Of course, if your home is for sale, you're getting ready to move--and that can put a strain on anyone's budget. So how can you boost your home's curb appeal without breaking the bank? You don't necessarily have to repaint or make large repairs. With minimal effort, you can entice curious homebuyers to want to see more.

Neaten Your Yard

You've probably done a good job already of cleaning up your yard. Keeping the lawn mowed and edged and the garden beds weeded is a no-brainer. That said, it might be a good idea to take it a step further by giving your yard the appearance of being easy to maintain. This can include:

.   Patching bare spots in the lawn

.   Adding a fresh layer of mulch

.   Replacing annuals with low-maintenance perennials

.   Patching cracked or pitted concrete

Clean Your Home's Exterior

Sweeping the porch may not be enough. Look up and make sure you get the cobwebs out of your overhangs and around the mailbox, house numbers and porch light. Clean your windows, inside and out. You may want to consider renting a power washer if your brick or siding looks dingy; you might be surprised at the difference it makes.

Low-Cost Exterior Upgrades for Curb Appeal

Sometimes, investing a small amount of money can help get more showings--which can mean selling your home more quickly. Some inexpensive upgrades that may make a big impact include:

.   Painting your front door

.   Replacing your mailbox

.   Installing new house numbers (be sure to repair or cover any cosmetic damage left by the old ones)

.   Adding potted flowers or hanging baskets to your porch

If any paths or entryways are too dark at night, consider installing some new lighting. Homebuyers are impressed by the safety and security of outdoor lights. Solar-powered path lamps and motion-detecting floodlights over the garage door are particularly impressive.

Never underestimate the value of good curb appeal. You’d be surprised how taking small steps can completely change how buyers see your home.

If you’re moving up the property ladder, bridge loans can be a great financial tool. Contact me today to discuss your options.  

Carefully Research Neighborhoods

The neighborhood where you choose to purchase your first investment home will have a huge impact on the success of your endeavor. Here are a few neighborhood features to keep in mind:

-   Look closely at crime rates. Buying in a high-crime area may help you snag a bargain but you need to ask yourself if it's worth it. Areas with a lot of crime may not attract the best quality tenants, and you may find yourself dealing with the hassle and expense of frequent vandalism and break-ins. You will also be limited in how much rent you can reasonably expect to charge.

-   Buy in the best neighborhood you can afford. If you are starting off with a small budget, purchasing a rental home in an 'up and coming' neighborhood that shows signs of gentrifying and appreciating in value can be a great opportunity. Just bear in mind that you will need to be patient as it may take years for rent prices in the neighborhood to go up significantly.

-   Pay attention to schools in the area. If there are great schools close by, you will attract families who want to rent long-term. On the other hand, if you buy a home near a university you will always have potential renters but will have to deal with frequent tenant turnover and possible damage to your property.

Be Wary of High Vacancy Rates

The key to a successful investment property is to have it rented out continuously. Even if you only charge enough rent to cover your mortgage, property taxes, and related expenses, this is better than owning an investment property that sits empty for long stretches of time. If a high percentage of homes in the area seem to remain vacant for months at a time, chances are yours will as well.

Be Conservative When Estimating Expenses and Profits

It's important to think long-term when buying an investment property. Unless you are buying a home with cash, don't expect it to be profitable until you've paid down your loan quite a bit and built equity. At first, just aim to cover your expenses and always estimate these on the high end just to be safe.

Consider Hiring a Property Manager

Property managers will handle many of the time-consuming tasks involved with being a landlord, all for a small percentage of the monthly rent. They will find and screen tenants for you, run background checks, collect rent, call repair workers and house cleaners, and even perform basic maintenance. Hiring a skilled property manager often saves money in the long run, because it helps avoid costly vacancies and evictions.

Look for a Move-in Ready Home

Unless you have a construction background, make your first foray into real estate investment as easy on yourself as possible by buying a move-in ready home. Look for a home that can easily pass an inspection and is not in need of major repairs or renovations. On the other hand, cosmetic details like paint colors, old carpeting with nice wood floors underneath, and dated fixtures can easily be tackled by a novice without spending a lot of money.

By following these tips, you can move into investment property ownership without regret or worry.

Why Bad Credit Is Risky  

Rich or poor, urban or rural ... we all rely on credit to get the most out of life. And having poor credit affects your finances in many ways, all of them negative.

Poor credit can keep you from qualifying for a large mortgage on your dream home. It may prevent insurance agencies from offering you their lowest premiums. Even potential employers might pull your credit score (with your permission) when making a hiring decision. This is most often the case for positions with a high level of personal responsibility, especially around cash or finances.

