Understanding Your Credit Score

Because of its prominent role in the home buying process,

it’s important for buyers to understand what a credit score is,

how it’s compiled and how to obtain their credit report.

• How interest rates affect your purchasing power

• Mortgage loan types

• Tips for first-time buyers

• How to save for a down payment

• Breaking down the mortgage application process

 

Purge Your Home of These

9 Things

Before You Move

Patti Lee Properties     Results that Move You!

A new home means a fresh start: new paint, a new bedroom, even a fresh take on arranging your old furniture.

But your new space won't feel so wonderful if it's weighed down with junk you didn't bother ditching during the move. Now's the time to purge your home—and we're not talking about just sifting through stacks of magazines while you binge on Netflix.

"Your possessions should have three purposes: function, aesthetic purpose, or sentimental value, "Pick up each item in your home, and ask yourself, 'Why do I have this item? What does this item do for me?'"

From doodads you picked up at the flea market to jewelry you never wear to a pile of untouched cat toys, there are a lot of things you should toss or donate before packing up the truck. But here are nine of the most common offenders.

1. Old towels and linens

When's the last time you bought new towels? If it's the last time you moved, turn those suckers into rags and buy something new. After years of use and hundreds of washings, there's no denying your fluffy bath towels have lost some of their plushness.

Ditch old bed sheets, too. Fitted sheets lose their elasticity over time, and exposure to sweat and oil can cause unpleasant stains.

2. Your juicer

We all have goals. Running three times a week. Cleaning every Sunday. And starting each morning with a glass of cold juice pressed from spinach, kale, ginger, and pineapple.

Don't give up on achieving your dreams—but if you've tried to make a change and found it didn't work with your lifestyle, don't hang on to the dregs of disappointment. Maybe getting up a half-hour early every morning to juice isn't for you. Assess your achievements at moving time, and donate everything that didn't work out. At least you'll have room for your next wild aspiration. Perhaps a set of dumbbells?

3. Unworn clothes

Organizing a closet before a move should be simple. A keep pile, a toss pile, and a donate pile—right? But we all have those jeans we keep around just in case we finally lose 15 pounds. Or a dress tucked deep in your closet in case you ever go clubbing again. (Never mind that the last time you were out of the house after 10 p.m. was the night your first child was born.)

Watch out for clothing you're keeping "just in case," which take up precious room in your closet. And even if you do lose the weight, or get an invitation to a bachelorette party in Vegas, you can always buy (or rent) something new—and we bet you'll love it even more.

4. Duplicates and souvenirs

Clutter accrues in the strangest places—like your mug tree or your dining hutch. You might have started out with two novelty mugs, but now you own a coffee cup from every place you've visited. Ever.

"Try to keep only one from your favorite vacation," 

Look for duplicates throughout your kitchen. Do you really need three bread pans? Or more than one cake platter?

"You should only hold on to what can fit neatly in your space,"  

5. Collections you've outgrown

One day, many moons ago, you told your mom you liked elephants. You were 12.

Your next birthday: an elephant necklace. Your graduation gift: a porcelain elephant statuette. Your housewarming gift from your aunt: an Etsy elephant print.

It's too late to convince everyone you're not a loxodonta-phile, but it's not too late to trim down your collection. And when Mom stops by and looks confused, just say, "I had to. I couldn't fit it into our new space."

6. Cosmetics and toiletries

Like most things in life, skin and beauty products don't last forever. So before you move, ditch the pile of half-used products you've amassed under your bathroom sink; that goes for skin creams, sunscreens, shaving cream, beard oils, deodorant, and even soap.

Ladies—make sure to toss the nail polish. That stuff has a shelf life of only two years, meaning you'll likely never finish a bottle before the polish gets gunky and hard to apply.

Same goes for cosmetics: For example, you should replace your favorite mascara every three months. Otherwise, you risk exposing your eye to contaminants and air particles.

7. Space fillers

Sometimes, when moving into a new home, we buy stuff just to fill the emptiness. Ugly side tables, a TV stand three shades darker than the rest of your furniture, or that annoying inspirational wall art that's long past being cool (if it ever was).

Your next home doesn't need to be a blank slate, but do yourself a favor before moving in by ditching furniture and decor you're "meh" on. And next time, buy slowly and ponder exactly what you want before plunking down cash.

8. Cords and cables

You don't know how it happened, but suddenly you have 34 micro-USB cables and seven random charging cables that seemingly belong to nothing and everything at the same time.

Save yourself from future headaches, and get rid of duplicates now—as well as anything that doesn't have a match. And take advantage of the move to sort the remaining cords and cables into an organized system.

9. Paperwork

Go through all your old paperwork, setting aside documents you should keep (tax records, closing documents, recent bank statements) and ditching everything that's no longer necessary—like old insurance policies. Create a filing system you'll stick to, since that paperwork's gonna keep coming, and promise yourself you'll go back through everything once a year.

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HOME BUYER ROADMAP

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How to get answers to your real estate questions

Have you ever gone to one of those online property-listing sites and visited the message boards? People ask all sorts of questions, like

• How much is my home is worth?
• Should I add a deck before selling my house?
• Can I qualify for a loan?
• How much should my downpayment be?

It's tough to get straight answers to these questions from a stranger on the Internet. Why? They probably don't know the market for your neighborhood to determine your home's worth. They also may not know if buyers where you're located are looking for a deck. And it's unlikely you'd want share your personal financial details on a message board to get an accurate opinion on your creditworthiness or downpayment options.

There is one source you can ask these and many more questions, and it's a Texas REALTOR®. Texas REALTORS® in your market can access accurate data about recent home listings and sales, as well as actually visit your house to give you the right listing price. They also deal with buyers in your market and know what features they are looking for in properties right now. And they have many resources to help you understand the financial aspects of homeownership. Click on links below for this Texas Realtor. If in an area that I am not familiar with, I can connect you with a Realtor that is. Let me help.

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SPRING IS COMING - "THE SELLING SEASON" Get Ready, Refresh Your Interior With the Right Paint

 

SPRING IS COMING - "THE SELLING SEASON" 

Get Ready, Refresh Your Interior With the Right Paint

Looking for a quick way to rejuvenate your living space? Before you go changing layouts or knocking down walls, try giving your interior a fresh coat of paint. This fairly simple task can dramatically alter the look and feel of your home.

Changing interior paint is an easy do-it-yourself project that most can tackle in a weekend or two. Before you get the rollers out and start painting, here are some basics about the interior paint finishes available:

Flat or Matte -- Hide imperfections with flat paints, which absorb light and make the colors seem darker. The downside? This type of paint is the least stain resistant, so reserve it for low-traffic areas and ceilings.

Eggshell -- Not as dull as flat paint but less shiny than semi-gloss, this low-sheen option works well in living rooms and bedrooms. Be aware that the shine can accentuate wall imperfections, so it's best on smooth, well-prepared surfaces.

Satin -- This easy-to-clean finish is often used on windows, doors and trim. Its soft sheen sets it apart from walls painted in eggshell or flat finishes. Though it is highly durable, satin paint has less protection than shinier options.

Semi-Gloss -- Designed to stand up to stains, semi-gloss paints are the easiest to clean, making them ideal choices for kitchens and children's rooms. Semi-gloss sheen also stands up to moisture, so consider this selection when repainting a bathroom.

Low VOC -- The name says it all. This type of paint contains fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which release toxic gases. Opt for low-VOC paint if you want to go green in your home and deal with less paint fumes.

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PUT YOUR TAX REFUND TO USE!

Put your tax refund to good use by starting to save for a down payment on a new home! It’s a great way to make your money work for your future and get closer to owning your dream home