Peggy Lents's Blog

Buying a home can be one of the more stressful experiences in life. It is often a long and sometimes intimidating process, lasting up to six months on average. The Real Estate market is huge and changes often with swings up and down. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by how much is ahead of you and how little you know about the process. But with the right attitude, it can also be an enjoyable, even exhilarating experience.
Here are some tips to make your home-buying experience positive and less stressful.
Preparing to Move
Organize
Be prepared by becoming knowledgeable. Educate yourself on each step of the process so you know what to expect. Get organized ahead of time. Keep a notebook and calendar dedicated exclusively to the home-buying process. An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to organize and compare all the information you gather, such as the homes you are interested in, potential lenders, and different mortgage rates.
Finances
Assess your financial situation before you begin looking for a home. Come up with a solid number for the maximum amount you can afford, as well as a target amount you would like to spend, ahead of time. Overestimate the closing costs (interest rates can change). This is also a good time to begin gathering the financial documents that you’ll need when applying for a loan.
Keep your finances in order until you close on your new home, which could be as long as six months away. Do whatever you can to help improve your credit score; don’t acquire new debt (no major purchases, new loans or new credit cards), reduce or eliminate any current debt, and pay your bills on time. It is never too early to begin improving your credit and is best started as early as two years prior to purchasing a home.
Find an Agent
Find a real estate agent who you trust and connect with on a personal level. Communication in this relationship is fundamental. Some questions to ask yourself: Are they good at translating industry jargon into terms you can easily understand? Do they communicate well using media that works for you, such as email, cell phone, or video conferencing? Credentials are a big factor too. Choose an agent with proven expertise in both the type of property and property location that interests you.
Finding a Home
“Think from the end,” is a common phrase heard in human potential circles. See yourself in your new home. How does it make you feel? What does it look like? Keep a journal to record these thoughts. Be as descriptive as possible. This can help to not only narrow down precisely what you are looking for in a home, but it can also help anchor you emotionally during a potentially unstable time by keeping the big picture in mind.
While dreaming of your new home is an important first step, keeping your expectations in check is equally important. Keep in mind that the criteria of what you are looking for in a home will change along the way. No house is perfect. Be willing to compromise on some of your requirements. Make a list of your top priorities (must-have’s) and lower priorities (nice-to-have’s). This will help identify areas where you can be more flexible.
Once you’ve found a home you like and know what you can work with financially, don’t let the latest market news influence your decision to move forward. If you start second-guessing the housing market or interest rates, you risk losing the home to another buyer. Choose a home because you love it. Listen to your heart.
Waiting for Acceptance
Once you’ve made an offer on a new home, try to relax and engage in your routine activities while you wait to hear whether the seller accepts your offer. During this waiting period, there are many potential stressors that could send your mind reeling. What if the seller rejects your offer, or comes back with an unreasonable counter-offer? Was your offer too little, or too much? Be prepared to make many offers before one is accepted. Keep in mind, even if your offer is accepted, there’s no guarantee it will close. Try to remain detached from the outcome until after the property has been inspected and you’ve been approved for a mortgage.
Inspection Period
Hire experienced and certified inspectors to conduct a thorough inspection of the property including possible insect damage. Be present during inspection, so you can ask questions regarding the home and become knowledgeable about any issues that are discovered.
Getting approved for a Loan
Taking out a loan can be the most stressful part of the home-buying process. Transactions typically take at least a month to complete. Having your financial situation scrutinized can be an uncomfortable process. Worrying about whether you will be approved is an added stressor. It helps to gather your financial records (credit card balances/statements, bank statements, investment statements) prior to meeting with a loan officer. Obtain a copy of your credit report; you’re entitled by law to one free credit report per year. A copy of your 4506 T form (IRS Tax Return Transcript), which includes a summary of your tax information, is also available online for download.
Don’t lose sight of the fact that you have options when choosing a lender and a mortgage. This can help restore a sense of control when so much of the home-buying process is out of your hands. Talk to several lenders; don’t just go for the first lender you talk to. Consult with your Real Estate agent to help you through the process of securing a mortgage. Don’t hesitate to ask questions until you understand the answer.
After Close, Moving In
Congratulations! You’ve successfully negotiated yourself through the complex maze that is home-buying and now find yourself at last kicking back on your couch with your favorite drink in the home of your dreams.

