Category Archives: Home Buyers

Home Buyers, Home Design, Home Sellers, Homeowners

Have garage doors replaced the front door?

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By Garage Door Enterprises

gray decorative garage door

In the last several decades, it has become a common trend for most Americans to use the garage door as the primary entrance to their home instead of the front door. In fact, surveys over the last fifteen years have found that up to 70% of homeowners enter their home exclusively through the garage door. This information has several important impacts for those who are either selling their home or looking to buy a new one. It means that you should now be considering visual appeal, safety, and convenience for a garage door system.

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers

How to Organize Your Storage Unit Like a Pro

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Storage units can be a perfect solution for excessive belongings inside your home. When you feel you need to declutter or find additional space when moving, this can sort out the lack of space. Even if you have some delicate belongings, you can find a climate-controlled option. However, it’s far more than simply placing your items inside. It would be best if you learned how to organize a storage unit like a pro to save yourself from searching troubles later on.

Organize a Storage Unit properly

There are many occasions where you might need storage space. You might spring cleaning and have put aside plenty of stuff you don’t want to throw away, but you don’t use either. Or, you find that there are too many items occupying your home and just need to declutter a bit. Also, if you are in the process of buying a new home, maybe a smaller place, you will need additional room for your extra belongings. If you are selling your home, it may be needed to remove personal belongings during showings. Nevertheless, knowing how to organize a storage unit properly will definitely come in handy. To help you create convenient and accessible placement inside your storage unit, here are several tips about organizing:

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Home Buyers

Tips for Moving Long Distance

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Getting ready to explore a new place of residence is always exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot to research, consider and plan before you make the long trek to a different state or province. Check out these tips to make your long distance move the most efficient and stress free it can be!

Start Early

Moving anywhere is always a lot of work and can cause you stress, but moving across state or province lines is an even bigger process. That’s why it’s important to start planning early. With long hauls you will most likely have to book a moving company or rent a truck earlier than the day of and most importantly, will need to start saving earlier for the cost as well. You’ll also want to start early so that you can focus on the bigger things, like your new home and your personal transportation, as the move date gets closer. Not having to worry about a bunch of little things last minute will limit your stress and make the move efficient.

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Home Buyers

Buying a Home on Active Duty

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Buying a home while on active duty may seem like an impossible process as many military families never know where they will be transferred next. So the most reasonable thing to do is to rent, of course. However, buying a home while on active duty does come with some benefits, too – it is an excellent investment for retirement, and it is a great real estate purchase for renting in the future, providing you with some extra cash. Therefore, if you have made up your mind and are looking for some tips for buying a home on active duty, you are in the right place. Keep on reading to find out more. 

Do Not Buy For Today; Buy For Tomorrow 

Many military families who opt for buying a home instead of renting tend to buy ‘for today.’ That is, they buy a home that suits only their current needs. Later on, if they decide for the family to stay in a different location once retirement is on the horizon, they have to move and look for a completely new home.

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

Well-Known Padre Island Draws in Home Buyers with Hidden Gem North Island

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North Padre Island isn’t the typical beach scene of cheesy shops and tourist-filled walkways. Offering miles and miles of undeveloped beach and wilderness, this coastal land is perfect for those looking for an oasis to call home.

With its mix of sea, sand and entertainment, North Padre touts various recreational, cultural and lifelong hobbies and activities not often seen in big cities. Recognized as the longest stretch of undeveloped beach in the world, this Texas gem is much more than spring-breakers and party scenes. 

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Home Buyers

5 Tips for Saving Your Down Payment

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If you’re wanting to break into the housing market and become a homeowner, the first thing you’ll often need is a home loan. The initial deposit on a home loan is generally between 10 to 20 percent of the total value of the property. There are also other upfront costs to take into account, which can take some home buyers by surprise.

The price of housing is getting more expensive, and that ultimate dream of owning your own home may be appearing out of reach. If you’re wanting to save for a deposit but don’t know where to start, there are several things you can do to help you save more, faster.

1. Take stock of your finances

Saving for a down payment takes time. By having a savings plan, you will stand a better chance of reaching your goal sooner. 

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

Do Existing Personal Loans Affect a House Purchase?

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Are you planning to purchase a house but have an existing personal loan? Do you want to know if it will affect your purchase? Many individuals that are planning to buy a home are asking the same question. 

It is important to be independent and have your own space where you can rest and get cozy. Being independent will also help you grow as an adult and learn to live alone without your parents. 

Therefore, purchasing a house would be one of the most significant decisions you can make in your entire life. Continue reading to know the answer, so that you can properly plan your purchase according to what is best in your situation.

Will Existing Personal Loans Affect my Purchase?

An existing personal loan can affect your plan of buying a home. Whether it is a good or bad effect, may all depend on the situation. An unpaid personal loan can reduce the amount you can borrow in the future. It could also significantly affect your credit score, depending on how you handled your debt. 

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Home Buyers, Real Estate

Property Experts Share Advice for First Investment

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It is almost always exciting to think about the potential that any property investment holds, particularly when you’re new to the business. While buying your first rental property is almost certain to be a lucrative maneuver, it’s important to proceed with care. 

The good news is that all of the most common property investment mistakes have been made before, and with careful, in-depth research, you’ll find it easier to avoid them. Our real estate pros have been in your shoes: begin your quest for knowledge by using their investment tips to your advantage. 

1. Still renting? Buy your own home before you invest in a rental. 

There are tons of reasons to rent instead of buying your own home. But purchasing your own residence before you invest in rental property gives you real-world experience while easing your way into the financial side of things. When you buy your own home first, you’re likely to get better interest rates plus you’ll need a far lower down payment. There are tax write-offs to consider, too. When you’re ready, upgrade to a new home and use the old one as a rental, or continue to live in your home and invest in a second rental property. 

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Home Buyers

Finding an Accessible Home

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There are many reasons to search for an accessible home. Whether you have a need for more mobility, are caring for an aging parent or plan on aging in place one day yourself, it is crucial to have a home that is barrier-free. Some homes will already be perfectly suited to accommodate homeowners, of all abilities, but others will need a little improvement before they get there. Below, find out what features you should keep an eye out for when searching and discover what can be changed in a house to make it more accessible. 

Finding a Move-In Ready Home 

Some homes already incorporate elements of universal design, which has fewer barriers for people who use a wheelchair or other mobility devices. An accessible home may have features such as wider hallways and doors, low-threshold doors, hard floors and low storage space that’s easy to access. Even features such as a front-load washing machine, rocker-style light switches, and lever-style doorknobs make a home more accessible. 

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Home Buyers, Home Sellers

House Hunting Red Flags

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Buying a new house can be an extremely exciting time. Because of that excitement, it can be easy to rush into buying a house that may appear perfect for you without giving it a thorough look.

There can often be red flags that are overlooked or hidden when house-hunting, but are extremely important to take note of. Tell tale signs that the house you’re interested in may not be what you think. They are often subtle and can go unnoticed. Be sure to take extra caution when house-hunting and be on the lookout for these red flags. 

Odors / strong air fresheners

If you walk into a home and the first thing you notice is the strong smell, this is a very important indication that something could be wrong. No smell should be so overwhelming that it hits you right when you enter a home – whether it be an air freshener or an odor. If it’s an odor, such as pet urine, this could indicate that carpet is saturated with it and needs to be replaced. Or if you’re smelling a strong air freshener, it could be that the owner is trying to cover up a smell of a worse problem in the house. Either way, pay attention to strong smells when house-hunting. 

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