If you’ve only ever rented before, the necessity of a home warranty may be unknown to you. As a renter, you are used to a landlord who will fix any issues you run into – but that all changes when you become a homeowner. Now, when a water heater breaks or the fridge starts to leak on the new floors in the kitchen, there is no landlord to call. So what do you do now? You may have a friend or family member who can handle the smaller fixes, but when it comes to the big issues that will end up emptying your pockets, a home warranty can save the day.

A home warranty is similar to insurance, as it covers some or all of the costs of replacements or repairs when a system in your home malfunctions or stops working altogether. They range in annual costs of $300-$900 and remove the middle man in the fixing process. Instead of finding someone to fix an issue, you will directly contact your warranty provider and they will set up the repair or replacement with the appropriate vendors. Your premium usually covers all costs, with the exception of a co-pay which is typically around $50.

If you’re wondering who should buy a warranty, they are usually recommended for first time home buyers who have rented up until that point. When you are used to having a landlord, a home warranty can fill that role in a different way. Home warranties are great for homes with both members in the work force outside of the house or just busy family members who can’t always be home to wait for the repair person window or find the time to even get quotes for the best repair shops in the area. Home warranties aren’t just for first time buyers, though. If your appliances are nearing the end of their life expectancy, now would be a great time to get a warranty. If all of your appliances were purchased in the same time frame, you don’t want to face the costs of them all failing at the same time. Warranties can save you time and money, especially in the first year of ownership.

If 2020 is the year for you to buy a home, consider making these 5 New Year’s resolutions to help you be as prepared as possible to become a homeowner.

1. Cut down on monthly subscriptions.

With each month, there is a new subscription service out there. What starts as convenience turns into an endless list of subscriptions that we often don’t use enough to justify the costs. Sit down and go through your monthly/yearly subscriptions and cancel whatever you don’t use. Set aside that extra money with the rest of your savings so your down payment can continue to grow.

2. Build a better credit history.

Paying bills on time and paying off debts will help create a solid credit history. Make sure you have some utilities or rent in your name so that you can pay them on time and continue to build a solid credit history.

3. Avoid changing careers.

Alongside income, your employment history will be a major factor during your mortgage application evaluation. While a new job could be a good career move, most evaluators are looking for a steady job history with little to no gaps in your employment over the last few years.

4. Check your credit.

If you don’t know where your credit is at currently, now is the best time to check. Most credit sites will tell you what is impacting your credit, and you can use those tips to change your choices heading into the new year. If large debts are negatively impacting your credit, get started on a pay off plan so your score can improve in the new year.

5. Avoid large purchases.

Your debt-to-credit ratio makes a major impact on your mortgage approval. If you buy a brand new car or fund a large vacation, that ratio could sway in the wrong direction. If you want your lender to be willing to give you the maximum amount possible, make sure you aren’t making any large purchases heading into the new year.

Bathroom tile grout can become quite the headache. Being a high traffic area, it can feel impossible to keep sparkling clean in these areas, especially in mold-prone spots near toilets and tubs. If your grout is looking less-than-fabulous, you can try this quick trick and save yourself a renovation.

The Items You Need:
Vinegar + water solution (or your preferred floor cleaner)
Scrub brush
Paper towels
Small craft paintbrush
Grout renewer product (sold in hardware or home improvement stores)

STEPS

1. Using the vinegar and water solution, clean your floors with your scrub brush. Be as thorough as possible. Once the floors are as clean as you can get them, give them time to dry. The grout renewer works best on clean, dry floors.

2. Using your paintbrush, brush the renewer onto the grout. Avoid getting any of the renewer on the tile, and be sure to wipe it off if you have any accidents. Work from the back of the room to the doorway so you don’t have to worry about smudging any of the renewer when you head back out of the room.

3. Once all the grout lines have been painted, avoid walking on the tile for 24 hours and let it fully dry for 72 hours. Now your bathroom tile should look fresh and clean! A quick fix all for under $20.

If you’ve ever seen a perfectly styled room, you probably noticed that the area rug was used to tie the room together. Because they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and designs, it can be overwhelming to decide what area rug is perfect for the room you are trying to decorate. Here is a short guide to help you find the perfect fit.

1. Determine your price range.

In order to shrink your option pool, the best first step is deciding how much you want to spend. Area rugs can get expensive, and they tend to grow in price as they grow in size. Other factors, such as material type and pile (the height of your rug fibers) will impact the price too. If you set a range before you go shopping, you can save yourself the heartbreak over a rug that is way out of your budget.