Worried about your current credit history? Repaying your existing debts (if at all possible) is the best first action you can take, and your bank or credit repair specialist can help you with the more complicated steps.

Is It OK To Have No Credit At All?

Even financially savvy people are sometimes wary of opening lines of credit. After all, with thousands of dollars suddenly becoming 'available' to you, the temptation to overspend can be all too real. Why not just stick to cash, or to your debit card?

If you don't have any credit, you haven't necessarily made any financial mistakes. But here's the thing: Banks and other lenders aren't in the habit of simply giving away money. They need some assurance that they will be repaid in full (likely with a bit of interest to make the loan worth their while). Since nobody can see the future directly, these lenders have to make calculated decisions based on your credit history in order to decide whether you're trustworthy and responsible.

Show these lenders that you've consistently paid off your debts on time, and they'll be much more likely to grant you large loans (with more favorable interest rates) when you actually need them. Ultimately, playing by their 'rules' will open up new opportunities down the road - a much nicer home/mortgage, for example, or even just lower insurance premiums. These are things that you can't easily achieve without a good credit history.

Avoiding credit (and the temptation to overspend), might sound like a responsible choice on the surface, but it's not ideal in the long run. In fact, having a strong credit score is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make for yourself. And it's never too late to get started!

However, there are also some negatives associated with condo living. To avoid making a purchase that you will later regret, it's important to ask certain questions before making a decision. Keep in mind the following tips.

1. Find out what the condo purchase includes. In addition to the unit itself, your purchase may include storage space and access to a parking spot. However, this is not always the case, so you need to inquire.

2. Inquire about fees. All condo corporations or associations levy regular fees. The fee typically covers insurance and maintenance, and it may also cover landscaping, utilities, and garbage collection. In addition to finding out about the current fee amount, it's a good idea to ask how often the fee has been raised and whether any increases are planned for the near future.

3. Ask about special assessments. Apart from the regular fee, condo corporations or associations sometimes levy a special assessment to cover a major expense, such as a new roof or a structural repair. Inquire about whether any special assessments are planned.

4. Review the rules. Each condo community is different, and each has a unique set of rules. For example, some communities place restrictions on pet ownership. Others restrict the owner's ability to rent out the unit. Still others implement 'quiet hours' or otherwise place limits on behaviors deemed problematic. You should review the rules from two perspectives - to ensure that they DO NOT prohibit anything that is important to you (like keeping a pet) and to ensure they DO prohibit activities you abhor (like noisy late-night parties).

5. Be cautious when buying a condo during the pre-construction phase. One problem that sometimes arises is that a developer fails to sell enough units and therefore decides to buy back the units already sold. When this happens, you could be asked to accept a price that is below what you paid for the unit. Another drawback of buying in the pre-construction phase is that the condo fee - set low to attract buyers - will probably go up after the building is constructed and occupied.

6. Research the management company. The condo corporation or association hires a management company to handle the maintenance and administration. Therefore it's a good idea to do some research to discover the reputation of the management company running the condo development that you are considering.

7. Find out about the ratio of rental units to owner-occupied units. Normally, the quality of life in a condo development falls as the ratio of rented units rises. In buildings where there are many renters, your neighbors change frequently and there is less sense of community. Also, renters are often less committed to following the rules.

Shopping for a condominium differs from shopping for a house in many ways. Before you begin your search for a condo, you should educate yourself about the unique considerations. These seven tips should provide the information necessary to begin this research.

1. Begin with a Moving List

Gather all of the information you need together in a single file. Use the computer or paper, depending on which is easier for you, to create a list of moving companies in your area, supplies you'll need to purchase, and tasks you'll need to complete, such as contacting the utility company.

2. Choose a Central Base

If you pick a single spot to complete all of your packing, you'll never have to search for your packing tape or scissors.

3. Declutter before You Begin to Pack

Why bother packing up items that you won't need or want once you move into your new place. Go through the attic, garage, closets, cabinets, and bureaus and donate, sell, or give away any of the items that you no longer want. As a side benefit, you'll save on the cost of packing supplies as well as on the expense of paying someone to move your stuff.

4. Develop a Packing System

Create a numbered list of your packing boxes, making note of the items contained in each box while also numbering the appropriate boxes. This list will assist you once you move in, allowing you to choose boxes according to your immediate need for them. It also allows you to pack valuables without clearly identifying them to strangers who might be tempted to steal them. You can always keep these boxes in your vehicle so that you have them close by at all times.

5. Make Arrangements for Pet Care

If you have pets, you might want to ask a relative or friend to care for them while you move. Moving is stressful on pets, so you'll want to minimize their anxiety as much as possible. If you must take your pets with you, be sure that they are wearing identification tags with your name and phone number.

