Did you just buy a home that has stainless steel appliances? Or maybe you’re getting ready to sell your home and you want those stainless steel appliances to sparkle during your open house. Whatever your reasons, there are several methods you can use to make those stainless steel appliances look fantastic. Here are some of the best ways we’ve found to clean stainless steel.

The basics

If you have any experience with stainless steel, then you know it can be tough to clean. It has a tendency to show every fingerprint and smudge and can look streaky if you don’t clean it properly. When you clean your stainless steel, make sure you move in the direction of the grain. Don’t use any abrasive cleaning materials like steel wool or scrubbing sponges. Opt instead for a microfiber cloth or paper towels. Also avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia.

Clean with water

One of the easiest ways to keep your stainless steel appliances looking good is to simply clean them regularly with warm water. Use a microfiber cloth dipped in warm water and wipe in the direction of the grain. Once you’ve finished, dry with another microfiber cloth or a paper towel.

Clean with vinegar and olive oil

Not only is vinegar and olive oil a great dressing for salad, it’s also a great combination for cleaning your stainless steel. First, spray your stainless steel with white vinegar. Then wipe the vinegar off with a microfiber cloth. Next, dip the cloth in olive oil and work it into the stainless steel in the direction of the grain. This will make your appliances sparkle!

Clean with dish soap

If your stainless steel is in need of a deeper cleaning, then we recommend using dish soap. Mix a few drops of dish soap in a bowl of warm water. Dip your microfiber cloth into the solution and rub it into the stainless steel in the direction of the grain. Once that step is complete, rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. Drying helps to prevent water spots and streaks.

Clean with club soda

Do you have a can of club soda in your stainless steel refrigerator? Then you can use that to clean it! The bubbles and added minerals of club soda can clean stainless steel as well as dish soap. Use a microfiber cloth to rub the club soda into the stainless steel and then dry with another cloth or paper towel.

Clean with baking soda

For those really difficult jobs, try using a mixture of baking soda and water. Combine the two until it forms a paste. First, test a small spot to make sure it doesn’t interfere with the finish. Rub the paste into the stainless steel and then remove with a damp cloth. Dry thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. Although this method is messy, you’ll swear your appliances look brand new!

Clean with stainless steel cleaner

Finally, there are many commercially available stainless steel cleaning products. If you have stains or scratches on your stainless steel that are difficult to remove with the methods above, these may be your best bet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully and rinse and dry thoroughly when you’re done.

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4 Tips on How to Save on Closing Costs

Here’s 4 tips on how to save on your closing costs. You’ve saved up the money for a down payment and are finally ready to make your dream of owning a home a reality. Congratulations! Buying a house is one of the most exciting – and one of the most stressful – events in your life. If you’ve done your due diligence, you’ve shopped around for a mortgage and secured a great interest rate. But did you know it’s also possible to save money on your closing costs?

1. Shop around

Lenders are required to provide you with a three-page Loan Estimate that includes your closing costs, which are fees that generally add up to as much as five percent of the purchase price. You can use these estimates to shop around and potentially save yourself thousands of dollars. You can also negotiate to have one lender match the lower closing costs of another.

In addition, a third party provider can perform some of the services required for closing. Take time to research options other than those provided by the lender for services such as pest inspection or title insurance. You’ll often find a lower price elsewhere.

2. Evaluate and negotiate

Once you’ve received the Loan Estimate, go over it in detail. Ask the lender what each fee covers. This is a good way to discover if the estimate has been padded with unnecessary or redundant fees. At this point, you can negotiate to have some of these fees reduced or removed.

Three days prior to closing, you will receive a Closing Disclosure. Double check to verify that the fees listed on your Loan Estimate match those on the Closing Disclosure or have increased no more than the standard limit of ten percent if you’ve used the lender’s service providers. If they have, the lender is required to reimburse you the difference.

