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For veterans or service members looking to buy a home with a Veterans Affairs loan, there are some extra steps to take and home condition requirements that arent needed with other types of loans.

The home must be safe, clean, in good condition and move-in ready, partly because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesnt want to back a loan where the military members finances are at risk because they have to make unexpected home repairs.

The extra work can be worthwhile. VA loans are 0.25 to 0.50 percent lower than conventional loans, dont require a down payment or mortgage insurance, and have more flexible and forgiving requirements. Closing costs are limited and lenders fees are limited to 1 percent of the loan amount.

The government guarantees at least a quarter of the loan amount on a VA mortgage, which is why a down payment and mortgage insurance arent needed.

For buyers who qualify, here are some things to be aware of when buying a home with a VA loan:

Look for a move-in ready home.Homes that are structurally sound, safe and sanitary are more likely to pass the VA appraisal. The property must have adequate heating, roofing and safety features, and major issues must be repaired before the loan can close. If the VA expert has to return to reinspect something that needs to be fixed, the borrower will have to pay more inspection fees.

Be ready for an inspection.A home inspection is a normal part of buying a house, but a VA inspector will make sure the property is in good, working order. But a lot of the things theyll be looking at are cosmetic, which a regular lender wouldnt be concerned with. Though a VA inspection can sound like a professional home inspection, it isnt and buyers can hire their own inspectors after the VA one if theyd like.

And more inspections.The VA also requires some inspections that other lenders dont. A VA loan will require a pest inspection, along with a look at the septic tank, if there is one, and the water well if the property isnt on a city water line.

Quicker timeline.VA loans have tighter timelines than other types of loans, which is why hiring a real estate agent and loan officer who have experience with VA loans can make the process smoother. Active-duty service members can have short buying windows if theyre ordered to move to another base.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Some things just get better with age, and thats certainly the case when it comes to reclaimed wood. Brand-new wood floors and ceiling beams have plenty of appeal, but if you want to give your home a distinguished look, you may want to consider salvaging timber from an old barn or factory. Here are just a few reasons why reclaimed wood might be the right choice for you!

Eco-Friendly
There are many popular types of wood that are difficult to find sustainably sourced, like ipe and teak. If you have your heart set on using one of these, the best way to do it just might be by repurposing it from elsewhere. Furthermore, youre helping to preserve natural resources and can feel good about using timber that would otherwise go to waste.

Already Weathered
Each piece of reclaimed wood is unique and has often already developed a patina. This makes it a great choice if you have kids or pets who are prone to scuffing up the floors, because the beauty is in the flaws that come from being used over time.

Versatility
For a long time, reclaimed wood was only used in traditional or rustic design; however, these days, it can be found in almost any setting. In a modern residence, the juxtaposition of old and new creates a stunning aesthetic while also adding warmth.

History
Unlike new materials, theres a story behind reclaimed wood that gives character to your home. Whether its antique French oak floors in the kitchen or hand-hewn beams from an old farmhouse in your living room, these are far from run-of-the-mill details.

Transcend the Trends
While certain styles come and go, salvaged wood has timeless appeal that continues to improve with age. After all, there arent too many other finishes in a home that still look good after being used for decades or sometimes even centuries!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

With rent rising and family sizes decreasing, millennials have started to opt for smaller alternatives when it comes to real estate. Maybe the trend came from IKEA showrooms, the micro-housing wave, or simply from growing accustomed to sharing apartments with one too many people. The fact remains: people may want to pay for smaller, but they still want to live as large as possible.

The goal is to avoid creating a highly congested space. Thankfully, experts like author and real estate professional Matt Parker have done the homework for us. Learn to make the most of your small space by following these tips from Parker:

1. Rooms with high ceilings, 9 ft. or taller, help make small square-footage spaces feel large. In many cases, liking or disliking a home has to do with ceiling height.
2. Add custom bookshelves high on one wall in a room. This creates a spacer for your eye, drawing your glance up and making the room appear larger.
3. Use large paintings in small rooms, one wall only, and you will be amazed how much bigger they feel, says Parker.
4. Follow this rule: If you havent used it in a year, sell or donate it. Parker recently did this, and removed about 25% of his familys clutter.
5. When it comes to clothes, consider quality over quantity. According to Parker, folks in Los Angeles often hire a wardrobe assistant who helps them pick four perfect outfits per quarter. Buy really nice clothes, that are really trendy, in small batches, then immediately get rid of them, he explains. What a win/win from a fashion/lifestyle standpoint!
6. Use a stand-up desk instead of a sit-down desk. Sit-down desks occupy about 100 square feet, explains Parker.
7. In small rooms, install a very large custom mantle. This lends a sense of grandeur to a small space.
8. To make small rooms feel more spacious, decorate with light colors: gray, white, light blues, light yellow, light green, and stick to the same color palette throughout the room.
9. Large floor rugs make rooms feel much bigger.
10. Parker also advises against buying huge wholesale quantities of food. Instead, buy one weeks worth of healthy, fresh food each week. You will feel better, and look better, like your home!

