Ideal Home

How to Make Your Room Look Bigger

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:11:00 +0000

Do you have a tiny room? Is there just enough space for your bed, bureau, desk and maybe a chair? Here's a great way to enlarge the space and make it more functional:

Rearrange furniture.

Push a twin bed against the wall. Stand pillows against the wall to use as a couch during the day. Headboards and footboards are not always necessary. It is helpful to buy a loft bed to open up the room.

Be multi-functional.

Place your bureau next to the bed and use it as a nightstand. Use a kitchen chair as a nightstand. Hang your clothes, coat or purse on the back of the chair.

Replace furniture.

Attach a small shelf, on the wall next to the bed, to use as a nightstand. Use a wall lamp rather than a table lamp.
Store tissue and an alarm clock in a small purse hung on a hook next to the bed. A nightstand may not be needed.
Attach a folding shelf, beneath a window, to use as a desk or ironing board. Place a towel over the board before ironing.
Use a stool instead of a chair. Store the stool in your closet when it's not in use.
Sit on the floor, use a floor cushion or study on the bed.
Find and use smaller pieces of furniture, such as a smaller bed.

Add storage area.

Clear the clutter. Keep only what you use.

Add shelves or hooks in the closet. Place small items in baskets or boxes on the shelves. A bureau may not be needed.
Add a hook to the back of your door for your coat and purse.
Elevate your bed. Use cardboard storage boxes beneath the bed. Add a bedskirt to cover everything.

Add light and spaciousness.

Use light, pastel colors on the walls.
Hang a mirror so that it faces a bright window.
Use a minimum of two pictures throughout the room.
Use a valance curtain to keep an open view of the outdoors.
Try mini blinds to alter the intensity of light.

Maintain your room.

Make your bed and clean your room every day. Keep everything put away.

Tips

Read about feng-shui.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer.
Use mirrors. Mirrors can easily create the illusion of depth, especially if they're placed behind something. Rather than having a blatant mirror in the room, put it behind a fish tank, or somewhere where it reflects a focal point of the room to somewhat create the illusion of depth.

How to Organize Your Room

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:56:00 +0000

Do you have a room full of stuff you never use, but never bothered to throw away? Here are some tips on How to Organize Your Room.

Get a plastic bag for garbage.

Start with a small area, like a closet or desk.

Spread everything that is in that area out on the floor or bed.

Make separate neat piles for things that you want to:

Throw away
Give away
Keep and use a lot
Keep but not use much
Move

Ask yourself a few questions, such as:

Do I really need this?
Can I give it to someone else?
How many times have I used this?
Have I worn or used this in the past year?
Does it still have a use?
Can I reuse it?

Throw all the stuff in the "Throw Away" pile out.

Give things in the "Give Away" pile to a shelter or organization.

Warning: Only do this if things are not too worn out or falling apart.

Store the things in the "Keep but not use much" pile in large containers.

Store these containers in miscellaneous location, such as at the bottom of a closet, under a bed, or in a basement.

Put stuff you want to "Display" on the wall, so that it is out of the way but still viewable.

Separate things you want to use a lot into categories.

For example, put all of your writing utensils in a cup.

Get rid of any objects you think you won't use anymore.

Move things in the "Move" pile to somewhere else in the room or house.

As you move those items, think carefully about whether you really need them or not. If they don't belong in your room, do they belong anywhere else? If not, throw it out or give it away.

Put your contained items into their appropriate place.

Again, look through them to see if you really need to use them.

Put the containers in appropriate locations, but still out of the immediate way. For instance, put your writing utensils on a desk, but to the back or side of the desk top.

When storing items, remember to build up, not out.

Store things on shelves, instead of the center of the room.

Vacuum, and be proud of your work!