3. Ask if seller will share costs

Another way to save on your costs at closing is to ask if the seller would be willing to pick up a portion of the fees. While this is unlikely in a tight market and isn’t advisable in a bidding war, if a seller is particularly motivated they may agree. You will need to check with your lender, as some have caps on how much a seller can contribute towards the closing costs. You can either request to have the seller pay for certain services, such as the home inspection, or for a specific dollar amount. Ask your real estate agent what would be the best course of action in your specific situation.

4. Enlist the help of a pro

Navigating the home buying process can be daunting. That’s why it’s helpful to have a trusted professional at your side. An agent with experience in your local market can help you through the closing process. They’ll take the time to explain the costs so that you understand, and help find ways to save you money in the long run. In the end, you’ll finally have that house you’ve always dreamed of, and at a price that fits well within your budget.

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6 New Year’s Resolutions for Homeowners

What’s your New Year’s resolution this year? Here are 6 New Years Resolutions to get you started. Instead of making the same pact year after year to lose weight or eat healthy, why not make a resolution that sticks? If you’re a homeowner, consider making a commitment that can really save you money and improve your quality of life in the long run. Here are some of our suggestions for New Year’s resolutions for homeowners.

1. Get ahead on your mortgage

Have you ever thought about how much money you could save – and how much more quickly you could pay off your loan – if you were to put extra money towards your mortgage? If you were to make one extra mortgage payment a year, you could literally save yourself tens of thousands of dollars and shorten the amount of time you’re on the hook for those payments.

2.Challenge your property tax assessment

Has your home declined in value in recent years? Then you could be saving money on your property taxes. Be sure to review your property tax bill and note the assessed value of your home. If you feel the value is excessive, you can appeal. Visit your tax assessor’s website to find out how the process works in your area.

3. Review your homeowner’s insurance

Did you know that you might qualify for discounts on your homeowner’s insurance? If you’ve made any major repairs or improvements, you could be entitled to a discount. Contact your insurance company to make sure they have the most up-to-date information about your property. And if they won’t budge on the premium, consider shopping around for a new policy.

4. Audit your energy usage

Depending on where you live, you may qualify for a free energy audit. In some states, a nonprofit will come to your house free of charge to assess your energy usage and make recommendations about how you can save money. If that option is not available, you can hire a professional energy auditor. Even simple lifestyle changes, like switching to LED light bulbs or getting a programmable thermostat, can make a big difference in your monthly bill.

5. Tackle home improvement projects

Has your home’s to-do list gotten a mile long? There’s no time like the present to start tackling some of those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. Some of the projects that are worth doing include:

• Sealing drafty windows
• Silencing squeaky floors
• Adding an alarm system
• Installing motion-detecting lights on the exterior
• Servicing your air conditioner
• Weather-stripping doors
• Cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap
• Changing the furnace filter
• Planting a vegetable garden
• Installing rain barrels to catch and save rain water
• Buying a compost bin and composting kitchen scraps and yard waste
• Creating a housecleaning schedule, and assigning chores to every family member

6. Take time to enjoy your home

It can be easy to get sidetracked by all the things you’d like to do for your home, but remember to set aside time to actually enjoy your space. Plan a party, invite friends over for a movie night, or simply sit on the porch and watch the sunset. You deserve to enjoy the home you’ve worked hard to own and maintain.

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What Are Closing Costs and What Share Does the Buyer/Seller Pay?

When buying a home, you know you should expect to have a certain amount of money saved for a down payment. But have you stopped to consider how much you’ll need to have set aside for closing costs?  Here we’ll break down the fees associated with closing on a home.

What are closing costs?

In a nutshell, closing costs are those fees charged by third parties who are involved with the sale of a home. These can include your lender, the title company, local government offices and land surveyors. While closing costs can vary significantly from location to location, you can expect to pay up to five percent of the home’s selling price in additional fees.

Who pays the closing costs?

In general, both buyers and sellers are responsible for paying the closing costs. However, buyers typically pay a larger percentage than sellers – around three percent. While most of the fees are paid during closing, some are paid upfront, such as the inspection fee.

