A First Communion dress is rich in religious symbolism and steeped in tradition. This special gown shouldn’t just hang in a closet after the ceremony. The communion dress is part of a very special moment in a young girl’s life.

The gown should continue to have a meaningful purpose. Recycling a communion dress can give it a new life. The end result can take many forms. The only criteria for recycling a communion dress – it should continue to spread joy and happiness.

Why Should You Recycle A Communion Dress?

1. Pass It On

Pass on a communion dress to family or friends. Sharing such a special dress can be a special experience. It can create bonds and continue traditions or start new ones. On the practical side, sharing can cut costs for other families. Sometimes a few alterations can create a completely different look for the next wearer.

2. Preserve The Dress

In the short term, First Communion dresses can be used for other special occasions. They are suitable for religious ceremonies or even special dinners and holiday parties. Yet if you plan to preserve the dress for use in future years, you need to follow proper preservation procedures. To prevent damage over time, you have to consult a preservation specialist. Otherwise, you must purchase a preservation kit.

If you are passing on a dress shortly after the ceremony, you don’t need to take these preventive steps. Yet you must always follow proper cleaning procedures after use. Consider a professional cleaner for best results.

3. Be Charitable

Charity, like recycling, can take many forms. Drop the dress at a thrift shop for someone to purchase at a low price. Some charities even give dresses to those in need. Certain organizations sell formal wear and use the funds for a worthwhile project.

Some formal wear retailers recycle dresses and donate a percentage of the profits to charity. Organize your own charitable project and involve your daughter. Do a private sale but discuss with the child how you can use the money to benefit a charitable cause. Children can offer very creative suggestions.

Give The Fabric A New Life

The fabric of the First Communion dress can be used in many creative ways. Using the fabric is about renewed life, new purpose, and heartfelt expression. Creativity is the exact opposite of destruction. There are many reasons to feel happy about the creative recycling of a communion dress.

4. Make A Flower Girl Basket

A flower girl basket is incredibly beautiful on its own. Yet if you line the basket with a very special fabric, its beauty and meaning reach a whole new level. Use material from a communion dress for flower girl baskets at a family wedding. Maybe some fabric could even be kept for your daughter’s wedding day.

5. Carry Something Special

If you like sewing, you can easily turn fabric from a communion dress into an unique purse. The satin, pearls, and flowers from the dress work together to create a gorgeous purse. Add a practical and pretty drawstring and a white bow to make an amazing accessory.

Personalized embroidery always adds an extra special touch. Use the child’s name, the date of her First Communion, or even a religious symbol. If you are of Irish heritage, you may wish to embroider the Cladding or shamrock. The one-of-a-kind purse can be used for future special occasions and even passed on to the next generation.

6. Make A Satin Shawl

First Communion dresses and shawls are often made of satin so they are a perfect match. Of course, communion dresses and shawls are also made of other fine fabrics. You can make a splendid shawl from any communion dress material. Exquisite details such as sequins can be used as embellishment. For sleeveless dresses, a shawl is a dressy accessory.

7. Tie Ribbons And Bows

Ribbons and bows have always been popular for communion dresses. Large white bows were considered very stylish for communion girls in the early twentieth century. Yet bows and ribbons have maintained that popularity. They look charming on communion dresses. They dazzle, along with sequins and pearls, in headpieces.

A young girl can never have enough ribbons and bows to wear at special occasions. You can make numerous accessories from one dress. Don’t forget to make some stylish headbands suitable for special occasions. Headbands are always popular with young girls. The headband communion veil is one of the more popular styles.

8. Dress Up The Dolls

Your little girl certainly looked like a doll in her special dress. Most little girls wouldn’t mind sharing that beauty with her precious dolls. The beautiful fabrics and the exquisite details of a communion dress can make some well-dressed dolls.

Many girls keep their special dolls and cherish them as adults. They are often passed down through the generations. It’s pretty special to be able to pass on a doll to your daughter – especially if her dress is made from your communion gown.

9. Handkerchiefs Come In Handy

You can make a few lovely handkerchiefs using the fine fabric in a dress. Take time to make them special and they can be used for future occasions. The handkerchiefs, edged in lace, can be kept for Confirmation or even a girl’s wedding day.

They could be special gifts for sisters and aunts. The fabric could make pocket handkerchiefs for brothers and Dads. Creative individuals have even made neckties and bow ties from communion dresses.

The handkerchief idea is a very efficient method for recycling a stained dress. The damage may prevent the gown from being passed on or used in other ways. Yet you should be able to save sufficient material to make some handkerchiefs.

10. Bring People Together

Communion dresses can be recycled and made into a tablecloth and napkins for special dinners. Family gatherings are always memorable events in a child’s life. A young girl will take pride in knowing that fabric from her dress is helping to make a perfect occasion.

The tablecloth and napkins can also grace her table when she is a grown woman. Such a satiny white cloth could even be used at her wedding reception. The cloth would look lovely on the table displaying the wedding guest book or gifts.

11. Celebrate The Holidays

Every child loves Christmas and of course, the Christmas tree. Turn the communion dress into a Christmas tree skirt and see the light in a young girl’s eyes. You will have the best-dressed Christmas tree and the happiest child. This festive Christmas tree skirt will look fashionable during every holiday season. To suit its spectacular tree skirt, decorate the Christmas tree with white bows and pearl garlands.

12. Make A Special Keepsake

Every young girl should keep special mementos from her communion day. Make a keepsake box to hold her precious reminders. Use communion dress fabric to cover and line this tiny treasure. A girl can keep many treasures inside the keepsake box. It can hold her medals or jewelry gifts given in honor of her First Communion.

13. Hold On To The Memories

Precious pieces of the communion dress hold special memories. The fabric can be part of a First Communion scrapbook. Consider making a framed keepsake to display with family photos. Making a shadow box is a superb way to preserve memories. Use the fabric as the background and include other mementos such as First Communion invitations.

14. Keep It Picture Perfect

Keep her memories safe and protected in a pretty photo album. Make the exterior of an album as beautiful as the photos within its covers. Cover a photo album with the satin and lace of a communion dress. At first glance, it will be obvious that this album is a special book.

15. Enjoy A Pretty Scent

Enjoy a beautiful scent in a pretty package; make a lovely and lasting sachet. Satin and lavender make a sensational sachet. The special girl will love to use them and they can also be shared with family. You can make several sweet-smelling sachets from a communion dress.

16. Make Special Pillows And Blankets

The sacraments of Baptism and First Communion share a religious significance. Use fabric from a communion dress for a baptismal blanket. The fabric is also perfect for a ring bearer pillow or baby pillow. Pass these special creations on to a family member or keep them for your daughter. Using a ring bearer pillow or baptismal blanket, made from your communion dress, would be very special for any young woman.

17. Dress A Princess

Every little girl wants to be a princess. Whether for Halloween, a school play, or just play time, every princess needs a special dress. You already have a beautiful dress. Purchase extra fabric at a low price and introduce more color and details.

A full pink ruffle at the bottom of the dress is perfect for a pink princess. A pink lined cape adds a royal touch. A high princess hat with fabric flowers and lovely netting can be the crowning glory for a Halloween costume. Model the dress after a little girl’s favorite storybook princess.

18. Make A Princess Table

Every little princess deserves a princess table. Make a full flowing skirt for a round night table. Snaps can be used to allow the fabric to close together and give it a fitted look. If the dress has a pretty bow, you can also use snaps to attach it to the table skirt. An ordinary round table can easily be transformed into a table fit for royalty.

19. Keep It For A Sleeping Beauty

Make a skirt for a baby’s bassinet from the communion dress. Pass it on to new parents or keep it for the future. A tiny baby will most likely sleep soundly in such lovely surroundings. The adorable baby girl or cute baby boy will get a beautiful start in life. Make an one-of-a-kind baby bonnet and dress the little one in style – from head to toe.

20. Keep It For Another Sleeping Beauty

Use her communion dress to make the prettiest bedroom for a little princess. White is a cool and refreshing color to wake up to every morning. The fabric can be used for pillowcases or decorative pillows. Delicate, ruffled material is perfect for a window valance. If you want to cover the entire window, there will be enough fabric for the project.

The dress can also be used to make a full bed skirt or a fashionable quilt. After a bedtime story, a sleeping beauty will be surrounded by beauty as she follows her dreams. Isn’t that the way the story should always end for every little girl?

One trend in clothing for women is the casual and everyday use of the lace dress. No longer just reserved for a formal wedding dress, the lace dress deserves a special place in your clothing collection. While most fashion aficionados focus on the lace wedding dress, here we will take a look at two types of this style. Specifically, we will review the lace dress cuts for both the empire waist style and sleeveless cut.

The lace dress was once reserved for the feminine and fragile personalities, but if you want to reveal your best look there is no better way than with this style. Lace has gone through many changes over the last one hundred years and now it is being combined with more materials and fabrics than ever. You need to know that just about anyone can pull off wearing this type of dress, and it is quite appropriate for wearing the office, a quick trip to the mall, or for a night out on the town. For you romantic types, this style of dress gives you a tremendous avenue for expressing this side of your personality. The best thing of all, with a dress such as this there could no material that feels more comfortable, and makes you feel pretty at the same time.

