Lenny

Your family is growing, so you and your spouse decide to ditch your one-room apartment to buy a house. You find one that you like and open up negations with the seller. After a long wait and a lot of paperwork, you reach the day you’ve been waiting for.

The closing day. Today is the day that the house will, at last, be yours. What happens on closing day though? You should prepare for everything that is to come so there are no hang-ups. 

To help you prepare and move into your new home as soon as possible, check out this quick guide.

1. What is Closing and When Does it Happen?

Closing day is the final step you take when buying a home before it’s yours. When the closing date happens varies. 

During the negotiation part of things, you and the seller will come up with a closing date. Just because you agree on a date doesn’t mean it will happen on that day, though. Your agent could change things to suit a more convenient timeline for themselves, the lender, and the title agency. 

2. Everything You Need to Bring With You on Closing Day 

There are a few pieces of information that you’ll need to bring with you on closing day. These are a photo ID and a cashiers check for the closing costs. There may be additional paperwork that you’ll need to provide, but the title company will give you a checklist so you’ll know what to bring. 

3. What Happens on Closing Day? 

The main thing you’ll need to prepare for during the process of closing is signing your name a lot. You’ll have to provide a signature on everything. After you pay your closing costs, the seller will sign the property over to you. 

From there, you’ll sign a settlement statement, a mortgage note that states that you’ll repay the loan you took out for the home, and a mortgage that will secure the mortgage note.   

4. Where Will the Closing Take Place? 

Your closing appointment won’t happen at the property. It happens in the office of the title company that transfers the ownership of your new home to you. You, the seller, and the title company’s representative won’t be the only ones attending this meeting.    

5. Who Will Attend the Closing Appointment? 

The other people attending the closing appointment will be the closing agent, an attorney (who may also double as the closing agent), your mortgage lender, and real estate agent. The seller won’t have to be there if they pre-signed the deed. 

What Happens On Closing Day and How Can You Prepare for it 

Buying the house of your dreams is a long process and a lot of paperwork. It won’t end until after the closing appointment is over and the keys are in your hands.

Follow this guide so you know what happens on closing day. Hopefully, you’ll experience fewer problems by knowing what the process entails.

Now that you’ve bought your home, you need to decorate it and keep it clean. Check out the lifestyle section of our blog for helpful tips. 

Are you looking for a way to take your backyard to the next level? Why not add a swimming pool?

Certainly, adding a swimming pool to your backyard can be a big expense. After all, the average cost of building an inground swimming pool is $25,000 – $29,600. 

So, is it really worth all that money?

The answer is yes. 

Check out this guide to learn the top benefits of installing a backyard pool. 

1. Low Impact Exercise 

According to recent statistics, 80 percent of adults don’t get enough exercise.  If you think you may fall into this 80 percent, then it’s time to do something about it. 

Swimming is one of the best exercises out there, especially if you’re looking for something that’s easy on the joints.

Swimming is a great cardiovascular exercise, and swimming for just 30 minutes a day can significantly improve your heart health and lung health. And, it can significantly lower your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. 

Also, swimming is a great form of exercise for those who are pregnant or obese. 

2. Great for Socializing and Family Fun 

Another major benefit of adding a swimming pool to your backyard?

Swimming pools provide a great space for you to socialize with your friends and family. Get your kids away from their screens and bring them outside to enjoy a game of Marco Polo or water volleyball. 

Or, you can invite some of your adult friends over for drinks and a relaxing day swimming and hanging by the pool. 

Pretty soon, your home will become the most popular spot in the neighborhood for summer fun. 

3. Convenience 

Most people feel like they don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. 

The great thing about a swimming pool is that it can cut out unnecessary time out of your day. Instead of driving to the gym for a workout, you can just hop in the pool and exercise. 

And, instead of putting sunscreen on all the kids and dragging them to an overcrowded public pool or expensive country club in the summer, you can just send them to the backyard to enjoy their own pool. 

4. Increase the Value of Your Home

Even though building a pool comes with a lot of upfront costs, they certainly pay off in the long run in terms of adding value to your home. 

In fact, it’s estimated that a swimming pool can add as much as 5 percent to the overall value of your home. 

