How Solar Lights Can Light Up Your Exterior & Save You Money

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Exterior lights have a variety of uses for a home. They light up pathways to help residents and guests see at night. They add to the ambiance of a home, casting light on landscaping and illuminating the front of a home. They also provide an element of security, since nighttime burglars tend to seek out homes that will allow them to hide under the cover of darkness.

However, setting up landscape lighting can be complicated. Hiding the cabling involves digging a trench, with the cabling connecting back to a main outdoor power plug. If you have a large coverage area, this process will involve quite a bit of trowel work. The most complicated part comes if you’re one of the many homeowners without a GCFI outlet on the outside of your house. Then you’ll need to pay an electrician to install an outdoor outlet.

Solar lighting can provide an easier alternative to electrical wiring. These lights can be installed by merely inserting them into the ground. There will be no digging or cabling and you can start enjoying nighttime lighting within a day or two. Solar lights are also more environmentally friendly and since they’re completely off the grid, you won’t have to pay your local utility company to power them. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you choose solar lighting for your own home’s exterior.

Preparation

The first thing you’ll do after pulling your solar lights out of the box and inserting batteries is to charge them fully. Unlike traditional battery-powered products, this doesn’t involve plugging them into an electrical outlet. You’ll simply place them in direct sunlight for 12 to 14 hours. For maximum effectiveness, leave the lights in full sunlight for two 12 to 14 hour periods.

As you wait for your lights to charge, map out the areas where you’ll place the light. Make sure each light will receive direct sunlight without obstruction. If an area of the yard is shielded by trees or an overhang during the majority of the day, you’ll likely find it produces very little light at night.

Enjoying the Lights

For best results, you should water the soil in each spot a few hours before you plan to install them. Installation requires merely pushing the stake into the ground and waiting for nightfall. Don’t expect 12 full hours of bright light, however. Solar lights usually produce a less intense light for a shorter amount of time than electrically-powered lights. Eight hours of direct sunlight will often produce six to eight hours of nighttime light.

Maintenance for solar-powered lights is almost as easy as installation. Simply wipe the solar panels occasionally with a wet cloth to remove the dirt that builds up over time. A small amount of dish soap can be used for more stubborn dirt buildup. This will allow the sunlight to get through the lens, making it more efficient.

Solar lights are a great alternative to electricity-powered landscape lighting. They’re easier to install, environmentally friendly, and they’ll save money on utility bills. With the right placement, solar power can provide hours of electricity-free light each evening.

Most Frequent Regrets of First-Time Homebuyers

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When looking at houses, first-time homebuyers have a lot in common. They frequently fall in love with a house right away and become overly emotional. When they lose a bidding war, they feel overwhelmed and devastated.

They also commit a lot of errors. Here are some rookie mistakes that first-time house purchasers frequently make and immediately regret.

BEING FAR TOO PARTICULAR

Making a list of all the attributes in a house that are great for you is undoubtedly vital. After all, buying a home will likely be the largest purchase you will make, so you want to be sure you get what you want. But being so rigid that you won’t accept anything that doesn’t contain all of the qualities you specified will not get you anywhere. It’s sometimes important to make a small concession.

House hunters on a budget may need to make some compromises unless they have millions of dollars to invest. To eventually choose a home, you might have to put up with the antiquated furnishings, make a few minor improvements, or even give up the home office. If you won’t make a concession, you can miss out on a property that you later realize might have been the best choice.

MAKING TRADE-OFFS ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS

The contrary is also true, notwithstanding the drawbacks of being overly fussy. It’s reasonable to assume that some level of compromising will be required in order to afford your first home, but you shouldn’t make a concession you’ll regret right away.

If you anticipate needing at least three or four bedrooms to accommodate a growing family, don’t purchase a home with only two bedrooms. In a similar vein, avoid purchasing a bachelor condo just because it is considerably less expensive than a house, especially if you know how much you loathe using an elevator to enter and exit a building. Making concessions is fine, but don’t forego what’s really important to you.

NOT OBTAINING A MORTGAGE PRE-APPROVAL

Avoid looking in areas for houses that are way out of your price range. If you fall in love with a home only to learn that you cannot afford it, you will be very disappointed. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is the greatest way to determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on a home before you ever begin looking.

If you don’t, you’ll not only be wasting your time, but the seller’s time as well.

Although a mortgage pre-approval doesn’t guarantee that a loan will be approved, it’s still a terrific tool to help you focus your search for a home and expedite the purchase agreement process once you’ve found the ideal place.

