Uncategorized

Need a loan to buy a house? There are many options out there to help you obtain a mortgage, and finding the best loan and lender for your particular situation can be confusing and difficult. To help you navigate the process, the American Bankers Association (ABA) offers the following tips:

Know your own financial situation. Before you begin the home loan application process, determine what you can realistically afford. Take into consideration your credit score, how much debt you currently carry and what type of down payment youre prepared to make.

Have your documents ready. Although each lender may require different documentation, you may be required to furnish the following information depending on your employment and financial situation:

Pay stubs;
Tax returns;
Financial statements (one that is less than 60 days old);
Copies of additional monthly payments such as car loans, credit cards and student loans; and
Any other information (such as proof of additional income) that you think will help a lender evaluate your credit request positively.

Review the basics. Knowing the fundamentals of the home loan process is an excellent way to prepare to choose the right mortgage. Make sure you are familiar with interest rates, loan terms and additional fees associated with buying a home.

Compare quotes. Beyond the interest rates, there are closing fees and points and commissions. Youll want to compare these for all the lenders on your list. There are several calculators available online that may help you determine which loan provides the best value, including ones offered by ABA.

Choose a trusted lender. Get references from family and friends, and do your research. Check with your local Better Business Bureau, and find out if it has received any complaints about any of the lenders youre considering.

Read between the lines. Slick TV ads, telemarketers or door-to-door salespeople will often offer fast, easy loans for houses, cars and home repair, but not disclose all of the details. Read the fine print. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask questions. When in doubt, ask for clarification from your lender. Discuss how long the loan process will take, how you will communicate”by phone or email”and who will service your loan.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Having a well-stocked pantry can mean the difference between having a last-minute dinner on the table without much in the refrigerator, or going to the store for supplies or dining out.

Most things in a pantry will have an expiration date, but an expiration date doesnt always mean that a product is unsafe to eat. It refers to the nutritional value and could be eaten afterward”unless you notice discoloration, odor or compromised packaging. If so, throw it out.

Food lasts longer if it has been preserved through canning, pickling, drying, smoking or pasteurization, or if it contains food preservatives. All of these inhibit bacterial growth, keep the food looking good and prevent food-borne illnesses.

That said, you dont want to take the risk of eating spoiled food. If something smells off, looks bad or tastes bad, throw it away.

Still, there are some things that should stay fresh in a pantry for a long time. For example:

Soy Sauce

If unopened, soy sauce can last indefinitely. Once the top is off, it should remain fresh for three years. What helps it last so long? High salt and acid content act as preservatives.

If you expect to use a bottle of soy sauce within a few months, you can store it in a pantry. Any longer and put it in the fridge to retain the best quality for longer.

Honey

Honeys sweetness is from a low acidic pH and very low moisture levels, which prevents the growth of bacteria. Honey can be kept indefinitely, though it may crystallize over time.

Sugar

Sugar can also last a long time”if you keep it away from moisture. Technically, sugar never spoils.

Rice

If stored properly in airtight containers, rice should also last indefinitely. White rice will store well for 25 to 30 years if properly sealed and stored.

Whole grain rice is processed and has a shorter shelf life, so keep whole grain rice and brown rice no more than six months.

Peanuts

Peanuts and items such as peanut butter, which is high processed with sugar and other food additives, can last up to two years.

Canned Fish

Tuna, salmon, sardines and other types of canned fish can last three to five years if their original packaging isnt opened or damaged. Canning removes all air in vacuum-sealed containers that are heat processed. It destroys microorganisms and prevents new bacteria from getting in.

Cornstarch

This cooks helper thats often used to thicken recipes can last indefinitely. Keep it away from moisture and you can keep a box in your pantry for years.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Porches are very popular, but a screened porch is a must-have for some because of bugs and weather that is more worrisome than before. Screened porches offer an outdoor sanctuary in an age of increasing concerns about pest-borne diseases, which is one of the reasons they have been increasing in popularity over the years.

They will provide protection against bugs, but also offer shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. Additionally, a screened porch will lower ground temperatures, saving on cooling costs in the summer. A screened porch will also reduce the sunlight that reaches adjacent interior rooms.

Lighting options are greatly increased as well. During the day, you can still rely on the sun, but at night, you can use recessed lighting, pendant lights or even a ceiling fan to give the room even more light and comfort.

