Month: December 2015

Categories
Homes for sale Land for sale Moving into a new home checklist

Here’s Why Real Estate on the Lake is the Most Popular Option for Home Buyers

Safe neighborhood

Moving to a new home has gotten a reputation of being stressful, but the truth is, it should be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. If you know what to look for in a great community, finding quality real estate is both easy and enjoyable.

These days, millions of homeowners are investing in beautiful lake property, and for good reason. Real estate on the lake often features incredible modern home designs, and lakeside homes are known for being in a safe, vibrant community. Plus, it never hurts to have a glistening lake right in your backyard to enjoy whenever you please.

Living the lake lifestyle is one of the most relaxing things you could ever do, and these areas are ideal for starting and raising a family. Here are just three of the many reasons that real estate on the lake has become the go-to option for home buyers across the country:

  • Building a dream home. If modern home design is what you’re looking for in a new home, then you need to check out a lake community. Many private communities offer land to build custom homes on, and there is no limit to the ways you can personalize your new home. Members of Generation X account for 27% of all new home sales, and if you plan on starting a family in your new home, it is highly recommended to build your dream home on the lake.

  • Vibrant community. Real estate on the lake is so unique because lakefront communities are truly unlike any other type of town. They are often ingrained in a historic community with rich tradition and values that have been passed on for centuries. Simply put, there is no better place to raise a family or retire to than a lakefront community. The neighbors are always smiling, and it’s never hard to find something fun to do.

  • Fun on the water. Speaking of finding fun things to do, imagine waking up every day and walking to the backyard for a quick fishing session. Having this easy access to low-impact activities is particularly important for retirees, which is why so many people in their golden years are investing in real estate on the lake. Good health is crucial, and in a recent survey, about 81% of retirees cited it as the most important ingredient for a happy retirement. Retirees in lakeside homes are typically more healthy than those who live elsewhere, and the gorgeous weather in these communities makes it much easier to stay active.

The home buying process should be one of the most memorable times of your life, and finding the right home can make all the difference in your future. Check out quality real estate on the lake and enjoy the infinite benefits of lakeside living.

Categories
Mortgages rates Online mortgage lenders Reverse mortgage advantages

3 Things You Should Think About to Get a Great Mortgage Rate

Mortgage rates in tennessee

Getting the best possible mortgages rates isn’t easy, but it can be done. Here’s what you need to know.

What type of mortgage you’re going to get. – There are two different types of mortgages: fixed rate mortgages or adjustable rate mortgages. The former locks you into an interest rate that you’ll pay over the course of the loan’s term. The latter’s interest rate fluctuates, as you might expect, and they usually offer lower introductory rates. However, it’s important to really remember that the interest rate can and will change eventually later on.

Whether you’re going to pay for points or not. – Points are basically upfront fees — one percent of the total mortgage amount — that’s paid to lower the interest rate by a fixed amount. Paying for points is a good idea if you’re going to be paying the loan off over a long time. However, upfront costs often outweigh these savings further on.

Whether you qualify for a special program. – You might be eligible for a special program that can make the house-buying process more affordable, which is why it’s a good idea to think before you buy. Some of the programs that you might qualify for include VA loans, FHA loans, USDA loans, and first-time homebuyer programs. Look into these options, and you may find yourself with in a better place to get great mortgages rates.

Getting home mortgage lenders to give you great rates isn’t easy, and the myriad of different factors — like the different types of mortgages or the difference between high versus low deposit home loans — doesn’t make it any less difficult. Nevertheless, you can get great home loans rates if you’re willing to put in the work.

If you have any questions about mortgages rates, feel free to share in the comments.

Categories
Charitable donation Charity organizations Disabled veterans donations

Why We Should Focus on Giving This Holiday Season

Purple heart donation pick up

For many Americans, the holidays embody a sense of joy, wonder, and generosity that ought to be carried out through the whole year. A recent survey found that around 43% of those asked give more during the holidays than the rest of the year, with 44% stating that they give the same amount regardless of the season. Many spend the holidays giving gifts to our friends and families; here are some reasons to give donations to charities this holiday season.

Needless Waste

Every year, America throws away roughly 10.5 million tons of clothing and other textiles to landfills across the country. While nearly 100% of these clothing articles could have been recycled, only 15% of the average American’s wardrobe gets recycled. As one of the world’s largest countries, we also happen to be among the largest producers of needless waste in the world.

The Benefits of Charitable Donations

Used clothing donations in 2006 spared approximately 2.5 billion pounds of fabric from landfills. With many of America’s landfills rapidly filling up, every article of clothing donated is a small victory for environmentally-keen Americans. Up to 45% of recycled clothing is worn regularly as secondhand clothing; even clothing with minor wear and discoloration can be given a new lease on life in many circumstances. Although many give charitable donations for altruistic reasons, any donation worth more than $250 can qualify as a tax write-off so long as the individual in question has a receipt: proof that good deeds don’t go unnoticed.

