Strolling to a cafe for breakfast, walking around the corner to yoga—isn’t that the life? Before you buy or rent, here’s how to suss out whether a neighborhood you’re interested in will let you get out from behind the wheel. See what locals have to say. When it comes to picking a neighborhood, do a search for “What Locals Say.” It is a good way to find stats that show what percentage of locals say the following about their neighborhood: It’s walkable to restaurants It’s walkable to grocery stores There are sidewalks People would walk alone at night Streets are well-lit Car is needed So, for example, in Boston’s very walkable Beacon Hill neighborhood, 93% of residents say there are sidewalks, 92% say it’s walkable to restaurants, and only 18% say a car is needed. Scope out the commute A truly walkable neighborhood is one where you can get in and out of the neighborhood without a car. Studies show that the closer you live to transit networks (bus, train, bike share), the more likely you are to walk. Map the route to your workplace in public transit mode. How long is the walk to the bus or train? How long is the ride? You can also get useful commute intel from locals with another quick search. Millions of locals have been asked what their commute is like, so you’ll find quotes like this one from a resident of New York City’s Financial District: “Close to every train you could want to get anywhere in the city. My commute is super easy—10 minutes to SoHo by train [or a] 20-minute walk.” Check out local dining spots To find out whether you can easily step out for a bite to eat, take a peek at Yelp or Google or whatever Maps you prefer for the home listing. That’ll give you a sense of how many restaurants are within walking distance. And keep in mind, the more restaurants there are nearby, the more your neighbors will likely be out and about, too. Take a virtual walk Before you hoof it over to a potential new neighborhood, use Google Street View to explore it virtually. On any home’s page, you’ll find a gallery of maps right below the house photos on most home search sites. One of these links to the Google Street View at the home’s front door. Take a spin through the neighborhood. This will give you a good idea of what getting around could look like and what’s nearby. Just remember there’s no telling what time of day (or year) the images were captured. A sleepy-looking street could be exactly that: a street at 6 a.m. on a wintry Saturday. Drop by at different times of day All that online research is perfect for narrowing your neighborhood list down, but nothing replaces a real-life visit. In fact, we suggest a few. Check out the area on evenings and weekends, and also in the middle of a weekday. See whether the cafes and shops you’d walk to are open and active during the times you’d use them, and whether the routes you’d take are pleasant and accessible at those times, too. Be on the lookout for: Wide, accessible sidewalks: Walkability isn’t just about distance. Wide sidewalks are key to feeling safe walking around. Shade: Trees near the sidewalks encourage locals to choose walking over driving. Street furniture: Places to sit and rest tells you that the city has thought about walkability and has made investments to encourage it. Benches, picnic tables, and other places to catch your breath are a good sign. Crosswalks and pedestrian signals: Most intersections have these, but how pedestrian-friendly are they? Look for signals with buttons for walkers to push and wide, well-marked crosswalks. Street lights: Safety first—people won’t walk where they can’t see or be seen. Do a “near me” search When you’re in the neighborhood, search Google Maps for “restaurants near me” or “coffee near me.” Check out a few of the places. Are the walks reasonable? Do the routes have pedestrian-friendly infrastructure? Take some exploratory walks to the places you’d be likely to visit. Ask yourself: Do I enjoy walking around here? If it feels right to you, it just might be the right place to call home.

Can one agent represent both parties? The answer: It depends. Buyers and sellers sometimes have the option of entering into a dual agency relationship with their real estate agent. Although this is not necessarily a problem, you should be aware of exactly what a dual real estate agency means and the restrictions it can place on your agent. What is a dual real estate agency? The term “agency” refers to the relationship that you, as a buyer or seller, have with your real estate agent. Dual agencies can occur with two agents or with a single agent. A dual agency with two agents can occur when the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent are licensed under the same broker. In a dual agency with a single agent, potential buyers may ask a seller’s real estate agent to submit an offer on their behalf. In this case, the agent is acting as a dual agent. Dual real estate agency disclosure Because dual agencies represent a conflict of interest for the buyer and seller, some states don’t allow them. In states where dual agencies are legal, however, the law requires that a dual real estate agent inform both the buyer and seller of a dual real estate agency. These two parties must also sign consent forms indicating that they understand the concept of dual agency, as well as the restrictions imposed on the real estate agent by this type of agreement. If either the buyer or the seller refuses to sign the dual agency agreement, the transaction cannot continue. Once the dual agency agreement is executed, the real estate agent becomes known as the disclosed dual agent. Disadvantages of dual agencies Dual agency imposes some restrictions on a real estate agent. The agent is required to treat both buyer and seller with fairness and honesty. The agent is required to provide full disclosure concerning the property to the buyer, but they cannot reveal confidential information about the seller. When the time comes to make an offer, a dual real estate agent cannot advise the buyer on how much to offer, nor can they advise the seller to accept or reject an offer. In a New York Department of State memo, for example, consumers are advised to be wary of dual agency relationships. The memo states that when a person enters into a dual agency relationship, they are forfeiting their right to that agent’s loyalty. The agent then cannot advance the interests of either party.  

