Trish

You’ve had enough of the apartment life. You’re finally looking to move into a home. That said, you’re new to this process. As such, you’re looking or a little advice.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. This is the ultimate first time home buyer guide.

Mortgage Options

Odds are, you’re going to have to buy your house with the help of a mortgage. Note, though, that in order to secure a mortgage, you’re going to have to meet some requirements. These requirements will vary based on the type of mortgage you pursue, with some being quite stringent and others being fairly lax.

We’ll review the requirements for different types of mortgages below.

Conventional Mortgages

Conventional mortgage requirements can vary a bit. Note, though, that most require a minimum down payment of around 5%. As far as credit scores go, conventional mortgages generally require a minimum of 620.

The higher your down payment, and the higher your credit score, the greater your interest rate will be. It’s wise to put down 20% and have a credit score of at least 720, if possible.

FHA Loans

FHA loans are sponsored by HUD or the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These loans are designed for low and moderate-income individuals, as well as those with poor credit scores.

If your credit score is higher than 500 but lower than 580, you’ll have to put 10% down on your home. If your credit score is higher than 580, you’ll only have to put 3.5% down on your home. Note, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be.

USDA Loans

If you’re looking to buy a home in a “rural” area, you should consider a USDA loan. These loans require no down payment and are geared toward low and moderate-income families.

There is no official credit score limit for these loans. However, lenders generally want you to have a 640 credit score or higher.

These loans generally carry fairly low-interest rates. As such, they might very well be the best options for you.

Adjusted Rate Mortgages

The mortgages discussed above generally establish a consistent interest rate from year to year. Adjusted rate mortgages, on the other hand, possess interest rates that fluctuate over time.

So, while adjusted rate mortgages could potentially save you money, they could also end up costing you money. They’re quite risky and are completely at the mercy of the market.

For more information on these mortgages and others, talk to a mortgage broker like Tina Chumley.

VA Loans

If you’re a military veteran, you can opt for a VA loan. These loans have no minimum credit score and come with interest rates that are much lower than those associated with FHA, USDA, and conventional loans. There’s also no down payment requirement, so you could conceivably obtain one at any time.

Understanding First Time Home Buyer Programs

There are a number of first time home buyer programs out there, many of which will assist you with down payments and closing costs. Some of these are sponsored by states and municipalities, while others of these are sponsored by private organizations. To get the greatest deal possible, you’re advised to look into these programs.

Call up the housing department for the municipality in which you hope to live. Give a call to the state’s housing department. Mention that you’re a first time home buyer and that you’re wondering if there is any financial assistance available. In the right situations, you could end up scoring as much as $15,000 toward the cost of your house.

Buying a Fixer-Upper vs Buying a Home That’s in Good Shape

Odds are, when you’re scoping out homes, you’re coming across a variety of fixer-uppers. These homes are currently in poor condition but might be able to benefit from some critical updates.

The question is: are they worth it? Or would you be better off with buying a home that’s already in good shape? There are pros and cons to each, all of which we’ll discuss below.

Buying a Fixer-upper

Fixer-uppers are almost always cheaper than homes that are in good condition. As such, they have the potential to be bargains. This depends on how much updates end up costing. Depending on the circumstances, this can be just a little or quite a bit.

Of course, fixing up a house is an intensive process. Not only will it delay the amount of time it takes you to get into your home, but it will also saddle you with a lot more work.

However, because you get to dictate the updates, you get to decide on many of the home’s decor characteristics. This isn’t true when you buy a home that’s already in good shape.

Buying a Home That’s in Good Shape

Buying a home that’s in good shape is undoubtedly going to cost you more money than is buying a fixer-upper, at least initially. However, there will be no doubt about what you’re getting into. Your mortgage rate will be set and you’ll be paying the same thing every month for the foreseeable future.

Plus, because your home won’t require any additional work, you’ll be able to move in as soon as you’ve closed on it. This can be hugely beneficial in situations where you have nowhere else to stay.

The biggest downside of this option is that it limits your ability to make custom aesthetic updates. You could, of course, but it would end up costing you quite a bit more money.

The First Time Home Buyer Guide Will Serve You Well

Don’t leave your first home purchase to chance. Take advantage of this first time home buyer guide and you’ll end up with the home you’ve always dreamed of, at a price that you can afford.

Need similar info? Our website has all of the information you could ever need. Take a look at our other articles now!

 

What’s this? Did you wake up with a cold chill down your spin? Are you walking around your house wrapped around in a blanket? There’s no doubt about it: fall has arrived, and things will only get colder from here.

With that being said, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to fight back and stay warm. One of the best ways to do that is to invest in a new gas home furnace. These furnaces are easy to have installed, and unlike traditional furnaces, they’re legal just about everywhere and can work in any house using gas.

However, before purchasing a new or replacement home furnace you’re going to want to make sure that you invest in only the best ones to do the job. Luckily for you, this article has the answers that you seek. Keep reading to find out which furnace features you should look into!

1. Keep Your Climate in Mind

One of the most important things that you need to keep in mind is the climate you live in. Most first-time furnace buyers belive that all furnaces are created equal, but there are different classes that will produce different levels of heating for your home.

For warmer climates like in the southern regions, you’re less likely to experience freezing cold temperatures, so you could get away with a furnace that has an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of around 80. Colder regions are going to need something stronger, and you should look for a furnace that has an AFUE of at least 90.

2. Think About the Type of Furnace

The type of gas furnace is another factor you’ll want to consider. There are three different types to choose from: single stage, two-stage, and modulating furnaces. single stage is best for milder climates, while the modulating furnaces are perfect for cold temperatures.

