Posts for Syndication

Is buying a home your New Years resolution for 2019? Are you unsure where to start? While buying a home can be a complex process, there are steps you can take now so that you’re more prepared when the time comes. Here’s how to get yourself ready (and excited!) to find your dream home in 2019.

Check your credit report

If you’re planning to finance your new home, then you’re going to need to apply for a mortgage. Mortgage lenders rely on your credit report to establish the terms and interest rates for your loan. For this reason, it is imperative that you request a copy of your credit report well before you apply for a loan. You can find out your credit score and take steps to improve it over the coming months. You’ll also see if there are any errors on your report, which will give you time to have them removed.

Pay down your debt

Taking on a mortgage is a big financial responsibility. As much as possible, you should begin paying down your other debt, including car loans and credit card balances. The fewer monthly bills you have to worry about once you’re a homeowner, the better. Decreasing your debt will also improve your credit score, which will net you a better deal on your home loan. In addition, avoid taking out any new debt as you prepare to buy a home.

Save for a down payment

Depending on the type of home loan you qualify for, you’ll need to have anywhere from three to 20 percent of the purchase price of the home saved for a down payment. In addition, you’ll need money for closing costs so it’s best to start saving as early as possible. The larger the down payment you have, the more you’ll be able to spend on a house. Create a savings plan and stick to it.

Determine your budget

Now is also a good time to set a realistic budget for the home you’d like to buy in the New Year. While we all have champagne wishes and caviar dreams, it’s essential that you buy a home you can reasonably afford. There’s nothing worse than stressing out each month about having enough for your mortgage payment. A good rule of thumb is to have approximately 30 percent of your monthly income set aside for housing costs. This includes insurance, taxes, and maintenance so budget accordingly.

Start researching homes

Finally, once you’ve determined how much you can spend on a home, make a list of your needs and wants. Then begin researching neighborhoods and browsing listings. You’ll get a feel for what the market is like in each area and narrow down where you’d like to conduct your search. Get clear on what’s important to you – whether it’s location, number of bedrooms, or whether or not you’ll consider a fixer-upper. The clearer you can be going into the process, the less likely you’ll feel overwhelmed by all your options. The bonus is that it’s fun to begin looking at homes that are available and envisioning what your life will look like as a new homeowner. So have some fun and enjoy the process!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Do you have an annual tradition of exchanging small gifts with your neighbors over the holidays? Or maybe you’ve just moved and you’d like to give gifts as a way to meet your new neighbors? It’s a wonderful way to show your appreciation to the people who call your neighborhood home. If you’re looking for some fun new gift ideas, click here.

Simmering potpourri

If you’re looking for a non-food gift this year, then simmering potpourri is the perfect choice. This is an affordable option that looks beautiful and takes almost no time to make. You can gather all the materials in a pretty box or a mason jar, pop on a bow, and voila! These mixes can be added to water and placed on the stove over low heat for several hours. It will make your neighbors’ homes smell so wonderful and can be used several times. You can make them with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. This includes dried herbs, spices like cinnamon and clove, citrus fruit peels, and cranberries. Check out some great recipes here.

Wrapping paper

Don’t you hate it when you run out of wrapping paper and tape? Be your neighbors’ savior and give wrapping paper as a gift. This is a practical and affordable choice that just about everybody can use. And they’ll be glad you saved them the inevitable weight gain of yet another plate of cookies. If you aren’t sure what holidays your neighbors celebrate, opt for a more general-themed paper. If you want to spend a little more, splurge on some really luxurious handmade papers. If you’d like to score a bargain, hit up the post-holiday sales and buy wrapping paper for next year.

Batteries

Have you ever had a child open a toy that needed batteries – and you didn’t have any? That’s a nightmare scenario. Make sure your neighbors have a stash on hand by gifting them batteries. You can buy batteries in different sizes in bulk, and then divvy them up into smaller gifts. Tie them up with a bow and add a tag, and you will be everyone’s favorite neighbor this year for such a creative and useful gift.