There is a myriad of reasons buyers don’t want their names associated with their home address. Certainly, celebrities or professional athletes aren’t eager to give up their home info, nor are public officials, police officers, or survivors of domestic abuse. In fact, the same applies to any homeowner who finds it unnerving that anyone with Google access can find their home address. Whether it’s a matter of privacy or personal safety and security, keeping exactly where you live away from prying eyes is possible. And hiding a real estate purchase is available to everyone regardless of socioeconomic status. Do you not want your name to pop up when someone searches real estate records? Here’s how to hide your home purchase. Ask around in your network It’s likely someone in your personal or professional circle has faced privacy issues when buying a home. So ask your various contacts for recommendations for real estate professionals. Then ask those agents about their experience in keeping purchases private. Buyers who are looking for confidentiality should work with agents that show that they are taking steps to safeguard their clients and clients’ information from the very beginning. Agents have fiduciary obligations that require them to ensure, among other things, confidentiality, obedience, care, and loyalty to the client. That’s just the legal and ethical side of it. And if they are speaking about other clients freely to you in detail, they are likely doing the same about you. You should not trust that agent. So chat with real estate professionals in your area, and discuss your privacy concerns. Be sure you feel comfortable and confident in their ability to guide you through the buying process. Having the wrong person can skew your entire purchase. Erase your home’s internet history Most multiple listing services require homes to be pulled off online sites within 24 hours of a closing. So confirm with the listing agent of the home you want to buy that this duty will indeed be performed in a timely manner. Removing the listing will purge the home’s information from online systems. Then there would be only one way someone could find out whether you own a property. They would have to visit your local town hall and look up real estate transactions. Hide a real estate purchase using a trust People form trusts as part of estate planning. Trusts specify how assets—such as a house, money, or heirlooms—are distributed to loved ones after death without the hassle and costs of probate court. Yet trusts can also be used to hide real estate purchases. Your trust will own the home and be listed in the public records as the owner. If you have children, you should have a trust anyway. You can call the trust anything you want. Most people use their last name. But you don’t have to, so people can’t associate the trust’s property with your real name. Hide a real estate purchase with an LLC Another way to maintain your privacy and keep your address out of sight is by forming a limited liability company, or LLC. The IRS states an LLC is for a business structure. But you don’t have to own a business to form an LLC to hide your real estate purchase. Regulations vary by state, yet most states don’t restrict LLC ownership. This means an LLC can be designated to a single individual, several members, corporations, other LLCs, or even foreign entities. You can learn more about setting up an LLC through your state’s business formation website. Like a trust, your LLC will be listed as the owner of your property, which means you can keep your name off the official records—and keep your privacy intact. Contact an attorney In most states, you can set up a single-member LLC. But consider that you might miss a few important details forming a company on your own. You should speak with an attorney about how to set up a trust or an LLC correctly.

