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A home inspection is a critical part of the process of buying a home. Your financing lender will require a report from a professional home inspector whenever you’re purchasing a home that’s already built.

Don’t confuse a home inspection with an appraisal. A home inspector is providing an objective review of the physical condition of the property rather than evaluating the house to determine its cost or market value like an appraiser would.

While the appraisal process is often questionable since so many appraisers are subject to pressure from brokers, agents or loan reps for the appraisal to meet a certain value in order for the property to close so everyone can make their money, nobody is really in the ear of a home inspector. A walk-thru from a professional home inspector is done to protect the buyer. As a buyer, you can demand that your offer be contingent on the results of a home inspection, protecting you from a potentially bad investment.

Routine home inspections can also help homeowners maintain the health of their home by catching small problems before they become major expenses! If you’re a homeowner considering listing your home “For Sale” in your local real estate market, it may be within your best interest to order a home inspection on your own to disclose any necessary repairs or upgrades to a potential buyer, or resolve these matters yourself, so they are no longer issues when you list or start showing your property.

A home inspection can last anywhere from two to three hours, sometimes even longer, depending on the age and size of the house. It’s recommended that you make an attempt to be present during the inspection. It’s important to ask the inspector questions and to be present for he or she to go over any issues they may find with the property. Your presence gives them a better opportunity to explain everything verbally and counsel you on options that you have in regard to maintenance or repair.

Your inspector will typically look for the following:

Structural Components: A home inspector will check the foundation of your home to ensure there is no water seepage. They will inspect ceilings, walls and moldings for any loose pieces, dry wall that may be pulling away or cracking. The basement area will be examined for water leakage or a musty smell.

Exterior Components: An inspector will look at your siding for any visible dents or buckling. The exterior brick will be carefully examined. Larger cracks and cracks through bricks are often indicative of a potential foundation problem. Smaller cracks in the mortar and instances of mortar pulling away from the brick may indicate ordinary expansion or contraction of the construction materials. Any porches or decks will be examined for loose railings, dangerous steps or woodwork that is rotting. The condition of driveways and sidewalks will be under close scrutiny as the inspector checks for cracks, heaving pavement and crumbling around the edges. The inspector will also look at both attached and detached garages for potential problems. Doors and windows will be checked for looseness or tight fits, the shape and condition of locks and weatherstripping.

Roofing: The condition of the roof is very important. Finding out that a property is in need of a new roof is a deal breaker for many potential buyers. A home inspector will look for missing or deformed shingles, buckling shingles, pooling water, algal growth, loose gutters, downspouts and blistering or corroded flashing. The condition of the chimney will also be looked at carefully. The inspector will also look at the ceilings in the attic or upper floor to see if there is any visible water damage from a leaky roof.

Plumbing: The inspector will carefully scan the plumbing to look for instances of poor water pressure, loud banging pipes, corrosion or rust spots that often indicate leaks and if there is adequate insulation.

Appliances: When a home inspector examines things like the water heater or furnace, they are taking into consideration their age, their energy rating and whether or not their size and condition are adequate for the house. An inspector will also check out air conditioning units if applicable.

Electrical: A home inspector typically does a surface electrical inspection. They will flip light switches off and on, study any visible wiring in the basement or attic, and look at the condition of the fuse box/circuit breakers and the number of outlets per room. However, if the home is over 40 years old, has had major renovations and large appliances added within the past ten years, the Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends a separate and comprehensive electrical inspection by an electrician.

A home inspection is akin to expert advice from a reliable expert, looking out for your best interest, with no ulterior motive. This isn’t a contractor or auto mechanic, exaggerating problems in order to squeeze more money from you. The home inspector has nothing to gain beyond protecting buyers and homeowners.

John is a contributor to a Hartford, Stamford, and Greenwich Connecticut Real Estate Website, and Suffield CT Real Estate Website, which has helped hundreds of people gather information about the CT Real Estate. http://connecticutrealestateadvice.com

Sure, when you look at a house, it’s important to factor in things like its room count and condition, the style of the kitchen or the bathroom, and the size of the house or rooms, but there is much more to consider before buying a house.

