Month: May 2017

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Loan program tx Tx va loan program Tx veterans home loan rates

Are You Eligible for a VA Home Loan? Read Below to Find Out

Vet mortgage rates

Settling back into civilian life can be difficult — and even more difficult if you don’t really have a home of your own to come back to. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs seeks to make that transition and the lives of veterans easier. You served our country well and now it’s our turn to serve you. According to the Veterans Affairs website, the VA home loan program offers a home loan guaranty benefit and other types of housing related programs to help veterans obtain a home. Whether that’s through building your own home, repairing an existing home, purchasing or keeping your home, or adapting a home for yourself, a VA home loan can help make that a possibility. Private lenders provide the home loan, but the VA guarantees a part of the loan, which gives you better terms than you might see if you strike out on your own. If you’re wondering about who qualifies for VA home loan eligibility, read on.

VA Home Loan Eligibility

There are a few qualifications for VA home loan eligibility. You’ll need to have served 90 days (consecutive) during wartime or 181 days during peacetime. Alternatively, if you served in the National Guard or Reserves, you’ll need over six years of service there. You may also have VA home loan eligibility if you were married to a service member who passed away in the line of duty or who has a service-related disability. If you were discharged from service under dishonorable conditions, you will not be eligible to apply.

You don’t need to hit an income threshold in order to qualify, but you do need to provide proof that you have a stable income that can cover your monthly expenses —
this includes the mortgage payment. You also need to show that you’ll have residual income after major expenses (mortgage, car payments, etc.,) are paid for, which would cover food and transportation, among other things. This builds in a safety net for the VA and for the borrower — they know they’ll have enough money to cover their bills every month and in case of an emergency, borrowers know they have a bit of leeway with their expenses.

Private lenders may also ask for other qualifications, such as debt, income, or credit requirements.

How Do I Apply For a VA Loan?

After you make sure that you’re eligible for the VA loan, you should get in touch with a lender that the VA has approved (you can find those resources on their website) and begin the application. You’ll also need to get your VA Loan Certificate of Eligibility, which you can often receive through your chosen lender. (Other ways to get this include via mail using the VA Form 26-1880, asking a VA Loan Specialist to assist, or applying online with the VA’s eBenefits portal.)

After your COE is obtained, you’ll finish up your loan application, gather all necessary paperwork, and turn it into the lender for approval.

What are the Main Benefits of Getting a VA Loan?

A veteran loan has provided the status of “homeowner” to over 20 million veterans, some first time owners, and some previous homeowners. In 20145, just shy of 135,000 home loans were taken out by first time homebuyers and over 185,000 home loans were taken out by veterans who had previously owned a home.

You don’t need mortgage insurance and lets you have 100% financing. Furthermore, the mortgage rates from the VA are at least 50 basis points lower than the rates available on conventional mortgage loans. In most cases, you also won’t need to provide a down payment, nor will you have to pay a mortgage insurance premium every month, meaning that more of your payment goes straight to the actual mortgage.

If you’re a veteran and need a little assistance with getting a loan, get in touch with the Department of Veterans Affairs and see how you can start your application process. Everyone deserves a roof over their head, especially the brave men and women who have served our country well.

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Custom home building Home builders chattanooga New home builders in chattanooga tn

Why Building a Custom Home is the Best Choice for You?

New home builders

If there is something that really stresses people, it’s the idea of owning a house. Whether you decide to go for a production house or a custom home building project, there are always serious factors to consider. Some of the factors to consider before choosing the best solution to your house need include, cost, family size, specifications, location, materials to be used, house design and land. Depending on where on the location of the proposed house, construction times will differ across region of the country. For instance, houses built in the Middle Atlantic Region takes around 9.5 months to be completed, whereas the Mountain Region construction averages around six months from start to completion.

If you’ll decide to stick with a custom home over other production models, brace yourself for a somewhat costly home project. Unlike production house models which often maximize on economies of scale and pooling of labor, custom home building projects often demand something extra, especially if there are various specific features and installations to be done. The design of the house will also contribute to the overall cost of building a house, and assumingly you had to purchase a land, then the total cost will be significantly high.

Although the custom home building may seem like an expensive venture, it can be worth it provided you’ve assessed your factors properly. Besides, a custom home can be as simple as you want, but it can also be complex and elaborate depending on your lifestyle.