Now you can kick back and relax in your new clean room! and make sure there is nothing under the bed

Tips

If your room is very cluttered, organize things by large object or area. For example, if you have a large bureau, organize everything in the bureau, and then move on to something else, like a bed or desk.
Stuff that you give away should be in good condition.
If you don't want to give something away, you could sell it in a garage sale. Be careful, though, because you may never get around to having that garage sale.
Label the piles so you don't accidentally throw away something you want.
Get some cabinets, drawers, or other storage items to help you organize. You can get cheap but cheerful storage items from shops such as IKEA or your local supermarket, they're great if you're on a budget.
If you have trouble throwing potentially useful things away try giving them to a charity. It will make you feel wonderful!
If you have younger sibling(s) you could put the "give away" pile on display and have a small auction, selling things for something you like of theirs.
If you have pet(s) that shed, try putting your things in drawers and other places so that the animals cannot get them.
Try listening to music that will get you on your feet while you tidy your room, it will make it more fun and somehow it makes it more easy to clean!
Play a game like the claw in arcades. Pick up everything one by one and decide what to do with it. Eventually the whole spot will be cleaned.
Rearrange desks, beds, vanities or any other large items to make your room seem bigger. (Don't forget to bring the stuff back in!)
Alot of light on desks make them look cleaner.
Buy some of those cheap plastic drawers at wallmart (I reccomend the 5 stack)and put things in those drawrs *for example gum in the top drawer necklaces in the second drawer* and so on.
Make sure you try not to keep to much stuff as it will get very busy in your room so if you do have a very busy room think about the questions we told you

Warnings

Some people have a hard time throwing or giving things away, even if they will never use them. If you are one of those people, use this rule: if you haven't used the item in about a year, you don't need it. An exception is if the item is valuable. If you're really bent on clearing your clutter, take the item to be appraised; then sell it or give it away,even if its really hard to do.

Choosing a Color Scheme

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Maybe this can help you guys solve your "picking a color scheme" problem.

How to Select Art for Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 08:52:00 +0000

Selecting art for your home can be an exciting adventure and a source of enjoyment for years to come. Keys to success are figuring out what kind of art you like, how it will fit in with the rest of your interior design plans, and how to exhibit the art to the best effect in your home. Here are some Tips on
How to Select Art for Your Home.

Look at as much art as possible before you make your selection.

In addition to museums and for-profit galleries, check out local outdoor exhibitions, co-op and non-profit galleries, and art in public spaces such as banks, restaurants and libraries. The internet is another great way to find a large variety of fine art available worldwide. One advantage of using the internet is that you can search for the specific kind of art you are interested in, whether it's photography, impressionism, bronze sculpture, or abstract painting.

Search for great art that you favor.

eBay is they best place to search. Check out the self-representing artists for your best values. Stay clear of the assembly line Chinese art, as these are mostly ripoffs from legitimate artists on eBay. There are many artists who represent themselves at a savings to you. Check out the SRA, Folk Art and Contemporary categories for your best buys! Don't forget to check feedback. Numerous negatives will often burn you. Read about the seller and ask questions before you bid. If they don't respond, look on down the line. You'll find a seller you like who will respond.

Visit school art shows.

If you live near a big city which has a well-known Art School, find out when students are going to exhibit their work and attend the show. Though students at famous European schools are likely to be asking more for their work than unknown small town schools, you are still going to be buying cheaper than at a commercial gallery, you know the artist is a top performer in their year, you can be sure they have put a lot of work into their piece, and who knows, they may become very famous and their early paintings will be sought after!

Select art by size to fit a particular space.

Art that is too large will overwhelm and art that is too small will be lost and look out of proportion. The bolder the art, the more room it needs to breathe. Measure the space you want to hang the art and leave enough "white space" so that the painting will not feel crowded.

Choose one that harmonizes with the colour of your room.

When selecting a painting to match color, select one or two of the boldest colors in your room and look for art that has those colors in it. You're not looking for an exact match here. Picking up one or two of the same colors will send a message that the painting belongs in this environment.

Opt for paintings that matches the style of the paintings is your room.

If your house is filled with antiques, for example, you'll want to use antique-style frames on the paintings you hang there. If you have contemporary furniture in large rooms with high ceilings, you'll want to hang large contemporary paintings.

Amend your room if the painting doesn't suit.

If you find that when you get the art home and place it on a wall or pedestal, it doesn't work with its surroundings. If you bring a painting home and it clashes with its environment, first try hanging it in various rooms on different walls. It may look great in a place you hadn't planned on hanging it. If you can't find a place where the art looks its best, you may need to make some changes in the room, such as moving furniture or taking down patterned wallpaper and repainting in a neutral color. The changes will be worth making in order to enjoy the art you love.

Hang correctly.

