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Is your kitchen in need of a face-lift? If theres not enough money in the budget to remodel your kitchen, Lowes home designers suggest you browse the aisles of your local home improvement store for ideas and give the room a whole new look with a few cheap and easy makeover options.

Paint the walls. Paint covers a multitude of sins and freshens up even the dullest kitchen. If you make only one change to your kitchen, paint it”and opt for a color different from the old one.

Transform the cabinets. Use a brush or roller to paint wooden cabinets, or if youre a bit braver, apply new wood or vinyl veneers to change the look of laminated cabinets.

Switch out the hardware. Shiny new cabinet and drawer pulls can make a huge difference, and there are hundreds of styles to choose from.

Replace appliance hardware. Spiff up your old stove and oven with new knobs. You can also change out those pans under your stoves burners for a cleaner look overall.

Get a shiny new sink. Choices include stainless steel, enamel-coated cast iron and composites, as well as single bowl or double bowl, top-mount or under-mount models.

Change the faucet. For a fun and inexpensive modification, get a new fixture. A spray attachment can come in handy, as can a faucet with a built-in soap dispenser.

Alter the lighting. A blend of overhead, natural and under-cabinet lighting can make the kitchen glow. Youll finally be able to see what youre cooking. You might also want to add a dimmer switch to your new lighting for times when you want the room a little mellower.

Add some simple new decor. To give your kitchen a new look”say, farmhouse, rustic or modern”buy some framed prints to hang on the walls, and add small design touches such as glass canisters, a cookie jar you love, and a vase or pitcher of flowers. Complete the look and color scheme with new kitchen towels and potholders.

By making some or all of these simple updates, you can revamp your kitchen for cheap!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will take a close look at your financial situation. In some cases, it might make sense to pay off existing debt before applying for a mortgage, but in other instances, it might be better to focus your attention on the down payment.

What a Lender Will Look at
A lender wants to be confident that youll be able to handle any existing debt, plus a mortgage, and that youll manage your finances responsibly. Paying bills on time and keeping your credit utilization ratio relatively low can help you maintain a strong credit score.

The lender will also consider your debt-to-income ratio, which is calculated by adding the minimum monthly payments due for all debts, such as credit cards and auto and student loans, and comparing that figure to your monthly gross income. If you plan to apply for a mortgage with a co-borrower, the lender will consider both your gross incomes and your total monthly debt payments.

How Debt Could Affect Your Ability to Get a Mortgage
Lenders set limits on total debt, including a mortgage. If you have a mountain of debt now, there wouldnt be much room left in your budget to cover a mortgage payment, taxes, homeowners insurance and private mortgage insurance (PMI), if applicable. That means you might not qualify for a large enough mortgage to buy the house you want.

What Should You Do?
Since a lender will look at your monthly minimum debt payments to decide how much to loan you for a mortgage, reducing your monthly payments might help you get a bigger loan. You could do that by paying off some or all of your debt, or by consolidating or transferring credit card balances.

On the other hand, if you put down at least 20 percent of the purchase price, you wouldnt have to pay for PMI. That could save you hundreds of dollars per month. A large down payment could also help you get a mortgage with a low interest rate.

If you have a substantial amount of money that you can put toward a down payment or paying down debt, take the interest rates on your current debts into account. If your existing obligations have relatively low interest rates, you might be better off putting down as much as you can to avoid a high mortgage interest rate and PMI. If you have high-interest credit cards, youd likely be better off paying off those debts since a mortgage would have a lower interest rate.

Crunch the Numbers
When deciding whether to pay off existing debt before buying a house, consider your current debt balances, minimum payments and interest rates, as well as your debt-to-income ratio, credit score and the approximate price of a house you want to buy. An online calculator can help you estimate how much of a mortgage you could qualify for with different debt levels and down payment amounts.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre in the market for buying your first home, chances are you have some money saved but you might be worrying a bit about having enough for the down payment. This is especially true for millennials just a few years into the workforce who probably are just learning why their parents always told them to save some of their paycheck each week.

Sure, the prospect of saving enough might be difficult to digest when youre eager to get house hunting, which is why sometimes it makes sense to explore some other means to get the money.

Below are some helpful hints to find the down payment you need.

Family:
Deep down you might be too proud to ask your parents for a handout, but thats probably the easiest way for you to get the money you need. And many parents probably had a similar experience when they were first starting out and looking for money. Arrange a loan with interest (if your parents insist!) and be prepared to invite them over for next years Thanksgiving.

Keep in mind that if a family member provides the money, a lender will ask them to sign a form called a gift letter, attesting to the relationship. The lender may also require mom and dad to explain where they got the money and prove that they are financially able to make such a gift.