How to Donate Clothing to Charity

Donating clothing is a simple matter of determining what you no longer need. As a general rule of thumb, if you haven’t worn an item in six months to a year you might want to consider donating it as someone may need it more. Many charities have dedicated drop-off locations for donations, although there are an increasing number of clothing donations that pick up at home. Those donations that pick up at home schedule a pick-up time at the donor’s convenience. Let’s remember what the holidays are about this season: family, love, and generosity — even the smallest act of kindness can mean the world to someone in need.

Categories
Cleaning services Maid services Sacramento house cleaning

Three Times In You’ll Life That You’ll Need House Cleaners

Professional house cleaning

It shouldn’t surprise anyone when we tell you that 98% of homeowners feel good when their houses are clean. That should go without saying, shouldn’t it? For that matter, maybe the number should be 100%! Either way, it’s no wonder that we all love clean houses. But we don’t all love the work involved in getting to those clean houses. For example, 63% of homeowners hate cleaning bathrooms more than anywhere else in the house. That’s because cleaning the bathroom is often disgusting — in fact, cleaning most of your house can be disgusting! This simple fact is what leads many Americans each year to hire professional house cleaners. After all, we hire many other professional services; why not house cleaners? House cleaners can make your life a lot simpler. So: let’s talk about the advantages of different types professional cleaning services.

Regular Home Cleaners

For some, having someone regularly come in and clean your home may seem silly. For others, it’s fantastic; and for more still, it’s the only option. For people with on-the-go jobs and lifestyles, cleaning the house on your own as much as you should simply isn’t an option. And the negative consequences that come from letting your house stagnate go far beyond the surface; certain germs can live on dry surfaces for several hours, and on moist surface for up to three days! Along those lines, some have regular cleaners over because they’re caring for a chronically ill loved one. Although cleanliness in these circumstances in particular is an utmost priority, the time just isn’t there. Whatever your reason for hiring regular cleaners, don’t feel guilty or judged for not cleaning on your own. Just do what’s best for you.

Last Minute Home Cleaners

Sometimes, you’re about to have family or friends over for a big event — whether the holidays or a fancy dinner party — and it the midst of all of your preparation, you look around and realize that your home is still a disaster. Circumstances like these are what leads many people to call cleaning services for an “emergency” cleaning. This kind of cleaning is quick and fast, and will have your home looking beautiful just in time for the big event.

Home Cleanings For Show

A major factor to consider as you attempt to sell your home is what kind of impression its cleanliness will make. Of course, the cleaning of the house will be up to the new owners once those papers are signed. But many home owners can’t physically be there to clean their homes before an open house or a big showing. That’s why they hire professional cleaning services. At times, these can be referred to you by your real estate agent. But if you want to handle things by yourself or if you’re trying to sell your house on your own, there are plenty of cleaners available.

Categories
Best preschool in coral gables Preschool in miami Private preschool

How to Find a Preschool — 5 Important Things to Watch Out For

Miami child care

Every parent wants to be able to impart quality education to their children. With the right start, your children can develop themselves for later life, inculcate various important qualities, learn about important realities and develop physical coordination. The right preschool training can also help them develop the rudiments of creative abilities and better communication with their peers.

It has been seen that preschool education can have quite a positive impact on children. There are many palpable benefits of preschool education and finding a good preschool should be one of your top priorities. You are sure to encounter many options, as about 30% of three and four-year old in the country attend preschool, which makes for daily preschool visits for more than five million children. The difference-maker for you is whether you know how to find a preschool that matches your criteria.

While choosing the best preschool for your kids, there are five main factors that you need to weigh –

  • To start off with, look for a preschool which incorporates basic teaching of letters and numbers in the curriculum. Being able to read and count early are signs of rapid development, and the best preschools help your child achieve that.

  • Look for places which include generous amounts of physical activity and play time during the daily routine, especially of the innovative kind. These activities help develop motor functions, encourage teamwork and communication, and bring in basic training in behavioral skills.

  • While learning how to find a preschool, it is essential that parents look for places which help inculcate home and family values through their teaching. If a school displays similar traits handling emotional and social issues as you do at home, you might have a winner.

  • You should look out for teachers who can develop and maintain a relationship with your child that provides nourishment and nurturing. Teachers get to spend long duration with your children in preschool and have an important impact on their development.

  • Look for a private preschool that encourages participation. Letting children choose at least part of their activities and egging them on to suggest interesting ones is a great way to promote development.

The percentage of children pursuing preschool education has gone up significantly over the last decade, and with good reason. Following these tips on how to find a preschool can ensure that your child remains in safe hands and receives optimum attention during these important formative years.