There are a handful of gadgets that you absolutely must have when you go house hunting trip.  The obvious gadget to start things off is your cell phone, you must at least one cell phones that you can call houses, realtors or even call for directions if you need it while you’re out hunting for a house.

Some other gadgets that you may not have thought of include great tools such as hand-held cameras, video cameras, a GPS device to help you get from house to house from location to location or even city to city. A laptop computer with an air card for wireless access to the Internet can help you review prices of homes doublecheck details about a house listing or even tracked down a realtor.

Another great device that people don’t always think about, is a laser level. I recently toured a home that was very very on level. It was obvious to the eye that you can see that the house was not level, you can always tell that with some houses that are little closer. A low-tech way of checking if the house is level is to take the ball and set it on the floor and see if it rolls away. In other local house can be extremely problematic can hit that structural damage or just plain shoddy workmanship and the building of home it is very important figure out if your house that you’re considering is built well.

If you have a lot of furniture or belongings it’s also going to be important for you to figure out if your stuff will fit in this house that you look at. To figure this out you’re probably going to need a tape measure or some sort of wireless tape measure that can basically shoot a sonar like beam off a distant wall and our lack of measurement to you instantly.

If you want to get really high tech, you might even consider taking some devices to help you measure things such as radon, or even radioactivity that can occur in granite countertops. A simple Geiger counter can help you figure this out, it might ensure that you and your family move into a beautiful new home, your health and safety will not be compromised.

Many of these gadgets can be found on sale on a regular basis at Buy.com.  But regardless, when you’re making the largest investment of your life, it definitely can pay to invest a little money in the tools that will help you make a better informed decision.

Are you considering possible relocation in the near future? Are you beginning to stress out about packing and staying organized? Well, as long as you didn’t just buy the moon, the process of relocating shouldn’t be that difficult. Lets just take a second, gather up our composure and run down a quick list of supplies that will ensure a smooth, stress free, transition for your belongings.

First, you need to think boxes. Bigger is NOT better when it comes to packing boxes. Sure it may take fewer boxes to move everything, but you are going to have a heck of a time moving them. I recommend visiting the liquor store or local produce dept. They usually have a plethora of manageable boxes that are just the right size. Second, go out and buy some packing tape. Get more than you think you will need. If you are thinking two rolls, buy 3 or 4 (trust me). Lastly, be sure to label all your boxes with a bright, easy to read magic marker. That way, you or your moving company will know what is inside and where to put it. This will save you time and energy near the end of the day.

Oh, don’t forget to save up old newspapers to pack your glassware. I almost forgot it in my post, so you could too!

Source: flylady.net

Private mortgage insurance or PMI is an insurance policy that protects your lender in the event of default. 99.9% of lenders will require that you obtain PMI if you have less than an 18-20% deposit. Unfortunately, the premiums are not always tax deductible like mortgage interest. 

There are many ways to get out from under PMI. The best way to do this is to pay down your mortgage is by making small additional payments monthly. You can save a great deal of money over time by getting your loan-to-value ratio under the 80% mark. In addition to paying down your loan gradually over time with additional payments, you can avoid the whole PMI situation by saving up some cash and putting down 20%. Think of that deposit as acne treatment cream for PMI.

Source: themoneyalert.com

We’re all familiar with the phenomenon that has gripped the nation called flipping. You know, when investors buy a home cheap, fix it up then aim for a short sale to make a nice profit. This phenomenon is quite interesting, but if you are in the market to purchase a home, be sure to investigate any potential property thoroughly before signing a purchase and sales. It is also important to make sure you receive all the proper disclosures including lead paint and asbestos. The last thing you want to worry about is exposure and potential mesothelioma. 

In addition to hiring a certified home inspector, a potential buyer should also look-up the properties deed to investigate history of ownership. The tenure of ownership is always a good indicator as to whether or not the property may be a “flip”. Keep in mind that buying a flipped property can be risky, but with a thorough home inspection and some research, you will be able to spot any little piggies with lipstick.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

The process of moving can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. If you are planning on hiring a company to coordinate your move, there are some things you need to know prior to hiring them. One of the most important things that gets overlooked it method of payment. Some moving companies only accept cash, so if you’re standing there with your credit card, you’re going to have to visit an ATM or you might not be moving after all.

