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An important part of buying a house is getting your financial life in order. One reason is that the higher your credit score, the better rate you’ll secure for your mortgage. Mortgage lenders look at your credit score to determine how smart and diligent you are about debt management, which could indicate how disciplined you’ll be about making your mortgage payments on time.

If you’re preparing to buy a home, here are some things you’ll want to avoid that can negatively impact your credit score.

Not checking your credit report

Preparing to buy a home means you need to check your credit report. Around 25 percent of credit reports contain errors, which can negatively impact your credit score. You can check your report for free every year. If you find any mistakes, including an address or credit card that isn’t yours, you should take the necessary steps to have the error corrected.

Making late payments

Think it doesn’t matter whether or not you pay your bills on time? Think again. Your payment history is a significant factor in determining your credit score. The more often you make late payments, the lower your score will be. If you find yourself behind on a payment, call the customer service department. In some cases they will give you a goodwill adjustment or delete the incident from your history if it was the first time.

Closing an old account

While paying off and closing an old credit card seems like it would be a good idea, it’s not advisable to do it before you apply for a mortgage. Closing old accounts can decrease your credit history while increasing how much of your available credit you’re using. Avoid closing your oldest card if at all possible.

Not paying your taxes

If you rack up unpaid state and federal taxes, it can damage your credit for up to 15 years – not a great idea if you’re hoping to buy a home. In addition, tax liens that are paid remain on your report for seven years. Pay those taxes, folks.

Financing a major purchase

If you’re getting your finances in order to buy a home, avoid using credit to finance a major purchase such as a car, appliance or vacation. Up to a third of your credit score is influenced by how much debt you carry and affects your debt-to-income utilization ratio. The more debt you take on, the lower your credit score will be.

Not paying parking tickets or library fines

This may come as a shock, but that $4.25 you owe the library can actually harm your credit score. And if you’re sitting on parking tickets, get those paid off as well. More and more local governments are reporting these types of unpaid fees to collection agencies, which will then show up on your credit report, negatively affecting your score.

In the end, being responsible about your purchases, making your payments on time, settling debts and being diligent about spotting errors are the best ways to make sure your credit score is as high as it can be.

Compliments of Virtual Results

One of the frustrations you may encounter when selling your home is dealing with people who may not be serious about buying. Perhaps they’re just testing the waters of the market or daydreaming about one day owning a home when they walk into your open house. You can save yourself a lot of annoyance by learning how to spot the serious buyers.

They’re preapproved for a mortgage

The one thing all serious buyers know is that they need to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking for a home in earnest. That preapproval from a lender is a signal to sellers that says they’re ready – and able – to move forward with an offer. They’ve taken the time to be vetted by a lender and they’re financially capable of purchasing a home. Any potential buyers who have not yet been preapproved for a mortgage should move behind those on your list who have.

They’re looking at homes that match their wish list

Perhaps a potential buyer comes along that is looking for a home in a certain price range and yours fits the bill. But you learn that they are really hoping for a home in a suburban community that is close to amenities, while your home is a rural property on the outskirts of town. If your home doesn’t hit the marks on a buyer’s wish list, it’s likely they aren’t serious about it.

They’re more likely to be judgmental

Buyers who aren’t too serious about putting in an offer on your home are more likely to be polite and friendly when taking a tour. But those who are a little more reserved or point out various flaws? It’s more likely they’re the ones who are actually thinking seriously about your home. Don’t let their poker faces throw you off. Most buyers know or have been coached by their agent to refrain from displaying an emotional response to your home.

They return for a second or third look

Those buyers who come back for a second or even a third look at your home? Those are the people who are the most interested and probably the most likely to put in an offer. Those who are just browsing will not take the time to come back for another look.

They make possessive comments

Seasoned real estate agents are attuned to what potential buyers are saying about your home, and there are certain types of comments that can provide clues that a buyer is serious. If they make remarks about how a piece of their furniture will fit in a room or how nice one of their rugs will look in the living room, they are already envisioning themselves living in the space.

