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How To Maintain Your AC in Great Working Condition?

(via: https://pixabay.com/photos/air-conditioner-roof-unit-cooling-5295550/)

As the weather warms up and summer approaches, homeowners all across the country begin to turn on their air conditioners. These keep you cool when the weather gets hot, and ensures your home can continue to be a comfortable place to be.

However, to ensure your air conditioner continues to work well and as you expect, you need to maintain it. If you simply ignore the system for years, it isn’t likely going to run very efficiently. With that in mind, this blog post is going to go over a few tips for how you can maintain your AC and keep it in great working condition.

Have a Professional Inspect it

Perhaps the best way to keep your AC in great shape is by having a professional come and check it out. They will be able to provide you with a full ac tune-up and inspect the unit to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. Even if everything seems fine with your unit, you never know unless you have an expert check it out.

You should look to bring in a pro at least once a year to check out your system, test it out, and make sure there are no issues materializing behind the scenes. While this comes with a cost, it is much less than what you would have to pay for a replacement or major repair of the unit.

Change Out the Filter

Another way you can keep your AC in the best shape possible is by remembering to change out your air filter. The air filter is an important part of your HVAC system, and it keeps dust and debris out of your system, and out of the air.

Over time, the filter will become clogged up, and won’t be as effective as it could be. It needs to be changed out every now and then to keep your system working efficiently. It is important to be aware of the fact that there are many different types of filters, too.

Some may be able to be washed and reused, some replaced after a few months, and others need to be changed monthly for best results. Know the filter you have, and the best practices in relation to it. In many cases, if you have children or pets in the home, you may need to change the filter out more frequently.

Ensure the Ducts are in Good Shape

A big part of the air conditioning system in many homes is the ducts. These are what will transport the cool air throughout your home to the different rooms. And for your AC to be in good condition, your ducts also need to be in good shape.

They should be clean and should be free from any cracks, holes, or other ways for cool air to escape. If your ducts are full of gaps, it means a lot of cool air won’t reach its final destination in the various rooms in your home. As a result, take time to learn about sealing your ducts if you want your AC to work at its best.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can make sure your air conditioner stays in good condition and continues to work well.

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How to Get a Lawyer for Real Estate Negotiations

Buying a house is not a simple purchase. There are many prices one should consider paying before owning a home. Purchasing real estate is a legal transfer from one property to another. We suggest calling a real estate lawyer that will look out for your best interests. 

Today, you can search and contact any lawyer with the help of the modern internet. However, it can be challenging for us to find a lawyer suitable for our needs. This article aims to help you get a real estate lawyer for your future negotiations. 

What can a Real Estate Lawyer Do For You?

Before purchasing a house and lot, there are many laws and processes to consider. It makes sense for future home buyers to enlist an attorney who will explain every procedure that a person needs to go through. Aside from that, a real estate lawyer will guide you properly about the legal transactions of purchasing a new home. 

A real estate attorney has adequate knowledge about laws regarding real estate purchases. We urge you to call a lawyer that can adequately deal with Charleston Real Estate Transactions and help you close the deal. You do not have to worry about anything since real estate attorneys know all about the legal activities you are about to encounter.

Real estate lawyers specialize in giving professional advice. It comes from their years of knowledge and experience involving real estate transactions. If you are a home seller, getting a real estate lawyer can also benefit both parties. They can assist you with all the requirements you need to accomplish if you want to perform a short sale or a home sale. 

Aside from their years of studying law, the experience that lawyers gain from past transactions will help close some deals. They also have the authority to prepare the correct documents, files, and contracts before advising a person to buy or sell a house. In some situations, your real estate lawyer will be in charge of closing a deal. 

During the purchase of a house, a real estate lawyer can represent the interests of both parties. They will also be able to tackle all the legalities involved with a home sale or purchase. When all the options are correctly presented to both sides, closing a home sale transaction will be smooth and effortless.

How to Get a Lawyer for Real Estate Transactions

Getting a trustworthy and reliable lawyer is not hard in our internet age. However, not all people might be accustomed to hiring a lawyer. Take note that there are different lawyers for various types of cases. It is not a surprise that real estate transactions require the presence of a real estate attorney. 

Are you looking for the best real estate lawyer for your upcoming transaction? Then we invite you to read the next section. We will now show you how to get a real estate lawyer. 

