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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.

When it comes time to list your home on the market, the decision to sell shouldnt be taken lightly. Rather than asking your Magic 8 Ball whether nows the time to pack up your belongings and move into a new space, youll want to focus on a variety of factors to be sure your decision makes the most sense for you and your family.

Here are five telltale signs that will offer the best indication that youre ready to get off the sidelines and make a move.

Youre financially ready. Purchasing a home is an expensive proposition, which means buyers need to have their finances in order before they even begin looking at houses. Many people take the plunge when interest rates are low and their credit score is in good standing, says James Roche, CEO of Houseplans.com, who notes that understanding the costs associated with purchasing a home is another important factor that needs to be taken into consideration.

You have a game plan. According to Roche, having a game plan in place is one of the best ways to motivate yourself when it comes to actually going through with listing your home. Your game plan should cover the basics”where you want to live, what type of home you want to purchase, when you want to move”in addition to how much you can afford. Having a general vision of what your next home will look like hinges on having an estimated listing price of how much you can actually afford, says Roche.

Your family situation is changing. Whether your family is growing or youve recently become an empty nester, shifting family dynamics can play a large part in your current home not meeting your everyday needs anymore. Take stock of the space you have”and whether its being put to good use”and decide what makes the most sense for your current situation.

Youre ready for self-expression. It may be time to hang that For Sale sign if you find that special house or rare parcel of land that youve always wanted, says Roche.

You actually want to sell. When it comes to selling your home, no one can make the decision for you. The best time for you to sell is when you feel that its absolutely right.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether your kids have moved out or youre getting ready to retire, moving into a smaller home can significantly reduce your living expenses. If downsizing is in your foreseeable future, here are seven ways to help you pare down your possessions so you can fit comfortably into your smaller space:

1. Plan backwards from moving day. If you have a clear idea when youre planning to move, start downsizing three months prior. It sounds taxing, but tackling every room (and/or garage, basement or attic) in one fell swoop is more challenging, if not impossible”especially for homeowners whove stayed put for years. Sorting through one room at a time is best.

2. Stick to the OHIO rule. Only handle it once. Avoid placing items in maybe piles. Ask yourself if youd replace the item if it disappeared”this will make the process feel much less like a trashing of beloved possessions.

3. Remember more isnt always better. We all have items were saving just in case the original breaks. But do you really need multiple mixing bowls? Dont be afraid to purge duplicates. The same applies to clothing”avoid holding onto garments that no longer fit, but might one day.

4. Scale back collections. Cutting a collection can be upsetting for anyone, downsizing or not. Because you have likely spent years growing it, approach the process as gently”and practically”as possible. Ask yourself which items are favored more than others, or limit the amount based on display space. For example, a bookshelf can only hold so many books.

5. Get cash for your castoffs. Remember the three-month rule? If youre planning to sell an item, start early. Some things may not move as quickly as youd like, and you dont want to be stuck with items you no longer want come moving day.

6. Contact an auction house. If you have an assortment of valuable items, like antique furniture or artwork, consider enlisting an auction house. Compile a large lot so the appraiser can assess items in one visit. An estate sales group can help facilitate the sale or auction of high-end belongings, too.

7. Donate as much as you can. Donating items to charitable organizations can make parting with possessions much more manageable. You may feel much less overwhelmed knowing the items are going to those less fortunate. In many areas, the Salvation Army and Goodwill are available to transport big-ticket items like furniture or appliances. Other house items in good condition can be dropped off and donated to the charity of your choice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether you are selling a house or recently moved into a new home, chances are there are some things you need to do to improve the look. This could be anything from painting to hanging photos to laying carpeting.

But unless you are one of those people who know their way around a set of tools, odds are youre going to need some help to get things done right.

Sure, you can hire someone to do it, but that could be expensive, especially for small repairs and jobs that probably wouldnt take too long if you knew what to do.

Thats where the magic of YouTube comes in. Thanks to thousands upon thousands of Do It Yourself videos, anyone can watch a video and follow along to learn how to do everything from adding wiring to the home to replacing a toilet.

Gone are the days where you had to go to the library for a book or call and ask a friend for instructions on how do to something. The DIY YouTube videos are informative, can be paused and re-watched and show step-by-step exactly what you need to do.

Some of these experts have been doing these sort of jobs for years and they will guide you through it slowly with directions you will understand. There are some videos designed for people with a little more knowhow than beginners, but many are geared towards people that have no clue what theyre doing. And by the time the video is over, they can do the job correctly.

YouTube is also good for watching people put IKEA or other furniture together, as anyone who has ever tried will tell you that the instructions often make no sense and there are pieces that always seem to be left over. The YouTube videos exist for just about every piece of furniture and again, will guide you step-by-step so you can see the work being done on your screen and follow along at your own pace.

The site has so many categories for DIY help that youll find yourself going on regularly looking to improve things around the house or yard. Need gardening tips? Help opening a pool? Ideas to catch mice? Videos exist that can show the homeowner exactly what they need to do.

Be wary that sometimes”especially if you need to use power tools or do complicated work involving electricity”its better to go with the experts. And just because theres a video for it, doesnt mean you should try it. Just be smart about those you choose to follow, and youll be shaping up your home in no time at all.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A bathroom can be among the top selling points in a home. In fact, upgrading your bathroom prior to listing the home for sale may enable you to sell it at a higher price point. Here are some ways you can improve your bathroom and get the highest possible return on your investment:

Add More Storage
There are many items that you want or need to keep in a bathroom at any given time. For instance, you’ll likely want to keep extra rolls of toilet paper handy or have extra hand towels available. You’ll also want to keep your toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant in the bathroom. By adding a closet, a larger vanity or extra drawers underneath your current vanity, you provide plenty of space for multiple people to share the bathroom peacefully.

Add a Touch of Luxury
Buyers will have a harder time not putting an offer on a home when it has a luxurious feel to it. Adding a whirlpool tub to the bathroom will make a buyer feel as if he or she were about to buy a spa instead of a residential property. Working with companies can make it possible to make your bathroom luxurious yet affordable at the same time.

Put in New Tile
Replacing your current floor in favor of a tile one can improve the look and feel of the entire space. In fact, a remodeling contractor can add a heated floor that is ideal for those cold winter days or those chilly spring mornings. It can make it easier to face the prospect of walking to the shower or sink without the need to find your socks and slippers first.

Add an Additional Sink
If you have to share the bathroom with your spouse or kids, it’s important to have multiple sinks. This allows both parents to get ready for work at once or both kids to get ready for school at the same time. It also allows people to keep their respective area of the vanity as clean or as messy as they want without infringing on others.

Even if you don’t have a large remodeling budget, you can still make your bathroom look and feel like one of the best rooms in the house. When upgraded properly, this space can be the centerpiece of the home and help attract eager buyers willing to pay top dollar for it.

Source: Hannah Whittenly/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.