As a rule, paintings should be hung so that the center of the painting is at eye level. Sculpture may sit on the floor, a table, or pedestal. Rules should be considered guidelines only, however, so feel free to experiment. One collector hung an acrylic painting on her bedroom ceiling so she could better view it while lying down.

Make the painting the center of attraction of your room of your house by playing down the other design elements such as window coverings, carpeting, wall coverings, and even furniture.

A room crowded with other colors, textures, and objects will take the spotlight away from the art.

Experiment to learn what pleases you and what doesn't.

Selecting and displaying art is an art in itself. You'll be well-rewarded for the time you invest by finding more satisfaction both in the art and in your home.

Tips

Discover what kind of art you like by looking at as much art as possible, online or in local galleries, museums, and public spaces.
Another possibility for dealing with color is to choose art with muted colors, black-and-white art, or art that is framed in a way that mutes its color impact in the room.
A wide light-colored mat and neutral frame create a protected environment for the art within.
Make sure there is enough light on the art to show it off. Consider track lighting or picture lights if the art requires more light.

How to Arrange Your Furniture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 02:19:00 +0000

This will hopefully help you to know where to put your furniture. The most important part is to first toss away the junk, move the bed and make sure there is nothing underneath it, and get ready to arrange.

Determine what purpose the space the furniture occupies has and the purpose of each piece of furniture.

This will have an effect on how space might be divided up and furniture arranged. Some furniture may not belong in a given space.

Primary Conversation Area:

8-12 feet in diameter is ideal
Seats 4-6 people

Secondary Conversation Area:

Seating for just 1-3 people

Dining Area:

Allow 3 feet from the table edge for the person to be seated at the table and room behind for traffic.
Each person is allowed a minimum of 24 inches of seating room at the table.

Measure the room and write down its dimensions.

Do the same for your furniture.

Make a flat scale drawing of the room using graph paper as if seen from above.

(For example: 1 little square represents one quarter of a square foot [3"] and four of those equal one square foot.) You may want to shade the floor close to what is already there (beige if the carpet is beige) if there is a need to coordinate colors just make sure you can see the lines on your graph paper.

Draw flat scale drawings of your furniture as if seen from above.

Don't get too detailed. At the very least you need the size and shape in relation to the room; Color the piece if you think it's important and then label it.

Consider the following traffic flow / spacing guidelines:

Spaces that need 36"-6' clearance:

Hallways
In front of clothes closets, dressers and chests of drawers
Any route where 2 people might pass each other
In front of stove, refrigerator, sink, washer and dryer areas
From the edge of a dining room table to a wall or stationary object.
Sides of bed you get in
4' or more for stairways.

Spaces that need 18"-4'clearance:

Sides of beds used only for making the bed
Between sofas & coffee tables
30" in routes where only one person will walk such as in front of tubs or through doorways.
There should be at least 30" of clearance in front of the bath tub, shower, toilet and/or sink.

Take your scale drawing of the room's floor plan and rearrange the scale drawn pieces of furniture on it until you see a configuration you like and think works best for the space and furniture's purposes and traffic flow.

Tape the pieces down with small pieces of tape (so that you can easily move them if you change your mind) and begin preparing to move your furniture into that configuration.

You have two options for moving the furniture:

Move everything out of the room; or
Move pieces little by little.

Regardless of your above choice the following steps are applicable:

Move the first piece to where you want it to go, and keep going from there.
Move all the things outside your door back into your room.

Tips

Clean your room before you move the furniture.
Decide whether or not the furniture in the room should be kept. It should serve the room's purpose and be on the scale of the room -a small room should have small pieces of furniture and large room should have large pieces. If a large room cannot be filled with large pieces of furniture, divide the space up using the smaller pieces of furniture available arranged around / anchored by an area rug.
Use a computer application such as Visio to help draw up your scale drawings.
Area rugs not only work to bring color, texture and interest to a room but work as traffic flow guides and indications of transition from one area to another. Arrange furniture around or on top of area rugs. (A coffee table would be placed on top of an area rug, for example, and furniture arranged around that.)
Clean the furniture before moving it back in place. It may be a long time before you bother to move that piece again for thorough cleaning.
Vacuum the floor afterwards.
If you have wooden floors, put a piece of old carpet or a rag under each leg before you move an item of furniture; it will slide more easily and won't scratch the floor. Leave it there after you have finished to avoid damaging the floor.
If you are moving pieces on carpet consider moving pads or placing pieces of cardboard or wood on the floor so that furniture slides more easily.
Feng Shui Tips:

Put the bed up against a wall in a commanding position in view of the door.
Have a headboard for the bed.
Don't position a bed at the low end of a pitched ceiling or under a ceiling fan.

