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When you replace a carpet in your home, whether it’s because you are trying to improve a room before selling or redecorating once you move in, it can be challenging.

Removing the carpet itself isn’t terribly problematic, and if you have some friends willing to help, it can be done pretty easily over the course of a day, but most times, you will see marks on your floor due to the glue that was used to keep the carpet in place.

Now, this doesn’t matter much if you are only going to install new carpeting; you can simply cover it up. But a lot of homeowners are choosing to go with the natural wood floors underneath, so those marks need to be removed.

Just by using a little elbow grease and following some basic DIY instructions, you can be enjoying a hardwoodfloorbefore you know it.

First, try to figure out what type of glue you are dealing with as not all glues are the same, and removing the different kinds can require different solutions and steps. For example, tar-based adhesives are dark brown or tan, while yellow-looking adhesives signify a carpet was glued down with a more general adhesive.

Next, visit your local hardware store and buy the appropriate removal material. Tar-based glues need mineral spirits to get the job done while general adhesives are best removed with some basic adhesive remover. Both require a good deal of that elbow grease we spoke about earlier.

Once you do, removing the glue is rather simple. Scrape off any spots you can, but don’t dig in too deep or you may damage the floor. Then add the adhesive remover, spreading it out evenly. Read the instructions carefully to ensure you keep it on for the correct amount of time. Also, since many of these can be toxic, be sure to wear gloves and keep the windows open to allow ventilation inside the room.

Always use a plastic putty knife to scrape the glue away as this won’t scratch or scuff the floor like a metal tool will. If the glue isn’t completely wiped away, follow the instructions again and add more remover to the spot. This time, use an old towel to wipe away the remaining glue.

Once all the glue is gone and the floor has dried, vacuum the area so no glue particles remain. Buy some floor cleaner and polish up the wood floor so it looks brand new, and enjoy.

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.

A new home is no small purchase, and finding ways to save money both before and after buying can be a huge help. Whether youre a first-time buyer or in the market for a new place, try these money-saving tips:

Always Use a Real Estate Agent
One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to buy a home without a licensed real estate agent. A professional can be of immense help during the purchase process. Not only can an agent help with paperwork, but they’ll also know how to negotiate the price using fair market value, the actual condition of the home and other various factors.

Shop Around for Lenders
Like with any purchase, shopping around is a smart way to save. When seeking a mortgage, contact multiple lenders. Youll be able to better understand your loan options, as well as compare estimated monthly payments and interest rates, to get the best deal for you. Do some research to find reputable lenders, and ask your real estate agent for recommendations.

Try Not to Pay PMI
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is tacked on to your monthly mortgage payment if you buy a home with less than a 20 percent down payment. This extra expense can add thousands of dollars to the cost of homeownership. Save money in the long run by trying to save at least 20 percent for your home, or purchase a home that fits into a slightly smaller budget.

Find Better Insurance Rates
Similar to auto insurance and health insurance, monthly property insurance premiums vary depending on the company that underwrites the policy. Spend time shopping around at different insurance companies until you find the one that offers an affordable rate and sufficiently covers your property. After buying your home, check periodically to see if you can find a better deal.

Reduce Your Property Taxes
This is a very popular and often effective way to save money on a new home. If you think the assessed value of your home is too high, ask for a review. A different assessor will come out, perform an inspection and make any adjustments, if necessary. While this doesn’t always work, it’s worth a shot if you want to save as much money as possible.

Make Additional Monthly Payments
If your mortgage payment is low enough where you can consistently pay more each month, doing so could save you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the mortgage and reduce the number of months you’ll need to pay. However, be aware that some lenders may penalize borrowers for paying off loans early. Check with your lender to see if your mortgage includes pre-payment penalties.

There are a variety of methods consumers can use to save money, both upfront and during the course of their mortgage. To avoid financial issues in the future, always purchase a home thats within your set price range and never buy a home with zero money down; doing so will make it much harder for you to borrow against the property in the future.

Source: Kara Masterson/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When it comes time to sell, all homeowners want to get as much money as possible for their house. In addition to working with a real estate agent to increase your chances of getting top dollar, you can make some changes to your property to make it more appealing to potential buyers.

Here are four of the best value-raising tactics for selling your home:

Ordinary Updates
There are plenty of simple updates you can do to your home before selling it that can help raise its value. These kinds of updates include replacing rotting wood, repairing roof leaks, getting rid of mold and spreading a fresh coat of paint. Buyers tend to look over the home theyre thinking about buying carefully, which is why its important to check every inch of your home and see what you can update without breaking the bank.

Remodel Your Kitchen
Updating your kitchen is highly recommended to improve the value of your home; however, make sure you dont go overboard and end up not having enough money in your budget to finish the project. Repainting the walls, updating the backsplash and installing new appliances can help boost the value of your home.

Improve Your Outdoor Environment
A great outdoor space can make or break a sale, so make sure to mow your lawn and consider updating your landscaping or building a nice outdoor seating area. For a larger project, build a deck. If you want to undertake a simpler project, update your existing yard features. All of these projects can make your yard look more attractive and increase the resale value of your home.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency
More and more homebuyers today are looking for energy efficiency. Consider making updates to your home that lower energy costs. This can include installing insulation, purchasing replacement windows and buying ENERGY STAR appliances, among other things. Not only are these features appealing to prospective buyers, but they can also lower your energy bills while youre still living in your home. Jump on the sustainability train and make a few updates today!

All home sellers want to get as much money as possible for their home, but few know how to accomplish this. With the four techniques above, you can increase the value of your property and increase your chances of making the biggest profit when it comes time to sell.

Source: Hannah Whittenly/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Moving into a new house can be a quick lesson in how little furniture you have. And while you may not want to fill up every nook and cranny, unless youre moving to a smaller home, chances are youll need to buy some furniture after a move.

Budgets vary, making it easy to go over budget when furnishing an empty space, so here are some simple ways to make furnishing a new house affordable:

Budget and Save for It
This is a step you hopefully made before buying a home. Budgeting and saving for new furniture is a good financial move, because it can be a big expense that can take some time to save for. By proactively setting money aside for furniture, you can keep your expenses at a set level, which will allow you to buy what you need without having to go into debt for it.

Pay Cash
If your furniture budget isnt quite where you want it to be, make it a point to pay with cash whenever possible to avoid putting anything on a credit card and paying interest on revolving credit. If you do use a credit card, make sure you can pay it off in full before interest charges start. Some stores even offer no-interest credit for a set number of months, with credit charges from the date of purchase taking effect if you dont pay off the bill before the promotional period ends, so explore all your options before making a purchase.

It shouldnt be a big deal to let a room or two be sparsely appointed (or even sit empty) until you can save enough cash to buy what you need.

Buy Essentials First
Blowing all your money on furniture is the last thing you want to do, so focus on purchasing the essentials first. Essential items include a dining table and chairs, beds and a couch or comfortable chairs for the living room.

Once youve acquired the essentials, begin saving for bigger functional pieces that will make a room look full. These include sectional sofas and large area rugs.

Negotiate and Shop Sales
Like many big-ticket items, furniture stores are often open to negotiating prices. Ask for discounts on floor models, shop around to compare prices, and look for seasonal sales around the holidays and during specific months of the year, including January and July.

You may even be able to find good deals at warehouse stores, thrift stores and online sites such as Craigslist and Nextdoor.

Affordable Extras
Some smaller, inexpensive items can make a house feel like a home while showing off your style. For instance, unique-looking lamps can make a room look cozy, while drapes, throw pillows and a fresh coat of paint can make a room more inviting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.