Everyone hates getting bogged down with life’s little details. And guess what? You don’t have to! Here are house cleaning hacks for people who hate cleaning their house. Let’s face it, this is everyone. Use old socks to clean blinds Blinds often have multiple sides and shapes, so they can sometimes be a hassle to clean. But with this simple hack, they don’t have to be. Simply use a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to dampen an old sock, and then swipe the damp sock over each section of the blinds. Embedded dust and dirt will come right off! Dust electronics with coffee filters Coffee filters are perfect for cleaning dust from TV screens, computer monitors, and any other screens around the home, without leaving behind any fibers like towels do. You can also clean windows without leaving streaks—just clean them with a coffee filter instead of paper towels. Clean your ceiling fan with a pillowcase Instead of using a rag to clean your ceiling fan, which usually results in dust falling onto your furniture and floors, use an old pillowcase. Slip the fan blades inside the pillowcase, and then wipe each blade one at a time. Then just throw the dirty pillowcase into the washing machine. Use dryer sheets to clean everything Apparently, dryer sheets have many uses beyond the laundry room. Run a dryer sheet along your baseboards to remove dirt and repel dust. Clean lampshades with dryer sheets as they pull away dust and prevent static cling, which equals less dust in the future. And add a dryer sheet to the bottom of your trash can to absorb odors and leaks. Dryer sheets, either used or unused, are also the easiest way to break down soap scum. Simply scrub fixtures with a sheet and see results immediately. Steam clean your microwave Everyone hates cleaning the microwave. Instead of scrubbing it down, try putting a bowl with lemon juice and water in the appliance. Microwave on high power for three minutes and allow it to sit for five more minutes. The steam will loosen any food remnants and banish odors, too.  A couple of easy wipes inside and you’ll have a clean microwave with a lemony scent. Grab pet hair with rubber gloves When your standard vacuum can’t suck up all your pet’s hair, rubber gloves will get the job done. Just slide them on and rub down any areas that need extra cleaning. When rubbed against fabric, the glove generates static electricity, which causes pet hair and lint to stick to it. Rinse the gloves under running water when you’re done, and the hair will come off. Clean with vinegar (and save big) Distilled white vinegar is one of the most popular, eco-friendly, and versatile cleaning staples around due to its acidity. Plus, it’s cheap so you will save tons of money on cleaning supplies. It can be used in the following ways: Shower: Wipe your shower doors with vinegar to prevent soap scum and buildup. Kitchen and bathroom drains: To help keep drains clog-free, pour a cup of distilled white vinegar down every two weeks. Allow it to sit for a half-hour, and then run cold water to flush it out. Tile surfaces: Mix a half-cup of distilled white vinegar and a half-gallon of warm water. Use it to clean all tile surfaces. Polish bathroom fixtures with baby oil Do you have dull bathtub, shower, and sink fixtures? No problem. Get a paper towel and some baby oil. Put a dab of the liquid on the towel, then wipe it on the faucet. You’ll see it shine! Let your dishwasher do double duty If you only us­­­e your dishwasher to clean dishes, you aren’t using it to its full potential. Take a look at this list of things you can safely wash in the dishwasher, and put it to work: Rubber flip-flops and baseball caps Makeup brushes Nonelectrical plastic and rubber kids’ toys Mouthguards Hairbrushes and combs Plastic and metal garden tools Refrigerator shelves    

It is time to sell your home, which means there are several decisions that will need to be made including what transaction type will work best for you. FSBO (for sale by owner), hire a licensed real estate agent, or work with an iBuyer? Most home-sellers consider the first two options; however, it may be worth considering an iBuyer. It is important to know all of your options before listing your home. Let’s discuss how iBuyers differ from the traditional home selling process and when to consider a direct cash offer for your home. What is an iBuyer? An iBuyer (short for instant buyer) is a real estate company that purchases a house from a homeowner in a quick cash transaction, makes any necessary improvements to the home, and then resells it. iBuyers offer quick and flexible closing dates since they purchase your home with an all-cash offer. The home selling process can be faster and much easier as some of the hassle of a traditional sale is taken away. There is no need to worry about finding the right agent, prepping for sale, open houses, or choosing the right offer. iBuyers can provide more certainty by buying your home for cash, eliminating the worry about a buyer’s financing falling through.  How is selling your home to an iBuyer different from a traditional sale? When you sell your home to an iBuyer, many of the traditional aspects of selling your home are skipped. For example, you don’t need to stress about preparing your home for sale. You’ll be able to forgo tasks like staging your home, upgrading your curb appeal, or scheduling any maintenance on your home. Additionally, you don’t have to find a listing agent to sell your home.  