Building a home can be a fulfilling project that you can admire for years to come. As a result, custom home builders recommend that you come up with your own floor plan or better yet, consult a home developer to design a home from scratch. Since the idea is to have a custom house, you get to choose what goes where and the type floor plan you’d want to have. Additionally, you can choose a design that complements the surrounding. For instance, if you are building a house near a lake or a river, you can opt to have your windows facing that direction for the best views possible.

Since you’ll be majorly involved in both decision making and perhaps the actual construction process, it’s important that you find new home builders with a reputable track record of delivering great home solutions. While the construction is underway, you can add new features that you’d like to see in your new house, and even alter any installations if you wish. That’s the beauty of custom home building projects.

Now that you understand the importance of building a custom home, you can comfortably reward your family with a beautiful custom house and turn it into a home full of love and laughter. Lastly, you can also decide to have a home remodeling project rather than building a house from scratch, either way, you’ll get to choose what you really need in a house.

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Featured

A Few of the Many Benefits of Buying Plants from a Local Wholesale Nursery

wholesale nurseryDid you know that the average homeowner spends approximately four hours every week caring for their lawn? That’s right, people really love their lawns, and it’s no question why. Lawns are places for fun, relaxation, and socialization, so it makes sense that people want their yards to look nice.

Landscaping plays a big role in how a lawn looks, but you can’t exactly get started with a landscaper unless you know where you’re going to buy your plants from. If you’ve never considered it before, now is the time to think about purchasing your plants from a local wholesale nursery. Here are just a few of the many benefits that come with buying your plants from a wholesale nursery.

Cost Effectiveness
Buying anything for wholesale price is going to be much more cost effective than purchasing it at retail price. The same is true for plants, and it’s why countless landscaping companies invest in wholesale plants for their customers. Whether you’re planting a new tree line or a big bed of your favorite flowers, going wholesale will allow you to purchase more in the long run.

Knowledgeable Staff Members
You’re not going to find the same plant expertise at a home improvement store as you will at a local nursery. Here, the staff members will be exceptionally knowledgeable about plant life, especially those plants native to your area. If you’re working with a landscaping architect, your plants will definitely be from a nursery where the employees are experts.

Native Plant Life
One of the most important things to consider when you’re planting a garden or permanently changing the landscaping around your home is local plant life. Plants that are native to your area will not only grow more effectively, they’ll be healthier and more durable throughout the course of their lives.

Whether you’re just starting out in the world of gardening or you’re a tried and true professional, there’s no arguing that wholesale nurseries are the way to go. Don’t wait to start planning your spring garden today!

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Metal roof contractors

Top 3 Reasons to Try Metal Roofing

metal roofingA lot happens under your roof — family get-togethers, holidays, birthdays, dinnertime masterpieces and dinnertime fails, and even the good old-fashioned lazy weekend. Where do you start when you’re shopping for a roof to cover all those good things? Metal roofs can be a reliable, cost-effective investment to those browsing the roofing market today.

  1. Metal roofing has a long lifespan.
    Well-maintained metal roofing often lasts 50 years or more, or about seven times longer than a roof made of asphalt shingles. In fact, aluminum-zinc alloy roofing often lasts up to 100 years — excellent news if you don’t want to have to be calling your local roofing company again anytime soon. It’s even durable in severe weather, with a wind rating of 140 miles per hour (mph). This makes metal roofing a popular option in northern areas that risk a lot of snow and ice damage to a traditional asphalt roof.

  2. Metal roofing is more affordable.
    While most metal roofs are made of steel or aluminum, even using more expensive materials like copper, zinc, or stainless steel will cost 30 percent less on average than your typical asphalt roof. Combine the upfront cost savings with the durability, and a residential metal roof is more affordable all around. Affordability doesn’t mean sacrificing options, either. Metal roofing companies can often offer over 100 premium, standard, and customized colors — a far cry from the 15 to 20 options you may have available to you when shopping for an asphalt roof. And if you’re not keen on the look of vertical panels of metal roofing, check into the interlocking shingles that are also available.

