Affordable Home Mortgages

Can you Afford a Home Mortgage?

Have you been thinking of buying a new home or purchasing your first home but don't know where to begin? An affordable home doesn't have to be a pipe dream. Various government programs or housing non-profits like Habitat for Humanity are available to help even low income home buyers. Can you find an affordable home mortgage? Here are some housing tips to get you started.

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Purchasing a new home is daunting, especially if you're a first time home buyer with no or a low credit score. There are many resources out there for financial counseling that can help guide you on the path to home-ownership. The first step is knowing how much house you can afford. An online mortgage calculator is a great resource to let you now what to expect when it comes to your monthly mortgage. Plugging the interest rate and mortgage amount into a simple mortgage calculator is a good way to get started. This type of calculator doesn't include property taxes or other fees like mortgage insurance. For the best estimate on your future mortgage payment, you'll want to try out an advanced mortgage calculator.

Tips to Find an Affordable Home Mortgage

Residents of some rural communities are eligible for affordable, low-interest loans. These loans are available to people who live in low income areas. To see if your neighborhood falls within one of these areas visit the USDA income and property eligibility site. Many areas in Indiana fall within this category.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority also has down payment assistance programs, programs to help you find low interest rates, and opportunities for tax credits. Visit the IHCDA to see what programs are available in your county.

Learn about the steps to home-ownership at Habitat for Humanity. To qualify for a Habitat home, you'll have to attend home owner courses, do several hours of sweat equity, and pass credit and background checks. Once you've completed the process, you'll be given a low-interest loan at monthly payments you can afford. The path to home-ownership is not for the faint of heart. A Habitat partner-family representative will lead you through the process and a qualified loan officer will work with you to insure that your payment is one that you can maintain long term.

Pathstone is another non-profit that focuses on housing counseling. PathStone offers housing education and counseling in locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Puerto Rico. If you're renting, delinquent on a mortgage, or wanting to purchase a new home, this program will guide you on the best steps to move forward. The counselors at Pathstone can even serve as your advocate through the mortgage processes mentioned above.

The Corona Virus was hard on housing. In 2020, the housing market changed and not for the better. However, there are many Covid Relief grants and special programs to help current homeowners bounce back from missed payments and loss of income. For those looking to purchase a new home, the news isn't as friendly. 

The shortage of affordable homes will get worse because the price of homes skyrocketed in 2020 and beyond. However, CNN has announced that the housing market will weaken in 2021. That may be bad for real estate agents, but it's good news for anyone looking to purchase an affordable family home.  If you are still on a tight budget and can't afford to buy a new house, you can temporarily rent apartments near Boston or other large cities while you work toward your long term goals.

Housing predictions for 2022.

Additional Resources:

Government Mortgage Information and Relief -Government guidance & support for homeowners

The Home Loan Expert - Indiana mortgage advice and expertise

How to save for a House - Actionable tips for buying your first home

Recommended Reading:

How to Apply for a Habitat House

The First Time Homeowner's Guide

Tips to Help you Settle into your New Home

DIY Home Repairs, You can do it!

Solutions to these 3 Common Home Issues

While there is plenty of joy involved in becoming a homeowner, maintaining your home can prove a costly affair in many ways – especially if you have pets or children. Luckily, remedying any persistent home repair issue is easy when you know where to start. Here are some DIY solutions to the most common home issues that could pop up at any time. DIY home repairs? Yes, you can do it!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Damage to the roof 

If you're to prevent any lasting damage occurring on your roof, it's important to keep your roof shingles and your gutters in tip-top condition. Old and flimsy shingles can lead to nasty leaks, which can result in irreparable damage to your ceiling and the foundation of your home, while clogged, or broken gutters will not aid the water in flowing off the of the roof efficiently. The accumulation of water is certain to lead to the erosion of your roofing and, in time, significant leaking too. It can also lead to leaks in the walls and foundation, depending on your structure. The solution to this problem is to rope in the professionals to conduct repairs and to strive to call them back at least once a year to maintain the roof. That's how you can easily do it. If you want to do it yourself, check out the roof shingle repair video below. 

Don’t have the money necessary to get the job done and stuck with a bad credit history in your name? It may be time to consider loans for bad credit.  Sometimes, you just need a little extra help, right?

