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Buying Furniture for Your First Home

Jul03
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

emptyroom

Congratulations, you just bought your very first house! What do you do now?

If your home is completely empty, you will obviously need to furnish the place. Whether you have a few pieces from your apartment/condo/dorm or you don’t have anything at all, you cannot expect to fill an entire house right away. It is too costly to purchase enough furniture and decorative accents for each room in your house.

Buy Owner has some tips for furnishing that brand-new abode:

1. Make a budget. How much should you spend? First, budget for the essentials and break down your budget room by room. You need a place to sit in the living room, a place to eat in the kitchen and a place to rest your head in the bedroom. Budget for a couch, a table, a few chairs and a bed. An entertainment center, a wet bar, end tables and a recliner will be part of the next step later.

2. Consider used furniture. People may offer you some hand-me-downs or you may even be able to spot some good deals at garage/yard sales. But remember: don’t let anyone force a piece on you. If you don’t like it, or it doesn’t fit in with the style of a given room, you will regret accepting the piece later, even if it is free.

3. Buy for the future. Say you are ready to furnish the dining room. Even if there are only two of you living in the house, you may want to purchase a table that comes with an extender. You never know if you might need a bigger table for party guests or even if more people move in with you. This mentality goes for all rooms, as you want to be comfortable for as long as you live in the house.

Furniture shopping should not be a hassle. While your home may not be fully furnished the same day you move in, you can personalize each space with pictures, flowers and many other inexpensive items you may already own. Chances are, you will be living in your first home for awhile. So take your time and budget your money.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged budgeting, furniture, furniture tips, home decorating, Home Improvement, shopping
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Gaining Information from Neighbors

Nov25
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

You found the home you want to buy. The current owners didn’t mention a single negative aspect. You had it inspected, twice. The deal is almost set. Still feel wary? Here’s a common-sense tip: Talk to the neighbors! If this is an established neighborhood, chances are they’ve been there for a while and can fill you in on details that your home’s owner may have left out.

Lots of information can be gained from talking to your potential neighbors. First, you might find out a problem with you dream home that the current owner forgot to mention. Second, you can gain significant information on the community that this home resides in. Third, you can see if your personalities seem compatible.

Neighbors are usually more willing to share information on a home than the owners who are trying to sell it. They might know that the wooded surroundings attract uninvited rodents into the home, or that the basement floods every time it rains, or that the electric bill skyrockets during the winter because of poor insulation. Or perhaps the neighbors don’t know of anything wrong with the home! Either way, this information may be the deciding factor for you, so it’s worth investigating.

Ask questions about the neighborhood and the town. Find out what age group makes up the majority. If you have kids and the neighborhood is mostly a young or old crowd, you might want to reconsider. If you’re not one for following HOA rules, find out how strict they are in this neighborhood. Is it a quiet or lively environment? Once you gain a knowledgeable concept of the neighborhood, ask where the neighbors like to eat or shop in town. What is the crime rate like? Gaining information on this new environment might be your deciding factor.

Through a quick meet-and-greet, you can gain an idea of the neighbors’ personalities. Do they have a boundary issue with your potential yard, landscaping or fence? Do they despise pets? Perhaps they get angry from cars parked on the street, or maybe they are chain smokers who will disrupt your air quality. If you’re looking at an apartment or condo, this is especially important. Do your neighbors throw a lot of parties and make a lot of noise? A personality clash/agreement may be your deciding factor.

If you’re still stuck on how to approach the neighbors, here are some examples of startup questions:

  • How long have you lived in the neighborhood?
  • What do you like and dislike about the community?
  • If you could change something, what would it be?
  • Is it quiet?
  • Does everyone get along? Are there block parties and community garage sales, or does everyone keep to themselves?
  • Do you know why the seller is moving? Is anything wrong with the house?
  • What is involved with the HOA?
  • Where do you like to go in town?
  • How is traffic in the area?
Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a home, moving, neighbors, real estate
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Build Your Dream Home on Vacant Land!

Aug13
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Allegra

Vacant Land

Have you been shopping for a new home and coming up short? Do you know what you want but can’t seem to find it? Think about building!

Buy a vacant, residentially zoned property, and you can create your own personal paradise, specifically to your customizations!

Building your own home fits perfectly into the American Dream, giving you a chance not just to own your own home but to create it. There are definitely some considerations you need to think about first, though, before you make the big purchase.

Step One: Budget.

Think about your financial situation and decide how much money you can spend. What is the minimum you’ll pay and what’s the absolute maximum? Remember, you’ll be paying for not only the vacant land, but also the building of the home and everything that goes along with that. You’ll have to apply for loans, such as the vacant land loan. You might also consider taking out a home equity loan on your current residence. You can enjoy tax deductions by doing so.

Step Two: Location.