  3. Metal roofing saves energy.
    Paying bills might be one of the less-than-exciting events taking place under your new roof, but choosing metal roofing can help with that, too. A metal roof can lead to annual energy savings as high as 25 percent, making that monthly utility bill just a little bit easier. In addition, you can have peace of mind knowing that metal roofing is completely recyclable at the end of its longer-than-average lifespan and that most roofing companies use metal roofing that is made of 30 to 60 percent recycled material.

More and more homeowners are looking into metal roofing because whether they want durability, cost-effectiveness, energy savings, or just more options, metal roofing is going above and beyond their expectations.

Categories
Life preserver decor Nautical theme decor Ship figurehead for sale

Driving Home Design Simple Ways to Use Nautical Wheels as Home Decor

Navy diving helmet

New trends in home interior design and decor have been making waves in recent years, from revisiting retro themes to creating entirely new ones born from modern inspiration. Similar to the fashion industry, trends in interior design and decorating may come and go, however there are a a handful for trends that simply can’t and won’t go out of style. One such example is ocean and nautical themes.

Considering that both the planet Earth and the human body are made up of nearly 70% water, it’s unsurprising that ocean themes remain so popular. The seas, as well as the adventures they bring, have always fascinated mankind and still do to this day. The best part of nautical themes is that you don’t have to live close to the ocean to be able to enjoy a seaside retreat! You can create your own in the comfort of your own home with a few key nautical items such as a nautical wheel, pirate decor, and other nautical decorations.

Nautical wheels are perhaps some of the most iconic and popular items included in nautical and ocean themed interior decorating, and it’s easy to see why. These pieces command attention and lend a sense of authenticity to any nautical design theme. Here’s how you can incorporate nautical wheels in your home decor!

Above the couch

The space above the couch has a great deal of potential, and is often used as a center of interest of sorts. As such, a large nautical wheel placed above the couch can be a great way to ground the entire space. Try incorporating additional accessories such as a life preserver, sea shells, a chunky throw blanket, and candles.

Over the fireplace

Similar to the space over the couch, blank space over a fireplace has a lot of potential for decor creativity. Placing a nautical wheel above a fireplace and accessorizing the shelf with items such as sea shells, glass bottles, drift wood, and candles can create a designer inspired nautical look. The key is to incorporate other nautical themed accessories that will create a cohesive look.

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Amish storage shed nj Gliders Wooden swing set

Furniture Solutions for a Cluttered Home

Pergolas nj

Choosing Amish furniture means you are choosing quality. Every piece of Amish furniture is completely made by hand. However, you can have furniture that doubles as a functional storage solution. It is common for homes to become a little overrun with clutter. If you prefer an outdoor solution, it is recommended to check out quality made Amish barns. In this post, you will learn more about which pieces of Amish furniture works well for storing items inside the home.

  • Chests: A handmade Amish chest can store treasured items for years to come. There are many different types of chests to choose from. You might prefer the ease of a chest with multiple drawers. If you’re planning on storing larger items, there are chest without drawers available.

    Wooden chests can be made from a wide variety of wood. You will find wooden chests are usually made from oak, maple, hickory, and cherry. Some chests are made with the inclusion of cushion space. This cushion adds an extra seat to a room which can really come in handy.

  • Desks: Some are not aware that the Amish create computer desks. You will find the quality of Amish workmanship extends to fully functional office furniture. These desks can usually be built in only about eight weeks.

    Desks are great for storage space for documents and other important office supplies. The sturdy shelves of Amish computer desks work well for keeping cords out of sight. A secretary desk features a movable door for extra functionality.

  • Bookcases: It is hard to find a piece of wooden furniture more elegant than a bookcase. Recent research shows that 67 percent of people feel furniture choices say a lot about someone. Having a bookcase is great for displaying a treasured collection of books.

  • Hutches: A hutch is a piece of handmade furniture that is part storage and part display. Hutches work especially well in rooms that need items properly on display. Doors on a hutch can be built with or without window panels.

    • In closing, there are many pieces of Amish furniture that add storage space to a home. Chests are great for adding storage in an attic. These chests can also be used as storage and seating for a cluttered bedroom. Desks are great for adding Amish quality to any office. You can store your treasured books from years past in a handmade Amish bookcase. Hutches are also a great piece of furniture for storage solutions while also being able to display items.