What are the fees due at closing?

The fees associated with closing can vary depending on where you live, but these are some of the costs you’ll most likely encounter:

• Application fee paid to the lender to process your application.
• Appraisal fee paid to the appraisal company assessing the value of the home.
• Attorney fee paid to an attorney reviewing closing documents.
• Closing fee paid to the title or escrow company.
• Courier fee paid to companies transporting documents.
• Credit report fee paid when your lender reviews your credit to determine the interest rate on your loan.
• Home inspection fee paid to the inspector verifying the condition of the property.
• HOA transfer fee paid by the seller to verify payments are current.
• Homeowner’s insurance fee paid to insurance company to cover first year’s insurance.
• Origination fee paid to lender to cover administration costs.
• Prepaid interest fee paid to lender to cover interest that will accrue between closing and the first payment on your mortgage.
• Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) fee that is levied if you put down less than 20 percent for your down payment.
• Property tax fee paid to lender for any taxes due during the first 60 days of purchase.
• Recording fee paid to the local recording office for public records.
• Survey fee paid to survey company to verify property details.
• Title search fee paid to a title company to search the property’s records.
• Transfer tax fee paid when the title is transferred from the seller to the buyer.
• Underwriting fee paid to lender for research involved with approving your loan.

Can you estimate the closing costs?

When your lender provides you with a loan estimate, they will also include what your closing costs are expected to be. However, understand that these numbers are an estimate and can change. You can also check out this online calculator that will help you determine what your closing costs may be. Before your closing date, your lender will give you a Closing Disclosure statement, which will outline what the final closing costs will be.

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Just because Old Man Winter is here doesn’t mean that you can’t make your garden be beautiful! In fact, winter gardens can provide their own special kind of magic and wonder. Your winter garden can take you on a visually appealing journey from fiery fall to gentle spring. Follow these 6 tips to make your winter garden as gorgeous as it can be.

1. Create a solid layout

As summer’s blooms die back, they reveal the bones of your garden. If your garden has not been laid out properly, you’ll easily notice it in the winter without flowers and leaves to obstruct your view. Structure can be added to your garden with paths, raised beds, hedges, walls and trees. If the bareness of the season reveals your garden is in need of structural changes, take the time to make a plan before spring arrives.

2. Choose seasonal colors

Even gardens in harsh winter climates can benefit from some seasonal color, which can be accomplished with hardy plants and flowers suitable to the climate. Not only should you consider what your garden will look like in full bloom, think about how you can add some varieties that will give you the biggest bang in the colder months. When choosing what to plant, keep in mind their structure, texture, evergreen foliage and stem color, which can go a long way towards adding visual interest when temperatures drop below freezing.

3. Build warmth

Nothing beats a warm fire on a cold day, and you can extend the life of your garden by building an inexpensive fire pit or installing a patio heater or chimineas.  Bundle up and head outside with a thermos of hot chocolate and some marshmallows for toasting while you relax in the quiet that only a winter garden can provide.

4. Decorate

Every garden can benefit from a little decoration, and that’s even truer for a winter garden. To make your garden come to life during its most dormant time of year, consider draping twinkle lights and hanging ornaments in the trees, installing some pretty bird houses, hanging wreaths from windows and doors, tying ribbons to fence posts or even adding a dramatic sculpture as the centerpiece for your garden.

5. Use colorful containers

Another way to add visual interest to your garden in winter months is to use colorful containers for your plants and flowers. Strategically place them in garden beds, on patios or near doorways to help provide focal points, even if the pot is empty for the season. Better yet, fill your containers with plants that can stand up to the harsh weather, such as small evergreens or ornamental grasses that keep their shape even as they die back.

6. Attract migratory and native birds

There is nothing quite as exciting as seeing a bright red cardinal against a snowy backdrop, and while not all climates can attract this beautiful bird, you can certainly invite other equally stunning native or migratory species to your yard. Set out various types of bird food around your yard to see what kinds of birds will come calling. Many a snowy afternoon can be spent gazing out a window at all your new, feathered friends flocking to your feeders.

