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So, you rent an apartment, house or condo and you want to get a pet? The lease that you signed when you first moved in will most likely give you whatever information you need about the pet policy. If not, or if you still have questions, you can reach out to your landlord. However, some landlords are against allowing tenants to have an existing pet or bring a new one into their rental space.

Before you make the choice of buying or adopting a furry friend, communicate with your landlord to be sure you arent going against your lease or their wishes and prevent the possibility of conflict. Here are some tips for getting your landlord on the same page when it comes to allowing pets in your rental.

Talk to the Landlord
This is a great first step, especially before signing a lease. You can discuss your options, whether you already have a pet or if youre looking to get one. Directly ask if pets are allowed and if there are any restrictions. Some landlords allow only cats, no dogs. Some allow both, with exceptions to specific breeds. If you already own a dog, maybe a shepherd for example, but a rental property only allows small dogs and cats, you may be denied. If you dont have a dog, but hope to add one to your family in the next year, consider the breed and ask your landlord.

If you are already signed onto a lease, but unsure of the guidelines, make the call. Even if there are rules laid out in your lease, there is no harm in discussing and renegotiating.

Prove Yourself
Prior to discussing these terms in a rental you already live in, be sure to have tangible proof that you are not only a great tenant, but will continue to be as a pet owner. Collect references, from the vet, previous landlords, even your neighbors whose dog you watched when they were away. The more backup you have, the better. If a landlord can read a letter from”or have a conversation with”a reliable source that can assure them you are a responsible pet owner, they will be more inclined to allow them.

Also, providing current credit reports and other paperwork showing you pay bills on time and have a handle on your finances can be a big help. Keeping the property clean, no noise complaints and good relationships with neighbors are also great ways to show that you are a responsible and trusted tenant and will continue to be with a pet.

Ask Them to Meet the Pet
Most animal adoption agencies require or ask that you meet the animal prior to bringing it home. Take this opportunity to invite your landlord to meet the pet you are interested in. Send a link to the website listing and any other information you may have on the animal to your landlord and even create a pet resume with images, breed and size expectations, as well as any medical history and obedience training.

If your landlord sees how much research and care you have taken just to show them this animal, it may also show them the care and attention you will give it once its in your home. Remember, asking to meet the animal and providing them with extensive information is not a guarantee that they will allow pets.

Offer to Pay a Deposit
When landlords decide to allow pets, there is usually some sort of extra deposit needed. Though this varies for each individual landlord, additional monthly charges may be added to your rent, as well as a contract you need to sign making you responsible for all damages and repairs due to your pet. However, if you offer this up first, it may work in your favor.

If your original lease makes a blanket statement of no pets allowed or security deposit required with no other details, do some research. Talk to neighbors in your area and even talk to a real estate agent to get a better idea of what an average deposit or additional monthly payment looks like. Offer this to your landlord to show that you are willing to pay them more to add a new member to your family.

Under no circumstances should you try to sneak a pet without discussing it with your landlord. If your lease strictly states that no pets are allowed or that written consent from the landlord is needed, you can be legally required to get rid of your pet, end your lease or get evicted, losing any and all security deposits.

Though you may not get the answer or solution you had hoped for, there are many other rentals out there that will allow a furry friend.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whats worse than finding a huge spider lurking in the corner or a line of ants under the fridge? Finding that a rodent has made its way into your apartment. Take these steps when you find a mouse:.

First, Tell Your Landlord
If you live in a rental, notify your landlord or property manager as soon as you can, as they will want to take care of it as much as you do. They may call in a professional to clean up and seal off any points of entry for future visitors.

Locate Point of Entry
Its just as important to figure out how the mouse got in as it is to get it out. Check common areas where mice tend to enter, such as cracked window sills or foundations, exterior doors (especially to basements) and piping. Be sure all doors to the outside stay closed when they arent being used.

Close Off Holes
Once you locate the areas where mice may enter, patch or close it off to reduce the risk of more mice, or any other little critters, from exploring the inside of your apartment. Installing screens on all windows is a good way to ensure they cant be used as a point of entry.

Set & Check Traps
There are many different types of mouse traps and bait on the market, so you shouldnt be short of options here. Be sure to place them in areas where you find mouse droppings, dark corners and behind large pieces of furniture. Keep a constant eye on the traps, as a mouse who gets stuck can urinate and attract other rodents, spread diseases or stink up your entire home.

Keep it Clean
Make sure food is kept in sealed containers to reduce attracting rodents. If you drop crumbs or accidently spill something, clean it immediately. Wipe down counters and dont let dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Remember to take trash out, especially when its full of food.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Buying a home is full of numbers, including the all-important down payment and interest rate on the loan. The process also includes a lot of terms you may not be familiar with, especially if its the first home youre buying.

Your real estate agent, escrow officer and other experts who are guiding you along the way can help a lot. It can also help to know some mortgage terms ahead of time, which can make shopping for an agent and a home a little easier.

Here are some common mortgage terms youre likely to hear during the home-buying process, and what they mean:

Amortization:
The gradual reduction of the mortgage debt through regularly scheduled payments over the term of the loan.

