Sunrise Homes & Renovations, Inc.

What To Consider When Shopping For Interior Paint

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What To Consider When Shopping For Interior PaintIf you are looking for a way to increase the value of your home, you may have thought about putting a fresh coat of paint on it. If you have beautiful paint throughout your home, you can increase the value of your home. Even though you are probably focused on the color, you need to think carefully about several other factors. What do you need to consider when looking for interior paint for your home?

Where The Paint Is Going

You can start by thinking about where the paint is going. Some people like to use the same color throughout the entire house. On the other hand, you may have different colors in mind for different rooms in your home. For example, you may choose a different color for your bathroom than you do for the living room. You might choose a different color for a child’s bedroom when compared to the master bedroom. Always think about where the paint is going before you make a final decision.

How Far The Paint Will Go

Even though you are probably focused on the price tag, you also have to think about how much paint you need to use to cover the room completely. For example, if you are painting a dark surface, you should be able to use less paint to finish the job. Even though a premium product may have a higher price tag, it might go further. Therefore, you might not need to purchase as much to finish the job. 

The Finish

The finish is just as important as the color when you choose a product. The finish determines how much light reflects off the surface. Do you want the pain to stand out? If so, you might want a glossy finish. Do you want the pain to fade into the background? If so, you may be interested in a flat finish.

Choose The Right Paint For The Job

Clearly, there is a lot to think about if you want to paint the interior of your home. You may want to contact an interior paint professional to help you select the right paint for your house. 

The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs

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The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing CostsIt’s amazing that in a year with extremely low mortgage rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer.

Understanding Third-Party Closing Costs

When closing on a mortgage the borrower will notice a long list of additional fees that they are expected to pay for. These can range from insignificant into the thousands of dollars depending on the state and the deal. When looking at these fees you will notice that some are third-party fees.

This is not out of the ordinary and you are not being taken advantage of. These costs are for services rendered by outside companies at the request of the mortgage lender to make sure everything is in order with the property.

Closing Costs You Can Expect To Pay

Anybody going through the mortgage process for the first time should expect to see several odd sounding terms on the bill. The first is ‘origination’ or ‘processing’ which is the primary fee the lender charges for creating the mortgage.

Other fees include discount points, flood certification, title insurance, credit report and appraisal. These are all necessary for buying a home and should be expected to appear when closing.

The Trick Behind Zero-Closing Cost Mortgages

With closing fees adding up it may seem like a good idea to opt for a mortgage that has absolutely no closing costs if it’s offered. While no money will be required up front, it adds up in the long run.

This is because the lender is making a deal. They agree to pay all the closing costs for the borrower in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate, which will pay out for them over the course of the mortgage.

The amount you can expect to pay really depends on the cost of living and real estate market where you’re buying. A mortgage specialist will be able to talk to you in advance of applying for your mortgage to give you a better idea of what you are looking at paying for closing costs. Contact one today for more information on why you have to pay closing fees and the amount you should be budgeting for.

The Importance Of Pre-Approval During The Homebuying Process

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The Importance Of Pre-Approval During The Homebuying ProcessIf you want to buy a home in the near future, you are probably aware of just how competitive the housing market is. You need to put yourself in the best position possible to be successful by getting pre-approved for a home loan. This is a very important step, particularly when you compete against people making cash offers. Learn more about the importance of getting pre-approved below, and make sure your offer is taken seriously.

A Pre-Approval Letter Shows You Are Serious

The first reason why you need to get a pre-approval letter is that it will show any potential seller that you are serious about buying the home. One of the reasons why settlers like to accept cash offers is because they know the sale will go through. Without a pre-approval letter, the seller may not know if you will be approved by a reminder for a home loan. By showing a pre-approval letter, the seller will know that you will get financing for the home, and they do not necessarily need to worry about the sale falling apart.

Getting Pre-Approved Gives You A Budget

You also need to get a pre-approval letter because it will give you a budget with which to work. Even though it is fun to take a look at different houses and imagine what your life might look like, you need to know how much money you can spend on a house. The lender will let you know the maximum amount that you are approved for, and you can quickly narrow down your search and find the right home to meet your needs.

Get Pre-Approved Before You Start Your Housing Search

The housing market is constantly changing, so you need to take advantage of every opportunity given to you. If you want to make it easier to navigate a difficult housing market, you need to get pre-approved before you start the housing search. Remember that you do not necessarily need to get a loan from the lender that gave you a pre-approval letter, but the seller needs to know that you have been approved by at least one lender if you want your offer to be taken seriously. A pre-approval letter does exactly that.

The Top Tips For Finding The Right Home

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The Top Tips For Finding The Right HomeIf you are in the process of looking for a new home, you have probably realized that there are lots of options available. It can be very difficult to decide which home is right for you, but there are several important tips you should keep in mind. They include:

1. Make A List Of Your Wants And Needs

First, make a list of what you need to have and what you want to have. It is very difficult to find the perfect home, but if you have a list that allows you to prioritize what is most important, the process will get easier.