REFUSAL OF THE HOME INSPECTION

Even though you might be eager to sign the lease and begin bringing your stuff in, you need to first determine the condition of the property. The last thing you want to do is invest in a money pit that will only use your money to cover significant flaws that you were unaware of before signing the deal. You will have the chance to ensure that the house is in good condition before you find yourself in a difficult financial situation if you include a home inspection clause in your purchase agreement.

In an effort to save money, about 10% of homebuyers forgo having their new residences inspected before finalizing the deal. However, picture having to pay tens of thousands of dollars to fix a leak.

ABSENCE OF A REAL ESTATE AGENT

Choosing not to use a realtor is one of the biggest mistakes made by homebuyers. The typical person may find it confusing to deal with all the disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage paperwork, insurance policies, and other intricate and detailed documentation needed to purchase a home. It requires understanding the appropriate asking price for a specific house in a particular neighborhood. Along with strong negotiation skills to make the acquisition price as low as possible, the procedure also involves an acute eye for any issues with the property.

You’ll benefit from having a real estate agent on your side in all of these situations and more. If you don’t hire a realtor, you could end up making a lot of expensive blunders.

With the aid of a knowledgeable real estate agent at your side, you can avoid a lot of common mistakes made by first-time homebuyers. Pay attention to their recommendations and spend the time necessary to consider every aspect of a potential house you’re considering making an offer on.

Common Reasons Why Your Houseplants Are Dying, and How You Can Save Them

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While some people are excellent at keeping plants healthy and happy, others are equally adept at killing them. We all have good intentions when we bring a plant home, but unless we learn a little about them, their demise is almost certain.

There are a few things you could be doing to end their lives. Here are some of the mistakes you might be making.

Under Watering

Many homeowners only water their plants when they remember too. Watering once or twice a week will not suffice if you want your plants to remain healthy and vibrant.

A plant watering schedule can be extremely useful in this situation. Rather than racking your brains to remember when you last watered, a schedule will keep you on track. You should also learn exactly what kinds of plants you have and how frequently each breed should be watered in order to provide them with the proper amount.

Check to see if the soil feels dry by putting your finger in it. Every time you water the soil, be sure to completely moisten it and make sure the water runs out into the pot’s drainage holes.

Over Watering

On the other extreme, you should try to stay away from overwatering your plants, which will only cause the roots to rot. Although you would believe that more water is better for your plants, this may not be the case. When it comes to how much water a plant needs, different plants have varying requirements.

Finding your plants’ ideal moisture level is the greatest solution. Others must remain damp, while some prefer to totally dry out before being watered once more. For information on how much water to give your plants to ensure their success, go to the care instructions.

A word on drainage: Just because the pot your plant is in has a bottom hole doesn’t mean that it will provide enough drainage. To prevent the roots from rotting from excess moisture, you need to fill these holes with proper drainage material at the bottom to give the water somewhere to go.

Insufficient or Excessive Sunlight

You can’t simply place a plant on any window sill and trust that the light it receives would be suitable for it. You have no idea that it is either wilting from a lack of sunlight or scorching from the rays.

Every plant you purchase will have a tiny tag attached that details how much sunlight it prefers. While some people can survive in only minimal sunshine, others are tough enough to do so. Think about the angle the sun is coming in through your windows.

Choose plants that prefer shadow or partial sun, for instance, if your light comes from the north or the east. On the other hand, southern or western facing windows are good for plants that like full sun. Just keep in mind that for the plant to live, the light must be sufficiently enough for you to read a book without turning on the lights.

Extreme Temperatures

Consider the temperature at which you would feel most comfortable. The majority of plants prefer temperatures that are similar to our own. The ideal temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit; it’s neither too hot nor too chilly, but right.

Keep an eye on the weather outdoors if the plants are near a window. The longevity of your plant might be negatively impacted by the sweltering heat of the summer and the bitter cold of the winter. Also consider the effects of the heater or air conditioner, as they can dry out your plant.

The plants should be okay if you’re comfy. Please make sure to carefully read the care card for temperature details.

Don’t Forget About the Insects

Insects view plants as targets, and the most infamous indoor plant eaters are gnats, spider mites, and white flies. You may be sure that one of these bothersome bugs has been feeding on the leaves of your plants if you discover any unexplained holes.