In other words, if your home is worth $500,000, then a swimming pool can add an extra $25,000 value to your home. 

So, if you plan to sell your home somewhere down the road, adding a pool is definitely a worthy investment. 

5. The Perfect Staycation Environment  

Due to busy airports, flight delays, and other stresses related to traveling, more and more people are opting to stay at home on the weekends instead of traveling. 

The great thing about having an inground pool is that it can create the perfect staycation environment. 

Whip up some fruity cocktails, buy some books and magazines, and you’ll have the perfect environment for a wonderful staycation by the pool. 

6. Teach Your Kids to Swim in a Comfortable Environment 

Swimming is a very important skill that every child should master. 

But, taking your kid to a public swimming pool for swimming lessons can be very intimidating for them. 

That’s another reason an inground swimming pool is so great. It’s the perfect, comfortable environment for you to teach your kids to swim. Plus, think of all the time you’ll save by not having to drive your kids back and forth from swimming lessons every day. 

7. Great for Asthmatic Children 

It’s estimated that 1 in 12 people have asthma. Is your child an asthma sufferer?

If so, an inground swimming pool can be a great benefit for them. 

This is because swimming is one of the few cardiovascular activities that don’t cause asthma attacks. Plus, swimming can also help increase their overall fitness and confidence levels. 

8. Add Visual Appeal to Your Backyard 

Are you looking to add some visual appeal to your backyard? If so, building a swimming pool is a great way to do it. 

A swimming pool can turn any ho-hum backyard into a tropical oasis. Its pristine, shining water offers the perfect complement to flora and tropical decor. 

This pool company can tell you more about how a pool can add visual appeal to your yard. 

9. Stress Relief 

Humans are more stressed than ever before. 

In fact, it’s estimated that 8 in 10 Americans are afflicted by stress. An inground pool is a perfect place to let your stresses of the day melt away. 

After a long week or day at work, you can just hop in your pool, swim around, and forget about all of your troubles. 

Plus, by having your own pool, you don’t have to deal with the noise or chaos that public pools bring. You can a space that’s just for you where you won’t be interrupted by the outside world. 

10. Grandchildren 

Last but not least, an inground pool can be a great addition to your house if you have- or expect to have- grandchildren. 

If you want to give the grandkids a reason to stay at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, a swimming pool is a perfect incentive. 

Plus, swimming is something that everyone can enjoy, both young and old, so you won’t have to worry about not being able to keep up with your grandchildren in the pool as you might on land. 

Are You Ready to Build a Backyard Pool? 

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to building a backyard pool. 

If you have any questions about building a backyard pool, let us know in the comments below. And, be sure to check in with our blog for more tips on sprucing up your home. 

The one item that wouldn’t be in your garage sale is your old garage door. Who would want it? It creaks, doesn’t lock properly and is showing signs of rot around the edges. 

You might get one more year out of if you’re lucky. On the other hand, it might be best to strike while the iron’s hot. Here are the tell-tale signs that will let you know that it’s time to say, ‘Out with the old and in with the new!’

1. Some Serious Sagging

Wooden garage doors are especially prone to sagging. To stop this from happening they need to be regularly maintained. If not, they’ll soon start to deteriorate and sag often due to rot. 

You can run the risk of your wooden garage door cracking and becoming damaged over time. Paint can peel away, the wood can start to splinter, and it can spoil the overall look of the garage as a whole.

Even if your garage door isn’t wooden, it could still begin to sag. That means there’s an underlying issue. You should always seek professional advice at this point.

If the garage door needs replacing you might want to consider a custom-built roll-up variety. They offer great security against burglary. You can read more about them on this blog post. 

2. Persistent Noise or Rattling 

If your garage door makes a noticeable and unusual noise when opening and closing, it could be time to replace it. The same applies if the door shakes when you open or close it.

Repairs for these sorts of issues can be expensive. Even once fixed, the same problems could well return at some point in the future. Occasional garage door malfunctions are normal and can be fixed by garage door repair experts.

However, if you notice repeated breakdowns from age or normal wear and tear, you should consider replacing the door. Put the money you’d spend on repairs toward a new door instead.

