Cynthia Lanciloti's Blog
Home values continue to rise. Many people use their home equity in order to get a bit more financial security. The home equity line of credit can have many different benefits for you. From home improvement projects to a much-needed vacation, you can get the funds that you need for whatever you wish. Turn to your home equity with some careful thought, however. You could end up owing more than your home is worth, which defeats the purpose of tapping into your home equity to begin with.
Make Your Decision Smart
Your home equity can be a good thing to tap in to if you’re not planning on spending like crazy. Maybe you just want a little extra cash on hand for emergencies. You’ll be prepared for anything unexpected. This could be a smarter decision than just blowing a bunch of money on a vacation, for example.
Some smart things that you can use your home equity for include:
- Home renovations
- Emergency funds
- College education funds
- Cash advance
These ideas are investments that can help you to achieve other goals. You should be sure that you’re able to pay the money back. These projects or financial endeavors are much more suited to smart spending than just randomly spending money, buying a car, or other things that will put you in serious debt.
Home Equity Fluctuates
As the market changes, the amount of home equity that you’ll have to tap into does as well. The state of the housing market can actually dictate to you how much money you’ll be able to get. If the market isn’t good, you could end up in the negative financially, so do your research.
How To Get Your Home Equity
There are a few ways that you can draw from your home’s equity. The first rule that you should understand is that you cannot borrow more than 80% of what your home is worth. Take a full remortgage your home, giving you the full 80% amount that your home is worth in order to take a lump sum. Alternatively, you can take a cash-out refinance where you set the amount of money you’d like to take out of your home’s equity as you refinance the home. You can also take out what’s called a “home equity line of credit,” which allows you to use the amount of your home’s worth as a credit card of sorts. You borrow money as you need it.
The biggest issue with refinancing is that of planning. It’s important to know why you’re refinancing and what you’re planning on doing with the money. Used wisely, home equity can really be a great financial tool.
Newton, MA 02458
Multi-Family
$840,000
Price
$820,000
Sale Price
An open house can have a significant impact on the property selling journey. As such, it is important for a property seller to allocate time and resources to prepare for an open house. If a seller plans for an open house, he or she may be able to boost the likelihood of a fast, profitable property selling experience.
Now, let's take a look at three things that every seller needs to know about open houses.
1. There is no shortage of open houses held on weekends in cities and towns nationwide.
Many open house events are held throughout the year in cities and towns across the country. These events commonly take place on weekends and enable sellers to showcase their residences to dozens of prospective buyers at the same time.
Ultimately, it is important to find ways to differentiate a home from the competition. If a seller can promote his or her residence to the right groups of potential buyers, this individual may be able to convince buyers to attend one open house over another.
2. An open house gives a seller a great opportunity to make a positive first impression on buyers.
As a seller, it is paramount to embrace the opportunity to connect with buyers. An open house allows a seller to do just that, as it ensures this individual can provide buyers with a stress-free opportunity to view his or her residence.
When it comes to getting ready for an open house, it generally is a good idea to clean both inside and out. Also, a seller should perform home repairs and remove home clutter. Because with a neat, tidy residence, a seller can make it easy for buyers to envision what life may be like if they decide to purchase a particular residence.
3. Every open house provides a seller with a valuable learning experience.
Regardless of how much a seller prepares for an open house, there is no telling how this event will turn out. However, a seller who sets realistic expectations for an open house can plan accordingly.
In the worst-case scenario, no buyers will attend an open house. If this happens, there is no need to worry. In fact, a seller can learn from the experience and use it to find new ways to promote his or her residence to prospective buyers going forward.
For those who need help selling a home, it may be beneficial to hire a real estate agent. In addition to helping you get your residence ready for an open house, a real estate agent will offer tips and guidance so you can achieve the optimal property selling results. Perhaps best of all, if you ever have concerns or questions during the home selling journey, a real estate agent is ready to address them at any time.
Streamline the home selling process – hire a real estate agent today, and you can receive comprehensive assistance as you navigate each stage of the property selling journey.
Photo by Vivint Solar from Pexels
When your pocketbook determines you can’t afford a new, energy-efficient home, you can still satisfy your preferences by upgrading an older house. Try these options for improving energy efficiency in your home.
Apply for the FHA’s Energy-Efficient Mortgage program. With an EEM, you can finance an already energy-efficient home or use funds for certified home improvements that promote responsible energy use. Contact your lender to see if your state participates in this federal program.
Ask your utility provider for an energy audit. Most utilities offer this as a free service to customers. They’ll check for leakage around doors and windows, outlets and vent pipes and make suggestions for improvement, repair or replacement.
Have your home inspector check your attic spaces. You'll gain knowledge about how deep your insulation should be to keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Hire an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and air conditioning, ductwork, and airflow. If your ducts need cleaning, employ a service to handle that. Not only will you have improved circulation, but you'll also reduce allergens, and lower your energy costs.
Trade out traditional toilets for low-flow models. Add aerators and flow restrictors to faucets and showerheads to reduce water consumption.
Install solar-operated power vents to your attic to expel heat in the summer. Consider a solar-powered water heater too. And, if your roof can handle it, install solar panels to boost your electrical power. Many states offer rebates for solar panel installation, so check to see what’s available in your area.
Install a programmable thermostat to help you conserve energy when you are away from home.
If you have a larger improvement budget, consider big-ticket items such as a geothermal heat pump, a residential wind turbine, or a fuel cell. You’ll find that on-going tax credits for these items can save you money over the years. If your municipal codes allow it, add a roof garden or mini-ecosystem to cover your existing roof. These systems retain moisture and insulate your home from heat or cold.
Your property specialist can help you determine which homes lend themselves to these upgrades. They'll introduce you to mortgage lenders that specialize in energy-efficient loan products.