Consider waiting 30 days before adding new plants to the area where other plants are kept to ensure that insects don’t damage your plants. Insects can be repelled by removing weak plants, washing leaves with soap and water, using seaweed mulch, and other methods.

If you do detect pests harming your plants, identify the type of bug it is first before using a natural cure to get rid of it. It’s important to note that some insects, including ladybugs and praying mantises, are good for your plants.

A home’s design and the life they bring are greatly enhanced by plants. You can still take action to change your situation even though you’ve been a serial plant murderer up until this point. Start with hardy, simple-to-care-for plants; once you get the hang of it, it will be easier and more enjoyable to keep them. Make sure you first do your homework.

Upgrade Your Front Door Color for Instant Curb Appeal

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Your front door is the first thing people see when they visit your home and should serve as a welcoming point for your guests. Repainting your front door is an easy and affordable upgrade that will instantly increase your homes curb appeal. You can choose any color you’d like for this upgrade but the one you choose should be inline with your overall design style. Here are some tips on how you can make yours standout or match the overall aesthetic of your home.

MAKE A STATEMENT BY USING A BOLD COLOR

Don’t be afraid to use a bold color that makes a statement and really shows off your design style. This is where you can get creative, but remember this is something you’ll see everyday as you pull into your driveway. You can go with a bright color or set the mood with something dark and sleek. Some trending colors from this year are blacks, reds, light greens, and blue hues.

KEEP IT CLASSIC

Maybe using a bold color isn’t your cup of tea and using a classic color is more inline with your design taste. The good news is that classic colors can look great too. Classic colors have more neutral hues and consist of grays, browns, or blacks. These can also be incorporated into a stain if you’d like to showoff some wood grains as well.

WHAT ABOUT THE TRIM?

Think about your front door trim as the frame that surrounds your favorite piece of art. You can paint the trim the same color as your newly painted door or you can choose another color that might prevent it from blending in with the color of your home. It will look best if you keep the door trim consistent with the rest of the trim on your home if you decide not to paint it the same as the door.

EVERY HOME HAS A STYLE

The overall style of your home will guide your decision making process when choosing your new door color. But your personality and design style should not be overlooked as it’s important to make a bold cohesive statement. There aren’t any rules and it can always be repainted easily if you’re not happy with the result as time goes on.

TRY IT FIRST

Most paint stores offer small samples that are inexpensive and can be tested before you paint the entire door. You can test each color by painting small sections of the door which will allow you to see the results with proper lighting and textures. Or, you can make squares out of white poster board and tape these to the door. The poster board approach might be the best route to take if you’re unsure about the colors.

Easy Money Saving Tips That Will Help Reduce Your Monthly Expenses

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How we spend our money has changed a great deal over the past few years. Whether you’ve saved more or depleted your savings, we all need some financial inspiration to help us save where we can. Check out these tips, and you’ll be amazed at just how much money you can save with very little effort.

DON’T PAY INTEREST

Put a plan in place to get rid of credit card debt that you’ve accumulated over the years. You might not have a magical solution available to wipe this debt away, but that’s okay. You can achieve the same thing by transferring your debt to a card with 0% interest for a fixed period (six months to nearly two years). This will allow for you to pay off a set amount each month while avoiding paying for interest.

SAVE FIRST & SPEND LATER

You should always pay yourself first, as it’s a great step towards your financial freedom. Use the 50/30/20 budgeting method that can help you manage your money more effectively. This means that 50% of your after-tax pay goes towards your needs (food, bills, gas, etc.), 30% goes towards your wants (eating out, clothing, etc.), and 20% goes towards your future (savings, emergencies, paying off debt). Unfortunately, this rule won’t work for everyone due to individual circumstances, such as living in an area with a high cost of living. You can adjust these percentages as needed so it fits your individual situation.

DON’T SPLURGE ON PAYDAY

Recent surveys shows that roughly 32% of Americans run out of funds before payday. This includes those with a higher income (over $100K) and not only those living paycheck to paycheck. Try limiting situations that trigger you to spend more, stick to a budget (50/30/20), or switch to cash and leave your cards at home. Follow these suggestions and always ask yourself if you really need it?

USE AN INCOGNITO BROWSER

Using an incognito window when shopping online will help you save money by automatically deleting browsing history when the window is closed. This will help you avoid dynamic pricing, which is when retailers alter their pricing based on your browsing and purchasing history. Yes, this really happens! Giving online retailers less to track will also limit the number of promotional emails and ads you see on a daily, which will reduce the temptation to spend.