In a traditional sale, you’ll have to put your home on the market before receiving any offers. To receive an offer from an iBuyer, it can be as simple as requesting an offer from their site by providing required photos and information about your home. Your offer is typically based on your home’s value and the information you provide. iBuyers use a combination of that provided information and a home valuation to generate your offer. Depending on the company, the offer may be received in just a few days. An iBuyer provided the benefit of closing at your convenience. Whether you want to close as quickly as 10 days or as long as 90 days, it can be what works best for you, unlike in that of a traditional sale. This can be especially helpful if you’re trying to buy and sell at the same time and want to avoid a second mortgage or gap financing. What are the costs of selling a home to an iBuyer? If you’re considering selling your home to an iBuyer it’s important to know how much it can cost compared to a traditional home sale. When you sell your home on the market, the seller typically pays both the buyer’s and seller’s agents’ commission. Commission costs can vary from 4.5-7% of the final sale price of your home. You may also be expected to pay closing costs which can range from 2-5% of the home’s sale price. However, you may spend more to sell your home if you make pre-listing repairs and upgrades, hire a stager, or professional cleaning service.  On the other hand, selling to an iBuyer can cost anywhere from 6-14% of the final sale price. However, there are several reasons for these costs. Many iBuyers will offer you an initial price for your home, then deduct fees and closing costs. Depending on the iBuyer you work with, these fees may be selling fees, convenience fees, and repair fees and can range from 5-13%. These fees can fluctuate based on housing market conditions or how many repairs are needed on your home.  When you sell your home to an iBuyer you’ll also be expected to pay closing costs just as you would in a traditional home sale as you prepare for closing, which covers title, escrow, and taxes. These costs are typically 1-2% of the final sale price. Why sell your home to an iBuyer? There are several reasons why you may want to quickly sell your home using a iBuyer rather than sell your home in a traditional sale. Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why selling to an iBuyer may be a good option. You are relocating: If you’re relocating to a new city and need to sell your current home quickly, selling to an iBuyer may be a good option. You can sell your home fast without the hassle of going through the home selling process while you’re in the middle of a move or living in another state.  You have inherited a home: If you’ve recently inherited a home, it’s possible you don’t have the resources to maintain the home or don’t want to turn it into a rental property. If you’re planning to sell an inherited house, selling it quickly to an iBuyer might be the right option. You have an investment or rental property: If you’re struggling to find a new tenant to occupy your investment or rental property, a quick cash transaction might be the solution you’re looking for. You need to access your home’s equity ASAP: Depending on your financial situation, it may be necessary to access your home’s equity fast. If this sounds like you, then accepting an all-cash offer from an iBuying company might be the right choice.  You need money for a down payment: If you’re moving, it’s possible you need to tap into your current home’s equity to make a down payment on a new home. In this scenario, selling your home to iBuyers might be the best way to make a stronger offer on your next home.  Keep in mind that these are just a few of the reasons why selling your home to an iBuyer may be the best route to take. You should always consider your personal circumstances and seek the advice of a real estate agent or financial professional if you’re not sure.  Are there cons of selling your home to an iBuyer? When you’re deciding on the best way to sell your home, there can be some reasons why selling to an iBuyer may not be the right fit. An increase in cost: As previously mentioned, the costs of selling to an iBuyer can sometimes be more than what you’d pay in a traditional home sale. If you’ve recently updated your home or aren’t in a rush to sell, listing your home on the MLS may be a better option.  iBuyers are not in every market: While selling to an iBuyer may be the best option for you, it’s possible that they may not operate in your area. Not all iBuying companies buy homes in every market, so it’s always important to check for iBuyers in your area before settling on the idea.  Miss out on a potential bidding war: You lose the ability to incite a bidding war on your home if you sell your home to an iBuyer. This may be a con, especially in a seller’s market where bidding wars are more common and there are more buyers than homes for sale. If you’re not in a rush and want to sell your home for as much as possible, working with an experienced real estate agent may be a better option. Your home may not be eligible: Depending on the iBuying company you work with; they may have different qualifications your home must meet in order to receive an offer. These eligibility requirements may be a minimum home value or depend on the current condition of your home.  Key takeaways about selling your home to an iBuyer Selling your home to an iBuyer may be the right fit if you need to sell your home quickly, you require access to your home’s equity, or you just don’t have the time to prepare your home for sale. Whether you choose to sell your home to iBuyers or in a traditional sale, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons and your own personal situation to make your home selling process a breeze.