Soap or hand sanitizer

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but it’s also cold and flu season. Help your neighbors ward off the latest bug and stay healthy with a gift of hand soap or hand sanitizer. Buy the soap in a wonderful holiday scent or travel-sized hand sanitizers with holiday themes. Whether you buy soap or sanitizer, you can add a funny label that says “spread cheer, not germs.”

Cookies

Cookies are a traditional holiday gift for a reason – they’re so darn good! And this cookie recipe here will help take your baking skills to a whole new level! You can also purchase cookies at the grocery store or a bakery if you’re short on time. If you want to make them from scratch, there are tons of great cookie recipes online. You can make a pretty presentation by picking up some vintage plates at the thrift store or holiday-themed plates from the dollar store.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Moving can be stressful, and so can the holiday season. If you’re putting the two together, then you may be wondering how you’ll survive. Although moving during the holidays is not an easy task, it can be done without turning you into the Grinch. You may want to hire professional movers like the the pros at House Movers if you’re moving during the most wonderful time of the year, as they will make things much simpler.

Strategize the timing

If you have any wiggle room with your timing, then you can be strategic about it. Try to hold off on moving until the week between Christmas and New Years. That tends to be the least hectic week during the holiday season, and most of your celebrations will be behind you. With a proper plan, you can contact local moving companies ahead of time and compare their rates and services.

Keep one room decorated

Do you love decking the halls? There’s no reason you have to give it up just because you’re moving. While you may not want to unpack every last elf and angel, you should consider decorating one room. This allows you to still enjoy the spirit of the holiday without making too much extra work for yourself. If you need to move any of your normal decor out of the way when you decorate, just go ahead and pack those items up so they’re ready to be moved.

Purge and donate

The holidays are a season of giving, so now is a great time to purge and donate items you no longer need. There’s no reason to drag unused items to your next place. Instead, pack them up and donate them to your favorite charity. It will lighten your load and help out an organization that could use your support.

Consider dining out

If you normally host a big holiday dinner, maybe this is the year to delegate or to dine out. You already have enough on your plate (so to speak) without having to plan and cook for your whole crew. If nobody else is able to host, you can either plan to have dinner at your favorite restaurant or order takeout and eat at home. If you use your special holiday dishes, you can pack them up for moving as soon as you’ve finished cleaning. To really save time and energy, consider using disposable plates and utensils just for this year. Naturblatt sells eco friendly dinnerware products.

Be ready for the weather

We all know how unpredictable the weather can be during the holiday season. Don’t let bad weather derail your moving day. Follow the weather report so you’re prepared the day of the move. Make sure you have all the proper supplies and that everyone has outerwear that will keep them warm and dry. Keep a pot of hot coffee or hot chocolate available at all times so everyone can warm up. Watch out for slippery sidewalks and driveways, and have waterproof materials on hand to cover up any valuable furniture or other items as you unload them from the truck.

Tell Santa

Finally, don’t forget to let Santa know if you’re going to be in your new house before Christmas. Moving is tough on kids, especially in the middle of a school year. Let them write letters to Santa with their new address, and maybe even leave a present from Santa in your new home for the kids to discover the day you move in.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying or selling a home can be an emotional transition. Packing up and leaving one home and then getting settled into another is often disorienting. This can be especially tough during the holidays, which is traditionally a time we associate with enjoying the comforts and familiarity of home. If you’re experiencing a transition this holiday season, take heart. There are many reasons to be thankful for this phase in your life. Here are some tips to help you find your gratitude during your transition.

Resist making comparisons

Teddy Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and nothing could be truer. It’s tempting to compare how this holiday is different from those in the past, but try to resist that urge. Comparison robs you of your happiness and will make your transition more challenging. Focus on the present and find the small joys in each day.

Get out of the house

When you’re in the process of moving, it can get chaotic inside your house. When you get a little too stressed out, give yourself a time out. Get out of the house and do something fun. Go see a movie or have a delicious lunch. If you’re leaving town, drop in on a friend and let them know how much their friendship has meant to you. If you’re getting settled in a new place, take some time to explore your new neighborhood. Everyone deserves a breather, even when there’s work to do. Those boxes will still be there for you to tackle tomorrow.