SHOP OWN BRANDS

Every supermarket has its own brand of products, and these are always a cheaper alternative to name brands that are sold at a higher price. Switching from name branded products to own brands is an easy way to save money on your next grocery bill. In most cases you can barely tell the difference when it comes to the taste and quality of these products. It’s easy to always reach for that branded label you’ve always enjoyed, but making the switch is worth a try. This might not be significant if you’re a serious couponer as coupons are geared towards name brands.

WEATHER THE STORM

If we’ve learned anything over the past few years it’s that having rainy day funds is more important than it’s ever been. It’s possible that yours might be depleted or maybe you never had one to begin with. It’s never too late to start saving, so put some money aside and start that rainy day fund. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to have three months of income set aside for emergencies, and six months if you have a mortgage.

Creating A Sustainable Home Garden

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It’s nearly impossible not to be bombarded with news and information about how much safer and healthier organic food is for our bodies. Although, we also know how much more expensive organic produce can be.

SO WHY NOT GROW IT IN YOUR OWN YARD?

Contrary to what some may believe, growing a home garden doesn’t require extensive farming experience or the latest tools of the trade. It’s actually a lot simpler than that, and can help make your home a more sustainable one for you, your family, and even the environment.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A GARDEN AT HOME?

First of all, let’s go over the benefits of having a home garden:

Quick access to fruits and veggies – Instead of having to run to the grocery store every time you run out of salad or fresh basil, you can just stroll on over to your backyard to fetch some. Save yourself time and gasoline by foregoing the daily trip to the supermarket and visit your home garden instead.

Gain control over the food you eat – Even when food products are labeled “organic,” not knowing exactly who’s growing the food and how they’re handling it can be bit unsettling. Instead, by growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you gain control over exactly what chemicals are being used, or avoided altogether. That way, you truly know just what you’re putting in your mouth.

Reduce your carbon footprint on the environment – Having a home garden allows you to make a positive environmental impact. You can start a compost pile where you can recycle certain yard and kitchen waste products to produce a nutrient-rich additive for the soil in your garden. Not only does this create a natural fertilizer for your plants, it also minimizes the waste that you produce. And if you decide to avoid the use of chemicals, you can even reduce pollution and groundwater contamination.

Enjoyment and satisfaction – For many homeowners, watching their gardens go from seeds to fruit- and vegetable-bearing plants can be a real source of accomplishment and enjoyment. Seeing your hard work come to fruition can be really rewarding.

HOW TO GET YOUR OWN HOME GARDEN STARTED – AND FLOURISHING

Follow these tips to ensure you garden grows healthy, abundant plants, and trees to feed your family, and maybe even give you enough leftovers for the neighbors!

Test the soil – One of the first things you should do is make sure that the soil you plan on planting your seeds in is fertile enough to produce healthy plants. It’s pretty easy to do this – all you need is a cheap soil test kit that you can find at your local nursery.

By doing so, you’ll be able to identify whether or not the soil has too high of an alkaline or acid content. Once you’re armed with this info, you can add fertilizer and compost accordingly. While many plants will do well with balanced pH levels, others might prefer soil that’s a little more on the acidic side, and would therefore benefit more from plant-based fertilizers. Other plants do better with manure – it all depends on what you’re planting.

Find out which plants are ideal companions – Not every plant necessarily does well when placed beside specific plants. Find out which types of plants do well when they’re planted side by side. For instance, tomatoes and basil plants do well when planted beside each other; the basil boost the flavor of the tomatoes, and this combination also repels mosquitos. On the flip side, onions and asparagus aren’t the best of companions, and should be planted away from each other.

Make your own compost – Not only is this easy, it’ll also cut down on your household waste. A bunch of things can be added to your compost, such as leaf clippings, food scraps, and other organic items. Keep a compost both indoors and outdoors to make it easy and convenient to continue adding to it.

Add flowers to the vegetable garden – Even though your goal is to grow vegetables and fruit, consider adding some flowers to the garden. Not only will they enhance the beauty of the garden, but they’ll also attract the good bugs that eat plant-destroying aphids, and encourage cross-pollinating.

Add mulch – Adding mulch to the garden will help keep the weeds at bay, help the soil retain moisture, and protect the roots of the plants.