Warnings

Do not move furniture in a messy room!
Be careful and do not move anything that is too heavy for you!

How to Decorate your Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:13:00 +0000

Courtesy of Google Images

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house, because it is where meals are cooked and where family tends to converge and hang out. There are many ways to add decorations to a kitchen and make it inviting and warm. Here are some tips on how to decorate a kitchen.

Pick a color scheme.

Although your new kitchen's primary purpose is usefulness, you also want it to be aesthetically pleasing. The kitchen is often a gathering place in the home, so you want it to be warm and inviting to your family and guests, as well as yourself. Inventory your kitchen items and see if you have already selected a color scheme and didn't know it.

Focus on one element at a time.

A kitchen can become overwhelming if you try to change everything at once. Give yourself one decorating project, like painting or buying new dishes, and stay with that project until it's completed. You can move on to others later if you feel your kitchen needs more decorating.

Consider practicality.

When choosing which appliances and other built-in accessories you want in your kitchen remodel, make sure you are going to make good use of them. All of the space in your kitchen is precious, and you don't need to take up valuable space with an appliance or accessory you won't use. If the item is something you might use occasionally, get a version that can be easily stored and brought out on special occasions. A bread maker would be a good example of this. Don't bother giving this appliance its own spot in the kitchen if you only make bread for Christmas. Instead, buy the smallest model and store it in a cabinet or basement.

Look at the overall flow.

Of course, as you are designing your kitchen, think about getting around the room easily. Also put some thought into when you use certain appliances while you are cooking. For example, if you have a separate stove top and oven, consider the proximity of these two appliances and how they fit into your typical cooking routine. You want to prevent as much unnecessary carrying of items across the kitchen as possible.

Add a preparation area closest to the appliances you use the most to help with the flow between preparation and the start of the cooking process.

Consider countertop appliances.

Don't forget to leave room for any gadgets you plan on leaving on the counter. Things like toasters, blenders, utensil jars and stand-up mixers take up a considerable amount of space. You don't want to feel like all of your space has been swallowed up after you get done putting out all of your supplies.

Asses your supplies.

Knowing what you already have can help you figure out what you need to include in your new kitchen. This is also a great time to purge items you don't use very often and upgrade those items that you need. You will also be able to plan your cabinet and other storage space better if you know what materials will be in them.

Paint the walls or cabinets.

A room's color helps it feel warm or relaxing, so decorate your kitchen by adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls or cabinets. White is a popular choice, but you can opt for a light shade of blue or yellow if an all-white room isn't appealing.

Change small details.

Update your kitchen's look without spending money on new appliances by updating small details that draw attention. Change your drawer pulls or cabinet handles to brushed steel or painted ceramic to give your kitchen more personality. Paint window and door frames to give the room more dimension and color.

Switch decor seasonally.

Give your kitchen a celebratory feel by changing out linens, curtains or dishes for special holidays. Rotate these items, which all complement the personality of your kitchen, with the changing seasons to add seasonal colors and elements.

Change the linens.

One way to give the whole room a cohesive theme is to choose one pattern for your curtains, tablecloth and hand towels and create a matching set of linens.

Add fresh flowers.

Plants and flowers add lively decoration to any room and are good for the environment. Add a functional decoration to your kitchen by creating a window box with fresh herbs, or replace fresh-cut flowers in a kitchen table vase every few days to keep it looking new.

Tips

Remember that any new decorations should still allow your kitchen to be practical and functional. Avoid any large decorative items that will take up space on your counter tops or stove. Opt for wall hangings and hanging decorations that will be out of your way.

How to Spruce up Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 08:33:00 +0000

Courtesy of Google Images

Follow these tips if you can and in no time you will have a beautiful abode that will be an inviting place for one and all.

Paint the walls.