Clogged toilet

A clogged toilet can often mean the need to call on plumbers for assistance – which can tug at the purse strings. You'll probably be relieved to discover that there are a variety of other options available to you if you're trying to save your cash for other necessities. Of course, the first step is always to try your luck with a plunger. However, if that doesn't work, the next best thing is to try using some baking soda and vinegar. Yes, it really could be that simple!

Throw a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and leave for a minute or two. You can follow the baking soda with two cups of white vinegar. The vinegar naturally reacts with the baking soda, causing it to bubble – so add it bit by bit to avoid overflowing. Leave to sit once again for a few minutes before flushing the toilet. In many cases, the baking soda and vinegar concoction will be enough to loosen the clog and allow the water to move along smoothly. Bet you didn't know that! You can always try some Liquid Drano, but it's got a hefty price tag.

Need some extra help? Watch this video on how to unclog a toilet with a snake. You might not want, but you CAN do it!

Stains on your carpet

Whether your dog is the one responsible for the mud stains on your cozy woolen rug, or your youngest kid spilled juice all over the freshly vacuumed carpet, nothing can cause a homeowner stress quite like a bad stain on the carpet or upholstery! It feels so permanent. According to Wellness Mama, aside from using nasty chemicals to get rid of it, there are several natural stain removal solutions that you can try. For instance, you may choose to make a paste using warm water and baking soda. Apply it to the stain and leave to dry. Once thoroughly dry, you can vacuum up the residue, and the stain should lift along with it. If that doesn't work, watch the video on carpet stain removal below.

Now that you know how best to tackle the most common home repairs, there's no need to stress about these common home issues any longer, be confident that you can do anything you set your mind to do. Remember, you just need a positive attitude and some great YouTube videos on DIY home repairs!

Recommended:

Tips for Settling into your NEW HOME



Pin it!

Keep Household Safe. Remember, Safety First!

How to Create a Safe Family Home

Your home should be a safe environment where you and your family can relax, unwind, and spend quality time together. Unfortunately, break-ins and accidents in the house do occur, which can leave families feeling anxious or unsafe. However, there are many simple things you can do to improve the security of your home. Here are some top tips to help you create a safe living environment for you and your family. 

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

Advancements in technology mean that there are plenty of ways to upgrade your home security. For instance, there is now the option to wireless home alarm systems that offer automated updates, enhanced security, smart home integration, and Wi-Fi communication options that can deliver updates directly to your mobile phone or another device. Many studies have found that a home alarm system is one of the most effective deterrents to burglars and other criminals. Upgrading your home security system is, therefore, an excellent way to improve your security and create a safer family home. You can make your home even more secure by installing security cameras on your property. Security cameras have been shown to be another effective way to deter criminals from targeting your home, thus reducing your chances of having a break-in. Home security cameras also now come with several high-tech safety features, including night vision and motion detection.

Have work completed by professionals  

When your home requires repairs or work to be carried out, it is always best to hire professionals who have received enough training to do a safe and quality job. Doing things like installations and repairs yourself may save money, but you risk causing more damage or leaving your home in an unsafe condition during and after you have carried out the work. It is therefore always worth seeking the advice and skills of a trained professional, especially with risky or complex home jobs. Fortunately, you can easily find local professionals to complete tasks, such as expert washer and dryer installation by checking comparison websites online. These sites also give you the opportunity to find the best rates and read reviews from other customers. 

Install outdoor lighting 

Outdoor lighting is another effective burglar deterrent that will help you and your family feel safe when returning home after dark. Having sufficient lighting outside with also minimize the risk of people tripping or having other accidents when passing through poorly-lit outdoor spaces at night. You can also install motion detector lights in your front and back yard to make your home more secure. These will notify you if anyone enters your yard and will help deter criminals from targeting your home. 

Teach children how to stay safe 

It is crucial that you teach your children how to stay safe at home, and you should also test whether they understand the importance of this advice. According to childhood101.com - “Regularly role-playing different scenarios is one of the most effective ways to ensure that your child will act safely should the unexpected actually happen.” 

Here are some of the critical things you should teach your children to help them remain safe at home: 

• Explain to your children that they should never answer the door to strangers. 
• Make sure that your children know their full address, home telephone number, and parents names. 
• Teach your children when and how to get help in an emergency - make sure they know how to call emergency services in your area. 