Grow fruit trees that fit your space – Depending on how much space you have to work with, you’ll need to figure out which fruits trees will be suitable in the space you have. A full-sized fruit tree will need an area that’s approximately 25×25 feet big. If you live in an urban area where space is limited, consider dwarf fruit trees; these little trees can thrive in as little as 3×3 feet of space (though they prefer 4×4 feet).

You may also choose to grow semi-dwarf fruit trees against walls to save some space. Dwarf fruit trees bear fruit sooner, so you can start enjoying your peaches or apples with less waiting time. Just be aware that the majority of fruit trees need two of the same type of fruit to cross-pollinate and produce fruit.

Don’t forget to water! – Depending on how much precipitation you get and what you’ve got growing, your garden will need to be watered at least 2 or 3 times per week. Do your homework on the plants you’re growing so you know exactly how much water they require.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s ideal to water either first thing in the morning, or later on in the evening, as watering during the afternoon when it’s particularly sunny and hot can actually burn the plants.

The freshest, safest, tastiest, and most economical fruits and vegetables that you’ll ever eat can easily be grown in your own backyard. Within a few short weeks, you can be bringing your own produce to the dinner table!

8 Interior Design Trends To Look Out For In 2022

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The current interior design trends are wide-ranging and diverse. There are new colors, textures, and materials, but the most important thing is that there are new moods. The way we desire to spend our lives has changed gradually over the past couple of years. How we want to spend time in our homes has altered, as has the purpose of our homes, and this has influenced every decor decision we make.

PLUMP SEATING

Designers are exhibiting how a more casual seating style may combine comfort and everyday usefulness while yet maintaining a high level of refinement and maximum style-desirability. With this aesthetic, it’s the Italian designers that are leading the way.

SCREEN-FREE ROOMS

After a long day of using your smartphone and computer, it can feel amazing to come home and take a technology break. More and more, homeowners are creating specific screen-free rooms—perhaps a library, craft room, or listening room—where you can escape from technology for a while.

COLORED CONCRETE

Concrete comes into play in today’s bathroom ideas, which are all about adding personality while maintaining a monastic sense of spa-like tranquillity. It’s the ideal material for this room because of the vibrant colors it now offers, as well as the texture and depth it brings.

UPHOLSTERED HEADBOARDS

What if you could feel like you were sleeping in a luxury hotel bed every night? The bedding and mattress are an important part of that experience, but so is the aesthetic and comfort of an upholstered headboard.

EARTH TONES

Natural colors have become increasingly popular, especially deep greens. It’s a great way to bring some of nature’s colors indoors, whether as an accent wall, in blankets and pillows, or for furniture.

BLACK STAINLESS STEEL

If you want a sleek, contemporary kitchen, black stainless steel is even more of a statement than traditional stainless steel.

PATTERNED FABRICS

While solid upholstery will never go out of style, patterns have become trendy of late. It’s an easy way to make a bold, eye-catching statement in your living space.

RED EARTH CERAMICS

Red clay adds a surprising variation to the more usually observed white pottery, thanks to its innate warmth. Often, red or ‘brown’ ceramics are linked with coarser pottery, but this new wave of earthy vases and pieces has a refinement to them, as well as an entirely current artistic edge, that makes them avant-garde.

Be Wary of Timeshare Resale Scams to Avoid Getting Ripped Off

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There’s a certain appeal of having guaranteed access to a vacation property in a spot that you enjoy visiting frequently on your holidays, which is precisely what timeshares offer. Simply pick up and go without having to jump through hoops to make sure the place is available when you feel like ditching the concrete jungle in favor of something more serene for a little while.

And even when it comes time to sell, there are typically always a pool of buyers who are willing to pay for these conveniences.

But not all resale timeshare sales transactions are good deals. In fact, many of them are downright scams.

While there are plenty of honest sellers who are trying to unload their timeshares to willing buyers, there are also plenty of scammers out there waiting to rip off unsuspecting people.

In fact, this practice is so rampant that the Federal Trade Commission has actually had to step in and cease hundreds of deceitful resale timeshare scams that have been responsible for stealing millions of dollars. When timeshare owners are anxious to get rid of their vacations properties quickly for whatever reason, scammers are lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce.

Before selling or purchasing a timeshare, it’s critical that you do some research first to find out exactly how they work, and how to decipher between what’s a legitimate deal and what isn’t. Scams in the timeshare resale realm are varied and can take on many faces, so it’s important to be wary of them to avoid getting caught in the current.

