Homeowners insurance, also known as hazard insurance, is a major expense for homeowners, usually between $100 to $200 per month for a basic policy on an average-sized home.  Additional “riders” (extra insurance premiums) may be needed to cover belongings (like expensive jewelry or valuable collectibles) or specific damages (like mold growth) that are not covered under the basic policy.  But there are ways to save on your homeowners insurance policy.

If a home inspection arranged by the seller (or the seller himself) uncovers detrimental information about the condition of a home for sale, the seller  is legally obligated in most jurisdictions to disclose any problems discovered to potential buyers.  Otherwise, the seller could be guilty of fraud.

Buyers can and should take the opportunity to ask the seller or sellers’ agent some direct and pointed questions about the condition of their home for sale before the home inspection takes place.  Buyers can then pass on information to the real estate inspector and request extra scrutiny for potential problem areas. 

The understanding of mortgage loan terms, how the term affects the home buyers monthly mortgage payment, and how it impacts the total cost the home buyer will pay for their home over the life of the mortgage loan is of utmost importance.

There are literally hundreds of types of mortgages available, but almost all of them fit into two major categories: the fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage loan. 

Before the agent selling your house starts bringing in prospective buyers, you probably have some work to do to prepare your house for sale.  What exactly does getting your home ready to show entail? The job at hand depends largely on the age and condition of the house, your cleaning habits, and the budget you have to spruce the place up.   

A professional real estate inspector will typically spend several hours evaluating a home. He could spend half a day or more, depending on the size of the home, and a considerable amount of additional time completing the written home inspection report. Fees for the services of a real estate inspector typically range from $200 to $500 or more, depending on the size (and age) of the home and the time it takes to conduct the inspection and compile the final report of the real estate inspection.

Have you been dreaming and planning to buy a vacation home someday?  The current market is ripe for vacation homes, especially those home buyers who don’t need income from the sale of a home to make a move.

With home values falling in many markets, a great selection of vacation homes, townhomes and condows for sale are available. With interest rates lower than we’ve seen for years, this may be your window of opportunity to buy a second house or the vacation home of your dreams.

Looking for budget-friendly ideas for some do-it-yourself wall art projects?  Think paper!  Have you received a gift, wrapped in a paper so gorgeous that you painstakingly opened the present so you could save and reuse the gift wrap? Have you perused the wall of papers at your local craft or scrapbooking store lately?

Gorgeous, decorative papers in bright, bold colors, unique patterns and interesting textures are everywhere these days.   And they have great potential beyond their conventional uses..one that you may not have considered - ready-made, DIY wall decor for your home. 

Finding affordable art can be a challenge for many homeowners. As a design consultant and home staging professional, I have seen the inside of many homes.  Many homes for sale, at all price points, shared something in common  - walls nearly bare of expression. Why? Because many people share a common misperception about art.  They view art as a luxury, something they are saving up to buy…someday. 

One couple hired me to stage their home on the advice of their real estate agent.  They were skeptical that I could make much of an impact with the meager budget we had to work with. The lack of artwork and accessories did present a challenge.  But in the end, they were surprised at how great the living and dining rooms looked with the $40 we set aside for the “art” budget.  

Is at least one area in your home screaming out for a total, top-to-bottom room redesign?  Maybe the space no longer meets your functional needs; your personal style preferences have changed; or the room is just plain tired, worn and full of outdated furnishings, fixtures and finishes. 

Does the thought of a complete room redo make you feel overwhelmed, uninspired and utterly in over-your-head?  Relax!  Even if you need to call in reinforcements, this is something you can handle.

The Bush administration is encouraging us to spend our tax refunds and special tax rebate checks to help boost the economy.  But with the economy on shaky ground and the cost for food and gas continuing to rise, your instincts may tell you to pay off debt and sock the money away to handle any surprises that may come. 

Have you considered that there are ways to spend your tax money wisely that will help support the economy and keep money in your pocketbook?  Instead of buying that new flat screen TV or Wii system, why not invest your windfall in something that will continue to pay off in the months and years to come?  Here are some small investments you can make now that will help you save money and stretch your monthly budget in a tight economy.