Getting a mortgage is, by general consensus, the most treacherous part of buying a home. Many homebuyers said they found the mortgage experience stressful and complicated. Even lenders agree that it’s often a struggle. If you’re out to buy a home, you have to be vigilant. To clue you into the pitfalls, here are six of the most common ways people mess up getting a mortgage. 1. Waiting until you can make a 20% down payment A 20% down payment is the golden number when applying for a conventional home loan, since it enables you to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI), an extra monthly fee of 0.3% to 1.15% of your total loan amount. But with mortgage rates where they are today—in a word, low—waiting for that magic 20% could be a huge mistake, since the more time passes, the higher mortgage rates and home prices may go! All of which means it may be worth discussing your home-buying prospects with lenders right now. To get a ballpark figure of what you can afford and how your down payment affects your finances, punch your salary and other numbers into a home affordability calculator. 2. Meeting with only one mortgage lender According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, about half of U.S. home buyers only meet with one mortgage lender before signing up for a home loan. But these borrowers could be missing out in a big way. Why? Because lenders’ offers and interest rates vary, and even nabbing a slightly lower interest rate can save you big bucks over the long haul. In fact, a borrower taking out a 30-year fixed rate conventional loan can get rates that vary by more than half a percent So, getting an interest rate of 4.0% instead of 4.5% on a $200,000, 30-year fixed mortgage translates into savings of approximately $60 per month, or $3,500 over the first five years. So, to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, meet with at least three mortgage lenders. You’ll want to start your search early (ideally, at least 60 days before you start seriously looking at homes). When you meet with each lender, get what’s called a good-faith estimate, which breaks down the terms of the mortgage, including the interest rate and fees, so that you can make an apples-to-apples comparison between offers. 3. Getting pre-qualified rather than pre-approved Mortgage pre-qualification and mortgage pre-approval may sound alike, but they’re completely different. Pre-qualification entails a basic overview of a borrower’s ability to get a loan. You provide a mortgage lender with information—about your income, assets, debts, and credit—but you don’t need to produce any paperwork to back it up. In return, you’ll get a rough estimate of what size loan you can afford, but it’s by no means a guarantee that you’ll actually get approved for the loan when you go to buy a home. Mortgage pre-approval, meanwhile, is an in-depth process that involves a lender running a credit check and verifying your income and assets. Then an underwriter does a preliminary review of your financial portfolio and, if all goes well, issues a letter of pre-approval—a written commitment for financing up to a certain loan amount. Bottom line? If you’re serious about buying a house, you need to be pre-approved, since many sellers will accept offers only from pre-approved buyers. 4. Moving money around To get pre-approved, you must show you have enough cash in reserves to afford the down payment. (Presenting your mortgage lender with bank statements is the easiest way to do this.) Nonetheless, your loan still needs to go through underwriting while you’re under contract for your loan to be approved. Because the underwriter will check to see that your finances have remained the same, the last thing you want to do is move money around while you’re in the process of buying a house. Shifting large amounts of money out or even into your accounts is a huge red flag. So if you’re in contract for a home, your money should stay put. 5. Applying for new lines of credit If you apply for a new credit card or request a credit limit increase a few months before closing, watch out: Credit inquiries ding your credit score by up to five points. So, don’t let the credit inquiries add up. Applying for multiple lines of credit while you’re buying a house can make your mortgage lender think that you’re desperate for money—a signal that could change your mortgage terms or even get you denied altogether, even if you’ve got a closing date on the books. 6. Changing jobs Mortgage lenders like to see at least two years of consistent income history when pre-approving a loan. Consequently, changing jobs while you’re under contract on a property can create a big issue in the eyes of an underwriter. Your best bet? Try to wait until after you’ve closed on your house to change jobs. If you’re forced to switch before closing, you should alert your loan officer immediately. Depending on the lender, you may simply need to provide a written verification of employment from your new employer that states your job status and income.

5 Gifts To Leave For Your Old Home's New Owners   Selling a home is an emotional event. You are leaving behind a house filled with memories and venturing off to someplace new. The people buying your home are excited to create their own memories in a home that you loved for so many years. Welcome them with a thoughtful gift that will leave a lasting impression.   Here are some ideas for gifts to leave for your home’s new owners.   Personalized Key Rings: Mark this milestone in the new owners’ lives by giving them a special key ring. Engrave it with their initials, the date of the move, or even a special message from you. Not only is this thoughtful, but it’s a practical gift as well. Mailing labels and stationery: Personalized gifts go a long way. Create mailing labels with the owners’ names and new addresses; if you want to go the extra mile, create personalized stationery for them as well. Leave these paper gifts on the kitchen counter with a nice note to surprise the owners. Monogrammed Doormat: Doormats are something that may not be at the top of a new homeowner “to-buy” list. Give them a monogrammed one or one that fits well with the decor of the home. They will surely appreciate this gesture. Practical Items: If you’re skeptical about buying personalized gifts, stick to practical home items. Things like smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, unpacking supplies, or even a utensil organizer are useful to new homeowners. They’ll be so busy when they first move in, and these are essentials that they should have immediately. A Neighborhood Guide: Write a detailed list of your favorite places in the neighborhood. Mention your favorite restaurants, boutiques, gyms and more. They’ll love having your recommendations on hand when they start to explore!     All of these gestures are incredibly kind and memorable. It’s a nice way to welcome new people into the home and neighborhood you have loved for so long.

