• Store frequently used items in accessible areas and seasonal items, such as holiday decorations or camping equipment, in higher, more remote spaces
• Measure out how much space vehicles take up before installing cabinets, shelves and other storage devices to avoid hitting them when you open the doors
• To make it easier to find things later, organize in zones:  a gardening zone, a car care zone, a sports equipment zone, a camping gear zone, etc. 
• A wall towel and soap dispenser will come in handy if you do a lot of work in the garage
• If you have children in your home, even if they are only visiting, be sure to have anything dangerous safely locked out of reach.

You’ve found the perfect location for your new home, but are overwhelmed by the many choices of floor plans and options.  The best thing to narrow your search is to ask the following questions:

1. How do I want to entertain?
2. How much storage will I need? What kind?
3. Does the plan have flexibility for special rooms?
4. How does the home help me de-stress? A quiet area for me?  Whirlpool bath? Drop Zone in the rear foyer?
5. Where do I want the master bedroom?
6. Is energy-efficiency important to me?
7. Are room sizes adequate?
8. What special needs do I have, such as a blended family or the need for a workshop?

• Store frequently used items in accessible areas and seasonal items, such as holiday decorations or camping equipment, in basement shelving.
•  To make it easier to find things later, organize in zones.  For example, in the garage you could have a gardening zone, a car care zone and a sports equipment zone.
• If you have children in your home, even if they are only visiting, be sure to have anything dangerous safely locked out of reach.

For additional ideas on organizing a specific area of  your home visit iVillage.

What are some of your favorite organizing tips?

Pros:

• Investment: Price appreciation on your home is around 4% a year. When renting, the money you spend each month does not enrich your finances, but the finances of your landlord.
• Tax Breaks: Mortgage interest and property taxes deductible on your federal income-tax return.   If you take out a home-equity loan, some or all of the interest may be deductible also.
• Equity: The principal part of your mortgage payment goes into the ownership of the home, called equity.  Home equity can serve as collateral for a loan, enabling you to convert the equity into cash.

Cons:

• Home Ownership is not a good idea for people who want to move with in a short period of time.  
• Unlike renting, home owners are required to make any repairs to the home.  Brand new homes have warranties which cover repairing / replacing items in the home. This makes new homes a great option for those wanting to ease into home ownership without the worry of making repairs themselves. 

For a quick calculation on whether buying a home makes sense for you, use this handy rent vs. buy calculator.

What concerns do you have when deciding if home ownership is right for you?

The included features in the base price of the home include much more than carpet, cabinets and countertops.  Some important questions home buyers should ask are:

• “Once I move into the home, what will my utility costs be?”
• “What products are included that save me time?”
• “What quality products are used in building my home?”
• “What options do I have to make my home unique?”

Home buyers should find out what energy saving items will save them money in the long run such as a home sealing service, promote healthy living through the use of an air cleaner system and unique products such as non-freezing water piping that help minimize home ownership problems.  By doing a little research you will save yourself time and money.

What sorts of standard features do you look for in a home?

To learn about the standard features that American Heartland uses in their homes, visit: http://www.ah-homes.com/home/products.aspx

Now that you have done your research and settled on the perfect place to call home, what is the next step in building?

Before building your dream home, you need to know the size of your lot.  Knowing the size of the lot will directly effect what type of home you can build.  Also are there restrictions, requirements or neighbor convents that you have to keep in mind?

This is an exciting time for you and you don’t have to do it alone.  Click here to learn more about the building on your lot process. http://www.ah-homes.com/home/build-on-your-lot.aspx

Before building your new home, you will have to decide what type of home will best suit your needs.   There are several different types of homes to choose from but the most common are single-family and multi-family home construction.

Single-Family:  This is one home on one lot.  An excellent choice for first-time homebuyers, second home buyers and vacation homebuyers, these homes can be customized to create a flexible living space that changes as your life does.

Multi-Family:  With more families having more than one generation living together, a multi-family home may be your best option.  This is where there are several “units” or apartment style living spaces all on one lot giving each generation their own living space.  Many mortgage companies will finance this type home. 
 To learn more about types of homes available, click on the link below:

http://www.realtor.com/Basics/Buy/ChooseOffer/ChooseHome.asp?poe=realtor

You’ve made the biggest decision in your life, to build a new home.  But does your builder offer a home warranty?

Before choosing a builder, one of the critical steps is to see what type of home warranties that builder offers.  Does the home warranty cover both exterior and interior repairs?  Are your appliances covered?  Are the materials up to industry standards?

To learn about American Heartland’s 10 year manufacturer warranty, visit http://www.ah-homes.com/sales/faq.aspx#Warranty

Lots of home builders say they are “an energy efficient home builder”.  What does that really mean? 

Energy Star, the government’s energy efficient regulation agency says that an energy efficient home must be at least 15% more efficient than a traditional home.  Some features you’ll find in an efficient home are: effective insulation, high performance windows and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

To see the difference between a traditional verses energy efficient home, check out this link: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=behind_the_walls.btw_landing

Moving is in the top ten most stressful events a person can experience within their lifetime.  To make your move as stress free as possible, try these helpful hints from www.move.com. 

Plan at least 4-6 weeks ahead before your move in date to avoid delays and additional costs.  Most movers offer discounts October-April so consider moving during these times and save both time and money.

For a handy checklist you can print out on your computer click here.

What’s moving been like for your family?  Let us know your experiences and help hints!

Choosing a neighborhood is one of the biggest decisions new homebuyers face.  When looking for a neighborhood there are several factors to keep in mind.  Personal property taxes for the area, what amenities are available, how long of a commute to work and what types of housing are available.  Knowing these important features will help you discover the prefect place to call home.

What amenities are you searching for in a neighborhood? 

How do you know you have found a great new home builder?  The National Association of Home Builders recommends checking with both your local Chamber of Commerce and home builder’s associations.  These organizations have a list of available builders that meet strict custom building standards. 

Also don’t be afraid to ask for references or addresses of model homes.  A professional builder will be happy to provide this information to you at no additional charge.

What type of builder are you looking for?  A green builder, multi-family, single-family or handicapped accessible are just some of the many options available.

Do you know how much of your pre-tax income can go towards a home payment?  According to Lending Tree, a national mortgage broker, the average home mortgage should not exceed more than 28% of your gross annual income. 
Mortgage brokers are looking for at least two years stable employment and excellent credit scores when determining the amount of money a mortgage will cover.   

Before looking for your new home, take a moment to check out your mortgage options.  You’ll be glad you did!

Would you use an online mortgage broker to finance your home?  Let us know your thoughts about how the Internet is changing the way people do business.