6. Create a Moving Day List

Moving day will be hectic, so you should make a list of everything you'll either need to do or to take with you so that you don't forget anything. Don't forget to include snacks, first aid kit, and money or credit cards.

Moving takes a lot of work on your part as well as on the part of the movers. You can minimize the stress associated with relocating as well as reduce the amount of work you actually have to do by creating a to-do list, streamlining your possessions, numbering boxes, listing contents, and making arrangements for your pets during the move.

1. Landscaping

Curb appeal is a huge factor when it comes to generating interest in a home. If you have having an open house, the first thing many potential buyers will see is your front yard and walkway. Some quick fixes to make the exterior areas of your home look well cared for can make a huge impact. Cover dirt or dying grass with mulch for a rich, updated look. Line your walkway with potted plants or flowers to make your space come alive if your yard is lacking greenery.

2. Decluttering

If you will be living in your home while you are selling, you may want to clear out some of your day-to-day items before a showing. This includes kid toys, items for pets, and anything else for general daily use. These things will make your home feel claustrophobic and smaller than it is. If you have a lot of clutter in your home, start packing early and get what you can out of your house and into storage. These items will be packed up and ready to go when you move.

3. Staging

You can take showing your home a step further and stage your home while selling. Moving out and having a home professionally staged will make it feel more spacious and can even play up its features. If you will be staying in your home, it is important to depersonalize your space as much as possible. Any knick-knacks, family photos, and extreme artwork should be hidden away. If your real estate agent has additional ideas for sprucing up your home or what to remove while showing, it is a good idea to take their advice.

4. Cleaning

While it might seem simple, a good top-to-bottom scrub can get your home in better shape for selling. Cleaning your home for viewings and/or an open house needs to involve all areas of the home and should be thorough. This includes cleaning all flooring, wiping down walls and baseboards, and scrubbing kitchens and bathrooms. If you cannot find the time to get this done, bring in professional cleaners to help.

5. Interior Lighting and Sunlight

The brighter you can make your home, the more open and spacious it will seem. Bringing in lamps to illuminate dark corners can open up spaces that might be hidden or look smaller. Opt for see-through curtains rather than heavy window coverings that can block out light. When you have your open house, be sure to keep lights on even during the day. Open up as many window coverings as possible to make your home feel light and welcoming.

Don't get discouraged in thinking that you need to do a huge overhaul of your home before getting it on the market to sell. A few minor updates can make your home look well cared for and inviting to potential home buyers. If you have a limited budget, be sure to ask your real estate agent for advice on updates specific to your home.

1. Consider Your Lifestyle

When you are deciding whether to rent or buy, you should take into consideration your current lifestyle. Do you travel a lot or can you put in the time it takes to maintain a home properly? If you travel frequently, renting an apartment provides exceptional flexibility that allows you to simply pick up and leave whenever you want, no matter how far you intend to travel. On the other hand, if you rarely travel, you'll have the time needed to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, and complete necessary maintenance on the house.

2. Explore Your Financial Goals

Home ownership can be expensive, but buying and selling frequently can be even more costly. If you are looking to build up equity in a home, then you should intend to live in it for five or more years. Since owning a home brings with it taxes, insurance costs, mortgage payments, and expenses for the upkeep of the property, you should be in a financial position to meet those costs. If you currently have a lot of debt, you might not want to take on the responsibility of owning a home.

3. Look at the Housing Market

While buying a home is often less expensive than renting, the opposite is true in certain areas of the country. Before you finalize your decision, talk to a real estate agent to determine which option makes more sense for your particular budget.

Making a choice between buying and renting a home can be difficult. However, your decision might come more easily if you consider your existing lifestyle needs, your financial stability, and the price to rent or buy in the city in which you intend to live. Take a good look at how you want to live, and you'll be able to make up your mind with ease.

1. Create a debt payoff plan.

Take time to come up with a strategic debt payoff plan that fits your budget, and be sure to stick with it. Determine the amount of your total debt load so you can devise a realistic plan. Make a list of all your debts, including the debt amounts, due dates, creditors, and monthly payments. Identify your monthly expenses, such as electricity bills, transportation costs, and groceries. Calculate how much is left from your overall monthly income after deducting monthly expenses, and allocate a portion to debt payment.

It helps to cut back on certain expenses and use the extra money to pay down your debt. When making payments, check your debt list and update it as your debt changes. Also, make a bill payment calendar to make it easier to know which bills to pay with your paycheck.

