to the workplace, Nuveen Real Estate sees an incredible opportunity in the alternative workplace sector, which includes medical office, life science, technology R&D, studio production space, and mixed-use.
As early adopters—Nuveen Real Estate first invested in life sciences in 2015 and was one of the largest buyers of medical offices in 2021—the firm has built a strong portfolio in the space and believes it will be a hig...

Higher education institutions are uniquely positioned to develop individuals who will improve society with their abilities to think critically and solve complex problems. And while their overarching missions vary, most institutions would agree a key role is to help prepare graduates for professional success by ensuring they have the essential competencies they need to flourish. Setting students up for success in the workforce goes beyond conferring a degree, certificate, or other academic cre...

Staffing has become a nationwide crisis. Ask any retail executive what their No. 1 stress point is today, and they will tell you finding the right people to fill key positions is a serious concern. In fact, a recent study from Deloitte indicates 70% of retail executives worry labor deficits will hinder their growth, with nearly three-quarters saying they expect the main staff shortage to be in customer-facing positions.
By embracing digital solutions supported by fast connectivity and signifi...

If you have a personalized financial plan, congratulations — you’re already working toward your goals.
But just like many things in life, your financial plan isn’t set in stone. That’s why the best plans include a range of financial options that give you the financial flexibility to pivot as your life evolves.
So when does it make sense to revisit your financial plan? What kinds of events in your life might spark a conversation with an advisor? Here are a few examples of when you may need to ...

Before 2020, remote work situations were hardly common, with 57 percent of working Americans saying they rarely or never worked from home prior to the pandemic. Two years later, as many companies have begun to nail down their return-to-office plans, the majority of employees (58 percent) have found that they prefer a full-time remote position.
Whether you’re hoping to negotiate a permanent work-from-home situation with your current employer or intend to find a new role that’s fully remote, th...

Welcome back, New York. Simply put, people want to be in New York City. Just ask Marcus & Millichap – This past year, the brokerage firm has seen an unprecedented increase in NYC transactions from both the buy-side and sell-side, and does not expect the activity to cool off anytime soon.
“The period of time we just went through and are coming out of, the transition from the first quarter to the second quarter especially, drove a large number of buyers back into the market after being dormant ...