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From a buyer’s standpoint, getting into a bidding war for a house they want is never fun. They can offer more money than they ever planned to spend and still end up without the home of their dreams. A real estate agent should be able to tell you ahead of time if bidding wars are likely in your desired neighborhood. Here are four real estate tips to win a bidding war, if it comes to that:

Make a high offer. Instead of making a low offer with the expectation that you’ll increase it if you have to, offer as much as you can afford immediately. Let the seller know this is your best offer, and that you can’t go any higher. This can help avoid any haggling back and forth, will save you time, and, hopefully, will get you the house. A variation of this method includes offering $20,000 or so above the asking price, showing upfront that you’re a serious buyer.

Have a big down payment.Having a large amount of cash for a down payment of 20 percent or more can show you’re a serious buyer. Get a preapproval letter from your lender, have paperwork proving you have the money, and pay a higher earnest money deposit, if you can.

Go conventional.Instead of getting an FHA or other government-backed loan that can have longer escrow periods, be approved for a conventional loan. This can require coming up with a bigger down payment and having a good or excellent credit score, but can lead to shorter waiting periods and show you’re a strong buyer.

Add an escalation clause.An escalation clause allows your real estate agent to go above the highest offer, but only to a point. For example, on a home with a listing price of $350,000, you could make an offer of $400,000 with an escalation clause of $5,000 over the highest price, but only up to $450,000. If another buyer offers $425,000, your automatic clause would increase your offer to $430,000.

However you enter a bidding war, always remember that your exit strategy is pretty simple”there are always other homes on the market waiting for you to buy.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Clearing out clutter is key to staging a home for sale, and it’s the best way to make a room look more organized and spacious. Bottles, cans and other items that pile up can make a cabinet or shelf look crowded. Getting rid of some of these items can be a small step toward a more appealing home. Here are some items you can cut down on:

1. Cleaning Supplies
The cabinet under the sink is a gathering space for polishes, waxes, cleaners and tools that are collecting dust. Get rid of anything you dont use, and be sure to dispose of chemical-based cleaners safely. You know that dusting tool you bought because an infomercial made it seem like a miracle cleaning product? If its in the back of your cabinet, forgotten and neglected, toss it. After youve thrown out the excess items, clean out the cabinet itself and organize the remaining contents.

2. Grooming Products
How many lotions and gels does one household need? All bathrooms seem to have dozens of bottles that havent been opened in years. Go through everything and throw out what you dont use on a regular basis. Also, throw out old makeup and bottles that are nearly empty. Clean the items you are keeping and place them neatly in your medicine cabinet.

3. Medicines
This is actually important for reasons other than staging a home. Unneeded prescriptions can be dangerous, and out of date medications often lose their effectiveness. Disposing of medications safely is of vital importance. Many towns have take-back programs that collect unused medicines. If thats not an option, the FDA recommends mixing medicines with dirt, kitty litter or coffee grounds and placing the mixture in a sealed plastic bag before throwing it in the garbage. Also, scratch out personal information on bottle labels.

4. Mugs
All those coffee and tea mugs youve collected over the years can make your kitchen cabinets seem messy. Get rid of the mugs you dont need”have a yard sale or donate them to a thrift store or local senior center.

5. Magazines
Lets face it, youre never going to read those 10-year-old copies of National Geographic or Sports Illustrated. A few magazines that are well displayed on a coffee table can be a nice touch, but if you have back issues of your favorite periodicals piled up, its time to get rid of them. The news in them is old anyway.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are five fashionable looks that bring endless charm outside.

Cottage Garden

Cottage gardens are all about the hardscaping.
Meandering paths surrounded by flowers can be complemented with wrought iron furniture.

Tropical Paradise

Lush plantings and exotic patterns are the key to creating a backyard area that feels Caribbean cool.

Moroccan-Inspired

Mosaic tiles, suzani textiles and low seating are common characteristics of Moroccan-Inspired style.

Tuscan-Style

Olive trees, oversized potted plants and tiered water fountains are just a few of the reasons to love a Tuscan-style outdoor space.

Minimalist

Minimalist outdoor spaces are all about simplicity, clean lines and soft colors.
Add modern or contemporary furniture to create a streamlined feel.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many renters, especially young couples planning to settle down and start a family, debate whether to keep renting an apartment or buy a home. Depending on your financial situation and long-term goals, though, one option may be better than the other. To determine if its the right time for you to start searching for a house, consider the following:

Money
Some renters think theyre throwing away money on rent. Its true that you might be able to find a monthly mortgage payment that is similar to, or even lower than, your current rent; however, be careful not to overlook the additional costs of homeownership.

As a homebuyer, youll need to save up thousands of dollars for a down payment and closing costs. After the purchase, youll also need to budget for the mortgage, insurance, property taxes and maintenance, among other expenses. As a renter, you might need to pay for renters insurance, but all taxes, maintenance and repair costs are on the landlord.

That said, if you can afford the extra costs of homeownership, there are financial benefits to buying a house. Chief among them, of course, is a homes ability to appreciate over time. Homeowners can also take advantage of tax deductions that might help with overall costs.

Time
One major impact on whether it makes sense to rent or buy is how long you plan on staying in the property. Rentals make the most sense for short-term stays. Unless you intend to live in a home you buy for at least a few years, the house likely wouldnt appreciate, and youd be selling it either at a loss or with little return on investment.

Conversely, a long-term stay in a home could allow you to not only cover the initial costs of purchasing, but also build up valuable equity. That profit isnt guaranteed, though. Various factors, including market fluctuations, can affect a homes worth.

Location
Lets say youre in love with a certain town or city, or you want to live close to family. If the homes in that area are too expensive for your budget, renting might be best. If youre still determined to own, consider looking for a house in a nearby area with lower sale prices. A real estate agent can help you weigh your options.

Freedom
Renting and owning both offer their own distinct freedoms.

As mentioned, renting is great for short-term stays, as it allows you to pack up and move almost whenever you want with little to no financial repercussions. (You could be penalized for breaking your lease early.) You also dont have to worry about handling maintenance as a renter, but the landlord controls whats allowed on the property.

As a homeowner, you have much less flexibility to move around, but you can renovate or decorate your house however you like without having to ask a landlord for permission. Unlike with many rentals, you can also have pets. Some buyers find such newfound independence and authority, alone, worth the price of homeownership.

The Answer
When deciding between renting or buying, consider what you can afford and how youd like to live. If renting is the best option, you can stay in your current apartment or start looking for a new one. If homeownership sounds best, it might be time to ready your down payment and scope out the market.

Published with permission from RISMedia.