It’s a mystery how they figured this out, but did you know that Americans hold 6.5 million to 9 million garage sales each year? According to Encyclopedia.com, the practice dates back to at least the 1950s. If you’re considering removing unused household items, the garage sale is the ideal way to do it, provided you take the time to plan and prepare. A good garage sale starts with a good plan The first step in the planning process is to choose a date for the sale. Sounds easy, right? You may be sorry if you just pull a date out of a hat. Instead, consider that there may be competition for your ..read more

What happens — or doesn’t — in that area is known in real estate circles as “curb appeal,” and it makes or breaks your home’s first impression. The focal point of this area is the entryway to the home – the front door and surrounding area. This is where your guests’ eyes will settle as they approach your home. If you are one of those brave souls who got past the unattractiveness of a home’s exterior and decided to purchase anyway, or if you’re planning on selling your home, let’s figure out how to make your front door entrance warm and inviting. Considerations When planning the landscaping fo ..read more

Apples and oranges — that’s what condos and houses are. Sure, they both provide a roof over your head, and they’re both financial investments, but that’s where the similarities end. Just as when we compare apples and oranges, houses and condos differ by price, taste, and by how they will be used. The most significant difference between owning a condo and owning a house Precisely what do you own when you buy them? When you buy a house, you also typically own the land on which it sits and everything else permanently attached to the land. On the other hand, when you purchase a condo, you own onl ..read more

“More pets get lost on July 4th than any other day of the year,” according to the experts at HomeAgain, a lost pet recovery service. Dog owners know well that the pooch can be in the furthest reaches of the home but will come running if you grab a crinkly package of chips from the pantry. That’s how keen their sense of hearing is. “In fact, they are capable of hearing sounds four times further away than the human ear can discern … They have 15 different muscles that move their ears in all directions,” claim the experts at PawsChicago.org. Imagine then what the booming, blasting, popping sound ..read more

One in 16. That’s the mortgage application denial rate here in the U.S., according to Consumer Reports’ Lisa L. Gill, citing Urban Institute’s data. “And a too-low credit score is among the top reasons folks can’t get a mortgage, according to HSH.com,” Gill says. Other common reasons for denial include a too-high debt-to-income ratio and spotty or fluctuating income. You’ll learn the reason from the lender (you must request it, however), but that doesn’t make anyone feel better. Thankfully, there are ways to fix the situation. Let’s take a deeper dive into the most common reasons for rejectio ..read more

PMI (short for ‘private mortgage insurance’) is one of those things in life that is both a curse and a blessing. If you put down less than 20 percent of the loan amount when you take out a conventional loan, you will be required to pay a monthly mortgage insurance premium (typically tacked on to your mortgage payment) to cover the lender in the event you mess up and default on the loan. Without it, cash-poor homebuyers can’t get a mortgage. With it, your house payments are higher, it takes a long time to get rid of (with some loans it never goes away) and it only protects the lender. If you ha ..read more

There has been a lot of debate of late over student loan forgiveness. When it comes to these loans, it’s hard to imagine what the debt wracked up by each of 28,337 students who graduated from medical school. Let’s face it, when it comes to student loans, these former students have a lot of debt and not a lot of provable earnings. Despite this, many want to finally settle down and purchase a home. And, their newbie-ness in the medical field, a blank credit history or heavy student loan debt won’t stop them from getting a mortgage. Why? Because of their potential earnings – that’s what lenders ..read more

Dishwashers. We never really understand what a time- and effort-saving device it is until it goes on the blink. And if yours has, you no doubt understand how much they’ve gone up in price over the past few years. Although you can purchase a basic model for less than $400, the models with the useful bells and whistles can cost up to a few thousand dollars. “On average, a new dishwasher costs about $970,” suggests Paige Bennett at Angi.com. Whether you’re looking for a no-frills dishwasher or a top-of-the-line brand, knowing exactly which features you need and will use and the right time to shop ..read more

Some homebuyers wouldn’t think of buying a home that didn’t offer a swimming pool. You’ll typically find these folks in the warmer parts of the country. Then, there are those who didn’t have a pool on their wish list but fell in love with a home that offers one. Whichever group you belong to, there are a few things to consider about swimming pools and the homes that wrap around them.   Get as much information on the pool as possible Boat owners are familiar with the old saying that “A boat is a hole in the water you throw money into.” The same can be said about a pool, which is a hole in ..read more

Bugs, creepy crawlies, pests — whatever you choose to call them, they actually have a season; a time when they are busiest. “Spring marks the real beginning of insect season because … with rising temperatures and spring showers, insects become more active,” suggest the pros at Petri Pest Control in Boynton Beach, Florida. For the most part, bugs are tolerable when they are outdoors. When they intrude inside the home, it’s time to take action. And, if the pest that’s bugging you is among those that can cause damage to the property (such as roaches), act quickly. 1. Perimeters aren’t just for cr ..read more