Saving up for a down payment is probably the biggest challenge, especially for first time home buyers, but closing costs also need to be addressed. Here are three ways buyers can reduce or eliminate these costs.The first way is to have your lender quote you an interest rate that provides a lender credit toward your closing costs. When your lende...
ReuseBefore you start buying new furniture, bedding, and fixtures that will quickly eat through your budget, start by taking an inventory of what you already have. Think about ways that things can be reused. Simple furniture pieces can be painted or even just have the hardware changed out that will change the way a piece looks.Many types of furn...
Wersquo;re talking about those who show up at your door unannounced with an offer to check out your roof or repair/replace it for a price that seems too good to be true, and then run off with your money without fixing anythingmdash;or doing a shoddy job.ldquo;Some of the most unbelievable home improvement rip-offs come from scam-artists disguise...
An energy audit of your home is often the best option for evaluating your homersquo;s insulation and the efficiency of your major appliances, and your local utility companies can often arrange such an audit for you. However, note some vital information about new thermal windows and other energy-saving features in the home so that you can make th...
Migration to Austin has skyrocketed over the last decade; according to MagnifyMoney, ldquo;60 of the cityrsquo;s current residents moved here since 2010.rdquo; That increase in population has put pressure on housing, resulting in diminishing inventory and skyrocketing home prices. Yet, still they come. At a rate of nearly 150 people per daySo wh...
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Mr. Clean Magic ErasersDirty baseboards. Scuff marks on sneakers. Crayon or pen on painted walls. Shower scum. What do they all have in common? They can be cleaned with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Theyrsquo;re good in a pinch and also as a regular addition to your cleaning regime, so do like we do and buy them in bulkDryer SheetsThe sheet that kee...
Canadian real estate markets have generally cooled down during the last year, but there are always popular neighborhoods where bidding wars between buyers end up frustrating potential homeowners.Recently the Ontario Real Estate Association OREA called on the provincial government to outlaw the practice of ldquo;bully offersrdquo;, also known as ...
What does it mean to be on the board? You have made a commitment that you will serve the HOArsquo;s interests to the best of your ability, be fair on matters that come before the board, will do your best to preserve and enhance the values of the common areas and that you will spend money in a prudent manner. Being a director also means that you ...
Today, loans are preapproved with an Automated Underwriting System, or AUS. When someone fills out an online application, the digital file is downloaded by the lender, reviewed and then entered into the AUS. This process is a rapid one, as the ldquo;findingsrdquo; of the submission are returned within a matter of moments. This speeds up the loan...
Make Minor RepairsOne of the easiest and affordable things that you could do to improve the overall curb appeal of your home would be to make minor repairs to your property. If you have some past due maintenance needs or other repairs, making these repairs before you list your home for sale would be a great option. Any past due maintenance and r...
Location Location LocationBe sure to look into the local school district. If you have children, it goes without saying that the quality of the school is key to your childs educational experience. The school evaluation, however, also includes the quality of the grounds and facilities. This is a major structure in the neighborhood and its conditio...
You have your dream house and it even has a nice backyard, yet you arenrsquo;t quite sure how to make your backyard stand out. Yoursquo;ve thrown around a couple of ideas but none of them have really stuck. This is normal and it takes some time to figure out what you want to do to make your backyard a place of refuge and enjoyment. Depending on ...
When buyers attend an open house or view a listed property with a real estate professional, itrsquo;s what buyers donrsquo;t see that may be most important.When buyers >To start with, itrsquo;s essential to view listed properties with a professional who is working for you, not the seller. At first meeting with a real estate professional, and bef...
Of course, itrsquo;s not exactly passive income. Yoursquo;ll probably be managing renters, hiring yard care and cleaning, and taking care of repairs. Even if you hire a management company, you still need to ensure that these responsibilities are covered.Itrsquo;s also important to make sure the investment property you choose sets you up for succ...
Have Big Projects Done FirstFeeling comfy and cozy is all but impossible when there are major renovations to be done that may leave sections of the house blocked off and covered in sawdust, so get these done first. That includes knocking down walls for an open floorplan, replacing old flooring or remodeling entire kitchens and bathrooms. In fact...
Conflict caused by concealing the truth, bending others to your will, or seeking revenge is clearly counter productive. But conflict can also be fueled by good intentions in a desire to be understood, loved, respected, or vindicated.Conflict can arouse different kinds of responses. One response is to run, hide or deny the problem exists. Another...
This Is Us. Jane the Virgin. Black-ish. What do they have in common? They are all family television programs that have members of multiple generations living under one roof. But the reality of multi-generational living is more than storyline fodder.According to the 2019 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report by the National Association...
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