Buying a new house requires you to put in a lot of effort; right from visiting different relators to applying for a loan requires, the entire process has to transpire smoothly. The process of buying a house is difficult, and if you are a first-time home buyer, the entire process becomes more overwhelming. Without the right guidance, there are high chances that a first-time home buyer will end up making certain mistakes that can cost them dearly. In a bid to keep tabs on online listings and ensuring that your dream home doesn’t slip away, people often end up making certain mistakes, and these can be easily avoided if you are appraised about the same.

Here are some common mistakes that first-time home buyers usually make.

• Not prioritizing the credit report: It is common knowledge that our credit report can make or break a deal. So, for a first-time home buyer, the credit report is that ace which can help them secure the desired loan. However, many first-time home buyers often overlook the importance of keeping tabs on their credit report; a slight error on the part of the credit company can cost you your new home. To keep track of your credit report and devise ways to improve your credit, you can check your credit report for free from each of the three credit report agencies: Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.
• Not waiting for the pre-approval letter: Everybody is out looking for their dream houses, and there are high chances that another individual might be vying for the house you have short-listed for yourself, and since sellers don’t wait around for anyone, they grab the best deal they get. Another error that first-time home buyers often commit is setting out to buy the house without getting a pre-approval letter from the lender. This proves quite detrimental if the other party has all the documents, including the pre-approval letter, ready.
• Buying a house that you cannot actually afford: One of the most prominent mistakes first-time home buyers usually make is buying a house that is beyond their purchasing power. No matter how big or attractive the house is, if you cannot afford it, you must not buy it. Irrespective of what you believe, taking a loan to pay the original loan doesn’t yield a desirable result. Instead of getting yourself into a dilemma, use a mortgage calculator to fathom how many monthly payments you can afford. Also, determine how much money can be saved since you will need to keep money aside for maintenance purposes.
• Not hiring a real estate agent: People often are of the opinion that not hiring a real estate agent can help save money. However, if you go about looking for a new house for yourself, and especially if you are a first-time home buyer, this process can be extremely time-consuming, and there are high chances that you might not find what you are looking for.

Ensure that, as a first-time home buyer, you wouldn’t make these mistakes.

Modular homes as the names suggest are prefabricated living spaces designed on a specific theme or as requested by the client. Home companies are now following this method to manufacture all the structure components off site and then simply assemble them on site, to build a beautiful living space for you and your family. This process is more cost effective and efficient, not to mention time saving since prefabricated structures are easy to manufacture and mass produce.

Modular homes are fabricated in sections and then assembled together like a big toy set. They are real houses which are eligible for all the particulars of any other type of residential property. This property will depreciate over time just like any other normal property, and the fact that they are nothing more than pieces of house put together doesn’t affect its treatment.

One of the companies amongst many other who specialize in modular homes is Clayton. Clayton is a big strong team with over 13400 members who have helped families build their dream homes for over 60 years now. Clayton has been providing affordable home and quality living spaces since 1956 with projects ranging from traditional site built homes, modular homes, manufactures homes, college dormitories, apartments and even military barracks.

Clayton features Energy shared certified homes, which boasts a number of benefits. Energy star homes by Clayton are less expensive compared to your standard homes, because of low utility costs. Energy efficiency also ensures more comfortable and quieter homes. Effective insulation ensures you stay warm during the winters and enjoy a cool breeze with energy efficient cooling, not having to worry about the electricity bill. These home are built with attention to detail which helps eliminate drafts, moisture, dust, petals, pests and pollen. This also improves the quality of air inside and ensures an overall healthy living.

Modular homes may be constructed in a different way, but they are not so different than regular housing.

Looking for an apartment to rent is one of the major challenges you face when you are new to the city. Apartment prices will depend on a number of factors like area, the neighborhoods around, construction and more. but not all apartments prices are sky high, in fact here are five cities where you can rent apartments starting at just under $550 on an average monthly basis.

Detroit, Michigan: Apart from the cost of making some minor changes and renovations to the apartment you are trying to rent, Detroit homes can certainly be rented for cheap. The monthly median rent ranges on an average between $550 to $560. Apartments are cheap and affordable according to the cost of cost of living standards of the city, even cheap to purchase at just an average of under $43000.

Shreveport, Louisiana: Probably one of the cheapest cities in the State of Louisiana, since it offers the lowest real estate tax rates in the country. The cost of purchasing a home is very expensive here, but the average monthly home rent is just under $578 with a cost of living standard which is a little less than that of Detroit.

Akron, Ohio: The city which his also know as the rubber capital on account of the rubber tire industry which manufactured most of the country’s stock. Akron boats a number of research and development facilities, even after most of its rubber factories were shutdown. The real estate is also right on point with an average median rent of just $541 per month.

Birmingham, Alabama: The largest city in Alabama, but houses only 60% of the population compared to what the number was back in the day. This has helped boost real estate where the demand is low and thus prices are within budget, for both purchasing and renting for that matter. The monthly median rent is just under $520 which makes it a cheap place to live.

