In the real estate market today, there is little chance that as a prospective buyer you are entering a house before you’ve seen pictures of it online. While these shots can give you a good idea of whether or not you like a house, visiting it is still a primary requirement. An open house can be a great opportunity to see a property in a more informal setting, letting you explore a bit on your own.
The first thing you should look into intently doesn’t even concern the house at all. Explore the streets surrounding the house and take note of those who live there. Well-kept yards and kids playing outside can be signs of a great neighborhood while overgrown lawns and a lack of activity may be bad signs. Especially if a family is part of your plans, the neighborhood could be a crucial factor and is something that is difficult to get a feel for without visiting.
Once you arrive at the house, take a look at the outside before you head in. Does anything need repair or new paint? Does the roof look sturdy and intact? Chances are most things you notice will be cosmetic fixes, but if anything does jump out at you, you’ll be happy you took a look. Further, taking a lap around the house will let you know what level of privacy you have. Some people like to be able to always chat with their neighbors while some want to be left alone. Whatever your preference, it is good to know what you are getting into beforehand.
Finally you should enter the house. Do a full tour and explore everywhere you are permitted. From the basement to the attic, you should look everywhere. It is always a great idea to take a tape measure with you to look at sizes of specific areas and the dimensions of drawers and cabinets. While you do not want to be overly pessimistic, it is vital to examine the home with a critical eye. Even the smallest spot of mold, for example, could be a sign of a bigger problem. Structural shortcomings can be tricky to spot as well, but are extremely important. Foundational cracks, leaky walls and windows, and uneven floors can all easily go unnoticed, especially in darker areas like the basement. Besides crucial issues, there are some other factors to consider, many of them intangible. Things like the flow of the house and the way light enters are virtually impossible to tell through pictures, but can make a difference in person
Another great area to focus on is the people around you: the sellers, their agent, and other potential buyers. While you always want to remain extremely polite, you are certainly entitled to ask questions of the sellers and their agent. While they will put a positive spin on things, getting them talking about their reasons for moving can provide extremely valuable insight. Ask their opinion on the neighborhood, schools, etc. Also, keep your ears open to other buyers. They may know more about certain aspects of the area or point out something you may have missed. You should take advantage of every potential information source at your disposal.
While we focus on a lot of small things here, it is still very important to consider the bigger picture. Things like layout, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage are all extremely important. However, chances are you are aware of all of these things before you visit the property. Even so, verify all of the details listed online to be sure there are no surprises later on. Between what can be discovered online and what you’ll see in an open house, you should be able to get a great idea of whether or not you are ready to proceed with an offer.
Planning for a vacation is always quite the process. People spend hours on dozens of websites finding the best deals on hotels and airfare, but something that people do not always consider is food. It can get extremely pricey to be eating out in hotel restaurants and other popular locations every night. By planning ahead, you can save a lot of cash and have more fun with the rest of your trip.
At home: The bulk of your money saving will come from work you put in at home. Knowing where you’ll eat or at least having a good set of options will make the trip less stressful for both you and your wallet. Perusing websites like Yelp and Urbanspoon can lead you to great local spots that won’t make you break the bank. Another great option is to join Groupon and LivingSocial to see if there are any special deals going on while you are in town.
On the road: Food costs can be high while traveling as well, whether you are flying or driving, food is astoundingly overpriced. In airports and at highway rest stops, restaurants know that they hike up prices because travelers simply don’t have other options. That is why packing some snacks and sandwiches is a great alternative to buying food. Just as a note, if you are traveling by air, the TSA requires that all food be wrapped up to pass through security.
During the trip: Even with a list of restaurants planned, there is no pressure to eat out for every meal during a vacation. Getting some food at a local grocery store and taking a picnic to a park or to the beach is a much cheaper option than a restaurant, but is still a very fun evening and a great way to enjoy the town. Another good option is to eat a late breakfast, as that can help you save a lot of money on lunch. By only having two large meals in a day and just a small snack in the afternoon, the savings can add up.
Overall, food can be an unexpected expense during vacations for a lot of people. It is very important to think ahead and set up a budget. If you take the time to plan your trip considering food expenses, it can be a lot less stressful when it comes time to pay the bills. There’s no worse feeling than worrying about money while you are on vacation and planning for all aspects of a trip, including food, will help you avoid that.
On average, installing monitored safety and security devices in your home can reduce your homeowner’s insurance up to 20 percent according to SafeWise.com. Not only that, but statistics show that a home with an alarm system is less likely to be targeted by a thief. The alarm company will have stickers that display on your doors and windows that tell thieves the house is secured. Installing a home security system is a no brainer, but with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which system is right for you.
There are a wide variety of security systems available and each has different features that set it apart from competitors. When choosing security systems, you must consider these three factors:
1. Monitoring: How the system communicates with its monitoring center.
2. Installation: The method of installation, either professional or DIY.
3. Home Automation: The ability to control various actions in your home beyond security. This includes turning lights on and off, thermostat settings, and much more.