“I’ve Got Cash Buyers Ready to Purchase”

Lots of timeshare sellers have heard this line. Scammers offer the promise of having a buyer ready to purchase the timeshare, or promise that they can definitely sell it quickly. All sellers need to do, they’re told, is pay an up-front amount to cover expenses like maintenance fees, closing costs, taxes, and so on. Once that money’s been wired over, sellers never hear a peep from the tricksters again – or their money.

Without a paper trail or any contract signed, there’s little recourse for sellers. All they’re left with is a loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

“Been Scammed? We Can Help Recover Your Stolen Money”

Scammers are smart, and they often come up with new and more savvy ways to swindle a buck out of unsuspecting victims. Changing the game up a little helps avoid a trail left behind, so they can continue fattening their bank accounts with little chance of getting caught.

In the case of the first type of scam, many thieves continue on with the act by contacting the victims and promising to help get the stolen funds back. But of course, this service comes with a fee. And once the victim is convinced of the legitimacy of this service, more money is wired to the con artists, after which the initial funds are never recovered.

“We Help Connect Buyers in Mexico With Sellers in the US”

It seems there’s nothing a crook won’t do to get their hands on illegitimate funds. A scam that’s recently become pretty popular involves scammers claiming to be the go-between for buyers in Latin America who want to get a visa by purchasing property in the US. By putting their name on title – so the scam goes – these agents acting on behalf of the buyers claim to help them obtain the green card they’ve been longing for. All that needs to happen to get the ball rolling in this purchase is for the seller to send over a transaction fee.

The story ends like the others . . . with the sellers left with a lot less in their pockets.

Many Scammers Are Engaging in Identity Theft to Appear Legit

While there are a lot of people out there who are easily fooled, fraudsters don’t rely on their naiveté to make sure they get away with their nefarious plans. As such, many of them go so far as to steal the identity of trustworthy and reputable names in order to appear legitimate in the eyes of their prey.

Many timeshare scammers hide behind the names of established companies or even government officials in order to extort money from sellers. They even have fake websites, professional-sounding titles, and phony addresses to keep up the facade. Many are putting themselves out there as real estate licensees and use an actual broker’s name and license number in order to make it appear as if the sales transaction is real.

What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?

It can be pretty scary to think about the lengths that scammers will go to in order to rip off timeshare sellers, especially when identity theft is involved. Being vigilant is inevitably the best thing in order to protect yourself. It’s better to be highly skeptical with a legitimate service than be gullible with a fraudulent one.

First and foremost, be very suspicious of people who ask for money up front. If the deal is authentic, any fees owed will usually be payable after the transaction is done. And once the fees are due, money should NEVER be wired, nor should they be paid in cash. Instead, funds should only be transferred through a legitimate attorney where a valid and easily-tracked paper trail is left. The former two methods will only make it impossible for law enforcement to recover the lost money.

Speaking of attorneys, you should always have one carefully review any documents involved with sales transactions to make sure you don’t sign anything illicit. Everything should be in writing and reviewed in detail before any sales transaction is finalized.

Even if the reseller seems legitimate with a company name or title that sounds genuine, check into them in more detail to find out if they truly are who they say they are. And if the timeshare being sold is in a resort, call and ask if the resort has a resale program of their own, or if they’ve ever dealt with this particular reseller who’s been in touch with you.

By being cautious and aware of the potential scams floating around out there, you can make sure that the people you’re paying for a resale timeshare are the real deal.

How to Sell Your Home to Family Without Making it Complicated

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If you’re planning on selling your home, you might have a relative who might be showing interest in buying it off of you.

That could potentially make things a lot easier for you, considering the fact that there’s no need to market your property, and you can close the deal quickly.

Or, it could turn into an ugly mess that can leave you both on awkward terms with one another.

You want to make sure you get what your home is worth in the current market, but you also don’t want to compromise the relationship with the relative you’re selling to. When it comes to money, anything can happen.

Keep the following tips in mind when selling your house to a relative or close friend so you can keep the relationship intact while getting the most out of the sale.

Be Up Front About Your Relationship

If you or your relative don’t want to land in any hot water with the government, you’d be well-advised to disclose the nature of the relationship between the two of you with your lender. Anyone who fills out an application for mortgage insurance with the Federal Housing Authority will typically be asked to submit an Identity of Interest Certification form if there’s a relationship between the buyer and seller.

It’s not exactly common to have a mortgage denied as a result of family ties, but failure to reveal this information can point to mortgage fraud, which will lead to a denied loan application.