Security Risk

A garage door that does not work well is also a security risk. The door might not provide the required protection for your vehicles and any possessions you store in the garage.  

It might make more financial sense to invest in a new garage door when these issues crop up. If you decide to stick with your old problematic door, sooner or later the cost of any repairs will outweigh what it costs to buy a new door. 

3. An Old Garage Door Is Less Efficient

Older garage doors don’t tend to have as good functionality as their modern counterparts. They may not have the best safety features, for example.

This could include things like having insufficient weather strips, bottom seals, and sealing joints. These are essential to keep the wind at bay and reduce the risk of weather damage.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Injuries

In the past, there have been around thirty thousand injuries each year caused by accidents with garage doors. Many of these incidents involved children.

A significant number of children have even died or suffered permanent brain damage in such accidents. These occurrences could involve faulty automatic garage door systems. They can cause the door to close unexpectedly.

You should check regularly to ensure your door closes the whole way. Ensure that its automatic reverse mechanism is being triggered as it should be. If you don’t, the door could be a danger to you, your family and pets.  

The most modern doors can detect motion. This reduces the risk of you or a loved one getting their hands or feet stuck in a closing door.

5. The Design is Outdated

If you live in an old house with character, then your garage door may be an aesthetic match. Even so, it might be time for a rethink. Modern garage doors can complement all sorts of architectural designs.

Garage door windows come in many styles such as antique, arch-shaped and printed glass.

A lovely property can be badly let down by an unattractive old garage door. The doors are large in size so they tend to be very noticeable. They can make up a significant portion of the house’s facade. 

Spruce up the front of your house up with a beautifully designed garage door. If you’re thinking of selling your home then this will add value to it. Remember, an old, creaking garage door could put potential buyers off.

Installing a new garage door shows that you’re taking care of your home. That’s a very attractive image to present to anyone who may be considering buying your home.

6. The Door is Difficult to Close and Open

Has the garage door has been gradually getting harder to close and open in one movement? If so, then it may not be worth your time or hard-earned cash to fix up. When the problem gets worse over time, it also starts to get irritating.

You don’t want to get your day off to a bad start every day of the week. That can happen if you’re having to struggle to close and lock the garage door every time you set off on your daily commute.

7. Your Garage Is Going to Be Multi-Functional 

It could be that you’re considering converting your garage into another living space. At this point, you might want to consider changing the door. Modern garage doors come in some great contemporary designs.

You could go for some stylish tinted glass windows with aluminum frames which could feature in your new garage door.  You could go for a clean, sleek look or repeat metals and styles in the hardware used on door and its windows.

You could match the color of the door with the exterior of the house for a consistent look. That’s not a golden rule though. If you want a different color, research those which are going to complement each another. 

It’s Time to Splash out on a New Garage Door

An old garage door can make or break the look of your property. It could also be a security issue. It might also provide insufficient protection against severe weather conditions. If so, then it’s time to invest in a new garage door.

Read more articles about useful home improvement tips on our site. 

If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen, expect your cabinets to take up about 40% of your budget. This sounds like a lot, but depending on what you plan to spend, you may find yourself replacing kitchen cabinets on a budget.

Just because you don’t have a lot to spend doesn’t mean you can’t end up with beautiful new cabinets. We have six hacks to help you find affordable cabinets for your remodel.

1. Consider Buying Used

In a world of upcycling and reusing, why not consider buying used cabinets for your kitchen remodel? Of course, you’ll want to proceed with caution. But you can definitely find some great deals and outfit your entire kitchen.

Try looking on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. You need to have a way of hauling your find back to your home. Then you need to have someone who can adjust and install them in your kitchen.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match cabinet pieces. You could find white cabinets that work perfectly for your uppers, and then a colored set for your base cabinets.

Another option is your local Habitat ReStore. These are shops that sell donated goods so that the profits can go towards Habitat for Humanity. You will find everything from appliances to cabinets, to donated building materials.

2. Stick With In-Stock Options at the Big Box Stores

Many home improvement stores have name-brand options that are factory-made and ready for you to take home in a day or two. Try to time your purchase with a kitchen or seasonal sale. You could even look for a rebate from the cabinet manufacturer.