Appreciate a fresh start

Everyone has different reasons for moving, and they can be both positive and negative. If you’re feeling conflicted or blue about saying goodbye, practice having a positive mindset. Remind yourself that this is an opportunity for a fresh start. Declutter and purge items that no longer serve you. It can be healthy and productive to work through your emotions and appreciate the possibilities that lie ahead.

Stay organized

One of the toughest parts of moving is not knowing where anything is. Whether you’re packing or unpacking, it’s frustrating to not know where basic items are hiding. Be kind to yourself and stay organized. Make sure you have all the supplies you need, and keep them in a central location. Label boxes once they’re packed. Pack an overnight bag that has some comfort items in it so you’ll feel more at home on your first few nights in the new place.

Practice mindfulness

Finally, one of the best ways to stay grounded during a stressful transition is to practice mindfulness. When you’re worried or anxious about what happens next, you rob yourself of the ability to feel joy right now. Mindfulness is a great way to deal with those uncomfortable emotions. Close your eyes and take a few moments to take some deep breaths. Observe your emotions without judgment. Acknowledge something that you’re grateful for at that very moment. It could be your health, the way the light is coming through the window, or your favorite cat resting at your feet.

Although transitions are often stressful – especially during the holidays – you can and will get through them. Try some of the techniques above if you’re facing a tough transition this holiday season.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Are you saving money for a down payment on a house? Then you may be wondering how to get through the holiday season with some money left in your pocket. It can be so easy to overspend this time of year, especially when you want to show your loved ones how much you care about them. Here are some of the best tips we’ve found to save money and still enjoy yourself over the holidays.

Establish guidelines

Does it feel like your shopping list gets longer and longer every year? Are you exchanging gifts with other adults that are about the same value? Maybe it’s time to establish some guidelines. While it’s always fun to give gifts to children, it could be time to eliminate gift-giving among adults. If you feel like others may feel the same way, you can suggest not exchanging gifts this year. You may be surprised by how grateful others are to save the money, effort, and stress.

Set a budget for each person

In addition to whittling down your shopping list, you can also set a budget per person to avoid overspending. Limit a specific dollar amount for each person, and stick to it. Yes, there will always be people who spend more money than you do during the holidays. But don’t feel like you have to keep up with Joneses. Remember – each dollar you save can go towards the money you’re accumulating for a down payment.

Avoid using credit

While it’s easy to pull out that credit card during the holidays if you feel financially overextended, don’t. Not only will you be paying the amount of the gift, you’ll also end up owing extra for interest. If you’re able to pay off the balance in full on your next statement, then using your card isn’t a big deal. If you’re not able to pay it all off immediately, keep the credit cards at home and use your debit card or cash to pay for holiday gifts.

Comparison shop

If you have a specific gift in mind for someone, then take the time to comparison shop. This is especially true for electronics and other gadgets that are sold from multiple retailers. There’s no reason to pay more for the exact same gift you can get cheaper elsewhere. Also check to see if the store has a price-match policy, which may save you the time of heading to another store.

Keep track of your expenses

If you really want to save money, then it’s essential that you keep track of your expenses. Make a list of all the gifts you plan to buy and the budget for each. Then fill in how much you actually spent on the purchase. Seeing the numbers in black and white will help you stay on track.

DIY your gifts

Finally, why not make some of your gifts this holiday season? We give gifts because we want to show people we care. It doesn’t take piles of money to show someone how much you love them. There are so many great ideas online for homemade gifts, including cookies, home décor, and body products. If you have a little extra time and some imagination, you can save a bundle!

Compliments of Virtual Results

The season of giving is upon us. It’s that time of year when we give thanks for what we have and give back to our communities and those in need. But did you know that you could actually use your biggest asset – your home — to give back? Here are five great ways to keep your giving close to home.

Host a solider in your home

We often take it for granted that we can spend the holidays with our families, friends, and loved ones. But those serving in the military are often unable to go home during the holidays. That’s where your home comes in! You can offer to host a soldier or service member in your home during the holidays. The easiest way to find out about what programs are available in your area is to contact your nearest MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) office.