Make Sure Both Sides Are Getting a Good Deal

Your relative might confront you about taking your home off your hands with the intention of getting a hefty discount. And perhaps you might want to help them out in that way.

On the other hand, you might want to get the most out of the deal as possible. But if your relative can get a much better deal on the house down the block, there’s no sense in wheeling and dealing with you.

Either way, dealing with price points on a real estate sale between two parties who are close to each other can lead to major tension.

The best solution to this potentially sticky situation is to have a mutually agreed-upon appraiser come in and evaluate the home for both of you and provide an unbiased opinion of what the home is presently worth under today’s market conditions. That way no one is low-balling anybody, and only the fair price is being worked with.

If you do decide to offer a discount, make sure you’ve got an experienced real estate agent in your corner to help ensure that both parties benefit from the transaction.

Make Sure They Can Afford the House

Even after you and your relative agree on a price for the home, you still have to make sure they’ve got the finances to back up the purchase. It would be pretty awkward if you both go so far as to have a legal contract drafted up to complete the real estate transaction, only to find out shortly after that they can’t get approved for a mortgage.

Never assume that they’ll be able to find a lender who is willing to loan out the funds needed to finance a big purchase like this. Regardless of whether they’re buying off of someone they know, or a complete stranger, they’ll need to get approved for a mortgage.

If you fail to inquire about whether or not your relative is good for the cash before agreeing to sell to them, you could wind up back in square one if they fail to qualify for a loan.

Act as if you’re selling to any other buyer, and not just a relative, and ask for a pre-approval letter from their lender before you start negotiating on a price.

Get a Home Inspection

Even if the person buying from you has spent a ton of time in your home, that doesn’t necessarily mean they know all the nitty gritty about it, including any potential problems that may be lurking.

Maybe you aren’t even aware of some of the possible issues that might be hiding in your home. If any problems pop up after they’ve bought and moved into the home, it can cause some tension in the relationship.

To prevent that from happening, make sure you have your home inspected by a professional home inspector that you both agree to hire. That way any issues will be uncovered and laid out before the buyer. Not only will this help them make a more informed decision, it’ll also keep things kosher between the two of you.

Deal With Special Tax Issues

If you decide to arrange a seller take-back mortgage with the buyer, make sure you dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s” with the IRS. That’s because they’ll calculate “imputed interest” when seller-backed mortgages for relatives are involved.

Even if no interest was charged on the mortgage, the IRS will consider interest to have been paid for tax reasons. They calculate imputed interest as a means of collecting tax revenues on mortgages that aren’t attached to any interest, or if the interest rate is extremely low.

Simply put, you could be subject to mortgage interest revenue if you carry a no-interest mortgage for your relatives, and they in turn could owe money in the form of capital gains taxes if the house is flipped for a quick profit.

While plans to sell to a family member have worked for many Americans, they’ve also turned out to be relationship killers for others. To make sure you’re part of the former group, make sure you seek the advice of a real estate agent and mortgage broker to protect both you and the buyer to avoid any problems in the near future.

Boost the Value of Your Property With These 10 Simple Home Improvement Tips

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Want to boost the overall value of your home? It’s a lot easier than you might imagine. In fact, a few key updates and changes can really hike up your home’s value with minimal work and investment up front. Consider the following tasks to help increase the value of your property and build instant equity.

1. Clean Up the Landscaping

Talk to any real estate agent or home stager and they’ll tell you the same thing: curb appeal speaks volumes. And the first thing home buyers will see when they pull up to your home is its landscaping. A yard full of weeds, overgrown grass, and unkempt bushes aren’t going to cut it in the property value department.

Homeowners tend to focus more on their interiors when trying to make a good impression, whether or not they plan on selling. But what about the exterior? Landscaping is one of the top three investments that boost the highest returns. Even $500 spent in outside yard work can rake in $2,000 in property value when everything is said and done, so it’s worth the upfront cost.

2. Change Your Front Door

After homebuyers have made it past your landscaping, they’ll be greeted by your front door before they step foot across the threshold. But how exactly will they be greeted? Never underestimate the power of a front door when it comes to impressions and property value.

Within the first six seconds of entering a home, people will already have formed an impression. And the front door has a lot to do with it. A door that has peeling paint or rusted hinges can make the overall home look dingy. But the opposite is also true: a new, well-maintained, freshly painted door can make the home seem more inviting, and thereby add a little extra in its value.

