Did you know that plants not only boost curb appeal, but they can also keep pests in check? Below are a few species that naturally repel pests while attracting beneficial insects, like butterflies and ladybugs. Plant these winners to keep pests at bay while beautifying your home.
Many students and families have substantial college debt by the time of graduation. For many of those families, private college loans are much cheaper than federal student loans now—a reversal from as recently as one year ago. While the federal government has increased interest rates on its loans for the 2014-15 academic year, most private lenders have kept their rates steady for parents with high credit scores.
Interest rates on new federal Plus loans—which are often taken out by parents—have recently risen. Every borrower gets the same rate regardless of his or her credit score. Read more
How much is your home worth? A real estate appraisal will tell you.
In order to obtain a home loan, you will need an appraisal on the property you wish to buy. Your lender will set up the appraisal and the results will help determine how much money the lender will be willing to lend on the property.
The purpose of a real estate appraisal is to determine the estimated market value of a house, condominium, commercial property, vacant land, etc. It is used to assist someone in making a decision. They may be considering purchasing, selling, insuring, or lending money on a house, condo, commercial property, or vacant lot. Appraisals are also used for tax purposes to estimate how much money a property owner has to pay in taxes.
Know how an appraiser determines the value of your home.
Banks and mortgage lenders need appraisals to assist them in figuring out how much money to lend someone for a home loan. There are many different aspects of a loan application that the banker has to consider, but mortgage lenders always require an appraisal since the real estate will be the collateral for the mortgage loan.
A visit from an appraiser is an inevitable part of selling your home. Even if your buyer is happy to pay what you ask and loves the place, the lender will still require that an objective third party – in the form of a professional appraiser – come through the home to determine its value. . It is certainly worthwhile to know what an appraiser will look for. The questions that many home owners ask me is “how does the appraiser determine the value of my home”? Read more
Don’t let this happen to you!
It is wise to take some precautions against frozen pipes well ahead of the cold weather. Dan Stillman from the Capital Weather Gang has written a good article posted on Washington Post on how to protect your home from getting frozen pipes.
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Los Angeles is a town of great diversity with so much to see and explore.
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. These days, although L.A. is urbanized, the city’s overall landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philosophy at many levels. Read more
Natural disasters happen. Make sure you are prepared.
Having the right insurance policies in place can soften the blows from unexpected events that would otherwise mean financial catastrophe for you and your family. But if you’re like many people, you may not fully understand all the policies you have, let alone whether they’re adequate to meet your needs.
Here are some tips to help you assess your current coverage and decide whether you need to make any changes. Read more
You want to give your children everything. But sometimes you can go too far and create a spoiled, entitled brat.
The consequences can be severe: In addition to acting like whiny complainers now, spoiled children are more likely to grow into financially dependent, irresponsible adults plagued by overspending and debt.
“Some parents want their children to have everything for free,” says Katherine Dean, managing director of wealth planning at Wells Fargo Private Bank in San Francisco. “But the real world doesn’t work that way.”
Financial advisers and therapists suggest various ways to avoid spoiling your children. Read more
Student debt can adversely affect getting your first loan.
At LDSAgents.com we frequently encounter young clients who cannot qualify for a home loan due to high student debt.
“As students graduate with more debt than ever, those with student loans are getting worse credit scores and taking out fewer mortgages. At the same time home ownership rates among younger Americans sink to historic lows. College students who took out loans will graduate this year with an average of $33,000 in student debt, Read more
1. Clear the way for curb appeal. The path to your front door should be at least 3 feet wide so people can walk shoulder-to-shoulder, with an unobstructed view and no stumbling hazards. So get out those loppers and cut back any overhanging branches or encroaching shrubs.
2. Light the route. Landscape lighting makes it easy to Read more