In fact, there is so much to think about, it’s very easy to overlook this and that. Typically you start to notice problems and nuisances after you’ve already purchased and moved into the home!

For example, a friend of mine bought a downtown rowhouse that was a great buy! He was aware that the basement to the house could only be accessed from the courtyard outside. What he didn’t consider was the fact that the laundry hookups were also in that basement. Come rain, sleet or snow, my friend had to brave the weather, laundry basket in hand, just to have fresh clothes!

By then it’s too late. This is why it’s important for homebuyers to approach every viewing of a house with an open mind and a mental checklist of things to look for beyond the house itself.

Location Factors

You probably have a general idea of the region, town and neighborhood that you’d like to call home but how well do you really know the area? Have you researched the reputation of the school district? What about the property taxes?

Have you researched the crime rate in the area? I’ve known people who have searched online archives or visited their local library to browse past headlines from local newspapers and familiarize themselves with news from the neighborhood. Maybe the house you’re eyeing up sits on a dangerous roadway notorious for car accidents?

Is there enough to recreationally appease you? Are there parks or museums to take the children to? What about scenic bicycle or walking trails? Obviously, if you’re someone who likes water, are you near a lake, river or ocean?

Is there enough to keep you entertained, whether it’s coffee shops, shopping, dining, art galleries or sports and nightlife options?

Small imperfections with the property, for example, a small yard, may not bother you as much if you love your neighborhood. You can always renovate an actual house to suit your style or personality but you can’t move a house to another neighborhood!

Consider your home’s proximity to work when looking for the right neighborhood. For many people, having a short commute, even a walk or a bike ride, are enough to sell them on the location. Be sure to look into the neighborhood’s public transportation options as well.

Neighborhood charm is a big seller that cannot be understated! Pay close attention to how well the houses in the neighborhood are maintained. Are neighbors taking care of their homes and yards? Do people seem to be comfortable and safe jogging, walking, biking and gardening in the neighborhood? Are there children playing in any of the yards?

Try to talk to people from the neighborhood if the situation presents itself! Most people are more than happy to voluntarily provide information to potential neighbors.

Situational Factors

These are factors that are very easy to skip over while you’re just walking through the home with an agent. These require some astute observation and even some research.

For example, is there reasonable access to the house for emergency services like fire, police, ambulances or emergency rooms? This is especially important if the house is in a rural area.

Can fire trucks or ambulances reach the home if the house sits on a steep hill or a narrow road? How is wintertime snow removal and road maintenance if this is the case?

If you’re someone who values privacy, are the homes on the street close together or is there a respectable distance between the houses? If you’re on a small street, are your windows and the neighbors’ windows directly across from each other and will that bother you or invade your privacy?

Here is something that most people don’t think about until moving day. Can large furniture or appliances be carried up the staircase? That spiral staircase going up to that awesome third floor loft may excite you but you’re in for a let down when you realize it’s impossible to get a couch, big screen television or your newly purchased pool table up the stairs!

If you have children or animals, chances are you don’t want to live near a busy highway, high-trafficked road or a neighborhood street where people drive fast and recklessly. Especially if you have a driveway that requires you to pull out onto such roads!

Drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day or night. Park the car and take a stroll. Do you notice a lot of For Sale or For Rent signs? Perhaps you should ask the realtor why this is? Be sure to obtain the services of a buyer’s agent who is familiar and knowledgeable of the neighborhood and can educate you on market trends.

Just remember that there is more to a house than meets the eye. Sometimes it just involves thinking about or examining things a bit deeper. Don’t allow yourself to be blindly mesmerized by those marble kitchen countertops and the beautiful exposed brick in the living room. Sellers naturally want your focus to be on the “good parts”. It may pay off to be a little suspect and look at things with a bit more scrutiny.