As with buying a home, research the different areas you are considering. Do you want to live on a coast or inland? Do you want a rural setting or a city setting? Are you looking for a breathtaking view or a spot in the best part of town?

Where’s the land in proximity to things you need like grocery stores, your work, a beach, a mall or anything else that’s important to you? If you’re retiring to this home, being near commuting won’t be as important as being near daily conveniences or recreation. It all depends on what exactly your dream is for your home.

Step Three: Investigate.

When you settle on an area and the details, go take a look at the vacant properties that are available at BuyOwner.com. Consider the terrain, the size of the lot, if there are wetlands and if you’ll need to clear the lot. Either hire an inspector or very carefully look over every aspect of the land yourself.

You’ll also need to find out about utilities. Check with the local utility companies if there are electric, gas and public water services for the land as well as if there are public sewer lines that run to the property. If these things do not exist, you’ll have to allow for the expenses of adding them.

Step Four: Paperwork.

When you’ve settled on a property, you’ll have to file paperwork and obtain titles. Before construction, you’ll need an entrance permit and a construction permit. If there are any restrictions to the lot, you’ll have to make sure they are met while building. Contact the town building department to make sure your land is correctly zoned for building your home on, and contact the assessor’s office to find out about tax information, flood-zone boundaries, how far away the home has to be from the street and whether there are any easements. (An easement is the right to use a part of land owned by someone else for a specific purpose.) File your blueprints and the building permit application, and confirm you won’t have any troubles getting a permit. Once everything is in order, let the building process begin!

Buying vacant land can be an incredibly exciting, yet very nerve-wracking time. So it’s good to keep in mind the end goal. Because you’re starting from scratch, the home will be completely customized to you and your tastes. You’ll have total control over everything from the flooring to the roof and everything in between, so your dream home can become a reality!

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Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged building a home, building on vacant land, building your dream home, buying, getting your dream home, home ownership, owning your own home, real estate, vacant land
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The First Five Things to do in a New City

Dec30
2007
Leave a Comment Written by Sarah

New HomeYour prep work came in handy in helping you get ready to move. Now it’s moving day.

Wondering what you can do to get acclimated to your new location, once you’re living there? Moving to a new place can be daunting, but learning about your surroundings in a savvy way can help make it your new home. Here are some tips to get accustomed to your new surroundings:

Find your Transportation

You gathered maps already, and you’ve located key places. Now it’s time to put that knowledge to use! It’s always important to know the most convenient way to get around: explore roads, bus routes, train schedules, or anything else you may find useful.

Become Aware of Laws You Might Not Know About

Every city has its own slew of concerns and ordinances, and it’s good to know your resources.

Parking bans, noise laws, and the culture of your new city might be wildly different from where you’ve come. Search for your city’s government website, and it will most likely have citizen-friendly information about local laws and ordinances. You could also take a visit to your local city hall or visitors’ center, and find out what’s what.

Get Involved: Public Programs/Recycling/Community Activities

The fabulous community you’ve moved into is fabulous for a reason: you probably have community leaders, volunteers, aldermen, and small businesses making it great. Keep that trend going, and improve your community by getting involved in something. It’s a great way to invest in your new hometown.

Find your Niche

Do you like to knit? You can find countless knitting groups, running clubs, and book clubs around your town. An urban area should offer something for everyone, and even small towns feature many clubs and organizations. What a great way to meet like-minded people!

Pick your Favorite Café/Restaurant/Bar

If you are in a densely populated area, there is a good chance that there are some fantastic dining options within your neighborhood. If you don’t have the time (or the funds) to shop around, look online to see the highest-rated haunts in your ‘hood. Take a walk; you might find a cozy bar or café that is looking for their newest regular!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged information about moving, moving tips, new city
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Prep Work for Moving to a New City

Dec20
2007
1 Comment Written by Carrie

moving boxesRelocating to a new city can be tough, especially when you have never been there before, and everything is brand-new to you: the city streets, the bus routes, the neighbors, etc.

Whether you’ve landed a new job out of state, or you are just looking for a fresh start, there are a lot of ways to familiarize yourself with a new setting.

Maps

Maps come in all shapes and sizes. From the extra-large map to the one that never seems to refold correctly to a pocket-sized pop-up, you can find them in virtually any bookstore. If you are moving to a “big name” city, look for a map that shows both necessary and extraordinary bits of information. Some maps of big cities not only show city streets and highways, but they also tell you exactly where tourist spots are located!

Let’s say you are moving to Orlando. Some maps show you the exact location of Disney World or Universal Studios right down to the cross streets. Or in Chicago, how about catching a Chicago Bulls game at the United Center? On a map, you will see that a number of Chicago expressways can be taken to this destination. All you need to do is figure out which one is closest to your house! By researching with maps, whether you want to shop at the local grocery store or visit a popular museum, you are able to figure exactly what roads you need to take to get where you want to go. And, of course, there are always online maps like Google or Mapquest.