If your house is for sale, then you’re not only selling your home, you’re showing it, too. So, as you continually clean, dust and straighten-up (not to mention threaten anyone who even thinks about making a mess) you wonder-is all this fuss and aggravation really worth it? Well, the answer is definitely ‘yes.’

Even everyday clutter (that we all can relate to!) may be sending negative messages to a potential buyer: The house is messy = it hasn’t been maintained. Bathtub rings = plumber’s bills. Dirty registers = need to replace the furnace. Oftentimes buyers act more upon what their emotions are telling them, rather than what logic is telling them. That’s why even making the beds everyday helps your broker by reducing the amount of imagination that buyers will need in order to fall in love with your home!

Most people have one: that room in the house that they wish was just a little larger. What many don’t realize is that with a little work and some TLC, they could have exactly what they’re looking for.

Here, Lowe’s offers 10 designer tricks to help you make any room look larger:

For the illusion of a larger room, use a color scheme that is light rather than bright or dark. Pastels, neutrals and white are all color possibilities.
Use a monochromatic color scheme on the furniture, rugs and walls. Select different shades and textures of your single color.
Lighting is a key element in opening up a space. Recessed spot lighting is visually appealing and is perfect for a small space. A torchiere light is great for bouncing light off of the ceiling and back down on the room. Skylights and solar tubes are natural alternatives for adding light to a room.
Limit the number of accessories to avoid the cluttered feeling.
The floor and the ceiling are the fifth and sixth walls of every room. A light-colored flooring such as light oak or a light-colored carpet will make the room appear brighter and more open. The same applies to the ceiling-use a light color or white to “open up” the space above.
Increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding wall mirrors. They not only reflect images, they reflect light and color. Be a little daring! Use mirror tiles to mirror an entire wall. Your room will appear to double in size.
Don’t place too many pieces of furniture in a small space. A love seat may work better than a full-size sofa depending on the size and shape of the room. Add two medium-sized chairs or two small wood chairs. Place the chairs closer to the wall and then pull them into the area when additional seating is needed.
Add paintings or prints to the walls. One large painting works better than a group of small paintings.
The visual balance of a room is also important. A large, brightly colored element can overwhelm a room and decrease the appearance of space.
A glass table, whether it is a dining, coffee or end table, will keep the appearance of an open and free space.

by Investopedia Staff
Tuesday, November 29, 2011Investopedia

These days it is more important than ever to maintain a good credit score. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, finance a new vehicle or even sign up for a new mobile calling plan, your credit score will follow you almost everywhere you go. While most of us know the basics of how our credit scores and reports work, and how to build, improve or repair our scores, you may be surprised at some of the things that can have a negative effect on your credit score.

Closing an Older Credit Card

It is not uncommon for individuals to have credit cards that may be 10, 15 or even 20 years old. These cards were probably one of, if not the first credit cards you ever signed up for. With credit cards companies constantly looking for new incentives to coerce us to sign up for more cards, these older cards most likely don’t offer much more than the bare bones, when it comes to rewards or options. Since most people would rather earn rewards points or cash back with their credit purchases, older, less practical cards, probably end up at the back of your wallet or the bottom of your purse collecting dust.

For those looking to rid themselves of some excess plastic, these old cards seem like logical candidates for cancellation. Well, not so fast. Your older cards have the longest history of credit and payments and, therefore, may have a larger than expected influence on your overall credit score. By potentially removing years of positive credit history, by canceling an old card, your credit score may actually end up being negatively affected. Take a look at the relatively newer cards that you may not have much use for and think about canceling those, before getting rid of “old dependable.”

Shopping Around for Better Rates

If you’re planning on buying a home, you naturally want the best rate you can get, however, you don’t want your credit to get dinged every time you sit down with a loans officer at a bank. This is a common misconception among the general public, one that most lenders don’t exactly go out of their way to correct. The truth is, for instances where an applicant is “rate shopping,” multiple credit checks will actually be treated by the credit bureau as a single check, so long as the checks have all been done in a reasonable period (45 days for the FICO score). It’s probably best, however, to limit your shopping to around two or three weeks, to limit potential inaccuracies.

This new found information does not change the old adage about serial credit seeking. Individuals who continually apply for revolving credit, such as credit cards, do not qualify for the single check exception, since theoretically the individual could end up being approved for multiple credit cards, which they may not be able to support. Folks shopping for a lower mortgage rate, however, will, in most cases, not be given multiple mortgages. So go ahead and get yourself the best rate you can on a mortgage or car loan, but don’t jump from lender to lender, looking for a high interest credit card.