Giving your walls a new splash of color completely changes the appearance of your home. Walls look the best when they are painted in neutral shades like beige, off white, peach, light blue etc. These colors are not only pleasant to the eyes but they also are most suited to whatever color furniture or accessories you might have in the room. One new trend is painting one of the walls of the room a bright color and arranging some showpiece or painting on that wall.

Change the upholstery.

By changing the cushion covers and the general upholstery of the room, the whole area gets a totally new look. You can mix and match with different colors, patterns, textures to do up your furniture covers as well as curtains. Take care to see that you have a common theme running between all your upholstery so that the colors do not clash or hurt the eye. Curtains have a variety of new forms in which they can be stitched and displayed. The room gets a very rich look if the fabric that you use is rich and comfortable. Make sure that you do not bother about the cost so much as this can be considered a one time investment. Good furnishing is a must for a well decorated room.

Bring plants in.

Any room that has plants in it instantly livens up the atmosphere of that place. Plants are not only soothing to the eye but they also have great value in terms of improving the air in the room. Its not important that you have big or small plants. These days we even have miniature forests in large bowls where a group of three of four bonzai plants are grown replete with stones and soil. These arrangements can be found in the local nursery for as low as three or four hundred bucks. Plant flowers near the window sill to improve the beauty of the windowsills.

Spread dhurries around.

Nowadays Indian dhurries are in fashion not only in India but also all over the world. These rugs in bright Indian colors energise and change the look of the floor completely. Make sure that the rugs are laid in places where they are instant noticeable. As opposed to expensive carpeting ,rugs are a great way to break the monotony of the floors. The brighter they are, the better they look. They are available in an variety of shapes like square, oblong and so on.

Frame them.

Paintings on the wall as well as pictures instantly add elegance quotient to your room. You can frame landscapes, oil paintings, pictures or anything that you want to display. A good light fixture behind the painting gives a very good focus on the painting and improves the look. You can choose frames in wood with exotic colors and designs on them. The frame is a very important tool for adding to the beauty of the painting.

Arrange a special corner.

Have a special corner in the room that has a collection of all your favorite collectibles like potpourri, candles, trinkets, showpieces, photos of your loved ones etc. Having all these items at one place lets the visitor place their total attention to these items at one go. Make sure that the items are displayed well with some special light fixtures for lighting.

Keep it neat and fragrant.

Last but not the least always keep your rooms neat, clean and fragrant .No matter how much you decorate and spend on your house, it is fruitless if the house is not maintained well.

Tips

You can dust the house at least once in a day.
Arrange fresh flowers that can last a couple of days.
Open windows.
Poke holes in lemons and add them to a fruit bowl.
Warm cinnamon sticks on the stove.
Invest in some house plants.

How to Decorate Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:54:00 +0000

Courtesy of Google Images

Is your front room stuck in the '80s? Does your house beg for a make-over? Here are some tips on how to save money and still get the look that you've always wanted.

Choose a style that you like (contemporary/modern, country, french country, victorian etc.).

Decide on a wall color to fit the whole look of the room.

For victorian, a rosy pink, or an off-white, country can be anywhere from blue and yellow, to pink and white.

Select furniture.

If your furniture already matches your style, then consider yourself lucky. If your furniture looks unpleasant, purchase some slip covers, they come in all different styles and patterns.

Buy cheap rugs and draperies.

You can save a lot of money by purchasing solid color rugs and draperies that are in your colors, and places like Wal-Mart carry them.

Find artwork.

It isn't as expensive as you may think. You can buy from a retail or craft store, or photocopy images from a book, and frame them.

Alter the things you already have.

A black lamp may not go with a nautical theme, so what do you do? Paint it, using spray paint or textured paints, found in arts and crafts stores. Clocks, coat racks, vases(using glass paint) shelves, bookends, even baskets and furniture can be transformed by paint.

Tips

Toss some pillows and a blanket on your couch, to give your guests a comfortable feeling when they walk through your door.
Want to paint a design, but don't have the painting genie? Use stencils and stamps instead.
Choose lighting in harmony with the mood. Bright for modern and dim for classic.
Use a higher number of weak light sources instead of a lesser number of strong light sources.

