Contemplating buying your first home can be stressful. With so many things to consider and decide on, where do you start and what obstacles may you face along the way? Here are a couple of pitfalls you should try to avoid if you are a first-time home buyer.

Not Visiting Enough Properties Before Deciding to Buy

One mistake you should never make is purchasing a house on a whim. This is not one of those decisions you get to be spontaneous about. Think about it from the perspective of making any random purchase e.g. buying clothes. You’d probably try out three to four shirts before picking the best when shopping. If you’d do that for a minor purchase, then it’s perfectly logical to go through at least 20 properties before settling on the best house to buy! The good thing about checking out several properties is that it gives you better insight about different types of homes, the neighborhood you want to settle in and what amenties best fit your lifestyle that each listing offers. Of course, if you fall in love with one of the first homes you see, don’t lose out on it because you are worried you are making a decision too quick. If it’s your dream house…go for it!

Working with a Rookie Real Estate Agent Because He’s Your Friend or Relative

This is not the time to help out your cousin who just qualified as a real estate agent last year. When you realize that the house you buy will be one of the most important assets of your life, you know that you should work with only the best local real estate agent you can find! Finding an experienced real estate professionals might take some more research, but with a little bit of patience you’ll figure out who the best agent is for the job.

Financial Missteps

Before you consider buying a house, you need to check how much mortgage you can afford and also learn about the hidden costs of buying a home. This way, you’ll be able to tailor your search towards houses that are within your budget instead of wasting valuable time visiting properties you can’t afford. Also never underestimate the closing costs and use a reliable closing cost calculator to not be surprised by a huge closing costs, which can be 2-4 percent of your home price. There also the regular homeownership costs after you get your home – you don’t want to buy a home and then find out you can’t afford the monthly mortgage payments, let alone your maintenance fees and property taxes. It’s a good idea to check your future monthly mortgage payment by using an accurate mortgage payment calculator as well as check your annual property tax. 

Not Giving it Enough Time

Setting aside enough time to process all the important aspects of buying a house is one of the wisest things a home buyer can do. Because the buying process is time consuming, the time interval between when you start looking and when you close on a house can be as long as five to six months. This is essential if you want to find the right property. Also remember that it usually takes between two and three months after putting out an offer for you to close in on a property.  

Choosing the Wrong Property Type

Buying a house should never be based solely on emotions. You need to purchase a solid property type which can serve your needs for at least the next three years. This is one decision that’s solely yours, as you are the only one who knows the right property type that would serve your and your family’s needs properly. For instance, if you have a couple of kids, or you plan to have more kids within a short time span, a small condo apartment would not be the best option for you. Instead, you would need to consider detached homes with more space and freedom for your kids to play in. Live with grandparents who find it difficult to climb the stairs? You’ll need to look out for properties that are easily accessible from the ground floor. Practicality should be the bedrock of your decision making when buying a house.

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose what kind of house would best serve you over the next couple of years. If you choose to be a rational buyer, you would belong to the class of satisfied buyers who have bought the right kind of property. This is the best place to be!

Article Source: Realty Executives International

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for so many of us it marks the beginning of the most wonderful time of year: the holiday season! But if you’re hosting a Thanksgiving meal at your home, it can get easy to get caught up in wanting your table to be decorated as tastefully and beautifully as possible. 

Whether this is your first time hosting Thanksgiving dinner or your twentieth, you’ll love to see some examples of beautiful table setting ideas. Here’s our guide to creating a great table setting this Thanksgiving holiday.

Classic American

Since Thanksgiving is a holiday as old as America itself, it’s only fitting to create a table setting with classic American themes. Create a tablescape themed after colonial America, with dishware that your grandparents and great-grandparents would have had handed down to them. Think of rich colors, Toile, gorgeous metals and china, and of course turkeys to really make this table setting pop.

Modern farmhouse style

If you’re going for a more contemporary style, why not try a modern farmhouse look? This is very trendy right now in home decor, but the simple colors and wood accents give it a modern twist. Think of how Joanna Gaines would decorate her table using her own Magnolia style and replicate that. 

Mix and match thrifted pieces

If this is your first time hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner in your home, don’t feel overwhelmed if you don’t think you have enough dishware and decor to satisfy a table full of guests. Instead, go for a more thrifted look. Hit up your local second hand shop and find mis-matched china and dishware. This will give your tablescape a very vintage feel, and you won’t have to worry about spending too much money on expensive table settings for your first Thanksgiving.

