Things to Look Out for When Buying Your First Home

There is nothing as exciting as buying your first home. This is a big milestone for many people in their life and that is why it is important to get all the details right. A good property investment will keep you happy and your finances stable for a very long time. However, navigating the housing market is not so easy. There are constant changes taking place, which makes it difficult to determine the realistic value of many properties. You have to choose a location, find an adequate mortgage plan and assess all the other relevant details. In order to get the most out of your first home, it is worth considering these important home-buying tips.

Determine your budget

When you commence your first home buyer’s journey it is worth investigating what you are getting yourself into from a financial standpoint. You have to learn what your finances can get you. That is why it is necessary to set up a budget. When determining the budget consider the total costs of buying a new home. Your down payment is going to be the first large sum of money that you will have to pay upfront. You will have to consider several factors in order to determine how much of a down payment you will have. The percentage will vary from lender to lender, and it can be quite a challenge to save up money for a hefty down payment, especially if the total cost is high. Use online down payment calculators to determine where to start. In addition, consider the closing costs as well. This is an additional cost on top of your down payment that you have to manage. However, you can negotiate about the closing costs, and in some scenarios ask the seller to pay for a portion of the costs such as home inspections. Lastly, add the move-in expenses to your budget as well for any necessary repairs or upgrades.

Learn what to look for

Once you have a rough estimate of your budget, you can narrow down your search and find available houses online. Luckily, modern technology allows you to browse homes completely remotely using 3D home tours. These virtual models let you explore every room in more detail compared to traditional photos. This is a good opportunity to take your time and see how the general room layout would fit into your plan. Ultimately, you will save a lot of time by simply browsing available homes online. Hopefully, now you will have a list of homes to visit in person. Once there you can assess all the other relevant details which photos do not capture, such as the plumbing pipelines and electrical installations. Make sure to include all your senses and assess if the floor is creaking, the walls are damp, or if there is any strange odor. Lastly, check the roof as well for any possible leaks.

The benefits of professional help

As a first-time home buyer, you will have particular benefits that you can leverage to get an even better offer and save a lot of money. However, it can be quite challenging to get to this information on your own. That is why you should hire professionals who will help you get an excellent first-home buyer’s grant with access to a wide range of properties on the market. You can significantly reduce your interest rates as well because you will be able to let professionals guide you through the entire process with expert advice.

Find the right type of home

In addition to managing your finances, you should also pay attention to the actual type of home that you are looking to buy. There are several different types to choose from and not all of them are going to be worth the investment considering your needs. A duplex is going to combine two homes with a single common wall or ceiling, depending on the number of floors in the building. This lets you have an extra private room. Townhomes unlike traditional single-family homes have multiple floors and are attached to other homes side-by-side. Lastly, a condominium will get you a separate living unit in a large building, but without your personal yard.

Choose a location

When buying a home look for the surrounding area and infrastructure as well. If you live with your children make sure that there are schools close by. The availability of parking and local stores are also going to be significant factors in your day-to-day life.

Buying your first home is a truly exhilarating experience. However, it requires careful attention nonetheless. Some of the most important things to consider are budgeting, 3D virtual tours, getting your benefits, and determining the type and the location of your home.

7 Points To Keep In Mind if You’re a First-Time Homebuyer

First-Time Homebuyer

First-time homebuyer ? Purchasing your first home is a big decision, one that requires a lot of time, consideration and — you guessed it — money. Buying a house will likely be the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make.

With the median U.S. home value being $244,054, houses are more costly than ever. Make sure you’re well-informed and aware of each step in the buying process. Here are seven points to keep in mind as you move forward.

1. Pay Off Your Debt First

The first step to buying a home is to pay down your debt. Refrain from taking on new debt at this time, as this could negatively impact your credit score. Mortgage lenders and banks will look at your score before offering a loan.

While you could get a mortgage with one as low as 500, a 620 is typically the minimum requirement. The higher your score, the likelier you are to get a better interest and lower down payment rate on your mortgage.