Buffalo, New York: In New York city, you might just get a decent apartment for an average of $1000 a month. But here in Buffalo, you can easily afford a decent place for almost half the price. The cost of living standard is right around that of Shreveport, but that doesn’t majorly affect the price of renting apartments and the median range is right around $512.

There a number of cities where you can rent a decent apartment for less than $550 dollars.

The current housing market is below par. Renting is a much better option than trying to sell your house while the market is this low. Renting your house out is highly beneficial as it not only helps to cover mortgage but also brings you some extra income.

To begin with, to rent out your home as an owner, you have to let USAA know about the rental status. You should also equip yourself with some basic knowledge about property management to ensure that you follow the right practices and don’t end up making mistakes.

Statistics show that almost one out of five people choose homes directly off the internet, and look for houses rented out by owners as opposed to other sources for rentals. As an owner, you can go through the following tips before you start renting out your home:

• Always screen your tenant and pick the best one. Try to look for known tenants by spreading the word that you are renting out a home. Request all applicants to fill a small form that asks for the renter’s name, employer, and other personal and professional information. Before renting your house out, you should also get the renter’s Social Security Number as well as a signed authorization form to conduct a credit check. You check should include factors like credit reports, criminal history, and consulting references. If you’re confused about this process, you can get in touch with professional agencies to help you with the process for a small fee.
• Analyze the rental costs in your geographic location and determine the amount that you intend to charge. Getting a comparable rental rate will make you favorable among renters, especially for those who are looking exclusively for rentals by owners.
• Document a lease and protect your rights as an owner. This lease should cover all the legalities needed to protect and safeguard both the tenant and owner’s rights and obligations.
• Ensure to get insurance for your property before you rent it out. Rent by owner type of homes are usually a little too flexible on agreement and rules, but staying protected can help you secure your property against structural damages and other issues.
• It is best to take the help of a management company. Most tenants who are looking at houses for rent by owners are keen on getting their terms approved without any hassles. However, this could be problematic for you and your property. Getting professional help ensures that you get the best tenants, and you don’t have to worry about managing your property during the rental period.

Finding your dream house or apartment is a challenge in itself. But the buck does not stop there, there are several factors to be considered before you rent a house or apartment. Better yet, there are several important questions that you should ask any house owner before you decide to move in.

Here are a few simple ones to get you started.

The first and foremost is to ascertain the mode of payment for rent. Some owners insist on cash payments, others a very particular and ask for a cheque. Decide this beforehand to avoid any issues later on.

Also there might be any late rent payment fess which can be imposed by the owner. Ascertain how much this will cost you sine it has to be factored in with rent.

Read the rent agreement carefully and find out exactly what your notice period will be like in case you want to vacate. Owners are very particular about notice period and insist on some tenants staying for the initial few months after moving in, before they can even give them a notice period. Be careful of such conditions since you might just end up in an apartment which is not working out for you, where this condition would pose a problem.

Have a good talk with the owner, figure out what he likes and dislike in his apartment before signing a lease or an agreement. Find out what the guest policy is, whether you can have your friends over for a couple of days or put up with someone in your family. This policy is normally included in the lease agreement and something like this has to be discussed with owners before.

Ask whether you can sublet the apartment in case you cannot meet the rent and want to split the expenses with someone. Normally this does not create much of an issue, but some owners and the community you are part of might be very particular about subletting.

There are number of reasons in the end where the owner will sate and try not to give your security deposit back. One of the major reasons being the apartment was not given back to the owner just the way it was. Of course, there might be some wear and tear, but major damages or substantial damage to any property can cause you to lose out on your security deposit and worse, even pay for extra repairs.

There are many other factors which you as a tenant, should discuss with your potential landlord before deciding to move in.

Looking for an apartment doesn’t have to be a hassle. Senior apartment rentals can especially come in handy since you don’t have to worry about shoveling snow, doing hectic tasks, and overloading yourself with tons of work. Old age needs to be carefree and relaxed, and it starts with what matters most – the location.

The location, climate, culture, and lifestyle of the environment seniors live in can impact their health. Plus it needs to be affordable too otherwise renting an apartment won’t make sense and frankly speaking, your seniors don’t want to wound up burning a hole in their pocket.

Here are five awesome places to get senior apartment rentals in the world.

Pittsburgh
Seniors aged 65 and older get free rides on the T-Bus and on the Monongahela Incline. That’s a pretty convenient aspect of senior apartment rentals in Pittsburgh. Its medical university is famous for geriatrics and if your young ones live with seniors and are interested in the field of medicine, then that’s something to consider. Besides this, seniors get free transportation for the most part and the median rental cost for senior apartments is on an average $608 a month.

Mass, Springfield
If you’re looking for cost-effective transportation and low median senior apartment rentals, Mass in Springfield can be a great place to live. Seniors aged 60 and above are eligible for low-cost van services and the bus tickets are sold at half-priced fares for seniors. The median rental amount for senior apartments in Mass,is only a $608 a month.