Word of Mouth

When we talk about word of mouth, it covers all the casual dialogue happening around us. Word of mouth can be helpful for products and services available today. If you are looking for a real estate lawyer, we advise you to seek knowledge from people who have done it before. You can approach your friends or family members when seeking a real estate attorney if you want to purchase a home or sell your house. 

State Bar Association Directory

Every state in the US presents a directory where you can easily find the best lawyers for any case. The State Bar Association also has a website you can visit when searching for a lawyer. We suggest getting a lawyer with adequate knowledge and experience while also operating in your general area. Transactions will be easier if your real estate lawyer is close to you. 

Online Legal Review Site

Since many products and services are now using the internet, there is no doubt that reputable law firms will also appear as websites. Online Legal Reviews will show you the best lawyers available. You will be able to see their experience and capabilities. It will also show you a track record of their performance regarding the cases they handled in the past. 

Conclusion

If you want to buy or sell a house, we recommend getting a real estate lawyer. They know how to prepare all the legal documents and review the contracts during a real estate transaction. Furthermore, real estate lawyers are crucial since they will represent all parties’ interests in a real estate transaction.

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5 Tips for Converting a Garage Into a Living Space Sanctuary

When most people think about a home garage, they picture a shelter for their car and a storage space for junk they don’t need or ever use. But if you’re a creative homeowner who wants to maximize living space, you just might picture a new living space sanctuary.

Whether you’re looking to sell your house for more, or you feel inspired to turn your garage into something you’ll love, the options are endless.

But where do you even start? How do go about converting a garage into a living space sanctuary?

Keep reading to find out!

1. Make the Garage Door Look All-Natural

You want your new living space to feel cozy and comfortable, right? Well, having an old, outdated, and ugly-looking garage door will have the opposite effect.

You’ll need to get a garage door repair and upgrade to make it look more natural and like it’s part of the room. For example, if you’re going for a rustic sanctuary, consider wood garage doors to add to the aesthetic you’re going for.

2. It Needs to Be Insulated

If your garage is already insulated, great! Move on to the next step. If it’s not, you’ll need to insulate it. Otherwise, your garage will be super hot or cold, depending on the weather, and your heater or A/C won’t work properly.

To insulate your garage, you’ll need to elevate the floor above the concrete. You can add a wood floor above which will allow for insulation. Then, you’ll need to insulate the walls and ceiling.

3. Add Heating and Cooling

Unless you somehow live in perfect weather year-round, you’ll absolutely need to add a heating and cooling system to your garage once it has been insulated.

You may be able to extend the main house system to your garage. If not, you’ll need to get the garage its own system. For example, you can get a space heater or a ductless mini-split system.

Remember, if you install a new HVAC system or if you choose to use the one already in your home, you’ll need to keep it well maintained, and ensure you fix your A/C should anything go wrong – in this way, you can stay comfortable all year round.

4. Install Windows

If you really want to make your garage come to life, adding windows is a must. Otherwise, you’ll feel closed off as if you’re living in a cave.

Adding windows will bring in sunlight and brighten up the space. They’ll also make the space feel a lot bigger and you won’t feel as confined.

5. Make the Garage Look Like an Extension of the House

Right now, your garage is probably made of concrete floors and grey or white walls. It doesn’t match the style of your home at all. If you want your garage to feel like home, then make it look like home.

Paint the walls the same color as your living room. Pick furniture that matches the style of the rest of the house. By doing this, you won’t feel like you’re walking into a garage anymore, it’ll feel like another room in your house.

Converting a Garage into a Space You’ll Love

Your garage doesn’t need to be a storage unit for old tools and forgotten junk. By converting a garage into a living sanctuary, you maximize the space in your home and create a room that is actually useful.

Need some tips on decorating your new space? Check out our blog on how to decorate using mid-century modern design!

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Steel vs Aluminum: Which is Best For Your Product?

Aluminum and stainless are two of the most common metals that are used for manufacturing. They are both extremely versatile and do not corrode easily. This makes stainless steel and aluminum staples in the metals industry.

But if you want the differences and pros and cons when it comes to stainless steel vs aluminum, you need to do a deep comparison. Luckily for you, that is exactly what we have done in this article.

Main Characteristics of Stainless-Steel vs Aluminum

Stainless steel comes in all sorts of grades. The grades are sorted by a series number and given a numerical score.