How to Find a Good Real Estate Agent

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:25:00 +0000

Courtesy of Google Images

It is important to take note of how serious the agent takes their job. Asking for references from past clients is always a good idea as well as getting an update on recent transactions they have done. Ensure they have been in the business recently and know what the current market conditions are.

Steps to take when looking for a REAL ESTATE AGENT.

Meet agents out in their working environment, not in their offices.

Good agents spend very little time at their desks.

Make sure the agent has closed many properties and has worked a few years at least.

The average real estate agent closes only 1 or 2 houses a year. More closings mean more experience.

A great place to meet agents is at open houses.

Don't worry that you are not interested in that particular property. The agent knows that open houses rarely produce a buyer for that home and use the open house as a tool to find buyers.

Another good method is to contact the agent with whom a friend or relative worked.

If this agent produced positive results for a friend, there's a good chance they will do the same for you.

Make sure your agent is online.

Having a web savvy agent is very important today as over 85% of all buyers initially see their homes online. Great agents have laptops and often have moved to mobile technology to assist. A real estate agent in today's world must email, text, and be available to buyers and sellers alike.

Interview several agents.

Whether you are looking for a buyer agent or seller agent. Remember though, agents will tell you what you want to hear. Make sure they are not selling you a dream partnership... you want to hire a realistic real estate agent. Don't sign a buyers agreement form before looking for property (you should feel free to build trust with a real estate agent over several hours of looking before signing anything).

Look for signs that the agent is busy.

A hard-working, go-getter of an agent is good. Be careful, sometimes they are too busy. A real estate agent can only effectively work with about a half-dozen buyers and a dozen sellers at any given time to properly give the time needed to a buyer. If they pass you to an "assistant", move to another agent that will give their time to you.

It is important that your agent is knowledgeable.

Ask questions about things you have learned through your new- found interest in real estate. If they don't know more than you - after all, this is her livelihood! - go on to seasoned agent. Local knowledge is particularly critical especially in city settings.

An excellent agent is the most important to you when buying a home for the first time.

They should have experience and should be able to guide you through the complexities of the process including lender info that you will have to provide. The loan process has become much more demanding and complex in 2010.

See how the agent's MLS listings come up in searches.

When listing in todays market, all listings from small to big should have professional photos - this is the first sign of a professional real estate agent who understands todays market.

How respected is the brokerage/agent...

You want an agent that will network and work cooperatively with other agents. Seasoned agents tend to know the other agents in the area and have good working relationships with them. This tends to transform into good transactions.

Check the references that an agent should be able to provide you.

Ask the other real estate agents you interview if they know the other agent and if they respect them as a real estate agent.

Ask your agent where they live.

An agent that lives and works locally will have their finger on the pulse of the market and be able to answer important questions about the community. They should at a minimum know the schools where they work. This is especially important in large cities.

Ask "Can you recommend service providers who can assist me in obtaining a mortgage, making repairs on my home, and other things I need done?"

Keep in mind here that a real estate agent should generally recommend more than one provider and shouldn't receive any compensation (ethical issues tend to arise when this happens).

Ask how long the real estate agent has been working full time.

It is not that newer agents aren't capable, it just is a factor in making an informed decision. Many "experienced" agents are not always the best choice either. Especially if they haven't kept up with technology.

Ask the agent if the real estate agent is a full time agent.

Is this her only job? You should demand a full time agent.

Ask Who the agent is working for in the transaction, the buyer or the seller (a real estate agent selling a house almost always works for the seller and tend to spin things a sellers way)

Ask "How will you keep me informed about the progress of my transaction?

How frequently?" Using what media? Again, this is not a question with a correct answer, but that one reflects your desires.

See a few property at a same neighborhood on open house day,so you have an idea about the house price at your interested neighborhood, so you are not completely blind minded when you got to an agent

TIPS

Don't expect an agent to call you instantly when you leave a message, but do expect a call back within 24 hours or a reasonable amount of time depending upon the situation.
Don't call your real estate agent after hours, past 9 pm or so. They have a life too.
This is your most important transaction of your life, a seasoned real estate agent does this everyday and understands the many problems that arise during the process. Try to keep the big picture in mind.
Your house / or the house you are buying is a commodity. Supply and demand within a neighborhood play an important role in pricing and timing of a sale. Try not to become overly emotionally involved in the purchase/sale of the property.

