Looking to Get a Mortgage? Follow These Tips to Get the Best Mortgage Possible!

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a house is stressful. Finding the right house is just one part of the equation. Getting financing to be able to afford it is another part of the equation. In order to help you get the best mortgage possible we found this article with 7 tips. We hope it helps make your dream home a reality!

—————
If you need Baton Rouge dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
—————

From the article:

As the real estate market begins to perk up, many people find themselves in a good position to start looking for a home. Even though interest rates continue to hover at the lower end of the spectrum, shopping for a mortgage is still a tricky process, especially if you???re doing it for the first time. But don???t fret. These seven steps will help you navigate the treacherous waters of mortgage shopping, and they???ll save you time and money in the process.

1. Have your credit report ready
Lenders use your credit score as one of the major factors in determining if you will get approved for a loan, as well as what kind of interest rates you qualify for. That is why it???s important to review your report at least once a year to make sure everything is in order. If there are any errors that affect your credit score, you could be missing out on a few points here and there that will make a huge difference when you walk into a loan office. Interest rates could skyrocket, or you could even be denied a loan if your score is lacking.

If you can, try to get a credit report at least six months prior to applying for a loan. You will have time to review it and get in touch with a credit agency if you find any errors. You also can use this time to start sprucing your score up a bit by avoiding big purchases that put your finances in jeopardy and not opening up any more lines of credit.

2. Work on improving your debt-to-income ratio
Your debt-to-income ratio is the amount of money you make versus how much you owe. Lenders also take this into consideration when you apply for a loan, so it might be a good idea to try to reduce your debt or increase your income. Make bigger payments on credit card debt to boost your ratio, or pay off any outstanding loans you may have. You will be a more desirable candidate, and you might save some money in the long run.

3. Plan for a big down payment
A big down payment saves you lot of money. Save up for the biggest down payment you can afford so you can take advantage of bigger loans, smaller interest rates, and more attractive closing fees. It also helps lenders determine your property???s loan-to-value ratio. Most loan programs usually require a down payment that falls somewhere between 5 percent to 20 percent. In some cases, if you can???t afford a 20 percent down payment, your lender might require you to pay for mortgage insurance because they???re increasing their loss risk by loaning you more money.

—————–
Looking to make some easy upgrades around your home? Then checkout this article about easy home upgrades that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.zillow.com/blog/7-tips-to-get-the-best-mortgage-153939/

Want to Refinish Your Hardwood Floors? Find Out How Much it Will Cost Here!

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Everyone that has hardwood floors wants them to be beautiful. The problem with wood though is that it ages and becomes less beautiful over time. Luckily though hardwood floor can be refinished in order to become a different color and be restored to their former beauty. Refinishing hardwood floors costs money. In order to help you determine just how much money it’ll cost we found this article to help you. We hope it helps!

—————
If you need Lafayette vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
—————

From the article:

Whether you???re moving into a fixer-upper or just looking to spruce up your existing space, refinishing hardwood floors can add warmth and beauty to almost any home.

The cost to refinish hardwood floors depends on where you live, the type of wood, how large an area you???re planning to refinish and the condition of your floors.

But, even before you start getting bids on your project, you need to determine whether your floors truly need to be refinished (sanding off the existing finish down to bare wood) or whether they should simply be ???screened and recoated??? (sprucing up an existing coat of polyurethane by lightly sanding the old finish and top-coating it).

Screen and recoat
Anita Howard, chief operating officer and a spokeswoman for the National Wood Flooring Association, says if homeowners regularly maintain their hardwood floors, they may never have to refinish them.

Polyurethane is used as a protective coating for many wood floors. Over time, that coating is worn away by day-to-day use. Every few years, before the protective coat has grown too thin, it must be refreshed with a new coat. The floors first must be cleaned. The finish layer is then abraded so the new finish has something to hold onto, and then the new coat of finish is applied.

This process, also known as ???pad and recoat,??? costs significantly less than total floor refinishing at around $1,000 to $1,400 for 800 square feet.

—————–
Have questions about design and remodeling trends of 2014? Then checkout this article about home trends 2014 that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.zillow.com/blog/cost-to-refinish-wood-floors-145520/

Moving? Find Out What Makes a Home a Good One Here!