I am recommending people buy nicer things, enjoy them more, and live better lives. I am not indicating to stop consuming or become a hermit. Simply be decisive about what you love and eliminate the rest! You will not believe the sense of peace, and style, adds Parker.

As you can see, the trick to living large in a small space is to not be afraid to let go. Freeing up space usually taken up by clutter allows you to enjoy things you actually like. Thats what makes the transition worth it. Well, that and all the extra cash youll be saving!

Matt Parker is the author of Real Estate Smart: The New Home Buying Guide and Real Estate Agent Talks. Parker works entirely paperless and happily lives in a 560 square-foot home with his wife, where he prioritizes living, not clutter.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether weve decided to go to grad school, have moved to a different country or state for a job, or have simply left our family home for the first thing we could afford, us millennials are usually not living somewhere we expect to stay forever. And while this might sound exciting, the truth is, that lingering sense of instability often causes us to basically live out of a suitcase (something to do with always being prepared to jump ship).

Living in small, shared spaces make us feel like were not allowed to unpack. Yet, unpacking and making yourself at home is of the utmost importance. This room, which is at the moment legitimately yours, is the only space youve got to recharge and refocus. At the end of the day, your 20s are a time of high stress levels thanks to anxiety-ridden life decisions. It is imperative to put your best foot forward every day.

In my personal experience, I have cozy dorm rooms to thank for helping me feel like I was ready to take on the world. Now that Ive graduated and live off-campus, Ive found that moving from one residence hall to the next helped me develop transferable skills that I am now using to set up my new closet room. These are some of the things Im glad I learned beforehand:

1. Consider the space: The biggest mistake most college students made was leaving the furniture arrangement as they found it. Dont trip over the same stone in your post-grad life. Setting up your bed horizontally and against the wall will automatically free up usable space in your room. In what could only be described as a wide hallway, I managed to fit a futon, a desk and chair, a bed, and a dresser without obstructing the walk-in closet, the bedroom or the bathroom doors. Most likely, there is really only one way to fit everything. You just have to keep going until you find it.
2. Decorate but dont suffocate: To make a small space a home, follow two cardinal rules when decorating. First, dont accessorize to the point of feeling overwhelmed (you dont want your own bedroom to make you feel stressed). Second, add items that you have an emotional connection with”pictures of family and friends, posters of shows you like, scents that transport you, twinkly lights, etc. If it makes you want to curl up in your bed and stare at it, put it up.
3. Prioritize comfort: Sure, when youre living in a temporary space its hard to invest in maximum comfort furniture. But that doesnt mean you have to sleep on a rigid mattress. Instead of splurging on memory foam, get an egg crate. Buy basic silverware and dinnerware, but invest in a couple of special mugs. Pick and choose which things you use the most and allow yourself to enjoy them.
4. Avoid clutter: This last one hurts, but you might need to put the wallet away when temptation knocks on your door. Sometimes we see furniture or dcor that we think would look fabulous in our ideal home, we forget we dont live in said home, we buy them anyways, and are left with an extra yellow armchair that doesnt fit anywhere. Be mindful of what actually belongs in your current space and what is meant to continue dwelling in dreams.

Your temporary home can be broken in like new shoes, and they will help you walk the walk youre on at the moment. By the time you move out, youll realize that a little extra spending and organizing really went a long way in keeping you saneand maybe even happy. So give it a try, go and really unpack in your little millennial hutch!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When youre buying a home, one of the worst possible scenarios is a dream house that turns out to be a lemon. While the term usually refers to a home that looks great but is hiding some internal, serious flaws, there are actually red flags you can watch out for”that will show up way before you even get to an inspection.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage
Use your eyes and nose to check for these environmental issues. Water damage may reveal itself in stains, in damaged wood or flooring and walls that are collapsing. Obvious mold can also be seen by a simple visual inspection, but your nose can detect it even if its hidden. Mold isnt just unsightly”it can cause health issues like asthma, especially in kids.

Faulty Foundation
This is a classic, surefire deal breaker. Check the basement for large cracks (but small cracks shouldnt pose a problem and can be due to normal settling of the house).

Outdated Electric Systems
Turn lights on and off”are they flickering, buzzing, or generally seem off? In an older house, this could be a sign of needed (and often expensive) electrical work.

A Freshly Painted Wall or Ceiling
Particularly if only one wall or part of a wall has been painted, the owner could be trying to cover something up”like toxic mold (see above).

Of course, any home youre buying will go through a thorough inspection by a professionally qualified inspector. However, unless you really love the home or the neighborhood, you may prefer not to waste your time (and money, through inspection costs) if the home is a potential lemon. If you see any of the four red flags above, weigh the pros and cons with your real estate agent. It may be better to move on to a home that will be less of a headache!

Published with permission from RISMedia.