03
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Looking to Close Faster? Follow This Easy Guide to Speeding Up the Mortgage Process

If you're buying a home, you'll want to try to get your mortgage processed as quickly as possible. Improperly filed mortgage applications are one of the biggest reasons why home sales get delayed, and if you have a hard move-out date already set, it's critical that your mortgage process goes smoothly. With careful planning, though, you can shorten the mortgage process and get your financing approved faster. Here's what you need to do to speed up the approval. Get Your Paperwork in Order Before You Apply One of the biggest reasons why mortgages get delayed is because the applicant is…
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16
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

3 Autumn-inspired Decor Ideas That Will Spice Up Your Home

With the season of jack-o'-lantern's and crunchy leaves under foot, there can't help but be plenty of ways to integrate the loveliness of autumn into your home decorations. Whether you're looking for a simple touch or a statement that will completely define a room, here are a few ideas for highlighting the best the fall has to offer. Showcase a Seasonal Bouquet A vase full of flowers can add a lot to any room in the house, but a great way to integrate the season outside with your home is to make a bouquet that will utilize the best of…
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09
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Looking for an Eco-friendly Upgrade? Try These Easy Ways to Save Water Around the Home

With the impact we have on our environment becoming a matter of greater concern, it's becoming more important for the average citizen to know they're doing their part. While there are many simple tricks for saving water that will make you feel better about your environmental footprint, here are a few easy upgrades that will make that saving a little more automatic. Consider a Cistern Device With outhouses a thing of the past, flushing the toilet has become one of the ways in which household water is being overused the most, but flushing less simply isn't a viable option. Instead…
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02
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

DIY Home Upgrades: 5 Reasons Why Hardwood Flooring Should Be on Your Renovation List

Whether you're planning on selling your home soon or you want to do a few minor renovations for your own enjoyment, an ailing hardwood floor may be on your list of things to tackle. While this can be a more difficult renovation to complete than many other household items, here are five reasons you may want to move it to the top of the list. An Issue with Structure If there happens to be any glaring structural issues with your hardwood, a complete do-over will be a necessity if you want to sell your house in the future. While this…
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10
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

The Pros and Cons of Paying Cash When You Buy Your Next Home

With mortgage bubbles and real estate issues still in recent memory, one might feel that their best option is to buy their next home using cash instead of borrowing the necessary funds. In today's article we'll explore the pros and cons of paying cash for that next house or condo. The Pros Include A Feeling of Complete Ownership There's a feeling of pride and joy that comes with owning a home outright. There are several other reasons for paying cash instead of signing on the dotted line and getting and being strapped to a 30-year mortgage. Perhaps the best reason…
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28
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The HARP Mortgage Program is Coming to an End Soon – Here’s What You Need to Know

The United States government established the HARP program, otherwise known as the Home Affordable Refinance Program, to assist homeowners who are struggling with their mortgage payments. Initially, the program was founded in March 2009, and it has provided many homeowners with an easier route to adjusting their mortgage payments to make them more affordable. However, the program will be ending soon, and homeowners who have not yet taken advantage of the program and who intend to do so may need to act quickly. When Does the Program End? The HARP mortgage program will officially end on December 31, 2015. If…
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