Going urban? You’ll need to know bus and subway routes. Many city maps show bus stops and subway stops, and a lot of them are also equipped with handy subway maps on the back. You can also try searching for your new city’s transit authority on the Internet. Many cities post bus and train schedules online, and a lot of them also offer trip planners. Unlike Mapquest, where you must know the address of your destination or the name of a specific landmark, trip planners allow you the option of either typing in an address or choosing from a drop-down list of landmarks (museums, stadiums, airports, etc.)!

Search: http://www.google.com/
Keywords: <city you live in> + <transit> or <transportation>

Travel Guides

Travel Guides are a good source of historical information. Not only do you want to find out more about the entertaining spots in your new city, but you might want to know the story behind it as well. To name a few, travel books from Eyewitness Travel, Lonely Planet and Frommer’s provide excellent information about cities all over the world! Once again, remember that the Internet is your friend! Try looking for travel guides on Amazon.com.

Search: Books
Keywords: <insert city you live> + travel

Friends & Family

Some of the best advice may come from people you know. Maybe some of them have traveled to or lived in your new city. It could be possible that you have family or friends already living there! A great way to gather together and share information would be to host a party at your current home before moving.

For example, if you are moving to Atlanta, make it an Atlanta-themed party. Invite your friends and family, and tell them that the only requirement is to bring over one fun fact and one necessary bit of information about Atlanta. You might want to do a bit of research as well:

For example, did you know….. ?

  • – Coca-Cola was invented in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton in May 1886.

Better buy some 12-packs!

With a bit of research, your party should be both fun and informative!

There are plenty of ways to obtain information about your new city and familiarize yourself with it before the big move. All you have to do is take the initiative and start researching!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a home, information about moving, moving tips, new city
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What Movers Won’t Move

Dec16
2007
Leave a Comment Written by Kim

movingMoving into your new home? Planning to use movers? Before you grab those boxes and tape, there are a few things you should know about what movers won’t transport.

1. PETS

If you have any pets, you need to make arrangements for their move since movers will not transport them. A federal regulation prohibits moving companies from transferring any animals in moving vans, so plan on taking your pets with you. If you will be traveling for several hours, make sure you don’t pack items your pet will need for the trip like kitty litter, dishes, and, of course, food. Although your animal may not like traveling in a cage, some dogs, cats, and other assorted pets do well in a car, especially if you are scheduling frequent stops. With a pet in a cage there is no chance of the pet escaping at a rest area during a bathroom break.

2. LIVE PLANTS

Federal regulations also restrict professional movers when transporting live plants. If the destination is within 150 miles or can be reached in less than 24 hours’ driving time, the plants can be transported by the moving company. However, you might want to double-check with your movers before planning on them taking your live plants.

3. PERISHABLE FOOD

Once you have a designated moving date, make a concerted effort to use the opened and perishable food items you have in the freezer, the refrigerator, or the pantry. These items cannot be transported by the movers, so you would be responsible for moving them. Rather than worrying about dragging them along in a box or a cooler, it is best to try to use the items. Alternatively, consider giving them to a neighbor or a family member, or you may want to just throw them away prior to moving day.

4. VALUABLES

Other items we suggest you personally transport are jewelry, your laptop, and all cell phones. It also is suggested that family photographs and heirlooms, things that are precious to your family and cannot easily be replaced, should be hand-carried by you to your new home to ensure their safe arrival.

5. FLAMMABLE ITEMS

There are a number of items the moving companies are forbidden to transport, including anything flammable and combustible. That means it is up to you to make sure that the gasoline and/or oil from your lawn mowers, snow blowers, and other power equipment items are drained, and the fluids properly disposed of, prior to the move. Other items that are considered too dangerous to move are propane tanks for gas grills, gas cans, fuel for tiki torches, and any other fuels. 

Varnish, turpentine, and household paints also are forbidden, as are some cleaning fluids, bleaches, and aerosol cans. Also arrange to transport your firearms and ammunition, as well as extra batteries, especially car batteries, which are considered corrosive.

6. YOUR ESSENTIALS

Remember to pack enough clothes, including undergarments, medications, and toiletries, for every member in the family to last from the date the truck is loaded to a day after the planned delivery date. 

So keep this list handy once you start packing.  As soon as you have chosen a professional mover, it is best to inquire if there are any additional items they will not transport for you.

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged buying a new home, information about moving, movers, moving, moving tips
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Founded in 1984, BuyOwner.com® is the leading provider of real estate marketing services. We pioneered the "For Sale by Owner" (FSBO) market, which today represents over 20 percent of all residential real estate transactions.

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