Sunday, August 3, 2008

102 Personal Finance Tips Your Professor Never Taught You (Part 5)

Homeowning

43. houseUpgrade your old bathroom and kitchen. They are often outlets on a house. A modernized bathroom can provide more than 100% return, while modernizing the kitchen back about 90%.
44. Refinance your mortgage if you can cut at least one point. The refinancing costs are considerable, it should only be done if you cut your interest rate by at least 1%.
45. Do not spend more than 2 1 / 2 times your income on a house. Know what you can afford and what you can not.
46. Put at least 20% compared to a house. Making a down payment of less than 20% usually result in a private mortgage insurance (PMI) fee being added. This is usually 0.5%, which means it could cost you about $ 1000 per annum on the principal $ 200000.
47. Use a mortgage broker. The best of your mortgage, the more you'll save. Shop.
48. Investigate the different types of mortgages. There are dozens of options for mortgages on the market. Find one that suits you best.
49. Buying a house that needs repairs. To buy cheap and then add value to repair. You'll save money
50. Dealing directly with the seller. Avoid agents' fees is a good thing. -- If you decide to hire an agent, do your homework and get to be on the same page as you. You must be one calling the shots.
51. Ask about taxes owner. Knowing what the tax is in your region and be prepared to have enough to pay.
52. Ask about the cost side. In addition to monthly payments, be ready to engage some secondary costs, including repairs, notary, escrow fees, and title insurance.
53. Get the house inspected by a professional. The house was inspected thoroughly before making a bid.
54. Negotiate the sale price. The prices of houses are almost always negotiable. Do not the asking price, but rather a few percentage points below that threshold.