John is a contributor to a Connecticut Real Estate Home Inspection and Homes For Sale Website, and Connecticut Homes for Sale and Connecticut Real Estate Listings Website, which has helped hundreds of people gather information about the CT Real Estate. http://connecticutrealestateadvice.com

One of the most tried and true methods of getting the best possible price on a home is to offer the seller less than the asking price.

Yet, many home buyers are hesitant to use this method of negotiating. They feel as if a low offer will insult the seller. Some real estate agents have acknowledged that many home buyers have also expressed a sense of shame or embarrassment by not offering the asking price.

True, you may in fact encounter many sellers who are offended by your low offer, but there are ways to prevent this from happening. It’s just a matter of assuring the seller that the price you are offering is what works best for your purposes and taking the time to explain your reasoning.

Is it not worth the gamble if there is potential to save anywhere from $10,000 or $40,000 on the deal? Think about it. That’s more money to allocate towards any renovations or furniture for the house.

Sellers definitely have an emotional attachment to their house but this doesn’t necessarily mean they will be insulted by a low offer. Many sellers and their realtors recognize that a buyer’s initial offer is nothing more than an opening negotiating ploy where the buyer is feeling out exactly how desperate the seller is to part with the property.

But, to cover your bases, you should accompany any low offer with an explanation as to why you feel the price cut is fair. For instance, if the property is in need of updating, particularly potentially expensive items like a roof, wiring, appliances and the furnace, you could specifically state this to help offset the possibility of insulting the seller.

If you have a friend or family member who is a contractor, take them with you to view the house, and have them work up an estimate of the potential cost of any renovations to include with the offer. If the bathroom doesn’t meet your criteria – how much will it cost to renovate the bathroom to suit your needs? By breaking things down like this, you are showing the seller that your offer isn’t intended as a slap in the face but more or less a means to show them the perspective from your side.

Hopefully, you are reducing the risk that the seller will be so insulted by your low offer that they refuse to counter and cut off negotiations completely. With any luck, particularly if the location isn’t necessarily a seller’s market, the seller might even question whether or not they’ve overpriced the house upon reviewing your offer and comments. Explaining your reasoning will also give the seller the opportunity to correct any misjudgment on your part. For instance, maybe the roof isn’t as old as you thought and they can make you aware of that fact.

Check out the market locally to determine if you have any leverage in making a low initial offer. It’s conceivable that the seller may have the home listed on the higher end of what comparable properties in the area are actually selling for. This gives you negotiating room. Also, if the house has been on the market for some time and has already been reduced several times, the owner may have already gone as low as they can possibly go and may not be so inclined to hear out your low offer. Some research on the part of you and your real estate agent is a means to ensure that you aren’t in any way insulting the seller.

It’s also not a bad strategy to offer the seller something in return to get them to look past the low offer or come back to you with a reasonable counter offer. It may help your case if you show the seller that you have mortgage pre-approval, can close within 30 days, are willing to pay a portion of the closing costs or can provide them with a larger earnest money deposit.

The main purpose of a low end offer is to alter seller expectations. There is an art to the whole process. Some experts state that you should never offer less than 20% - 25% of the asking price but many successful real estate investors will argue this. Their belief is that this method of negotiating for real estate is worthwhile if there is one seller who accepts a low offer after a dozen or more rejections from other sellers. The bottom line is you can never predict which owners may be open to a low offer so why not explore it? Some sellers are dealing with hardships like divorce or death. Other sellers may be in a hurry to sell in order to relocate.

Plus, let’s not forget how counter offers play into the process. Let’s say that the seller has their house listed on the market at $300,000 and your initial offer is $250,000. It’s fair to speculate that the seller will reject your low offer but they may also counter it at $280,000. So, by offering less initially, you’ve still managed to knock off $20,000 from their original asking price. The sellers may even claim this as a victory themselves because they’ve managed to get you to agree to $30,000 more than your initial offer. Everyone thinks they’ve won!