They’ve been looking for awhile

Buyers that are at the beginning of the process looking at their first homes probably aren’t quite ready to pull the trigger and put in an offer without looking at other homes first for comparison. The further the buyer is into the process, the more likely they are serious. This is especially true if they are up against any deadlines, like the beginning of a new job or the start of the school year.

Selling your home can be an emotional and complex process, but learning to spot serious buyers can save you time and heartache in the end.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Do you have dreams of bringing home a new best friend, but you think your place is just too small? Do you wish you could have a Saint Bernard, but know that he might not fit in your 500 square foot condo? Is your son begging you for a pet boa constrictor, but you’re just not sure you can sleep in your own house, knowing that snake is in the next room?

If you’ve been wishing for a pet to call your own, but afraid your home is too small, we’re here to put your fears to rest. These pets are perfect for those of you who are big on love but short on square footage.

Hermit Crabs

If you long to revisit your childhood days at the shore, why not get yourself a hermit crab? Sold as living reminders of your vacation from many a seaside souvenir shop, hermit crabs actually make great pets, as they’re quite social. They do require just the right environment and the appropriate diet, but are otherwise low maintenance. Treat them right, and they could become a lifelong companion, as evidenced by this 40-year-old hermit crab known as Jonathan Livingston Crab.

Fancy Rodents

Longing for something cute and furry? How about a fancy rodent like a hamster, guinea pig or rat? Before you curl your lips in revulsion at the thought of having a pet rat, they are highly intelligent and can be taught tricks, which could be really fun to demonstrate at your next party. If you live alone and tend to get a little lonely, guinea pigs are known to be talkative, with a large vocabulary of whines, squeaks and clicks. They make great conservation partners.

Pygmy Hedgehogs

If you’re looking to increase your followers on Instagram, then a photogenic pygmy hedgehog is just the ticket. Purchase a hedgehog from a reputable breeder and handle them regularly while they’re still young so they get used to it. They also don’t seem to mind being alone, which is a bonus.

Rabbits

Rabbits can make a great alternative to a cat or dog, if you want something fluffy to love. Rabbits are friendly and social and can be great companions to humans, with lifespans of up to 10 years. Rabbits do require far more care than some of the pets mentioned above, and aren’t a great match for families with young children. It’s also important to remember the time commitment – far too many rabbits end up in shelters after being given as gifts during Easter.

Birds

Small birds, such as parakeets, finches and cockatiels can make excellent, if noisy, pets with minimal needs outside of a cage, toys and human interaction. Large birds, like parrots and macaws, are undeniably fabulous, but require expert care. If you decide to adopt a feathered friend, it’s best to get a small one unless you are an experienced bird keeper.

So there you have it! If you’d like to welcome a pet into your life, but traditional pets like dogs or cats won’t work in your space, try one of the suggestions above. You never know what kind of creature may end up stealing your heart and working perfectly in your small home. If you really want a dog, though, you may consider a border terrier. You can do a research on border terrier temperament first to find out if it’s the right breed for you.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re buying a home, you are going to come across this word many times during the process – escrow. If you’re a first time homebuyer, you may have no idea what it means. Even if you have bought a home in the past, escrow may still be something you find confusing. Although it can be a scary-sounding word, it’s not nearly as worrisome as it sounds.

What is escrow?

First of all, let’s define what escrow actually is. To put it simply, escrow is a financial arrangement where an impartial third party holds something of value in a transaction between two other parties. In this case, the “something of value” is usually a buyer’s earnest money check, which would be written when an offer is placed on a home. The check remains in escrow while the terms of the deal are negotiated, and neither the buyer nor the seller can access it.

See? Not so scary.

Who manages escrow?

An escrow agent or officer is the person who maintains an escrow account. The agent can be a person from the closing company, a title company agent or even an attorney. Basically, the escrow agent acts like a gatekeeper, managing what comes in and goes out of the account. It is their job to make sure that all the instructions that were agreed upon between the buyer and seller are carried out.

How does escrow work?

The main purpose of escrow is to protect all parties by making sure that all conditions of an agreement have been met before any money or property changes hands. As each step of the closing process is completed, paperwork and documents are filed with the escrow agent. This could include documentation that repairs have been made, reports from the home inspection, and paperwork regarding other tasks that were agreed to by both parties. Once each step is completed, either the buyer or seller signs a contingency release form so that the transaction can move forward to the next step.