The first style we will consider is the empire waist lace dress. With this style the waist line has been placed directly under the bust line. This produces a lovely flowing look that will flatter the figure of almost any woman. The empire waist is extremely forgiving and tends to hide troublesome spots that you would rather not have others focus on. This cut also compliments your figure and accentuates your strong points, giving you an extremely flexible garment to wear just about anywhere. Here are a few empire waist L.D offerings we like right now.

Newport News Empire Waist Lace Dress Review – You may have already seen this dress as it lately been advertised in many popular magazines for women. This lace dress is absolutely striking full flowing length. It has a surplice neck line that accentuates this area of your body. Feel equally comfortable wearing this for either a casual or more formal gathering. It has a hidden back zipper and the material is full nylon, and imported. One thing to note is that this dress tends to run small, so keep this in mind when ordering. The manufacturer recommends dry cleaning only for this garment. You can find this dress on sale at Amazon for around seventy dollars, not including tax and shipping.

Calvin Klein Strapless Empire Waist Lace Dress Review – Here is a twiner type of dress that is more suited to a formal occasion, yet could be worn as evening attire. This dress is a beautiful full length lace bodice style, that is probably closer to an evening gown. It comes with a long sleeved lace jacket that hits at the waist, and it pairs with the dress quite elegantly. This lace dress screams sophistication, elegance, and grace. This offering is imported, and should only be dry cleaned. We have seen this offered online are various boutiques for around one hundred dollars, but be advised to compare prices for the best deal.

Halter Beach Empire Waist Lace Wedding Dress Review – We would be remiss if we did not review at least one wedding lace dress. Here we have an absolutely striking dress sure to make any bride look absolutely beautiful on here special day. It has a strap that comes around the front behind the neck, with an open back just above the mid waist line area. It has a stunning hem at the bottom that flowers open and flows beautifully from the empire waist. This lace dress material utilizes a combination of satin, taffeta, and silk and comes in white, ivory, and campaign. Please be advised that this dress will take approximately two weeks for delivery. Overall cost to your front door is less than two hundred dollars, and we are sure you will be pleased with it.

Next we want to give you some reviews for the sleeveless lace dress. If you are looking to add a dainty and feminine look to your lace dress that is when you want to go sleeveless. This cut is a more casual look, and best suited in more temperate climates or during the summer months. Made popular in the early eighties, you will see that the sleeveless lace dress is coming back now more than ever. And for good reason, lace is a lightweight and airy material, and combined with a sleeveless cut you an almost perfect dress for warm weather. Here we will take a look at three more offerings for the sleeveless L.D.

Free People Sleeveless Lace Dress Review – This first sleeveless lace dress review is very popular at the moment. Free People has made this particular dress perfect for the woman who is going on for a night on the town. The sheer lace lavender material with a scoop neck just screams romance and style. It has a unique tiered detailing in the chest area, with a scallop lace trim on the bottom of the dress. There is a lovely ribbon trim that adorns the neckline, and the inner lining has an adjustable length and is removable. This is a rayon and nylon material, with a cotton slip. Free Republic recommends hand washing this stylish imported dress. We have seen it priced for around fifty dollars, but be advised to shop around for the best pricing.

Calvin Klein Plus Size Sleeveless Lace Dress Review – Plus size anything is hot right now, and even more so in this type of dress. This is a lovely dress that is perfect for the times you want express your charm and romance. It has a scoop style neck with seaming detail, and a removable waist ribbon that can be added to fit your particular style or mood. This lace dress has a back zipper design, and an added three button closure. The color is midnight black lace, and it comes in sizes through sixteen. You can buy this particular dress online at Bloomingdale’s for around seventy dollars, which is quite a bargain from our perspective.

Mandela Sleeveless Mini Lace Dress – Here is unique offering from Mandela, where you can make a statement with a mini skirt cut in your in this style of dress. This dress is sophisticated and seductive, that has an unusual side zipper for closure. The lace is darted bodice to accommodate your particular figure, the back is slit, and a viscose lining is added as well. This lace mini dress drops to about eighteen inches from your natural waist, just enough coverage without being too risque. The material is a taupe nylon lace, and its imported. This lace mini dress is available from Saks for around a one hundred and fifty dollars, a little pricey but that includes free shipping.

Your daughter is getting married. Congratulations! Do you worry that you won’t be able to find a Mother Of The Bride dress to wear to her wedding that’s flattering and spectacular for her wedding day? Don’t stress as there’s a huge selection of mother of the brides dresses to choose from. Popular styles include Floor Length Dresses, Tea Length Dresses, Fitted Sleeves and A-line dresses. The mother of the bride today is a fashionable, modern woman, largely unconstrained by formality, style and color.

Degree of Formality: Unlike the bridal party, which is customarily outfitted in similar wedding attire, the mother of the bride dress should be dressed in similar or matching wedding attire, the mother of the-bride dress generally follows the rules for any guest should dress, except that the mother of the bride should be dressed in more formal attire than other guests.

The level of formality should be dictated by the formality of the event, in particular the bride’s dress. So if your daughter is going to wear a ballroom style wedding dresses with a chapel train and gloves, you should try to match the level of formality by wearing something formal. This doesn’t mean you have to necessarily wear a dress bathed in sequins, or made out of satin, velvet embellished with rhinestones. There are many frill-free formal looks out there.

Matching: Ideally a mother of the bride should aspire to compliment or at least co-ordinate with the overall look and feel or theme of the wedding. When choosing mother of the bride dresses, season, formality and a whole host of other factors need to be taken into account. Whether or not the mother of the bride dresses matches the bridal party apparel is entirely a matter of discretion for the bride.

Whilst some brides prefer to have both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom match the bridesmaids, modern wedding etiquette dictates that brides now allow their mothers to choose their own apparel. For something less formal you may have to choose a shorter dress. The bride may express a preference for the mother of the bride to follow the formality and style of the wedding, or to at least co-ordinate the color of her outfit to match the rest of the wedding party.

Style: Contemporary mothers aren’t expected to wear matronly mother of the bride dresses anymore, and there is now a variety of stylish, halter and even strapless dresses available for the modern mother of the bride. When it comes to selecting a mother of the bride dress the options are infinite. Traditionally, the mother of the bride wears a floor length gown, accompanied by a formal jacket or bolero. There are hundreds of beautiful floor length mother of the bride dresses with jackets or boleros to choose from of course, but you don’t necessarily have to stick with tradition if you don’t want to.

Color: The most frequently asked question by a Mother of the Bride is what color should I wear? There are now many options available. The rule should be choose anything you want as long as long as it doesn’t detract from the bride or isn’t the same color as her dress.

Traditionally speaking, it’s prudent to avoid dresses in the white ivory, and champagne color family which may match the bride. Many argue that black should be avoided because it suggests mourning and therefore disapproval of the pending nuptials by the mother of the bride in black.

However black is classic, chic, and formal, and now even reds are popularly regarded as being able to be worn by mothers of the bride if done tastefully. The only hard and fast rule is to discuss color options with the bride and try to oblige in respecting her wishes. She may have no reservations about you wearing bold colors, or alternately may prefer you to wear subdued yet stately colors in the lavender, silver, burgundy and blue families.

Most mothers of the bride opt for a color which is personally flattering, matching their skin tone, is age appropriate, and harmoniously matches other dresses in the bridal party.

There is no reason why you have to wear plain beige. Some people believe it’s best to stick to pastels in warmer climate and choose deeper shades in the fall and winter. Choosing a color that looks great for the mother of the bride should be the first priority.

Whilst some daughters may express a preference for their mothers to wear a mother of the brides dress in the same general color family as the bridal party, other daughters are happy to allow their mothers to choose a color that completely contrasts with the bridesmaids dresses on the color wheel.

Some women don’t even pick a single color block and wear either patterns or multiple colors. If in any doubt you can’t go wrong in wearing neutral colors as they go with anything, however if you pick a neutral colored mother of the brides dress, ensure that it is a saturated color so you don’t look washed out.

Suit or dress: Even though mother’s dresses are referred to as mother of the brides’ dresses, it doesn’t mean that you have to wear a dress, and there are several suits which have been designed for the mother of the bride.

Fabric: The bride isn’t the only one who can wear lace at a wedding. Lace is a gorgeous fabric that is suitable for any member of the wedding party, but will probably look best on the mother and the bride, being elegant and having a distinctly romantic air.

Size: Those of us with generous curves needn’t worry anymore about finding attractive Mother Of The Bride dresses. You don’t have to wear over-sized dresses with no shape to them. Look for dresses that compliment your full-figured curves and de-emphasize your least favorite features.

Ordering: Shopping, ordering and fitting your mother of the brides dress can take just as long to order and fit as the bride’s dress, if not even longer! There is also a tradition that you must choose your dress prior to the mother of the groom choosing hers out of courtesy so make sure you order you mother of the brides dress early. However, having said this, this approach is now considered old-fashioned and somewhat unrealistic.