John is a contributor to a Connecticut Real Estate Agent and Agents Guide, and Hartford CT, Stamford CT, and Greenwich CT Real Estate Website, which has helped hundreds of people gather information about the CT Real Estate. http://connecticutrealestateadvice.com

While Halloween costumes are often associated with blood and gore, other people prefer to choose a costume with a happier tone. And if you love the romanticism of princes and princesses, a renaissance costume can be a great way to indulge this in an adult way. Plus, this adult Halloween costume can also do double duty at your next renaissance fair or Shakespearean festival.

A style the whole family can enjoy

Not all Halloween costumes work well for the entire family. For instance, many kids Halloween costumes are too juvenile for adults. It is hard to picture Dad dressing up as a Care Bear! Of course, the opposite is also true – many parents feel that adult Halloween costumes are too grotesque or scary for their little ones to don. And some couples feel that couples Halloween costumes usually favor one member of the couple of the other with their design. Not so with renaissance Halloween costumes!

With renaissance Halloween costumes, you can go with a theme for the entire family. Go as royalty or peasants or even a combination of both. You can purchase online Halloween costumes in all sizes from infant to plus size. This allows everyone in the family, from biggest to smallest, to join in the fun. Plus, since renaissance Halloween costumes are so popular, they are one of the few Halloween costumes that offer a wide range of choices in plus sizes.

Go for authenticity

The best renaissance Halloween costumes are those that have an authentic look to them. Unless you are a costume designer, this can be difficult to achieve on your own at home. Shopping for online Halloween costumes will help you find the most accurate and detailed costumes available.

Keep in mind as well that different countries had different styles of clothing. Thus, you may want to do your homework before deciding on a renaissance Halloween costume. For instance, the French renaissance wear had a lot more lace and ruffles than the Italians did. For consistency, especially if you are looking for couples Halloween costumes, it is important that everyone choose costumes from the same country. If you like the medieval feel but not sure what country to choose, you can also look into some of the more fantasy-based renaissance-style Halloween costumes. The recent popularity of fantasy movies has expanded costume options in this sub-genre as well.

Get inspired

Not sure where to get started with your renaissance Halloween costume? Try getting inspired. Renaissance theater is popular, so costume shops will often stock a variety of costumes to get you started. You can also attend a renaissance fair – many cities will offer these events. Many couples and families will attend in full renaissance costume, and they will sell costumes and accessories there as well. And of course, online Halloween costume vendors allow you to see a wide variety of costumes in order to find the one that you would like.

If this year you would like to trade your fangs in for finery, consider a renaissance Halloween costume as one of your options.

Paul Hulse writes for the Costume online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Medieval and Renaissance Costumes.

If you frequent retailers in the late fall, you have probably noticed that every year Halloween is growing in prevalence. This is especially true when it comes to the costume aspects of the holiday. Plus, with the popularity of Halloween continuing to grow, more people are considering other uses for their Halloween costumes – making Halloween costumes a year-round festivity.

Adults getting into the action

Halloween used to be considered a children’s holiday. Kids would dress up and run from door to door in the neighborhood begging for candy. Adults rarely, if ever, joined in the fun by donning a costume – and if they did, they were certain to get a few stares.

Now, more and more adults are joining in the fun and dressing up in the spirit of the holiday as well. Some workplaces encourage a costume for the day, and some adults have exchanged their trick-or-treat bags for adult costume parties. And since adult Halloween costumes are becoming so popular, the creativity and quality of the costumes available are improving.

More variety for adults

Kids Halloween costumes used to be all of the same variety. Since Halloween was considered mainly a kid’s holiday, your options were limited – go as a ghost or a witch or a princess or maybe an animal. Few, if any, of these getups were really appropriate for adult wear. Often, the adults that did want to dress up to celebrate were left creating their own costumes from items that they had around the house or could piece together from Halloween accessories.