3. Energy Efficency Matters

Remember the AFUE we mentioned earlier? It’s important because it deals with the efficency of your furnace. The higher the efficency is, the better your furnace will be at heating your home. If you live in a cold climate, you’re going to want the highest efficiency possible.

4. Size Matters

The last (but still very important!) part of the selection process is the size. If a furnace is too small, it will do a poor job of heating your home; too large, and it will produce heat that you don’t need. You’ll want to factor in things such as square footage, ceiling height, the insulation, and the number of windows to make sure you have the perfect fit.

Once you figure out which new home furnace works for you, you’re going to need to invest in a furnace installation to make sure you can have it up and running well before the cold front sets in. Look into getting the right installation professionals to complete the job exactly as you like it!

Make Sure to Get Your Gas Home Furnace Today

Now that you’ve found out how to get your hands on the best gas home furnace and have a way to install it, staying warm in the cold season will be a breeze. Make sure to check out our site to see everything else we have to offer you to make your life better in every manner. We’re sure you’re gonna love what you find!

 

There’s a high chance that people looking for this information have started living on their own for the first time. Being independent might come with a lot of surprises, and may require some preparation. Most of the time, though, people learn how to be independent through mistakes.

Things like not buying plates, forks, spoons, cups among other things, or not owning the right electric appliances like fridges and washing machines are good examples, but there’s one mistake that people commit without realizing, and only try to fix it when it’s too late.

I’ve always been someone who follows the motto “better safe than sorry”, so I prefer to avoid these problems, but it doesn’t mean you can’t fix it in case it has happened to you.

What I’m talking about is toilet maintenance and cleaning. You would be surprised at how many people (especially youngsters like me who had no experience in living alone and taking care of domestic tasks) ignore their toilets even when it’s dirty.

And at some point, it becomes a problem because of the stains and odor that remain on its surface. That’s why, in this article, I’m going to showcase some of the alternatives available on the market to maintain a clean toilet, and how to approach the adventure.

Toilet Brush.

There are many techniques and ways to clean a toilet, each one having its own advantages and disadvantages. According to personal experience, whenever I think about cleaning a toilet, a brush comes into my mind because of how often it’s present in people’s bathrooms.

But what if I told you that it is not the best way to clean your toilet? With that said, for some, it might be more than enough but let’s assess the situation.

First, a toilet brush is perfect to clean the toilet from a distancing. For people who’s sensitive about cleaning a toilet, and might get disgusted by the idea, a toilet brush might be their best weapon to brush stains and other things. With that said, a toilet brush only keeps it clean on appearance, but you can bet that the bowl is still dirty and filled with bacteria.

You can leave it like that, though. As long as you remove stains and maintain a clean toilet, it’ll be more than enough as long as the flushing system is doing its job. If it’s not, you can use a spray with a vinegar + water solution.

Here’s the thing, though: remember to clean the dang brush! People often use them and let them in their holders like that for months, without realizing they are practically making a bacteria soup in that bowl. Clean them whenever you use them, and make sure to regularly clean the bowl as well. If you don’t, you are just accumulating dirtiness in the brush and the bowl.

The Latex/Rubber Gauntlet

Here’s where people who like truly clean stuff might want to adventure. Rubber gauntlets and cleaning products are the best way to clean a toilet because it’s an option that lets you clean things thoroughly.

Of course, here’s the deal: not everyone is willing to touch a toilet, even when there’s a properly safe armor protecting their hands. It’s not something that a lot of people would try, even though it’s the best option among the tools you can use.

But gauntlets let you use other tools such as sponges, and you can rub liquid soap then add some chlorine to make it better. There’s a wide range of things you can do with latex gauntlets, and if you select the right cleaning products, it’ll end in better results.

Finding the right products might be overwhelming for some people. That’s why I always go for review websites where you can find toilet cleaner reviews, to pick the one that seems the fittest for your needs. Of course, most products vary in quality as well as prize, so don’t focus on going for something high-tier, but also, don’t just get the cheapest one. Get something in-between to get the best results.

Rubber Bowl Cleaner

Another good alternative is a rubber cleaner. It works similarly to a toilet brush, but its made out of rubber, to provide a more-in-deep, uniform cleaning to the bowl. It’s also better since the material allows you to put a little more strength in it, so you can remove stains and bacteria more precisely and efficiently.

For people who don’t want to use latex and rubber gloves, but still want to clean their toilets without suffering from the lack of efficiency of the brush, this is probably the best alternative.

Things You May Want to Buy

Let’s first cover obvious options people might be unaware of. Toiler cleaners, for example, are a must-buy for those wanting to maintain their toilets clean. A bowl cleanser might be chosen depending on personal tastes, like the essence you want to smell whenever you enter the bathroom. I personally like yellow lime or green lemon-scented cleaners.

Now, sponges, rubber gauntlets, brushes, and rubber bowl cleaners are a must. You can pick depending on what you want to go for, but always consider having sponges to clean the outside part of the bathroom. You can combine all of them if you want, which is what I do, I clean using a rubber bowl cleaner while wearing gauntlets, then use sponges to clean the outside of the bowl, walls, and the sink.

Besides that, there are other things you might want to consider, such as automatic cleaning systems for your toilet. These are used whenever you flush the toilet, or time to clean the bowl every now and then.

Some of these systems can be pretty cheap and provide help for months. I once purchased a system with three automatic cleansers that lasted for eight months, and I only spent a few bucks on it.

Of course, if you decide to go for an automatic cleaning system, it doesn’t mean you can ignore the toilet and don’t clean it, but it rather means that you won’t have to worry about it as regularly. You should still clean it every now and then, and make sure to remove stains as soon as possible in case they appear.