There is always a case to be made that adhering to tradition for the sake of it is a lost cause. So abandon all of your preconceptions and have fun shopping for your mother of the bride dress, enjoying all of the variety out there.

When shopping for a mother of the brides dress it’s a great idea to bring a photo of the bridal and bridesmaid dresses as a guide when you are shopping and deciding what to choose as a mother of the brides dress.

Today we think and worry about the fact that the world is becoming more and more polluted due to increasing traffic and industries. The environment is getting worse day by day. But it has been scientifically proven that the air inside our homes is more polluted than the air outside. Our homes have become more polluted than the environment due to use of artificial things, materials and chemical products used for cleaning and maintaining out homes. To keep your home environment friendly always keep it clean, tidy, rubbish free and dust free. This can be done by vacuuming and dusting frequently.

We always want to relax and comfort ourselves at home of dreams. But if our home is not clean and tidy we will never be able to achieve our goal. To make your home comfortable and relaxing design it naturally. Use environmentally friendly materials to design and decorate your home. Use natural fabrics in your home like hemp, bamboo, indoor plants and other natural materials which are grown and harvested in an earth friendly manner. By following healthy design trends, we can opt for environmentally healthy homes. Health of your home and your family are the most important factors when you design your home.

This trend is extremely easy and beautiful to live with. Sophisticated living with environmentally friendly design can convert your home into a warm and cozy place to live in. Decorating and designing your home with natural ingredients, takes your home to new heights and provides you with uncompromising style and sophisticated living.

Home interior designing improves the overall look of your house. To make your home designing affordable, recycling is the best option. Reusing plastic containers, wood, paper and cans, reduces the cost of designing your homes. Reuse of materials and a little bit of creativity can help you save a lot of money. A mix and match of old and new trends can make your home look attractive and unique. While you design and decor your house the most important thing to consider along with creativity is the proportion and balance. Coordination between the two is very essential to make the house look beautiful and attractive.

Even colors play a very important role when you design your home. Go for bright colors for your home. You can even try bold color on one of the walls. Choosing colors for your home is one of the most important factors.

The overall look of your home can be enhanced with colors and the textures selected by you. Your choice matters when it comes to coloring your home. Choose colors which gives you a comfort level in your home.

http://www.fitbeautysalon.com

A home is a financial asset and more: it’s a place to live and raise children; it’s a plan for the future; it’s an investment in your community. That’s why all Americans should have an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of owning a home. And here are some tips for first-time home buyers.

Knowledge is said to open doors. This is literally true when it comes to buying a home. To become a first-time home buyer, you need to know where and how to begin the home buying process. The following questions and answers have been carefully selected to give you a foundation of basic knowledge of home purchasing. In addition to helping you begin, these steps will give you the tools necessary to navigate the entire home buying process – from deciding whether you’re ready to buy house, all the way to that final proud step of owning a home, getting the keys to your new home.

1. HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M READY TO BUY A HOME?

You can find out by asking yourself some questions:

Do I have a steady source of income (usually a job)? Have I been employed on a regular basis for the last 2-3 years? Is my current income reliable?
Do I have a good record of paying my bills?
Do I have few outstanding long-term debts, like car payments?
Do I have money saved for a down payment?
Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you are probably ready to buy your own home.

2. HOW DO I BEGIN THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME?

Start by thinking about your situation. Are you ready to buy a home? How much can you afford in a monthly mortgage payment? How much space do you need? What areas of town do you like? After you answer these questions, make a “To Do” list and start doing casual research about property. Talk to friends and family, drive through neighborhoods, and look in the “Homes” section of the newspaper, Foreclosure Listings, and internet search.

3. HOW DOES PURCHASING A HOME COMPARE WITH RENTING?

The two don’t really compare at all. The one advantage of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for housing.

Owning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity. And that’s an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax breaks that assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities- like insurance, real estate taxes, and upkeep- which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are worth it.

4. HOW DOES THE LENDER DECIDE THE MAXIMUM LOAN AMOUNT THAT CAN AFFORD?

The lender considers your debt-to-income ratio, which is a comparison of your gross (pre-tax) income to housing and non-housing expenses. Non-housing expenses include such long-term debts as car or student loan payments, alimony, or child support. Monthly mortgage payments should be no more than 29% of gross income, while the mortgage payment, combined with non-housing expenses, 4 should total no more than 41% of income. The lender also considers cash available for down payment and closing costs, credit history, etc. when determining your maximum loan amount.

5. HOW DO I SELECT THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT?

Start by asking family and friends if they can recommend an agent. Compile a list of several agents and talk to each before choosing one. Look for an agent who listens well and understands your needs, and whose judgment you trust. The ideal agent knows the local area well and has resources and contacts to help you in your search. Overall, you want to choose an agent that makes you feel comfortable and can provide all the knowledge and real estate services you need.
But make sure you check the prices for homes in the area on internet before you visit any real estate agent.

6. HOW CAN I DETERMINE MY HOUSING NEEDS BEFORE I BEGIN THE SEARCH?

Your home should fit way you live, with spaces and features that appeal to the whole family. Before you begin looking at homes, make a list of your priorities – things like location and size. Should the house be close to certain schools? your job? to public transportation? How large should the house be? What type of lot do you prefer? What kinds of amenities are you looking for? Establish a set of minimum requirements and a ‘wish list.” Minimum requirements are things that a house must have for you to consider it, while a “wish list” covers things that you’d like to have but aren’t essential.

7. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN DECIDING ON A COMMUNITY?

Select a community that will allow you to best live your daily life. Many people choose communities based on schools. Do you want access to shopping and public transportation? Is access to local facilities like libraries and museums important to you? Or do you prefer the peace and quiet of a rural community? When you find places that you like, talk to people that live there. They know the most about the area and will be your future neighbors. More than anything, you want a neighborhood where you feel comfortable in.

8. HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT LOCAL SCHOOLS?

You can get information about school systems by contacting the city or county school board or the local schools. Your real estate agent may also be knowledgeable about schools in the area.

9. HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW MUCH HOMES ARE SELLING FOR IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS?

Your real estate agent can give you a ballpark figure by showing you comparable listings. If you are working with a real estate professional, they may have access to comparable sales.

10. HOW CAN I FIND INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY TAX LIABILITY?

The total amount of the previous year’s property taxes is usually included in the listing information. If it’s not, ask the seller for a tax receipt or contact the local assessor’s off ice. Tax rates can change from year to year, so these figures may be approximate.

11. WHAT OTHER TAX ISSUES SHOULD I TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION?

Keep in mind that your mortgage interest and real estate taxes will be deductible. A qualified real estate professional can give you more details on other tax benefits and liabilities,

12. IS AN OLDER HOME A BETTER VALUE THAN A NEW ONE?

There isn’t a definitive answer to this question. You should look at each home for its individual characteristics. Generally, older homes may be in more established neighborhoods, offer more ambiance, and have lower property tax rates. People who buy older homes, however, shouldn’t mind maintaining their home and making some repairs. Newer homes tend to use more modern architecture and systems, are usually easier to maintain, and may be more energy-efficient. People who buy new homes often don’t want to worry initially about upkeep and repairs.

13. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN WALKING THROUGH A HOME?

In addition to comparing the home to your minimum requirement and wish lists, use the Home Scorecard and consider the following:

Is there enough room for both the present and the future?
Are there enough bedrooms and bathrooms?
Is the house structurally sound?
Do the mechanical systems and appliances work?
Is the yard big enough?
Do you like the floor plan?
Will your furniture fit in the space? Is there enough storage space? (Bring a tape measure to better answer these questions.)
Does anything need to repaired or replaced? Will the seller repair or replace the items?

Imagine the house in good weather and bad, and in each season. Will you be happy with it year-round?

Take your time and think carefully about each house you see. Ask your real estate agent to point out the pros and cons of each home from a professional standpoint.

14. WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK WHEN LOOKING AT HOMES?

Many of your questions should focus on potential problems and maintenance issues. Does anything need to be replaced? What things require ongoing maintenance (e.g., paint, roof, HVAC, appliances, carpet)? Also ask about the house and neighborhood, focusing on quality of life issues. Be sure the seller’s or real estate agent’s answers are clear and complete. Ask questions until you understand all of the information they’ve given. Making a list of questions ahead of time will help you organize your thoughts and arrange all of the information you receive. Prepare your own Home question list before you visit property. Find out about monthly utility bills for entire home.

15. HOW CAN I KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE HOMES I SEE?

If possible, take photographs of each house: the outside, the major rooms, the yard, and extra features that you like or ones you see as potential problems. And don’t hesitate to return for a second look. Organize your photos and notes for each house.

16. HOW MANY HOMES SHOULD I CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING ONE?

There isn’t a set number of houses you should see before you decide. Visit as many as it takes to find the one you want. On average, home buyers see 15 houses before choosing one. Just be sure to communicate often with your real estate agent about everything you’re looking for. It will help avoid wasting your time.