2. Think Long Term

You’ll also want to consider how long you plan to live in the area before buying a home. Generally, if you don’t plan on staying at least five years, you may want to stick with renting.

However, if you do expect to remain for the long term, you can easily build equity and make up for the cost of buying, selling and moving. Plus, if you commit to staying, you won’t have to go through the entire approval and buying process all over again every few years.

3. Know Your Budget

Next, determine how much money you have to spend on a home. What’s your price range? Consider your current income and expenses and take a look at your financial obligations and goals.

Before committing, make sure you can cover all your bases. If you’re struggling to make ends meet right now, adding another large expense to the mix may be detrimental to your financial health. When in doubt, wait it out.

4. Can You Afford the Down Payment?

The cost of a down payment should be part of your budget. Typically, the amount you’ll put toward a down payment is 20% of the home. However, you might consider putting down less if you take out a loan. You may even be able to put down as little as 3.5% for a Federal Housing Administration loan However, it’s best to aim for 20% since this will lower your mortgage loan and interest, reduce your insurance premiums, give you access to lower mortgage rates and leave you with smaller monthly payments.

5. Shop Around

Once you have a functional budget and know your price range for a home, you can begin shopping around. Be a smart first-time homebuyer and try searching at the lower end of your price range. An amazing place to start your search efficiently is checking properties on Condo Shopper and finding the one that suits all of your needs.

You might find something you like without having to spend as much. At the same time, keep your options open and tour several different homes. This will help you decide what you can and can’t compromise on and make you aware of what kind of homes are available in a certain area.

6. Distinguish Between Needs and Wants

Speaking of compromise, you’ll also want to distinguish between what you want in a home and what you need. Make a list so you know when to compromise and when to say no to a prospective home.

For instance, you might really want granite countertops, but if the kitchen before you has laminate counters and is still functional, you might need to compromise. It’s all about give-and-take here.

7. Understand the Mortgage Process

There are many steps to take in securing a mortgage. The first few include getting preapproved for a loan, making an offer on your dream home and applying for a mortgage. The application process will access your employment, income, assets, debts, loans, previous financial missteps and your new home’s property information.

Then, once your loan has been processed and an underwriter has signed, you’ll have three days to review the closing disclosure. Once you’ve finally closed on the home, which typically takes 41 days, you’ll walk away holding the keys.

Open the Door to Your Future

Owning a home is the American dream, and by fully understanding the process, you can keep it from evolving into a nightmare. Now that you know the basics, you can move forward being a first-time homebuyer with confidence!

Making Room For Your Things (And Romance) When Moving In Together

Ready to make room for your things and romance? You two have made it to the next stage in your relationship.You are moving in together. Congratulations! That is a big step and an exciting time for you both. Moving into a new house together is one of the many stages in a relationship that can be extremely stressful. Most of the menial tasks are usually left until the last minute. And we are always so busy in our daily lives, that we can easily forget the importance of this first move as a couple.

With good planning and organizing, moving in together can become both fun and memorable. Here are some tips to make your move to your first home together, sweeter, easier and more efficient.

Take inventory and discuss your vision together

Remember, this is going to be HOME to you both. So Making room for your things is important. And your memories and things will now share the same space with his. In order to do everything in a correct and organized way, make a list of the tasks you need to do before moving in.

It is important to figure out your aesthetic as a couple, so you have a clear vision of how, when, and where you want things to be placed. Start with a cohesive idea of how you want your home space to be handled, managed, and organized. Discuss what works and what doesn’t. And be generous with each other. Agree to keep his favorite chair that you loathe. And in return, ask for some extra room in the shared closet. Winning!

Prioritize Your Things

What are the more important items that each of you want to bring into your shared home?

After all, not everything is going to fit into your dual aesthetic vision. So figure out what is sentimental and what is functional. And you may have duplicate items that you no longer need or have room for. So plan on having a garage sale of everything you definitely won’t keep and use that money on something convenient for your new home.