This option works best if you have a standard-sized kitchen. This way you don’t need a lot of customization of your cabinets.

IKEA

A couple of times a year IKEA holds a kitchen sale. During these sales, they discount their cabinets, appliances, and accessories.

This option is appealing due to IKEA’s user-friendly online kitchen designer platform. This lets you design your new kitchen at your own pace. Then buying has never been easier as their helpful employees will ensure you purchase everything you need to install your new kitchen.

The downside is that you need to prepare for hundreds of boxes. This will be the biggest and most complicated puzzle you have ever put together.

3. Check With Local Contractors

Get friendly with your local contractors and let them know what you are looking for. Some of them might be willing to work with you and let you know when they have the cabinets you are looking for.

This is a win-win for them since you buying them means they don’t have to haul them away.

4. Try Wholesale Options

Look for a wholesaler or distributor that can offer you a lower cost than a cabinet retailer. This is because you are skipping the middleman and buying directly from the source. You won’t get to visit a fancy showroom with all of the frills, but it’s worth it since the savings are passed on to you.

To save even more look for RTA cabinets. This way, you assemble them yourself and save on the labor costs.

5. Look for Overstocks

Cabinet companies have to get rid of their returns and overstocks somehow. You’ll have to locate and travel to the manufacturer’s outlet location. But depending on the size of your purchase, even this added expense won’t matter with the amount of savings you can achieve.

You could find brand new cabinets on sale for 80% off. Or you could purchase cabinets that are deeply discounted because they are missing doors.

6. Try a Local Shop

This is not your cheapest option, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune either. First, consider their no-frills options and see if they fit into your budget.

They can help you consider different cabinet door styles that are within your budget. Slab doors are almost always lower cost than ones with a raised panel or inset. Though sometimes you’ll find that shaker style doors are the most affordable.

Import from China

If that doesn’t work, ask about cabinets from China.

Many local cabinet shops offer a discounted option of importing cabinets from China. Now be aware that what you save in price, you give up on features and style. They typically come in very few styles and color options.

They also tend not to have a warranty. Then there are the cautionary tales you’ll find online about cabinet from China containing hazardous chemicals and warping wood.

Shop for the Right Cabinets

No matter where you decide to buy your cabinets, some particular features and customizations will make your cabinets more expensive.

Features

While shopping, don’t go for the soft-close drawers or full-extension slides. This can save you several hundred dollars.

You should also try to have more doors than drawers in general. Those fancy pullouts that hide your trash can will inflate the cost. Is this added expense worth it when you can hide your trash bin under the end of the island or in the pantry?

Materials

Finally, consider the material the cabinets are made out of. An all-plywood construction is going to cost the most. You could save by choosing thermofoil or laminate instead.

If you have your heart set on wood, consider the species of wood. Oak is almost always going to be the most affordable option. Hickory is going to be a step up from oak.

Maple and Cherry are both beautiful but are going to be on the expensive end of the budget spectrum.

Replacing Kitchen Cabinets on a Budget Is Possible

Before you commit to spending a fortune on new kitchen cabinets, consider these six options. They will help you make replacing kitchen cabinets on a budget easier.

If buying used doesn’t bother you then repurposing someone’s old cabinets or buying a manufacturer’s returns may be the perfect solution. If you want new, then try looking for options at a big box store or local shop.

Check out the budget section of our blog for more tips on saving money around your home.

As the heat of summer seems to settle in for the long haul, the prospect of cranking on your oven to cook dinner feels less and less appealing. Sweating away in a hot kitchen is enough to kill any cook’s appetite.

So when you’re feeling the heat in the kitchen and want to cool off with some barbequing and alfresco dining, you need an outdoor dining area that meets your needs. Whether it’s a small urban balcony or a sprawling country yard, you can create the perfect outdoor dining area for all your summer entertaining.

Check out these 9 design ideas to inspire the outdoor space of your dreams:

1. Remember: Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

Adding lighting elements is a quick and easy way to elevate any dining space.

Check out some options such as hurricanes, chandeliers, or Edison bulbs for that French cafe experience. Pick a lighting option that is as aesthetically pleasing during the daytime when it’s shut off as it is at night when you turn it on.