How does escrow protect both buyers and sellers?

Escrow is an arrangement that is created to protect both parties involved in the sale of a home. Escrow protects buyers by making sure sellers don’t receive any money until all aspects of the deal have been satisfied, including needed repairs that were agreed upon. On the flipside, escrow protects sellers in case buyers decide to back out of the deal without a legitimate reason. In this case, the sellers would be entitled to keep the earnest money check that comes from the buyers when the offer was made – typically, one to two percent of the purchase price.

What is “closing of escrow?”

At the end of the process, you will no doubt hear someone talk about “closing of escrow.” This happens when all of the conditions of the transaction are completed, the purchase of the home is finalized, and the money is properly disbursed. The escrow agent then clears or records the title, giving the buyers official ownership. Buyers and sellers will then receive a final closing statement in the mail. Check over any documents you receive to make sure they are correct, and contact your agent if you see any errors.

While buying a home can be a little scary – especially when you hear words or terms you’ve never heard before – don’t let the concept of escrow scare you. As you can see, it’s a straightforward process that protects all the parties involved with the sale of a home.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Witches and goblins and ghosts, oh my! It’s almost time to hit the store and stock up on candy and treats for the neighborhood kids. Halloween trick-or-treating is one of the most exciting nights of the year for kids (and even some adults). And while the holiday puts an emphasis on fun, homeowners should take some time before the big event to make sure that the evening is safe, too. Here are our tips to make sure your evening goes off without a hitch.

Clean up the yard

Halloween is good motivation to get all those dead leaves cleaned up in the yard. Kids are very excited on Halloween. Fueled by sugar, they race from house to house, eager for the next treat. It’s dark, and their vision may be hampered by a costume or mask, so it’s essential that you remove anything that could trip them up. This is especially true if you think they may cut through your yard on the way to the next house.

Light it up

While complete darkness no doubt adds to the scariness factor, it’s important to have enough light so people can see where they are going. Keep your porch light on so trick-or-treaters know that you’re giving out candy, and make sure they can clearly see the path to your front door. Light it up with some spooky lights if you need to – just make sure they’re tucked away so nobody trips on them.

Avoid fire

While candles are the traditional method for lighting up those spooky jack o’ lanterns, they’re not the safest choice. Instead, opt for some electric candles or even glow sticks to put inside pumpkins or other luminaries.

Keep pets away

Yes, that spider costume you got for your pet pooch is awesome, but it’s not a great idea to have your dogs or other pets out on Halloween night. Even if your pet is super friendly, it can get chaotic with kids constantly coming to the door, which could affect your pet in unforeseen ways. And you never know which kids might be scared of your pet, no matter how cuddly you think he is.

Avoid dangerous gags

A scary-looking scarecrow set up in your yard is a great gag for spooking kids. Just don’t give him a real pitchfork to hold – you never know what might happen. Instead, opt for gags that use harmless materials like rubber or plastic.

Set your alarm

Will you be away from home on Halloween? Don’t forget to set your alarm. It is one of the busiest nights for burglaries and vandalism, so you’ll want to be sure you’re protected. It’s also a good idea to let the neighbors know you’ll be away from home, so they can keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior.

Check your insurance coverage

Whenever you have guests over, even if it’s just kids going from door to door looking for some free candy, you open yourself up to liability. Check your homeowner’s insurance to make sure that you are adequately covered in the case of an accident.

By following the tips above, you’ll be sure to have a spooktacular night of trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Can you feel the chill in the air? Well, maybe not quite yet, but it’s coming. Fall is here, according to the calendar, and it’s time to cozy up your home for those crisp autumn days and nights that are just around the corner. Here are some of our favorite tips such as installing a shingle roof to make your home cozy this season.

Get the fireplace ready

If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, now is the time to prep it for the cold weather. Nothing is more inviting or cozy than snuggling up to a warm fire. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have it professionally cleaned and inspected before you fire it up for the season. For gas fireplaces, it’s also a good idea to have it checked for leaks.