Play with color

Fall is such a colorful time of year, so why not add some bright colors to your tables? Play with accents of red, orange, yellow, brown, and even gold throughout the table. You can even mix and match the colors used in your decor by picking up various fall-colored dishware and decor pieces. Place them together to create a collage of fall colors to make your table look like a forest of fall foliage.

When in doubt, go for pumpkins

What screams fall more than pumpkins? Go for a neutral base for your color scheme by using your typical dishes, silverware, and napkins that you use everyday, and add some fall accents to your tablescape by picking up some pumpkins of varying sizes at your local market or pumpkin patch. Use miniature pumpkins as place cards by writing each guest’s name on the pumpkins in permanent marker, and scatter larger pumpkins and gourds throughout the table as decorations.

Article Source: Realty Executives International 

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

You may be looking for ways to reduce your impact on the environment, and if you’re looking to build a home, there are plenty of reasons to build sustainable. From using renewable materials to installing solar panels and even building smaller, here’s what you should keep in mind if you’re looking to build your home the eco-friendly way.

Build a smaller home

There are many benefits of building a small home, from a lower building cost to less maintenance and even better energy efficiency. You could build the largest, most eco-friendly home, but still a small home built with the same eco-friendly home design will have the least environmental impact. Whether you’re interested in living in a tiny home or you just want your home design to be space-efficient, there are so many ways to build a smaller, smarter home so that you can still live comfortably while reducing your footprint.

Plan for solar panels

Use the sun as an energy source as much as you can. Installing solar panels on your rooftop is a lot easier if you plan to have a solar-powered home from the very beginning of the building process. Solar panels are an investment, but once they’re installed, they are an excellent source of clean, low-cost energy. As a home builder, you have the opportunity to plan for solar panels from the beginning, meaning you can position them to perfection and optimize your energy use from the moment they are installed. 

Use sustainable materials

One of the easiest ways to build an eco-friendly home is by using sustainable materials. Choose a wood supplier who follows sustainable planting practices, and install flooring made renewable materials like bamboo, cork, and linoleum. From the roof and walls to the floor and insulation and even the cabinets and counter-tops, every element of your home can be built using greener, more sustainable materials, thereby reducing your environmental impact from the moment you break ground. 

Ensure proper insulation

Your insulation should not only be sourced from sustainable materials, but also should be proper and effective. The better your home insulation is, the cooler your home will stay in the summer and the warmer it will stay in the winter. This means that better insulation reduces energy consumption season after season, as you’re less likely to run your air conditioner in the hotter months or turn up the thermostat in the colder months. Heating and cooling make up around 50 percent of the average household’s energy consumption, so why not reduce your energy bill while also reducing your environmental footprint simultaneously? 

Water harvesting and conservation

Have you ever considered harvesting rainwater? Like solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system can be an investment upfront, but it will surely save you money in the long run. After a storm, a proper rainwater harvesting system collects water and stores it to be used for plumbing or sprinkler systems. Additionally, you can conserve water by equipping your home with fixtures and appliances that work to lessen your water consumption, like low-flow faucets and toilets and Energy Star washers and dishwashers. 

Article Source: Realty Executives International

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Everyone wants to save money but it’s usually easier said than done. And let’s face it, you’re only human! When there’s so many tempting things to purchase related to home buying, it’s essential to set yourself up for success early on. If you’re wary about where to start, try some of these helpful tips for how to save for a down payment.

Lower your Current Mortgage Rate with Refinancing

Purchasing a home is a huge expense. If you already own a home and are looking to relocate, consider refinancing your current mortgage to save for a down payment. 

Refinancing pays off and replaces your current loan with a new one that has different terms and conditions. These terms and conditions may include your interest rate, the balance itself and the length of your loan. 

In turn, the benefits of refinancing can lower your monthly payment or rate, change your loan type, get rid of mortgage insurance (PMI), provide funds for repairs or home improvements, consolidate debt and, most importantly, give your savings a boost!

Practice More Mindful Spending

Avoid the constant urge to frivolously spend by steering clear of stores that are your Achilles heel. Prioritize your needs first and then ask yourself if what you’re purchasing will improve your way of life.

A good way to do this is by taking a personal inventory of your goals and aspirations. If saving for a down payment is your prime concern, it may be helpful to ask yourself if what you’re buying is actually necessary. Spend smarter by being more mindful. In the end, your savings account will thank you!

