Uncategorized

Home is where you spend a great deal of time. You want it to be both smart and comfortable, and to reflect your personal style. But finding the right interior designer isnt always easy, especially if you want someone who will work with you to bring your vision to life.

Spend some time flipping through magazines for design ideas that inspire you”then look for a designer in much the same way as youd look for any other contractor; ask friends for referrals and review their portfolios, and/or call a design school for a list of talented graduates. A qualified interior designer will most likely have a graduate degree in interior design, certification by the Council for Interior Design Qualification, and/or membership in the American Society of Interior Design (ASID).

Then, interview your top three candidates:

Begin by setting your expectations. What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to be consulted with every choice, or will the designer have some latitude?

What visuals will he or she provide before the work begins“sketches and drawings, a sample board of colors, finishes, swatches?

Whats the best way for the two of you to communicate? How soon will calls or texts be returned?

How will bills, purchase orders and payments be handled? Is he or she comfortable working within a budget?

Most important, how do you feel you will get along with this person? Do you feel he is likely to listen and respect your ideas, or go off on his own tangent? If she isnt asking questions now”if she doesnt seem truly vested in your ideas”how likely is it that she will listen later?

Like a hair stylist or a personal trainer, a designer should be a good fit. If all goes right, you may have found one who will follow you not just through years of moves or redesigns, but with second or vacation homes and other projects, as well.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether you have an antique farmhouse or a recently built getaway, here are four tips for creating the perfect rustic ambience.

Reclaimed Materials

Its quite common to find homes with reclaimed floors and ceiling beams that had a past life in a barn or mill.

Natural Colors and Textures

An abundance of wood and stone are a hallmark of rustic design. Natural tones are the most common, but that doesnt mean you have to stick to neutrals.

Embrace the Outdoors

Access to nature is perhaps the greatest benefit of having a home far from the city. Take advantage of this with multiple outdoor living spaces.

Keep Tech Discreet

Rustic design is somewhat at odds with smart home technology, but there are smart tech options that won’t compromise the aesthetic.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Oh, the places you will goand the places you will want to avoid. Choosing the right neighborhood is as important as picking the right house. Your neighborhood will define many aspects of your day-to-day life, so you should research it carefully to be sure it meets your needs.

Realtor.com lists four things you should consider before putting your real estate agent on the hunt. This will ensure you find the neighborhood that’s just right for you.

Establishing Priorities: Not all neighborhoods have the same kind of layout. Because of this, it is important that you decide on a style of house, whether it’s big or small, has a yard or a porch, etc. After that, consider your budget, taking into account what you can and cannot live without. Are you big on golf? Swimming? Make sure your neighborhood has access to the right facilities.

School Districts: Whether you have kids or not, neighborhoods with good schools are always a better bet. It is estimated that homebuyers will pay up to $50 more per square foot for properties located in good school districts. Of course, if kids are in the mix, then take a look at what’s available. Real estate agents aren’t legally allowed to divulge direct information on specific schools, but they can point you in the general direction, like local school-system ratings.

Transportation: Your new property will be your home base, but don’t forget about your commute to work. If you’re good with driving, the suburbs can work for you. If you’re a major train-hopper, then being close to a city center or somewhere with access to public transportation will be in your best interest. Homes tend to be more expensive when located close to travel hubs, but you will most likely save in terms of time, convenience and money itself in the long run.

Compare and Contrast: When you’ve narrowed down your options, visit the prospective neighborhoods at different times to make a more informed decision. You can also speak to current residents while you’re visiting to help you weigh out your options. There’s a good chance you will need to compromise and prioritize, but the idea is to pick a neighborhood akin to your ideal one.

A perfect home often has more to do with your comfort than with perfection. Following this train of thought will allow you to determine the best options for you. Think of it like trying on new shoes: one size does not fit all.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

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.

Published with permission from RISMedia.