However, with the popularity of movie characters as Halloween costumes, there are more options for adults. For instance, they can now go as Spiderman or an elf from Lord of the Rings. These newer additions to the Halloween costume scene offer some competition to the traditional ghouls and ghosts.

Plus, since there has been a boom in adult Halloween costumes, costume designers have been rethinking their approach. One way is through sexy Halloween costumes. Now adults can still be a witch or a doctor or a waitress, but now their costumes offer a more mature theme.

More variety for kids

Some adults remember the fun of the Halloween that they had as children and want to pass this on to their own kids. Of course, kids Halloween costumes have become more elaborate (and more expensive) as well. Kids Halloween costumes can range from the traditional Halloween creepies to the latest cartoon characters and superheroes.

There is an increasing variety of places that kids can wear their Halloween costumes to. Many schools offer costume parades and Halloween parties. Plus some parents will make their Halloween events for the whole family. So instead of just trick-or-treating, kids may wear their Halloween costumes all day or all weekend. And since no kid wants to be outdone, the attention to detail and the options continue to improve.

As Halloween continues to grow in popularity, so will the Halloween costume options – allowing you and your little ones to dress to your heart’s content!

Paul Hulse writes for the Halloween Costumes online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Adult Halloween Costumes.

While adults often opt for spooky Halloween costumes, toddler Halloween costumes are cute and comical. Since many toddlers only have a limited understanding of Halloween, dressing up in toddler Halloween costumes can be as much fun for mom and dad as it is for them. However, older toddlers, especially those with older siblings, will be all about choosing a Halloween costume and dressing up.

Traditional costumes

Many toddler Halloween costumes center around the cute and adorable. Of course, there are always plenty of traditional costume options like plump pumpkins, adorable black cats, and ghosts that are silly rather than spooky.

Cartoon characters

Many toddlers watch a TV program. Thus, many parents and toddlers look to their favorites for inspiration. You are certain to see a fair number of Doras and Diegos, Blues Clues, Mickey Mouses, and Elmos running around on Halloween night.

Movie Stars

Another source of inspiration for toddler Halloween is their favorite movies. Online Halloween costume retailers have everything you need to create your own Batman, Spiderman, Winnie the Pooh, or Disney Princess. In fact, with all the options out there, you may have a hard time deciding on your favorite.

Making Halloween memorable

Think back to what made Halloween memorable for you. A good portion of the excitement was the big bag of candy that you received at the end of the night. However, a good portion of that candy you got just for being cute. Let’s face it – most toddlers can barely muster out an intelligible “Trick-or-Treat” with which to “earn” their candy. So this is the time of their lives where they are dependent on you to dress them up in cute Halloween costumes and take plenty of pictures!

However, you need to be careful to make sure that Halloween isn’t too memorable for them – in a scary way. Many older siblings and neighborhood kids will often choose the scarier type of costumes. For impressionable children, these spooks out on Halloween night can cause nightmares and fears of the unknown. Some parents will limit their toddlers to trick-or-treating early in the evening before the older kids come out or to attending toddler Halloween costume parties with their peers.

Choosing the costume that is right for your toddler

Picking the right costume for your toddler can be a bit of a challenge. After all, many toddlers change their minds several times a day. Thus, you may need to get creative in choosing a costume for them and then getting them excited about your choice.

When shopping online, make sure that you have your child’s measurements handy. There is nothing worse than having your perfect toddler Halloween costume not fit properly! Also while shopping, make sure that you have all of the Halloween accessories. Many toddlers are uncomfortable wearing full masks, so investing in some washable, nontoxic face paint is a good alternative. If you are planning on trick-or-treating after dark, make sure that the costume includes reflective areas that will reflect back the lights of passing cars to make your child more visible.

Having the right toddler Halloween costume can make the holiday even more fun and memorable for your tot.

Paul Hulse writes for the Halloween Costumes online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Kids Halloween Costumes.

You dress yourself up every Halloween, and decorate your house and yard. If you have kids, you probably dress them up as well. You have bag after bag of fun-sized candy bars, and your trick-or-treat bags are sitting by the door ready to go. It seems like everything is in order for a night of frights and fun, but you realize that one member of the family is not prepared – the family pet.