Invest Any Extra Savings

Investing is a great way to save money for any upcoming plans such as securing a down payment. The easiest way to begin investing is by enrolling in your employers retirement plan. Many companies offer contribution matching up to a certain percentage which means free money for you! If this is not an option available to you, consider contacting a financial investment firm to help manage your money for a profitable future.

If you’re less inclined to seek the help of a professional, there are plenty of online apps that will guide you through the process of investing. Just be sure to take precautionary steps for keeping your mobile data safe and prevent your information from being put into the wrong hands.

Create a Budget You Will Stick To

Budgeting is another vital way to save money for a down payment. When creating a budget, be sure to take into account all your needs, wants and debt. From there, responsibly allocate resources within pay periods by tracking your spending and frequently reviewing account statements. 

Remember, even though you’re attempting to live a more economical lifestyle that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself every now and then! Just make sure you don’t overdo it and remember mindful spending, by scheduling them out in advance to better align with healthy financial habits. 

Shop the Sales

Hit the clearance section first before venturing out into more costly departments when shopping for necessities if you’re looking to save up. Most of the stores you visit on a daily basis have discounted products available for purchase. And yes, even most supermarkets have sale sections.

Take it a step further by gathering coupons that will enhance your saving efforts. Keep an eye out in local magazines, Sunday newspapers and other advertisements to pinch pennies wherever you can. 

Overall, saving for a down payment is a long-term commitment., but also a large reward at the end. Remember your life goals and keep in budget of what your dream house will cost you in the future.

Article Source: Realty Executives International 

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com

Today, several companies and resources have been created to protect our household solely. Take home security systems, for example. It is ideal to set up and install home security according to Security Baron because it helps keep your home and family safe.

But in an on-the-go world, many homeowners want access to these systems while remote, right from their smart phone.

For this reason, the best way to safeguard your family is to concede home security with an associated mobile application. It is also important take into account how well the mobile application functions with your home automation system.

Function Of Security Mobile Applications

Several functions have been featured for mobile home security apps. The mobile application can be used to control and access your system remotely and monitor your home. This integration could also be used to keep in touch with your pets at home or see what your kids are doing. Have you experienced forgetting to lock your door? With the application, it won’t be a problem. You can easily use the application to shut and lock your doors. These are just a few of what the mobile home security apps can do. 

There are several home security with high-quality applications. Here are the five best home security with mobile applications.

Frontpoint Security App

Frontpoint home security has been notably impressive, as well as the application bundled with it. Using the Frontpoint home security mobile app, you can control and access your home security automation remotely. 

You can also use this application to turn your system on or off, control locks, lights, receive real-time alerts for any event based on your exact specifications, and much more. It means you won’t have to worry about having an extended vacation.

Vivint Sky Mobile App

The Vivint Sky Home Security is one of the best when it comes to home security systems. It offers a wide range of tools and machinery to protect your household. Plus, they sealed the deal with launching their Mobile application.

The Vivint Sky Mobile App is an application you can use to control your whole security system. Using the application, you can monitor your home window sensors, view indoor or outdoor surveillance cameras, and check the doorbell. This mobile application looks stylish and is easy to use.

Protect America App

The Protect America mobile app is used to control your entire home security from your palm. It has all the same actions as with any other applications that can control your home security. 

You can disarm or arm your security alarms, view your event history and view recorded and live video anywhere. With the use of this application, you can unlock or lock your house door to control who goes and comes and at what time. 

ADT Pulse APP

With the use of the ADT Pulse app, you can arm or disarm your security integration system. This application has all the controls of your small appliances and can easily turn them off. 

It also notifies you of when your children return home and see live footage of your backyard. The ADT Pulse app has been notable for its features that allow you to schedule your vacations and other events and set up custom automation. 

Canary App

The Canary app has been notable for its stylish mobile design, plus its great functions. It is known for its easy to use applications. With the Canary app, you can watch surveillance footage and primarily control all your home security devices. 

You also have the option to receive security and activity alerts along with video footage of the event. It has amazing features to connect your home to an emergency responder and it can trigger a siren signal for any emergency. 

Takeaway

Security systems have been a helpful tool to keep your household safe and sound. But, there is another way to always keep in touch with your home. Have the home security applications continuously updated and installed on your mobile phone. By doing this, a sure safe and happy family is guaranteed. 

Article Source: Realty Executives International

Realty Executives Midwest
1310 Plainfield Rd. Ste 2 | Darien, IL 60561
Office: 630-969-8880
E-Mail: experts@realtyexecutives.com