Heated Floors: Everything You Need to Know Picture this – it’s a chilly winter morning and when you step into your kitchen to make yourself a cup of coffee, your bare feet are warmed by the floor beneath you. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Heated floors are a great alternative to traditional heating methods, and they can keep your home, and your toes, warm all winter.  So whether you are planning your next home remodel in Cincinnati, OH, or considering buying a home with heated floors in Toronto, CA, here is everything you need to know when deciding if heated flooring is the right choice for your home. What are heated floors? Heated floors, also known as radiant heating, are a type of heat system that is located underneath the flooring of the home. With radiant heating, the warmth rises evenly from below via heat radiation, so the temperature of the room is uniform from top to bottom, rather than hot air rising from forced-air systems. Although expensive to install upfront, this efficient way of heating is a great alternative to traditional heating methods and may be worthwhile for your household in the long run. What are the different types of heated floors and how do they work? There are two types of radiant floor heating systems: hydronic and electric. Hydronic radiant floor heating: With this type of radiant heating system, hot water is generated from a boiler, which is then pumped throughout the floors via tubes. These pipes snake throughout the flooring, radiating thermal energy through materials like tiles, concrete, or wood. Hydronic heating is more efficient than conventional heating and works best at heating larger areas – more typical for whole-house installations rather than room by room. Since hydronic systems require additional parts like a boiler and a pump, the upfront cost of installation can be expensive. However, you can save up to 30% more in operating costs compared to conventional heating systems. Electric radiant floor heating: This type of radiant heating system is powered by electric wires located underneath the flooring. Due to the cost of electricity, warming an entire home with electric radiant heating can quickly become expensive. Therefore, this method is most popular for heating individual rooms, such as a bathroom or bedroom, rather than the whole house. Electric installations heat up floors in about 30-60 minutes and can be set to a schedule, heating your floors in the morning at specific hours – or whenever you need it. How much does it cost to install? When it comes down to price, hydronic solutions are a more cost-effective alternative in the long run since the operating costs are lower than electric systems. This is because the water conducts and holds heat more efficiently which lowers the operating time. Hydronic heating systems range from $6-$20 averaging at $13 per square foot for professional installation, while electric heating systems range from $8-$15 averaging at $11 per square foot.  Electric radiant floor systems are cheaper to install because they are composed of electrical wire mats and do not require additional parts that hydronic systems demand. The rate of installation can vary based on a number of factors. For example, if you already have a boiler or a water heater and the floors are already opened, it will be easier for plumbers to install the heating system. If you are remodeling your home and need to open the floors for install, that will add to the cost of installation. If you have some experience wiring and installing pipework, then a DIY radiant floor heating can cut your prices down significantly. What are the advantages and disadvantages of radiant floor heating? When contemplating radiant floor heating for your next remodel or home, you’ll want to consider the advantages and disadvantages of radiant floor heating. Advantages  Silence: When compared to air forced systems, there is little to no noise with radiant floor heating systems. This is because there isn’t a furnace that turns on and/or vents to push the warm air out.  Non-allergenic: Radiant floor heating systems depend on conduction throughout the home through systems in the floors and walls. Since there are no vents or ducts, there is no dust being circulated that could worsen allergies.  Energy efficiency: Without ducts and vents required for the warm air to circulate, radiant heating is much more efficient in keeping your home warm. Traditional heating systems can leak warm air through ducts, forcing you to keep the heat on for longer periods of time.  Consistent heat: Heated floors radiate heat to objects in a room, and because of this, the air temperature stays consistent throughout the areas of your home rather than rising to the ceiling.  Maintenance: Minimal maintenance is required for radiant flooring and most companies that install this type of heating system offer a minimum of a 25-year warranty.  Disadvantages  Cost: The costs of radiant floor heating systems overall are dependent on the size of the project and which type of system you opt for. Installation can be expensive when compared to forced air systems – especially if you’re remodeling an existing home. Radiant heating can be made more affordable if installed in only one or two rooms – the bathroom is always a popular choice. Installation: If you’re retrofitting an existing home that currently has a forced-air system, the process of installing radiant heating requires removing the existing flooring so the systems can be put in place, all of which will be costly. If you’re building new construction, see if your contractor can work within your budget to install radiant heating throughout your new home. What types of flooring work best for radiant floor heating systems? While there are many different types of flooring options compatible with radiant floor heating systems, which one is the most efficient? The most common materials to use with heated flooring are ceramic and stone tile. There are several reasons for this – they conduct heat effectively, and they are a common flooring material in areas where people are most often barefoot. Other popular flooring materials that can be used include vinyl and linoleum, wood, or carpeting. However, keep in mind that if any flooring material has too high of a degree of insulation, your heating system will be less effective. So, whether you are ready to start your next remodeling project, or looking for houses with heated flooring as a home feature, consider everything that goes into radiant heating so you can choose the best option that fits your needs and keeps you warm and cozy all year round.

