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Buy Your First Home in One Year: A Step-by-Step Guide | houselogic
The ultimate timeline ensures the smoothest of transitions.
A real yard. Closets bigger than your average microwave. The freedom to decorate however you darn well please! Making the switch from renting to owning is exhilarating, but many rookie homebuyers find the process trickier to navigate than they expected.
This is why we created our First-Time HomeBuyer Checklist. The 12-month timeline will help you sidestep common mistakes, like paying too much interest or getting stuck with the wrong house. (Yep, it happens!)
12 Months Out
Check your credit score.Get a copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. The three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) are each required to give you a free credit report once a year. A Federal Trade Commission study found one in four Americans identified errors on their credit report, and 5% had errors that could lead to higher rates on loans. Avoid last-minute bombshells by checking your score long before you’re ready to make an offer. And work diligently to correct any mistakes.
Determine how much you can afford. Figure out how much house you can afford and want to afford. Lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 43% of your gross monthly income (called the debt-to-income ratio). This figure includes your future mortgage and any other debts, such as a car loan, student loan, or revolving credit cards.
There are plenty of calculators on the web to help you determine what you can afford. If you’re pushing the limits, start reducing your debt-to-income ratio now. To get a reality check on what you may actually be spending every month, use this worksheet.
Make a down payment plan. Most conventional mortgages require a 20% down payment. If you can swing it, do it. Your loan costs will be much less, and you’ll get a better interest rate. If, however, you’re not quite able to save the full amount, there are many programs that can help. FHA offers loans with only a 3.5% down payment. But they require mortgage insurance premiums, which will drive up your monthly payments. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides a list of nonprofit homebuying programs by state. Also check with credit unions; and your employer might even have an assistance program.
As you’re planning your savings strategy, keep in mind that banks like you to “season” your money. That is, they like to see that you’ve had stable funds in your account for 60 to 90 days before applying for a loan. Don’t worry: You can still use a financial gift from a family member or bonus received near the time you buy.
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10 Daring Interior Design Trends You’ll See Everywhere in 2019 | Realtor.com
By Heather Donahoe and Rachel Stults | Dec 11, 2018
We’ll be the first to admit that it’s hard to keep up with the latest and greatest decor trends. Not only are they constantly changing, but views vary wildly: One designer says something’s in, while another says it’s out. And that’s nothing to say of your opinion on the matter.
But if you’re seeking inspiration—or heck, maybe you just want to look at some beautiful photos and dream—we’ve got you covered.
We consulted with dozens of design experts from coast to coast to unveil the biggest decor trends we’ll see in 2019. Some have been subtly sneaking into our homes for a while, ready to take center stage. Others are taken straight from the runways in Paris and New York—big, bold, and primed to be integrated in small doses into our spaces.
Click link to read more: 2019 Hottest Interior Design Trends
3 Must-Do’s Before Listing Your House for Sale | Zillow Porchlight Blog
BY SEE JANE DRILL ON 4 FEB 2019
“When it comes to first impressions, the little things make all the difference.
Planning to sell your house this year? Now’s the perfect time to prep it for listing!
Set aside a couple of weekends to do the work, and follow these three steps. Then, get ready to make a great impression on potential buyers and cinch the deal.”
Step 1: Clean and declutter
It may sound obvious, but the importance of cleaning and decluttering cannot be overstated. Here are some ideas to make this process nearly painless.
Click link for More: https://www.zillow.com/blog/prepare-your-house-for-sale-213113/
‘The Best Home-Buying Advice I’ve Heard, Ever’ | Realtor.com
By Cathie Ericson | Oct 17, 2018
If you’re house hunting, you’re probably getting snowed with advice from well-meaning friends and family members on which neighborhoods are hot, how so-and-so is selling a place you have to see … and plenty more. That’s all fine if you have an insatiable appetite for info, but what if you’re a bit more discerning about the tips and tricks you want delivered your way?
We asked home buyers and real estate agents to share not just any old advice, but the very best home buying advice they’ve ever heard. These tips can help you save money, keep you from losing money, and stop you from making a real estate purchase you regret. So pay attention, dear home buyers!
7 Qualities of a Good Neighbor | Zillow Porchlight Blog
By Steve Asbell on 19 Jul 2018
Win and woo your next-door friends with a little neighborly know-how.
If you want good neighbors, you’ll first have to become one yourself. Master these seven techniques, and even you (yes, you!) can win the approval of your entire neighborhood.
1. Good neighbors bring cookies
Whether you’re new in town or haven’t kept in touch, a delivery of freshly baked goods is a perfect way to break the ice and let neighbors know that you’re thinking of them.
If cookies can keep Santa returning year after year with a bag full of loot, then surely they can train your neighbors to do your bidding. Consider the following scenario.
“Honey, somebody’s robbing the neighbor’s house again.”
“Wait, Janet. The ones who brought cookies yesterday?”
“Exactly. This time I’ll call the cops.”
Click to read more: 7 Qualities of a Good Neighbor
7 Tips for Staging Your Home | Houselogic
Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process.
by G.M. Filisko –
The first step to getting buyers to make an offer on your home is to impress them with its appearance so they begin to envision themselves living there. Here are seven tips for making your home look bigger, brighter, and more desirable.
7 Front Porch Ideas That’ll Help You Make a Good First Impression | REALTOR.com
by
Miyuki Yamaguchi Design Studio
| Mar 28, 2018
When was the last time you really thought about your front porch, and ideas to beautify the front of your house? You’ve probably spent a lot of time spiffing up the inside of your home or tending to your front lawn but your front porch is another area of your home that deserves a decent amount of time and attention.
15 Common Backyard Birds to Know | Birds and Bloom
Article By Jill Staake:
New to birding? Learn to recognize 15 common backyard birds, and discover ways to attract them to your yard. People love watching birds, there’s no doubt about it. There are 41 million backyard birders in the United States alone. If you’re ready to give this popular hobby a try, a good place to start is learning about the most common backyard birds you’re likely to spot. We’ve rounded up 15 visitors you can expect across the U.S. and Canada, along with tips on identifying and attracting them. Welcome to the world of birding!
Click Link For More:15 Common Backyard Birds
Historic Images Commemorate New England’s Maple Sugaring Tradition | Historic New England
Mar 13, 2018 written by Historic New England
As winter gives way to spring, it is maple sugaring season in New England. In honor of the season, Historic New England is sharing images from our Library and Archives collections that document the importance and prevalence of maple sugaring in the region.
Colonists learned the practice of sugaring from Native Americans centuries ago. Historically, maple trees are “tapped” by drilling a small, shallow hole into the tree and inserting a “spile” into the hole. The sap drips from the spile and collects in a bucket held below. Sap flows best when the days grow longer and warmer, but the nights are still cold. Depending on weather conditions, the season generally begins in mid-March. It is estimated that it takes more than forty gallons of sap to make one pound of maple syrup. After the sap is gathered and filtered for debris, it is boiled until the water evaporates and the syrup remains.