At first thought, this might seem a little strange. But why not dress Fido up for the holidays? After all, he is part of the family and will enjoy the walk around the neighborhood as much as the kids. And retailers are making it even easier to dress Fido up with pet-sized (and shaped) Halloween costumes.

Where to buy pet Halloween costumes

Your local pet store and retailer may carry a limited selection of pet costumes. However, shopping online will give you a lot larger variety to choose from. You could even look at dressing your dog in a similar outfit to your own so that the two of match.

Getting ready

If your dog is not used to wearing clothes, he might not appreciate the idea of a Halloween costume at first. Prior to Halloween, put it on and have him wear it around the house. Check to make sure that you have purchased the proper size. Pet Halloween costumes that are too big can be easily shed, or cause your dog to trip.

Don’t forget to try on the Halloween accessories as well, as many dogs may try to paw off hats and headbands the first few times they wear them. Also verify that you can fasten the leash securely to your dog’s collar while he is wearing the Halloween costume. There will be plenty of activity going on outside on Halloween night, so you don’t want him slipping loose.

Using your pet as a prop

If you choose a more elaborate costume, you can coordinate Fido’s Halloween costume to the rest of the family. For instance, if you also have a small child, you can have the two of them dress in similar costumes. Or have you child and the dog reverse roles for the night – have your child be a puppy and dress the dog in an appropriate human costume. If you have a small dog, you could dress him up in baby clothing and push him in the stroller.

Make the holiday pet friendly

As much as you love Halloween, you probably want everyone else to love the holiday as well. Keep in mind that even if your dog is in costume, you should obey your local leash laws. Not all people love dogs, and some small children may be afraid of them. And of course do not forget to clean up after your pet!

If you want to make the holiday more pet friendly, consider having a bag of doggy biscuits to hand out for pets that come along. Or you can challenge your friends and neighbors to a costume contest. Making your dog part of the Halloween fun can be a memorable event for everyone involved.

Paul Hulse writes for the Costumes online retailer www.incostume.com. Please visit their site for more information on Pet Costumes

Residents of the Northwest United States are proud of the conservation efforts put forth in their state. Washington, Oregon and Idaho have preserved some of the most beautiful forests, mountains, deserts and valleys for generations of outdoors enthusiasts. Much of the land in these great states is made available for people all over the country to enjoy on a regular basis. Camping, hiking, hunting and fishing are popular vacation activities in this part of the country because there are so many diverse places to go and see.

Camping in the Northwest is a popular past time that can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter what their skill level or age. When camping in this area of the country, there are a few things that must be considered and equipment that should be taken. It is important to have durable, waterproof camping gear, no matter what season you are camping in, because this is an area that might be cold or wet unexpectedly, even in the middle of the summer. You also want to be sure that you have plenty of good lighting gear. LED lanterns and flashlights work best in the dense forests of the Northwest because they provide you with an even, long-lasting light. Having a reliable, compact light is important in this area because often time campsites can be located deep into the mountains or forests. These locations require that campers hike in, so packing lightly but smartly is very important.

Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are full of great camping locations. The states are filled with diverse national and state park areas. Explorers that enjoy mountain wildernesses will find great camping in the coastal ranges up Oregon and Washington and along their many rivers. Desert campers can find relaxing places in eastern Oregon and in Idaho. Even winter campers that enjoy the snow can find open sites around Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and The Three Sisters. These areas have excellent camping areas that can provide you with a great place to stay, beautiful sites, and a lot to do while your there.

Peninsula

Located in Northwest Washington, the Olympic is the home to both the towering Olympic Mountains and the Pacific coastline. The Bogachiel, Sequim Bay, Old Fort Townsend and Fort Worden State Parks are a few of many camping and hiking destinations in the area. Camping on the peninsula requires waterproof equipment.

