Should I remodel my kitchen or bathroom?

Ideally, a lot of us would like to remodel the kitchen and bathroom at the same time.  Unfortunately, that’s not always possible.  Here are a few things to help you decide which to complete first:

Kitchen remodels tend to have a better return on investment if you plan your project well and spend wisely you’ll get the most for your money while likely adding the optimal resale value to your home.

Consider what suites your lifestyle best.  If you don’t plan to sell your home in the foreseeable future a kitchen renovation might be a better option if your family spends a lot of time there.  However, if you enjoy long soaks in the tub and the kitchen is only used to unpack your takeout, then a bathroom

You’re ready to purchase a home, you’ve saved up your down payment now all that’s left to do is qualify for your mortgage and begin house shopping right? Well not quite, there are some additional costs that you may want to consider before you begin the search for your dream home. 

• Lawyers Fees – You’ll need to hire a lawyer to review the terms of your offer which will cost around $2,000-$5,000 depending on the purchase price.
• Home Inspection – This is not only a good idea but a necessary part of the buying process.  It’s important for you to be aware of any issues with the property before you purchase it.  Prices vary with the size of the home, but you can expect to pay approximately $500
• Home Insurance – If you have a mortgage, you must have

5 Things to do before selling your house

Once you list your house, life can get extra busy with scheduling showings.  Here are a few things you can do before you list, to make your home more appealing to potential buyers:

Declutter – Get rid of any additional furniture that doesn’t serve a real, functional purpose.  You could sell it or put in storage, but you’ll want to get it out of your house to give buyers a chance to envision the space as their own, and showcase as much of your space as possible.

Hide the toys – Unless you have a designated playroom, toys should always be hidden.  Ensure they’re hidden away before any listing photos are taken or showings are scheduled.

Work on the curb appeal – You don’t need to give your front

In addition to your down payment, your credit score is another important factor in qualifying for a mortgage.  Before you meet with a lender, you might want to pull your own report to see where you stand and determine any area’s for improvement.

Dispute any incorrect information.  It’s important to review your credit report on a regular basis to ensure there are no errors.  You will want to ensure that any outstanding balances are correct, your payment history is correct and the account statuses of your accounts are correct.

Common credit reporting mistakes include a paid or closed account not updated to the correct status and a paid or closed loan still showing a balance owing.  If you notice any errors, you will want to open a dispute with the

Buying a home is likely one of the largest investments you will make.  While the process is exciting, there are some common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make.  To ensure buying your home is a good process, here are some things to keep in mind.

Know what you can afford.  Just because that mortgage calculator says you can afford a mortgage doesn’t always mean you can afford to own a home.  Ensure you calculate the additional expenses that come with owning a home such as maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and sometimes higher utility bills.  Once you know what you can afford, it’s important to stick to your budget.  Avoid looking at homes outside of your price range – it will only cause frustration or worse, may cause you to purchase over