3. Create More Space

Back in the day, it was customary to have a bunch of different, smaller rooms. But these days, sophisticated homebuyers – especially within the millennial age group – are looking for more space to use. That doesn’t necessarily mean they need more square footage; instead, what they’re essentially seeking is an open concept and optimal flow and functionality.

If your home is cornered off by a myriad of walls, consider knocking some of them down. Even if they’re load-bearing, you can still remove them and leave a decorative column post to retain support. Right now buyers want a wide open space, and kicking down a couple of walls can be an easy and affordable way to create it, and thereby add more value to your home.

4. Enhance the Lighting

Looking for a cheap and easy way to boost your ROI? Consider updating your home’s lighting, which will noticeably elevate your property’s appeal.

Anything from dimmer switches, to pot lights, to pendant lamps can make a massive difference in the look and feel of a home’s interior. Lighting of various types creates a sense of space and air, and also allows you to create a specific mood.

5. Make Minor Repairs

You’d be surprised at how much of a difference a few minor issues can make in the look and feel of a home. From leaky faucets, to chipped floor tiles, to scuff marks on the walls, these little flaws can make an otherwise nice home look tired. Before you even start thinking about more major upgrades like a kitchen renovation, address the more basic things first.

These little fixes can really go a long way towards property value. Even spending a few hundred bucks fixing small things around the house can increase the value of your property by a few thousand dollars.

6. Upgrade Your Flooring

One of the first things people see when they walk into a home is the flooring. What are they stepping on? Creaking hardwood? Uneven tiles? Dated carpeting? About 94% of professional real estate agents recommend investing a little money on floors when it comes to boosting property value. And you don’t have to blow the budget, either.

Depending on what you install, you can recoup twice as much in value compared to what you spend. If you are planning on installing a completely new floor, consider hardwood. It’s what the majority of homebuyers want, and have even come to expect when they’re on the prowl for a new home.

7. Up the Energy-Efficiency Factor

If the HVAC system in your home is aging terribly, and your utility bills are through the roof, it’s about high time you swap that system for an energy-efficient one. Sure, it might cost you a pretty penny up front, but the amount of money that it can save you in heating and cooling bills will all be worth it.

In fact, you can save as much as 40%. Recent studies have shown that energy savings add 20 times the yearly savings to the overall value of your home. Energy-saving systems and appliances make your home more desirable.

8. Tune Up the Bathroom

Just about every real estate broker says that sprucing up the bathroom is a sure-fire way to add some value to your property. But you need to be careful in how you upgrade it. Spending way too much money on unnecessary finishes and features could land you more in the hole than before you started.

Focus on the kinds of upgrades that the neighborhood calls for. Stick to the upgrades that are economical, easy, and fast. Simple things like adding a glass shower door or replacing an old pedestal sink for a more decorative vanity can go a long way in spiffing up the bathroom, and the overall impression of your home. Do it right, and you can expect a 62% ROI on a bathroom update.

9. Give Your Kitchen a Facelift

In much the same way as a buffed up bathroom can add value to a home, so too can the kitchen. In fact, this central space is probably the most important room in the home, so it only makes sense to give it the attention it deserves. Done properly, you can recoup anywhere from 75% up to as much as 100% on a kitchen remodel.

Just like with a bathroom remodel job, it’s important to keep your expenditures in check when it comes to the kitchen. For example, if the average home value in your neighborhood is $300,000 and you put in $70,000 into your kitchen remodel job, you’re essentially out-pricing your home. If your kitchen doesn’t warrant a total gut job, focus on smaller things that bring the most ROI, such as new countertops, appliances, cabinet doors, light fixtures, and handed and knobs.

10. Paint

Talk about maxing out your return on investment. The number one way to add value to your home with the least amount of money required is though a simple paint job. In fact, you can get back as much as 168% ROI with a simple paint job. Before you even think of listing your home for sale, look around and make a judgment call about whether or not the place could use a fresh coat of paint.

Any peeling, scuff marks or discoloration will warrant a new coat of paint. And if your walls are painted fuchsia pink or lime green, you might want to change it to something more neutral to attract more buyers, and thereby increase the value of your home.

Even if you have no intentions of moving any time in the near future, updating your home in various ways can do wonders to the value of your property. But before you take the hammer to nail, make sure you get some sound advice from a real estate agent or appraiser to find out exactly what features your neighborhood calls for, and the recommended amount that should be spent on each project to maximize the amount you can get back.