The number classifies the grade of steel based on its applications, physical properties, and composition. Stainless steel has high tensile strength, is usually magnetic, and contains iron.

Aluminum is not magnetic, has a low density, and does not contain iron.

Thanks to its low tensile strengths, aluminum is usually combined with other metals to give it more properties.

Conductivity

Aluminum is a great thermal and electrical conductor. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is not a good conductor of electricity. This is because of its dense protective oxide layer.

Cost

When it comes to cost, aluminum tends to be more expensive than stainless steel when you are considering the price based on weight. However, if you are looking at cost based on volume then you will see that aluminum is cheaper because you are getting more product.

Of course, you also need to consider manufacturing costs. You can see here to learn more about manufacturing.

Heat Resistance

When we are looking at the differences between two popular metals, it is very important that we compare heat resistance. Stainless steel is much better when it comes to resistance to heat. It has a melting point of 2500 ℉.

Aluminum, on the other hand, becomes soft around 400 ℉. It has a melting point of only 1220 ℉.

With all that said, when it comes to cold temperatures, aluminum has the advantage. As the temperature goes down, the tensile strength of aluminum goes up. Stainless steel, on the other hand, becomes brittle when it gets too cold.

Corrosion Resistance

Although aluminum will not rust, it will corrode when you expose it to salt. Stainless steel is very resistant to corrosion and won’t rust easily.

It should also be pointed out that stainless steel is not porous. This makes it even more resistant to corrosion.

The Importance of Knowing the Differences for Steel vs Aluminum

Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what the differences are when it comes to steel vs aluminum. As we can see, these two metals each come with their pros and cons. By knowing what you want to manufacture, you will have a better idea of which metal is going to be best for you.

Don’t forget to visit our blog for more helpful articles today!

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7 Reasons Why Your Home Should Have a Safe Deposit Box

Whether they’re protecting sentimental keepsakes or confidential documents, you need a secure place to keep your belongings. Do not just leave them scattered in your home or simply kept in a cabinet. You need something that will provide you peace of mind, and a safety deposit box is one of the top things that can give you that sense of security.

Not yet convinced that a safe deposit box is a must-have at home? Read on, and I will share with you some of the most compelling reasons to invest in one!

7 Reasons to Invest in a Safety Deposit Box

A safe is not just for commercial banks! It is also for private homes, especially for people who want to have a secure place where they can keep their belongings. From keeping your property secure to preventing damage from natural disasters, a safe deposit box can deliver a plethora of benefits.

1.     Prevent Theft

According to the State of Safety survey, property crime is the top safety concern among Americans. If you find it worrisome, then you should have parameters in place, including a safe deposit box.

By having a safe at home, you are keeping your valuables out of sight, making it a great theft-deterrent. Plus, it has security features in place, such as codes that people cannot easily crack. It is almost impossible to break, depending on the construction and quality of the safe.

Steel and reinforced concrete are two of the most common materials you will find in today’s safe deposit boxes. They are heavy, thick, and hard to break. This will also give you peace of mind knowing that whatever is inside is safe from thieves.

2.     Keep Items in Mint Condition

From their appearance to cost, simulated vs lab diamonds have many differences. Nonetheless, one thing is the same—they need proper storage to maintain their best condition. The same thing is true with pearls, sapphires, and other precious stones or materials. They can tarnish over time because of heat, humidity, dust, and other external factors. With a safe at home, you don’t have to worry!

If you have collections of rare objects, such as stamps and coins, a safe is also a must-have. like in the case of jewelry, you can protect them from premature wear.

3.     Easy Access to Documents and Valuables

Traditionally, people would go to commercial banks when they need a safe deposit box to keep their documents and other things that the bank will allow. It can be a hassle, especially if you live far from a bank. Not to mention, the long-term costs can also be high.

With a safe deposit box at home, you can enjoy a more convenient alternative. This will spare you from the need to take a trip to the bank to get something that you need. You can access whatever is in the box the moment you need it.

4.     Lower Your Insurance Premium

On average, a homeowner’s insurance costs $1,854 annually. Luckily, there are certain ways by which you can enjoy more affordable rates without reducing the coverage of your policy.

One of the best ways to lower the cost of home insurance is to improve home security. This will include installing alarms, sprinkler systems, and dead-bolt locks. Another thing that can help is having a safety deposit box.