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a new home is stressful. There are so many things to consider. Is it large enough? Does it have enough bedrooms and bathrooms? Is it in the right subdivision? The list goes on and on. In order to help you out we found this article that helps you determine what makes a house a good one. We hope it helps you find your dream home!

From the article:

Buyers spend a lot of time looking at properties online, touring homes on the Sunday open house circuit, and talking to their real estate agent. They???re laser-focused on finding the best home that meets their needs. The problem is, buyers sometimes don???t take the long view of a property. They???re only looking at a home as a potential buyer ??? and not as someone who, years down the road, may also have to sell the property. Given that homes are such a big investment, there should be a little inside your head, picking away at your options and decisions.

As the home buying market starts to heat up again, here are ten things you should consider when choosing your next home.

1. Location, location, location
Perhaps nothing is more important than the three L???s, and there???s a reason why it???s said three times.

Location is extremely important when it comes time to sell. You can have the worst house in the world with the ugliest kitchen and bath. But put it on a great block or in a good school district, and your home will be coveted.

Location location location matters on so many different levels. At the highest level is the town where the house is located, then the school district, then the neighborhood and the block ??? right down to the location of the lot on the block. Keep all of this in mind when shopping. Also remember that while real estate markets rise and fall, no one can take a great location away from you.

2. The school district
The school district is right up there on the list of what???s most important to many buyers. It???s not uncommon for buyers to start their search based solely on the school district they want to be in. Parents want their kids to go to the best school, which can drive up prices of homes in those districts. Even though you might not have children, buying a home in a good school district is always smart. If the schools are desirable, homes tend to hold their value. As a homeowner, you should always be aware of how the schools are doing, not unlike being aware of your roof???s condition, the neighborhood development or city government.

3. The home???s position on the lot
Where the home sits on the lot in relation to the street or the overgrown oak are key elements in picking out a home. In the case of a condo, an end unit vs. an interior unit is a key consideration. You may have chosen the most beautifully renovated home in the best school district and figure all is good. But if the main living areas are shaded by a neighbor???s extension or the master bedroom looks into the neighbors??? family room, you may have a location problem. Light or privacy may not be a hot button for you, but chances are, they might be concerns for a future buyer.

—————–
Looking for information on doing a home inventory? Then checkout this article about doing a home inventory that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.zillow.com/blog/10-things-that-make-a-home-a-good-home-88384/

Looking for Interior Design Trends of 2014? Start Here!

Posted on August 18, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Design trends change every year. Sometimes it’s because of advances in technology and other times it’s just because personal style changes. Regardless of the reason we found this article with 10 interior design trends of 2014. We hope it helps you decide how to update your home!

—————
If you need Baton Rouge vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
—————

From the article:

A new year means a fresh start, and what better way to kick off 2014 than by updating the look of your home. All it takes are a few simple changes to breathe life into familiar spaces. This year???s interior design trends are all about creating dramatic impact from simplicity, because the looks are simultaneously more bold and more accessible than ever before. We???ve carefully chosen 10 of the most prominent trends for you to try. Not cheesy, not overdone, these trends are sophisticated enough to stick around for a long time to come.

Saturated colors
Leave gray, beige and greige in the rearview mirror in favor of deeply-saturated hues like navy and plum. In fact, navy is considered a new neutral for its ability to blend with other colors and styles. If a darker shade on the wall seems too scary, start with a piece of furniture like a sofa or sectional as your focal point and work from there.

High style at low prices
Haute design trends have never been more affordable, thanks to retail innovations including collaborations with famous designers. Stores like Target have upped the ante by providing affordable trends to the masses while they???re still ???au courant???. Now, even non-designers are totally in the know.

Light-toned wood
For many years, dark tones like mahogany and cherry dominated the wood furniture market. This year caramel and honey tones will take the spotlight. The softer look blends with any design style and keeps furnishings from feeling heavy or fussy.

—————–
Have questions about design and remodeling trends of 2014? Then checkout this article about home trends 2014 that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/01/10-interior-design-trends-for-2014.html

Want a Man Cave? Checkout These Must Haves!

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Having a man cave is something that most men dream about. Some place that is all theirs to go hang out and unwind in. If that’s you or your husband then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with 100 man caves must have ideas. Have fun planning your dream man cave!