Deschutes National Forest

Central Oregon is the home of the Deschutes National Forest. This area has great camping sites right in the middle of some of the oldest forests in North America. Camping here can be easy or challenging, depending on what you are looking for. When camping in the desert, make sure to pack plenty of water and food. Also, packing a powerful lantern or set of flashlights is important as the deserts in the Northwest are very dark at night.

Priest Lake State Park

The Priest Lake State Park is one of the favorite camping destinations for Idaho residents because of its diverse options. Camping is available all along the shoreline of Priest Lake and Upper Priest Lake, as well as on the Lake’s islands themselves.

These are just a sample of the many incredible camping locations located in the beautiful, green Northwest. Campers can find information on camping fees, hiking trails and site amenities by looking online at the various state park web sites.

~ Ben Anton, 2008

Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Discount Lights and Knives.
Get what you need for your next camping trip, including energy-efficient LED lanterns and flashlight on the DLK website for LED recreational lights for camping, hunting and hiking.

Many first-time homebuyers, especially those who are just beginning their search for Connecticut real estate, may be worried if they have a less than ideal credit score. Contrary to what you may have heard, a less than stellar credit score doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t buy a good property in Connecticut, however, if you want to avoid a mortgage loan with high fees and high interest rates, you’ll want to take some necessary steps to repair your credit score.

It’s quite simple. With a better credit score you will have an easier time finding a lender and landing a feasible interest rate, potentially saving you a ton of money over the course of your loan. Given the prices of homes in the Connecticut real estate market, most people don’t decide on a whim that they intend to purchase Connecticut real estate. Therefore, there should be plenty of time to make sure your credit report is accurate before you even begin searching through Connecticut real estate listings, calling Realtors and scheduling viewings.

Getting credit discrepancies cleared up before you seriously seek out Connecticut real estate for sale will spare you the potential embarrassment of having your financing delayed, or worse yet, having your loan application denied, over an issue in your credit report that could have easily been cleared up. It’s also good to know your credit score whenever you are shopping around for the best interest rate. You’ll close on your Connecticut property faster and the entire process of purchasing real estate in Connecticut will be much easier with some advanced preparation!

Most of us don’t look at our credit report enough. When was the last time you looked at your credit report?

Many people don’t know that it is their right as a consumer to obtain one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It’s important to check these reports carefully because it’s not uncommon for credit bureaus to routinely make mistakes. Also, with identity theft being more prevalent in today’s computer driven world, it’s important to make sure that there is no suspicious information showing up on your credit report!

Whenever it’s time for a Connecticut real estate broker or lender to run a credit check, they too will order reports from each bureau. Because of this, it only makes sense that all three credit reports are monitored simultaneously and cleared up of any discrepancies at the same time.

Don’t concern yourself with missing information because some creditors don’t report their information regularly. That said, if certain accounts should read “closed” but instead read “open”, and if accounts that are paid up to date are reading “past due”, you’ll want to report this as erroneous because the number of open and past due accounts will negatively impact your credit score.

Pay close attention to anything that appears in your report that might not belong to you! This is especially important if you have a common name like Kevin Smith. Accounts belonging to another Kevin Smith could be showing up in your credit report. It’s not uncommon to find accounts belonging to a parent or sibling just because you once shared the same residence or mailing address. Have you ever received credit card applications where your name was misspelled or had a typo? Make sure there are no accounts with a different variation of your name. Always be aware of the potential for identity theft.

You want to highlight anything that is inaccurate or erroneous. If there is something to dispute in the report, write a letter to dispute the authenticity of each error. Tell them what is incorrect, why it’s incorrect, and request that your dispute is investigated and responded to. Be sure to mail any documents via certified mail. The agencies in question will investigate the claims and must provide proof that the debt listed in the credit report is valid. The creditor is commonly given anywhere from 14 to 30 days to respond before the item is deleted. At that time, you are to receive an updated credit report.