Install a Little Free Library

Another fun way to use your home to give back is to install a Little Free Library. It’s a neighborhood book exchange where everyone is invited to take a book or leave a book. The first Little Free Library was installed in 2009, and since then more than 75,000 have been installed around the world. Anyone can start a Little Free Library. You can build your own or buy a kit online. It’s a fun way to inspire reading and to strengthen your community, one book at a time.

House evacuees

If you are an Airbnb host, then you can donate your home to provide emergency shelter to evacuees. This includes people who are affected by forest fires, flooding, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. By signing up for their Open Homes program, you can indicate if you are able to open your home for free to displaced neighbors and relief workers. You can control how often you open your home and how long guests can stay. It’s a wonderful way to help those in need find a safe and welcoming place to stay while they are rebuilding their lives.

Offer shelter to refugees

Another great way to use your home to help those is need is to house a refugee. Room for Refugees is a network that offers safe, temporary homes for refugees and asylum seekers. It caters specifically to those who are most vulnerable – families, those who are sick, unaccompanied minors, and the elderly. The program began in Scotland in 2002, and the US hosting model is now in development. Check the website for more details about how you can help.

Donate your home to charity

Finally, did you know that you can donate your home to charity? Donating your home is a great source of revenue for a charity, and there are many organizations that accept donated homes as gifts. There are many benefits to homeowners as well, including saving your heirs from paying a large inheritance tax after your death. This is by no means an easy process, and it’s important to discuss your plans both with a lawyer and the organization to which you want to donate your home. But it can be one of the most valuable gifts you ever give.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re moving out of town for work, then you may want to consider working with a relocation specialist. A relocation specialist is a professional who will help you handle all the details of your move so that’s it’s as stress-free as possible. This includes everything from helping you sell your current home to getting you settled in your new place. Let’s take a closer look at what kinds of services a relocation specialist can offer you.

Help you sell your home

If you are a homeowner, a relocation specialist will help you find an agent to sell your home. When you’re dealing with a move that is prompted by a change in your job, you won’t have much free time to handle all the details. The relocation specialist will help ensure that your home gets on the market, and that you have as little paperwork to deal with as possible.

Help you find a new home

In addition to selling your current home, a relocation specialist will help you find a new place to live. Whether you’re buying or renting, they’ll connect you with a qualified agent in the area you’re moving to. This is usually an agent who specializes in working with those who are relocating and who may not know much about the area. In addition, a relocation specialist will help you with the paperwork that will need to be completed during the closing process and answer questions you have about laws and regulations in your new area.

Help you find a moving company and pack

Anyone who has moved before knows that it can be an enormous and stressful job. A relocation specialist will help you find reputable residential movers like keeponmovingco.com, and may even be able to help you get a discount for intermodal drayage shipping. They’ll also help you locate professionals to do your packing and to ship items.

Help you arrange shipping of unusual items

If you’re moving a long distance, especially if it’s out of the country, you’ll need to ship some unusual items. This includes your car and even your pets. Moving across borders with a pet can be a complicated process, and a relocation specialist will help you to navigate it so that your pet is properly cared for.

Help you get settled

Getting set up in a new town or a new country can take some time. A relocation specialist will be able to connect you with local service providers like doctors, accountants, and even babysitters. They’re tapped into a large network of reputable people so that you can get settled into your new life as quickly as possible. They can also arrange tours and provide information about local attractions and amenities.

Help your kids get settled

If you’re moving with kids, it can be especially stressful. That’s why it can be so helpful to work with a relocation specialist. They will help you find the right school for your children and help set up childcare.

As you can see, working with a relocation specialist for a big move can be a huge asset. What’s even better is that it’s unlikely to cost you, as they generally receive fees for their vendor referrals. So if you’re getting ready to relocate for work, it makes sense to use a relocation specialist to help you arrange all the details.