Don’t have electricity in your outdoor space? Consider battery-operated lights or solar lights!

Adding lighting keeps the dining experience going well into the night.

2. Pick Weatherproof Furniture

There’s nothing worse than going outside to sit down on your patio furniture and finding all of the cushions soaking wet. You’ll want to pick a dining set that works for all weather – even right after a storm!

Great options include wooden furniture, wicker furniture, and metal dining set that can be easily wiped down.

3. Decide How Formal It Should Be

An outdoor dining area does not mean the same thing to every person. You need to decide how you’ll most often be using the area and what level of formality it needs to exude.

Do you have a brood of little kids that would make a classy glass table and romantic setting unrealistic? Maybe you like entertaining big groups for dinner parties and need a dining table for 8?

For a less formal seating option consider a lounge area with comfy chairs and a long couch where people can pick at appetizers and relax.

4. Don’t Forget About the Bar

Being able to quickly whip up an icy drink makes dining outside so much more appealing. If the outdoor space is large enough, you may want to invest in a bar area.

However, if your tiny apartment balcony doesn’t allow for a full bar, you can always set up a rolling bar cart that can be brought out to the dining area for dinner and stashed somewhere else the rest of the time.

Nothing says outdoor dining like margaritas and fresh lemonade!

5. Keep It Green

You are eating outside, after all, so make sure you bring some natural elements into your design.

Whether that’s a lush garden to add some privacy from your neighbors’ prying eyes, or a potted succulent on the table to add a splash of nature to your table, green elements go a long way toward setting the mood for an outdoor dining area.

6. Provide Some Shade

If it’s too hot to eat inside, it’s probably too hot to eat in the direct sun. Keep your space cool with some shade options.

Large trees are a great option. All you have to do is pick a place for the table that maximizes shade time. If you don’t have the luxury of a backyard full of trees to work with, you can make sure you aren’t sweating in the heat with these other shade options:

• Shade sails or canopies
• Umbrellas
• Pergolas

Even adding a ceiling fan to your porch ceiling can make a huge difference in your outdoor dining experience.

7. Up Your Flooring Game

Depending on the size of your outdoor space, and what the current flooring is, you may want to up your game by adding an outdoor rug. A rug delineates the area, freshens up a boring space with color or texture, and is much comfier to walk on barefoot.

If a rug doesn’t work, you can freshen up the flooring with a quick coat of light-colored paint, new pavers, or an investment into better lawn care.

8. Bring the Beats

Hosting a dinner outside almost necessitates background music to set the right feeling. If you don’t have a way to pipe your indoor music outside, you’ll want to invest in an outdoor music speaker.

Options that are waterproof are best. You can even find some outdoor speakers that double as lights, making them a beautiful decoration to be displayed rather than tucked into an obscure corner.

9. Keep the Table Fresh

If you have a small space or other limiting factors that are keeping you from going all out on your outdoor dining area design, you should keep it simple.

By keeping the design of your outdoor eating area very simple and clean, you make the space seem larger. This also provides you the option of jazzing up the design on an as-needed basis with your table settings.

You can make beautiful edible displays of fresh fruit, add a pop of color with brightly colored serving bowls, and increase elegance with crisp linens on the table. Making the table setting the focal point allows you to create a new experience each time you dine outside.

Enjoy Your New Outdoor Dining Area!

Once the design elements are in place, go outside and enjoy your new outdoor dining area! It’s a space that can only be used for so many months out of the year, so get on out there and use it while the summer heat sticks around.

Looking for more design inspiration? Check out our other blog posts for other ideas on how to style your space.

Kitchen cabinets are an important decision. First, they’re expensive. The cost of cabinets makes up to 40% of a kitchen renovation budget.

Cabinets range from $100 to $1,500 per linear foot. The materials alone are $50 to $650 per cabinet. Labor, cabinet quality and customization add to the total price.

Second, the cabinets set the mood and style of your kitchen. Get it right and you’ll be happy for years and years. Choose the wrong cabinets and they’ll annoy you every time you step into the kitchen.