YOU’VE FOUND THE DREAM HOME

17. WHAT DOES A HOME INSPECTOR DO, AND HOW DOES AN INSPECTION FIGURE IN THE PURCHASE OF A HOME?

An inspector checks the safety of your potential new home. Home Inspectors focus especially on the structure, construction, and mechanical systems of the house and will make you aware of only repairs,that are needed.

The Inspector does not evaluate whether or not you’re getting good value for your money. Generally, an inspector checks (and gives prices for repairs on): the electrical system, plumbing and waste disposal, the water heater, insulation and Ventilation, the HVAC system, water source and quality, the potential presence of pests, the foundation, doors, windows, ceilings, walls, floors, and roof. Be sure to hire a home inspector that is qualified and experienced.

It’s a good idea to have an inspection before you sign a written offer since, once the deal is closed, you’ve bought the house as is.” Or, you may want to include an inspection clause in the offer when negotiating for a home. An inspection t clause gives you an ‘out” on buying the house if serious problems are found,or gives you the ability to renegotiate the purchase price if repairs are needed. An inspection clause can also specify that the seller must fix the problem(s) before you purchase the house.

18. DO I NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE INSPECTION?

It’s not required, but it’s a good idea. Following the inspection, the home inspector will be able to answer questions about the report and any problem areas. This is also an opportunity to hear an objective opinion on the home you’d I like to purchase and it is a good time to ask general, maintenance questions.

19. ARE OTHER TYPES OF INSPECTIONS REQUIRED?

If your home inspector discovers a serious problem a more specific Inspection may be recommended. It’s a good idea to consider having your home inspected for the presence of a variety of health-related risks like radon gas asbestos, or possible problems with the water or waste disposal system.

20. HOW CAN I PROTECT MY FAMILY FROM LEAD IN THE HOME?

If the house you’re considering was built before 1978 and you have children under the age of seven, you will want to have an inspection for lead-based point. It’s important to know that lead flakes from paint can be present in both the home and in the soil surrounding the house. The problem can be fixed by repairing damaged paint surfaces or planting grass over effected soil. Hiring a lead abatement contractor to remove paint chips.

21. DO I NEED A LAWYER TO BUY A HOME?

Laws vary by state. Some states require a lawyer to assist in several aspects of the home buying process while other states do not, as long as a qualified real estate professional is involved. Even if your state doesn’t require one, you may want to hire a lawyer to help with the complex paperwork and legal contracts. A lawyer can review contracts, make you aware of special considerations, and assist you with the closing process. Your real estate agent may be able to recommend a lawyer. If not, shop around. Find out what services are provided for what fee, and whether the attorney is experienced at representing home buyers.

22. DO I REALLY NEED HOME OWNER’S INSURANCE?

Yes. A paid home owner’s insurance policy (or a paid receipt for one) is required at closing, so arrangements will have to be made prior to that day. Plus, involving the insurance agent early in the home buying process can save you money. Insurance agents are a great resource for information on home safety and they can give tips on how to keep insurance premiums low.

23. WHAT STEPS COULD I TAKE TO LOWER MY HOME OWNER’S INSURANCE COSTS?

Be sure to shop around among several insurance companies. Also, consider the cost of insurance when you look at homes. Newer homes and homes constructed with materials like brick tend to have lower premiums. Think about avoiding areas prone to natural disasters, like flooding. Choose a home with a fire hydrant or a fire department nearby.

24. IS THE HOME LOCATED IN A FLOOD PLAIN?

Your real estate agent or lender can help you answer this question. If you live in a flood plain, the lender will require that you have flood insurance before lending any money to you. But if you live near a flood plain, you may choose whether or not to get flood insurance coverage for your home. Work with an insurance agent to construct a policy that fits your needs.

25. WHAT OTHER ISSUES SHOULD I CONSIDER BEFORE I BUY MY HOME?

Always check to see if the house is in a low-lying area, in a high-risk area for natural disasters (like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), or in a hazardous materials area. Be sure the house meets building codes. Also consider local zoning laws, which could affect remodeling or making an addition in the future. Your real estate agent should be able to help you with these questions.

26. HOW DO I MAKE AN OFFER?

Your real estate agent will assist you in making an offer, which will include the following information:

Complete legal description of the property
Amount of earnest money
own payment and financing details
Proposed move-in date
Price you are offering
Proposed closing date
Length of time the offer is valid
Details of the deal

Remember that a sale commitment depends on negotiating a satisfactory contract with the seller, not just Making an offer.

Other ways to lower ins-insurance costs include insuring your home and car(s) with the same company, increasing home security, and seeking group coverage through alumni or business associations. Insurance costs are always lowered by raising your deductibles, but this exposes you to a higher out-of-pocket cost if you have to file a claim.

27. HOW DO I DETERMINE THE INITIAL OFFER?

Unless you have a buyer’s agent, remember that the agent works for the seller. Make a point of asking him or her to keep your discussions and information confidential. Listen to your real estate agent’s advice, but follow your own instincts on deciding a fair price. Calculating your offer should involve several factors: what homes sell for in the area, the home’s condition, how long it’s been on the market, financing terms, and the seller’s situation. By the time you’re ready to make an offer, you should have a good idea of what the home is worth and what you can afford. And, be prepared for give-and-take negotiation, which is very common when buying a home. The buyer and seller may often go back and forth until they can agree on a price. Check Home price in that area on websites.

28. WHAT IS EARNEST MONEY? HOW MUCH SHOULD I SET ASIDE?

Earnest money is money put down to demonstrate your seriousness about buying a home. It must be substantial enough to demonstrate good faith and is usually between 1-5% of the purchase price (though the amount can vary with local customs and conditions). If your offer is accepted, the earnest money becomes part of your down payment or closing costs. If the offer is rejected, your money is returned to you. If you back out of a deal, you may forfeit the entire amount.

29. WHAT ARE “HOME WARRANTIES”, AND SHOULD I CONSIDER THEM?

Home warranties offer you protection for a specific period of time (e.g., one year) against potentially costly problems, like unexpected repairs on appliances or home systems, which are not covered by home owner’s insurance. Warranties are becoming more popular because they offer protection during the time immediately following the purchase of a home, a time when many people find themselves cash-strapped.

GENERAL FINANCING QUESTIONS:THE BASICS

30. WHAT IS A MORTGAGE?

Generally speaking, a mortgage is a loan obtained to purchase real estate. The “mortgage” itself is a lien (a legal claim) on the home or property that secures the promise to pay the debt. All mortgages have two features in common: principal and interest.

31. WHAT IS A LOAN TO VALUE (LTV) HOW DOES IT DETERMINE THE SIZE OF MY LOAN?

The loan to value ratio is the amount of money you borrow compared with the price or appraised value of the home you are purchasing. Each loan has a specific LTV limit. For example: With a 95% LTV loan on a home priced at $50,000, you could borrow up to $47,500 (95% of $50,000), and would have to pay,$2,500 as a down payment.

The LTV ratio reflects the amount of equity borrowers have in their homes. The higher the LTV the less cash home buyers are required to pay out of their own funds. So, to protect lenders against potential loss in case of default, higher LTV loans (80% or more) usually require mortgage insurance policy.

32. WHAT TYPES OF LOANS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF EACH?

Fixed Rate Mortgages: Payments remain the same for the the life of the loan

Types

15-year
30-year

Advantages

Predictable
Housing cost remains unaffected by interest rate changes and inflation.

Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMS): Payments increase or decrease on a regular schedule with changes in interest rates; increases subject to limits

Types

Balloon Mortgage- Offers very low rates for an Initial period of time (usually 5, 7, or 10 years); when time has elapsed, the balance is clue or refinanced (though not automatically)
Two-Step Mortgage- Interest rate adjusts only once and remains the same for the life of the loan
ARMS linked to a specific index or margin

Advantages

Generally offer lower initial interest rates
Monthly payments can be lower
May allow borrower to qualify for a larger loan amount

33. WHEN DO ARMS MAKE SENSE?

An ARM may make sense If you are confident that your income will increase steadily over the years or if you anticipate a move in the near future and aren’t concerned about potential increases in interest rates.

34. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF 15- AND 30-YEAR LOAN TERMS?

30-Year:

In the first 23 years of the loan, more interest is paid off than principal, meaning larger tax deductions.
As inflation and costs of living increase, mortgage payments become a smaller part of overall expenses.

15-year:

Loan is usually made at a lower interest rate.
Equity is built faster because early payments pay more principal.

35. CAN I PAY OFF MY LOAN AHEAD OF SCHEDULE?

Yes. By sending in extra money each month or making an extra payment at the end of the year, you can accelerate the process of paying off the loan. When you send extra money, be sure to indicate that the excess payment is to be applied to the principal. Most lenders allow loan prepayment, though you may have to pay a prepayment penalty to do so. Ask your lender for details.

36. ARE THERE SPECIAL MORTGAGES FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS?

Yes. Lenders now offer several affordable mortgage options which can help first-time home buyers overcome obstacles that made purchasing a home difficult in the past. Lenders may now be able to help borrowers who don’t have a lot of money saved for the down payment and closing costs, have no or a poor credit history, have quite a bit of long-term debt, or have experienced income irregularities.