If there is no budget for buying one of the major necessities, renting furniture can also be a good, and affordable option. For furniture rentals for larger items consider rental options from sofa shop online or other furniture rental stores.

Consider your appliances before moving them in

There is no point in moving a major appliance if it’s not going to suit your new home. If you are moving into an area with a dryer climate you may want to consider getting an air cooler vs ac. Since air coolers are less likely to dry the air and offer better quality air by pulling fresh air from the outside.

One Closet for Two Lovers

One of the things that attracted you to your lover (and now roommate) was his cool sense of style. Support each other and make room for your things for each other, even in the closet. Use containers and modular storage options in order to allow maximum use of the closet space the best way possible.

Go through your closet

You can create extra closet space for your partner by taking out the off-season clothing. Or include some of those, I will wear one day items but never do, in your garage sale.

Make sharing a closet sexy

Sharing a closet is an intimate experience, so have fun with it by showcasing your favorite slips and sexy dresses so your partner can see them whenever he goes into get his work or gym clothes.

You can leave little love notes by his side of the closet. Write out what the two of you will do when you are back in the bedroom that evening….

These small but loving actions will go a long way in making your partner feel at home and will help strengthen your relationship.

Inventory, check. Onto moving supplies

Now that you know what you are taking with you, its time to get your moving supplies figured out. Create a list which includes the number of boxes that you will need. Be sure to itemize other supplies, such as duct tape, newspaper, labels, markers, and any special materials needed to protect the most delicate and fragile objects (bubble wrap, cardboard, foam rubber, among others).

Remember to label each of the boxes with the content inside, so it will be easier to recognize them and place them in the place of the house where they belong or in the space they have chosen.

Try to divide up tasks, but do them together. As menial as these tasks may be, they are time for you to spend together. Break open the wine and have some fun with it.

Now, to pack everything!

Move in an orderly fashion

The big move is here. And before you actually move try getting everything in position. For example, put all the boxes and suitcases with clothes, along with those of shoes, books, cosmetics, etc. Put everything that will go into each room together, so it is easier to unpack.

Try to pack and wrap objects such as pictures and mirrors very carefully, wrap them with a sheet or blanket, in addition to placing rigid and flattened cardboard. Seal them with adhesive or insulating tape.

It is worth mentioning that it is not advisable to put too much into a single box, so take that into consideration, especially when you are packing books or other heavy items.

It’s the little things

Also, pay close attention and care with the smallest objects and belongings, as they have greater potential to be lost or forgotten, even when wrapped or packed. Therefore, we advise you to wrap these in a distinct box, which is striking or different from the others so you can easily recognize it.

Packing the big tech stuff

Be careful with all appliances, screens, or televisions, and with computers or PCs, If possible, try moving them in their original packaging. Otherwise, cover them with thick blankets, pillows and use strong ties to keep them in place.

Maintain control with an inventory list

Manage your inventory. You can create a list from a digital format, or on a sheet of paper, List the content that each box has and where they should be placed in the new home. This will help you quickly find what you want or need.

Hire Experts in Moving Services

Moving can be stressful. And you may not want to take on the burden of the actual move after already making the emotional commitment to move in together and whittle down your belongings.

In short, there is no better way to do things than leaving them to experts. A complete moving service will know how to pack your belongings, and have all of the necessary materials. Hiring a moving services will save you time, as well as physical and mental wear. In addition, they have the experience to assemble the furniture!

Whether you hire a mover or you move yourself, use these tips to make it organized and efficient.

Enjoy Each Other

Once moved in, you can have a romantic dinner for two, as long as you followed our moving advice and remembered which boxes contain the pot and pans. And don’t forget to christen each room, lovers!

10 Milestones That Are More Important For Women Than Having Kids Or Getting Married

For some reason, society has perpetuated a narrative for women that if you don’t get married or have children by a certain age, you have failed. And, if you are someone who believes that, I can’t help but laugh.