Improving your home insulation is also recommended to keep heat inside and maintain that cozy temperature. It can make quite a difference in how your home retains heat and keeps the cold out, so you’ll be saving money on heating as a result.

Hang heavier curtains

It’s so nice to have light, breezy curtains up during the summer months, but as colder weather approaches it’s a good idea to switch them out for something a little more substantial. Consider thicker fabrics that add more insulation, and go bold with a rich, warm color or pattern.

Change the bedding

As with the curtains, it’s now time to switch out your light cotton sheets and lightweight comforter for fabrics that will provide more warmth. Choose flannel sheets for maximum coziness and add an additional blanket for another layer of insulation by the http://www.oceansevenroofing.com/studio-city-spray-foam-insulation/ team. A luxurious throw blanket at the foot of the bed will make those weekend naps even more decadent and cozy.

Add blankets and throws

Evenings on the couch while watching your favorite show on TV are even better when nestled under a cozy blanket. Drape your favorite blankets and throws on couches and chairs within easy reach, or consider putting them on display by hanging them on a rustic ladder leaned against the wall.

Fill the air with seasonal scents

It’s finally time to bust out the pumpkin spice candles! Nothing says “festive fall” more than a warmly scented candle or two placed around your home. Take it a step further and bake a fresh loaf of pumpkin spice bread to fill your house with the heavenly aromas of the season. You can even make your own simmering potpourri to place on the stove on a chilly afternoon.

Add romantic lighting

Along with candles and the rosy glow from the fireplace, you can create a cozy ambiance with string lights hung around your home. So many different types of lights are now available that will blend with nearly any décor, and there are nearly endless ways to use them in your space. Add them to a corner plant like a fiddle leaf fig tree, or string them over your bed for a romantic effect.

Make the patio cold-weather ready

There’s no reason you can’t extend the time you use your patio into the cooler months. Add lightweight throws over the backs of chairs when you want to dine al fresco on a cool evening, and consider adding a patio heater to your outdoor space.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Are you thinking about buying a fixer-upper? Or maybe you’re finally ready to move forward with a home and kitchen remodeling project? Whatever your plans, it’s good to know what to expect before you begin. Deciding upon a kitchen remodeling plan results in an important change to any home, so make sure to always ask the help of some experts like kitchen remodelers Waukesha to do the job!

In home remodeling, Pursuant to the Michigan No-Fault Act, you may be entitled to have home modifications paid for by your insurance company to make your home more accessible for the injured person.

Home remodeling projects can be complex and sometimes its seems the end is never in sight. But if you go into the process armed with knowledge, it will be much less stressful for you and your family, to make it easier for you to handle we recommend to check the Omaha basement finishing contractors services at the link. Here are the major stages you can expect to move through on your way to a completed project.

Stage 1 –Planning

The key to a successful home remodeling project is to stay organized. This means having a firm plan in place before you begin. Planning includes:

• Design – Make decisions before you begin about what your project is going to be and what the details of the design are. If you are hiring professionals, they will provide architectural plans. If you are completing the project by yourself, you should at least try to sketch out your ideas onto paper so that everyone involved is on the same page before you begin.
• Budget – Before you begin tearing down walls, decide what your budget for the project will be, and how you will stay within that budget. Be sure to include all the appropriate costs, such as new appliances and construction materials, and even new paint or wallpaper.
• Prepare – If you’re hiring professionals, research and interview contractors. Apply for and secure any permits that are needed to complete the renovation.

Stage 2 – Demolition

Once your preparations are complete, it’s time to move on to the next phase – demolition. During this stage, you or your contractors will be ripping out anything that needs to be removed and replaced. This can include walls, ceilings, cabinets, windows and floors. If you feel comfortable doing this yourself, you can save some money. If not, leave it to the pros – especially if any areas being demolished contain asbestos or lead-based paint.