Check your front door 

Your front door is the main entrance and exit of your home, so it is extremely important. Burglars often target the front door and use this to access a property. For that reason, you should regularly check your front door for any weaknesses and ensure that it is secure at all times. You can easily enhance the security of your front door by installing a deadbolt strike plate. Or, you can improve any weak spots by using a doorway reinforcement kit.

Keep items stored away 

Having toys and other items left out around the house can cause accidents like trips and falls. Keeping your house clean and clutter-free will help reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries occurring. What’s more, having expensive items visible through windows or left in the yard, could attract burglars and encourage criminals to target your home. You should, therefore, encourage your children to put their toys away when they are finished with them. Make sure that you also keep any valuable items out of sight and locked away where possible. 

Creating a safe family home is crucial, which is why keeping the tips above in mind is key. By creating a haven to relax and rest in, you can sleep easy at night, knowing no harm will come to your family. 

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Kitchen Safety Tips for Kids

How to Keep the Kitchen a Safe Place 

Thinking of doing a kitchen remodel? As parents, we need to remember to always put safety first. This is especially true when you have toddlers. Little ones often get into mischief, and you want to know that they’re out of harm's way. To toddlers and preschoolers, the kitchen is a magical place. When they wander into the kitchen, they also wander into an area that has several safety hazards. So, how do you keep the kitchen a safe place for your kids?

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Make your kitchen kid-friendly by paying attention to the small details. Ensure things like
fires, injuries from sharp objects, and slip and falls are avoided whenever possible. Below are some ways that you can help you  learn how to keep the kitchen a safe place for toddlers and adults alike!

Kitchen Safety Tips 

Invest in Good Lighting 

As simple as it may sound, having good lighting is a great way to make your kitchen safe for kids. When you have good kitchen lighting, you can see what you’re doing and reduce the risk of accidents. The fun thing about choosing lighting for your kitchen is that there are so many different types to choose. Good kitchen lighting should complement your interior design as well, as, give you enough light to use your space in all the ways that you want. We use our kitchen as our homeschool room, so lighting is a key factor. To modernize your kitchen for better safety, under cabinet lights often serve double duty as spotlight lighting for preparing food on the worktops, and as softer lighting in the evening when the main lighting is switched off. 

Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby 

Fires are a common occurrence, and because there are so many hazards in the kitchen, everyone should have a fire extinguisher in their kitchen. It has been said that over 150,000 fires take place in the kitchen every year, so you want to be prepared in case it ever happens to you. Place the kitchen fire extinguisher near your stove so that it’s easy to grab quickly. You’ll also need to learn how to use it, There are many online resources that teach how to use a fire extinguisher or contact your local fire station . Lastly, note that fire extinguishers have inspection dates that expire, so ensure that you’re up-to-date.  

Store Objects in Cabinets 

If you have sharp objects or ones that could harm your toddlers, you should put them into cabinets. This will ensure that they’re out of reach and minimize the risk of accidents. If you don’t have cabinets, or the kitchen cabinets that you have aren’t secure, you should install new ones. Cabinet Doors ‘N’ More sell quality cabinet doors; their replacement cabinet doors are made from solid woods, such as hard maple, paint-grade hard maple, red oak, and cherry. 

Slip-Resistant Flooring 

Slips and falls happen all of the time, but there are several ways to help prevent these kitchen accidents. The kitchen is especially prone to accidents like water spillage and cooking grease. So, you should get slip-resistant flooring installed in the kitchen. Some examples are wood with a flat finish, textured vinyl, or laminate flooring. Kitchen laminate happens to be somewhat easy to install and it's very durable. 

First Aid Kit 

In the event that an accident does happen, you should have access to a quality first-aid kit. Keep it in a cupboard, on a shelf ,or in your kitchen storage pantry for easy access. Some items you should have in your kitchen first aid kit include: bandages for cuts, dressings, and burn ointment. 


Whether you're giving your kitchen a quick makeover to make it safer for the kids, or a full kitchen remodel, we hope you find these kitchen safety tips for kids, especially toddlers, helpful. For more family activities and safety tips, please follow us on Pinterest.

