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If youre thinking about buying a house, you probably know that you should shop around to find a loan with a competitive interest rate. When you visit lenders websites, you will see mortgage interest rates advertised, but you might not be offered the same rates if you apply for loans from those lenders.

Advertised Rates are Based on Assumptions
Many factors can influence a mortgage interest rate. The rates that lenders advertise are based on a series of assumptions, including loan amount, loan term, loan-to-value ratio and credit score. Advertised rates are for single-family homes, but rates are higher for borrowers who purchase vacation homes and investment properties.

When you look at advertised rates, check the fine print to find the assumptions underlying those figures. If they differ significantly from your situation, you will not get the advertised rate.

Compare the assumptions that different lenders use and their advertised rates. If several lenders make similar assumptions, but their rates differ significantly, you can figure out which lender would be most likely to offer you a good rate, even if it was higher than the advertised rate.

Interest Rate and APR
Its important to understand the difference between the interest rate and the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR includes the interest rate for a mortgage, plus closing costs and other fees.

The fees included in the APR are optional and lenders decide which fees to include. They generally dont provide a breakdown of the fees included in their APRs until after a customer has applied for a mortgage. You may have to request mortgage quotes from several lenders to get detailed information so you can make a meaningful comparison.

How to Qualify for a Lower Interest Rate
You may be able to take some steps to qualify for a competitive interest rate. Pay all your bills on time. Focus on paying down credit card balances and other debts to boost your credit score and lower your debt-to-income ratio.

Dont open new accounts before you apply for a mortgage and dont close old accounts, even if you dont use them. Doing so could shorten the average age of your accounts. It would also reduce your total available credit, which could increase your credit utilization ratio and hurt your credit score.

Making a larger down payment could reduce your loan-to-value ratio and help you qualify for a better interest rate. You may qualify for a down payment assistance program.

You could pay extra money at closing to purchase mortgage discount points and enjoy a lower interest rate over the life of the loan. One discount point equals 1 percent of the mortgage amount.

Get the Best Rate You Can
Apply for loans from multiple lenders. When you receive the loan estimates, look carefully at the terms and the fees included in each so you can compare apples to apples.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

These are the best spaces to have in your home for a digital detox.

Library

Theres nothing quite like curling up in a cozy chair and getting lost in a good book.

Fitness Area

Forget your worries while connecting with your body and taking care of yourself.

Meditation Room

A meditation room is the perfect antidote when youre feeling burnt out on technology.

Game Room

Choose one night a week and spend time connecting with each other instead of your devices.

Home Spa

Having your own little spa area at home is a surefire way to help you unplug and spend some time with your thoughts.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

One of the first things that often draws us to a house is its color. While various hues go in and out of fashion on the color-trend charts”and the occasional research report will claim that certain color homes sell faster than others”the color we choose to paint our home ultimately reflects our personal taste…and our personality.

According to Psychology Today, these colors may reflect the following about our personalities:

Charcoal: This darkest shade of gray is as close as you can get to black when it comes to house paint colors. People who like black are often artistic and sensitive, and may be closely guarded about sharing the details of their lives.

White: One of the most common colors for a home, people who are drawn to white are usually organized and logical. Dont expect to see a lot of clutter in their lives…or homes.

Blue:Available in myriad shades when it comes to house colors, those who lean toward blue seek harmony, are reliable, sensitive and often put others before themselves. Blue lovers also like to keep things neat and tidy, valuing stability above all else.

Green:Love a green home? Chances are you may be affectionate, loyal and straightforward. Those who like green are also quite conscious of maintaining a good reputation.

Yellow: Its no surprise that those who love yellow usually have a very sunny disposition. Yellow lovers find happiness easily and are people-oriented, readily learning and sharing knowledge with others.

Brown: If brown is your shade of choice, youre probably reliable, trustworthy and down to earth. Being flashy is not your thing.

The options are many when it comes to house paint, so choose the one that speaks to you and will make you happy for years to come. And when you want to experiment with a new color, get creative and try it out on your front door or trim.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The yard is one of the first things people notice when they arrive at your home for a visit. It’s also something that you and your neighbors see every day. A well-maintained yard can add curb appeal to your home and can even increase your property’s value.

If you’ve been neglecting your yard, summer is an excellent time to tackle some projects you have been postponing. Many of them can be completed in a weekend, leaving you with a clean and vibrant-looking yard that is perfect for summer barbecues.

Clean Up
Overgrown grass and unruly shrubs can detract from the appearance of an otherwise beautiful property. Take some time to mow the lawn and collect the clippings. If your bushes need a trim, you can do that yourself, provided you have the right tools and skills. If you dont, ask a neighbor to loan you tools and give you some pointers.

If you have a garden, pull up any weeds you see. If you don’t have a garden, you can plant some flowers to line the walkway to the house or place flowers in planters to create a more manicured look.

Check the trees in your yard for signs of disease or decay. Unhealthy trees look unappealing and can also create safety hazards since they can fall in a storm and damage the house or a car or injure a person. It’s best to leave tree pruning and removal to professionals.

Mark the Path
Make sure the pathway from your driveway or the street to your house is clear. If you have a paved walkway, check to see if any of the stones need to be cleaned, repaired or replaced”an easy task you can do yourself. If your house doesn’t have a clearly defined path to the front door, you can have pavers installed to create an inviting walkway. Place a welcome mat outside your door to add some color and make guests feel at home.

Install a Fence
If your neighbors don’t take care of their yard, it can detract from the curb appeal you’re trying to create at your own home. If you’re tired of looking at your neighbors overgrown grass, you can install a fence around your property. This can be done in as little as a day or two. Be sure to research your local ordinances, find out exactly where your property line is located and obtain any necessary permits first.

Quickly Improve Your Homes Appearance
You want your house to have curb appeal that makes guests feel welcome. Improving the appearance of your yard can also make it easier to attract buyers if you plan to put your house on the market. Sprucing up the yard can deliver immediate benefits, but it doesn’t need to take up a lot of time. You can breathe new life into your yard in just a weekend.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.