29
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

3 Dog Breeds That Are Perfect for the Allergy-Prone Pet Lover

Do you find yourself itchy and sneezing after an encounter with a friendly, furry dog? You are not alone. The CDC estimates that around ten percent of Americans suffer from allergies related to dogs or cats. But, of course, that is no reason not to enjoy the love of a dog. So, if you are ready to push your suffering aside and adopt a furry pal, below are a few breeds that are perfect for those prone to allergies. What Causes Dog-Related Allergies? Do you know what the primary causes of pet-related allergies are? Many people believe that reactions are…
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27
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Landlord Squeezing You for yet Another Rent Increase? It’s Time to Buy a Starter Home

Did you recently receive your annual notice that the rent is going up? If so, you're not alone. Millions of renters are seeing more and more of their income drained away due to higher rents. To make matters worse, every dollar in rent is one that you are not saving, investing or using to build your net worth. If you're feeling the pinch of higher rents, it might be time to buy your first starter home. Comparing Rent With A Mortgage Have you ever done the math to understand how close your monthly rent might be to a mortgage payment?…
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21
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

How to Run a Quick Financial Health Check Before You Apply for a Mortgage

Are you planning on using a mortgage to help cover the cost of a new home? If so, you will want to prepare your finances and figure out how you will manage all those wallet-draining monthly expenses. Let's take a look at how to run a quick financial health check to ensure you are ready to apply for a mortgage. Update (Or Start) Your Monthly Budget First, it is essential to get the basics out of the way. If you haven't already, it's time to start a monthly budget to keep track of your income and expenses. Once you have…
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19
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage 101: Understanding ‘PITI’ and What Goes in to Your Monthly Payments

Ask any friend or family member that owns a home and they will share that it takes a bit of management to keep all the expenses under control. Let's explore the concept of PITI and why it is vital to have a clear picture of how much your home is costing you each month. Just What Is PITI, Anyway? PITI is an acronym that stands for "principal, interest, taxes and insurance," which are the four main components that make up your housing costs. Principal - this is the amount that you are paying against the total amount that you borrowed…
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15
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

The Quick and Easy Guide to Finding the Right Builder to Construct Your Dream Home

Are you in the market for a new house? If so, you may be considering having a custom-home designed and built to your specifications. There is no better way to get exactly what you want in a house than to have it built from scratch. With that in mind, let's take a look at our quick and easy guide to finding the right builder to construct your dream home. Have Ideas In Mind Before You Start Try to have some ideas in mind before you contact a builder. For example, how many bedrooms do you want? Are you interested in…
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13
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

3 Key Ways That Driverless Cars Are Going to Reshape How We Design and Use Our Homes

Are you ready for the coming shift to driverless cars? While it might seem like some sort of futuristic vision, the truth is that driverless vehicles will be on the road within a few short years. Let's explore three key ways that driverless cars are going to help to shape how we think about our homes in the very near future. #1: Goodbye, Garages It might seem a bit strange to think about now, but many people are likely to get rid of their cars entirely. Car ownership is expected to shift to entrepreneurs and services who offer vehicles for…
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