Not everyone in the world wants to get married, nor does everyone in the world want to have children. There are some people, in fact, who would rather stay single forever—traveling the world or building their own career empire. There are people who want to get married, but not have kids. There are people who want to have kids, but not get married. And, of course, there are people who want both. All of these options, there’s nothing wrong with any of them. However, what is the problem is that society claims that as a woman, if you do not want the latter option, there is something “wrong with you.”

F*ck that noise. Seriously.

There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want and doing just that. No one should force themselves into a marriage or force themselves to have children just to satisfy someone else’s opinion. Horrible, horrible mistake.

And, if you ever catch yourself feeling like a “failure,” because your family is breathing down your neck, your co-workers keep inviting you to their weddings and, all of your friends say “no” to a spur of the moment road-trip because they have Mommy duties—take a look at the bigger picture of life.

There are tons of milestones you can achieve that have absolutely nothing to do with marriage OR children that are worth being proud of.

1. Getting a college degree/degrees.

Nowadays, it’s common that people get a college degree. But, just because more people are going to college, doesn’t mean that it’s not an accomplishment to graduate and receive your diploma. And, if you’re serious and further your education to obtain a second or third degree – even better.

You should always feel proud of all the hard work you put into anything you do, especially when it is something to better your life and make it easier to achieve your dreams and goals.

2. Moving out of your parents’ house.

Some people move out right after college, others stay home while they get a stable job. No matter when you decide to leave the nest – it’s a big step in growing up. You’re on your own – paying rent, paying bills, going food shopping – and, it is a big deal. It’s not like dorming at college – it’s real life.

3. Landing a job you really want.

Landing a job is hard enough nowadays with the job market being so oversaturated. Therefore, many of us settle for the first gig we’re offered, especially when we’re young. We’re afraid to leave because, well, we don’t want to be unemployed. So, when you finally land a job that you really want—it feels incredible. You enjoy what you do, which makes working less tedious and more exhilarating.

4. Buying your own car.

When we’re young, some of us start out driving our parents’ car. Or, some of us get a pretty crappy hoopdie handed down to us. But, when we’re finally able to buy ourselves our own car – or lease it even – it’s proof that our hard work has paid off in a big way.

5. Getting your first pet outside of your family.

When you move out and get your first pet—a dog, a cat, a bunny rabbit—it shows that you’re mature enough to care for someone else that isn’t just yourself. Sure, you may not be ready to have children – but taking care of an animal is a big deal.

6. Joining a gym and going regularly.

Joining a gym is a big step because let’s face it, we’re all lazy AF inside. No one wants to wake up at 5 a.m. when you have a full day of work ahead of you and run a few miles on a treadmill, but if you drag yourself out of bed and put in effort to take care of your body—you should feel proud. Health is wealth.

7. Quitting a job you’re unhappy at.

Like I said before, quitting a job when you don’t have a backup plan is pretty scary. But, if you’re truly unhappy with where you’re at – there’s no problem with leaving. In fact, I think it’s pretty damn great if you know what you want and don’t want in life and are brave enough to go after it.

8. Ending a toxic friendship or relationship.

Growing up, you learn who is good for you and who is toxic for you, even if it’s a friend or a significant other. Being able to learn what is negative in your life is a big part of moving forward. Being able to walk away from people who weigh you down also shows how far you have come.

9. Going on your first vacation/traveling adventure.

Sure, we all sit at work and Pinterest destinations we would *die* to travel to, but we also realize we’re broke AF and can’t afford to stay in a ocean-side Fiji villa. But, saving up for a vacation you’ve been dreaming about and then actually going on that vacation is something to be hella proud of. Relax, enjoy it, take it all in.

10. Building a solid credit score.

Building credit is really f*cking hard – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Some people grow up thinking credit cards are essentially “free money,” while others just never get a credit card at all. Either way, having a good credit score is important in life—especially when you’re an adult. Getting there, that’s even harder. If you have 700+, consider it a win.