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Firework Safety Tips for Kids

5 Solutions To Help You Settle Into Your New Home

New Home Tips

We recently moved to a new house. It's a fixer upper. Moving to a new house is so exciting– the newness of the property and getting to know all its different quirks and eccentricities is second to none. Even if you feel a little homesick for your previous property, those feelings will soon disappear as you get used to your new one. The sooner you settle in, the sooner you will feel right at home, so it’s important to set this in motion from day one. Here are 5 solutions to help you settle into your new house and how you can settle into your new home faster and start enjoying it from the first few weeks.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, if you click and make a purchase, I get a small commission.

1. Tackle The Big Stuff 

There will be certain jobs to do in your new home that are big and off-putting. These include putting your bed together and making it, and setting up the living room furniture and perhaps the TV too. It can be far more tempting to start with the smaller jobs, like unpacking ornaments and kitchen utensils.

The problem is that these smaller jobs won't help you settle in. Will it matter if all of your DVDs are on the shelf if you're sleeping on a mattress in the floor? It's far better to do the big jobs first, and then you will feel more relaxed and can tackle the many smaller ones that follow.

Now, that your settling in, learn how to diy common home issues.

2. Have A Storage Room

It might not be possible depending on the size of your new home, but if you can, you should set aside a room to be used as a storage room. This might be a spare bedroom, or a study, for example. All the boxes and bits can be stored in there, and that means the rest of the house is nice and tidy. You can then unpack those stored boxes a few at a time until they are all done without disrupting the rest of the house.

3. One Room At A Time

Following on from the point above, only focus on one room at a time and don’t move onto the next until it is complete. If you rush from room to room unpacking boxes as you come to them rather than searching for the box that goes in the room you are dealing with at the time, you will become flustered and overwhelmed, and the job will seem endless. Work in a more methodical way, and it will be a lot easier.

4. Don’t Forget The Garden

The garden is just as much a part of your home as any other room, and if it is a mess, then you won’t feel comfortable there. Take some time to tidy it up, even if it’s just mowing the lawn and weeding. When you have more time, you should put your own stamp on it by installing a pond from water-garden.co.uk or buying comfortable garden furniture to sit on.

5. Explore The Area

Once your home is how you want it, you should take the opportunity to explore your new area. You may have done some research on it before you moved (it’s a good idea to do this before you decide on a new property just in case the area isn’t as nice as you thought it was,) but there is nothing like being about to step out of your front door and work out where everything is.

At the very least, you'll need to know where the closest supermarket is, and how to get to the nearest town. Learning where the leisure facilities are and the best places to walk, as well as other attractions is another good idea. You'll definitely feel more at home when you know this information.

Recommended:

Layout your Furniture in your New House with this Free Tool

Fun Things to Make at Home

First Home Christmas Tree Ornament

How to make washing soap or safe homemade dish detergent recipe

Make Homemade Dishwasher Detergent at Home

It seems like everyone has a recipe for how to make washing soap or homemade dish detergent. Everyday, at least one pops op on Pinterest. I'm a little concerned by the ingredient list. Almost every recipe calls for Borax. Borax is toxic, it's bad enough we use it on our clothes or to make putty for a kid's craft. 

Yikes! I don't want that on my dishes (especially on those plastic items your aren't supposed to be washing due to chemicals being released at high temps). I imagine some toxins leach in too. What's a poor, stressed mommy to do? Make your own safe green detergent recipe. Enjoy!

Washed with homemade dish detergent we made.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

1 Tbs. Table Salt, 1 Tbs. Ice Cream Salt, 1 Tsp. (capful) Lemon Juice, 1 Tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 Tbs. Vinegar

I premix the salts and store them in an airtight container near the dishwasher and then scoop them out as needed into the dishwasher tray. 

Then, I pour in a capful of lemon juice, add the hydrogen peroxide to the prewash container and the vinegar to the rinse compartment. 

I have also added a Tsp. baking soda which helps keep your dishwasher clean and fresh, but sometimes it leaves a residue on the dishes. So, if you want to clean your dishwasher, add baking soda and run it without any dishes inside. 

Tip: (From Dishwasher Repairman) If you run the hot water in the sink before and a minute or two after you start the cycle it helps prevent soap and lime build up on the coils of your dishwasher. Also, I like to keep a spray bottle of equal parts vinegar and water handy to spray on dishes with dried on food. It seems to help. Now your safe. As for your dishwasher, IDK- read the manual. Not using regular store bought soap could void your warranty.

Recommended:

Natural Liquid Laundry Detergent*

Make Your Own Juice Packs, sort of*

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