Tucson, Arizona
Known as the desert city of Arizona and surrounded by five mountain ranges, Tucson in Arizona is famous for their art galleries and serene environment. If your senior wants a quiet place to live in, Arizona can be a spot to go for senior apartment rentals. Additionally, Arizona is famous for hosting various food festivals, events, and colorful fairs every year. You’ll never get bored staying there and the pompous celebratory spirit is something to consider. The slight downside is that it’s a little pricier than other places and the median rental wage is $716 a month.

Providence, Rhode Island
If you’re looking for a scenic place for senior apartment rentals, then the Rhode Island in Providence is the right way to go. The place is famous for its two amazing rivers – the New Bedford and the Fall River, and the housing is affordable too which is priced at a median wage of $644 per month. There are several tourist attraction spots and the Miriam And Newport hospitals are famous in the geriatrics department nationally. Additionally, the Rhode Island Transit Authority offers half-price fares for transportation services for seniors.

Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the home of Vanderbilt University and is famous for its music culture. There’s never a dull moment there and retirees can pay a median rent of $701 a month for senior apartments there. The Music City there is another attraction spot and the city booms with culture and affordable senior rental options.

Before we begin, you must understand that home warranty insurance and homeowner’s insurance aren’t the same. A warranty is merely a service contract between you and the insurer to cover home repairs and replacements for basic appliances and systems. Home warranty companies only cover damages to your appliances and systems, but you will still be liable to damages that have been caused on account of misconduct. Homeowners insurance provides complete cover for damages, replacements, and even personal liability on account of any damages. Here are a few tips to help you get the best home warranty ins plans quotes online.

Check accreditation
One of the foremost factors to consider includes the Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating and accreditation. The BBB certification implies that the company adheres to the business standards set forth by the governing authority. So, ensure you compare home warranty ins plans quotes among those companies that have an A+ accreditation and have been providing insurance services for quite some time.

Check State regulations for warranties
There is no one uniform regulatory authority as home warranty companies in all 50 states are governed by their respective state laws. For example, not all states require the insurance provider to register their services with the Commissioner of Insurance. Note that State regulations impact the quality of warranty provided by the companies.

Be aware of coverage rules
Home warranty provides a limited cover for select home appliances and systems. So, you must double check to confirm that the plan you choose covers mostly everything. There is absolutely no point in paying a premium for vendors who cannot provide substantial cover for damages and replacements. Also verify and understand the claims process after you choose a plan. Quicker the claims and reimbursement disbursal, better will be the insurance company.

Calculate cost of home warranty
It all ultimately comes down to how much you are willing to spend. You will be able to set a budget only after narrowing down the number of appliances and systems that you want to include in the warranty cover. Several factors constitute the cost of the insurance plan apart from the premium and deductibles.

Here are some of the popular home warranty insurance plans and quotes you can get online

• American Residential Warranty
  Best overall service provider for home warranty
• AFC Home Club
  Brings you the flexible plans
• American Home Shield
  Gives you better coverage options
• Amazon Home Warranty
  Top BBB-accredited service provider

Modular homes are built with prefabricated structures or modules, assembled together on site. These homes are no different than your regular homes, with the exception of being more cost effective and easy to build from scratch.

Since modular panels are manufactured off site, custom panels can be designed to suit the client’s requirements and if needed modified as well. These panels are cost effective and easy to manufacture, since the form is based on a predetermined design with accurate parameters and dimensions. This enables all the panels of the home to fit in like a jigsaw puzzle or Lego blocks perfectly.

There are number of advantages of opting for modular homes for the following reasons. Here are a few reasons why.

Time is money: Everybody in the construction business knows that the more labor time an uptime there is on any site, the increased will be the cost. Uncertainties in material prices, labor charges hikes and increased transportation costs all add to the big list of expenses. Modular homes however can be manufactured in parts and transported to the site, where the construction and installation takes a fraction of the time compared to its traditional competitors. There are smaller modular homes which can be completed built indoors in big warehouses or factories, waiting to be just transported to the new building site. This saves time and of course a lot of money.

Design flexibility: Since most modular homes are designed with the intention that someday, upgrades or changes can be made to the existing structure, this makes it a preferable choice over regular homes. The design allows for changes to be made even after a couple of years when the client feels that he wants to expand by adding another floor to create a duplex.

No wastage of materials: Although contractors plan the materials that might be needed for the construction project accurately, there still might be a chance of material shortage or wastage for that matter. Consistency in the building materials will ensure a smoother process and workflow management where there are no downtimes. Modular homes ensure efficient material utilization and minimize the allied costs.

Clayton modular homes is a big name in the construction industry with a workforce of over 13400 members dedicating their time and energy to ensure you get your dream house. The company’s modular homes division has a number of innovative design and utility options for everybody, customizing to satisfy client specifications.