It will not only protect against theft, but it will also minimize the possibility of your valuables getting damaged during disasters, such as fire and flood. This way, the insurer can save money in terms of the potential claims that you might file.

5.     Store Dangerous Items

Firearm injury and death can happen at home. Most of the time, it is unintentional. One of the most common causes is easy access to items like guns and ammunition. Kids may unknowingly be playing with guns if you leave them in an unsafe area. To prevent such from happening, a safe deposit box is a must.

By keeping guns and ammo in a safe, you are limiting its accessibility. It is accessible only to people who have the key or who know the password. This is better than keeping your firearms in a drawer, cabinet, or anywhere it is easy for anyone else to see.

Equipped with a dial combination lock, fingerprint, or traditional keypad, other people won’t be able to easily access a gun in your safe deposit.

6.     Protect Against Fire

Fire is devastating. No matter how careful you are, it can happen. It can destroy your home and burn everything that you have. If you want peace of mind, then you will be happy having a safe.

Depending on the specific product that you will pick, most safes are fire-proof. However, do not forget to look at the specific fire rating. You can identify this through a safe’s UL Rating. It is followed by a sub-rating, which determines the number of hours the contents inside the safe are protected against fire.

7.     Protect Against Water Damage

While it isn’t as serious as a fire, water can also damage your valuables. This is especially the case if you live in an area that is prone to heavy rains and flooding. You can protect your things with a safe at home.

If you keep a lot of confidential documents, then a safe is a worthy investment. Imagine the hassle of having to replace all your papers when a flood hits your home and everything is wet. Keeping them in a safe gives you assurance that they are protected.

However, take note that not all safes are waterproof. Look at the waterproof rating to be sure that you are buying a good one.

Final Thoughts

Whether it is for diamond rings, stacks of cash, stock certificates, spare keys, insurance policies, passports, or copies of will, among others, a safe deposit box at home is a good investment. It prevents theft and protects against damages, including fire and water. It is one of the most affordable but effective safety measures every house needs.

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4 Trends Shaping Green Buildings You Need to Watch

By 2023, the US green building market is expected to reach over $103 million. As more people are realizing the detrimental effects humans have on the planet, the more they’re looking for ways to save it.

Considering that we spend so much time indoors, construction sustainability is something worth looking into. Not only can it help reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also persist through generations, which makes it worth the money spent on these projects.

If you want to be eco-friendly and green buildings have piqued your interest, then read on. We’ll show you 4 trends to watch!

1. Plants on the Roof

Many buildings have normal roofs that are uncovered, as well as uninsulated. But this isn’t very energy-efficient, as the heat generated inside is lost to the outside environment. And on summer days, it can get unbearably hot inside, which means turning up the AC more.

An easy way around this is putting plants on uninsulated roofs. Not only does this provide some beautiful greenery, but more importantly, it reduces the burden on HVAC systems. This lowers utility costs, as well as your carbon footprint.

2. Solar Control Glass

Solar control glass is specialized glass that reflects both heat and UV rays. These are being developed for green buildings to lower utility costs. In addition, 100% of the glass can be recycled!

What’s also great about using more glass for buildings is it’s light and has good thermal insulation. This makes it an attractive option for architects and construction companies.

3. Solar Panels

Reflecting the sun’s UV rays is all well and good, but why not harness them instead? With solar panels, you can!

Have some solar panels installed on your roof and you’ll be able to generate clean power. And in some cases, you might even be able to sell back energy to the grid if you produce more than you use.

4. Smart Systems

Smart buildings are what’s in nowadays. There are smart home systems and commercial equivalents that give you perfect control over everything inside.

For example, a smart thermostat can be set to certain temperatures at specific times. Through the power of machine learning, it can even learn when to turn the temps up or down.

To your hub, you can connect not just a thermostat, but also lights and your appliances. It can then give you an energy reading every day/week/month so you can figure out where else to cut down on.

If you’re interested in learning more, then check out these sustainability projects.

Green Buildings Are the Future

Green buildings bring a lot of benefits to the planet and they’re the way to the future. From adding plants on the roof to solar control glass and panels, there are plenty of ways to incorporate green building design into your property. So explore your options!

Want to do your part in fighting climate change? Then browse our blog page for more ideas.