How to buy a HOUSE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:57:00 +0000

Many people dream of home ownership but it mandates homework, legwork and considerable effort on your part to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, and you don't bite off more than you can chew. Here's how to make your dream become a reality.

Strengthen your credit.

The higher your FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850, the better rate you'll qualify for. Get a free copy of your credit report so you can see what the lenders see on your credit history. Pay off credit cards and resolve any credit disputes or delinquencies.

Determine how much house you can afford, and how much you'll likely be able to borrow.

You will be expected to put down 10-20% of the appraised value of a home. (Note that the appraised value may be higher or lower than the selling price of the house.) If you have $30,000 saved for a down payment, for example, you can use it as a down payment for a home between $300k (10% down payment) or $150k (20% down payment). Putting down less often, but not always, requires you to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which increases your monthly housing cost but is tax deductible.
Find out what ratios lenders are using to determine if you qualify for a loan. "28 and 36" is a commonly used ratio. It means that 28% of your gross income (before you pay taxes) must cover your intended housing expenses (including principal and interest on the mortgage, as well as real estate taxes and insurance). Monthly payments on your outstanding debts, when combined with your housing expenses, must not exceed 36% of your gross income. Find each percentage for your monthly gross income (28% and 36% of $3750 = $1050 and $1350, respectively). Your monthly payments on outstanding debts cannot exceed the difference between the ($300) or else you will not be approved.
Calculate your expected housing expenses. Estimate the annual real estate taxes and insurance costs in your area and add that to the average price of the home you'd like to buy. Also add how much you can expect to pay in closing costs. (These take in various charges that generally run between 3 to 6 percent of the money you're borrowing. Credit unions often offer lower closing costs to their members.) Put the total into a mortgage calculator (you can find them online or make your own in a spreadsheet. If the figure is above 28% of your gross income (or whatever the lower percentage used by lenders in your situation) then you will have a hard time getting a mortgage.
Determine whether you need to sell your current home in order to afford a new one. If so, any offer to buy that you make will be contingent on that sale. Contingent offers are more risky and less desirable for the seller, since the sale can't be completed until the buyer's house is sold. You may want to put your current house on the market first.

Get pre-approved (not pre-qualified) to get the actual amount you can pay.

Apply to several lenders within a two week period so that the inquiries do not damage your credit report. Do this before contacting a real estate agent so you have a firm idea of what you can afford, and you don't accidentally fall in love with a house that you cannot afford.

If you qualify, check out first-time buyers' programs, which often have much lower down payment requirements. These are offered by various states and local governments. You may also be able to access up to $10,000 from your 401(k) or Roth IRA without penalty. Ask your broker or employer's human resources department for specifics regarding borrowing against those assets.
If you can't afford a 10%-20% down payment on your home, but have good credit and steady income, a mortgage broker may assist you with a combination mortgage. In that, you're taking out a first mortgage up to 80% of the value of the home, and a second mortgage for the remaining amount. While the rate on the second mortgage will be slightly higher, the interest on it is tax-deductible and combined payments should still be lower than a first mortgage with PMI. If you're buying new, consider the Nehemiah Program to get assistance with your down-payment.

Go house shopping.

Unless you're under the gun time-wise, look at as many homes as possible to get a sense of what's available. Don't rush into buying if you don't have to. Read more in (Finding your Ideal Home)

Make an offer.

Include earnest money with your offer.--usually $1,000 to $5,000. Once you sign an offer, you are officially in escrow, which means you are committed to buy the house or lose your deposit, unless you do not get final mortgage approval. During escrow (typically 30 to 90 days), your lender arranges for purchase financing and finalizes your mortgage.
Make sure final acceptance is predicated on a suitable home inspection. Request the following surveys and reports: inspection, pests, dry rot, radon, hazardous materials, landslides, flood plains, earthquake faults and crime statistics. (You will generally have 7-10 days to complete inspections--be sure that your agent explains this fully to you when signing the purchase and sales contract.) A home inspection costs between $150 and $500, depending on the area, but it can prevent a $100,000 mistake. This is especially true with older homes, as you want to avoid financial landmines such as lead-paint, asbestos insulation and mold.

Close escrow.

