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If you are renting an apartment but want to buy your own home, youll have to save enough money for a down payment first. The amount will depend on the price of your dream home and the terms of your mortgage, but itll most likely be several thousand dollars more than you currently have in your bank account. Saving money for a down payment while putting a significant percentage of your monthly income toward rent can feel daunting, but you can do it if you make some strategic decisions and commitments.

Figure out How Much You Need
If you have a pretty good idea of where you want to live and the size and features you want in your future home, you can look at recent sale prices and come up with a ballpark estimate of how much youll need for a down payment. Having a target can help you stay on track.

See Where Your Money Goes & Look for Ways to Cut Expenses
Keep track of every dollar you spend for two or three months. Knowing where your money goes can help you identify areas where you can make changes to save. For example, you may be surprised at how much you spend on things like eating out and entertainment.

If you live in an area where rental costs are high, consider relocating. You might have a longer daily commute, but cutting your rent bill could give you hundreds of extra dollars each month to put toward your down payment. If moving isnt an option, consider getting a roommate to share expenses.

Utility bills can fluctuate from month to month as your usage changes with the season. If possible, find an apartment with some or all utilities included. The rent payment may be higher, but paying the same amount each month can make budgeting easier. If you cant find an apartment with utilities included, look for ways to use less electricity and water.

Increase Income & Reduce Debt
You can earn additional income by taking on a part-time job. Whether you capitalize on an in-demand skill that you have or look for odd jobs or a freelancing gig, every extra dollar can bring you closer to your down payment goal.

If you have credit card balances, high interest rates can cause you to pay thousands of dollars extra. Paying off your debt means that money could go toward a down payment instead. Eliminating credit card debt can also raise your credit score and help you get a mortgage with a lower interest rate.

Focus on a Goal & Create a Strategy
Saving money for a down payment can be tough if youre paying to rent a home, but it can be done. Set a goal, figure out where your money is currently going each month and then look for changes you can make to reduce your living expenses. A multi-pronged approach can help you reach your goal faster.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Renting doesnt always leave much room for personalization. And when youre a bibliophile, it can be hard to organize your large collection when you cant build out bookshelves or are limited on space. But dont fret, book lovers, there are ways to display your literary assortment in a creative and organized fashion. Heres a few ideas

Line Your Windowsill
Utilize the space youve been given by lining up your collection in front of your window. Use plants or other decorative items as bookends to give your presentation more style. Add some photos around your display for even more personalization.

Create a Headboard Library
If reading in bed is your way to relax before slumber, displaying your collection in arms reach is the perfect solution. Build your own headboard with shelves and cubbies that will easily fill up with your favorite reads. Add a coaster for your cup of tea to add another layer of comfort.

Build a Makeshift Library
Bring back the elegance of an old-fashioned study with bookshelves you can assemble on your own or with a friend. Whether in a cozy corner or across an entire wall, show off your collection of novels with a classic and timeless look. Add this display to your home office to create a studious and intelligent space.

Make Use of Extra Space
Take a look around your apartment to find unused and open spaces. A shelf above your cabinets, the lid of your toilet or any sort of built-in nooks are perfect spots for stacks of books. Even dress up your coffee table in your living room or your end tables in the bedroom with a set of visually appealing hardcovers.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Renting a house or apartment is a great alternative or interim solution to buying. Maybe youre saving up for a more permanent home or youre just moving into your first place away from your parents. Whatever the case, the rules of renting can sometimes get in the way of you feeling at home.

In most rentals, painting, putting up wallpaper, installing floors and adding anything permanent is not allowed. Plus, you dont want to spend time and money renovating something that you dont own. There are, however, many temporary options that can keep you from sacrificing comfort and style.

1. Peel & Stick Tiles
If the kitchen in your rental is a bit outdated, or you just cant stand the existing backsplash, these tiles are a great temporary option. You can find them in almost any shape, size and design. Simply remove the film from the adhesive side of the tiles and place onto the wall. When you are ready to move out, apply heat – you can use a hair dryer – and remove to reveal a damage-free wall.

2. Adhesive Window Film
If privacy in your neighborhood or apartment complex where you rent is an issue, look no further than this decorative and ingenious solution. With styles ranging from a plain frosted look to an intricate design, window film is a great way to add subtle style to a room and ensure your privacy. You can cut it to size, and with the adhesive spray and smoothing tool, youll have upgraded windows in minutes! And, as easily as the installation is, the removal process will take half the time!

3. Removable Wallpaper
Its easier than ever to totally redesign your rental space with this incredible invention. Add an accent wall or paper the entire apartment, and before you know it, your space will be transformed. You can even use removable wallpaper on shelving, under your island or even inside drawers and cabinets for an extra pop of color. You can find almost any style, design or color depending on your style. Simply remove and ensure your full security deposit when youre ready to move out!

4. Faux Flooring
Some rental properties feature older flooring styles, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, such as outdated linoleum or an unattractive tile. Temporary flooring offers an opportunity to update the aesthetic of an entire room, or even an entire apartment. From all different grains of wooden planks to desirable patterns of ceramic tiles, there are many styles to choose from, and just like a removable backsplash – easy on, easy off!