37. HOW LARGE OF A DOWN PAYMENT DO I NEED?

There are mortgage options now available that only require a down payment of 5% or less of the purchase price. But the larger the down payment, the less you have to borrow, and the more equity you’ll have. Mortgages with less than a 20% down payment generally require a mortgage insurance policy to secure the loan. When considering the size of your down payment, consider that you’ll also need money for closing costs, moving expenses, and – possibly -repairs and decorating.

38. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN A MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT?

The monthly mortgage payment mainly pays off principal and interest. But most lenders also include local real estate taxes, home owner’s insurance, and mortgage insurance (if applicable).

39. WHAT FACTORS AFFECT MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?

The amount of the down payment, the size of the mortgage loan, the interest rate, the length of the repayment term and payment schedule will all affect the size of your mortgage payment.

40. HOW DOES THE INTEREST RATE FACTOR IN SECURING A MORTGAGE LOAN?

A lower interest rate allows you to borrow more money than a high rate with the some monthly payment. Interest rates can fluctuate as you shop for a loan, so ask-lenders if they offer a rate “lock-in”which guarantees a specific interest rate for a certain period of time. Remember that a lender must disclose the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of a loan to you. The APR shows the cost of a mortgage loan by expressing it in terms of a yearly interest rate. It is generally higher than the interest rate because it also includes the cost of points, mortgage insurance, and other fees included in the loan.

41. WHAT HAPPENS IF INTEREST RATES DECREASE AND I HAVE A FIXED RATE LOAN?

If interest rates drop significantly, you may want to investigate refinancing. Most experts agree that if you plan to be in your house for at least 18 months and you can get a rate 2% less than your current one, refinancing is smart. Refinancing may, however, involve paying many of the same fees paid at the original closing, plus origination and application fees.

42. WHAT ARE DISCOUNT POINTS?

Discount points allow you to lower your interest rate. They are essentially prepaid interest, With each point equaling 1% of the total loan amount. Generally, for each point paid on a 30-year mortgage, the interest rate is reduced by 1/8 (or.125) of a percentage point. When shopping for loans, ask lenders for an interest rate with 0 points and then see how much the rate decreases With each point paid. Discount points are smart if you plan to stay in a home for some time since they can lower the monthly loan payment. Points are tax deductible when you purchase a home and you may be able to negotiate for the seller to pay for some of them.

43. WHAT IS AN ESCROW ACCOUNT? DO I NEED ONE?

Established by your lender, an escrow account is a place to set aside a portion of your monthly mortgage payment to cover annual charges for home owner’s insurance, mortgage insurance (if applicable), and property taxes. Escrow accounts are a good idea because they assure money will always be available for these payments. If you use an escrow account to pay property tax or home owner’s insurance, make sure you are not penalized for late payments since it is the lender’s responsibility to make those payments.

44. WHAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN TO SECURE A LOAN?

The first step in securing a loan is to complete a loan application. To do so, you’ll need the following information.

Pay stubs for the past 2-3 months
W-2 forms for the past 2 years
Information on long-term debts
Recent bank statements
tax returns for the past 2 years
Proof of any other income
Address and description of the property you wish to buy
Sales contract

During the application process, the lender will order a report on your credit history and a professional appraisal of the property you want to purchase. The application process typically takes between 1-6 weeks.

45. HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT LENDER FOR ME?

Choose your lender carefully. Look for financial stability and a reputation for customer satisfaction. Be sure to choose a company that gives helpful advice and that makes you feel comfortable. A lender that has the authority to approve and process your loan locally is preferable, since it will be easier for you to monitor the status of your application and ask questions. Plus, it’s beneficial when the lender knows home values and conditions in the local area. Do research and ask family, friends, and your real estate agent for recommendations. Once again internet research can help you in home financing too.

46. HOW ARE PRE-QUALIFYING AND PRE-APPROVAL DIFFERENT?

Pre-qualification is an informal way to see how much you maybe able to borrow. You can be ‘pre-qualified’ over the phone with no paperwork by telling a lender your income, your long-term debts, and how large a down payment you can afford. Without any obligation, this helps you arrive at a ballpark figure of the amount you may have available to spend on a house.

Pre-approval is a lender’s actual commitment to lend to you. It involves assembling the financial records mentioned in Question 47 (Without the property description and sales contract) and going through a preliminary approval process. Pre-approval gives you a definite idea of what you can afford and shows sellers that you are serious about buying.

47. WHAT IS A CREDIT BUREAU SCORE AND HOW DO LENDERS USE THEM?

A credit bureau score is a number, based upon your credit history, that represents the possibility that you will be unable to repay a loan. Lenders use it to determine your ability to qualify for a mortgage loan. The better the score, the better your chances are of getting a loan. Ask your lender for details.

CLOSING

48. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’VE APPLIED FOR MY LOAN?

It usually takes a lender between 1-6 weeks to complete the evaluation of your application. Its not unusual for the lender to ask for more information once the application has been submitted. The sooner you can provide the information, the faster your application will be processed. Once all the information has been verified the lender will call you to let you know the outcome of your application. If the loan is approved, a closing date is set up and the lender will review the closing with you. And after closing, you’ll be able to move into your new home.

49. WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR DURING THE FINAL WALK-THROUGH?

This will likely be the first opportunity to examine the house without furniture, giving you a clear view of everything. Check the walls and ceilings carefully, as well as any work the seller agreed to do in response to the inspection. Any problems discovered previously that you find uncorrected should be brought up prior to closing. It is the seller’s responsibility to fix them.

50. WHAT MAKES UP CLOSING COST OF HOME?

There may be closing cost customary or unique to a certain locality, but closing cost are usually made up of the following:

Attorney’s or escrow fees (Yours and your lender’s if applicable)
Property taxes (to cover tax period to date)
Interest (paid from date of closing to 30 days before first monthly payment)
Loan Origination fee (covers lenders administrative cost)
Recording fees
Survey fee
First premium of mortgage Insurance (if applicable)
Title Insurance (yours and lender’s)
Loan discount points
First payment to escrow account for future real estate taxes and insurance
Paid receipt for home owner’s insurance policy (and fire and flood insurance if applicable).
Any documentation preparation fees

51. WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO HAPPEN ON CLOSING DAY?

You’ll present your paid home owner’s insurance policy or a binder and receipt showing that the premium has been paid. The closing agent will then list the money you owe the seller (remainder of down payment, prepaid taxes, etc.) and then the money the seller owes you (unpaid taxes and prepaid rent, if applicable). The seller will provide proofs of any inspection, warranties, etc.

Once you’re sure you understand all the documentation, you’ll sign the mortgage, agreeing that if you don’t make payments the lender is entitled to sell your property and apply the sale price against the amount you owe plus expenses. You’ll also sign a mortgage note, promising to repay the loan. The seller will give you the title to the house in the form of a signed deed.

You’ll pay the lender’s agent all closing costs and, in turn,he or she will provide you with a settlement statement of all the items for which you have paid. The deed and mortgage will then be recorded in the state Registry of Deeds, and you will be a homeowner.

52. WHAT DO I GET AT CLOSING?

Settlement Statement (itemizes services provided and the fees charged; it is filled out by the closing agent and must be given to you at or before closing)

Truth-in-Lending Statement

Mortgage Note

Mortgage or Deed of Trust

Binding Sales Contract (prepared by the seller; your lawyer should review it)

Keys to your new home

WHERE CAN I FIND CHEAP HOMES FOR SALE?

http://www.fitbeautysalon.com

A home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home (plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, structure, roof, etc.) and is intended to give the client (buyer, seller, or homeowner) a better understanding of the home’s general condition. Most often it is a buyer who requests an inspection of the home he or she is serious about purchasing. A home inspection delivers data so that decisions about the purchase can be confirmed or questioned, and can uncover serious and/or expensive to repair defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. It is not an appraisal of the property’s value; nor does it address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee that the home complies with local building codes or protect a client in the event an item inspected fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover many items.] A home inspection should not be considered a “technically exhaustive” evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property on the day it is inspected, taking into consideration normal wear and tear for the home’s age and location. A home inspection can also include, for extra fees, Radon gas testing, water testing, energy audits, pest inspections, pool inspections, and several other specific items that may be indigenous to the region of the country where the inspection takes place. Home inspections are also used (less often) by a seller before listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by homeowners simply wishing to care for their homes, prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value as high as possible.

The important results to pay attention to in a home inspection are:

1. Major defects, such as large differential cracks in the foundation; structure out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, etc. These are items that are expensive to fix, which we classify as items requiring more than 2% of the purchase price to repair.
2. Things that could lead to major defects – a roof flashing leak that could get bigger, damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a support beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.
3. Safety hazards, such as an exposed electrical wiring, lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in kitchens and bathrooms, lack of safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, etc.

Your inspector will advise you about what to do about these problems. He/she may recommend evaluation – and on serious issues most certainly will – by licensed or certified professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For example, your inspector will recommend you call a licensed building engineer if they find sections of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a serious structural deficiency.

