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Fences are one of the greatest sources of controversy when it comes to homeownership. Some people focus on the benefits, such as privacy and safety, while others complain about an obstructed view or consider a fence a sign of unfriendliness. Before you install a fence, think it over carefully.

Reasons to Put up a Fence
Many homeowners consider a fence a practical safety and security measure. If you have kids or pets, a fence can keep them in the yard and protect them from other people and animals. If you have belongings that are frequently left outdoors, a fence can prevent theft. If you own a pool, a fence can prevent accidents. Your homeowners insurance company may even require one.

If you live in a neighborhood with houses close together, its hard to have privacy if everyone else can see into your yard. A fence can allow you to relax outdoors away from prying eyes.

Living on a busy street can mean suffering from noise pollution. Maybe you didnt realize how bad the noise was until after you moved in, or maybe new businesses have attracted more traffic and the problem has gotten worse. A fence can give you some peace and quiet.

Potential Problems
Sometimes neighbors with adjoining properties agree on the need for a fence, but in other cases one homeowner is staunchly opposed to the idea. That person may be worried about an obstructed view or may consider building a fence an unfriendly gesture. Property line disputes often crop up when a fence is built.

Talk to your neighbor before you install a fence. If your neighbor has any objections, address them and seek legal help if necessary. You might need to make some compromises to avoid permanently damaging your relationship. On the other hand, if your neighbor supports the idea, you might be able to share the cost.

Check local zoning laws and homeowners association rules before you put up a fence. You dont want to get hit with a fine and have to take it down.

The cost of installing a fence depends on the material used, the size of the fence, material and construction costs where you live, and the characteristics of the yard. If the property line is on a hill or if any bushes or trees need to be removed to make room for a fence, thatll impact the overall cost.

Fences require different amounts of maintenance depending on the material. A wooden fence will need to be stained and painted from time to time and may need to be replaced if it becomes warped or if the paint peels from years of exposure to the weather. In addition, mowing near a fence can be tricky.

Is a Fence a Good Idea?
Homeowners install fences for a variety of reasons. Sometimes fences make good neighbors, and sometimes they lead to disputes. There are also installation and maintenance costs to consider. Weigh all the pros and cons and talk to your neighbor.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are four ways you can repurpose your old mason jars.

Mixing Salad Dressing

Simply add your ingredients, seal your jar with the metal cover and shake well. Store in the refrigerator for a fresh and leak-free storage solution.

Infusing Alcohol

Create your own flavored alcohol with different flavors and ingredients, such as fruit infused vodka or ginger infused rum, close up your jar and store in the freezer.

Jar Glass

Pour a fresh drink into a mason jar for a trendy new drinking glass. Look online for, or DIY, jar lids with a hole punched for a straw for a quick and easy to-go cup.

Organize Your Pantry

Keep your ingredients fresh, from flour and sugar to pasta and rice. Empty out cans and containers of nuts and seeds for a decorative way to display your snacks.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Closing costs are 2-5 percent of the purchase price of a home, resulting in an average of $3,700 in fees for paperwork required to buy a house. Thats a lot of money to come up with when you may have already put everything toward a down payment.

Some fees from mortgage lenders are required by federal law to be the same, and there isnt much you can do to change these costs listed in a HUD settlement statement ” origination, underwriting, administrative and doc-preparation, among others.

Other closing costs, however, can be negotiated. Here are some to check into:

Lender fees: All customers must legally be charged the same lender fees by a lender, so you cant negotiate them. But you can shop around for a lender with low fees, as seen in their good faith estimates, which shouldnt differ from the HUD statement.

Higher loan rate: If youre willing to pay a higher loan rate, then lenders will discount the fees. Those can be added to the loan and are seen through a slightly higher monthly mortgage payment.

Title insurance: This type of insurance is required to protect the lender and you if there are undiscovered liens against the property. Shop around for lower title insurance or negotiate the fee.

Home insurance: Lenders require a home insurance policy, which can cost from $300 to $1,000 a year, depending on where you live and the type of home. Shop for an insurer that offers discounts for certain factors, such as having multiple policies, a new roof or specific home improvements.

Negotiate with the seller: If youre in a buyers market, ask a home seller to cover part of your closing costs. The worst that can happen is they say no.

Add costs to the loan: If none of these tactics work and you still have difficulty paying closing costs, ask your lender to add them to the loan. Instead of paying these costs all at once, youll be able to pay them over 30 years or however long your home loan is for; you wont feel the financial pain as much over time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Military personnel, both current and past service members, have an option for a housing loan that many dont even realize exists.

TheVA loanprogram is a no-money down mortgage option available to these brave men and women, as well as select military spouses.VA loansare issued by private lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of VeteransAffairs.

Originally established in 1944 as part of the Servicemens Readjustment Act, VA loans are for anyone who has served in active duty in any branch of the U.S. military for a minimum of 90 days.

In addition to not needing a down payment, the 75-year-old VA loan also doesnt allow mortgage lenders to charge private mortgage insurance, which is another big benefit of the program. However, the borrower is required to pay a one-time funding fee on the home purchase, which can either be paid upfront or financed into the total cost of the loan. The funding fee for regular military members is 2.15 percent of the loan. Reservists pay a fee of 2.40 percent.

Additionally, non-active duty personnel, such as those in the Army Reserves or National Guard, may apply for a VA-backed mortgage as long as they have completed six years of service. The spouses of deceased or missing military members are also eligible if they have not remarried. Borrowers who received a dishonorable discharge from any military branch are not eligible.

Since 1944, the program has backed more than 24 million VA home loans. In Fiscal 2018 alone, it guaranteed over 610,000 home loans totaling more than $161 billion.Still, the Department of Veterans Affairs noted there are about 25 million eligible homeowners and less than 15 percent of them have taken advantage of the opportunity when buying a home.

A chief problem is that many veterans, especially those not so recently discharged, arent entirely sure what the benefit is or do not realize that they actually have such a benefit.With the VA loan, the veteran can literally buy a home with little to no money out of pocket.

Published with permission from RISMedia.