Sellers or those who recently purchased a home might even consider building an entirely new porch if there is space available, say between the garage and house. But keep in mind that it doesn’t add to the home’s total square footage.

If you do decide to go this route, there are numerous options when deciding on the materials to build with. A quick look around the web will provide advice on designing the porch in three phases: flooring, exterior materials and interior trim. Everything from pressure-treated Yellow Southern Pine to vinyl and to up-cycled composites can be considered.

When getting started, know what you want in the look of your ceiling from the beginning. Flat ceilings can give a screened porch that interior room feel, whereas a vaulted or cathedral ceiling is spacious, allowing for better ventilation.

Also, think about doors carefully. Do you want one leading directly to the house, or do you want it to wrap around the side for easier entry from a pool or outside entertaining area? Aluminum doors are highly recommended because wood doors tend to warp over time.

While this might seem like a project you might want to tackle yourself, using a professional contractor is probably best, as they will know the zoning laws, can deal with any issues of wires that might pop up, and can create something in less time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre like many people with an expansive wardrobe, you will agree with recently surveyed homebuyers that a walk-in closet”with perhaps a dressing area”is the second most important feature wanted in an upscale home.

Respondents to a National Association of REALTORS Buyers Home Feature Preference study ranked the extravagance just under air conditioning in terms of superior comfortable living”and 60 percent of them said they would spend the money to install the feature if the home they bought did not have one.

Installing the ultimate walk-in is easy to do without major upset, designers say, if your home has a spare bedroom adjacent to the master suite.

First, suggested one designer, be strategic. Take a good look at your clothing and accessories to determine the kind of space you need. Do you require a lengthy hanging space for full-length dresses, for example”or more than average space for shoes and purses? How much shelving will it take to hold your sweaters and folded shirts? How much drawer space for socks and underwear, and/or jewelry and accessories? And speaking of jewelry, do you want a wall safe built into your new walk-in closet?

Lighting is important. Whether you choose track lighting, recessed fixtures, or crystal chandeliers, you will want to be sure they provide enough ambient light to illuminate all the rooms contents.

Do you want a seating area? Having a room-sized closet means you also have space to add seating, so you can sit down if you wish. Plan for a comfortable armchair or chaise lounge you can sit on while you put on shoes, and/or a lighted vanity where you can sit to put on makeup or accessories.

Every good walk-in closet needs a full-length mirror”and depending upon the size of the room, a qualified custom closet designer will provide more ideas for turning your spare room into the walk-in closet you envision”beautifully finished and perfectly organized to maximize space and light.

From double-hanging rods and floor-to-ceiling shoe shelves to hanging or expanding wall pegs for belts, scarves or ties, there are other options a creative designer will suggest based on your needs and specifications. Whether you find your designer online or through a personal recommendation, be sure to review photos of his/her past designs and chat with two or three past clients about their room conversion experience.

That unused bedroom can provide much more than a little extra closet space. Done right, it can become a spacious wardrobe oasis.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Lets say youre about to host an open house or potential buyers are scheduled to visit your for-sale home. You go to open a door to a closet or bedroom and you discover the door is loose, or even off a hinge.

Dont despair, this is actually an easy fix that even the least handy of people can repair in just a few minutes, and heres how to do it.

The Tools for the Job:
All you need are a screwdriver (a powered screwdriver will make this chore a bit easier), screws, carpenters glue and wooden matches.

Remove the Screws:
If just one hinge plate is loose, you may be able to make the repair without taking the door down. Having someone hold the door in place for you as you make the repair will be a big help. Use the screwdriver to remove the screws from their base. They may be so loose that you can just pull them out without a tool. Also, consider buying new screws, theyre not expensive at all. Be sure to buy wood screws.

Fill the Hole:
Start by putting carpenters glue in the hole. Now heres where the wooden matches are put to use. Cut the tips off the matches, the part you strike to light them, and put one match in each screw hole. Break off the parts of the matches that stick out of the hole so that theyre flat. If you dont have wooden matches you can also use wooden toothpicks or a wood-filling product.

Put the Screws Back:
Position the door hinge in the correct spot and use the screwdriver to secure the screws. When youre done, tug on the hinge to make sure its secure. Then give it a final test by closing and opening the door to make sure its aligned.

And when people tour your home, theyll have no idea there was ever a problem with that door.

Published with permission from RISMedia.