Home Inspections are only done by a buyer after they sign a contract, right?

This is not true! As you will see when you read on, a home inspection can be used for interim inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by a current homeowner, a proactive technique by sellers to make their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the condition of the potential home.

Sellers, in particular, can benefit from getting a home inspection before listing the home. Here are just a few of the advantages for the seller:

· The seller knows the home! The home inspector will be able to get answers to his/her questions on the history of any problems they find.

· A home inspection will help the seller be more objective when it comes to setting a fair price on the home.

· The seller can take the report and make it into a marketing piece for the home.

· The seller will be alerted to any safety issues found in the home before they open it up for open house tours.

· The seller can make repairs leisurely instead being in a rush after the contract is signed.

Why should I get a home inspection?

Your new home has dozens of systems and over 10,000 parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation and appliances. When these systems and appliances work together, you experience comfort, energy savings, and durability. Weak links in the system, however, can produce assorted problems leading to a loss in value and shortened component life. Would you buy a used car without a qualified mechanic looking at it? Your home is far more complicated, and to have a thorough inspection that is documented in a report arms you with substantial information on which to make decisions.

Why can’t I do the inspection myself?

Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity needed to inspect a home themselves. By using the services of a professional home inspector, they gain a better understanding of the condition of the property; especially whether any items do not “function as intended” or “adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling” or “warrant further investigation” by a specialist. Remember that the home inspector is a generalist and is broadly trained in every home system.

Why can’t I ask a family member who is handy or who is a contractor to inspect my new home?

Although your nephew or aunt may be very skilled, he or she is not trained or experienced in professional home inspections and usually lacks the specialized test equipment and knowledge required for an inspection. Home inspection training and expertise represent a distinct, licensed profession that employs rigorous standards of practice. Most contractors and other trade professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their own homes when they themselves purchase a home!

What does a home inspection cost?

This is often the first question asked but the answer tells the least about the quality of the inspection. Fees are based according to size, age and various other aspects of the home. Inspection fees from a certified professional home inspector generally start under $300. An average price for a 2,000 square foot home nationally is about $350-$375. What you should pay attention to is not the fee, but the qualifications of your inspector. Are they nationally certified (passed the NHIE exam)? Are they state certified if required?

How long does the inspection take?

This depends upon the size and condition of the home. You can usually figure 1.2 hours for every 1,000 square feet. For example, a 2,500 square foot house would take about 3 hours. If the company also produces the report at your home, that will take an additional 30-50 minutes.

Do all homes require a home inspection?

Yes and No. Although not required by law in most states, we feel that any buyer not getting a home inspection is doing themselves a great disservice. They may find themselves with costly and unpleasant surprises after moving into the home and suffer financial headaches that could easily have been avoided.

Should I be at the inspection?

It’s a great idea for you be present during the inspection – whether you are buyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance as well as point out maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it is not a problem since the report you receive will be very detailed. If you are not present, then you should be sure to ask your inspector to explain anything that is not clear in the report. Also read the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If there is a problem with the inspection or the report, you should raise the issues quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you want the inspector to return after the inspection to show you things, this can be arranged and is a good idea, however, you will be paying for the inspector’s time on a walkthrough since this was not included in the original service.

Should the seller attend the home inspection that has been ordered by the buyer?

The seller will be welcome at the inspection (it is still their home) although they should understand that the inspector is working for the buyer. The conversation that the inspector has with the buyer may be upsetting to the seller if the seller was unaware of the items being pointed out, or the seller may be overly emotional about any flaws. This is a reason why the seller might want to consider getting their own inspection before listing the home.

Can a house fail a home inspection?

No. A home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, cannot not pass or fail a house. The inspector will objectively describe the home’s physical condition and indicate which items are in need of repair or replacement.

What is included in the inspection?

The following list is not exhaustive. Not all of these may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will be following a standardized checklist for the home:
· Site drainage and grading
· Driveway
· Entry Steps, handrails
· Decks
· Masonry
· Landscape (as it relates to the home)
· Retaining walls
· Roofing, flashings, chimneys, and attic
· Eaves, soffits, and fascias
· Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
· Garage, garage walls, floor, and door operation
· Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop/hoods, microwave, disposal, trash compactor)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· Ceilings, walls, floors
· Kitchen counters, floors, and cabinets
· Windows and window gaskets
· Interior doors and hardware
· Plumbing systems and fixtures
· Electrical system, panels, entrance conductors
· Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
· Smoke (fire) detectors
· Ventilation systems and Insulation
· Heating equipment and controls
· Ducts and distribution systems
· Fireplaces
· Air Conditioning and controls
· Heat Pumps and controls
· Safety items such as means of egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.

Other items that are not a part of the standard inspection can be added for an additional fee:
· Radon Gas Test
· Water Quality Test
· Termite Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
· Gas Line Leak Test (usually performed by the gas company)
· Sprinkler System Test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Mold Screening (sometimes performed by a separate company)
· Septic System Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
· Alarm System (usually performed by a separate company)

We recommend getting a Radon Test if your prospective home falls into an area of the country with known Radon seepage, since Radon gas produces cancer second only to cigarette smoking and can be easily mitigated by installing a vent system. We also recommend a water test to make sure you do not have bacteria in the water supply. Water can also be tested for Radon.

What is not included in the inspection?

Most people assume that everything is inspected in depth on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to be upset with their inspector. The inspections we do are not exhaustive and there is a good reason for this. If you hired someone with licenses for heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to inspect your house, it would take about 14 hours and cost you about $2000! It is much more practical to hire a professional inspector who has generalist knowledge of home systems, knows what to look for, and can recommend further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector is also following very specific guidelines as he/she inspects your home. These are either national guidelines (ASHI – American Society of Home Inspectors, InterNACHI – International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) or state guidelines. These guidelines are carefully written to protect both your home and the inspector. Here are some examples: We are directed to not turn systems on if they were off at the time of the inspection (safety reasons); we are not allowed to move furniture (might harm something); not allowed to turn on water if it is off (possible flooding), and not allowed to break through a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The downside of this practice is that by not operating a control, by not seeing under the furniture, and not getting into the attic or crawlspace, we will might miss identifying a problem. However, put into perspective, the chances of missing something serious because of this is quite low, and the guideline as it relates to safety and not harming anything in the home is a good one. There are other items that 95% of inspectors consider outside a normal inspection, and these include inspecting most things that are not bolted down (installed in the home) such as electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioners, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, alarm systems, etc.

What if there are things you can’t inspect (like snow on the roof)?

It just so happens that some days the weather elements interfere with a full home inspection! There isn’t much we can do about this either. If there is snow on the roof we will tell you we were unable to inspect it. Of course we will be looking at the eves and the attic, and any other areas where we can get an idea of condition, but we will write in the report that we could not inspect the roof. It is impractical for us to return another day once the snow melts, because we have full schedules. However, you can usually pay an inspector a small fee to return and inspect the one or two items they were unable to inspect when they were there the first time. This is just the way things go. If you ask the inspector for a re-inspection, they will usually inspect the items then at no extra charge (beyond the re-inspection fee).

Will the inspector walk on the roof?

The inspector will walk on the roof if it is safe, accessible, and strong enough so that there is no damage done to it by walking on it. Some roofs – such as slate and tile, should not be walked on. Sometimes because of poor weather conditions, extremely steep roofs, or very high roofs, the inspector will not be able to walk the roof. The inspector will try to get up to the edge though, and will also use binoculars where accessibility is a problem. They will also examine the roof from the upper windows if that is possible. There is a lot the inspector can determine from a visual examination from a ladder and from the ground, and they will be able to tell a lot more from inside the attic about the condition of the roof as well.

Should I have my house tested for Radon? What exactly is Radon?

In many areas of the country, the answer is a definite yes. You can ask your real estate agent about this or go on to the internet for a radon map of the country. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that’s formed during the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon exits the ground and can seep into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon gas can also contaminate well water.

Health officials have determined that radon gas is a serious carcinogen that can cause lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking. The only way to find out if your house contains radon gas is to perform a radon measurement test, which your home inspector can do. Make sure the person conducting your test has been trained to The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) standards.

What about a newly constructed home? Does it need a home inspection?

Yes! In fact, we find far more problems, some quite serious, in newly constructed homes than in homes that have been lived in for years. This is not due to your builder’s negligence – he/she has done the best job they could with subcontractors and planning – it’s just that there are so many systems in a home, that it is close to impossible to inspect everything, and correct it before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Then, for some reason, the subcontractors no longer want to work on the home, and final jobs and details are missed. We recommend getting several professional home inspections near the completion stages of the home to discover everything that should be corrected. If the house is still new but sitting for a while before sale, it’s even more important to get a home inspection. We have seen water lines not hooked up, plumbing lines not hooked up, sewer lines not hooked up, vents not hooked up, and a variety of other serious but easily correctable problems!

I am having a home built. The builder assures me he will inspect everything. Should I have an independent inspector make periodic inspections?

