How to Create an Outdoor Living Space on a Budget?

Hanging out with your friends and family outdoors is the best part of summer.  In order to do so, you have a great outdoor living retreat.  But how can you have a nice retreat without breaking the bank?

Warm Up the Front Porch- Make inexpensive updates like painting your or flower pots.  Even consider adding a rocking chair with a comfy pillow.

Add Flowers- Sometimes all you need to brighten up a space is a pretty pot of flowers.  Build a flower bed by using an old iron bed.

Create a Water Feature- Create a sense of peace and tranquility in your outdoor space by adding a water feature.

Make Furniture Multi-Task- Add a dual-purpose table with adjustable height so it can serve as a coffee table or a dining table.

Hang a Daybed- Hang daybed to create the perfect place to take a nap.

Paint a Rug- Paint a “rug” on your deck or porch surrounding your table or furniture.

Build a Fire Pit- Stack rectangular pavers in a staggered pattern then line the pavers with fire bricks for a custom fire pit.

Paint a Birdhouse- Adding a birdhouse will add a beautiful focal point and can be used to from a view.

What are the Costs to Buying a Home?

You’ve saved up for your down payment, calculated the mortgage you can afford, now it’s time to purchase your first home but what hidden costs can come with it you may not expect.

Appraisal- Your property’s true worth will be determined and you will be expected to pay for a home appraisal.  The appraisal not only assures that you aren’t overpaying but can also be used as a negotiating tool.

Home Inspection- The inspection will determine if there are any issues to your new home.  The professional(s) will look for any flaws in the foundation and roof as well as check for any costly repairs.

Additional Inspections- Additional inspections including land survey, termite, sewer, chimney, or other ancillary inspections may be required or recommended for your new home. 

Repairs to Home- If the inspection turns up with any issues that the seller will not cover, or if you purchase a home that isn’t in perfect condition, you may find yourself spending money on repairs and changes before you move it.

Home Warranty- Although a home warranty is temporary, it might be an expense you want to consider.  The home warranty can offset the costs of pricy repairs and ultimately save you thousands of dollars.

Closing Costs- Closing costs can run between 1-5% of the total purchase price of your home.  However, you may negotiate part of the closing costs to be covered by the seller.  You may also have to pay private mortgage insurance if your down payment is less than 20% in additional to property taxes, fees for title searches and other filing costs.

Moving Costs- Professional movers can be expensive depending on the time and distance of your move.  You may also have to consider renting a storage unit, if you are downsizing or moving into a temporary place until your new home is ready.

Additional Insurance or Expenses- Additional insurance might be necessary for your home especially if you live in a flood plan.  You may want to prepare for costly repairs too that may include your water heater, furnace, or A/C unit to stop working.

How Much Sellers Pay in Closing Costs?

Making money off your home is what you are really thinking about when it comes to selling your home.  The chances are good that you’ve mentally spent much of the proceeds already on a new home you are buying or maybe even on a nice vacation.  But it’s time to slow down a bit.  While you are selling a home, which can bring in some nice profits not every dollar goes into your pocket. 

Real estate agent commission explained

On an average, home sellers pay their listing agent a commission amounting to about 6% of the price of their home.  That means some of your profit will go towards the expense of selling your home.  Real estate agents split the commission between the buyer’s agent and themselves.  The commission fee helps pay to market your home including signage, photographs, listing your home on multiple sites, and open house expenses. 

How much sellers pay in closing costs

Sellers do have to pay some closing costs when it comes to selling your home.  You can expect to spend an additional 1% of your homes price on closing costs, depending on the price of the home.  Closing costs tent to be fixed and include transfer taxes, escrow expenses and notary fees.  You will also have to pay any outstanding property taxes, a prorated share of the water and sewage bills and the remainder of your mortgage.

How to Find the Perfect Neighborhood?

Now that you’ve made the decision to move from one home to another, it’s time to decide where you want to move to.  While you search the internet and look at potential homes, you must first decide what type of neighborhood you want to live in and the location.  You may ask yourself “do we enjoy the area we are currently in or do we want to pursue a different area?”

Pinpoint Your Wants

Before you start looking at homes, sit down and make a list of what you want in a new neighborhood.  You should consider the price point of the house but don’t stop there.  Think of the small things that make your life even better like sidewalks or access to a pool.

Valuing the View

When you start looking at homes, take the view in- do you like what you see, is it something to you look at everyday?  Do the neighbors maintain their home?  Are other homes in the neighborhood upkept well?  Are there a lot of for rent signs along your drive?

Commute and Convenience

When you are deciding where to live consider your time spent outside of the home.  How long will it take you to get to and from work or to drop your kids off at their school.  Close proximity to your most frequented locations will give you more time to enjoy your new house and less time in the car.

Basic Coverage

Look up the crime rates in the various locations you are considering moving to.  Review your family’s collective personality.  When it comes to your lifestyle, think about the local points of interest that will be close to you. 

Future Focused

What does your future hold?  It may not be easy to predict but if you are already considering changing jobs, having children or changing school are they within the proximity of your new home?

Save time and heartache by considering all of these points before you buy your next home.  With a little research and planning your home will be in a central location of all of your favorite activities.

How to Maintain Your Home During Each Season

With every season comes a new to-do list for your home.  Just like car maintenance, your home needs maintenance to prevent unforeseen repairs, consistent upkeep, and small changes.  By continuously maintaining your home, you will save money and time each season.

Spring Checklist:

Give your home a once-over- check for holes in brick, cracks in the siding, or any other damage that could have happened over the winter.  Inspect your foundation or any crack and do any silicone caulking repair to anything as needed.  Coming off of the fall and winter means your roof has taken a beating, check for any leaks or damage.  Don’t forget to clean out your gutters and be sure they have no damage.  Schedule an annual air conditioner inspection with a professional company to avoid any issues during the hot summer days

Summer Checklist:

Living in Nebraska we know that summer brings heat and humidity.  Insects love this weather, hire a pest control company to eliminate the bugs.  Pressure wash and stain the deck and patio to create a new space to hang out with your friends and family.  Clean out your exterior vents and dryer vents- vacuum your dryer hose to remove all of the lint.  Check all of your plumbing pipes to ensure there are no leaks.

Fall Checklist:

Fall is your time to prepare your home for the cold winter months.  Rake the leaves that have fallen off the trees a few times a month.  Flush your hot water heater and clear out any sediment.  These items can be done on your own but you can also hire a professional to help.  Schedule maintenance on your furnace to avoid a breakage on a cold winter day.  Inspect your driveway for any cracks and seal them before winter hits.

Winter Checklist:

Winters are meant for staying indoors next to the fire or playing in the snow with your family.  It is also the time to check grout and drains in the bathroom and fix as needed.  Grease any noisy door hinges or sticking locks.  Have your basement  cleaned, dusted, and inspected.  Check your smoke detectors and change out batteries.  Finally vacuum your refrigerator coils.