What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a loan based on the current paid-up value or equity in your home. Instead of making a monthly mortgage payment, your lender can use your equity to pay you a set monthly amount, provide a credit line for you to draw upon as needs arise, or pay out a lump sum to you. While gaining access to this money sounds great, it’s essential to understand how a reverse mortgage works to avoid any pitfalls. How does a reverse mortgage work? When you have a regular mortgage, you pay the lender every month so you can eventually own your home outright. With a reverse mortgage, you get a loan in which the lender pays you. Reverse mortgages use part of the equity in your home and convert it into payments to you. You do not need to pay back this loan until you move, sell the home, or pass away. When you (or your heirs) sell the home, the reverse mortgage loan balance is deducted from the proceeds of the sale. Any balance remaining from sale proceeds reverts to you or your heirs. What can you pay for with a reverse mortgage?  Here is a shortlist of expenses you can pay for with funds from a reverse mortgage: Medical debt Living expenses Debt consolidation Home improvements College tuition Another home purchase Or, you can use it as supplemental income There are no stated constraints for how you use the money. But that doesn’t mean you should run right out and get one. Be sure to read the pros and cons to understand if this financial tool makes sense for your situation. How do I qualify for a reverse mortgage? Prepare to shop around for the right type of reverse mortgage to suit your situation. If you meet all of these qualifications, a reverse mortgage might meet your needs:  The primary loan holder must be age 62 or older – your spouse may be younger.  You must own your home outright or have just one mortgage which you are the borrower.  You’ll be required to pay off the existing mortgage using the proceeds from your reverse mortgage.  The home must be your primary residence. You must be current on all property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, and other mandatory legal obligations (like HOA dues). You must attend a consumer information class led by a HUD-approved counselor. Your home must be maintained and in good condition.  The home must be a single-family home, condo, townhouse, manufactured home built after June 1976, or a multi-unit property with up to four units. There are 3 reverse mortgage types Single-purpose reverse mortgages: These are offered by some state and local government agencies and nonprofits. For a single-purpose reverse mortgage, the lender specifies how loan proceeds must be spent. For example, you may only be able to use the funds for property taxes or home repairs. This is the least expensive type of reverse mortgage, and low and moderate-income homeowners can often qualify. Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs): HECMs are reverse mortgages backed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can use proceeds from a HECM for any purpose. This type of loan will be more expensive than a single-purpose reverse mortgage or traditional home loan, including high closing costs. If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, the upfront costs are less of an issue.  Proprietary reverse mortgages: These loans are offered by private lenders. You may be able to get a larger loan from a private lender if you own a high-value home over $500,000. These loans are more expensive than single-use loans and similar to HECMs.  How much money can you get from a reverse mortgage? The amount of money you can access from a reverse mortgage will vary with the amount of equity you have in your home, your age, the home’s current market value, current interest rates, and the specific type of reverse mortgage. If you have another loan, lien, or outstanding balance on your home equity line of credit, you will be required to pay the outstanding balances first with any funds you received from a reverse mortgage. The obligation includes any property tax liens, or contractor, or other private liens.  How much does a reverse mortgage cost? The costs and terms for a single-purpose reverse mortgage and a proprietary reverse mortgage can vary. You’ll want to shop around with different agencies and mortgage lenders to find the most favorable terms. Costs for HECM loans are well-documented since the government backs such loans. However, you will not need to pay loan costs out of pocket because the costs can be covered by loan proceeds, which will reduce the net loan amount available for expenses.  HECM costs include:  Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP): This mortgage insurance guarantees that you will receive expected loan advances. You can finance the MIP as part of your loan. Initially, you will be charged 2% of the loan amount for MIP at closing. This is followed by an annual MIP equal to 0.5% of the mortgage balance over the loan’s life. Third-party Charges: Third-party costs include an appraisal, title search and insurance, surveys, inspections, recording fees, mortgage taxes, credit checks, and other fees. These costs are paid at closing. Origination Fee: Like any mortgage, the lender gets paid to process your loan. A lender can charge the greater of 2% of the first $200,000 of your home’s value + 1% of the amount over $200,000 or $2,500. All origination fees are capped at $6,000. Servicing Fee: Service fees over the term of the loan cover services that include sending the account statements to you, paying property taxes and insurance on your behalf, and disbursing loan proceeds. If the loan has an annual adjusted interest rate or a fixed interest rate, the service fee caps $30 per month. If your interest rate adjusts monthly, the monthly service fee caps at $35.  At loan closing, the lender deducts the first servicing fee from your available funds and then adds each monthly servicing fee to your loan balance. Alternatively, lenders may include the servicing fee in the mortgage interest rate by charging a higher rate.  Reverse mortgage pros and cons Pros:  A reverse mortgage can give you financial options and additional income during retirement. If the primary loan holder passes away, the spouse can stay in the house and continue to receive payments from the loan.   You don’t have to make monthly mortgage payments. Depending on the type of reverse mortgage, your funds can be used for any expense.  It can be used as a way to stop or prevent foreclosure and loss of the home. Cons:  You will owe more over time due to interest on the loan. You could lose your home if you don’t maintain payments for property taxes and insurance.  You reduce the equity in your home because you are, in effect, lending it to yourself.  The upfront cost of a reverse mortgage can be thousands of dollars.  Your heirs may not be able to keep the home if they can’t afford to pay off the loan. Is a reverse mortgage a good idea?  While a reverse mortgage involves certain complications, it can be an excellent way to supplement your income during retirement, pay for medical expenses, or home improvements that allow you to age in place. As with any loan, it makes good sense to shop around for the best terms and fees. Guidance from a HECM counselor can help you make the best choice.

