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Whether youve got a litter of kids or a baby on the way, childproofing your home is a preventative measure no family should go without. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends a number of safeguards to make your home an environment free from hazards. Here are five of those tips to help maximize child safety at home.

Window Guards. Open or unlocked windows can be hazardous for any member of your household. To avoid injury or worse, install a window guard with sturdy bars securely fastened to the frame. And be wary of window treatments that operate with a cord”younger children especially may think the dangling string is a toy. If possible, go cordless.

Interior Gates. To restrict access to stairs or areas that are off-limits, install a safety gate. Before purchasing a product for your home, measure the access point to ensure the gate fits securely. The CPSC advises using gates without a V-shape design so a child wont become trapped.

Locks and Latches. Prevent children from entering barred rooms, closets or cabinets with locks or latches that only adults can access. This is particularly crucial for under-sink cabinets and kitchen drawers, where chemicals, like bleach, and sharp objects, like knives or scissors, are typically stored.

Outlet Plates and Covers. Outlets without plates present a danger to both children and adults, so be sure plates are secured to every outlet in the home, especially ones near the floor. Outlet covers, which are inserted into the prong slots, can deter small fingers from accidental shock or kids from sticking objects into the outlets. Try removing the covers to test them”they can potentially become a choking hazard if they come loose.

Pool Safety. Theres a reason why pools require additional insurance coverage; they present a much higher risk than many other features at home. Pools must be enclosed with a fence no lower than four feet high, with a gate that self-closes and self-locks. Inspect the fence to ensure there are no gaping holes. In addition, the CPSC encourages a comprehensive protection layer that includes an alarm and a power safety cover.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Being turned down for a mortgage can be devastating, but you may still be able to achieve your dream of owning a home. Your lender should provide you with a letter explaining why you were denied. You can use that information to make changes to improve your chance of getting approved for a mortgage in the future, either with the same lender or with a different company.

Boost Your Credit Score
One of the most important factors in a lenders decision is a mortgage applicants credit score. You shouldve checked your credit report for errors before you submitted your loan application, but if you didnt, check it now. Lenders frequently misreport or fail to report information, and data from different peoples reports sometimes gets mixed up. Errors in your credit report may have caused your application to be rejected through no fault of your own.

If your credit score is low because of high credit card balances or missed or late payments, work on bringing it up by paying down your balances to lower the percentage of available credit youre using and by paying all your bills on time. If you have a foreclosure or bankruptcy on your credit report, those derogatory remarks could affect your credit score and your chance of obtaining a mortgage for years. You may need to let some time pass and work on rebuilding your credit before buying a house.

Lower Your DTI
A lender looks closely at an applicants debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, or the percentage of gross monthly income thats used to pay credit card bills and loans. If a lender rejected your application because your DTI is too high, you can lower it by paying down your debts and/or by increasing your income. If you have high loan payments, you might be able to lower them by refinancing.

Put More Money Down
If you want to make a small down payment and borrow most of the money for your dream home, the lender may consider your application too risky. You might be better off finding more money for a down payment or applying for a mortgage through a lender that routinely offers loans to borrowers with small down payments.

Stick With Your Job
Most lenders want a mortgage applicant to have been in the same job for at least two years. That helps the lender be confident that an applicant is capable of holding down a job and is likely to repay the mortgage. If you recently started a new position, focus on impressing your boss and building a stable work history.

Dont Give up Hope
If youve been denied for a mortgage, find out why the lender turned you down and take action to address the issue. Youll have a better chance of qualifying if you work on improving your financial circumstances. You can also submit another application to a different lender that has more lenient terms or that offers mortgages for people in circumstances like yours.

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Many people dream of owning a home but feel overwhelmed by the idea of saving tens of thousands of dollars for a down payment. In some cases, borrowing money for a down payment can be a smart move, but there are some important caveats to consider.

When Does It Make Sense to Borrow for a Down Payment?
Many lenders require buyers who put down less than 20 percent of a homes purchase price to obtain private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender if the buyer defaults. PMI can cost hundreds of dollars per month, on top of mortgage payments, and needs to be paid until the homeowner has 20 percent equity. If you put down 20 percent, youll be able to avoid PMI. If loan payments would cost less than PMI, borrowing to make a large down payment might make sense.

Potential Sources of Funds
If you own another property, you might be able to use a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit to finance a down payment. The interest rate would probably be relatively low, but using your current home as collateral to buy a new one would mean you could lose both houses if you were unable to afford all your payments.