2. Prioritize your most expensive debt.

If you carry a balance on multiple cards, it's essential to make at least minimum payments. Compare the interest rates of your credit cards, and focus on paying off the balance with the highest interest first. Double or triple your minimum payment on the most costly card. Whenever your budget allows, try to pay weekly instead of monthly. Early and multiple payments help you pay off debt more quickly. You can continue to make the minimum payment for your other credit cards while increasing your payment on the credit card with the highest rate.

After paying off the card's balance, focus on the next credit card with the highest interest rate. Make sure to stay consistent with your debt repayment plan. Avoid skipping or easing up on monthly payments even as your debt decreases considerably. Always keep in mind that your goal is to drive your overall balance down to zero.

3. Pay your bills on time.

Avoid missing monthly payments, as interest rates and finance charges usually increase when you consecutively miss payments. Paying late is a bad habit that makes it more difficult to pay off your debt, because you also need to pay a late fee. If you tend to forget about due dates, create a reminder on your phone or computer that will alert you several days before the payment is due. Create a list of your pay-down goals, and put it near a calendar or in your wallet to keep yourself reminded whenever you're tempted to skip payments. If you miss a payment, settle it as soon as possible so it won't be reported to a credit bureau and affect your credit score.

4. Include your holiday bonus in your debt payoff strategy.

Now that you're determined to reduce your debts, it helps to allocate your bonus to debt payment instead of spending it on luxury purchases. This way, you can accelerate your debt payoff and also improve your credit score. Additionally, save any extra cash and build an emergency savings fund by putting part of your bonus in an investing account or a high-yield savings account. Keep adding to your emergency savings fund throughout the year. When an urgent expense comes up, you don't have to use your credit card as you have a backup savings plan in place.

These are the first steps that you can do to take control of your debt and get on the right track. Be sure to limit the use of your credit cards, and avoid making unnecessary purchases. If you can't stay away from the temptation, bring cash with you instead, and leave your credit cards at home whenever you go shopping.

If you are putting your home on the market, it is important to remove any and all clutter. Whether that means renting a storage locker or just moving a few items to the shed out back, the goal is to make the home look as large as possible.

After you have removed the clutter, it is time to bring in the accessories that can seal the deal. When staging the bedroom, a beautiful green plant or flower arrangement on the nightstand will dress up the space and give it a new elegance. A vase full of fresh flowers on the vanity will make the bathroom more beautiful while covering up unwanted odors.

Plants are not the only accessories that can make your home staging more successful. Displaying an art book and some upscale fashion magazines on the coffee table will make the space look more interesting and inviting. A well-placed tower lamp in the living room can make the entire space look more elegant.

Artwork is another vital aspect of staging your home and making it look its best. If your walls are currently home to nothing but family photographs, it is a good idea to put some of those personal items away and give the space a wider appeal.

While every well-staged home needs some artwork, what items you choose are even more important. You will want to choose artwork with a wide appeal and a neutral look and feel. Landscapes are always a good choice, as are still lifes and abstract pieces.

If you are looking for a way to dress up your bedroom, den or living room, try adding a piece of modern sculpture or an artistic vase. You do not have to spend a fortune on artwork to stage your home. Even an inexpensive piece can lend an air of elegance to your home.

The goal of staging is to make sure they love what they see. The right accessories can make all the difference.. Whether you are selling an upscale property or a starter home, every buyer who comes through will picture themselves in the space.

Saving money is much the same. You already have the tools you need to put money aside, but actually doing it can be difficult. You might know that you should be saving for retirement or building an emergency fund, but you also want instant gratification, that shiny new smartphone or other new gadget.

Seek Out Opportunities to Save

Saving money is an active endeavor, and that means you need to seek out opportunities wherever you can find them. The next time you make your grocery list, take a few minutes to go through the online circulars for the local stores. Find the lowest prices on the items you need for the coming week, and add up the money you save.

Something as simple as saving a quarter apiece on canned goods can give you extra money to save. Shopping smart and hunting bargains is a great way to start or add to your savings, all without impacting your lifestyle or depriving yourself.

Be Creative

A little creativity can make saving money a lot easier and less painful. Something as simple as pocketing your change and putting it in a piggy bank can give you the inspiration you need to get started.

You probably loved putting coins in your piggy bank when you were a kid. Why not rediscover that feeling of accomplishment as an adult. Empty your pocket change into your piggy bank each day, then take all that change to the bank at the end of each week. You can beef up your savings and start your emergency fund, all with money you didn't think you could live without.

