With the housing market hitting an all-time low and no apparent upswing in sight many homeowners are trying to use the equity in their home to refinance. That is what we are trying to do. We own one of those beautiful country home plans in a rural neighborhood and are in the process of refinancing. I have done a lot of research as to why the banks and mortgage companies are so busy right now. Some people are trying to get cash out to pay off existing bills or simply to take advantage of the low interest rates and refinance to lower the monthly payments to make ends meet a little easier. Whatever the situation you will have to get your home appraised and how an appraiser values your home can positively or negatively affect your property’s value. It is up to you to maximize the value. Appraisals can be very subjective so it is important to put your best foot forward.

Before you set up an appointment to have your home appraised you need to take a good look at the interior as well as the exterior or your home and see it through an appraiser’s eyes. Don’t start any painting or remodeling projects unless you know you can finish them up before your appointment.

On the exterior it is important to make sure everything is in good shape. The appraiser will take photos and measure the structures and the land surrounding them. Your home’s roof needs to be free of storm or wind damage and all the shingles need to be securely in place. A roof that is not structurally sound will negatively affect the value of your home. The stronger the exterior finish of your home is, the better. Brick has much more value than vinyl siding. So if you have siding covering up brick – remove it and clean it up. Structures that are also included in the value such as storage buildings, decks, covered porches, fences and gazebos need to be pressure washed or re-stained if need. Make sure all structures that have steps are sturdy and free of debris so the appraiser can safely access. Nothing worse than having a step fall in while the appraiser is measuring your deck.

When it comes to the interior it is important to make sure there is no water damage from leaky faucets, windows or roofs. Make sure they are no cracks or holes in the walls or doors. Wallpaper needs to be securely adhered to the wall and not peeling back. Basically use common sense. If something needs repaired take the time to do it.

Lead paint has been an issue in older homes. If your home was built prior to 1978 there is a possibility that the paint has lead in it. It you find yourself in this situation and the paint is peeling just prime it and add a fresh coat. Whatever you do – do not sand the paint because it is unhealthy to breath.

Other things that will be checked out are the heating and cooling systems and if it works properly, the attic, and if it has good insulation and airflow. Sometimes it is necessary to add an attic fan to help move the air, especially in the humid months. GFI outlets will also be on the list. In sinks, bathrooms, outside outlets and any outlets that are six feet or less near water source proper grounding is required.

In the appraisal make sure that all the upgrades you have made to your property are listed. These are permanent changes and additions that will increase your home’s value. Some of these include built-in appliances and cabinetry, a finished basement that will not be included in the square footage but is definitely worth noting, a half bath, an enclosed porch or sunroom, a garage space that has been converted into living area. All these are items that add value and living space.

Number of bedrooms, baths and size of the garage will also be considered so make sure they are noted properly and have been upgraded and all items are in working properly, especially the garage doors.

This may all seem like a lot of stuff to check out but your home is one of the biggest investments you will make in a lifetime. It is important when the time comes to have it appraised that you take the time to clean it up and make it beautiful. Owning a home is very rewarding so follow the simple tips above to get the best appraisal possible. No one said owning a home was easy!

Thankfully, Giani Granite offers an amazing product that allows the basic do-it-yourselfer the ability to paint their chipped, discolored or outdated countertop and transform it into the look of luxurious granite at a fraction of the cost. Giani’s kits include everything you need to make this transformation, plus they offer five pleasing colors that will match a variety of kitchen or bathroom interiors.

If you follow the three simple easy steps, you will have an entirely new look for your kitchen or bath that you will be thrilled with!

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The first step in boosting the financial feng shui of your home is to pay attention to the right areas. Stand in the doorway of your home and face in. The immediate area surrounding the door (typically the foyer) is the Career and Life Path gua. This gua is where chi enters a home and is especially helpful when seeking new opportunities such as career boosts. Some improvements to consider for this area:

• How does the front door look? Peeling paint, little use, and tricky maneuvering all reflect poorly on an owner and can prevent chi from entering a home. Keep it unblocked, open regularly, and make repairs immediately.
• Windows should be clean and providing a clear line of sight. These fixtures are the eyes to a home and dirty windows in a home can cause an owner’s clarity to be clouded when dealing with difficult situations.
• Are the plants on the porch and inside the door fresh and thriving as they greet guests? Dead plants signify dead energy and waste precious space in a gua. Clear out the old for some new vibrance.

The next place to give extra attention is the back left corner of the home, when looking from the door way. This gua is for Prosperity and Abundance. Much prosperity is more perception than physical evidence. For example, poor college students are often thrilled with a hundred dollars. But an executive may see that as a simple dinner one night. A few steps to keep this gua active:

• Clutter is a huge block of chi in any gua, but especially where your prosperity is in question. This area should be well kept and void of any trash or trash containers. These are direct outlets for waste.
• Lightbulbs should be replaced as soon as they burn out. Plentiful light brightens possibilities and chases away negativity that lingers in dark corners. Keep the dark away from your abundance gua!
• Do you have a personal symbol of your abundance? Place it in this area as a daily physical reminder of what you have and what you stand to gain. A favorite piggy bank filled with spare change would be great here.
• Trickling water helps keep prosperity flowing while staving off any stagnancy. This can be a small fountain that recycles just a little water. Such resourceful décor reflects in how resourceful you can be with your investments.