2. Decide on a size.

Ultimately, the size of the rug is up to you. There are recommendations depending on the room type, but it is YOUR home so the final call is yours. For living rooms, it is recommended that you center the rug and make sure it is large enough to cover all furniture space. Low-pile rugs will last longer if you have a heavily trafficked living room. For your dining room, consider a rug that will hide stains from accidental spills and will have about 2 feet of empty rug space outside of your table – that way, dining chairs won’t scratch your floor. For bedrooms, choose a carpet that has 3 or more feet on each side of your bed. Usually high-pile rugs are best for bedrooms to add a cozy vibe.

3. Choose a style & color.

You’ve made it to the best part! Now that you’ve slimmed down your choices with price and size, you have options based on your color and style preference. When choosing your color, keep in mind that the rug can either be the dominant color in the room or it can accent colors you already have. Designs are all about personal preference. If you want the rug to have a bright pattern, it can be the center point of your room. Otherwise, you can pick a calming rug that balances out the room if it is otherwise busy. Keep in mind that patterns will hide stains and traffic.

LADIES OF REAL ESTATE

Fall is finally here which means plenty of nights spent enjoying the outdoors. While the days may be comfortable, some nights are still a little chilly. If you have been thinking of ways to still be outside while also being warm and cozy, a fire pit could be the right choice for you. Here is the way to make your own backyard fire pit for this summer!

PREPARE

First, make sure building your own fire pit doesn’t break your local fire code. Check for suggestions or guidelines on how far the pit needs to be away from your home or other structures for safety purposes.

Now that you know you can build, it is time to pick up supplies! You may already have some of these items at home, but you can find whatever you don’t have at your local hardware store. This is what you’ll need:

Bricks for the wall
Gravel
Twine
Tape Measure
Stake
Shovel
Trowel
Level

BUILD

The first step you’ll make is creating a circle where you want your fire pit. Take your stake and place it in the center of where you want your circle. Next, you’ll want to cut your twine to half of the length of your goal size. If you want a pit 5 feet in diameter, make your twine 2.5 feet long. Tie one end of your twine to your stake and the other end to your trowel. Drag the trowel with the twine fully extended around the stake, using the sharp part of the trowel to create a clear circle in the grass.

The second step requires your shovel. You will shovel out all of the grass inside of the circle you have created, and tamp down the dirt remaining in the circle with the bottom of your shovel. Make sure your circle is level, and make adjustments by adding or removing dirt to do so.

Next, you will add several inches of gravel. Make sure you spread the gravel evenly, covering your entire circle.

Now is time to add your bricks. Create a circle with your bricks, leaving a few inches of gravel around the outer rim as a safety buffer. You will want to stack your bricks until the wall of your fire pit is at least a foot tall.

ENJOY

Now you can use your brand new fire pit. If you’re still looking for a home where you can build a fire pit, give me a call!

If you’re a first time home buyer, the stress of choosing the perfect house for your family can feel overwhelming at first. While that stress may seem very real, it is often unnecessary. Instead of entering the market trying to find a house that is perfect in every way, keep an open mind. Approach the situation with a willingness to hear ideas and you are much more likely to find a home that you and your family will love. The process can be long and require work, but it will be worth it in the end – and it does not have to drive you crazy. Here are some tips to guide you when you are trying to find potential new homes and how to know if it is the right one for you.

DECIDE ON DEAL BREAKERS

The easiest way to narrow down the right house for you is to start by deciding what you either can’t live without or cannot tolerate. If two bedrooms will never work for you, or you must have a large backyard for your pets, create a list of those things so that you can rule out properties that just aren’t worth your time.

TRUST YOUR GUT

There may be times when you walk into a home and it seems like it may fit what you need, but there is just something off that you can’t shake. On that same note, if you tour a home and you instantly fall in love, don’t doubt your feelings. Sleeping on a house you love for too long can end up in you losing that home to someone else. Trust your instincts and you will end up in the home that is perfect for you.

TRY TO VISUALIZE

Can you see yourself in this home? Can you imagine your children playing in the backyard and doing homework in the kitchen? If you are touring a home and can already picture what it would be like for your family to live there, you are heading in the right direction.

KEEP LOCATION IN MIND

While a house may check most of your boxes, don’t forget to consider the neighborhood. Are things that are important to your family close by? Are you close enough to good schools or your place of employment? Make sure that you consider location factors so that you don’t end up in a home that becomes an inconvenience.

TRUST YOUR AGENT

While it is important to know what you want and trust your gut in the process, don’t forget that your agent has your best interest in mind. They want to find you the perfect home, and they have worked hard to do that for many others before you. They know the ins and outs of the real estate world, and are there to help you if you are willing to trust them!