The expense, design, and durability factors make choosing kitchen cabinets a high-pressure decision. Lucky for you, we have tips for choosing the best kitchen cabinets for your space.

This guide can help you navigate the decision-making process. The result is cabinets that fit both your budget and lifestyle

Keep reading if you plan an upgrade or complete overhaul of your cabinets.

Step 1: Clarify Your Goals

Consider how you want your kitchen to look and function. Ask yourself serious questions before you begin. Having a plan helps to guarantee you like the finished product.

What’s Wrong with the Cabinets You Have Now?

Identify what you do and don’t like. Focus on solving problems like poor location, lack of storage space, and style issues.

What Is Your Home’s Existing Decor?

The style of your home influences your cabinet choice. For example, a mid-century modern home shouldn’t have a Victorian-style kitchen.

You can buy cabinets to match the age and style of a home. Cabinet style options range from classic antique to updated European to minimalist modern.

Picking a style helps narrow your options and lets you focus on appropriate cabinets.

How Long Do You Plan to Stay in the Home?

Are you creating your dream kitchen or prepping the house to sell it? The answer determines how your budget and customization choices.

People spend more on quality and customization on a kitchen they plan to use for many years. The budget is lower on a rental or resale home.

Do You Want a Green Kitchen?

Do you want cabinets that consider the environment? Renewable and sustainable materials are available for consumers who want to go green. Research cabinets made of reclaimed wood, wheat board, and bamboo.

Look at Your Priorities

Decide what features are most important to you. Is it style, durability, visual appeal, or functionality? Pick your kitchen cabinet must-haves.

Is your heart set on certain exotic wood? Do you want custom cabinets with built-in racks? Be realistic about custom finishes and unique hardware. Use your budget as a guide.

Do You Need New Cabinets?

If all you want a style update, consider refacing your cabinets instead of replacing them.

If your cabinets are in good shape try refacing them. Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts with a new veneer. Update the handles, drawer pulls, and hinges are the same time.

Step 2: Understand the Types of Cabinets

It’s important to understand cabinet terminology. The terms stock, semi-custom, and custom describe the manufacturing process.

Stock Cabinets

Stock cabinets are pre-made. You buy them off-the-shelf in a limited number of styles and sizes.

Stock cabinets are inexpensive. Most use frameless construction with no lip or reveal around the door. You can buy stock cabinets assembled or ready-to-assemble.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets are pre-manufactured like stock cabinets. But, there is a wider choice of sizes, finishes, and details. You can pick and choose features to customize to a certain extent.

Most semi-custom cabinets have solid-wood framing that shows around the doors and drawers.

Premium Cabinets

A premium cabinet is one step below made-to-order cabinets. They offer the most style and storage options available without buying custom cabinets. Many models have high-quality features that can cost as much as made-to-order units.

Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are to the client’s specifications. There’s no limit to size or style options.

The customer picks the wood grade, finish, and features they want. Custom cabinets can be fancy or simple. Either way, the cabinets fit your specific kitchen design.

Custom cabinets are expensive since they’re one-of-a-kind.

Step 3: Consider Your Budget

Now that you know the types of cabinets, consider which kind fits your budget.

Choose stock cabinets if you like the standard styles and colors. You can find affordable stock cabinets at home stores and IKEA.

Pick semi-custom cabinets if you want more options and don’t mind paying for them.

Buy custom or made-to-order cabinets if you want cabinets built for your kitchen alone. You’ll get a perfect fit with the specific features you want.

Step 4: Pick Your Style

Cabinet doors are important since they’re the most visible part of your cabinet. Choose your door style with care. Your budget may help you decide.

Framed cabinets are the traditional box with a face frame. The cabinet doors and drawers attach to the frame.

Frameless or European-style cabinets don’t have a frame. The doors and drawers attach to the cabinet box. The look is modern.

What type of finish do you want? You can choose dark, light, bamboo, stained, and lacquered. Dark cherry and light maple are both beautiful finishes, yet evokes a different style.

Don’t forget about the hardware. Doorknobs, door pulls, and hinges add to the cabinet style. Decorative hardware can make the least expensive cabinets look special.