—————
If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
—————

From the article:

Every man needs a room to themselves, and these man-cave must haves are the perfect way to fill up those macho rec-rooms. Still unsure about that man-cave, Merriam-Webster just entered man-cave as a recent addition into the English language, and if it is in a dictionary, it has to be legitimate.

One of the essentials to any man-cave is a personal bar. From personal draft beer dispensers to score-keeping booze sleeves, these alcohol-assisters will make the booze go down that much smoother.

A false assumption many would make about a man-cave is that it does not need decorating, yet this is completely false. Filling a room with manly movember movie prints, skateboard furniture, geeky 8-bit aquariums and weaponry decor will not only appease the eyes, but make the space much more enjoyable for all visitors.

Finally, no man-cave is complete without games, from eye-controlled arcade games to convertible foosball tables, these recreational activities will keep men busy for hours. And, if men truly want to make a luxurious space that will be the talk of the town, they just need to spend money on some touchscreen Texas Hold ???Em tables and $100,000 pool tables.

Use this list of man-cave must haves and guys may never leave the space again, especially if there are bromantically scented candles to kill any bad odors.

Geeky Gamer Furniture

The Playstation controller by Mark M is for Video Game Fanatics

Fancily Boozed Fixtures

Express your love of alcohol with these beer bottle chandeliers

Beer Fridge with Door Tap

—————–
Looking for life hacks to make parenting easier? Then checkout this article with parenting life hacks that could be of interest to you.
—————–

See all the ideas here: http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/mancave-must-haves

Looking For More Cabinet Space but Limited on Space? Checkout These Ideas!

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Trying to stay organized in a small space is very difficult. In order to help you out we found this article with space saving cabinets. We hope you find something that works for you and your space!

From the article:

While shopping for new pieces of furniture is always a fun activity, finding ones that fit your limited space is often difficult, but these space-saving cabinet designs are some great examples of compact storage spaces that are suitable for any home.

Finding a way to store all your essential belongings is tricky when you don’t have enough interior space to do it in, but these creatively designed furniture pieces have found inventive ways to make use of small and tight spaces. From cabinets that are stacked upright on top of each other, to those that can be mounted on the wall, these space-saving storage creations are perfect for those who need to fit a lof of stuff into tiny areas.

Whether you have a one room apartment or are just looking for some practical storage solutions, these fantastically designed cabinets will certainly free up a lot of usable space.

Extraordinary Unfolding Furnishings

The Kai Table unlatches and unhinges to reveal hidden cabinets

Staircase Storage

These Unicract joinery step drawers offer a convenient place to store things

—————–
Looking to organize your garage? Then checkout this article with garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
—————–

View all the ideas here: http://www.trendhunter.com/slideshow/spacesaving-cabinet-designs

Looking for Fun Backyard Ideas for Your Family? Check These Out!

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

With kids it’s difficult to know how to design your outside space to meet your kids’ needs as well as your own. For some fun ideas we found this article with elements to include. We hope you find something your whole family will love!

From the article:

Summer is around the corner???and if you have a case of cabin fever as bad as mine, then you just can???t wait for the sunny days to come. There???s just something special about being able to walk out into the sunshine without a care in the world and enjoy your very own slice of nature in the form of a backyard.

I know that not everyone who reads Remodelaholic has an enormous backyard???and some of you might not have any yard at all. But even if all you have to enjoy nature outside your doorstep is a small balcony, there are ways you can make that space fun for young and old alike. I???ve collected a bunch of ideas here for making your backyard FUN. And guess what? Most of them don???t include a pool installation! I???m a firm believer that yards can be enjoyed DIY style, so many of these ideas could be completed without hiring a professional???or modified to fit in small spaces. I???ve started this list with things that make backyards fun for kids, but if kids don???t visit your yard, feel free to scroll further down the list for ideas that are geared a little more towards adults.

Sandboat

Multi-level Playscape

Giant Outdoor Chess/Checkers

—————–
Have a hard time balancing your work and life? Then checkout this article with work life balance that could be of interest to you.
—————–

For all the ideas click here: http://www.remodelaholic.com/2013/04/beautiful-backyards-for-families/