Moving isn’t cheap. It costs about $80 to $100 per hour to hire local professional movers, and as much as a $10,000 flat rate for a long distance professional move. DIY moves can cost between $50 and $3,000, depending on distance, length of time and other factors. Additional charges like the ones listed below can add up fast, doubling or tripling the cost of the relocation. Being aware of these hidden charges can help you control costs and avoid budget pitfalls during your relocation.

1. Bulky, Complex and Delicate Items

Professional movers will charge extra to move a piano, car and appliances, especially if the movers are asked to disassemble or disconnect an item, then reassemble or reconnect at the new home. Some consumers save by giving away…

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If your home is struggling to catch the eye of a buyer, it could be for an entirely valid reason. Maybe you're stuck in a sluggish market or have the poshest place on the block (always a tough sell). But there's another possibility, too—your home could be sitting on the market because of a rookie selling mistake. All of us can make 'em, even those of us who actually have a few home sales under our belts.

The good news? These basic slip-ups can be easily corrected or avoided. To help you out, I have identified some of the most common mistakes people make in trying to sell their home. Sidestep these flubs to avoid sabotaging your own sale.

Rookie mistake No. 1: Overpricing your home

All sellers want to get top dollar for their house. Unfortunately,…

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Tips for Buying a House on a Single Income

 

At a time when a lot of young adults are postponing marriage, the number of Americans buying a house on a single income is substantial. According to the Millennial home buyers last year were unmarried. Because single mortgage applicants rely on one salary and one credit profile in order to secure a loan, getting through the underwriting process can be a bit trickier. However, the more you understand about what the process entails, the better your odds will be of getting a lender to say “yes.” Here are four crucial things that can help;

Check Your Credit:
When you apply for a mortgage on your own, lenders will be looking at just one credit profile: yours. Needless to say, it has to be in great shape. It’s always a good idea to review your credit…

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Choosing the right contractor is a crucial remodeling step. But in order to find the right pro, you need to ask the right questions. Use these interview inquiries to hire the ideal contractor for your project.    1. Are You Licensed? Always ask to see a pro’s licensing during your interview. Ensure that his or her credentials are up to date and valid for your project. Never hire a pro without proper licensing. The absence of credentials shows a lack of commitment to quality work — and your potential project.    2. Are You insured? Hire only pros who carry both general liability coverage and workers’ compensation. These forms of insurance protect you, your pro and your home in the event of an accident, injury or damage. Hiring uninsured…

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In competitive housing markets across the country, making an offer that sticks has become increasingly difficult. Ensure your client doesn’t make the process even tougher by succumbing to one of these common mistakes.

Delaying

Time kills deals. Dragging your feet means you could wind up paying more in a bidding war situation or missing out on the property altogether. Buyers need to be ready with their paperwork, such as bank statements, a preapproval letter, and documents supporting proof of funds, from the day they begin house-hunting mode. That way they can pounce quickly with an offer when they do find a home they like.

Making an offer for their preapproved amount

Smart buyers are getting preapproved to show a seller they’re financially…

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"The American Dream"

Want to purchase a home? Even with the housing market pretty much back from the doldrums of the 2008 Great Recession, real estate experts say there’s still plenty of room to the upside if you purchase a home now. But many first-time home buyers underestimate the amount of money they will need up front to buy their dream home. As a rough estimate, FHA loan, for lower income earners. However, those loans are harder to get than one at 5% down.

On a $200,000 home, you will need around $16,000 when you close. This amount is the bare minimum, according to realtor.com.  Next question: If you don’t have it, how will you save for it?

Waiting a year or more gives you many more options for assembling the down payment and cash for other…

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House keys over the hundred dollar banknotes against wooden background

Cash-strapped middle class families may be richer than they think. Or at least, that could be true if they have owned a house for a while. Equity in a home – that is, the value of a property in excess of any mortgage balance – can be a powerful financial tool if used correctly.

Home equity loans allow you to use your home equity to finance other expenses. The thing I like about home equity is that it can let a person live out their dreams. However, tapping into equity can also be a recipe for disaster if not done properly. It's very important to have a committed, disciplined approach to what you're going to do with that capital. Blowing it on a vacation, for example, can leave you in debt and without anything to show for it.

For those who are…

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As a homeowner, it's helpful to know the basics of finding a home improvement contractor. From getting multiple estimates, to talking to previous customers, there are a few proven methods of finding the perfect pro. During your hunt for a contractor, make sure to avoid these seven mistakes.

1.Poor Communication:
Open communication is the golden rule of dealing with home improvement contractors. As long as you find a reasonably honest person, asking straightforward questions and clearly delineating what you want and expect from your home projects will eliminate the vast majority of potential problems. Put this verbal communication in writing to protect yourself from unreliable contractors.

2. Waiting until you need a Contractor:
Not addressing…

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1. Run the day or it will run you.

Part of the key to time management is just staying in charge. Here’s what usually happens: We start something and we’re in control, but as the day starts to unfold, we start losing it. It’s like running a business. If you don’t stay on top of things, the business will run you before long. You have to stop every once in a while and say, “Wait! Who’s in charge here?”

“Some will master and some will serve.”

Here’s a good phrase to remember: “Some will master and some will serve.” That’s the nature of life, and you have to make sure you become the master. You have to run the day. You have to stay in charge. What is the key to staying in charge? You must have your written set of goals with you at all times.…

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Drum roll please….

The top housing market in the U.S. in 2017 will be metro Phoenix, according to a new realtor.com forecast. It’s about time. The Valley’s steady growth in sales and priceincreases, tighter new home market and short supply of foreclosures make it one of the healthiest in the country. Plus wise housing analyst's who track home sales and trends every day state last year that 2017 would be the big year for the Phoenix-area housing market. Realtor.com, a national real estate website, is predicting Valley home prices to climb 5.9 percent, and sales to jump by 7.2 percent. That’s not the biggest projected price increase on its list of top 10 markets in 2017, but it’s the biggest sales increase.

It makes sense since one of the…

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