Purchasing Your Home

1. Paint Colors - Repainting is cheap, easy and fast. Focus on the structure, window placement and other permanent features. 2. Wonky Wallpaper - It may take a bit of work, but it can be replaced or covered. 3. Kitchen Appliances - There's a good chance you could end up replacing them in time, anyways. 4. Hardware - Drawer pulls, doorknobs and sconces are simple to update, so don't them ugly ones...

Planning a move can be a stressful process. Follow the below tips to help you remain organized and manage through it with less stress. 1. Color code each room in your new home, then pack and label your boxes to match their new location. 2. Use suitcases to pack clothes you'll need right away. 3. Keep essential items close on hand: Tape, scissors, utility knife, hand soap, dish soap, kitchen...

Low mortgage rates and a reopening economy may be prompting buyers to get out and shop, and the good news is that rates are expected to remain low in the coming weeks and even months. Money.com has put together a mortgage rates guide which summarizes key considerations related to your mortgage payments including private mortgage insurance, mortgage loan options, refinancing, discount points and more....

Text Version: Looking for the best return on investment on the home you're buying? Consider these factors, which Realtor.com identified by analyzing millions of sales nationwide: 1. Small Size. Over the last five years, homes under 1,200 s.f. are favorites of retiring boomers and first-time buyers' and have appreciated by an average of 7.5% per year - While homes 2,400 s.f. or larger have risen just...

Text Version: Thieves are using ever-more sophisticated scams to steal your identity and ultimately, your down payment. To help protect yourself, consider these suggestions: * Install malware protection software on your computer to help block online attacks. * Create strong passwords for your computer and smart devices and change them regularly. * Add lock-out software that blocks access to your...

Text Version: Owning a home doesn't just help you build wealth. It also impacts your life and your children's lives. Here are some of the specific benefits homeowners may enjoy over renters: 1. Homeowners are healthier and live longer. 2. Owning a home reduces the likelihood of divorce. 3. Homeowners are less likely to suffer from depression. 4. City homeowners are less likely to be victims of...

Most buyers start the process having no idea what they can afford. A good general tip is to calculate ownership costs and live within that budget while still renting. ST. LOUIS – It’s virtually impossible to know what size home you can afford if you aren’t fully aware of how much money you are earning and how much you are spending each month. Start with your income: How much do you bring home...

When you're in the process of applying for a home loan, or if you think you'll begin the process in the near future, there are some things you should avoid doing to prevent any impacts to your credit. Here they are: Thou SHALT NOT change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job. Thou SHALT NOT buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)! Thou SHALT NOT use charge cards excessively...

Text Version: 1. Consider how you'll use the home. Will it just be for family and friends, or do you plan to rent it as well? And realistically, how many times will you use it per year? 2. Evaluate locations. Are there enough amenities and attractions to keep you and renters coming back year after year? 3. Talk to the locals. What do they love about the area? What's changing? And what's it like...

Text Version: In a study of more than 50,000 residences, here are the top 10 defects found during home inspections. 54.9% Doors need adjusting/servicing 54.8% Faucets and shower heads need servicing 54.5% Exterior caulking/sealant missing 53.7% Outlet or light switch problems 48% No circuit breaker (GFCI) protection 45.1% Missing or defective smoke alarms 45% Cosmetic or sheetrock...