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A home is the biggest single purchase most people will make. Matt Blashaw, a licensed contractor and host of the DIY network show, Money Hunters, offers six tips for planning and performing routine maintenance that can save dollars as well as future headaches:

• Save on tools ” Unless its a tool you will use often, check local yard sales for good used tools at good prices. If its a tool you may use only once for a specific project, consider renting it.
• Save leftovers ” With most home-improvement projects, there are leftover screws, bolts, and other pieces of hardware left over. Storing them in plastic organizers (as opposed to dumping them in a drawer) can save you from having to buy a bag of a certain size screw when you need only one or two.
• Save on paint ” If you are flexible with color, you can save big dollars by buying oops paint colors from the home store. That is, colors that werent what the customer wanted and therefore refused to accept. Also, consider that one gallon of more expensive paint may be cheaper than buying two gallons of a cheaper brand that will likely require two coats.
• Check toilets regularly – Water leaking from your toilet tank will raise your utility bills and cause premature wear of the toilets internal workings. One a year, add some red food coloring to the water in the tank. Come back in about an hour and see if the water in the bowl is pink. If it is, you have a leak.
• Protect plumbing ” Accumulated fats, oils and hair are the most common causes of clogged pipes. Buy a hair strainer for the shower drain. Do not dispose of fats down the kitchen sink ” and if a pipe is plugged, skip the Drano, which can damage the pipes. Try using a drain snake yourself before you call a plumber.
• Change air filters – Change the air filter in your central heat and air unit often, especially during peak usage months. Thirty days is the absolute longest you should leave an air filter in place.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re shopping for a home, you most likely want a house with a garage. During your search, you’ll come across houses with attached or detached garages. You’ll need to decide which is the right choice based on your familys needs and preferences.

Pros and Cons of an Attached Garage
The most common reason why people choose a house with an attached garage is convenience. You could simply pull your car into the garage and walk into your house. That could make things easier if you have young children and need to carry their backpacks, musical instruments or sports equipment, as well as groceries, into the house on a regular basis. An attached garage also means you wouldnt need to walk through rain or snow to get to your house.

There are some downsides to an attached garage, however. The biggest concern is security. If you used an electronic garage door opener and forgot to close the door, someone could enter your house. It’s also possible that the garage door opener could malfunction or be hacked. Another concern is fire. If your car caught fire in the garage or fluid leaked and ignited, the fire could quickly spread and engulf your entire house.

Depending on the size and shape of the lot, an attached garage could be limited in size. It might be difficult or impossible to fit two cars, and you might be forced to park one or more vehicles in the driveway or on the street.

Reasons to Consider a Detached Garage
If you dont have young kids and dont mind getting wet on a rainy day, a detached garage might be a better choice. Since a detached garage can be built anywhere on the property (provided it doesnt violate local building codes), there’s more flexibility in terms of size and design. If you have several vehicles, you might be able to find a house with a large detached garage or build one after you move in.

If you plan to use your garage for a hobby, a detached garage could be better for both you and your family. Since the garage would be separated from the house, you would have more privacy. You wouldnt need to worry about the noise from power tools or the odors from chemicals that you used for painting or working on your car bothering your family.

A detached garage can also be safer. If you plan to store flammable chemicals, having the garage separated from the house could contain the damage if something accidentally caught fire. In addition, someone who entered your detached garage wouldn’t be able to enter your house.

Which Is Right for You?
For some homebuyers, an attached garage is extremely important, while a detached garage is an acceptable or even preferable alternative for others. Think about your familys circumstances and preferences and how you would like to use your garage to make a decision.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Affordability is a big issue for renters looking toward homeownership. Beyond the purchase price, putting together a 20 percent down payment is a big roadblock for many people.

It doesnt have to be, however. While 80 percent of millennial renters say they cant afford to buy a house, according to an Apartment List survey, there are various options that they may not be aware of.

Youve probably heard of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, and of Fannie Mae, a government agency that backs mortgages, but there are other programs to help buyer into their first home.

