Buyers

 Buying a home is such an exciting time, but it’s not

always the easiest process. There are several things

that you can do in advance to make it so much easier.



You can trim days – maybe even weeks – off the time

until you’re in your next home. If you would like to talk

about what you can do to get into your dream home

faster, give me a call or visit my website.




Should you DIY or hire a professional?



Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer? Many of us take pride in the ability to handle a household task by ourselves. After all, that’s one of the perks of home ownership! But not all home improvement projects are created equal and, eventually, there may come the time where you will need to hire a professional to do the work. Here are some questions to ask yourself when hiring a professional:



Do you know how to do the work? This may seem like a silly question, but many people think they can do something just by reading a book on the subject. Be realistic with your skills and knowledge and consider the end results. If you lay concrete for a new sidewalk, will it look as professional as you would like? Do you know enough about the chemical composition of concrete to end up with a sidewalk that will last?



Would you make the situation better or worse? If you get into a project and find out you’re not as savvy as you thought you were, not only will you pay a professional to fix the initial problem, but you may have to pay him/her more to fix your mess. Plus, you don’t want to risk bringing harm to yourself or anyone around you. Both electrical and plumbing projects are ones you should typically leave for the professionals.



Do you have the time? Your spare time is valuable. While you may be able to handle painting the house or installing new carpet, it may also be more valuable to hire someone else to do it and you can spend your evenings and weekends relaxing instead of working on the house.



While many homeowners like to take on DIY projects, some people simply fear hiring a professional. That’s understandable considering home improvement contractor complaints were the source of the most consumer complaints last year, according to the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators.



But there are ways to screen for qualified help. As an appraiser, I get to know people in many different fields every day. I would be happy to recommend a contractor, plumber or electrician I have worked with or know in the area. In addition, there are online services, such as ServiceMagic.com or your local Better Business Bureau that can connect you with prescreened, licensed and insured contractors in your area.




Steps to conquering your debt.




Today, the average American household carries about $9,000 in debt, which can hinder their ability to qualify for a mortgage or any other type of loan. Many people try to pay down some of their debt prior to applying for a loan – a task that’s easier said than done. However, American Express offers four easy steps that you can do to help manage your debt:

Know what you owe. Make a list of all the credit cards, student loans and other debts you have and the monthly payments required for each. It’s important to know how much money you have to pay out each month so that you can budget accurately. A solid budget is key to your get-out-of-debt strategy. It’s easy to find budgeting planners and software online - or consider meeting with a financial advisor.

Set smaller, more realistic goals. Instead of trying to reinvent your budget, look for practical ways to cut costs and get great value for your money. For example, cutting back on spending for clothes and dining out can be a more effective tactic than eliminating them altogether.

Commit to saving money. One of the best ways to save more money is to have your contributions automatically deducted each month. You don’t see the money, so you don’t miss it. Commit yourself to a savings plan like a 401K or an IRA where you can arrange to have your contributions deducted automatically.

Use a charge card - or cash - instead of a credit card to pay for purchases. Charge cards are payable in full each month and they have no interest payments or finance charges. Plus, charge cards can offer a number of valuable benefit and services, such as rewards and travel and retail protections, at no extra cost.