Top 10 Moving Tips from the Experts
September 2, 2014You don't need the brain of a genius and the muscles of a gym rat in order to have a successful move. After all, that's what lists like these and professional movers are for.Here are 10 moving tips from the experts at Movearoo.com to help make your move as seamless as possible:Make a ListIt's easy to forget things during a move. Stay on point by printing out custom inventory and moving checklists from the Internet, so you never miss a step, like…
read more...Five hidden costs of buying a home
July 30, 2014So you found your dream home in a neighborhood you love, it's in your price range, and you're ready to get the keys and move in ASAP. Everything is perfect - that is, until you realize that there are additional fees that could put a damper on your home-buying experience.According to Lindsey Michael, a mortgage loan consultant at Kinecta Federal Credit Union in San Diego, California, the hidden costs of buying a home can be extremely complex."Typically the seller of…
read more...8 big mistakes first-time homebuyers make
July 17, 2014The housing market is hot, thanks to favorable interest rates and home prices that remain relatively low around much of the country. According to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales rose sharply in May, with lower mortgage rates and increased inventory pushing home sales upward in all four regions of the U.S.And as underwriters start to ease their standards—the secondary mortgage market is starting to come back for buyers with "squeaky clean" finances, according to John Barrentine, co-founder and…
read more...How to Live Alone for the First Time (and Love It!)
July 7, 2014Living alone for the first time in an apartment can be an exhilarating experience. You are free to make your home your own. You can choose the décor, which TV shows to watch and what music to play.For many people, living alone can make them feel anxious. But there are plenty of ways to get comfortable with being on your own.Start With a BudgetWorrying about money isn’t uncommon, but when you live alone the household expenses are all on you, which can generate some anxiety when you are new to…
read more...Top Summer Moving Tips For College Students
June 26, 2014Some students will return home for the summer, while a vast majority will be on the hunt for an apartment. For those students, now is the time to begin weighing all housing options wisely, with affordability being a major consideration.From knowing how to search for an apartment or other type of housing to moving tips and being budget-minded throughout the entire process, here are some tips to keep in mind:Simple Money Saving Tips Roommates - One of the easiest ways to cut…
read more...Why You Should Get Renters Insurance
May 16, 2014Renters insurance is an important safety net. Having a policy can save you from big expenses—and even bigger headaches—if disaster strikes your rental. But what are those disasters, exactly? Does renters insurance cover everything?Whether you are signing up for the first time or you have had a renters insurance policy for years, here’s what you need to know about your coverage:Your Landlord’s Insurance:Many renters assume they don’t need their own insurance because they do not own the building they live in, but…
read more...9 Inexpensive Ways to Stay Cool in a Hot Apartment
May 5, 2014It would be wonderful if every apartment came complete with an installed air-conditioning unit; unfortunately, they are not. Many of us swelter away the bright summer days with whirring fans and open windows. There are ways for apartment dwellers who want to beat the heat.1. Keep bedroom curtains closedIt is a fallacy to think that opening up windows in hot weather will cool a room. For better sleeping at night, keep your bedroom curtains closed through the day. You want…
read more...Odd Moving Tips That Really Work
April 28, 2014You've got the basics -- cardboard boxes, newspaper, the phone number of a pizza place so you can feed the friends helping you move all your worldly goods. But do you have enough socks for the stemware?As with any major home project, there's always someone out there with more experience and a host of clever ideas. Moving is no different. We've rounded up a list of some of our favorite quirky-but-useful tips to make trading one roof for another go…
read more...6 Tips For Renting Your First Apartment
April 24, 2014Here are six tips for renting your first apartment in a challenging market, whether you're flying solo or searching with roommates.1. Set a realistic budget based on the areaThe conventional wisdom is to spend no more than 30% of your annual income on housing costs. But given low entry-level salaries and high housing costs, you may need to budget a little more if you're living in an expensive urban market such as New York City or San Francisco. "It totally…
read more...The Worst Mortgage Advice You Could Get
April 17, 2014Are you thinking about buying or refinancing a home in the near future? If so, chances are you're getting all kinds of advice from well-intentioned friends and family.Just remember to keep this important piece of advice in mind: Don't listen to everything you hear. According to industry professionals, some words of wisdom are not wise at all.To help you separate the bad advice from the good, check out five common statements that should cause you to cover your ears immediately.Bad…
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