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Buying and moving into a new home is exciting, but it also requires a lot of attention to detail, from closing the deal to figuring out the logistics of getting all your belongings from point A to point B. Amid all the excitement, planning and unpacking, many new homeowners overlook one essential factor: the security of their new house.

If youre moving, consider these six tips from the home security experts at ADT to help keep your family and your property safe and secure:

Change the Locks. You never know who lived in your property before you moved in. Do yourself a favor and change the locks regardless of the situation.

Transfer or Invest in a Security System. Theres no better way to ensure your home is secure 24/7 than installing a home security system. Burglar-proof your house by adding video surveillance and motion sensors for complete security. If theres already a security system in the house, have it properly looked over and reactivated. If youd like to bring the security system that you’re currently using to your new house, consider relocation services.

Install Indoor and Outdoor Lighting. Dont stand out as the new neighbor by being the only dim house on the street at night. Keep your family protected by making your house look occupied at all times using light automation.

Keep Your Outside Area in Excellent Condition. Did you know burglars see the exterior of your property as a bullseye? If your lawn is unkempt or you have large shrubbery, burglars will see that as an invitation to break in.

Talk With the Neighbors. Having trusted neighbors can immediately make living in a new place much safer. They may be able to help keep your house look occupied while youre away by simply picking up the newspaper, shoveling your walkway, etc.

Remind Your Kids to Be Cautious. Moving to a new neighborhood means a lot of unfamiliar faces for you and your family. Make sure your children are aware that they should never let a stranger into the house, leave the garage door up when they come in or go exploring too far until youre more familiar with the area.

By taking care of these security measures when moving, you can turn your focus to truly enjoying your new, safe home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre someone who isnt happy with their current mortgage”whether its because you heard of someone having a better rate, you realized the payments are too large or you want to pay your home off quicker, then its probably time to look into a mortgage refinance.

Simply put, a mortgage refinance replaces your current home loan with a new one and can be done to reduce the interest rate, cut monthly payments or tap into their homes equity.

And you dont need to be years into a mortgage to refinance. If it makes sense financially, you can refinance at any time.

Still, there are some mistakes that those going through the process make. Here are some things to avoid.

Being Unprepared:
Once you get the ball rolling, dont stall. If your new lender gets in touch asking for information, dont waste time looking for documents and financial info”send it to them right away so everything goes smoothly. If youre busy at work or about to embark on a family vacation, wait until you have opportune time to get things started.

Jumping at the First Offer:
One of the reasons youre looking to refinance is because youre not happy. But even if the first lender that comes along offers you better rates, dont just say yes. Shop around for the best deal, and even check in with your current lender to see if they can do something to make your mortgage more appealing. They might be willing to work with you, saving you some paperwork and time.

 

Waiting too long:
If you hear about a good rate from a friend or see a special deal being promoted, do your due diligence but dont wait too long before making a decision. Try to get everything done in a couple of days and check out as many lenders as possible. You dont want rates to rise or something to change before you pull the trigger.

 

Not Thinking About Closing Costs:
During any refinance, keep in mind that youre likely to be responsible for new closing costs, including a loan application fee, appraisal fees, title fees and attorneys fees. Be sure you have this money on hand and make sure that these new fees dont impact the value you are getting overall from the refinance.

 

Adding on to Loan Term:
When refinancing, some homeowners decide to add to the number of years of their loan term, lowering their monthly payments but increasing the total amount of interest over time. Conversely, lowering the terms by five or 10 years can save you a lot, so if you want to change the years, make it lower.

By making smart decisions, your refinancing can be a smooth experience.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A word that anyone who is going through a house sale should know is contingency.

And along with that, understand that just because a bid is accepted, doesnt mean that the deal is going to go through.

How it works: A bid is made with the understanding that it is contingent on having the house inspected, with the buyer needing to approve the results.Contingencies are part of any standard contract and define the efforts that must be done before a deal is finalized in addition to the inspection, such as financing, insurance and agreed-upon repairs.

All of this is necessary because if something that was agreed upon is not done as stated, the potential buyer has an out. For instance, suppose the sale was contingent upon the seller taking out the living room carpet or fixing a crack in the chimney, and those werent done by closing time, well then, the buyer is not required to go through with the deal.

Theres also something called a financing contingency, which is on the onus of the buyer, and states that they must secure an acceptable mortgage or obtain other means of financing to buy the home. This becomes a safety net for the seller that ensures the sale will go through. If not, an agreed-upon fine will be imposed, and the seller can re-list the home.