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Everything You Need to Know About Doctor’s Mortgages

The average medical graduate owes $241,600 in total student loans. Not only that, they have to pay quadruple the amount because of the interest rates. It often makes it hard to pay off the loans, raise a family, and buy a house.

Because of that, doctors have difficulty obtaining a traditional mortgage that fulfills their requirements. Fortunately, a physician mortgage was designed to address the high debt-to-income ratios from the doctor’s college loans. Continue reading to learn how a doctor mortgage can save the day.

What is a Mortgage Loan for Physicians?

A physician mortgage is a kind of house financing reserved for qualified medical practitioners. There are fewer limitations than with regular mortgages, since they are mostly based on the doctors’ projected future incomes. This is an appealing proposition for novice physicians, and there are more helpful guide on doctor loans.

As a resident or fellow, your compensation is far less than it will be as an attending in the next several years. Lenders may even accept a letter of employment as evidence of income in rare situations. This may have a significant effect on your overall debt-to-income ratio in the eyes of a mortgage lender, particularly if your career progresses.

Payment in Advance

When applying for a traditional mortgage, you must put down as least 20% of the entire purchase price. This is to avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). PMI is a monthly charge added to your total mortgage payment to protect your lender from nonpayment.

With a physician mortgage loan, you may avoid PMI, even with a small down payment. You may put no money down and lock in a low rate. Naturally, if you can, making a down payment will reduce your total monthly cost and interest paid.

Debt-to-Income (DTI) Ratio

When applying for a traditional home loan, lenders often need a DTI ratio of 43% or less. If you’re loaded with medical school debt, maintaining under that proportion may seem impossible. Physician mortgages use an Income-Driven Repayment Plan (IDR), not a DTI.

For example, let’s say your monthly payment on your loans is low owing to a lower beginning wage. When you apply for your mortgage, your total DTI will be substantially lower than using an entire loan amount.

Loan Maximums

The maximum loan amount available via conventional mortgages is $647,200 in most places and $970,800 in high-cost areas. Physician mortgages do not have this borrowing limit, allowing doctors and their families additional freedom.

Just because you may borrow more than a typical loan does not imply you should. Physicians should continue to borrow within or below their means to optimize their pay.

Interest Rates

Physician mortgage rates are comparable to conventional jumbo mortgage rates. Your interest rate will depend on your individual financial circumstances. It might be beneficial to use a physician mortgage calculator to understand the range.

Learn More About Doctor Mortgage

Buying a home and raising a family can be a challenge if you are in massive debt. That’s why physician mortgage lending and loans exist to help doctors. These mortgage loans do not have borrowing limits, no PMI, and no debt-to-income ratio.

It helps the doctors prepare for the future without getting into more financial turmoil. After all, we want to keep the medical professional alive. To do that is to check out our blog posts for more insight on doctor mortgage.

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Is It Possible to Keep Your Home During Foreclosure?

Despite the pandemic and a shaky economy, 2020 saw one of the lowest numbers of foreclosures in 16 years, down 57% from last year. It’s now 2022, and it seems like financial institutions are foreclosing fewer homes than was the trend more than a decade ago. If your home is on the brink of foreclosure, maybe you can salvage the situation.

Most of us have defaulted on loans for one reason or another. It’s sometimes easy to wiggle your way out of credit card debt, but not mortgages. The only way you can keep your home after defaulting on a mortgage is by paying back the mortgage, or so you thought.

Mortgage lenders are often strict with their terms and won’t hesitate to foreclose on your home when you default. However, there are a few ways to stop the foreclosure proceedings in their tracks.

In today’s post, we’ll be exploring a few ways to stop your home’s foreclosure.

What Makes Lenders Foreclose on Your Home

Contrary to popular thought, excessive debt obligations aren’t the only reason lenders can issue a foreclosure on your home. There are plenty of other circumstances that merit a foreclosed home. Here are some of them:

  • Failure to pay homeowner’s insurance
  • Using your home to conduct illegal activities
  • Evading property taxes
  • Transferring a property’s title without the lender’s permission

All of these activities are considered a breach of contract. If you’re engaging in any of them, your lender can foreclose on your home, and rightfully so.

Ways to Retain Your Home During Foreclosure

Taking the right steps early enough can help terminate foreclosure proceedings on your property. Here are a few ways to keep your home during a foreclosure.