Set Realistic Savings Goals

If you start a new diet with the goal of losing 50 pounds in a month, you will surely fail. The same failure will probably result if you set too high a savings goal. You cannot go from zero to a fully funded emergency fund or maxed-out retirement plan overnight -- and you should not try to.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, start small. If you are not currently participating in your retirement plan at work, contact the human resources department and set aside 1 percent of your pay. Once you get used to having that money come out of your paycheck, try raising it to 2 percent. Pretty soon, you will be contributing more than you ever thought possible.

The fact that the savings rate is so low is proof of the difficulty of saving money and sticking to financial goals. Even so, there are things you can do to save money and start building an emergency fund. Even if you think you have no money to save, you can probably squeeze a few bucks from your budget and jump-start your savings goal.

According to data from the National Realtors Association, most people don't ask their Realtors many questions beyond what their fees are and how much they can sell the home for. Every Realtor will have their own style and specialty, so finding the one that's right for you takes more consideration than choosing the Realtor with the best prices. If selling a home were easy, everyone would do it. That's why it's crucial to ask a few additional questions of your potential Realtor.

Here are five questions that you should ask your Realtor before you hire them.


1. What is your experience?
This seems like a very generic question, but it's a very important one. Knowing how many homes your Realtor has sold in the last year and their overall experience will help ensure trust in their process. Real estate is a job that you learn from experience. The more houses that your Realtor has sold the better they will know the market and what the potential is for getting your home sold in a timely fashion. You want to pick a Realtor who you feel can handle your entire purchase process from listing your home to closing the sale.

2. How are you planning to market my home?
Anyone can hammer a 'For Sale' sign into their front yard, but you hire a Realtor to market your home to a vast amount of potential buyers. In today's market people can discover your home from anywhere online. A good Realtor will get your home listed on Multiple Listing Services (MLS) as well as have other marketing tactics like advertisements, direct mail and email marketing. Don't be afraid to ask your Realtor for their marketing plan.

3. Do you work with clients in this price range?
If you're selling a home for $500,000 and the last five homes your Realtor has sold have been for $200,000, you may want to reconsider your selection. Home prices attract a different types of buyers and you'll want to find a Realtor that is able to get into the mindset of the buyer.

4. What are the drawbacks of my home?
The key to selling your home is making sure it's listed at the proper price. Having a Realtor that is up-front about some of the drawbacks of your home can provide you with the best chances of selling your home as well as some insight into the Realtor's experience and desire to sell your home. If you are aware of some flaws that your Realtor doesn't point out, they may not be 100% vested in selling your home.

5. Do you have references?
Hiring a Realtor is like hiring an employee for a job. References will allow you to cross-check information, learn information about other seller's experiences and get a feel for their working style. You'll be working with your Realtor for an extended period of time and communicating with them on a regular basis so it benefits to hear how the communication process was from other clients.

If you are thinking about buying a home, there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself before you call a real estate agent. Making an honest assessment of yourself, your finances and your goals can steer you in the right direction. So can asking the following questions.

How Long Do I Expect to Stay in the Home?

Over the long run, home prices have appreciated steadily, but short-term price trends are much harder to predict. As homeowners found out in 2007 and 2008, real estate prices do not always go up. Prices can decline quite sharply in just a short time, and that can leave buyers who bought at the top in a very uncomfortable position.

If you are buying a home as a place to live in for the long term, you will probably be quite pleased with its performance in the coming decades. If you are looking for a quick flip, you might be disappointed. You might indeed find a bargain and make a quick profit, but you could just as easily lose money on the deal.

Can I Afford a 20% Down Payment?

Putting a significant amount down on a home can eliminate costly private mortgage insurance and give you additional wiggle room should prices decline in the future. If you cannot make a down payment of at least 20% in the price range you are looking at, you might want to set your sights - and your price - a bit lower.

Stretching to make the mortgage payment and buying more home than you can comfortably afford is a recipe for disaster. If you think you can afford a $200,000 home, looking at properties in the $150,000 to $175,000 can get you more for your money and allow you to sleep more easily in your new bed.

How Much Will the Home Really Cost?

You can find out how much your mortgage payment will be in a matter of minutes. All you need is the purchase price, the interest rate on your mortgage and an online calculator.

The problem is those calculators do not tell you the whole story. Even the most sophisticated mortgage calculator cannot tell you how much your real estate taxes will be in 10 years, or how much you will have to spend for a new roof. Taking home repairs and maintenance into account is a critical part of the equation. If you fail to budget for such expenses, you are putting your financial future, and your home, at risk.

Asking yourself these vital questions can make the decision to buy a lot easier. If you have satisfactory answers to all the above questions, you may be ready for the financial commitment and decades-long responsibility of home ownership. If not, you might want to keep renting and saving money.