Stage 3 – Construction

Depending on how large your project is, you may need to temporarily relocate during this phase of the remodel, especially if you’ll be without water or electricity for any length of time. Some of the work that is completed during this stage can include:

• Creating framing for new walls
• Adding beams to support new weight
• Putting in new doors or windows
• Installing electrical, plumbing and HVAC
• Adding insulation and hanging drywall
• Installing new flooring
• Adding finish work such as paint, wallpaper and other finishes
• Adding new exterior siding and gutter

Stage 4 – Cleaning Up

Once construction is complete, you may think you’re finished. But wait! There’s one more important step before you’re done and that’s cleaning up. You can expect the contractors you hire to do some basic cleaning, but to make your home truly livable and beautiful again, you’ll need to get in there and really clean. This includes removing all the dust and debris that has accumulated.

Once your cleaning is complete, it’s time to move back in. This is the fun part, where the renovations you’ve been dreaming about are finally a reality. Enjoy unpacking and moving into your freshly remodeled space!

Compliments of Virtual Results

Have you ever heard of a pocket neighborhood? The term was first coined in 1995 by the architect Ross Chapin and refers to a small group of homes that face each other and share a common space. It promotes the idea of building community and establishing ties to your neighbors in a way that traditional neighborhoods do not.

How is a pocket neighborhood different than a traditional neighborhood?

Pocket neighborhoods are quite a bit different than the traditional planned communities we’ve become accustomed to in the past few decades. Instead of encompassing a large area with perhaps dozens of home, a pocket neighborhood is like a smaller neighborhood within that space. It generally includes just a handful of houses around a shared space such as a garden, a pedestrian walkway or a reclaimed alley.

How does a pocket neighborhood promote community?

In most traditional neighborhoods, a sense of privacy is maintained from house to house. Not so in a pocket neighborhood. Since everyone has a stake in the shared space, a greater sense of community is inspired. You’re more likely to know who lives in each of the homes in your small area, and that sense of being in it together gives children more freedom to play. Neighbors keep an eye on each other, and it’s more noticeable when strangers are in the area.

Why is the shared space so important?

An essential component of a pocket neighborhood is the shared common space. Often, this is a garden or green space, and all of the homes are tasked with its upkeep. In more urban areas, the shared space could be a pedestrian walkway or even an alley, but the concept remains the same – all the residents are invested in the upkeep of the shared space. The space has clearly-defined boundaries that allows neighbors the opportunity to get to know one another, and makes for a safe environment for kids to play, specially if you add a playhouse like this little chalet diy playhouse for sale.

How are pocket neighborhoods designed?

These types of neighborhoods are expressly designed to promote interaction. Each neighborhood contains a limited number of homes, and each faces the common area, instead of away from it. Homes are generally on the smaller side, although pocket neighborhoods still work well in affluent neighborhoods with larger homes. The homes themselves are designed to maintain privacy, but the layout of the neighborhood itself is intended to inspire people to get out and interact with one another.

Is a pocket neighborhood right for you?

Pocket neighborhoods are great for people who are retired, families with children, singles who don’t want to feel isolated and anyone who desires to feel part of a community. Retirees or senior citizens may look for senior apartment complexes or Retirement Senior Living Apartments like Summerfield Memory Care of Fresno living options or senior living services in CA to be a part of a community. If privacy is your main concern, a pocket neighborhood may not be the best choice for you. But if you want to feel more connected in an increasingly disconnected world, a pocket neighborhood is an excellent choice.

Where can I learn more about pocket neighborhoods?

The website Pocket Neighborhoods has great information about what a pocket neighborhood is and how it benefits our communities. Ross Chapin’s book Pocket Neighborhoods is also a great resource. Of course, you can also contact a trusted real estate agent to talk to about the opportunities for pocket neighborhood living in your own community.

Whether it’s the thrill of the hunt or the satisfaction of scoring a real bargain, thrift stores can be the most exciting places to find interesting and one-of-a-kind décor for your home. There are some tricks, though, to finding those treasures at your local Goodwill or church resale shop. Here are our best tips for transforming your home with ordinary thrift store items.

Have fun exploring

When you visit a thrift store, it’s best not to be looking for a very specific item – like an orange mid-century sofa, for example. Chances are you’ll be disappointed. Instead, think of it like a treasure hunt. Explore what they have to offer and use your imagination to discover new uses for old items.