Reviewing your credit report isn’t the only step that you can take to improve your credit score. If buying Connecticut real estate is part of your future plans there should be a conscientious effort on your part to make sure that all of your debts are paid on time each month. Being late with payments not only earns you a penalty charge but it also raises your interest rate and can lower your credit score. Limit yourself to five open accounts, don’t overuse your credit cards and pay close attention to offers that come your way with 0% balance transfers and limited time 0% or low interest rates on purchases. Don’t be afraid of balance transfers!

Buying Connecticut real estate can be a daunting task. From finding the right property to securing financing, it can all be simplified with some planning and preparation ahead of time.

John is a contributor to aSuffield CT Real Estate Agent and Connecticut MLS Listings website, which has helped hundreds of people gather information about real estate. http://suffieldctrealestate.com

In order to stop foreclosure, the first thing you need to do is stop procrastinating. More often than not, when people fall behind on their mortgage payments they turn to avoidance. Foreclosure affects people both emotionally and mentally. The thought of losing your home can make your thoughts run wild. Then fear sets in and immobilizes you, making it nearly impossible to think clearly, let alone become proactive.

To stop foreclosure, you need to contact the Loss Mitigation Department of your mortgage lender. If you have the financial means to become current on your mortgage, your lender may simply reinstate your loan and no further action will be taken. Chances are late fees will be added to past due payments and your lender might report late payments to credit bureaus.

If you are unable to pay the delinquent amount in full, your lender might offer a Forbearance Agreement. This agreement allows you to rollover past due payments to the end of the loan. If you are able to pay a portion of the past due amount, you will be in a better position to negotiate with your lender.

If you cannot afford a partial payment, do not let it stop you from asking for a Forbearance Agreement. Instead, devise a repayment plan prior to contacting your lender. Make certain you can keep your agreement, otherwise you will end up in the same place you started and your lender won’t be as eager to give you a second chance.

Another option to stop foreclosure is to sell your home. This option is best suited for people who have equity in their property. Homeowners who do not have equity usually find it difficult to locate a real estate agent. Reason being, when a realtor sells your home, they earn a commission based on the sale price. If you don’t have equity, there won’t be enough money to cover the realtor’s commission.

If you are unable to locate a realtor to list your home, you can attempt to sell it on your own. This can be complicated for the novice, particularly if you are facing foreclosure. If you decide to sell your home on your own, take time to educate yourself about the process. Additionally, if you are in the preforeclosure stage, you will want to discuss this option with your lender’s Loss Mitigation department before placing a “For Sale” sign in your front yard.

Once you receive a foreclosure notice from your lender, chances are high you will be contacted by companies offering to buy your home. Foreclosure notices are public record. People who make their living buying foreclosure homes have staff members who comb public records on a daily basis.

When these companies contact you it is crucial to be extremely skeptical. While there are legitimate house buying businesses that will purchase your home, many are only out to pull the wool over your eyes and leave you holding the bag.

If you do not qualify for a loan modification and are unable to sell your home, you might be able to give the house back to your lender. This is referred to as Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure. You voluntarily leave the home and the bank sells it through public auction.

A Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure does not protect your credit, but it does allow you to walk away from the home and the mortgage payment. However, if there are any liens against the home, you are still obligated to pay them.

If you are unable to obtain a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure, you might be forced into bankruptcy. Recent changes in bankruptcy laws have made it more difficult and expensive to file. There are several types of bankruptcy chapters and you will need to hire a bankruptcy attorney to help you determine which chapter is best for you.

While most people prefer to stop foreclosure proceedings and stay in their home, sometimes this simply cannot happen. Although losing your home can be devastating, in some instances it is the only option. Realize there are many rental homes, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes sitting vacant. Seek out rental property within your financial means and give yourself the opportunity to make a fresh start.

Providing solutions to individuals facing foreclosure and other hardships, investors seeking solid investment opportunities and banks and financial institutions who want to sell their portfolios, Simon Volkov is a one-stop shop for real estate and investment opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.SimonVolkov.com.