Guest Post - Buying a New Home? What to Look for When Getting a Mortgage

When you are shopping for a new home, remember to check out the mortgage options as well. You may be working with a preferred lender where you do most of your banking or you might consider a different bank, credit union, or loan company with better terms. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are looking for both a new home and a workable mortgage.

Choose a Reputable Lender

You can find numerous mortgage offers all over the Internet or you might receive offers through direct mail. Some companies are more stable and reliable than others, so go with a lender that has a proven track record and a good reputation. You might want to talk to lenders you have heard about through friends and family or browse mortgage application invitations that you get in the mail. Check out established lenders like AJM Mortgage Inc to evaluate their mortgage loan terms and conditions rather than a company that offers a deal that is too good to be true, because it probably is.

Compare Mortgage Options

Examine the terms and conditions of all the mortgage options you are considering. While the interest rate may be similar, look at the length of the loan, required down payment, PMI as a possible requirement, and monthly mortgage payment. When you do a careful analysis, you have a better chance of finding a lender who can work with your financial situation to get you an affordable mortgage.

Read the Fine Print

In addition to the major mortgage loan elements, such as the loan amount for which you qualify and the monthly payment you will have to pay, check the smaller details in a loan application. For example, is there a grace period for late mortgage payments? If you have to pay PMI, at what point of your loan or change of financial status would you be able to drop the PMI? Mortgage loan application fees, points to be paid on the loan interest rate, and any annual maintenance fees should also be evaluated.

Talk to a Loan Officer

Talk to two or three loan officers to explain your mortgage needs and concerns. Get the facts and take notes to ensure you have accurate information to refer to later. Follow up with the lender if you think of any new questions after the meeting.

Buying a home is an exciting opportunity. Take time to get the best mortgage loan for your needs, since you will likely have to live with those loan terms for many years.

About Anica

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here: https://ajmmortgage.com/mortgage/

Where You Should Keep Your Indoor Trash Can

If you’re moving into a new home or recently tackled a renovating project, you might be in the process of moving things back into place. One object that often gets overlooked during this process is the trash can. You might be wondering where you should keep your indoor trash can to keep it from being an eyesore. Well, here are some of the most convenient and common storage solutions for your garbage can conundrum.

In Your Kitchen Space

Of all the places to keep an indoor trash can, the kitchen is the most popular room in the house. This is because of how often we go through food scraps and other messes in the kitchen space, making a trash receptacle a necessity. There are even trash can models for busy kitchen use, with foot-operated opening systems for when your hands are full. If you have pets at home, make sure to choose a covered trash can if it will be sitting out in your kitchen so your pet doesn’t have access.

How You Can Hide Your Trash Cans

If you prefer to keep the bin hidden, there are plenty of ways to store your trash cans out of sight around your house. If you have the cabinet space for it, you could try a shorter garbage bin that would fit the space under your sink or other cabinet space. You could also invest in pull-out trash cans that fit into the cabinets themselves. These specialty bins are designed to pull out like a filing cabinet drawer to reveal your trash, recycling, or composting cans. There are even tilt-out trash can storage options for those with less space. Just remember to keep your indoor trash can clean by using a liner and taking out the trash regularly to avoid odor.

Other Areas of the Home

You may also want to keep trash cans in other rooms of the home, and there are ways to keep these hidden as well. You’ll likely need a trash can in the bathroom too for disposable beauty products, etc., so employ the same storage technique here—you can easily keep a small bin underneath your bathroom cabinets as well. If you want to have a bin in each room, consider keeping them out of sight by storing them underneath desks and beds or in closets. As long as you can still reach the trash can when you need it, there are plenty of inconspicuous places for it to hide.

We hope these suggestions help answer the question of where you should keep your indoor trash can. These tips can help you keep the trash can out of sight but still within reach when you need it.

Innovative Ways To Repurpose Your In-Ground Pool

Despite what most people think, in-ground swimming pools aren't for everyone, and you might fall into this category. From the thought of having to use a bountiful amount of water to fill it to the amount of money put into maintaining cleanliness, the idea of having a pool can present itself as troublesome. The good news is that there isn't a concrete rule that defines pools as mere places to swim. With these innovative ways, you can repurpose your in-ground pool for use all year round. The best part is, there is no water involved.

A Sunken Patio

You can clean out your neglected pool and make way for outdoor furniture to create a sunken patio. The change in levels can be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, especially with the appropriate pool steps that lead guests into what feels like a private hangout area. Add the perfect outdoor lighting, and this will become your ultimate entertaining area.

An Outdoor Studio

You can also utilize an in-ground pool as space for a detached studio. If you have furniture lying around that you’re thinking of getting rid of, you can move it into this outdoor space to avoid investing in newer pieces.

However, you'll want to keep in mind that you'll need to allocate funds for roofing that will keep water out of this newly repurposed area. Would you like a quick tip? A-roofing works best!

Handball Court

You can also use an empty pool area to host handball events or other sports tournaments, such as volleyball and tennis. No more going to your local gym and dealing with unruly sports fans.

Party Dance Floor

Possibly the most entertaining option, this remodel requires a pool dance floor cover that’s sure to bring all the fun to any event. You can rent or buy a cover for your next BBQ or cocktail event. You can also use pool dance floor covers as entertainment staging and ceremony seating.

So why wait? These innovative ways to repurpose your in-ground pool can help you transform an empty, neglected area into a backyard space that is inviting and event-worthy.

Out of the Dark Ages: Updating the Lighting in Your Old House

Updating your lighting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to give your home a new look. Inside and out, your home's lighting adds warmth and ambiance, and it also adds to the safety of your property.

Get New Lamps

You won't need an electrician to add a stylish, new table and desk lamps to your home. Industrial-inspired bare bulb clusters, sophisticated sculptural designs, and eye-popping shade colors are just a few of the current lighting trends. The right lamps can create a bold statement or invoke a subtle ambiance.

Switch to LEDs

You also won't need an electrician to change your bulbs to energy-efficient LED bulbs. You can even find vintage-inspired LED filament bulbs that look fabulous in an industrial or steampunk lamp. According to the US Department of Energy, LED bulbs can last 25 times longer and use 75 percent less energy, compared to incandescent bulbs.

Install New Types of Lighting

However, you will need a professional electrician to install recessed, track, chandelier, or pendant lighting. This is because this type of lighting requires accessing, or adding, wiring through the ceiling. You might be able to replace a ceiling lighting fixture yourself, but if you are adding something new, trust the job to a professional.

Add Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is also important, not only for security but also to create a beautiful night time atmosphere. Consider adding solar lights outdoors. They not only save money on your electric bill, but they are also easy to install yourself. You can place solar lights along a pathway, spotlight a wall, or flood a patio with light.

Solar string lights are an especially pretty way to light up a patio or deck. Some have retro-inspired naked bulbs while others can change colors.

However, if you are serious about a security lighting system, you'll want to have it professionally hard-wired into the grid. Alternatively, you can choose a more robust solar system that includes panels and a battery bank. This is because low-cost, garden variety solar lights may not perform well during the winter, since the energy they get from the sun is lower. Also, the small, internal batteries typically won't last through the entire night.

If your home is older, you may want to have an electrician come check your home’s wiring before you make any changes to your home’s lighting. Because today’s consumers typically have a higher reliance on electrical needs than in decades past, your home’s electrical system may not be able to support new additions. If this is the case, your whole home may need to be rewired to prevent future outages and fire hazards.

Whether indoors or out, your lighting creates both an inviting atmosphere as well as adding safety. The right choice can also save you money on your monthly electric bill. Robust security lighting can also add value to your property. Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, now is the time to update the lighting in your old house.