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For generations, most home purchases were made by married couples. With many people postponing marriage to pursue an education and a career, more and more single adults are overcoming challenges to become homeowners.

Meet Income Requirements
If you want to buy a house by yourself, the lender will make its decision based solely on your income. If the earnings from your full-time job aren’t enough to buy the house you want, or if the monthly mortgage payments would be a stretch, consider looking for a part-time job. You could find a retail position, freelance work, odd jobs, or anything that would allow you to earn money by using skills you’ve learned in school, at a previous job, or by pursuing a hobby. A relatively small amount of money, earned on a consistent basis over a period of time, could make a big difference when it comes to qualifying for and paying a mortgage.

Check Your Credit
You should check your credit reports several months before applying for a mortgage. Your reports might contain errors that could derail your chance of qualifying for a loan. If you find any inaccurate information, contact the credit bureau right away to have it corrected.

Your credit report will also show your current credit scores. If they’re lower than lenders requirements, you can raise them by paying down debt and consistently making payments on time. Dont apply for any new credit cards or loans in the months before you apply for a mortgage because that could make you appear like a risky applicant. At the same time, dont cancel any credit cards you dont use, because that could increase the percentage of available credit you’re using and lower your credit score.

Make a Down Payment
For a single homebuyer, coming up with a 20-percent down payment can be difficult”or impossible. If a large down payment isn’t realistic in your case, explore other mortgage options that have lower down payment requirements, such as a loan from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).

Consider a Co-Signer
If you cant qualify for a mortgage, or you need to act quickly to get the house you want, you might be able to get someone to co-sign the loan. Before you ask a family member or friend, think it over carefully. Doing so could help you get the mortgage, but what if you couldnt afford the monthly payments? The person who co-signed the loan would be financially responsible. Think about whether that person would be able to cover your mortgage in addition to his or her own bills, or whether your co-signers entire family might suffer financially by bailing you out. Consider how that could affect your relationship, and whether it’s worth the risk.

Make Your Dream a Reality
Buying a house by yourself is an achievable goal, as long as you meet the lenders guidelines. Take a realistic look at your current financial picture and do everything you can to make yourself a qualified applicant.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Creating a nostalgic feel is the perfect way to recall a bygone era and can be done in any room with these items.

Jukebox

A mint-condition jukebox is an entertaining statement piece that will never go out of style.

Vintage Cameras

Arranging vintage cameras from different eras on a shelf is likely going to evoke a response from visitors young and old.

Arcade Games

Create a fun vibe with arcade games and pinball machines, while also introducing your kids to a game that you can actually beat them in.

Record Players

Record players have proven to be irreplaceable thanks to their distinctly rich sound and beautiful aesthetics.

Vintage Refrigerators

Whether you put it in your kitchen, game room or garage, a vintage refrigerator lends an old-timey feel and pop of color to any setting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Kitchen countertops are some of the most frequently used surfaces in a house. They are made to withstand years of wear and tear, but certain common mistakes can damage them. Since kitchen counters are expensive to replace, you should avoid behaviors that could shorten their lifespan.

How to Prevent Cracks and Scratches
Even though countertops are hard, they can still crack from too much pressure. Heavy objects are more likely to cause damage if theyre placed near edges and joints.

Changes in temperature can also cause countertops to crack. Hot appliances, such as slow cookers and toaster ovens, may generate enough heat to damage kitchen counters. Hot pots and pans placed directly on a counter, even for a short time, can cause cracks. If something is extremely hot or if youre unsure whether it could damage the counter, place a cutting board, trivet or pot holder under it to be on the safe side.

Kitchen countertops are not designed to be used for cutting directly on the surface. Small scratches can damage the sealant thats added to protect counters from water. A scratched countertop will need to be buffed or resealed to prevent further problems. Cutting directly on a countertop can also damage knives. Always use a cutting board.

Moving pots and pans around on the counter, even if they arent hot, can cause scratches if theres any dirt or food stuck to the bottom of the pan. Rust on the bottom of appliances can also damage countertops.

How to Avoid Stains
Acidic foods, such as lemon juice, vinegar and tomato sauce, can dull countertops because stone is porous and can absorb the spilled substance. If you spill anything acidic on a kitchen countertop, immediately clean it up and sprinkle baking soda on the area to neutralize the acid. If you place a glass containing a beverage on a countertop, use a coaster to prevent stains.

How to Clean Your Kitchen Countertops
When cleaning countertops, use a soft cloth or sponge. Never use a scrubbing sponge or steel wool. Some common household cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia can cause granite and stone countertops to fade. Glass cleaners and degreasers can cause stains, and gritty cleaners, such as those designed for bathtubs, can cause scratches. Use mild soap and water to clean your kitchen counters.

Protect Your Countertops
Kitchen counters are durable, but they can become damaged and may be expensive to repair or replace. Knowing the most common causes of damage to countertops can help you avoid making costly mistakes. Be careful when working in your kitchen, and understand how to keep your countertops clean and in good condition.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Odors are a huge turnoff for potential homebuyers and can be difficult to remove. The truth is that most homes have some sort of smell to them. Most often, the people who live there dont even notice.

This is especially true of pet odors. Owners become accustomed to their pets smell, such as from litter boxes for cats or from shedding. Visitors, however, are going to notice these odors, especially if the home is not properly cleaned.

Pet owners should use a carpet deodorizer when vacuuming”one that is designed to remove animal smells. Check your furniture for odors as well. If you smell your pet, wash the cushion covers or use a deodorizing product if they arent machine washable. If the pet smell is very prominent, consider having the carpets and furniture professionally cleaned. Cat owners should clean out the litter box daily and should wash it with water and liquid soap regularly.

Non-pet owners arent off the hook odor-wise. Many things can make a home smell, but there are four easy steps to take to cut down on strong odors.

Think about what you cook. Even with an exhaust fan, things like fish and bacon can produce odors that linger. Baking cookies before showings or open houses is a classic trick to give a house a pleasant smell.

Light a candle. Scented candles can add a pleasing smell to the home and set a relaxing mood. Pick candles with more neutral smells or think seasonal (pumpkin in the fall, pine during the holidays, etc.).

Take out the trash. Empty all trash containers around the house before showings or open houses. Focus on the kitchen as its likely to contain food scraps. Also consider washing the trash container if you havent in a while. Empty trash baskets are more visually appealing anyway.

Maintain a clean fridge. Cleaning a refrigerator is a must when selling a house. Empty it out regularly so that food odors dont build up. Dont forget to add a box of baking soda to absorb odors.

And if the weather permits, open up the windows. Even if its just for a short amount of time, its the simplest way to clear out odors!

Published with permission from RISMedia.