Transferring Debts to a Lower Rate Card

You’re going through your mail and there’s an envelope saying you’ve been pre-approved for a new credit card, with a high limit and low introductory rate. Even better, the card company is offering next to no interest, for the next few months, on any balances you transfer over from your other credit cards. It’s easy to get carried away, thinking the days of struggling to make payments on five different credit cards are over. You could transfer all your credit card debt to one card and save on interest for the next few months, while you pay down your debts, but should you?

It’s not as simple as you may have thought. If your balance on your new card ends up being close to 80%, 90% or even 100% of the card’s limit, your newly consolidated debt can actually lower your credit score. Debt-to-limit ratios exceeding 50% on a credit card or line of credit, set off alarms at the bureau, possibly leading to decreasing credit scores. In fact, having five cards with balance-to-limit ratios around 20% is usually better than a single card that’s nearly maxed out. To avoid seeing your score drop, try and keep you balance below the 30% mark and your credit score should be just fine.

Gyms, Texting and Library Dues

Credit cards, mortgages and, student loans are things we expect to find on our credit reports, but what about gym dues, cell phone bills and library late fees? Today more and more businesses and municipalities are reporting unpaid debts to the credit bureau, be it directly or via a collections agency. Instances of individuals having thousands of dollars of unpaid parking tickets, or months of unpaid gym dues from a forgotten contract, showing up on credit reports and subsequently lowering credit scores, have become more and more common. So don’t think that you can get away with not paying for that copy of “Atlas Shrugged” you borrowed from your local library and never ended up returning.

The Bottom Line

These are just a few unexpected items that can end up affecting your credit score. For the majority of us however, there’s a much simpler formula to credit score success: don’t buy what you can’t afford and if you end up over extending yourself, paying down your debts should be priority number one.

As winter approaches, preparations should be considered both inside and outside your home to protect your investment, maintain your safety, and provide comfort throughout the colder winter months.
Indoor Preparations

The most obvious items to address as the winter months approach center largely around ensuring that your home remains warm. Regardless of your heat source there are preventative measures that should be taken to ensure that you remain warm and safe inside your home. Some of the most important areas to assess include:

Furnaces – regular annual furnace inspections will help keep your furnace in good repair. Cleaning or replacing furnace filters monthly during the operating months will also keep your furnace operating efficiently.
Oil Heaters – like furnaces, oil heaters require annual inspections and maintenance. Annual inspections should include: inspecting the chimney, cleaning the pipes to remove soot build up, replacing the air filter, checking oil pressure and cleaning the oil filter bowl. Oil supplies will need to be replenished.
Fireplaces – periodic cleanings should be performed by a chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote buildup to prevent chimney fires. It is also a good time to ensure that woodpiles are sufficiently stocked for the winter months with well-seasoned wood. Woodpiles should be located in a dry location and in an area away from structures to prevent granting wood-eating insects, such as termites, easy access to your home.
Inspect windows and door for leaks – replacing cracked windows, or sealing air leaks around doors and windows will not only make the winter months more comfortable, but will also lower the costs of heating your home. One method of sealing leaks around windows is by using a removable caulking product which allows for easy removal and restoration of functionality for windows with the return of warmer weather in the spring.
Evaluate smoke detectors and related safety equipment – the ending of daylight savings time is an ideal time to replace batteries in smoke detectors and any other battery-powered safety or emergency equipment. It is also a good time to evaluate existing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers in terms of lifespan and whether they provide an adequate level of coverage. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are generally considered to have a lifespan of 10 years, whereas carbon monoxide detectors have a lifespan generally ranging from 2 to 5 years. Beware that batteries in the carbon monoxide detectors may still function after the actual carbon monoxide sensor has ceased being operational.