How to get over losing out on a home? You had such big dreams for the two of you. You were ready to make the big commitment. You thought you’d grow old together. But then your offer on the house didn’t go through. You lost out. You won’t be buying that perfect-for-you place. You won’t be cooking in the all-white modern farmhouse-style kitchen or planting roses in the lushly sodded and fenced yard. You’re no better off than when you started, in the same digs you wanted to leave last year. When you lose out on a house you wanted, the heartbreak is real. It’s the real estate version of being ghosted right when you started scouting honeymoon spots. Here is how to deal with heartache—and all of its many symptoms—when the house that was supposed to be “it” turns out to be just another listing. Symptom: Your head (and friends) know it was “just” a house, but your heart huuuuuurts. Solution: Go and feel all your feels. Don’t hold that nasty stuff in. Don’t pretend it’s no big deal. Let yourself feel everything—the disappointment, frustration, and the empty feeling of wondering what might have been. Cry it out. Scream it out. Find a punching bag and take it out. You’re mourning a lost dream. It’s legit. It’s OK to lie in a fetal position and tearfully binge watch House Hunters. Or The Hulk. You do you. Symptom: Can’t. Stop. Refreshing. Listing. Solution: Take some me time. Do the one thing you wanted to do in your relationship, but didn’t. When you were house hunting, did you save every spare dollar for your down payment? And never leave town in case you missed a great listing or the chance to make an offer? It’s time for a getaway. Treat yourself. You will get a house that’s perfect for you at some point, but you need to get out of your head for a minute. Remember: when one door closes, another opens—and it’ll stay propped until you’re back from your weekend away with a few mojitos. Symptom: You accidentally keep driving by. Solution: Stay away from reminders. Don’t drive by the house to see if it’s marked pending or if a moving van is in the driveway. Don’t even drive by the neighborhood or that awesome little coffee shop that was just down the street where you had already imagined yourself lounging on weekends with an espresso con panna. And take it out of your Favorites on Trulia so you don’t see it every time you log on. You don’t want to obsess over what might have been. Symptom: You realize life before the house dream…kind of sucked. Solution: Restock your life with people Let’s be real for a minute and recognize that it was just one house (too soon?). Sometimes we attach ourselves to any dream that feels like a needed change. So change your world in another way. Call your friends. Reconnect with old ones. Meet (gasp!) new people. Step outside of your comfort zone and try meeting a new friend at the gym or a painting class.  Symptom: Real talk? You regret ever seeing that damn place. Solution: Learn from the heartache. Anger’s fine. Totally normal. Try to see an ended relationship as a lesson, not a failure. What worked and what didn’t with that home buying process? What might help you have a better shot at success next time? Be honest. Did you go too low? Can you live with two bedrooms instead of three? Can you really afford that hot neighborhood, or are you trying to punch above your weight? It could be time to look for different traits in a house so the two of you will succeed as a couple. Symptom: You think it’s time to get back in the house hunting game. But you also can’t even. Solution: Get back out there. When you’re ready, know that it’s okay to test the waters again. When you really start looking at just how many homes are for sale, you might start wondering how you got so fixated on just one anyway. Whether it’s setting up a search on a home search site or with your trusted agent for houses in that perfect neighborhood, or dropping by an open house you spotted online, get back in the game. Not every listing has to be perfect for you to check it out. Just look. Keep dreaming about the place you want, and “the one” will eventually open the door.