Annual percentage rate:
Abbreviated as APR, this measures the cost of credit in a yearly rate. It includes the stated interest rate and certain charges.

Appraisal:
Written estimate or opinion of a propertys value prepared by a qualified appraiser. The appraisal amount should be close to the cost youre paying for the home to help make getting a loan easier.

Debt-to-income ratio:
Relationship between borrowers total monthly debt payments, including new housing expenses and gross monthly income. Its used to determine how much of a mortgage a borrower qualifies for. The less debt, the better. The maximum ratio is 43 percent, though below 36 percent is preferable. That means that 36 percent of your income goes toward debt and living expenses.

Escrow:
Something of value (money or documents) that is deposited with a third party to be delivered when the condition of the contract is delivered. Escrow can be used, for example, to deposit funds with an attorney or escrow agent to be disbursed upon the closing of a real estate sale.

Mortgage insurance:
Insurance that protects lenders against losses if a borrower defaults on a home loan. Its typically required if the down payment is less than 20 percent of the purchase price.

Prequalification:
A preliminary assessment by a lender of the amount it will lend to a potential buyer. It isnt an approval of credit and doesnt signify that underwriting requirements have been met.

Principal:
Amount of money owed on a loan, excluding interest. Making this monthly payment reduces the balance of the mortgage.

Underwriting:
Part of the loan process where its decided if a loan will be provided to a potential homebuyer. It is based on credit, employment, assets and other factors to assess risk and match it to an appropriate rate and loan amount.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre looking for a home and doing research on mortgages, you should have a complete list of your assets in order for a smooth transaction.

When applying for a mortgage, if you dont have a sound credit history or anything to show you have some net worth, chances are you may be denied or faced with an interest rate thats on the high end of the scale.

Common assets that mortgage lenders will want listed are stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401k and retirement accounts, life insurance, cars, boats, antiques, jewelry and other real estate. When an asset is liquid, it has cash value or can be easily converted to cash. Liquidity is important in cases of financial emergency.

When a mortgage company looks at your worth and compares it to the down payment, closing costs and other money needed for the home transaction, it is making a decision that can impact the rest of your life, so you want to be sure you are honest and include everything.

The source of assets is also considered. For instance, if you list $100,000 in savings, but it was given to you by a parent or relative recently to beef up your account, that will raise a red flag. Who is to say that youre not going to give it back once the deal is signed?

Or maybe you took some money out of your retirement fund or took a loan against future income in order to pay off some debt. That too could have negative consequences, because mortgage lenders will know you will have less money in the future.

Any large deposit on your statement will raise an underwriters eyebrows and make you wonder if a borrower took out a loan that has yet to appear on a credit report.

Before applying for any mortgage, make sure to get your assets in order and have all documents to prove that everything is on the up and up. And if you dont think your assets are enough for your dream home, you may need to consider opting for a smaller home or waiting a little longer until everything comes together.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Bathroom renovations are typically expensive. Even relatively minor upgrades can cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you plan to sell your house in the future, you want to recoup a substantial percentage of the money you invested in bathroom remodeling. Fortunately, you dont need to completely gut your bathroom and spend a fortune to increase your homes value and appeal to prospective buyers.

Bathroom Upgrades With the Highest Return on Investment
Homebuyers focus on the appearance and functionality of bathrooms. Simple repairs, such as replacing the caulk around the tub, installing a new toilet and replacing fixtures, can significantly improve the appearance of your bathroom at a relatively low cost. Replacing your sink, toilet or shower with a more energy-efficient model will appeal to potential buyers, since they would use less water and save money each month.

A dated bathroom may cause prospective buyers to pass on your house, even if its filled with other appealing features. To attract buyers, replace and upgrade dated fixtures, but avoid ornate ones and just keep things neat and functional. Make sure new fixtures complement the other components and colors of the bathroom.

If the vanity in your bathroom is worn out, stained or dated, replacing it with a new one with an attractive sink, faucet and countertop, as well as plenty of storage space, can improve the overall appearance of the bathroom and make it more functional, both of which will make it more desirable to buyers. Marble and granite countertops can be worth the relatively high price tag since they tend to appeal to home shoppers.

Flooring thats worn out from years of daily use can detract from the overall appearance of a bathroom. Tile and vinyl flooring materials can mimic the appearance of stone or wood. You shouldnt choose the cheapest materials, since they may be of poor quality, but you dont need to spend a boatload of money to install the most expensive flooring either.

Although most people shower daily, many like the option of relaxing in a tub. If your bathroom has space for a tub, installing one, if it doesnt already have one, may help you attract a buyer in the future. A whirlpool tub wouldnt help you much when you sold your house, however, since it would require a lot of maintenance and most homeowners would only use it occasionally.

Spend Your Money Wisely
Before you remodel your bathroom, think about which fixes would do the most to improve its appearance and functionality and increase your homes value. Splurging on high-end materials wouldnt give you a significant return on investment at sale time. If you have a limited budget for bathroom renovations, some simple, relatively inexpensive upgrades may pay off a lot more in the long run than a costly remodeling project.

Published with permission from RISMedia.