Another important question for movers is how they produce an estimate. Any reputable mover will offer to perform an in-home estimate, or provide a detailed questionnaire regarding items to be moved with approximate sizes. In addition to estimates, whether or not your mover is a mover or a broker is just as important. Oftentimes, movers you locate online are actually brokers who coordinate moves with local companies. While brokers aren’t necessarily a bad option, your contact during the process will be mediated directly through them.

Finally, I cannot stress enough, the importance of locating a mover close to one the locations you’re moving from or to. If you are in Charlotte and are moving into one of the Outer Banks rentals, make sure your mover is somewhere in between, it will save you a lot of money. Also, knowing the refund policy is important, especially if you are booking early. More often than not, you can receive a number of deep discounts for booking early that would not be there closer to your deadline. 

Source: Movinghints.com

Buying a home is quite possibly the biggest investment many of us will make in our lifetimes. There are a number of factors to keep in mind when buying a home, but there is one that seems to slip through the cracks from time to time; the home inspection. Hiring a professional to conduct a home inspection can potentially save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home.

An excellent way to guarantee avoidance of a major financial pitfall is to make any offer on a property contingent on an inspection by a certified professional. An inspector will give the home a thorough checkup and deliver an accurate status report on the integrity of the home as well as options for possible maintenance and repair. When selecting a home inspector, don’t be hesitant to ask around and seek references as you might for a fitness club, diet supplements or a car dealership. For more information contact HUD offices in your area, they will be happy to help.

Source: HUD

There are many factors to consider when applying for a loan. It is important for a borrower to examine their financial standing as well as ability to pay back the loan. Lenders are likely to qualify you for more than you will need, so it is up to you to determine how much you can truly afford. It is important to factor in insurance, taxes and possible association dues while calculating this figure.

Not only is it important to shop potential lenders, but it is also important to shop loan costs including interest rates, credit and origination fees as well as terms. It is vital that a borrower take their time during the application process and be able to produce documents to back up their application information. You don’t need Lasik to see that some of the greatest opportunities can bust over failure to produce a pay stub or divorce decree.

Source: Move.com

Unbeknownst to some, Radon is a toxic gas that can seep from granite into your home in the form of an odorless gas.  In some areas of the country (New England esp.), testing for Radon is highly recommended due to its abundance. A Radon test is quite simple to administer and the results can be obtained in a matter of days.

There has also been some concern in recent days about potential Radon in granite countertops. The granite used in manufactured countertops may produce measurable amounts of Radon emission, however they haven’t been determined to be harmful amounts at this time. There are however several other areas of your home that may be susceptible to radon gas.

Take a basement for example, a game room with various beverages and snacks around, or maybe a weight room with numerous supplements like Ephedrasil Hardcore or other fat burners. Do you want your supplements and beverages  potentially soaking up radiation? Make a phone call and get tested today, it isn’t worth the risk.

Source: Radon.com

The real estate market is bursting with opportunity for first time homebuyers with good credit and a handful of cash, but without a pre-approved mortgage a buyer could be out in the cold. If you’re in the market to hire an agent and go house hunting, an agent might have second thoughts showing you property you have no way of proving you can afford. Furthermore, a homeowner might have qualms about signing an offer presented by a potential buyer who is lacking proof of financial means.

It is essential to interview with potential lenders who will verify your credit history and will give you an official preapproval letter stating how much you qualify for. The preapproval process is also a necessary process for homebuyers seeking third party finance, so buyers are encouraged to apply prior to visiting agents of making serious offers. Besides, anyone can throw numbers out there and/or make promises without being able to back them up. If you wouldn’t mess around when you are buying a multivitamin or Phentermine, why would you mess around when looking to buy a home? The only way to be taken seriously is to have a letter of preapproval from a lender.

Source: Ringsurf.com

Buying property may be the largest financial transaction you ever make, so why not take your time to select an agent who specializes in your area of interest. Ask your friends, neighbors or trusted colleagues who they would recommend. In addition, if you’ve already chosen a geographic area of interest, select an agent who is knowledgeable of the area and can offer insight on amenities as well as provide relative financial data.

Remember, when you are hiring an agent, you are interviewing them. Ask about credentials and designations, continuing education and don’t be afraid to ask questions about their track record and any license infractions. Granted, if you ask something like does Lipovox work, they may just look at you blankly, but it is important to get to know any potential agent. Lastly, make sure that you will have access to your potential agent outside of the office and office hours. It may take a few tries, but you will be glad you did your homework when it is all said and done.

Source: RE/MAX