Absolutely yes! No matter how good your builder is, he/she WILL miss things. They are so concerned with the house, they get so close to their work, as do the subcontractors, that important items can, and will be, overlooked. Have a professional inspector make at least 4-6 interim inspections. They will be worth their weight in gold.

What is the Pre-Inspection Agreement?

Most service professionals have a service agreement, and home inspection is no different. In fact, there is enough confusion about what a home inspection should deliver that the agreement is even more important. Some homeowners who get a home inspection expect everything in the home to be perfect after the repairs. This is not the case! Imagine getting a call from a homeowner a year later who says the toilet is not flushing – remember that the inspection is a moment in time snapshot. In the inspection agreement the inspector is clear about what the inspection delivers and the things that are not covered, as well as what you should do if you are not pleased with the services. We really think that by reviewing this before-hand you will understand much more about the inspection and be happier with the results. A home inspection does not guard against future problems, nor does it guarantee that all problems will be found.

What kind of report will I get following the inspection?

There are as many versions of a “report” as there are inspection companies. Guidelines dictate that the inspector deliver a written report to the client. This can range from a handwritten checklist that has multiple press copies without pictures and 4 pages long to a computer generated professionally produced report with digital pictures that is 35 pages long and can be converted to Adobe PDF for storage and emailing. Be sure to check with your inspector about the report he or she uses. We recommend the computer generated report, since the checklist is more detailed and easier for the homeowner/buyer/seller to detail out the issues with photographs. In this modern age, we feel the reports must be web accessible and e-mailable to match the technologies most of us are using.

There are some great things you can use the report for in addition to the wealth of information it simply gives you on your new home:

· Use the report as a checklist and guide for the contractor to make repairs and improvements or get estimates and quotes from more than one contractor.

· Use the report as a budgeting tool using the inspector’s recommendations and the remaining expected life of components to keep the property in top shape.

· If you are a seller, use the report to make repairs and improvements, raising the value of the home and impressing the buyers. Then have a re-inspection and use this second report as a marketing tool for prospective buyers.

· Use the report as a “punch list” on a re-inspection and as a baseline for ongoing maintenance.

Will the report be emailable or available as an Adobe PDF file?

Yes. As discussed in the last question, you will probably want your inspector to be using the latest reporting technology.

What if I think the inspector missed something?

Inspectors are human, and yes, they do miss items. However, they routinely use advanced tools and techniques to reduce the possibility that they will miss something. This includes very detailed checklists, reference manuals, computer based lists, and a methodical always-done-the-same-way of physically moving around your home. That is one of the reasons that an inspector can miss an item when they get interrupted. The inspector will have a set way of resuming the inspection if this happens. If, in the end, something IS missed, call the inspector and discuss it. It may warrant the inspector returning to view something that you found. Remember, the inspector is doing the very best job they know how to do, and probably did not miss the item because they were lax in their technique or did not care.

What if the inspector tells me I should have a professional engineer or a licensed plumber or other professional contractor in to look at something they found? Isn’t this “passing the buck”?

You may be disappointed that further investigation is required, but, believe us, your inspector is doing exactly what they should be doing. The purpose of the inspection is to discover defects that affect your safety and the functioning of the home; the inspector is a generalist, not a specialist. Our code of ethics as well as national and state guidelines dictate that only contractors that are licensed in their specialty field should work on these systems and areas. When they tell you that a specialist is needed, there may be a bigger, more critical issue that you need to know about. If you move into the home without getting these areas checked by a qualified specialist, you could be in for some nasty and expensive surprises. The inspector does not want to cause you any more expense or worry either, so when they do recommend further evaluation they are being serious about protecting you and your investment.

Will the inspector provide a warranty on the inspected items?

Most inspectors do not give the homeowner a warranty on inspected items. Remember, a home inspection is a visual examination on a certain day, and the inspector cannot predict what issues could arise over time after the inspection. However, some inspectors are now including a warranty from the largest home warranty company in America – American Home Warranty Corporation, as well as others, on the inspected items for 60 or 90 days. This is a very good deal, and the agreement can be extended after the initial period for a relatively small amount of money.

Do most inspection companies offer money back guarantees?

Most inspection companies do not offer a satisfaction guarantee nor do they mention it in their advertising. It’s always a good thing if you can get extra services for no additional cost from your inspection company, and of course a satisfaction guarantee is an indication of superior customer service. You usually have to call your inspection company right after the inspection and viewing of the report to tell them you are not satisfied. If you are not happy with the services, you should talk to your inspector first and let him/her correct the issue(s) you are unhappy with first, as the inspector is trying to make an honest living just like the rest of us, and is not failing you on purpose.

What if my report comes back with nothing really defective in the home? Should I ask for my money back?

No, don’t ask for your money back – you just received great news! Now you can complete your home purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will have valuable information about your new home from the inspector’s report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Most importantly, you can feel assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision.

What if the inspection reveals serious defects?

If the inspection reveals serious defects in the home (we define a serious defect as something that will cost more than 2% of the purchase price to fix) then pat yourself on the back for getting an inspection. You just saved yourself a ton of money. Of course it is disappointing, even heart wrenching, to find out that your well researched house is now a problem house, but you now know the facts and can either negotiate with the seller, or move on. You may want the home so much that it will be worth it to negotiate the price and then perform the repairs. Imagine, though, if you had not gotten the inspection – you would have had some very unpleasant surprises.

Can I ask my home inspector to perform the repairs?

You can, but if your inspector is ethical, he/she will refuse, and correctly so; it is a conflict of interest for the person who inspected your home to also repair it! Inspectors are specifically barred from this practice by licensing authorities, and it’s a good practice – an inspector must remain completely impartial when he or she inspects your home. This is one reason you should have a professional home inspector inspect your home and not a contractor – the contractor will want the repair work and you are likely to not have an objective inspection from this person even though they mean well and are technically competent.

Does the Seller have to make the repairs?

The inspection report results do not place an obligation on the seller to repair everything mentioned in the report. Once the home condition is known, the buyer and the seller should sit down and discuss what is in the report. The report will be clear about what is a repair and what is a discretionary improvement. This area should be clearly negotiated between the parties. It’s important to know that the inspector must stay out of this discussion because it is outside of their scope of work.

After the home inspection and consulting with the seller on the repairs, can I re-employ the inspector to come re-inspect the home to make sure everything got fixed?

You certainly can, and it’s a really good idea. For a small fee the inspector will return to determine if the repairs were completed, and if they were completed correctly.

What if I find problems after I move into my new home?

A home inspection is not a guarantee that problems won’t develop after you move in. However, if you believe that a problem was visible at the time of the inspection and should have been mentioned in the report, your first step should be to call the inspector. He or she will be fine with this, and does want you to call if you think there is a problem. If the issue is not resolved with a phone call, they will come to your home to look at it. They will want you to be satisfied and will do everything they can to do this. One way to protect yourself between the inspection and the move-in is to conduct a final walk through on closing day and use both the inspection report AND a Walk through Checklist to make sure everything is as it should be.

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Cutting edge technology is one of the things that many people think of when they think of American society. However, in many areas of technology, other parts of the world have a significant technological edge. Cellphone technology and cellular communications is one such area. Believe it or not, most experts agree that Japan is at least two years ahead of the United States when it comes to cellphones and cellular networks. But by looking at the Japanese market, we can get a pretty good idea of what sort of features will soon exist on American cellphones.

The place to start is by looking at some of the features that already exist here but are very high end and costly. Some examples are radio, TV and streaming video for the cellphone. Customers in the US must pay an extra monthly subscription of around $10 and $20. Japanese customers on the other hand can get these services over a much wider range of handsets, and the service is more comprehensive, faster and less expensive. GPS enabled phones are also just starting to enter the US market but have been available in Japan for some time. Japanese cellphone software developers have developed a number of terrific GPS-aware applications, including mapping and direction finding applications, and even position-aware mobile games.

One of the biggest differences between Japanese and American cellphones is of course the phone itself. Japanese cellphones typically have much larger screen sizes (typically 240 by 320 pixels), while the higher end American cellphones are still generally 176 by 204 pixels. Japanese cellphones also have speedier processors and more memory, which enables these phones to play better games, process more multimedia data, and store much larger address books than American phones.

One cellphone feature that is available in Japan but not yet in the US is fingerprint scanning technology. Fingerprint sensors on the phone can be used to verify that the person using the phone is authorized to do so. The cellphone is evolving toward being a device for storing personal information, like credit card numbers, bank account information and other sensitive information, and it is becoming more and more important for cellphones to be able to store this information securely. Cellphone manufacturers, most of whom are companies located outside the US, are now developing cellphone models for the US market with small fingerprint scanning sensors on the phone. These are generally sliding sensors where the user slides his or her finger over the sensor to enter a fingerprint. Software on the phone will try to match features of the newly scanned fingerprint with information stored from previous scans to validate the user and, if validated, give the user access to private data that had been previously on the cellphone.

