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The Energy Star label is good, but the NFRC label tells you even more. With the high cost of replacement windows and doors, it's wise to know exactly what you're getting for your money.    Here's what all those scientific terms and numbers about energy savings mean:   The 2 Most Important Window and Door Labels The two labels you should look for: The white National Fenestration Rating Council label. Nonprofit NFRC is the industry-recognized certifying body for windows and doors.  The Energy Star label, which means the appliance has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the U.S. government, in addition to the NFRC ratings. What the NFRC Label Terms Mean The NFRC label typically lists five measurements. The other three are somewhat less important to energy performance, according to Energy Star, but can help you judge how well a window or door will perform in a particular application — for example, whether it'll let in enough ligh...

Everyone’s drawn to the biggest, most beautiful house on the block. But bigger is usually not better when it comes to houses. There’s an old saying in real estate that says don’t buy the biggest, best house on the block. The largest house only appeals to a very small audience and you never want to limit potential buyers when you go to re-sell.  Your home is only going to go up in value as much as the other houses around you. If you pay $500,000 for a home and your neighbors pay $250,000 to $300,000, your appreciation is going to be limited. Sometimes it is best to is buy the worst house on the block, because the worst house per square foot always trades for more than the biggest house.

Don’t obsess with trying to time the market and figure out when is the best time to buy. Trying to anticipate the housing market is impossible. The best time to buy is when you find your perfect house and you can afford it.  Real estate is cyclical, it goes up and it goes down and it goes back up again. So, if you try to wait for the perfect time, you’re probably going to miss out.

There is a big difference between a buyer being pre-qualified and a buyer who has a pre-approved mortgage. Anybody can get pre-qualified for a loan. Getting pre-approved means a lender has looked at all of your financial information and they’ve let you know how much you can afford and how much they will lend you. Being pre-approved will save you a lot of time and energy so you are not running around looking at houses you can't afford. It also gives you the opportunity to shop around for the best deal and the best interest rates. Be sure to do your research: Learn about junk fees, processing fees or points and make sure there aren’t any hidden costs in the loan.

Garage door insulation cuts energy bills and street noise. Here's how to insulate your garage door yourself. Garage door insulation can make your life warmer, cooler, and quieter. It lowers energy bills, acts as a barrier between you and street noise, and brightens an otherwise dreary space.   Garage door insulation is an easy DIY project; it’ll cost you about $200 to insulate two 9-foot-wide doors.   Types of Insulation Any insulation type will increase the energy efficiency of your garage door. Here are the most popular types to apply to the back of garage doors: Batt insulation. This flexible insulation, often found stuffed into exterior walls, is commonly made of fiberglass. It’s usually backed by paper or foil, which act as vapor and air barriers. Insulating values are R-3 to R-4 per inch of thickness. Cost is about 30 cents per square foot. Foam board insulation. These rigid panels, typically made from polystyrene, provide a high insulating value for...

If you have little saved for a down payment or your credit isn’t stellar, you might have a hard time qualifying for a conventional loan.  You might assume you have no financing options and delay your home search. Consider looking into one of the three  government-insured loan programs  backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA loans), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA loans) and U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA loans).  Here’s a brief overview of each: FHA loans  require just 3.5% down with a minimum 580 credit score. FHA loans can fill the gap for borrowers who don’t have top-notch credit or little money saved up. The major drawback to these loans, though, is mandatory mortgage insurance, paid both annually and upfront at closing. VA loans  are backed by the VA for eligible active-duty and veteran military service members and their spouses. These loans don’t require a down payment, but some borrowers may pay a funding fee...

It’s not wise to make any huge purchases or move your money around 3-6 months before buying a new home. You don’t want to take chances with your credit profile. Lenders need to see that you’re reliable and they want a thorough paper trail so that they can get you the best loan possible. If you open new credit cards, accumulate too much debt or buy too many big-ticket items, you’re going to have a hard time getting a loan.

Home buyers with little to no down payment savings looking to grow their down payment, can do so through contributions from friends  and family through HomeFundIt, the down payment crowdfunding platform.  What a great resource for engaged couples to send to their wedding list in lieu of a wedding registry! In addition to crowdfunding, buyers can increase your down payment  savings with UpIt, the only cash back program approved for a mortgage down payment. When you (or friends and family) shop online with UpIt retailers, a portion of your purchases goes to your down payment savings.  Visit  homefundit.com  for more information.

Buying stuff for your home can be stressful. Cheap out, and you could regret it. Overspend, and you'll cut into your budget. Knowing the best time of year to buy appliances and other household items can lessen the anxiety.   Here's a list of the best time of year to keep your eye out for sales... Furniture: January & July You could save 30% to 60% buying furniture in January and July, as stores try to clear out inventory and make way for new pieces, which manufacturers introduce in February and August.  Floor samples especially often sell for a song, so don't hesitate to ask. Storage Essentials: January & August In August, retailers slash prices and offer free shipping on shelving, organizing systems, baskets, and storage bins, baiting parents who are packing kids off to college or getting organized for a new school year. (No offspring? No problem. Proof of parenthood is not required to qualify for deals.) ...