2. Consider Home Improvements

Next, take a look at some of the most important home improvements that homeowners have done. Think about what matters to your lifestyle. Then, look for those home improvements during your housing search.

3. Check Out The Neighbors

Pay close attention to the neighbors. You will have to live next door to them, so you want to get along with them. Do you want neighbors who keep themselves? Or, do you want neighbors who are outgoing?

4. Consider The Kids

Do you see a lot of kids playing in the street? If you have children, you might want to make it easier for them to make friends. Having other kids in the neighborhood is important.

5. Think About The Commute

What is your drive to work like in the morning? How much traffic are you willing to deal with? Pay attention to how much time you will have to spend in the car.

6. Consider The Schools

What is the school system like? Even if you don’t have kids, a quality school system can make a significant difference in the value of your home.

7. Look At The Crime Numbers

How much crime is in the area? Much of this information is public, so take a look at the municipal police department website to see what the prime numbers are like.

8. Consider Your Future

What is your future going to be like? Do you think the home will still be right for you in a few years? Try to find a home that you will stay in for a while.

9. Look At The Days On Market

Are there a lot of homes in the area selling quickly? If the homes sell fast, it is a sign of a desirable neighborhood.

10. Don’t Forget The Amenities

What are some of the changes taking place in the local community? Are there new shops and restaurants opening up? If so, you have probably found the right home. 

 

The Top Reasons To Downsize When You Retire

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The Top Reasons To Downsize When You RetireIf you plan on retiring in the near future, you might be thinking about moving. The kids might be grown, and you might not want to take care of such a large house. If that is the case, you should consider downsizing. When you downsize your home, you trade in your larger home for a smaller one. What are some of the top reasons why you should do so?

1. Bulk Up Your Retirement Account

The first reason why you should downsize is that you will free up more resources you can contribute to your retirement accounts. If you have been in your house for a long time, there is a great chance that you have paid off almost the entirety of your mortgage. Furthermore, your home may have even gone up in value by tens of thousands of dollars. Therefore, when you sell your house, you should receive most of the proceeds from the sale. You can use the proceeds from that sale to buy another house with cash and still have money left over to add to your retirement account. 

2. Reduce Your Overhead Expenses

You can also reduce your overhead expenses if you downsize your home. Your home insurance and property taxes should go down if you purchase a smaller house. You will probably have to spend less money on utilities, routine maintenance, repairs, and upkeep if you trade in your larger house for a smaller one.

3. Find The Right Location

If you decide to downsize your house, you will also have more flexibility regarding where to live. It is easier to fit a smaller house in an ideal location than a larger one. If you are willing to purchase a smaller house, you should have more options available to you, and you can find the perfect location for your retirement.

Consider Downsizing In Retirement

If you are getting ready to retire soon, you should consider downsizing. This is a great opportunity for you to free up a bit of extra cash for retirement and find the perfect location for your home. Consider taking a look at some of the houses available in your local area, and don’t forget to reach out to a professional with any questions. 

 

The Best Ways To Get To Know Your Neighbors

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The Best Ways To Get To Know Your NeighborsIf you recently moved into a new neighborhood, you might be looking for a way to meet your neighbors. Ideally, you will become friends with your neighbors. They can take care of your pets when you are out of town and water your plants when you are gone. On the other hand, how can you meet your neighbors without the process being awkward? There are a few great ways to do so.

Spend Time Outside

If you want to get to know your neighbors, the best way to do so is to spend time outside. Work on your lawn. Water your plans. Walk the dog. The more time you spend outside, the greater your chances of running into your neighbors. This will make it easier for you to get to know them.

Go To Some Neighborhood Events

Next, you should go to a few neighborhood events if you want to meet your neighbors. There are a lot of communities that have pool parties, barbecues, and events for children. If you go to some of these events, you will have a great chance of meeting the people who live around you, and you can make some new friends.

Ask The Neighbors For Advice

Finally, you should ask the neighbors for advice. If you don’t know when you need to put the garbage cans out, you can ask your neighbors. If you are wondering how often the recycling comes, talk to the neighbors! If you don’t know what to do with old electronics you need to throw out, the neighbors can probably help you. It can take a lot of adjusting if you move into a new area, and your neighbors can help you make the process easier. Then, you can invite them over for a beer or a party to show your gratitude.

Get To Know Your New Neighbors

It can be a bit awkward if you move into a new neighborhood. Your neighbors might appear to know each other already, but how can you get to know them as well? If you follow these tips, you can get to know them quickly, make some new friends in your neighborhood, and have someone to lean on if there is an emergency at your house.