Compliments of Virtual Results

The holiday season is officially here! It’s time to choose one of the top travel options similar to these best escorted tours to Peru in 2023. It’s also that time of year when we all deck the halls and gather together to celebrate. It also happens to be that time of year when you’re more vulnerable to burglars – or even house fires. It’s important to be extra-vigilant during the holidays to protect your home and your family. Here’s what you need to know.

Don’t broadcast your travel plans

Are you heading out of town for the holidays? While you may want to share your excitement with your friends and family on social media, you should keep it under wraps. Don’t post where you are going or when you’ll be gone. Potential thieves are always on the lookout for easy targets. Posting your plans on social media lets them know when your home is most likely to be vacant.

Be aware of package thieves

More and more people are doing their holiday shopping online. That means more package deliveries – and more opportunities for thieves to steal them if they’re delivered while you aren’t home. Try to arrange the delivery date to coincide with a time you’re sure to be around. You could also arrange to have the item shipped to a local store where you can pick it up.

Hide gifts

We know how festive it looks to have all your beautifully-wrapped gifts displayed under your tree. This can be an open invitation to thieves – especially if your tree is right in front of a window. It’s easy to break a window and quickly take off with those pretty packages. Store gifts and other packages away so they can’t be easily stolen.

Let your neighbors know your plans

One of the benefits of getting to know your neighbors is being able to alert them when you go out of town. You can ask your neighbor to keep an eye on your house and let you and the police know about any suspicious activity. In addition, be sure to have your sidewalks and driveways cleaned and your mail picked up or held while you’re away. Letting things pile up is a dead giveaway that nobody is home.

Be safe with your holiday lights

String lights and other décor can add such wonderful ambiance to any holiday setting. Unfortunately, they can also be a fire hazard. December is the worst month for electrical fires, so you should take steps to keep your home safe. Discard old or damaged lights. Turn off all holiday lights when you leave the house. Avoid overloading electrical outlets, which can overheat and start a fire. Hire a local electrician who can provide electrical maintenance services such as inspecting and/or repairing your electrical wiring, outlets and circuit boards.

Stay warm safely

Finally, this is the season where we turn on our furnaces and fire up our fireplaces. Before the cold weather really descends, have your furnace inspected and serviced by HVAC technicians from aslordledhomeservices.com. You may also consider hiring an expert in furnace repair in Kirtland. Clean the air ducts and replace the filters of your air conditioning unit. If you notice damage and dysfunction on your HVAC duct systems, you can contact the JackRabbit Air Conditioning for Duct Replacement in Sunrise. You should also have a professional do routine chimney sweeps before you begin using your chimney for the season. Have fire extinguishers on hand and make sure they are not expired. Check the batteries on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace as needed. They could save your life in an emergency.

Halloween is only a couple of days away. This week is frightening enough by itself without adding scary home-selling mistakes to the list. While it may seem like selling your home is an impossible task with landmines along the way, it doesn’t have to be quite so dramatic or difficult. If you avoid these common mistakes, then you’ll have a less stressful and more successful sale.

Selling before you’re ready

It can be very emotional to say goodbye to a home you’ve loved. If you notice that it’s becoming too difficult, then you may not really be ready to sell. In addition, you should thoroughly examine your finances to determine whether or not you have the money you need to buy another home. This is especially true if you’re planning to upgrade.

Not pricing your home correctly

One of the most costly mistakes of the home-selling process is not pricing your home correctly. If you price your home too high, then it could sit on the market for weeks or months without an offer. The longer your home languishes without an offer, the more difficult it becomes to sell. It’s very easy for home buyers to research comps in your area and they will have an idea of what your home is worth. Save yourself some headaches and price your home appropriately from the start.

Not getting your home show ready

You never get a second chance at a first impression. It is essential that your home makes a great first impression to potential buyers. You must make your home ready for showings before it hits the market. Thoroughly clean and de-clutter. Stage your home so that it’s easy for buyers to see themselves living there. Keep pets away and remove all signs of them – including any lingering pet odors.

Not being honest with disclosures

There are certain disclosures you are required to make to buyers. The guidelines vary from state to state, but a good rule of thumb is to be upfront about potential problems in your home. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it could also save you from a law suit down the line.

