Posts from August 2014
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28
Evidence That Buying a Home Can Be Just Like Dating
Overwhelmed with the idea of buying a home? It can be a lot to handle, so try thinking of home-buying like dating. It's a process that's sometimes frustrating, but ultimately you'll be glad you held out for "the one." Here are some things to remember.
Make sure you're worth the investment.
"Are you homeowner material" is kind of like, "Are you boyfriend or girlfriend material?" Banks, like dates, aren't going to take a chance on someone they don't see a future with. That means a credit score above 600 will increase your chances of getting approved for a homeowners loan.
It'll cost you money.
Think of it as a "wine and dine" process – you're going to have to woo a loan program with a down payment 3.5 to 20 percent of the price. After that,...26
The Top Six Most Useful Kitchen Additions
Modern kitchens are generally built with space and convenience in mind. But if you're living with an older kitchen, there are easy additions you may want to consider to maximize available space and cooking area.
The Wall St. Journal's home and living editors provide their top six suggestions:
- Kitchen island – A kitchen island can double or triple both food preparation and storage space. An inexpensive portable island can give you space and flexibility.
- Wall oven – It's a lot easier to baste a turkey at eye level than it is when it's below the stove – and there's something to be said for the extra elbow room it will give you when you are multi-tasking in the kitchen. Lastly, a wall oven with two compartments gives you extra baking space a...
25
DIY Tips for Common Plumbing Problems
Whether you're a new homeowner or have been handy with a wrench, snake and other tools for years, there are some situations that require more than a plumbing amateur's skills. From the kitchen sink to the toilet and pipes underneath your home, these problems can occur at any time. As a homeowner, you should know how to handle them and when to call a professional.
21
Three Ways to Avoid Getting Outbid on Your New Home
"Bidding for a new home can get pretty fierce in today's market," said Gibran Nicholas, Chairman of CMPS Institute, an organization that trains and certifies mortgage bankers and brokers. "In some cases, you may be competing with more than a dozen other buyers who are bidding on the same property." Here are three potential solutions to avoid getting outbid on your new home:
1 - Turn in your loan paperwork BEFORE you place an offer. In many cases, you are bidding against cash buyers who don't need to wait for financing approvals. Look at it this way: if you were the seller, would you prefer to do business with a buyer who needs to wait for financing approvals, or a c...
11
8 Ways to Update Your Living Room without Spending a Lot of Cash
If you're tired of looking at the same old living space, but can't afford new furniture, California room designer Erin Pedersen suggests eight ways to give your living room new life without spending a lot of money:
Rearrange it – Simply repositioning the furniture can make a huge difference. Cut out paper pieces to scale and waltz them around a sheet of paper cut to match your room until you find a new arrangement that works.
Paint it – A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to change the look of a room, especially if you contrast your chosen wall color against white baseboards and woodwork.
Add a rug – Whether your floors are wood or carpeted, an inexpensive area rug can liven up a space with litt...