The summer season typically brings with it some schedule flexibility that allows for fun trips. Summer vacations can be relaxing and restorative, but they can also get expensive quickly. You don’t want your fun family outing to cause a disruption to the monthly budget. To avoid this, it’s important to plan ahead. That means deciding on a scope for your summer vacation, budgeting in advance, and finding ways to keep the trip cost-effective. Here’s how you can plan ahead to make this summer vacation a great personal and financial experience. (more…)
Do You Know How to Do These Common Homeowner Tasks?
Purchasing your first home is a huge milestone in your life. Many people aspire to homeownership for years and years, and now you’ve finally made it. Of course, now you have to maintain and care for your home. Being a homeowner is like being a parent in some ways. You have to look out for your home and keep it safe. Preventive maintenance can save you lots of money in the long run as a homeowner. It’s also important to know how to fix small issues yourself so you don’t spend a fortune calling in the experts. So, as a little review, do you know how to do these common homeowner tasks? (more…)
Set Mile Markers When Saving to Buy a Home
Positioning yourself to buy a home takes foresight and planning. A home purchase represents a major financial commitment, and you want to feel good about the purchase when you make it. There are options that can allow you to purchase a home with only 3% down (or even 0% down in some cases). Those options may be best for you, but often, by planning ahead, you can position yourself to pay less in interest over the life of your mortgage. To reach the stage when you’re ready to actually move forward with a home purchase, you should start setting savings mile markers. (more…)
Budgeting for Homeowner Costs Saves You Money
It’s incredible how much money simply having a budget can save you. You probably know approximately what your monthly costs are, and you understand how much money you need to get by. Actually sitting down and laying out a budget can really save you some money though. When you look at the hard numbers on what you’re spending and how much you’re saving, it can help you to adjust certain lifestyle habits that you may have picked up. If you don’t currently have a budget that accounts for homeowner costs, it’s time to start. (more…)
Special Loans for First-Time Buyers
If the process behind buying a home has discouraged you from attempting to do so, you’re not alone. Legal and financial barriers can make it difficult to take the leap as a first-time homebuyer, even if you’re really excited to own your first home. You should know that there are some unique home financing options for first-time buyers to help you get across the finish line. In today’s blog, we cover some of the different types of first-time homebuyer loans, their pros and cons, and how you can utilize these options to purchase your very first home. (more…)
Get a Home Inspection Before You List
Making the decision to sell your home doesn’t come likely. While circumstances with a job or family may necessitate that you make the decision quickly, it doesn’t lessen the impact. Your home is a huge monetary and emotional investment. When you decide to sell your home, it can take some time for you to be ready. While you’re getting there on an emotional level, it’s important to make sure you’re handling the more administrative side of selling your home. One step that many homesellers overlook is getting a professional home inspection before they list. (more…)
Is Your Spring Cleaning Checklist Ready?
Spring is always a welcome sight as the cold weather starts to turn and leaving the sanctuary of your home becomes a more enticing option. Many people participate in a spring cleaning because it gives them a chance to get rid of the winter malaise, along with any unwanted stuff. Are you spring cleaning your home this year? If you run headlong into a cleaning session, it can get overwhelming. Starting with a spring cleaning checklist will help you stay organized and on task as you get ready for the new season. (more…)
Save Yourself Money on Your Home Renovation
Home renovations are exciting, but they can also be daunting. Whether you’re doing a little DIY work around your house or hiring a contractor, you want your project to stay on budget. To do that, you need to have a solid plan going into your home renovation. You also need to find creative ways to save money during the project. If money is not an object for you, then congratulations! Have fun building the home of your dreams. For most folks though, smart planning and budgeting on a home renovation is key. Here’s how you can save yourself money. (more…)
Explore the Area Before You Purchase a Home
The home search can be a quick process for some people, but for most, it’s a long journey. That’s because when you make the decision to purchase a home, you’re making an important lifestyle choice. There are many features and factors that you will want to consider as you make your home purchase, but some of the most important features have nothing to do with the actual structure of the home. Before you purchase a home, make sure you explore the area around the home. The location matters more than almost anything else. (more…)
Consider Home Modifications in Your Purchase Budget
When you purchase a new home for yourself, you are choosing a place where you will make memories and build a life together. While the people are what’s truly important, you also want to have a home that fits the needs and lifestyle of those people. Finding your dream home ready-made isn’t usually possible, which means you might want to make some renovations to your new place. Those renovations will take time and money, so it’s important to include those things in your purchase budget. If you have a plan and expectations going into your home purchase, you’ll be much more satisfied with the experience. (more…)
Recent Comments