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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.

Many companies offer customers the opportunity to bundle home, auto and life insurance policies. That can often save people money, but not always. Its important to conduct research and carefully compare your options.

How Bundling Could Save You Money
Insurance companies generally offer generous discounts to encourage customers to bundle their policies. If you got multiple policies from the same company and kept them for several years, you could save a significant amount of money.

Having different policies from the same company could also save you money if you needed to file a claim. For example, if an accident damaged both your home and car, you might be able to submit one claim and pay a single deductible, rather than submit two claims to different companies and pay two deductibles for the same event.

Other Reasons to Bundle Insurance Policies
If you had policies from different insurers, there could be gaps in your coverage that you werent aware of and that representatives of the insurance companies couldnt identify because they didnt have the specifics about the other companys policy. Bundling policies could make it easier to be sure that you had the right coverage.

If you live in a region that is prone to severe weather, wildfires or other perils, it could be difficult to get homeowners insurance coverage. If you already had an unrelated policy from an insurer, however, that company would be more likely to offer you homeowners insurance because if it refused to insure your home, you could go to another company for all your insurance needs and your existing insurer would lose a customer.

If you wanted to change your coverage or add another type of insurance, it would be easier if you dealt with a company that already had your personal information, rather than starting from scratch. You could also view all your coverage information in one place and pay one bill.

When Bundling Insurance Policies Might Not Make Sense
Bundling might not be a good option if you have a luxury or performance vehicle that is expensive to insure. Since you would pay high rates for a standard auto insurance policy, you might be better off getting coverage from a company that specialized in high-end vehicles.

When you talk to a company about bundling policies, make sure you compare apples to apples. One insurer might offer you a discount for bundling policies, but the coverage could be less extensive than what you could get from another company. Sometimes its better to pay more for broader coverage.

Is Bundling Insurance Right for You?
Bundling insurance policies saves many people money, but its not always the best move. Contact several insurance companies to discuss your needs and compare coverage options and premiums so you can make the right decision for your circumstances.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are few materials that can be used as widely throughout the house as natural stone. From kitchen counters and backsplashes to bathroom tiles and outdoor terraces, the application extends to virtually every room. With so many different types to choose from, however, it can be a daunting task to find just the right one to introduce to your living space. If youre looking to add some visual drama to your home, here are a few eye-catching natural stones that will make for an unforgettable living space.

Amazonite Extra Granite
With shades of teal and gray infused with white crystals, Amazonite Extra is an easy way to make a design statement in any room. When used in large slabs, this granite showcases breathtaking colors and patterns that instantly catch the eye.

Pink Onyx
Millennial pink has been one of the hottest shades in interior design in recent years and if you want to capture that color in natural stone, then this is the one for you. Swirls of pink and white make this a mesmerizing surface that feels simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

Nero Antico Marble
When you think of marble, chances are youre envisioning that classic look of white stone with a few light grey veins. If you want a more dramatic style, however, the high contrast of black and white Nero Antico marble will give your home a sleek and modern feel.

Fusion Wow Quartzite
With a name like Fusion Wow, one would expect this quartzite to really pop and it certainly does just that. A range of colors including shades of gold, orange and peach are often found in slabs and make it one of the most visually unique stones that youll come across.

Earth Glitter Granite
Primarily black with shimmering swirls of gray, pink and orange, Earth Glitter granite can bring a room to life with its stunning appearance. From bathroom vanities to dressing room islands, it lends a luxurious look with a splash of color.

Published with permission from RISMedia.