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Here are tips for a safe Halloween: Trick-or-treating is exciting for kids (and even some adults). While emphasis is on fun, homeowners should be careful to make the evening safe. Here are our tips to make sure your Halloween is  fun and safe.

Clean up the yard

Halloween is a good time to clean up dead leaves in the yard. Kids are excited. Fueled by sugar, they race from house to house, eager for the next Halloween treat. It’s dark, and their vision may be hampered by a costume or mask. It’s essential that you remove anything that could trip them up. This is especially true if you think they may cut through your yard on the way to the next house.

Light it up

While darkness adds to the scariness factor, it’s important to have enough light so people can see where they are going. Keep your porch light on so trick-or-treaters know that you’re giving out candy. Make sure they can clearly see the path to your front door. Light it up with some spooky lights – just make sure they’re tucked away so nobody trips on them.

Avoid fire

While candles are the traditional method for lighting up those spooky jack o’ lanterns, they’re not the safest choice. Instead, opt for some electric candles or glow sticks to put inside pumpkins.

Keep pets away

The spider costume you got for your pet pooch is awesome, but it’s not a great idea to have your pets out on Halloween night. Even if your pet is super friendly, it can get chaotic with kids constantly coming to the door. This could affect your pet in unforeseen ways. You never know which kids might be scared of your pet, no matter how cuddly you think he is.

Avoid dangerous gags

A scary-looking scarecrow set up in your yard is a great gag for spooking kids. Just don’t give him a real pitchfork to hold – you never know what might happen. Instead, opt for gags that use harmless materials like rubber or plastic.

Set your alarm

Will you be away from home on Halloween? Don’t forget to set your alarm. It is one of the busiest nights for burglaries and vandalism. You’ll want to be sure you’re protected. It’s also a good idea to let the neighbors know you’ll be away from home, so they can keep an eye out for any suspicious behavior.

Check your insurance coverage

Whenever you have guests over, even if it’s just kids going from door to door looking for some free candy, you open yourself up to liability. Check your homeowner’s insurance to make sure that you are adequately covered in the case of an accident.

By following the tips above, you’ll be sure to have a spooktacular night of trick-or-treating. Happy Halloween!

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Credit Score: What Not to Do When Applying for a Mortgage

Your credit score can affect your ability to obtain a mortgage for a home. There are specific credit score no-nos. It is vital that you know what to do to avoid negatives on your credit score. An important part of buying a house is getting your financial life in order. The higher your credit score, the better rate you’ll secure for your mortgage. Mortgage lenders look at your credit score to determine how smart and diligent you are about managing your debt. This indicates how disciplined you’ll be about making your mortgage payments on time.

If you’re preparing to buy a home, here are some things you’ll want to avoid that can negatively impact your credit score.

Not checking your credit report

Preparing to buy a home means you need to check your credit report. Around 25 percent of credit reports contain errors, which can negatively impact your credit score. You can check your report for free every year. If you find any mistakes, including an address or credit card that isn’t yours, you should take the necessary steps to have the error corrected.

Making late payments

Think it doesn’t matter whether or not you pay your bills on time? Think again. Your payment history is a significant factor in determining your credit score. The more often you make late payments, the lower your score will be. If you find yourself behind on a payment, call the customer service department. In some cases they will give you a goodwill adjustment or delete the incident from your history if it was the first time.

Closing an old account

While paying off and closing an old credit card seems like it would be a good idea, it’s not advisable to do it before you apply for a mortgage. Closing old accounts can decrease your credit history while increasing how much of your available credit you’re using. Avoid closing your oldest card if at all possible.

Not paying your taxes

If you rack up unpaid state and federal taxes, it can damage your credit for up to 15 years – not a great idea if you’re hoping to buy a home. In addition, tax liens that are paid remain on your report for seven years. Pay those taxes, folks.