Outdoor Preparations

Outdoor preparations should include a walk around your property with an eye for cracks in foundations, the mortar in brick structures, and caulking or weather stripping that has failed. Other things to look for include: evidence of uninvited guests in the form of rodents or birds living or nesting in unsafe or unwanted locations, exposed wood that may need some type of protective treatment applied, and items that are too close to heat sources that could become fire hazards. In addition to this general evaluation, here is a list of specific items to consider:

Hoses/hose bibs – in regions where temperatures drop below freezing, it is important to disconnect and drain your garden hoses, and either wrap hose bibs or cover them with insulating covers to prevent freezing pipes. A quick inspection for other exposed pipes that may need insulating will prevent the headache of dealing with broken pipes later.
Sprinkler systems – in colder climates, sprinkler systems will need to be drained to prevent water from freezing and causing cracked or broken pipes. You may be able to drain the water yourself, or you may hire a professional to winterize it by blowing the water out of your system with an air compressor.
Roof – inspect your roof for any loose, missing, worn or damaged shingles, tiles or other roofing material and have any needed repairs made to prevent unwanted water damage.
Clean your gutters and downspouts – after leaves and other tree debris has fallen and collected in your gutters, it will be important to clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent water from backing up and causing water damage or overflowing during winter storms.
Clean landscaping tools – when storing your landscaping tools for winter, take the opportunity to clean them well, apply a light coat of lubricant on tools such as pruning shears to keep them operational and to extend their lifespan, and replace tools that are in poor condition so you’ll be prepared next spring when your landscaping begins to come to life once again.
Prepare winter equipment – now is the time to test winter equipment that you may need in the coming months and make any necessary repairs ahead of time. Knowing that the snow blower or back-up generator will work and are in good repair and that you are prepared for inclement weather will provide peace of mind. It is also a good time to place this equipment along with shovels and salt in an accessible location so it is readily available when it is needed.
Winter fertilizer – an application of winter fertilizer to lawns will promote stronger roots and help produce a healthier lawn in the spring.
Plants – take a look at your landscaping and determine if there are plants that may be sensitive to cooler weather and require special preparation. While some plants may need to be trimmed, others may require additional composting materials around their roots to protect them during freezing temperatures, and others will need to be moved to a sheltered area or indoors. This is also a good time to lift bulbs that won’t survive the colder temperatures such as dahlias and to consider planting spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils.

Reprint from a Scott’s email
Fall is always a busy time. So busy that it’s tempting to forget about the yard until spring. Problem is, if you wait till spring, your yard just doesn’t have the get-up-and-grow you expect. If you have 15 minutes here and there throughout the fall, here are 15 easy things you can do that will make a big difference come spring.

1. September: Feed Your Lawn

The difference between a “so-so” lawn and a truly beautiful lawn both now and next spring is two fall feedings. Feeding in early September helps your lawn begin rebuilding grass roots that were damaged during the hot, dry summer. Since this is also a great time to rid your lawn of weeds, do two jobs at once by using a good weed & feed, such as Scotts® Winter Guard® with Plus 2® Weed Control.

» Find out about fall feeding products

2. Spruce Up Your Lawn by Reseeding

When kids play on a lawn that’s still hurting from summer heat and drought, it can get damaged. Spruce it up by reseeding with quality Scotts® grass seed and a fertilizer, such as Scotts® Starter® Fertilizer, the day you seed. After that, just keep the seed and young grass watered, and hold off on any weed controls until the new grass has been mowed 4 times.

» Learn more why fall is the best time

3. Create Patches of Color in Your Beds with Fall Bloomers

Create patches of color in your beds with fall bloomers. Replace your tired looking summer blooming plants with mums, asters, pansies, flowering cabbage and other fall bloomers. Look for special displays at your local garden center. Just add Miracle-Gro® Potting Mix to your containers for big blooms.

4. Clean up the Garden

Your perennials may be past their bloom by now. Your vegetable garden may be done. If so, cut them back. You’ll help keep bugs and disease away. While you’re at it, use what you cut to start a compost pile.

5. Keep Bugs out of Your Home

Bugs and spiders start looking for a warm place to live as winter approaches. Kill bugs inside and keep bugs out with Ortho® Home Defense MAX® Perimeter & Indoor Bug Killer.

6. October: Drop Your Rake and Mulch Your Leaves

Don’t let tree leaves smother your grass. Contrary to popular belief, fallen tree leaves will not insulate your lawn during winter. In fact, they can block vital sunlight and thin your grass. So, drop your rake and mulch your leaves to dime sized pieces with your lawn mower and then apply your fall feeding. Find out more about this technique.

7. Fall Feeding Number 2

Once you’ve mulched your leaves, it’s time for your second fall feeding. Scotts® Turf Builder® WinterGuard® Fall Lawn Fertilizer gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to store up energy for a healthy spring push and helps to break down those mulched leaves.

8. Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs

Check out your garden center for a great selection of daffodil, crocus, hyacinth, tulip and other spring flowering bulbs. Plant them in masses or tucked into other beds for a surprise of spring color year after year, and don’t forget to feed them with Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice® Bone Meal.

» See our video on planting bulbs

9. Plant a Tree or Shrub

Fall is a great time to plant a tree or shrub. There’s less shock, and the roots start growing early in spring. Better yet, they’re often on sale about now. Just be sure to feed it with Miracle-Gro® Tree & Shrub Fertilizer Spikes or Miracle-Gro® Shake ‘n Feed Continuous Release All-Purpose Plant Food.

» Find out more about tree and shrub food

10. Have Some Fun. Carve a Pumpkin

Show your artistic side with a great, big pumpkin. When you’re done, plant the seeds and grow your own pumpkin for next year.

11. November: Mow at Your Summer Height of 2 to 3 inches

Don’t let mowing myths ruin your lawn. Mow at your summer height of 2 to 3 inches until your grass stops growing into early winter. Do not lower your height for the final cut. (Bermuda, Zoysia, Centipede can be mowed at a lower height of ¾ to 1 ½ inches.)

12. Expand the Kinds of Birds You Attract

Attract more colorful birds to your feeder. Skip the ordinary wild bird food this year and expand the kinds of birds you attract. Fill your feeders with one of the specialized wild bird foods from Scotts® and hang a suet feeder to delight your family with a wider range of birds and woodpeckers.

13. Clean Up your Tools for a Fresh Start Next Spring

They’ve served you well all season, but now it’s time to put the tools away. You’ll keep them from rusting if you clean them up before you hang them up. Also, if you’re done mowing for the year, do your winter mower maintenance for storage.

14. Stow your Lawn Furniture

It’s probably too cold now to sip lemonade on the patio, so put your cushions away and haul the grill and furniture into storage until next year.

15. Check the Gutters

While you’re hanging holiday lights, check the gutters. Thanksgiving weekend is when many people are out on ladders hanging lights for the holiday season. If you’re up on one, take the time to clean out your gutters. You don’t want clogged gutters when winter storms roll in.

Reprinted from a Home Warranty of America email.

There is more to fall than Halloween festivities and falling leaves. Now that summer is over, it’s time to prepare your home for the cold fall and winter months! By following these tips to maintain your home, you will save energy, prevent problems and unwanted costs, as well as help save the environment!

Home Maintenance

Examine Your Roof & Gutters. It is best to inspect and clean the gutters a few times during the fall, especially if there are many leafy trees surrounding your home. Clear away leaves, dirt, and pine needles from your gutters.

Drain Your Hot Water Heater. If you live in an area with hard water, extra amounts of sediments could be building up in your tank. Fall is the perfect time to drain and make sure rust is not developing in your tank as well.

Clean & Store Outdoor Furniture. Summer is over which means it’s time to wash outdoor furniture and cushions. Once dry, store cushions in a dry area to prevent cracking and fading over the fall and winter months.

Check Out Your Chimney. Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before using your fireplace. It’s important to remove built up soot, nests, and other materials that could present a fire hazard.

Check for Gaps. To test for gaps, insert a dollar bill in the gaps around your windows and doors. If the dollar bill goes in, then you know your money is going out the window due to energy loss.

Go Green with These Energy Saving Tips

Turn Down Your Thermostat. Heating accounts for approximately 70% of a home’s energy bill. The simple act of turning down your thermostat at night or while you are gone during the day will go a long way to reducing your energy bills.

Save On Your Water Bill. Using less water and on the cold water setting will still clean your clothes as well as using warm or hot water, and you’ll save money by not heating water to wash clothes.

Compost in the Fall. Compost is a rich, organic soil conditioner for your lawn and garden. Put raked leaves and other yard wastes in a compost bin and keep these materials out of landfills.

Buy Recyclable Fall Items. When stocking up on cold-weather gear, buy recycled-content items such as fleece clothing and blankets made from recycled soda bottles and snow shovels made from recycled plastic.

Go Green in the Garage. Empty out unused fuel from any gas-powered equipment stored in the garage, such as a lawnmower, because sediment can build up and clog the fuel lines.