Start small

If you’re new to the thrift store game, start small and build up from there. While you may have a huge project in mind involving a dresser and chalkboard paint, try experimenting first on smaller pieces – like an old frame that can be transformed into a shabby chic chalkboard for your kitchen.

Visit often

You really never know what you’re going to find on each trip, and merchandise changes every day at most stores. If you go often, you’re more likely to find interesting items that you just can’t live without.

Beware of hoarding

On the flip side of visiting the stores often, you do want to beware of crossing the line from collector to hoarder. It can be easy to imagine transforming an object into a work of art, but if it’s more likely to sit in your garage for the next five years unfinished, then skip it. If you’re already a hoarder but want to change, hire Hoarding Sanitation Cleanup services.

Use your imagination

Many of the items have landed in the thrift store because their former owners deemed them ugly or outdated. So it pays to have a little imagination when you walk in the doors. Yes, that owl figurine looks like it just flew in from 1977, but with a coat of white paint, it’ll look like you just swooped it off the shelf from Anthropologie – and at a much better price.

Items to look for

It can be overwhelming to step inside some thrift stores because there’s just so much stuff! But there are certain items that are the best deals. Keep your eye out for:

• Trunks and old suitcases – great for storage or for stacking as a side table.
• Lamps – can easily be painted or given a new shade for a fraction of what you’d spend at a retail store.
• Artwork and frames – great for making a gallery wall, especially if you spray paint all the frames the same color.
• Dishes – if you like a rustic, mismatched look then the thrift store is a great place to pick up really interesting dishes.
• Furniture with good bones – maybe those dining chairs have outdated upholstery or that desk is a hideous color, but those are cosmetic issues that can be changed. Look for sturdy construction that stands the test of time.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make in your life (if not the biggest). It’s understandable and normal to feel worry and doubt about whether you’re making the right decision. Chances are, you’ll look at several homes that will feel almost perfect – they’re very close to what you set out to find, but missing one or two of the features you’d really like to have.

So how do you know if you should buy that almost perfect home? Ask yourself these questions.

Can you wait?

Is your upcoming move part of relocating for work? Do you need to be in your new house before the school year begins? A time-sensitive move can inform whether or not you need to settle on a home that isn’t quite perfect. If you don’t have much time to spare, you’ll need to decide between the homes that are currently on the market in your price range. If you can wait, then you can hold out to see if a home that’s closer to your dream home becomes available.

Is the missing feature a deal-breaker?

During the home-buying process, it’s important to clearly understand exactly what it is you’re looking for. You should create a list of what you need to have in a home and a list of what you’d like to have in a home – a kind of “wish list.” It’s important to know the difference between the two. Maybe you have your heart set on a home with a wood-burning fireplace, but is it really a deal-breaker if you find a home that has everything but that? Decide what you truly need and be willing to compromise on some of your wish-list items. Otherwise, you may be waiting a long time for the perfect home to materialize.

Can you make changes down the line?

Maybe you’ve found a home in a great neighborhood with the perfect number of bedrooms, but it’s a little dated inside. Or perhaps the yard doesn’t look as nice as it could. Or maybe you were really hoping for a swimming pool, but the home you’re considering doesn’t have one. When confronted with these situations, it’s important to think about whether or not these are changes that you can tackle after you move in. Can you do a little re-decorating inside? Is the feature that’s missing something that can be added down the line, like new landscaping or a pool? If the home has good bones, then it may be worth buying the almost perfect house that can be updated after you move in.

Is your “perfect” home affordable?

While it’s easy to caught up in the emotions of buying a home, it’s important to remember that this is an investment you’ll be making payments on for years. Have you honestly considered how much you would have to spend to get your perfect dream home, and is it realistically in your budget? Or will making those mortgage payments every month put a real strain on your finances? If that perfect home is outside of your financial reach, then in the long run you’ll be happier that you found a way to love the almost perfect home that leaves you enough money to take family vacations or send the kids to private school.

In the end, only you know whether or not the almost perfect house is right for you. Ask yourself these questions and trust your gut when it comes time to decide.

Compliments of Virtual Results