Financing a major purchase

If you’re getting your finances in order to buy a home, avoid using credit to finance a major purchase such as a car, appliance or vacation. Up to a third of your credit score is influenced by how much debt you carry and affects your debt-to-income utilization ratio. The more debt you take on, the lower your credit score will be.

Not paying parking tickets or library fines

This may come as a shock, but that $4.25 you owe the library can actually harm your credit score. And if you’re sitting on parking tickets, get those paid off as well. More and more local governments are reporting these types of unpaid fees to collection agencies, which will then show up on your credit report, negatively affecting your score.

In the end, being responsible about your purchases, making your payments on time, settling debts and being diligent about spotting errors are the best ways to make sure your credit score is as high as it can be.

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Big Luxury On A Small Budget

You don’t have to be a billionaire to enjoy a little luxury. With some smart choices and a bit of imagination, you can live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. Here are some strategies to maximize the luxuriousness of your home and life while minimizing the amount of money you spend.

Focus on quality, not quantity

Living a minimal lifestyle has been popular in the media lately, whether it’s following Marie Kondo’s advice about tidying your home, or transforming your closet into a capsule wardrobe. What each of these concepts stresses is prioritizing quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing 12 trendy, discount home décor pieces that you kind of like, why not save that money and splurge on one quality, timeless piece that you really love and that you’ll use for years?

Brighten a room with fresh flowers

Ever notice when you walk into a room that has a vase of fresh flowers, it just feels a little more special? There’s no reason you can’t have that feeling all the time. Fresh flowers can be very inexpensive – you can even gather some from your own yard. For an added bit of luxury, put them in a special pitcher or vase that you might normally only use on special occasions. There’s no reason every day can’t be a special occasion!

Buy vintage furniture

You can make your home look fabulous for far less money if you’re willing to buy some of your furniture secondhand. Not only will you save, you’ll likely get a higher quality item with unique character than if you spent the same amount of money in one of today’s big box retailers. Check local thrift shops, online classifieds and yard sales to score some great deals.

Splurge on good sheets

One place in your home where luxury really counts is the bedroom. But instead of splurging on a fancy duvet or bedroom furniture, use your money to invest in a good set of sheets. There’s nothing quite like slipping into bed every night wrapped up in luxurious fabric. And think of how much better you’ll sleep and feel in the morning!

Use those fancy soaps and candles

If you’re like many people, you’ve probably amassed a collection of fragrant soaps and candles during the years. And like most people, you’re probably saving them for company or for a special occasion. But there’s no reason to wait! Bust out those wonderful soaps and candles and use them around your house. You deserve it.

Take advantage of free local events

Communities across America host free events all the time. Have you ever actually attended any of them? There are so many fun activities to enjoy, from free outdoor movie nights at the park to the book club at the library. Search for free events in your area using Google and check the websites of your local library, parks and schools for fun activities happening in your area.

So there you have it! You don’t have to be rolling in cash to enjoy a little luxury in your life. Try one of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to living a more pampered and luxurious lifestyle!

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Should You Buy In A Gated Community?

Should you buy in a gated community, but wonder whether or not it’s right for you? You may be asking yourself if its safer or whether or not the home will retain its value better when its time to resell. Here’s a look at what you need to know so that you can make an educated decision.

Safety

When it comes to security, the perception is that gated communities offer homeowners a greater level of protection against crimes such as burglaries. But you also need to consider how easy it is to get inside the gate. Is the gate manned or unmanned? Is the gate often left unlocked? Are the codes to the gate well known because neighbors give them to dog walkers and pizza delivery people regularly?

In 2005, the Orlando Sentinel reviewed the sheriff’s reports for more than 1,400 Florida homes. What they discovered is that rates of residential burglaries and stolen cars were reported at almost exactly the same rate in both gated and un-gated communities. Cases of vandalism were reported at slightly lower rates in gated neighborhoods. If safety is your main concern, gated communities don’t offer significantly higher protection from crime.

