2015

  • Self-Managed Homeowner's Associations: Key Pitfalls

    If you are a member of a homeowner's association, or HOA, then it might be tempting to have the association managed by the homeowners themselves. The owners already have to deal with the expense of monthly HOA fees and saving money by not hiring a professional management company is appealing. Self management, however, is not always wise. This article takes a look at some of the most significant problems involved.   Expertise   One of the main problems with having a HOA managed by a group of volunteer owners is the lack of expertise in critical areas.
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  • 3 Tips For Choosing Your Independent Living Facility

    Have you decided that the time is right to move into an independent living facility? While moving out of your home may be difficult, you'll likely appreciate all of the convenience and benefits that an independent living facility can offer. You'll have a built-in community with the facility's other residents. You also may get meal service, transportation, and organized group outings. Further, you'll eliminate many of the costs and maintenance requirements that come with home ownership.
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  • Questions You Should Never Answer From Home Buyers

    When you're selling your house, you probably have a million thoughts in your head about what you want from the transaction. Maybe you're thinking, "I want to sell my home fast!" You may be wanting to click with a buyer to encourage the purchase of your home, so you engage in small talk. That's fine, but make sure you set boundaries and decide in advance which questions you won't answer. These are the main questions you should avoid and things to keep mum about, no matter how much you like the person who's considering the purchase of your property.
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  • 4 Amenities To Ask For Instead Of Negotiating For Lower Rent

    While it is possible to negotiate a lower rent with your landlord before you move in or when you are renewing your lease, many U.S. rental markets are saturated, making it unlikely that your landlord will bend on their asking price. After all, if they can easily find qualified renters to rent to who are willing to pay the amount that they are asking, they have little reason to lower their asking price for you.
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  • Superficial Problems With A Home For Sale You Should Try To See Past

    If you are on the market for a new home, you might think that you have a pretty clear cut list of deal breakers. There might be outdated areas of homes for sale that will scare off a lot of potential buyers, but aren't actually too hard to fix. Here are four superficial problems in homes for sale that your real estate agent would recommend trying to see past. 1. Popcorn Ceilings
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  • Understanding The Various Types Of Mortgage Loans Before You Shop For A House

    Buying a home can be an exciting experience. However, when you are not sure about which type of home loan would be the best fit for your budget, the home buying experience can also be confusing. Taking the time to learn more about what home loans are about and which one would suit your budget is important before visiting lenders and shopping for houses. Consider How You Want To Pay Interest
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  • Adding On To Your Estate Country Horse Ranch: Three Uses For Those Extra Acres You Just Bought

    When you own an estate country horse ranch, there is always room for improvement and additions. Discovering that neighboring parcels of land are for sale is akin to striking gold in a mine because you know there is so much you could do with the extra acreage. If you purchased the extra parcels adjacent to your ranch, but you are having a difficult time deciding what to do with the extra land, here are some ideas.
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  • Info Home Buyers Should Never Share With Home Sellers

    When you're looking to buy a home, you may be quite excited to look around and see the different homes that are available in your neighborhood of choice. When you're ready to go to open houses and make appointments with sellers and realtors to look at homes, you may be concerned about proper etiquette and protocol. That's all fine, but you need to also be concerned with not revealing too much information when you meet the seller.
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  • Moving Into An Apartment Complex? 5 Ways To Ensure A Positive Experience

    Living in an apartment for the first time can be overwhelming if you are used to living in a private home. Not only will you need to adjust to having neighbors right next door, you may also need some time to get used to living in a place with smaller square footage. Luckily, the following tips can all help make this transition as easy as possible so that you can begin enjoying apartment living.
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  • Increasing The Feeling Of Space In A Studio Apartment

    Many people rent studio apartments as they are a bit cheaper due to a smaller floor plan. When you have limited space, decorating it appropriately can help make it appear larger than it is in actuality. If you are in the process of looking for a studio apartment to rent, you may want to consider some of the following options to help create the illusion of additional space once you have moved in. Purchase Multi-Use Pieces
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