Another option is to take a loan from your 401(k). You could get a low interest rate, but you could also lose a substantial amount of potential savings since any money you withdrew would not be able to accumulate compounded interest.

A personal loan could be quick and easy to obtain and could have a much lower interest rate than credit cards, but it would raise your debt-to-income ratio. That could make a lender reluctant to give you a mortgage.

A variety of federal, state and local programs can help homebuyers secure loans with favorable terms, as well as down payment assistance. Since many of those programs require low down payments, you could buy a house, but you would have to pay for PMI since your down payment would be less than 20 percent. Depending on your circumstances, you might or might not be better off borrowing money from another source to put down 20 percent.

Borrowing money from family or friends could help you avoid high interest rates and have a flexible repayment schedule. Before you take a loan from family or friends, make sure you can repay it. Failing to meet your obligations could cause irreparable harm to your personal relationship.

Weigh Your Options
PMI can significantly increase monthly housing costs for years. If you can put down 20 percent and avoid PMI, you may save thousands of dollars in the long run. You might be able to borrow money from several sources, but think carefully about the pros and cons. Discuss your options with a financial planner and your real estate agent.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Your home is your haven, and its style can say a lot about your personality. One feature can even hint at your traits when guests arrive”the door knobs!

According to Weiser, a security solutions provider, the following knob finishes can be indicative of your personality as a homeowner:

Bright Brass. Ideal for those with a sense of humor, bright brass knobs may be found in a home with colors that spark the imagination and promote positivity. The person with an affinity for this style may be a fan of pop music, chain restaurants and trips to Vegas.

Iron Black. Ideal for those whod prefer to be a fly on the wall, iron black knobs may be found in a home with understated decor. The person who chooses this style may be a fan of traveling to faraway countries and ethnic cuisine.

Satin Stainless Steel. Ideal for someone who likes a clean, modern aesthetic, satin stainless steel knobs may be found in an open-concept home with lots of windows. The person gravitating toward this style may be a fan of alternative music, jeans, the beach and sushi.

Rustic Pewter. Ideal for someone with a business sensibility, rustic pewter knobs may be found in suburban homes. The person opting for this style may be a fan of classic rock, sporting events, cheeseburgers and national parks.

Venetian Bronze. Ideal for someone who leans toward nostalgia, Venetian bronze knobs may be found in homes with a cream and rose color palette and Victorian decor. The person selecting this style may be a fan of classical music, designer clothes and fine dining.

Which style best reflects your personality? Does your personality match the knobs in your home? Feel free to knock on my door any time for your real estate needs!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Homeowners and buyers alike are increasingly embracing the natural beauty of hardwood floors. Unfortunately, even with proper upkeep, wood floors can get unsightly dents and scratches over time due to normal wear and tear.

If you have hardwood floors in need of repair, the experts at HomeAdvisor offer the following tips, two of which might surprise you:

Walnuts. Take a quick peek into your kitchen cupboard. If you have walnuts, then you have a solution for light wood scratches. Simply crack open the shell and remove the meat of the nut. Then, rub the inside of the walnut over any blemishes in the floor and blend the oils from the nut into the wood using your finger. It should disguise the scratch!

Wood Filler. If youd like to try a DIY repair on a larger blemish or crack, look to wood filler. It comes in many varieties, but its basically a putty-like substance used to fill gouges in wood. There are several different colors available that can be matched to your existing flooring. Or, you can choose a filler that accepts wood stain. Note that filler doesnt have the color variation of natural wood, so the more problem areas you have, the more noticeable this fix will be.

Mayonnaise. Heres another light-scratch solution that may be hiding in your kitchen. Believe it or not, many DIYers swear by mayonnaise. To try this hack, first clean the affected area. Then, apply mayonnaise directly to the wood and let it sit for a few minutes. After a while, wipe it away with a towel. The oil from the mayonnaise should fill in the scratches to match the color of the wood.

Wood Stain Marker. For slightly deeper scratches, a wood stain marker may do the trick. These markers come in several different shades and can darken problem spots so they blend right in with the floor. Just clean the area around the damaged floor, touch up with the marker and wipe away the excess. Dont forget to spot test your marker color first to be sure its a good match. If your home has several trouble areas, consider talking to a pro about getting the floor refinished.

Professional Help. For deep scratches or significantly gouged flooring, youll probably want to hire a professional. Depending on how bad the damage is, the pro can sand and refinish or repair your hardwood floors. Some projects may require replacing a few boards. But a quick call can have your floors gleaming again in no time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.