This is usually conducted in a title office and involves signing documents related to the property and your mortgage arrangements. The packet of papers includes the deed, proving you now own the house, and the title, which shows that no one else has any claim to it or lien against it. If any issues remain, money may be set aside in escrow until they are resolved, which acts as an incentive for the seller to quickly remedy any problem areas in order to receive all that is owed.

Consider using a real-estate lawyer to review closing documents and represent you at closing. Realtors are unable to give you legal advice. Lawyers may charge $200-$400 for the few minutes they're actually there, but they're paid to look out for you.

TIP

Try not to fall in love with one particular property. It's great to find exactly what you need, but if you get your heart set on one home, you may end up paying more than it's worth because you're emotionally invested. The deal may also fall apart. Be willing to walk away from any home; no home is so perfect that the seller can charge what he or she desires.

WARNING

A seller who won't allow a home-inspection has something to hide – WALK AWAY!
The economy is in quite a bad shape right now, some people say this is a good time to buy a house (prices are low) but others say it's a bad time to enter the housing market. It's recommended to discuss and take into account all advice before buying at this time.

Finding Your Ideal Home

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 04:10:00 +0000

Buying a house is the most expensive purchase you will probably ever make and there are many considerations you have to think about before you actually buy it. Think towards the future. Everything should be carefully thought out when determining what your "ideal house" will be.

Guidelines in finding your IDEAL HOME.

Look through the internet and research the types of houses that are available.

Do you want a small cottage, cozy and comfortable for now with two baths and a Country kitchen?
Do you want a larger house, with a nice backyard for when you have children? How many baths do you want? Maybe you'd prefer 2 1/2 baths, a dining room and large kitchen with an island in the center.
How about a townhouse, two stories, with the bedrooms upstairs, two baths and living room and kitchen downstairs?
Perhaps you want a condo, where you never have to take care of the grounds. They do charge a maintenance fee and have strict rules, so take that into consideration prior to purchasing it. Some of them do not allow pets, and some allow a pet under a specific weight.
Do you want to buy something for now as an investment and then move when you have a family?
Would you like to have a house that will grow with you, one that has many rooms, and many bathrooms?

Sign up for an MLS (Multiple Listing Service) alert service to search on properties in your area so you can get a feeling for what is on the market in your price range.

If you sign up through a real estate agent, it is poor form to call the listing agent directly to see a house. Don't ask an agent to do things for you unless you're planning to have them represent you--they don't get paid until a client buys a house and it's not fair to ask them to work for free, knowing that you're not going to use them to buy your home.

Find a good real estate agent to represent you in the search and negotiation process.

The real estate agent should be: amiable, open, interested, relaxed, confident, and qualified. Learn the agent's rates, methods, experience, and training. Go into exhaustive detail when describing what you want in a home: number of bathrooms and bedrooms, attached garage, land and anything else that may be important, like good light or a big enough yard for the kids.

Define the area you'd like to live in.

Scout out what's available in the vicinity. Look at prices, home design, proximity to shopping, schools and other amenities. Read the town paper, if there is one, and chat with the locals. Look beyond the home to the neighborhood and the condition of nearby homes to make sure you aren't buying the only gem in sight. The area in which your home is located is sometimes a bigger consideration than the home itself, since it has a major impact on your home's resale value. Buying a fixer-upper in the right neighborhood can be a great investment, and being able to identify up-and-coming communities--where more people want to live--can lead you to a bargain property that will only appreciate in value.

Visit a few open houses to gauge what's on the market and see firsthand what you want, such as overall layout, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchen amenities, and storage.

Visit properties you're seriously interested in at various times of the day to check traffic and congestion, available parking, noise levels and general activities. What may seem like a peaceful neighborhood at lunch can become a loud shortcut during rush hour, and you'd never know it if you drove by only once.

TIP

If you are unsure about the price, have the home appraised by a local appraiser. Never buy the most expensive house in the neighborhood! When appraising a home, appraisers will look for "comparables" or "comps", homes in the area which have similar features, size, etc. If your home is more expensive than the comps, or the appraiser has to find comps in a different subdivision or more than 1/2 mile away, beware! Your bank may balk at financing the home, and you probably won't see your home appreciate in value very much. If you can, buy the least expensive home in a neighborhood -- as homes around you sell for more money than you paid, your home's value increases.