Traffic

A reduction in traffic is definitely an area where gated communities perform better than neighborhoods without gates. The gates deter using the community as a thoroughfare. Since the gate forces cars to slow down, traffic is usually slower and quieter. If you have kids that like to play outside and ride their bikes, gated communities make it safer for them.

Prices

Be prepared to pay a higher price for a home within a gated community. These properties are usually part of a Homeowners Association (H.O.A.), which collects fees to pay for maintenance of the streets, gate, landscaping and other community amenities. You can expect to pay hundreds or even thousands more in fees over the years.

Exclusivity & Uniformity

Gated communities are attractive to some buyers because they come with an air of exclusivity. Many communities enforce strict codes of conduct that everyone living within the gates must follow, and you may or may not like this depending on your tastes. There may be restrictions on what colors you can paint your home, where you can park your vehicles and how long you can have guests stay with you. Some people enjoy living in a community where everyone is following the same guidelines, while others find this type of environment too restricting.

Convenience

Convenience – or maybe lack thereof – should also be a consideration when deciding whether or not to buy in a gated community. If the community has a manned gate, you may sometimes have to wait in line to be let in. It can also be an inconvenience to any guests you may have, as they will possibly have to check in at a gate or be buzzed in by a resident. There may also be restrictions on the number of parking spaces allotted to guests.

In the end, only you can decide if a gated community is the right choice for you and your family. By knowing ahead of time both the pros and the cons of living in this kind of neighborhood, you’ll be better able to make that choice when the time comes.

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Moving? Here’s 7 Tips to Avoid Identity Theft

Moving? Identity theft can leave you vulnerable. To help you avoid identity theft, here’s 7 tips so that you don’t become a victim. Moving is stressful enough.  Your personal information is being shared repeatedly while you transfer from one home to the next, making you a potential target to thieves.

1. Lock up important papers during open houses

When selling your home, potential buyers will be coming and going while you are not there. Be sure to lock up all your sensitive information during showings to make sure wandering eyes can’t find things like your birth certificate, tax returns or insurance forms.

2. Submit change of address

Fill out and submit a change of address form to the US Postal Service at least 10 days before your move to ensure that your mail isn’t getting into the wrong hands. You should also inform other service providers and companies of your change of address, including:

• Banks and other financial institutions
• Credit card companies
• Insurance carriers
• Utility companies
• Magazine and newspaper providers
• Schools
• Employers
• Any other company that may send personal information to you through the mail

3. Choose a reputable mover

Not only do you want all of your personal belongings to arrive intact, you want to make sure nothing is stolen – including your sensitive financial information. Take time to research moving companies online, check them out with the Better Business Bureau and schedule a meeting with each prospect. You may pay a little more for a trusted company and have to book in advance during peak moving seasons, but the peace of mind is absolutely worth it.

4. Protect sensitive documents

Most movers charge by weight, so there’s good reason to unload old documents you no longer need, such as credit card and bank statements from pervious years. But don’t just toss them in the garbage or recycling as-is. Thieves who are prone to looking through your garbage are doubly encouraged when they see you are moving, so it’s wise to invest in a good shredder and shred all documents that you are tossing out. Even old utility bills should be disposed of properly – when in doubt, shred it.

5. Take important papers in hand

Instead of loading the papers you intend to keep onto the moving truck, if possible carry them by hand to your next home. This way, they never leave your sight and are less likely to come into contact with someone who could use them to steal your identity.

6. Reset passwords

If you’ve gotten lax about password strength on your electronic devices such as your laptop, tablet or smartphone, make sure to reset your passwords. They should be long and strong and different for each device.

7. Monitor your accounts

Continue to closely monitor all your financial accounts during and for several months after your move. Check your credit report and score and consider signing up for fraud monitoring services to alert you to any suspicious activity.

By following the simple advice outlined above, you can keep you and your family safe from identity theft during your upcoming move.

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