Step 5: Choose Functional Features

Features like a pullout garbage can and soft-close drawers are desirable. How about a spring-loaded shelf that swings up and out for easy access to small appliances?

Consider recycling bins and a charging station for personal electronics. Put a Lazy Susan in a deep corner cabinet. Add a pots and pans pullout drawer.

A recent trend is full-height cabinets. They extend from floor to ceiling to create an accent wall. The added storage holds everything from cookbooks to appliances to a built-in desk.

Choose the Best Kitchen Cabinets for Your Lifestyle

Kitchen cabinets are a big deal. The size and cost of your project add stress to the decision-making.

Use this guide to help you through the process. Visit home stores and expos to see cabinets in person. Ask questions if something isn’t clear.

The more you know, the easier it is to choose the best kitchen cabinets for your situation.

Visit our lifestyle and budget sections for more tips on life’s most important choices.

Buying a house can be a stressful production when it comes to money. But it doesn’t always have to be this way. While many desire to make this dream a reality, not many know which avenues to explore to get there.

Most people focus on the mortgage but what they really need to look at is the deposit. A deposit or a down payment is an integral part of your journey towards owning a house. It’s a sizeable amount that many find hard to come up with.

Once you finally manage to gather up enough for the deposit, soon after you strive each month to come up with the money needed to service your mortgage loan to cover the amount used to make a full purchase.

“How much should I save to buy a house?” Here are some key things to know about.

The Full Cost of the House

Mortgages exist to help people become homeowners. But you can’t fully depend on mortgages to cater for everything when you are planning to buy a house.

Most lenders and home sellers require you to come up with 20 percent of the total price of the house.

The next question would be, can you afford it? When doing your calculations, it is important to factor in not just the down payment needed but also the accrued interest that you may have to finance along with the monthly payments over the entire period of the mortgage.

Note that issues such as a poor credit score may leave you servicing a mortgage loan with a far higher interest rate attached.

Average home prices range from $150,000 to $200,000 give or take. A sensible way to come up with the down payment you need is through savings.

For example, if you plan to save $45,000 for your down payment in 5 years, you will have to save $9,000 per year to meet your goal.

What Is Your Time Frame?

It’s easy to say that you want to own a house in the next, say, 5 years. But it is wise to also look at your finances and compare it to your expenses to determine whether or not this is indeed possible.

If you happen to have other loans that you are servicing, retirement savings or you have other urgent demands for money, you should consider either going for a cheaper house or going for a longer time frame.

Remember, if you have a shorter time frame, you will need to work extra hard to come up with the relatively higher savings required annually to meet your down payment goals.

Figure Out the Best Way to Save

There are a ton of ways to set some money aside for your home. Many opt to go for alternatives such as real estate investment trusts or stocks. The only problem here is that these are risky ventures may or may not work for you.

Better, safer alternatives would be to either go for the good old savings account or opt for a certificate of deposit. This way, you leave no room for risk or error which may leave you without a house in the long run.

A useful tip here would be to automate your savings. The moment your monthly or weekly payments reach your account, a part of it is instantly deducted and sent to the savings account.

This helps keep you disciplined and focused on meeting your savings goals within the set period of time.

Have a Flexible Budget

Nothing should be cast on stone. In the beginning, you may target to save a particular amount in down payment. But who knows what the future holds?

You may have a medical emergency or become a parent for example, which means most of your money will be focused elsewhere. In turn, this may prompt you to adjust your budget for a house downwards.

On the other hand, you may get a well-paying job that puts you in a position to be able to afford a higher budget.

Whatever your circumstances are, you should be willing to accept your financial situation and adjust accordingly.

Be Creative

Commitment is key in your quest towards home ownership. Nothing spells commitment more than you trying to find alternative yet clever ways to hit your annual targets when it comes to saving.

Maybe you just received an unexpected gift in form of cash for your birthday, or your income tax refund finally came through. Maybe your surprise bonus or large commission check has been approved.

Instead of resigning to euphoria and spending all the money, why don’t you send it all to your down payment savings account?

This will help ease your financial burden and it will shorten the duration you will take before you manage to come up with all the money needed for that deposit.

What you would have saved in five years may only take you three or four years if you stay truly committed.