The bagua can be used on the entire home using floor plans, and then used again for each individual space. Some homeowners use the bagua just where they spend the most time – typically bedrooms and family rooms. Do what works best for your home to improve negative spaces that lack good chi. A few feng shui tips to consider if individual guas are not your style:

• Keeping the toilet lids closed help prevent losses – so no flushing away deserved earnings.
• Dripping faucets and dirty fixtures are signs of money being wasted; fix these without delay.
• If you have trouble sleeping, be sure no mirrors are opposite the bed. Mirrors can unnecessarily reflect stress back on you when rest is needed most. Also be sure all well-placed mirrors are whole and reflect properly. Broken or distorted reflections can distort chi within the home.
• Take time to routinely clean out the fridge. Wasted food is wasted resources and squandering food does no good in helping build up positive energy.
• Stoves are regularly dirtied and need to be just as easily cleaned. The cooktop is representative of providing for family members and should be cared for accordingly. The same rule can be applied to any part of the kitchen.

These are only a few of the feng shui suggestions that may benefit ranch house plans or two-story house plans. Proper maintenance will ensure positive energy flows through those areas of the home where families spend most of their time. Take the time to evaluate the home as your lifestyle changes and make any necessary arrangements that could improve the chi. Once you give your home the attention it needs, you can continue to love your life and your home in harmony.

The time has finally arrived to build your dream home! Whether it’s a sprawling  ranch house plan near the city or quaint log house plan by the lake for fishing retreats, your dream home will soon be a reality! But where do you even begin? The first and often most confusing step in the building process is obtaining financing for your project. There are many options on the market today that will ensure that you have the best financing plan for your budget. Contacting several lenders is the best way to get the most up-to-date information on loan programs and qualifications as these products often change. They will be able to explain your options and help you find the best rate and terms for your financing. The two most common options for financing your construction project is a one-time closing loan and a construction-only loan. There are many benefits to each option that may compliment your budget and your needs, so it’s best to analyze your financial situation to ensure you choose the best plan.

One-Time Closing Loan

A one-time closing loan, also known as an “all-in-one construction loan” is a convenient and easy way to finance your custom project. This loan offers a short-term construction loan that becomes a long-term mortgage once the construction of your home is complete. Typically, the construction loan ranges from six to 12 months. This type of loan is attractive to many people as it reduces closing costs by combining separate loans and the lot into one convenient closing. On the other hand, the borrower does not get to shop around for the best rate before the construction loan becomes a mortgage. For those who choose this option, they may find the savings in closing costs and the confidence of a known-rate is a better option for their custom project.

This option does require to you to pay interest on a mortgage payment during the term of the construction loan. But this does vary from lender to lender so be sure to ask what your options are before making any decisions. A “draw schedule” will also be determined to pay the builders and contractors for tasks completed during various stages of the building process. Either you or the builder will fill out a form once a month that outlines the various stages of construction andcalls for certain funds to be released to the builder once the items are completed.

Construction-only loan or Two-Time Close Construction Loan

Most builders can’t wait until the construction of your home is complete to be reimbursed for the materials, labor and equipment they provide. Construction loans are offered to borrowers to provide a practical way to make payments on the construction of your home as various stages are completed. A construction-only loan is a short-term loan that usually ranges from six to 12 months and requires closing costs. This type of loan includes one closing at the start of construction and a second closing to refinance the construction loan into a permanent mortgage. Just like the construction-to-permanent loan, this loan requires you make interest-only payments to the lender during construction. This option is generally more expensive than construction-to-permanent loans, but there is more flexibility that may save you money over the life of the mortgage loan. With this type of loan, the borrower must apply for a long-term mortgage loan once the home is complete, which gives them the ability to shop around for a lower rate than is usually offered with construction-to-permanent loans.

Once you have met with several lenders, you should be pre-qualified for at least one mortgage. Some borrowers may be surprised to find out they qualify for a larger mortgage than they anticipated, while others may discover that their dream home is financially out of reach for a while. Just because you may qualify for a large sum of money doesn’t mean you have to accept it all. Take the time to assess your comfort level before you determine the amount of money you would like to borrow. However, it is usually a good idea to borrow a little more than the estimated amount to build your home to ensure that you don’t overrun the amount of your loan. If this happens you will need to refinance the loan and pay additional fees. It’s also recommended to save, save, save! In most cases you will be responsible for various costs associated with building your home before financing comes available such as a deposit on purchasing your building site, preparation of the plans and government building fees. These costs may be able to be reimbursed in your construction loan or considered a part of your down payment.

Most importantly, take the time to learn the benefits of each financing option to find the best rate and terms for your budget. Finding the best option that meets your needs will go a long way when it comes time to begin the construction of your home. Not only will you feel more comfortable about each step in the process, but it will also help to eliminate potential problems down the road. Once you have obtained the financing for your project, the first step in the home building process will be over and the construction of your home is ready to go! With proper planning and a little patience, you will soon be on your way to your rustic, lakeside retreat surrounded by log house plans or a friendly neighborhood of beautiful ranch house plans next to the city.