For more home maintenance tips, visit our website: www.hwaHomeWarranty.com

There are many issues to evaluate when considering a home purchase including what you can afford, what kind of loan best suits you, the property itself and once you find your dream house, how much you are willing to pay for it.

How Much Can You Afford?

Before starting your search for a home, you must decide how much you can afford. Generally speaking, it is recommended that the down payment be a minimum of 5-20% of the purchase price. In addition, there are two other standard thresholds to consider in terms of how much of your monthly income should be spent on housing.

Your total housing costs (mortgage, interest, property taxes, insurance) should not exceed 28% of your income.
The combination of your housing costs and all other monthly debt (car loans, student loans, etc.) should not exceed 36% of your income.

What Type of Loan Structure Works Best For You?

There are many different types of loans available. However, one of the basic decisions you’ll have to make is whether you prefer the predictability of a conventional loan, knowing that your payment will be the same amount each month over the life of the loan, or whether you are comfortable with foregoing the fixed monthly payment for an adjustable loan where the initial interest rate is lower and the monthly payment amount will fluctuate periodically throughout the life of the loan. Both conventional and adjustable loans provide a variety of terms to select from to best meet your needs. A mortgage broker will be able to provide a wealth of information on the various options available as well as determine whether you qualify for any government-backed loan programs.

Where Do You Want to Live?
Once you have decided how much you can afford, then you must consider which areas to target for your property search that will both meet your budget constraints and are conducive to your lifestyle. Where do you wish to live: in the city with all of its hustle and bustle, in family-oriented suburbs, in the quiet countryside or perhaps in the mountains? Do you want to be close enough to walk, bike or ride the bus to your favorite destinations, or is a longer drive an acceptable cost to living further away from services? Are high quality school districts important to you either because you have children or for resale purposes? What degree of safety does an area need to possess? How close do you need to be to groceries, shopping, medical services and other amenities?

What Style of Housing Meets Your Needs?

Houses still have the greatest appeal and are a good option for individuals who want a place for the kids and/or animals to be able to run and play, for those who love to garden and create their own landscaping masterpiece, and for people who want a little elbow room between themselves and their neighbors. Houses come in all shapes and sizes: rambler, two-story, split level, modern, traditional, Victorian, Colonial, one room cabins, large mansions or estates. Newer homes located in housing developments will generally have a Homeowners’ Association with wide-ranging dues/fees to cover community property expenses, bylaws and covenants, and enforcement practices; whereas, older homes or homes in more rural areas may or may not have any such associations.

Condominiums are frequently a good choice for individuals who prefer to live in an urban setting, people who travel extensively, and those who don’t want the responsibility of maintaining a yard. Condominiums come in all sizes, ranging from apartment size to spaces that can exceed the size of an average house. Condominiums will most certainly have an association established to levy fees for building and grounds maintenance. When considering any condominium it is critical to review not only the by-laws and covenants prior to purchase, but also relevant financial documents to ensure that enough funds are in reserve to address future expenses and to prevent buying into an organization’s mismanagement or poor planning.

Vacation properties and homes are often sought out in the mountains or near water access. While mountain locations provide easy access to outdoor activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in winter and hiking, biking in summer, homes near water provide for a wealth of summer activities involving swimming, boating, waterskiing and beachcombing. These properties can range from a parcel of unimproved land or a plot with a small cabin and just enough amenities to meet basic needs, to a large, fully modernized home suitable for year-round living.

Is This Your New Home Sweet Home?

Once you’ve found the perfect home, you’ll want to try to assess how well the property has been maintained over time, carefully review all property disclosure documents and do a more thorough examination of the property for any hidden surprises. Hiring a home inspector who has extensive credentials is generally considered a wise move.

A home inspection should include a thorough review of:

Structural elements: construction of walls, ceilings, floors, roof, foundations
Exterior evaluation: elevation, drainage, driveways, fences, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights, and exterior receptacles
Roof/Attic: framing, ventilation, type of roof construction, flashing, and gutters
Plumbing: identify pipe materials for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes as well as condition of toilets, showers, sinks, faucets, and traps
Systems and components: water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duct work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers
Electrical: main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and light fixtures
Appliances: dishwasher, range/oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and smoke detectors
Garage: slab, wall, ceiling, vents, entry, firewall, garage door, openers, lights receptacles, exterior, windows and roof

