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We all rely on appliances to make home life convenient and comfortable, but many of us make mistakes that cause appliances to break down or wear out faster than they should. These are some of the most common blunders:

Washing Machine
If you have a mountain of laundry, it can be tempting to stuff as much as you can into the washing machine. Overloading a washer can damage the suspension and coils and may also damage clothes.

If items such as coins and zippers rattle around inside the washer, they can cause damage. Check pockets before putting clothes in the washer, and zip up any zippers so they dont damage the machine.

If you start a load of laundry and then forget to put it in the dryer when the cycle finishes, your clothes can get moldy. In addition to causing an unpleasant odor, mold can spread and damage the electronic components of the washer

Hair, lint and dirt can accumulate inside a washing machine and clog the motor, which can prevent the washer from agitating and getting clothes clean. The washer needs to be cleaned periodically to remove any accumulated waste that could cause damage.

Refrigerator
The compressor in a refrigerator is usually located in the back. If it isnt cleaned regularly and gets covered in dust, itll be unable to provide the condenser coils with enough air, which means the refrigerator will be unable to cool.

Overfilling your fridge can lead to problems. Blocking the air vents in the back of the refrigerator can prevent it from cooling food adequately and can cause the condenser coils to overheat.

Leaving the refrigerator door open unnecessarily can cause it to adjust to the outside temperature. That can cause strain and make the refrigerator less efficient.

Oven
An oven is designed to cook food, but homeowners sometimes run into problems when they use the appliance in a way that wasnt intended. Using an oven to heat a house can damage the internal components.

Keeping the oven clean can keep it working efficiently. Failing to clean up spilled food can cause damage to electronic parts and make the oven struggle to cook food.

Dishwasher
A dishwasher can help you avoid expending a lot of time and energy to scrub dishes. When it comes to particularly dirty dishes, some people think they should use extra dishwasher detergent. The truth is that too many suds can damage electronic components. The normal amount of dishwasher detergent should work fine.

Avoid Unnecessary Bills
Broken or worn-out appliances can be expensive to repair or replace. Appliances often become damaged by common mistakes. If youve been making any of these blunders, change your habits and use your appliances the way they were intended so theyll last as long as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

It might not be anyones favorite chore, but cleaning your homes gutters is an essential maintenance task not to be overlooked. When leaves, sticks and other gunk clog your gutters, it can lead to serious and costly issues, such as foundation problems, leaky basements and attic damage.

To help keep your home in good shape and save money, you should clean your gutters at least two times a year, depending on where you live, which types of trees you have on your property and other factors.

HomeAdvisor suggests following these five steps to debris-free gutters:

Step 1: Get Prepared. Put on a long-sleeved shirt and heavy rubber gloves to protect yourself from sharp edges on your gutters. Also, be sure to wear non-slip shoes to ensure a good grip on your ladder.

Step 2: Set Yourself Up. Secure your ladder to the roof, and use standoff stabilizers to avoid damaging your gutters. Put a bucket or drop cloth on the ground below your work area to catch any falling debris.

Step 3: Remove Your Gutter Covers. Unscrew your gutter covers, and set them aside. Be sure to place your covers in a safe location away from your work area so they dont get damaged.

Step 4: Clean Out Large Debris. Now youre ready for the fun part! Begin at the drain outlet, and use your hands or a trowel to remove any leaves, sticks or other clutter from your gutters. Its best to scoop out debris when its damp, not dry and stuck to the inside of your gutter.

Step 5: Flush Your Gutters. Use a hose with a high-pressure nozzle to flush smaller materials out of your gutters. If the water isnt draining, it could be a sign that your downspout is clogged. To clear downspout buildup, install a nozzle onto your hose and set it to full pressure. Insert the hose from the bottom of your spout and snake it upwards. You can also use a plumbers snake to clear difficult blockage.

If youre pressed for time, afraid of heights or unable to clean your gutters for some other reason, HomeAdvisor suggests hiring a professional to tackle the job. The money spent on this important home maintenance task would be well worth it in the long run.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Hopeful homeowners applying for a loan who aren’t able to put 20% down upfront may be hearing their lender talk about Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. A PMI comes into play when a buyer, unable to come up with a 20% down payment, is seen as a risky investment. Instead of simply blocking the borrower from taking out a loan, the lender will require a PMI.

Typically, the PMI payment is paid monthly along with the overall mortgage payment. While this may seem bleak, for some it is the only way to secure a loan without that pesky 20% downpayment.

However, just because you have a PMI doesn’t mean you will need to carry it the length of your loan. To get rid of the PMI on the loan, the borrower can contact their lender and ask that it be removed after they pay down enough of principal to cover the 20%.

Really trying to avoid that PMI? You could also take out a smaller loan to cover the amount of the 20% down, although this usually comes at a higher interest rate.

Understanding the Debt-to-Income Ratio
When applying for a mortgage, your lender will be looking closely at your debt-to-income ratio, also known as a DTI. But what is your DTI? It’s a calculation, and to get it, your lender will be dividing your monthly debt by your monthly income. Let’s look closer.

