the checklist guide to finding your dream home

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Buying a new home can be an overwhelming and exciting adventure. Before you go home hunting, you probably have an image of the kind of home you want to buy in mind. The more significant challenge comes when you do not have the knowledge or experience in looking for homes; deceitful agents are many.

Once you know what you are looking for, you can start by researching online for any locations and neighborhoods that fit your description; but you will need some legwork. Arm yourself with the necessary information before facing any agent.

If you are still uncertain about which home to buy, these tips might help you.

Do Quality Research

You will need to do intensive research before settling for any home in the market. When you notice a potential home, visit the neighborhood and learn it better. Make sure that the surrounding is conducive for your family, especially if you have kids and pets. 

It would be best to find an excellent person to guide you through the process. Then, you can identify a reputable agent who knows the area. Check here for more info on the best real estate agents to involve in determining a perfect home.

Work Within Your Budget

Many properties will fit the descriptions of your dream home, but they will have different prices. Nevertheless, it is good to have a budget in mind and probably write before going to the market. Suppose you plan to buy the home on mortgage or loan, get the home loan approval beforehand to know how much you have to spend.

Weigh various payment plans offered by different sellers and see which one suits you best. Negotiating prices can save you a significant amount of money. It may be more comfortable settling in a new home without straining your bank account.

You May Need to Renovate

It is possible to find a home design that attracts you, but the condition is not pleasing; look at the potential it holds. Then, check if some new painting, kitchen, and bathroom remodeling would transform it to meet your dream.

With a few renovations and additions like new lighting, front yard improvement can turn a haggard-looking compound into a magnificent home.

Home Inspection Is Critical

A home inspector will look through the entire home, from the interior to the exterior, and provide you with genuine information. The inspector will also check for any structural damage or necessary replacements and give reports to you as the home buyer and the seller. 

From the inspection report, you will know whether the seller needs to do some renovations or you are ready to close the deal. Ensure that you are receiving the correct value for your money.

Do Not Expect Too Much

As much as you have a mental picture of the home you are looking for, always make your mind flexible. Some things could be different even when you are building a house yourself. If a home entices you and you can afford it, move in, then spruce it up to your style.

Conclusion

Finally, you have found a perfect home; it is time to seal the deal. Property purchase involves a lot of paperwork. Complete this part with your lender and the home seller, then settle down in your new home.

** This was a contributed post.

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a quick guide to a successful house move with children

Moving home is something that is cited as one of the most stressful things that you can do in life. If you’re moving with children in tow, whether that is a toddler or a teenager, it can add a little more stress into the mix. If you are going to be moving to somewhere completely far away from where you are now, then it can be something that is troubling for children, especially if they feel like they are leaving friends behind. It can be real tough, that is for sure. That is why having a quick guide to help you to move home when you’ve got children to move with you too, can be a big help, no matter the age of the children.

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Considerations when moving house with children

For some children, they will have only ever lived in one house. They may be school age and go to school locally, as well as have ties to friends and connections in the area. As well as the stress of physically packing to move, there can be an added element of stress when these things are taken into consideration. Some of the stressors will depend on the age of the children. The demands of a baby are just going to be timing things right around feeds and naps, but with a teenager, you’ll be thinking about what they are going through and how stressed they must be themselves. 

What you can do is to offer a lot of reassurance, especially if your child is of an age where they will remember the old home. Keeping them comfortable and keeping them entertained is another aspect to think about. You should also look to get as much help as you can, to reduce the physical moving stress. From removalists like Two Men and a Truck you can get help with packing, storing, and moving your items to your new home. Hopefully, you will have some friends and family on-hand to help too.

Get the children involved

How involved children can be will depend on their age. However, boxes and going through all of their things could be something that is really enjoyable. Give yourself plenty of time to pack, as soon as you know that you are moving, so that things don’t feel too rushed. Children can pack some of their own belongings, as well as help with labeling items and getting organized. When they are involved they can feel like part of the process and that can put them at ease and reduce any anxieties.

Have a bag for move day with you

When it comes to the actual moving day, there can be a lot of things packed away that you will have no access to. That is why having a bag for moving day, filled with snacks, treats, small toys, and things that will be helpful for them (a phone charger for a teenager, for example). This will make the day smoother for you all, so make sure that you have something separate and ready to use on the day.

** This was a contributed post.

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the practicalities of living in your dream log cabin

Living in a log cabin is something many people dream of. It offers a relaxed way of living, allows you be close to nature gets you away from the hustle and bustle of busy towns and cities. However, there are some practicalities when it comes to your beautiful log cabin. And as someone who lived in a barn up until recently, I have first-hand experience of this! If you’re hoping to make your dreams a reality, here are some tips to bear in mind.

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Will Your Family Grow?

This is the reason we ended up moving out of our barn in the end. As I explained in this post, when we were designing our home we didn’t account for having children. Or the practicalities that we would face after having a baby! If you’re a couple at the start of your journey together, when deciding on your log cabin this is definitely something to take into consideration. If you’re still set on a log home, make sure you have enough bedrooms and bathrooms if your family grows. And that you have easy access to the home with prams and young children in tow.

Are You Ok With Being Away From Amenities?

You might think that being secluded, and living in the middle of nowhere sounds perfect. Peace and quiet, picturesque scenery and a serene environment. But before taking the plunge, consider it carefully. Are you really ok with being away from shops, nightlife, hospitals, other people? For example surrounding our cabin was simply trees, dirt roads, and a lake- we had a school not too far away and a few neighbors but not much else. Living somewhere permanently isn’t like a vacation, make sure you would genuinely be happy to live ‘off the beaten track’. While it’s an incredibly freeing experience for some, it’s not for everyone. If you’re never lived in a desolate area before and are used to having everything you need a stone’s throw away, it could take some time to adjust.

Are You Ok With Maintenance?

Living in a wooden home is different to living in one made of brick or stone. There are various things that you have to take into consideration to keep it at it’s best. For example cabin staining products will need to be used every one to two years. This will ensure that the wood is kept protected from the elements and in good condition. UV guard products need to be used to prevent damage from the sun, and a range of pest protection products are also essential. Critters such as bugs and rodents are naturally attracted to wood and can cause expensive damage through boring, if this isn’t kept in check.

Despite all of this, living in a log cabin is a wonderful experience. If you get the chance to do so it’s well worth considering! Just go into it with your eyes open and knowing the challenges you may face, so you can be completely prepared.

Would you ever consider moving to a log cabin?

** This was a contributed post.

For more information on log cabins, or to shop for the best log cabins that Ireland has to offer, please click here.

  • Hello! My name is Emory. I am a wife, mother of four (three on earth in heaven). This is our life on the Canadian prairies.
    email: helloscarlettblog@outlook.com

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