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Whether you're planning a move across town or across the country, making your move hassle-free is what it is all about. Besides the traditional garage sale and packing of boxes, there are a few details you won't want to forget before you begin loading the truck: Plan Ahead Experts recommend scheduling moves at least one month in advance, especially during the peak-moving season between May and September. Some estimates indicate 80 percent of all moving and storage business is done when schools are out. That's when employees are most likely to be transferred. Ask Questions Take the time to get as much information as possible from moving companies before selecting one. Check on truck size and availability. Ask about moving supplies, such as boxes, dollies and furniture pads. Find out about protection plans for your possessions. Ask about lost or damaged property claim procedures. Determine price differences in packing the truck yourself or having it professionally packed. Get

As the summer buying and selling season is nearing its end, it is even more important to create a lasting first impression with potential buyers. Here are 8 simple tips that will help your home stand out from the crowd. Clean up the yard. Curb appeal is so important. Many buyers will drive by a home and determine if they want to take the time to see the inside. Cut back overgrown shrubs, particularly those that obscure windows or make it difficult to get to the front door. Mow the grass, rake or pick up downed leaves and branches, put away lawn tools, kids' toys and discard or store any outdoor furniture that is rusty or ragged. Plant colorful annuals or put a few nicely planted containers on or near the front porch. Open the drapes and blinds . Sunshine is the world's best decorator and nothing is more depressing than walking into a home where shades, curtains and drapes are closed. Wash the windows - inside and out. For the same reasons as above, no other small improvement

Portable storage units for moving and storage have increased in availability and popularity in recent years. Portable storage units are a great alternative to traditional self storage and are perfect for a home remodeling project. Consider a portable storage unit the next time you need to do any of the following: Getting Rid of Clutter - Whether selling your home or hosting family for extended visits - a storage unit lets you temporarily store non-essential stuff and declutter your living space. Consolidating - Use a storage unit to store extra furniture or boxes when downsizing a home or office. Take your time in deciding what to do with your extra stuff. Moving - Take your time packing and unpacking, without the hassle of a moving van. After you load the storage unit, 1-800-PACK-RAT moves it to your new home or office. Renovations - Protect your belongings during repairs or upgrades. A storage unit helps you keep your furniture, electronics and other valuables safe and out of the

The restoration of the ingle-family rural housing program that would guarantee home loans for rural buyers was passed by the Senate this week and is on its way to President Obama. Rural Development's Single Family Housing Programs provide homeownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income rural Americans through several loan, grant, and loan guarantee programs. The programs also make funding available to individuals to finance vital improvements necessary to make their homes decent, safe, and sanitary. This is great news for home buyers who want to buy a home while the rates and prices are still low. And it is a huge relief for thousands of rural home buyers who need to close on their home purchases before Sept. 30 to take advantage of the home buyer tax. To learn more about a USDA home loan program, click here . Visit my website's Mortgage Center for more helpful mortgage loan information.

With home mortgage rates at historic lows, many people are eager to refinance their current mortgage loan to lock in a low rate. Existing home owners with adjustable rate mortgage may never get a better time to refinance out of their current mortgage and into a more conservative and consistent 15 or even 30 year mortgage loan. When deciding to refinance a home mortgage, be sure to understand the refinancing costs associated with doing so and then try to limit them as much as possible. Refinancing an existing mortgage is very similar to securing an initial mortgage. In fact, your new mortgage will be used to pay off your existing one, so it is just like buying your home all over again. There are certain costs associated with a refinancing, just as there was when the original mortgage was secured. Closing costs such as broker fees, appraisal fees, title search, inspections and various administrative fees are all part of the fee structure associated with a mortgage refinance. To reduce yo

Mortgage rates fell for the 10th time in the last 13 weeks, tying a record low. Now, if only the economy would cooperate, even more people could take advantage of the low rates by refinancing. Mortgage brokers are reporting rising interest in home refinancings as rates on a 30-year fixed loans have hit record lows in four of the past five weeks. This week the average rate fell to 4.56 percent, the lowest since mortgage company Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971. Lower mortgage rates improve affordability: The difference between a 6% and a 5% mortgage rate on a $300,000 mortgage, for example, is about $188 a month. And it's not just 30-year fixed loans. The rate on the 15-year fixed loan, a popular choice for refinancing, dropped to 4.03 percent from 4.06 percent last week. That was the lowest on records dating back to 1991. What a great time to buy! With housing prices still low and rates like this, buying a home makes much more sense than renting. Visit my website's Mort

FHA Pros, LLC, a national FHA condo approval service, has developed a list of facts speaking to the top misconceptions associated with FHA loans in order to help home buyers better navigate an already confusing market. FHA loans are mortgages issued by qualified lenders and insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). In the last three years, home buyer interest in FHA loans has gone from practically zero to upwards of 87 percent. However, many buyers still do not fully understand the benefits of these loans. So, in an effort to change that, here are seven things you should know: 1. FHA Loans Are Not Only For Lower-Income Borrowers. FHA loans are available to everyone. There is no maximum income restriction associated with FHA loans. Borrowers do need to substantiate income and assets by submitting proper documentation. This requirement ensures that borrowers are truly able to afford their future homes. 2. FHA Loans Are Not Only For First-Time Buyers. Many people believe FHA

Some great words of advice that we all should try to remember... When things in your life seem almost too much When 24 hours in a day is not enough Just remember the mayonnaise jar. A professor stood before his philosophy class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large, empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. Then the professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous yes. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into th

With all of this HOT weather, I think it is safe to say that summer is officially here! Along with summer comes weeds, bugs and more time needed to tend to your lawn. Here are some ways you can make the most of the season with these summer lawn care tips: 1. Water conservation and proper watering is important at any time of year , but particularly when heat and a lack of rain lead to water deficits and drought. 2. Evaluate your lawn regularly for signs of irregular color and texture. These can be signs of damage that may result from pests or disease. 3. Proper year-round lawn care keeps a lawn healthy and prevents weeds, disease and pests. But sometimes, insects you may not notice can travel from the yard to your home. To stop them, hire pest control to keep the bugs on the outside. You can also reduce their outside presence by treating the lawn for insects such as fleas and ticks and fire ants. 4. While lawns are generally the focal point of most yards , don't forget about trees

Interest rates are at all-time lows, there are lots of houses to choose from and prices are incredibley low. It is so tempting to buy right now. But is the timing right for you? As a first-time home buyer, there is a lot to consider when making the decision to rent or buy a home. Potential buyers should ask themselves several key questions before making this important decision: 1. What will monthly costs be and can I afford the payments? Keeping mortgage payments under 30 percent of your monthly income is a good rule of thumb. If you can't keep mortgage payments below that, you may be better off renting for awhile. 2. What other debt do I have? Total rent or mortgage payments plus credit obligations should not exceed 35 to 40 percent of monthly income. 3. What is my credit score? Can I qualify for a good interest rate? A high credit score indicates strong creditworthiness, and that qualifies you for better interest rates on a mortgage. Maxing out on your credit lines and paying bil