FHA / VA / Fannie
FHA loans are insured to give lenders a layer of protection if you default on the mortgage. They typically have competitive interest rates, smaller down payments and lower closing costs than conventional loans. A low credit score can still warrant only a 3.5 percent down payment.

The VA guarantees home loans that help active military members, veterans and surviving spouses. VA loans dont require a down payment or minimum credit score.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government-sponsored entities that back home loans for low- and moderate-income families. Down payments can be as low as 3 percent.

USDA Loan
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, focuses on homes in rural areas and guarantees the home loan. Borrowers dont have to buy or run a farm.

A credit score of 640 or higher typically gets an applicant streamlined processing. A lower score is allowed but may require extra documentation about payment history.

Good Neighbor Next Door
This program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helps law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and K-12 grade teachers buy homes.

A 50 percent discount off a homes listed price is available through the program in areas labeled “revitalization areas.” Buyers must commit to living in the home for at least 36 months.

FHA Section 203(k)
If a fixer-upper fits more easily into your budget, a Section 203(k) rehabilitation program loan thats backed by FHA can help. It considers the value of the home after youve made improvements, and lets you borrow the money for these fixes, rolling it into your mortgage. The down payment can be as low as 3 percent.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Icons and superheroes go in and out of style, so decorating your kids rooms to reflect their current favorite may not be the best idea. Decorators suggest using timeless themes and practical ideas to make their spaces cheerful and organized:

• Start with color ” Choose a favorite, preferably a soothing one, to help your child ease into sleep. Consider painting one wall in chalkboard paint, ready for years of artistic expression.
• Use cool family art ” Choose a favorite family, vacation, or kid photo and blow it up to large standard frame size at an office supply store. Then cut it evenly into thirds or fourths vertically, frame each one, and hang them side by side as separate pieces separated by just an inch or two.
• Make it a gallery ” String wire from one wall to another, just high enough for you to reach, to hold a changing display of your childs drawings. Or frame the drawings in standard acrylic frames that can be changed as new masterpieces emerge.
• Try dresser magic ” Perk up a drab white dresser inexpensively by tying a length of colorful ribbon into a bow around each of the knobs.
• Create a reading nook ” Make it an inviting place for shared reading with a bookcase full of books, soft lighting, and seating comfy enough for cuddling.
• Add maxi–storage ” A rack of colorful, stacked bins from the local home store is better than a toy box for storing trucks, games, building blocks, and other large toys.
• And mini-storage ” A multi-pocketed shoe organizer hung from one wall is a great place to stash mini action figures, Hot Wheels cars, hair goodies, and other small treasures.
• Stock cubbies or a shelf with art supplies ” Keep it full of construction paper, markers, poster board, and other supplies your kid may need for school projects.
• Create a play space ” Kids love to play dress-up. Find an old trunk and fill it with vintage clothing and hats they can use to put on a show.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’re redesigning your living space, you know that your options are endless. From color schematics to feng shui, there are myriad ways to set up your home. Below are five pro design tips to keep in mind.

Eye-level art. Do you want your walls to look like a gallery? Hangthings gallery-style, at around 57 inches”the average eye level of most people.

Don’t crowd. From art to furniture to collectibles, people tend to overcrowd their spaces. Choose a centerpiece for your room (a bright couch or snazzy light fixture), and then build around it selectively. Invest more money in a few great pieces and give them breathing room.

Rug it right. Area rugs can be a great tool for tying your design scheme together; however, where you place the furniture in relation to the rug matters. The three best ways to do this are: all off, with your furniture bordering your rug (best for smaller area rugs); all on, with all legs and arms of your furniture on the rug; and front on, with the front legs of your furniture on the rug and the back legs off for a fluid look that can open up your space. Choose one of these options and stick to it.

Customize for your needs. Have an open corner of the kitchen? Don’t feel pressured to fill it up with kitchen kitsch. Add a cozy love seat for a reading nook, transform it into a mini at-home office, or set up a small play space for your kids. Feel free to think past typical room designations and create a space that best fits your needs.

Layer the light. Don’t stop at overhead lights. Adding many light options such as floor lamps, accent lights or recessed lighting can give you different options depending on mood, time of day and function.

Published with permission from RISMedia.