Factor in the Hidden Charges

Now that you have mapped a way to come up with the deposit for your home and you have an idea of where you will access your mortgage, you may assume that all the financial demands have been settled. But not quite, because there are other charges involved. They include:

• Application fees
• Home inspection costs
• Credit check costs
• Earnest money
• Closing costs

All these additional costs are usually not covered by your mortgage loan. This means you will need to dig deeper into your pockets to buy your house.

How Much Should I Save to Buy a House? It Depends on Your Particular Situation

How much should I save to buy a house? No two people have the same homeownership experiences.

For some, it’s a smooth and easy process. For many, it is a journey full of ups and downs.

That said, it is imperative that you hold into account all the points listed above, save diligently and refrain from divisive and destructive habits that may bar you from owning a home.

Nothing beats the joy that comes with finally being a homeowner.

Once you get the keys to your house, you will have all learned important lessons along the way which will help you plan your finances better, change your bad spending habits and adopt new ones and overall live a more rewarding life.

Check out our homes and real estate page to read about intriguing stories on what’s trending.

Since 2013, the US real estate appraisal market has grown by 1.1% – reaching $9 billion in revenue. The rise of the home appraisal market is due in part to improvements in home construction. Before selling your home or having your mortgage refinanced, you should have your home appraised.

But what does a home appraisal entail? The best home appraisals are done by a licensed appraiser. He or she will come to your property, inspect it, and assess its current value.

Certain factors they consider include the condition of your property and curb appeal.

Does this sound nerve-wracking? It doesn’t need to be!

Keep ready for five tips on getting the best home appraisal, putting you in the best position for selling your property.

What Is a Home Appraisal?

In short, an appraiser will assess your home from all angles to determine its value. This includes the value of the land as well as the home built on it. Hired by mortgage lenders or by banks, a home appraisal is critical for closing the deal on a home sale.

It also determines whether or not you can get your mortgage refinanced.

Tips to Getting the Best Home Appraisal

The best home appraisal gets done by a certified and state licensed expert. His or her primary responsibility is to evaluate your home and determine how much its worth. If the value is low, your buyer will have trouble getting enough financing from the lender.

Want to ensure you get a professional home appraisal?

Read on and learn five key tips for getting your home professionally appraised at the right price!

1. Make the Appraiser Feel Comfortable

Before the appraiser arrives at your home, set the heater or AC to a comfortable temperature. If you have a ceiling fan, turn it on. We recommend lighting a candle or two.

If you have pets, leash them or send them to the neighbors. Whatever you can do to create a calm, welcoming environment for the appraiser, do it!

2. Keep up with Small Repairs

Are all your lights working? Do you have missing shingles or tough ceiling water stains? Is your paint peeling or your plumbing leaking?

Start making these small repairs long before the appraiser arrives. If the appraiser discovers these small problems during their inspection, chances are it will affect your appraisal and pricing.

Age is a major factor in getting the best home appraisal. And while you can’t change the date your home was built, you can add upgrades and a little TLC to keep it looking updated and fresh.

One great way to update your home is to invest in new roofing.

If the appraiser groups your home with other “new homes”, it increases the value, putting your buyers in a better financial position.

3. Check the Safety Equipment

Are the smoke alarm, home security alarm, and carbon monoxide alarm working? If not, check the batteries or replace them.

Make sure you have fire extinguishers in designated places throughout your home and the inspections are current.

4. Document Your Renovations

If you’ve recently made any major changes to your home, document them. We also recommend taking before and after photos. Maintain a spreadsheet of what you’ve spent.

For instance, if you installed security doors, document the renovations. Don’t forget to show the appraiser the receipts.

5. Inform the Appraiser About Your Neighborhood

If your lender doesn’t send a local appraiser, it is important to supply the appraiser with information about your neighborhood. Have there been any major changes in the area? For instance, a new park, museum or upscale restaurants.

Local additions can increase your property value.

Getting the Best Home Appraisal

A few more ways to get the best home appraisal is to deep clean your home, boost your curb appeal, go green, or renovate your attic and basement.

Be sure to give the appraiser space as they go through your home. Don’t hover or make them feel pressured. This could backfire.