Request a Forbearance

Temporary financial mishaps may prevent you from making your monthly mortgage payments. If this describes your situation, then maybe you can request a forbearance from the lender.

When lenders grant you forbearance, they allow you to stop making monthly payments for a specific period. The period when you don’t make the monthly payments is known as the “forbearance period.” You should use this time to get back on your feet so you can continue making regular monthly payments.

While forbearance certainly gives you a break from the mortgage, there’s a slight catch. At the end of the forbearance period, you’ll have to pay an amount equivalent to the forbearance period. This means if you had a 6-month forbearance, you’ll have to pay six months’ worth of mortgage payments at the end of it.

Basically, you’ll have to make a lump-sum payment for the missed payments during the forbearance. However, you can work out a repayment plan with your lender to pay everything off.

Try a Loan Modification

If you’re in the financial doldrums, you can try applying for a loan modification. As the name implies, a loan modification is an arrangement that modifies the terms of your current mortgage loan. Applying for one allows you to negotiate more lenient terms on your current mortgage.

One common type of loan modification is extending the term of your loan. That way, you’ll have more time to pay it off and keep foreclosure at bay. Some lenders may also agree to a slightly lower interest rate, but this is very rare.

Negotiate With the Lender

You can try having a sit-down with the lender and negotiating for better mortgage terms. It sounds far-fetched, but there’s no harm in trying. Remember, lenders are human beings and can be empathetic to your current situation.

If you’re facing a small setback, you should try explaining it to your lender. After that, you can work out a repayment plan to get you back on track. The lender can even give you a break to sort things out on your end, then ask you to resume payments when you’re ready.

If you decide to negotiate with the lender, remember to be completely candid about your financial situation. That’s the only way you can work out a repayment formula that works for both of you. Also, inquire about other mortgage relief options that are on the table for your situation.

Sell Your Current House

If you’re borrowing a mortgage for a second home and risking foreclosure, you might want to consider selling your current home. No one likes putting their homes up for sale, but your hands are pretty much tied. Sell your home and use the money from the sale to get your mortgage payments back on track.

Once you evade foreclosure, you can make plans to reacquire the home. Although there’s a likelihood you’ll pay a lot more than what you sold your home for, at least you got to keep your other home.

Of course, there’s always the problem of finding a suitable seller for your home. With a pending foreclosure, you’ll need to find a house buyer fast. Luckily, you can always sell your house to a “we buy houses” company and get your cash almost instantly.

Sell Some Old Items

If selling your house is too much to ask, you can always sell any other items that you have in your possession. Examine your current belongings and find one or two items that you no longer need. It could be an old car, TV, or furniture. Put these items up for sale and get some cash to resume your monthly mortgage payments.

This might not be a solution for the long term, but it’ll give you time to get your finances in order. You probably have dozens of items you never use. It’s time to get rid of them and make some money while you’re at it.

The internet is a great platform for selling all your extra items. You can list them on eBay, or even post them for sale on social media.

Sidestep Foreclosure and Keep Your Home

The above foreclosure prevention tips should help you keep your home when it’s on the brink of foreclosure. Foreclosure proceedings will test you to your wit’s end, but don’t let it get the best of you.

Check out the other posts on the site for more informative content.

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5 Things That Can Cause Your Mortgage Application to Be Denied

Around 9.3% of all mortgage applications result in denials from lenders. While this means that lenders approve most mortgage applications, they also deny around one in ten applications.

The most common reason people apply for loans is to buy homes, but people also apply for loans when refinancing. Unfortunately, getting denied is not uncommon, yet it can be devastating when you need a mortgage.

If you’d like to apply for a loan, it might be helpful to learn why lenders deny mortgage applications. Understanding the reasons might help you prepare for the process and reduce your chances of getting denied a loan.

Are you ready to learn the top reasons? If so, read this guide to learn the top five.

1. Your Credit Score Isn’t High Enough

Lenders have requirements for credit scores. If your score isn’t high enough, the lender might deny issuing you the home loan.

You may want to work on improving your score before applying to prevent getting denied for this reason.

2. You Don’t Have Enough Money for the Down Payment

You might also have your mortgage denied for lack of money to use for the down payment. Lenders base this decision on loan-to-value (LTV) ratios.