Not being open to negotiations

Once your home has been put on the market, you’ll begin receiving offers. It’s important to keep an open mind when it comes these offers. Don’t be too rigid on the selling price. In addition, don’t immediately dismiss lowball offers by not responding to them. Give potential buyers an opportunity to come to a price that is agreeable to both parties. This is also true when it comes to seller concessions. Though it would be amazing to sell for your asking price with no concessions, it may not be reasonable and you could lose out on a good sale.

Not working with a professional

Finally, you could be making a mistake by not working with a professional real estate agent. By working with an agent, you can easily avoid all the scenarios above. An agent who is an expert in your area will know how to price your home, will understand disclosures, and will negotiate on your behalf.

Compliments of Virtual Results

You’ve probably heard of secondhand smoke. But did you know there is such a thing as thirdhand smoke?  It’s the chemical residue that lingers on indoor surfaces as a result of tobacco smoke. If you’ve just purchased a house from a smoker (or you’re a smoker and you’re selling your home), then you’ll want to take steps remove this residue and the smell that it causes. Here’s what you need to know.

The dangers of thirdhand smoke

While the smell of tobacco smoke can be unpleasant, it’s the residue that’s left behind that can cause serious problems. You can become exposed to these chemicals through touch or by breathing them in, and they can be a health hazard to children, adults, and even pets. Unfortunately, this residue can remain even after the smoking has stopped. A study conducted by San Diego State University discovered that even after a home had been cleaned and stood vacant for two months, it still contained the pollutants found in thirdhand smoke.

Smoking affects resale value

Did you know that smoking inside a home can have a negative effect on its value? In fact, Realtor.com concluded that smoking can reduce a home’s resale value by up to 29 percent. Although sellers are not required to disclose if there was smoking in the home, you may be able to detect an odor. You can also ask your home inspector whether they think there was smoking in the house. And if you are genuinely concerned, then ask the seller’s agent. If they’re reputable, then they will give you an honest answer. It’s important to know that getting rid of thirdhand smoke for good may take time, muscle, and considerable expense, since we all know that smoking is really bad for your health, so is better to replace it with a more healthy lifestyle, and replace the need of smoking with other relaxing techniques as Yoga, for this using a URBNFit Exercise Ball is perfect, since make everything more simple.

Start with the HVAC system

Unfortunately, spraying some air freshener and opening the windows isn’t going to eradicate the problem. The smoke has been repeatedly filtered through the home’s HVAC system, which will require a thorough cleaning. Hire a professional to clean the air ducts and replace the filter on the HVAC unit. In fact, consider replacing the air filter once a month until the problem is under control. You should also clean the evaporator coil. If these steps don’t help with the smell, you may need to replace the whole system. Visit expert’s websites like https://burichvac.com/emergency-ac-service/ to see if they service your area.

Thoroughly clean the whole house

When battling thirdhand smoke, it’s essential to thoroughly clean the entire house. This includes:

• Changing lightbultbs, since the polluted dust on them will be activated with heat.
• Washing the smoky film off of windows and blinds.
• Washing walls and especially ceilings where the smoke tends to stick the most.
• Painting over walls and ceilings once they are clean. Be sure to use a primer that will seal in the odor so it does not seep through the new layers of paint.
• Professionally steam-cleaning carpets, or replacing them entirely.
• Cleaning air ducts and HVAC units. Visit www.hearnph.com/hvac-services-in-mentor-oh/ and see if they cater to your location.
• Thoroughly cleaning all wood and tile floors, being sure to vacuum up all the dust in the corners.
• Washing all drapes and curtains, or replacing them.
• Using a dehumidifier during muggy weather.
• Using an air purifier in the house.

However, if you’re looking for a medical grade air purifier this website has all the information you need. Although you shouldn’t necessarily rule out buying a smoker’s house, you do need to be aware of the issues that it can cause. Weigh the health risks and consider the time and money that you’ll need to spend to get rid of the odor and residue for good. Only then will you be able to make an informed decision.

Compliments of Virtual Results