Then, theres an insurance contingency that ensures the house and new buyers will be able to get insured. This isnt as prevalent, but for those buying in areas with a history of toxic mold, earthquakes or floods, insurance carriers no longer automatically issue a policy, so the contract can be contingent on applying for and receiving an insurance commitment in writing.

Other popular contingencies include the seller asking that the deal be made contingent on him or her successfully buying another home, or the buyer making the deal contingent on selling his or her own home.

A home sale contingency can be riskyto sellers as theres no guarantee that the other home will eventually sell. Even if the contract allows the seller to continue to market the property and accept offers, the house may be listed under contract, making it less attractive to other potential buyers.

Obviously, the most significant part of any contingency is putting it all in writing. Your REALTOR will be able to lead you through what needs to be done.

A home transaction is one of the most important things you may ever do, so make sure you take all the proper steps to ensure you get what you pay for.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Looking at homes for sale can be the fun part of buying a house. The real work comes when youre picking a mortgage lender that can give you the best loan for your circumstances.

After detailing your income, expenses, down payment and a monthly mortgage you can afford, a lender will run a credit check and should be able to tell you the best options for the interest rate and loan product.

Here are some questions to ask as you comparison shop for a lender:

Whats the interest rate?
This will be based on your loan and credit score, and determines your monthly payment. The lower the interest rate, the lower the payment. Improving your credit score can help lower the interest rate you qualify for.

Fixed rate or ARM?
Fixed-rate loans have the same interest rate for the life of the loan, from 10 to 30 years. Interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, change after an initial period, such as a year, and then at regular intervals.

Ask how often an ARM rate will change, the index its tied to, and what the cap is on the interest rate during one period and the life of the loan. Make sure you can afford the higher rate. An ARM will have a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate loan, and can be a good idea if youre not planning on living in the home for long.

How much is the monthly mortgage?
Answering the first two questions will get you to this answer. Its a number you should already have in mind before looking for a house, and should be an amount you can afford.

Be sure to include other monthly costs, including insurance, taxes and, if required, private mortgage insurance, or PMI. This insurance is often needed if you dont have a 20 percent down payment and is meant to protect the mortgage company if you default on the loan.

Any fees?
One-time fees called points are due at closing and each point paid will lower your interest rate by 1 percent. Another option is to not pay any closing costs upfront and to have them rolled into the loan in exchange for a higher interest rate.

If you want to lock in the interest rate and points for a certain amount of time in case rates go up, you may have to pay a fee.

Also ask if there are fees for making extra mortgage payments so you can pay off the principal amount early. Some loans dont have prepayment penalties, but some do.

A lender should be able to help you find the best home loan for your finances. Just be sure not to sign a contract with them until youre satisfied youre getting the best deal with the best mortgage lender you can find.

I hope you found this information helpful. Please contact me for all your real estate information needs today!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Squirrels, raccoons, opossums, bats”these types of so-called nuisance wildlife often try to find shelter in and around homes, especially through attics and basements. In addition to being unwelcome guests, wild animals can damage property and pose serious health risks.

To help you critter-proof your property, the National Pest Management Association (NMPA) offers the following five tips:

Screen Vents
Raccoons and squirrels often find their way into homes via uncapped chimneys, broken vents and other openings along rooflines. Ensure that these items are fully screened to prevent wild animals from making your home their own.

Cover the Trash
Many types of nuisance wildlife, especially raccoons, are attracted to piles of trash left outside. You should store all garbage bags in plastic containers with sealed lids to make it difficult for animals to dine on your leftovers.

Cut Back Vegetation

Squirrels and other small wildlife are known to use tree branches to gain access to rooflines, where they can then find a number of ways to move indoors. Be sure to cut back any tree limbs or branches that hang too close to the foundation. A good rule of thumb is to keep vegetation at least 6 to 8 feet from the roofline.

Clean up the Yard
Dont let brush, leaf piles or other debris accumulate in the yard, as these materials make the ideal harborage site for small animals. Also, make sure firewood is stored at least 20 feet away from the house during the cooler months.

Keep Bird Feeders Out of Reach
Ensure bird feeders are only accessible to birds. Squirrels, raccoons, opossums and even bears are drawn to birdseed. Homeowners should also place birdbaths where small animals cant reach them. Birdbaths and fountains may attract wildlife to the property, especially in areas where water is scarce.

If you encounter nuisance wildlife on your property, the NMPA says its extremely important to contact a local wildlife control specialist or pest control professional instead of attempting to trap and remove the animal on your own.

Published with permission from RISMedia.