To start, first add up what you spend each month on the following: mortgage or rent, minimum credit card payments, car loan, student loans, alimony/child support payments, and other loans you may owe. The total amount is what you spend each month on debt.

Next, calculate your monthly income by adding up your yearly: gross income, bonus or overtime, alimony/child support, and any other income. Once you have this amount then divide your yearly income by 12 to determine your monthly income. Now all that’s left is to divide your monthly debt by your monthly income. While the base line changes, the typical ratio of what’s considered to be the healthiest debt load for the majority of people is 43 percent or less.

It’s also important to note that there are two types of DTI ratios: front end and back end. The front end DTI includes your housing-related debts. The back end DTI includes housing-related debts as well as other recurring debt payments (things like student loans, credit cards, child support, etc.).

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Home renovations can be expensive, especially if you want to make changes to several rooms or alter the floorplan. You probably want to keep the costs down as much as possible, but sometimes its better to spend more money to install items thatll last a long time, have a major impact on the overall appearance of a room, and help you attract a buyer and sell your home for a good price in the future.

Wood Flooring
Nothing beats the warm appeal of wood floors. While itll cost a lot more to install than other flooring materials, wood flooring can last decades. If the floor gets scratched or scuffed, youll be able to sand and refinish it to restore it to its original beauty. Wood floors can often be refinished several times, if necessary. If you decide to sell your house in the future, youll have no trouble attracting plenty of buyers who also recognize the advantages of wood flooring.

Appliances
You probably use appliances such as the stove, oven, refrigerator and dishwasher nearly every day, and the washer and dryer at least once or twice a week. Spending money for quality appliances is a good investment. You dont have to purchase the most expensive models, but you should read reviews to find out which brands tend to last the longest and compare prices and warranties.

Cabinets
If your family uses the kitchen to prepare meals each day, you most likely open and close the cabinets a lot, which can cause wear and tear that can detract from the appearance of the entire room. If youre going to replace the cabinets, it makes sense to pay more for quality. You dont need to go all out for top-of-the-line cabinets, but you can get ones made from strong wood at a reasonable price.

Countertops
Kitchen countertops can look beat up after years of daily use. If you cook a lot, its worth investing in durable countertops that wont scratch, chip or stain easily. You have many options when it comes to materials and colors. Visit a local home improvement store, and talk to an employee about how you use your kitchen so you can get advice on the best material.

Statement Lighting
A bold lighting fixture can be the focal point of a room. If youve cut corners in other areas to save money, allow yourself to splurge on a lighting fixture thatll add style and sophistication to the room.

Spend More for Quality
The cost to renovate a house, or even a single room, often gives homeowners sticker shock. Its understandable to want to save wherever you can, but sometimes splurging now on quality products thatll last, beautify your home and add to its value is the best move in the long run.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you are looking for a new home and have limited funds, a foreclosed property might be a bargain. Foreclosed homes are often sold below market price. If you find one in good condition, you may be able to get a lot more house than you would otherwise be able to afford, but you need to consider all potential expenses.

Dont Forget About Closing Costs
Closing costs are fees to process a mortgage, perform a title search and satisfy other requirements to transfer ownership of a property. They typically total about 2 to 5 percent of the sale price, depending on the location and the companies involved in each aspect of the process, and are usually paid by the buyer.

When purchasing a house, people sometimes dont think about closing costs or are surprised at how high the total figure turns out to be. Closing costs will still be required if you buy a house in foreclosure, but you might be able to lower or avoid them, depending on the circumstances.

Whats the Condition of the Property?
A vacant property is subject to neglect, vandalism and theft. Homeowners who are facing foreclosure have even been known to vandalize their own homes out of anger before being evicted.

A foreclosed property is sold as-is. A bank may pay for repairs to make a home inhabitable, but other problems are left for the new owner to handle. A bank selling a foreclosed property may not be aware of all problems and may not disclose problems even if it knows about them.

The Seller May Be Willing to Negotiate on Closing Costs
If a significant amount of time has passed since the lender foreclosed on the property, the company is probably eager to get the house off its hands. Every day that a property sits vacant, its condition can deteriorate, which can make it harder to sell. If the lender has struggled to find a buyer, it might be willing to pay some or all of the closing costs as an incentive for you to buy the property.

If the seller wont budge on closing costs, your mortgage lender might be willing to roll them into the total amount of your loan. That means youd have a higher monthly payment and possibly also a higher interest rate. If you are short on cash now, however, you might be willing to accept the greater long-term costs to buy the house you want, especially if youre getting it below market rate.

Get Professional Advice
Buying a house in foreclosure may be a smart move, depending on the amount of work the house needs and the cost. If you decide to purchase a house that has been on the market for a while, you may be able to negotiate an agreement with the seller to reduce or eliminate your closing costs. Discuss the specifics with your real estate agent, and ask for advice on how to proceed.

Published with permission from RISMedia.