You’ll also want to know what isn’t included in the home inspection. Some areas frequently not included in the inspection, or included only at a cursory level are:

Asbestos
Radon, methane, radiation, formaldehyde
Wood-destroying organisms
Mold, mildew, fungi
Rodent presence
Lead

Many home buyers have found talking to prospective neighbors quite enlightening. Not only can you learn more about the neighborhood and get a feel for who may be your future neighbors, but sometimes these interactions can provide valuable information including why the house is on the market, prior issues with the house (flooding/leaks, repeated pest infestations, illegal drug use/production) as well as general information about the neighborhood such as whether there are problems with vandalism and theft, high homeownership turnover, high level of rental properties, or local issues that may impact your interest (plans for a new road or shopping center, etc.).

Another frequently overlooked source of information may be your insurance company. For instance, if you are looking in an area that is prone to earthquakes or flooding, they should be able to tell you if the specific area has a higher than average level of claims which may impact your insurance premium and whether special insurance riders would be required for coverage. They may also be able to tell you if your premiums would be impacted by a higher incidence of claims due to theft and vandalism.

Factors to Consider When Preparing an Offer
Once you have decided you’re interested in a specific home, the last step is figuring out how much to offer for it. There will be many factors to consider: your budget, how quickly you want/need to move, how quickly homes are selling, what similar homes in the area have been selling for, how long the house has been on the market, what repairs may be required and perhaps most importantly, how much you want this particular house.

OK, maybe you are not the person who likes white ghost sheets and fake cobwebs hanging out on your front porch for the fall season. I had to, of course, when my kids were little, but now that they are a little older I can decorate things the way I want to. Here a few ideas for some eye-catching decorating for your front yard or front porch.
Dried Cornstalk Arrangement
Cornstalks happen to be one of the most popular arrangements out there at the moment. Simply take about 15 to 20 dried cornstalks and bunch them together with bailer’s twine to secure. Leave the bailer’s twine bare or add a colorful fall ribbon in burgundy, green, orange or any fall color. A couple of stacks of straw or hay can sit down in front and add additional appeal. Maybe a jack-o’-lantern or pot of mums can rest on top of the stacks to add more style. Cornstalks can be purchased at many cider mills, roadside vendors or landscaping companies that sell pumpkins and apples.

Dried Indian Corncobs
Dried Indian corncobs are really cute when tied to the center of a dried cornstalk bunch and really adds to the fall and harvest flair. If you are daring, grab some stalks from farmer Pete’s field up the road when he isn’t looking! These make for a spectacular focal point when they frame something such as a porch. Be sure to duplicate another on the opposite side. I like displaying mine against my red barn; this really adds for a unique country look.

Pumpkin and Gourd Arrangement
A simple assortment of pumpkins in different sizes and shapes along with a variety of gourds is a great way to sport fall decor around the outside of your home. Try layering and staggering different ones along your front porch steps. The look created here is timeless and very cozy. Try adding large baskets to the mix and fill them with twigs with berries and maybe an assortment of decorative gourds and small pumpkins.

Wooden Craft Signs and Carvings
Fall is the best time to display your favorite craft items outdoors. Craft shows are in full swing and there are many vendors selling wooden signs. If you are a good painter, try to painting your own decor items and craft signs. Verbally express your love for the fall season with signs such as “Gobblers Gather Here” or “Welcome Fall.” Paint the saying on a turkey shape and add a stake.

Bring the Fall Colors Together With Plants
Mums are definitely the plant of the fall season. With a huge variety of colors such as white, red, burgundy, yellow and orange, you are sure to find a color that will bring zing to your fall decor. Flowering cabbages are also a way to add a little more color to your area. If you don’t have a lot of yard space, try buying some flower pots and add the mums and plants to your porch.

Pretty Fall Wreaths
Wreaths are always popular all year round. They can be purchased almost anywhere and there are some really pretty homemade wreaths out there that many crafters have put together and sell at craft shows or boutiques. If you want to make your own, the best place to start is your local craft store. Starting with a grapevine wreath provides a good base. Adding berries, Indian corn, mini gourds, silk flowers and leaves is a way to really dress things up. You can top it off with a ribbon, if you like.
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· Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house comfortably
  warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer.
· Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR ® label.
· Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
· Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
· Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn   the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.            
· Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 °F.
· Take short showers instead of baths.
· Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
· Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and
  braking) wastes gasoline.
· Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products.
  ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

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