Your down payment lowers the LTV. So if you don’t have enough money for the down payment, the lender might reject your loan application.

3. You Have Too Much Debt

Mortgage lenders also review a person’s debts and compare the debts to their income. Then they use the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to calculate the rate.

Homebuyers might struggle to pay their mortgages if they owe too much money compared to their income. You can learn more about the DTI requirements this mortgage lender has if you’re interested.

You can focus on paying your debts before applying to prevent this from occurring.

4. Lack of a Sufficient Job History

Buying a home requires repaying it for 15 to 30 years. As a result, you need a steady income, which is why lenders look at an applicant’s job history.

One factor lenders look for is a two-year job history. If you work the same job for two years, it shows stability. You could wait until you reach the two-year mark before applying, thus reducing your chances of rejection.

5. Bankruptcy or Foreclosure on Your Record

The lender will examine your history during the mortgage process to see if you filed for bankruptcy in the past. They’ll also look for a history of foreclosures.

If you have either of these on your record, they might deny your loan unless you wait the appropriate time before applying.

Complete a Mortgage Application to Initiate the Process

If you feel that you meet the requirements for a mortgage, you might want to find a lender to start the process. Your lender will ask you to fill out a mortgage application, and they’ll review it when you return it.

They’ll likely approve your loan request if you meet all the eligibility standards.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, feel free to check out others on our site to learn more about mortgages.

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How To Choose The Right Design Style For You

We understand how difficult it can be to choose just one certain style that calls to us when there are so many gorgeous spaces sprouting up everywhere -on social media, in design magazines, and even on our favorite television series.  Nonetheless, when it comes to creating your own home, it is critical to have an understanding of what you like and do not like the most so that you may devote your time and resources to creating a space that will genuinely make you happy in the long run.

We assure you, however, that determining your design style does not have to be a complex or time-consuming procedure in the least. Here, we provide a few suggestions for where to go for inspiration and how to filter down what does and does not make your heart skip a beat and best of all, you can easily start this process right now.

Image via Pexels

Look in your wardrobe

Take a glance around at your favorite apparel and notice what colors, fabrics, and patterns you find yourself drawn to.

Consider the following questions:

What are some of your favorite or special occasions outfits that you keep on hand for those special occasions?

When you invest in a bag, do you like something timeless and neutral, or do you want something with a bright, showy design?

There is no right or wrong answer but taking a look at your natural fashion tendencies will give you a different perspective on identifying your interior design style.

We also recommend that you take note of the different sorts of materials you have on hand as well. It is possible to incorporate this taste into your house through the use of draperies and pillows.

Who do you take inspiration from?

Allow yourself to totally embrace your celebrity obsession for a little moment. Think about the icon that they can not seem to get enough of. In most cases, as well as their physical characteristics, there is an overall feeling or vibe that draws you in.  Make an effort to figure out what that overall feeling is, and you will almost always get some additional clues as to the overall type of vibe you want to create in an interior space.

Changing Your Point of View

When it comes to design, traveling to a new location, even if it is only virtually, can present you with new insights. “There is nothing quite like traveling and taking in all of the beauty of a new place,    A story about where you have been or where you want to go should be told through your home design.

Are you thinking of taking a trip in the near future? When it comes to your sense of design, a little advanced planning can help you get the most out of your experience. Make sure to take lots of photos to look back on; analyze the textures and colors of the architecture.

Use a mood board

​​Remember how much fun it was to make assemblages out of magazine clippings when you were a small child? Perhaps you should revisit this habit and see what kinds of photos you find most appealing this time. Set yourself the task of collecting as many inspirational photos as you can from a variety of subjects such as art, movies, interiors, fashion, history, travel, and nature and compiling them into a massive mood board. You could even use Pinterest. Then, consider which aspects of each image you find the most appealing. It could be a particular feeling it elicits, a color combination, a distinctive texture, etc. You can then use this to build your personal style.

Read magazines and blogs to discover new trends

While no one should follow a trend simply because it is fashionable, knowing what is on-trend that year or season can be a great basis to build upon. For example, curves are very on trend this year, so perhaps incorporating aspects of that into your mood boards can give rise to other ideas.

Ignore a style and do what you want

Of course, there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why you have to have a particular design or style. Some of the best rooms about come together simply because they are made up of an assortment of colors, textures, and items that the person loved.

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