DIY Security Systems: Professional home security systems can be daunting, especially if you are renting or on a budget. Fortunately, there are DIY security options you can find in any price range, from simple setups with just door/window sensors to high-tech wireless solutions that can protect any size home. You can purchase any home security system that fits your budget as well as your lifestyle. However, with DIY security systems you will be responsible for monitoring your home, so it’s up to you to call the police if you need help. Also, you will be the one responsible for working with your insurance company if a break-in occurs. Anything not covered by your insurance company, will have to be paid for out of your pocket.
Professional Security Systems: Professional security systems have become more sophisticated over time and include high tech sensors that detect broken locks, opened doors/windows, unexpected movements, broken glass, and other intrusion events. While the equipment is going to be of higher quality and provide better security, it will also be more expensive. However, most security companies offer a drastic discount or free equipment when you sign a monitoring contract. Professional monitoring can range from $20 to $100 a month depending on the company, and can include 24/7 burglary, fire, medical, and environmental monitoring. If your home does get broken into and your security system was armed at the time of the robbery, the burglars will be less likely to continue inside your home because of the alarm, and the police will be dispatched quickly, allowing a greater chance for the burglars to be caught.
Comparing the various features of each security system and the company’s that produce them, will allow you to choose the system that works best for your situation, budget, and lifestyle.
Moving is a very stressful time for anyone. However, hiring the right moving service should help to ease your mind, and make moving easier on you. There are various types of moving services available to tailor to your individual needs. To help you determine what moving service is right for you, we have provided a short list of options.
Full-Service Movers: Full service movers will do the majority of the heavy lifting. Their services include preparing your furniture for the move, moving it from your old home to your new home, and then unloading and organizing your furniture in your new home. Full-service movers also provide moving tools such as mattress bags, padding, moving blankets, shrink-wrap, and any other protective materials. Once you arrive in your new home, the movers will place the furniture exactly where you want it, they will remove all the plastic, bags, and padding, and will get rid of any garbage for you. They will also reassemble any furniture they had to take apart for the move.
Self-Service Movers: Unlike full-service movers who help to move your items and drive the truck, self-service movers just drive the truck. Some self-service movers will drive a truck to your location, while others might just drop off a large mobile moving container on your front lawn a few days before the move. With self-service movers, you are the one responsible for packing and loading the truck or large moving container. The movers will then move the container to your new home when you are ready, but you will need to unload and unpack the truck or container. This is an ideal option if you are looking to save money, and if you do not want to drive a moving truck.
Moving Labor: Hiring simple moving labor can help you to pack up your household items, load/unload a rented truck, and they can even drive your rented vehicle. However, before hiring moving labor you will need to gather more information about the movers and the company since not all moving labor is reliable.
Renting A Truck: If you are looking to save some money and aren’t afraid to drive a moving truck, your best bet might be just to rent a truck and have friends and family help you to move. Most moving trucks are easy to load, have a lot of space, and offer great protection for your household items. Rental moving trucks are available from companies like U-Haul, Budget, Penske, Enterprise, and more.
To ensure safe transportation of all your items, you must compare the services of each moving company. Take into account your budget and your needs while choosing one of these options. Get an understanding of other customer experiences by looking at customer reviews online. Finding a moving company that satisfies all of your needs should guarantee that your move is easy and stress free.
Moving can be a very stressful time. A lot of preparation and work is involved even if you are moving a short distance, never mind relocating across the country. While it is unlikely relocating will be completely stress free, here are some tips that will help to make the process easier.
Research: Before relocating to your new city, state, or country it is important to do your research. Research the local economy to learn what the cost of living is in your potential new area and how the local job market is in the community. Research information on crime rates within the area as well as health care providers and their availability to learn more about the community. Knowing the local real estate market is also important information to know before relocating. If you have a family or are planning on having a family in the future, you should research the local school district within your potential community as well.
Selecting a Quality Real Estate Agent: Whether you are just buying, just selling, or buying and selling a home you will need to select a top-notch real estate agent. A great real estate agent will represent your best interests. Keep in mind that every real estate agent is different and utilizes different sales techniques. The best way to find a quality real estate agent is to properly interview at least three to four realtors before making a decision.
Prepare: If you have children or animals, relocating can be especially stressful. When relocating with children, make sure you have their new school and their healthcare providers already selected. If you have pets, make sure you discuss your move with your veterinarian before leaving your current community. Your vet will need to provide you with the records for your pet and may also give you tips to make the move easier on you and your pets.
Moving Your Belongings: When moving your belongings to a new location you will want to select a quality moving company to help ease the stress of the move. You should not have to worry about your belongings arriving safely to your new destination; a top quality moving company will ensure this happens. After selecting a moving company, you should consider letting them move all your larger household items. Some of the smaller items you can bring with you when you travel or you can ship them to your new destination. However, it is important to think before you pack. Learn what the weather will be like in your new location so you can determine what you will need to pack and what you can leave behind. Over time, people accumulate belongings that they have no need for, so if you haven’t used the item or worn a piece of clothing within a year, there’s a good chance that you won’t need these items in your new location.