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    Preschool Private schools miami Top private schools

    Important Benefits of Private School Education That You Need to Consider for Your Child

    Best private schools in florida

    One of your most important responsibilities as a parent is to ensure that your child gets the best possible education. Educating your child is important due to many reasons, as it shapes the future career of your child and molds your child into the person that they would become with the passage of time. For character development and the development of the right notions and characteristics that would want to help them achieve great things in life later on, the right education is an essential ingredient without which nothing will be possible in future. Choosing the right place to send your child for education is one of the most important choices that you would have to make during your many years as a parent. There are quite a lot of factors to consider in this regard and, since this is something where you cannot afford to go wrong, it is advisable that you take your time and putting quite a lot of effort to make the best possible decision for your child. One of the most important choices that you would have to make in this regard is to choose between a public school and private school. This is the choice that makes many parents stumble, and this is the choice that you would have to make efficiently and smartly with insight so that your child ends up at the right place where the best of education can be imparted. While both public schools and private schools have their own merits, if you truly want the best for your child, it is important to take particular note of the benefits of private school education. Private high schools have quite a lot of important advantages that can make them the best alternative in this case. Taking a look at the benefits of private school education can help make your decision easier, and assure the right kind of education for your child.

    One of the most important factors when you are trying to decide the right place where you can send your children for education is the quality of education that they would end up receiving. This is one of the benefits of private school education, principally due to the fact that private schools usually have a significantly better ratio of teachers to students. This means that each individual student gets a lot more individual attention, and this way the communication can become more effective as the teachers try to impart education to the students. This is a great way to ensure that every student gets the adequate amount of attention individually from all the teachers, and can become quite an important ingredient for a good education. Another reason why private schools can be extremely good for your child is the fact that these schools are usually outfitted with the latest facilities. Laboratories, computer rooms and libraries and all the latest modern facilities and amenities that can make the process of imparting education much easier are all present in private schools. These schools also routinely enhance and upgrade their system of imparting education by the use of the latest technologies, and the use of these learning aids can play an important role in the imparting of education.

    Another important factor when you are considering the benefits of private school education is the fact that they spent quite a lot of time and effort in creating the perfect blend of extracurricular activities so that the children, along with academic progress, also remain active physically and mentally and learn important character traits that would go on to help them later in life. These activities can really help your child reach their full potential in terms of learning and becoming a better person, and this is one of the benefits of private school education that parents should not ignore at any cost. With all these compelling benefits of private school education, this can definitely become the best option for your child, Allowing you to send your child to a place where there can be complete, all round education and character development For better success later in life.

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    Dog house with kennel What is a pergola Where to buy a pergola

    Why Should I Choose a Rent to Own Shed?

    Custom pergolas nj

    Amish furniture began to take off in the 1920s. Even in its early stages, historians and furniture dealers knew the quality that went into Amish furniture. Certain companies offer Amish sheds, adding the quality of Amish made furniture to outdoor storage. In this post, you will learn more about the benefits of custom made rent to own sheds.

    In many situations, it can be tough to have an entire shed payment ready. Companies offering shed rentals know that times are tough. Renting to own a shed means that you can make monthly payments. Renting is an attractive option in many situations.

    Having a shed is something that many homeowners pride themselves in having. A shed can provide much storage space. Cluttered homes can be completely transformed with the addition of a storage shed.

    In some cases, a store bought shed might not be right for you. Custom sheds are great for providing you with the shed that you want. A company making custom sheds can work with you to ensure you get the right final product. There are five main types of wood that primarily go into making Amish furniture which are oak, cherry, hickory, walnut, and maple.

    Some companies will offer shed ordering that can be done entirely online. In many cases, Amish furniture can be delivered from ordering time in about 12-16 weeks. Rent to own sheds are usually offered in installment payment periods of 12-24 months.

    Certain companies will not even run credit checks, prior to renting a shed. No credit checks are great for those who are burdened with having less than stellar credit. Having a company work with your credit situation is great for many people. Rent to own sheds let people own a quality shed on a smaller budget.

    In closing, having a rent to own shed provides many benefits. A flexible rent to own shed program is great for many people. Not everyone is able to afford the entire payment for a shed at one time. A rent to own shed program provides you with flexibility while still being able to rent a handmade Amish shed.