The use of fingerprint scanning technology is also a foundation for another revolutionary cellphone feature already found in Japan, which is the use of cellphones to make payments wirelessly. In Japan, cellphone users with enabled cellphones can use these phones to buy soda from machines or enter public transport systems, all by sending encrypted financial information from their cellphones. All financial transactions require the digital equivalent of a signature authorizing the transaction, and this is where fingerprint verification is used. Financial institutions in the US are already working with cellphone manufacturers to bring these same features to the United Stated market. The technology itself already exists, but the financial institutions are working to develop the infrastructure and information security systems that are necessary to enable such a system to be successfully rolled out across the US market.

In the first generation of these systems, payment transactions are conducted by sending and receiving text messages. Further down the road, wireless network technologies may be used instead. For some early systems that do not have fingerprint authorization, a PIN code can be used to authorize the payment. Fingerprint verification methods are used for payment validation on phones where this technology exists. Of course, the use of fingerprint validation offers a higher level of security than does the use of PIN codes, so it may be the case that mobile payment technology will be delayed in the US market until the release of a wide variety of handsets that have built-in fingerprint sensors.

While the debate continues on how exactly these new features will be rolled out, it is certain that the cellphone two years from now will be much more capable than it is now. Who knows, maybe we can even pay our soaring phonebills wirelessly from our cellphones! Only time will tell.

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If some one asks me the first thing that I would like to change or improve upon given an opportunity. The answer without second thought would be my home. Why? This is the place where I feel most comfortable and this is where I have enjoyed my best times and to enjoy those again and again I would improve my home.

In fact that is the case with almost every person. So if you are one of those people who wants to go for home improvement loan but cannot because of financial constraints. UK guide to home improvement can provide an ideal platform from where it would be a lot easier to go for home improvement.

The home improvement that you may go for could be minor or major. It purely depends on the requirement of individuals on how they see things at that point of time. The usage for which a home improvement loan may be taken depends on person to person and his needs or just luxuries.

Few reasons why a home improvement loan is taken in UK are:

·Adding of new rooms like bedroom

·Renovation

·Safety repairs

·Roofing, plumbing and sewer repairs

·Landscaping

·Adding luxuries like a swimming pool

The home improvement loan in UK is available with two options to the borrowers. They are:

A secured home improvement loan which can be taken by the borrowers if they can provide a security to the lender. The security may be any of the assets of the borrower his home, car or any piece of land. With these loans we can get a loan of up to £75000 for a long period.

Advantages of a secured home improvement loan in UK are

Low interest rates, hence low monthly payments.

People can easily avail big amounts for long time.

Easy and fast approval of loans.

A disadvantage of a secured loan is that it can only be availed if the borrower has a security otherwise these loans are not available.

Other way of getting a loan is through unsecured loans these loans do not require any collateral to be provided. So these loans are available to almost every body from tenants to home owners. With these type of loans we can loans starting from £500 to £25000.

Advantages of unsecured loans are
Everybody can take these loans as no collateral is required to be provided to the lenders. Therefore no risk is attached to the borrower.

Disadvantages of taking unsecured loans are

High interest rates

High monthly installments

Small loan amounts are approved

Home improvement loans in UK are now available to every body even to people who have bad credit history. It includes people like CCJ’s, arrears, defaults, or late payments.
Bad credit history is determined on the basis of a credit score which is given to every borrower in UK who have previously taken loans. A score of below 600 is the one which brings in the reputation of bad credit.
Considering the importance of homes and their improvements these loans are made available to people with bad credit history as well.

Home improvement loans not only serve the purpose the also provide many benefits to the borrowers as well.

·Home improvement appreciates the value of the house which helps the borrower in many ways.

·For people with bad credit history it is a chance of improving their credit reputation.

·While in the process of taking home improvement loans you can get suitable advice on other different topics.

“Home sweet home” that is how the phrase is and that is certainly true for most of the people. A healthy home environment loan can lead to a healthy work and other things. So a home should be perfect in our eyes. As perfection begins from home and then filters through to different aspects so if you feel that home improvement is needed than you should go for it.

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The popularity of HGTV (Home & Garden Television) has created a
thriving market in do-it-yourself home improvement and interior
decorating. All sectors of the home improvement industry have
benefited since HGTV started airing in 1975.

The real estate boom was followed by a home improvement boom.
People would buy a old house and want to redecorate the house
from floor to ceiling. People who had lived in their houses for
a while wanted new kitchen cabinets. The home improvement shows
were an impetus for a massive movement by homeowners to start a
remodeling revolution

The home improvements that people take on include makeovers from
the attic to the basement. They perform functional repairs like
fixing a leaky roof, replacing windows, and adding more room to the
house. Then there are the projects that are just for the
beautification of the home like updating kitchen, remodeling a
master bedroom.

Some people use home improvement as a creative outlet. They paint
and redesign just for the satisfaction of improving their living
space. HGTV has been a large contributor to the home improvement
revival.

HGTV reaches 89 million households every week and over 800,000
nightly prime time viewers. The format of the show has been copied
several times and spin offs like Trading
Spaces, Extreme Makeovers. Viewers sit for hours watching
“Design on a Dime” “Devine Design”, “Landscapers Challenge”.
The home improvement shows just keep coming.

HGTV provides instructions for thousands of home improvement projects.
They provide video clips for everything from garden projects to
constructing a bed. HGTV is the one-stop resource for finding anything
you need for expert help with “doing it yourself” projects.

HGTV makes home improvement look easy and fun. HGTV gives viewers
new ideas and inspires the week end warrior to do some type of home
improvement project. HGTV mission is “to provide ideas, information,
and inspiration for decorating and home improvement”.

The impact that HGTV has on home improvement can be measured in these
statistics.

Furniture sales grew by 75%, between Between 1995-2005

Sales of home furnishings increased 97% in this same period.
These items included soft goods as well, carpets, lamps, area rugs,
linens, glassware

People all over the country are decorating their homes to look like
these superbly beautiful fantasy creations that they view on HGTV.
If you are not a “do it yourselfer” you can just imagine the way your

home might look when you go on tours of million dollar home all
across the country. You see people who look like you making grand
improvements to shacks that end up looking like your dream home.

HGTV has had a dramatic impact on the home improvement industry
because HGTV appeals to the age group of people who have the money
to pay for major home improvement projects. The demographics of the
typical HGTV is a female age 35-64 years old. Over 70% of HGTV
viewers are females.
That means that the female viewers are encouraging husband, fathers,
brother to do the work so they can enjoy the benefits.
The additional general consumer demographics for home improvement by
female indicate:

They shop more often

Visit more stores

Spend more than the typical shopper
The target demographic for the Do It Yourself Website is:

Homeowners

Ages 25-54

Incomes of $60,000

Internet access

Propensity for home improvement
The home Improvement Research Institute studies show that both men
and women are active participants in the planning of home improvement
projects as well as the purchase of those products used for
improvement.

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Whether you are planning to put your home on the market or make it more comfortable to live in, there is a lot to be gained from making home improvements.

Improvements in your home could involve:

• Repairs of already existing structures,
• Remodeling certain parts of the home to give them a facelift,
• Making additions to your home to improve quality of life,
• Home improvement projects in order to make a house more energy efficient or environment-friendly.

To decide on a home improvement project can seem pretty daunting. But armed with a few handy home improvement tips, you could be well on your way to the ideal home of your dreams. Most of these tips are easy to follow and will make deciding on home improvement projects a breeze for you.

• Before deciding on a home improvement project, you have to decide exactly why you think your home needs it, how much you should be spending on it, and what is the result you would be satisfied with.
• The first home improvements you should consider are repair moves. Attend to any ceiling repair problems, the plumbing job you have been putting off or that attic insulation that has become necessary. This holds true whether you are planning to live in the home yourself, put it on rent, or put the home on sale.
• Remodeling your kitchen or bathroom is a smart home improvement move if you are planning to put your home on sale. This increases the value of the home immediately, and if researched properly, can be done with very little investment.
• Home improvement projects that involve remodeling need to be well thought out, so that they do not look out of place in the house. They are usually done to improve lighting, provide more space or glamorize the home. Remodeling a home can also mean an improvement in the atmosphere. For instance, if a kitchen wall is broken down to create an open kitchen, it immediately makes the home more friendly and sociable.
• Making additions to a home like adding a deck, a pool, or an outdoor storage area are usually the result of what the family needs, but could also be excellent selling points if the home goes up for sale some day. Additions to the home should be considered as home improvement projects if there is extra outdoor space which by itself does not improve the value of the home. A good tip for an improvement in the exterior spaces of the home is also to consider the neighborhood and only make changes and additions that would blend in.
• Helping a home improve its energy efficiency is also a great idea for a householder, because not only does it cut down on the electricity and gas bills, it is a great thing to do for the environment. Improvement in the insulation of the home can be a long-term blessing. Investing on a home so that it at least partially harvests solar energy could be another way of improving the home for posterity.

It is obvious that home improvement projects should not be carried out on a whim. It is essential to evaluate why a specific home improvement project is required, and what would be gained from the investment. While home improvements that involve repair increase the comfort in the home and its longevity and are therefore essential, all other sorts of home improvement need to be carefully evaluated before embarking on them.

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