5. Command Hooks
No more unsightly holes will be left in the wall with this inexpensive trick. Command offers hundreds of hooks that can handle a myriad of weights, as well as outdoor options that can stand up to tough weather and humidity. These hooks come in all shapes, sizes and finishes, offering a way to hang curtains, framed artwork, coats, towels and more without leaving a trace.

6. Contact Paper
Turn any surface into a chalkboard or line all of your shelves and drawers in florals with this customizable tool. Marble patterns are also available, providing an instant enhancement to your countertops, as well as a stainless steel look to upgrade your appliances. Using a similar application process to window film, this option is easy to install, can be cut to shape or size and be easily repositioned or removed.

7. Tile Decals
Maybe your rental has a boring backsplash behind the stove or a plain white tile floor in the bathroom. Instead of living in a bland space, add character to your rental by decorating pieces that already exist. Take an extra styling step by sticking these to your staircase or using them to make a welcome mat in your entryway. With hundreds of colors and designs, youll never be short of style with the easy-to-apply stickers.

Personalizing your rental space is the first step to making it feel like a home. By taking these steps and utilizing these temporary tools, ensure not only the return of your full security deposit, but endless design possibilities wherever you go – with no trace left behind!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Spring, sunshine and budding blooms are nearly at your front door and there is no better time to get to work to protect your home. Here are the spring maintenance tasks youll need to put on your to-do list to ensure you are protecting your home from damage and unnecessary wear.

General Inspections
Annual inspections are the best way to address those relatively small maintenance tasks that can lead to thousands of dollars in repair expenses if ignored. Have your HVAC system and your roof inspected by a professional yearly, if possible. This will allow you to make small and inexpensive fixes to prevent unneeded and costly replacements.

Outdoor Tasks
Spring is the best time to evaluate your landscaping. With spring blooms readily available, theres no better time to focus on your propertys curb appeal. Spring landscaping tasks can include lawn aeration, overseeding, fertilization and pruning of shrubs or trees. However, dont ignore the vital clean-up tasks. Fall and winter storms can bring branches, leaves and other debris, clogging foundation vents, gutters and downspouts.

Heavy winds can also be responsible for slippery grime and debris causing unsafe walkways around and leading up to your property. Clean your gutters and your gooseneck to ensure those spring showers dont bring standing water that sits next to your homes foundation.

Indoor Tasks
Now is the perfect time to get started on your indoor spring cleaning tasks. Not only will you feel more organized, but a tidy home ensures you dont miss problem areas (like leaks, cracks or other issues) before they are difficult to address. Finally, while you are conducting your spring cleaning, check for mold development in the attic or standing water in the basement due to winter moisture buildup.

Keeping your home in its best shape is important both for your resale value and your overall enjoyment while living in it.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Buying a house is challenging for many people. If your annual earnings are low, it may be difficult or impossible to save a substantial amount of money for a down payment. If you have existing loans or credit cards, your debt-to-income ratio may be too high to qualify for most mortgages. Fortunately, there are several programs that might be able to help you achieve your dream of owning a home.

Federal Programs to Help Low-Income Borrowers
A loan through the Federal Housing Administration requires just 3.5 percent down. The down payment can be made with funds received as a gift. FHA has lower credit score requirements and less stringent rules on debt-to-income ratio than conventional lenders. The borrower can have a co-signer and the seller can pay some or all of the closing costs.

Both Fannie Maes HomeReady program and Freddie Macs Home Possible Advantage program require just 3 percent down. The borrower doesnt have to personally contribute any money toward a down payment; it can come from a grant, loan or gift. In addition, the seller can pay up to 3 percent of the purchase price in closing costs and the borrower can qualify for a discount on mortgage insurance.

The Department of Agriculture has a home loan program to help low-to-moderate income borrowers purchase houses in designated rural areas. The USDA offers two programs for borrowers with different income levels. No down payment is required.

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers loans that can be particularly beneficial to low-income borrowers since there is no down payment or mortgage insurance required. The program doesnt have a minimum credit score, but lenders can set their own minimums. The VA has more lenient rules on debt-to-income ratio than conventional lenders. The seller can pay up to 4 percent of the purchase price to cover the buyers closing costs.

The Good Neighbor Next Door Program lets teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians buy Department of Housing and Urban Development foreclosure properties at half-price. The discount is a second mortgage that doesnt require any payment, as long as the borrower lives in the house for at least three years.

Other Forms of Assistance
Some city, county and state housing finance agencies issue mortgage credit certificates. Borrowers who meet income guidelines can receive a tax credit equal to a percentage of the mortgage interest. That credit can be added to qualifying income, which allows a lender to approve a higher mortgage amount than the borrower would have otherwise been able to obtain.

Some government agencies, employers and charitable organizations offer down payment assistance through grants or loans. Programs may have income limits, or they may help borrowers buy homes in underserved or redevelopment areas, no matter their income.

Ask If Youre Eligible
Several programs are designed specifically for people who have low incomes and want to buy a home. If you need help, research these programs to find out if youre eligible or ask your real estate agent for guidance.

Published with permission from RISMedia.