If you've just moved into your new home and you have a pet, you may be thinking of installing a pet door. A pet door is a permanent door feature that is cut into the bottom third of an entry door. Before making a permanent alteration to your door, consider the pros and cons of installing a pet door. Pro: Your Pet Can Come And Go As Needed A pet door could cut down on indoor pet accidents if that's a problem you've had to deal with in the past. This is especially convenient if you get home late to let the dog out, or if they have a temporary gastric illness that requires more frequent … [Read More...]
If you have purchased a new home and are going to move in soon, what are the first few things that you will need to do upon moving into your new home? Moving can be very stressful, but having a checklist can make your move to a new home effortless. Here are 6 easy steps that can eliminate any frustration and help you feel safe and secure: Change Your AddressYou will need to change your address for all magazine subscriptions, bills, and other services. You can update your mailing address online or visit your local post office to find out what needs to be done. Set Up The UtilitiesWhen you … [Read More...]
New homes can be scary. But when you take the time to think about it and plan ahead, maintaining a home is easier than you think a manageable mix of experience and common sense. Here are five skills that will help maintain your new home for years to come. Fixing A Toilet It's not as daunting as it sounds. Just remember that toilets work with gravity the water wants to flow freely. Don't be afraid to open that tank up and adjust the floater and valves as needed. Occasionally run the water (flush the toilet, turn on the sink) in unused rooms, like the guest bathroom, to keep the pipes clear and … [Read More...]
Are you starting to get the renovation itch? With spring on the way, you might be tempted to launch those home improvement projects that you contemplated over the winter. However, as with any project, you will want to get things right. Let's take a look at four renovation shortcuts that can lead to disaster and the steps you can take to avoid them. Shortcut #1: Not Understanding Your Home's Structure Before you undertake any renovation involving your home's structure, you must be confident that you know exactly what is where. For example, do you know what is inside of your walls? You might be … [Read More...]
The first week of December's largest reports are the GDP estimates, which will be the second estimations of the year prior to the final release. The final GDP reports will be after the new year and are the strongest indicator for the economic state of the country. With the Federal Reserve aiming for a soft landing for the economy, it is important for the GDP and inflation statistics to be in parity with each other. The last but also very important releases for the end of the year are the Personal Income and Spending data. GDP Estimates (First Release) The numbers: … [Read More...]
Are you in the market for a new home? If you plan on using mortgage financing to buy your next home you've likely heard the phrase "loan-to-value" or the acronym "LTV" before. Let's take a quick look at the loan-to-value ratio including why it's important, how to calculate it, and how it can affect your mortgage. What is the Loan-to-Value or LTV Ratio? In short, the LTV ratio is a number that compares how much money you owe against your home with its resale value in the marketplace. A low LTV ratio indicates that you have far more equity in your home than you owe in mortgage payments; … [Read More...]