401k or IRA:
Chances are, you might have the money you need already, only its tied up in your companys retirement plan. If you have a 401k or an IRA, first-time homebuyers are able to borrow as much as $10,000 for a down payment on a house without incurring a penalty. And if youre self-employed, you can actually take out as much as $50,000 from your SEP retirement fund as long as you pay yourself back over five years at a low interest rate.

Wedding Gifts:
Many millennials looking for their first home are often newly married or planning a wedding in the near future. If this is the case, you can make donating to your down payment as part of your wedding registry. Numerous mortgage companies allow brides and grooms to set up a down payment registry and many guests will think its a great way to celebrate the joining of two people they love. Besides, who uses a toaster anymore anyway?

Grants:
Do some research and look for down payment assistance and community redevelopment programs, which offer affordable housing opportunities to first-time homebuyers, low-income and moderate-income individuals and families who wish to achieve homeownership.

If you find that none of the above will work for your circumstances, theres always the old fashioned saving for a rainy day. Try putting aside 10 percent of your paycheck each week and make your lunch instead of going out. Forget that vacation and walk or ride your bike instead of using the car. It may seem like a lot, but the sacrifice will be well worth it when you are in your very own home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

As a child, being sent to your room used to be a punishment. These days, however, its more like a reward, as high-end homeowners are giving their kids rooms the luxury treatment. For many parents, theres no price you can put on creating a space where the little ones will play and let their imaginations run wild. If youre looking to channel your inner-child while designing, here are a few exciting features that the kids will love having in their rooms.

Built-In Bunk Beds
When it comes to the childrens room, built-in bunk beds are the ultimate design feature. Theyre a practical use of space, especially if your kids are sharing a room, and you can also have a trundle bed underneath for when their friends sleepover. For grandparents, having a bunk room that all the grandchildren can share when theyre visiting is sure to keep them coming back.

Climbing Wall
Kid-sized climbing walls have quickly become a popular feature in childrens rooms and for good reason. Theyre easy enough for any avid DIYer to install and give kids an exciting way to burn their energy while also improving problem solving skills and building confidence. Of course, be sure to take the proper safety precautions and place mats below the climbing area.

Loft Area
When youre a kid, having a loft in your room is like having your own multi-floor living space. It doesnt require particularly high ceilings to give them a little nook above their bed where they can keep toys and build forts. Another option is to use the loft as a work space for them and put a desk where they can do their homework. You can also incorporate fun ways for them to come down, like a slide or firemans pole.

Swinging Chair
These days, there are tons of different features for kids rooms that you can hang from the ceiling, like swings, chairs or even a pod where they can curl up with a book. Its the perfect way to give their room a playful vibe that they can grow into while keeping it stylish.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The home selling process involves many steps, from finding a real estate agent to negotiating your selling price with potential buyers. When it comes to having your home inspected, you have a few options.

Pre-sale home inspections can be a great start to determine the condition and value of your home. This can be helpful for a seller and agent as the condition of the home can be put into the listing and any immediate issues can be fixed.

Once a home is listed for sale, the seller can still get an inspection done to prepare for any surprise costs or issues the house may have. Some cities and states require sellers to provide potential buyers with a detailed home inspection, but more commonly than not, buyers will opt for their own as well.

Whatever route you choose, it is important to prepare your house – and yourself – for a home inspection. And that starts with a clean house. If your house is a mess, that can be an immediate indication to the inspector that the home hasnt been properly maintained.

As youre cleaning, be sure to make room for workspace around the furnace, water heater, air conditioner and electrical boxes. In order to properly check these areas, about four to five feet of space is required. Remember to clear away snow, leaves and brush from exterior inspection points as well.

Provide your inspector with access to all points of the house, including the attic, basement and garage. Move any large items or boxes a few feet away from the walls and if you happen to find any rodent droppings or cobwebs, remove and clean the area.

Leave all of your utilities connected, even if the house is vacant. The inspector will have to check the lighting, turn on the stove, run the dishwasher and test out the furnace, among other tasks. If the utilities are off, the inspector will not be able to complete the inspection, reschedule and possibly delay the selling process.

Lastly, when it comes time for your inspection appointment, be on time, have all documents ready and stay out of the way. Make plans for your children and pets to be out of the house for at least two to three hours. In the case that a prospective buyer accompanies the inspector, it can get awkward to ask questions with the seller present, so it may be best to plan to be away as well. Before you leave, make sure to provide any and all repair invoices and receipts in regards to remodels or updates.

Published with permission from RISMedia.