5 Tips to Keep Your Home Safe While Selling

Selling your home can sometimes be a long drawn out affair. With people coming and going into the house every day and loads of strangers trampling through. It may seem like just a temporary inconvenience but it can unfortunately be far, far worse. 

Opening your home up to so many strangers is making yourself vulnerable to uncomfortable situations. Imagine you alone at home and suddenly the doorbell rings in the evening with random strangers asking to be let in because they heard your house was on sale. Not very comfortable or safe is it?

Whether its residential or other suburbs or a tiny cottage in the country, you never know who you are letting into your home. We hear all too often of thieves and other perpetrators taking advantages of open houses or people who are in a situation to willingly let them in. 

Although this is a definitely an inevitable part of home buying and selling, there are definitely safety precautions you can take to keep potential danger at bay. Besides why ever put yourself in an unsavory situation in your own home! 

Let's take a look at a few preventive measures you can adopt, to make the process a safer one for you -

1. Do not do it alone – If you don't have an agent helping you with the sale and handling buyers, it is best to avoid doing any showings all alone. Always have a friend, spouse or someone to give you company while you are letting people in to show them your place. Your risks will be significantly lowered if you do not show the house alone and it definitely isn't a chance worth taking. 
2. Get all the information – When showing someone your home or planning to make sure you take down all their contact information and call and check the phone number as well. Note down all address info and never let anyone in the home without an id of some sort. 
3. Invite visitors by appointment – Ask anyone who simply stops by for a look, to come back after scheduling an appointment. This tip helps you gauge who the serious buyers and those who just want to come have a look for fun. Also keep curious onlookers at bay by putting a ' showing by appointment only' line on your for sale sign if you have one or on the advertisement. 
4. Keep a phone with you – This may seem like a no brainer but it is easy to sometimes just leave your phone lying around on a busy and hectic day. Always have a phone handy on you. Check if it is fully charged and good to use before showings and open houses and keep it on you at all times throughout the process. Let friends or family know that you are having a showing and at what time the appointment is and keep an emergency number ready to speed dial on your mobile or cordless phone. 
5. Be careful of what information you give out – It is easy to fall into the trap of answering whatever questions potential buyers may ask you but never divulge information about your personal schedule, timings, who you live with or if you live alone and the like. It is also wise to not discuss what security systems you may have installed in the home. 

Selling a home can be a time consuming and tiring process. If you do not have a professional doing it for you, it is extremely important to safeguard yourself with a few common sense tools, even if you are rushed or busy.


Bio - Steve Lobo is a real estate agent and has been in the industry for the past 9 years. He has shown clients many properties over the years and also is expert in reverse mortgage options. He believes that safety comes first and often advises people on the same. In his spare time he writes and runs his own blog.

The Insurance Costs of Senior Driving

Research has shown that older drivers may have memory problems, slower reflexes and impaired vision, factors that increase the risk of having an automobile accident. Whilst drivers over the age of 25 generally enjoy lower rates, drivers over the age of 70 are often considered "high risk" by insurance companies because of the assumption of more accident risk. 

If you're a mature driver, you've probably already dealt with the frustration of car insurance. Your premiums may have risen already or your insurer may have dropped you entirely. You don't have to give up driving completely just because of expensive insurance, however. If you shop around and do a little legwork, you can make your insurance affordable again.

Think "Safe"

Insurers will give you a lower rate if you have a newer car with a high safety rating with safety devices installed, such as anti-theft devices. You'll also receive discounts for completely senior driving safety classes. Check with your insurer or the companies you're considering for a full list of ways to get discounts on your senior policy.

If you have an older vehicle, consider your current coverage levels. You may not need comprehensive coverage on a vehicle with a low replacement value and states that mandate car insurance usually only require liability coverage. Liability coverage is less than a fully comprehensive policy and will protect you from some or all personal liability claims in the event of an accident. 

Drive Less

If you're not driving every day and can cut your driving down further, you may be eligible for a limited driving discount or limited policy. The limited miles policy will cost you less than a standard policy. This option will not work for senior drivers who still use their car frequently, as violating the limited miles amount will cost you.

If your spouse is on your current policy with you but has a poor driving record, you may want to consider becoming the sole driver in the household. Seniors with past accidents will have higher premiums and a harder time getting coverage than seniors with good driving histories. The driving record of covered drivers on your policy is a factor in your rates, even if you're the main policyholder. 

Compare

Auto insurers offer different types of products and coverage prices to senior drivers. Contact each insurer in your area for a quote on their rates for senior drivers. Compare quotes by premium amount and coverage level to decide which policy will meet your needs at the lowest rate. Be honest about your driving record to ensure you're getting accurate rates to compare.

Some insurers have quote forms available online, but you may have to give out some personal information. If you're uncomfortable giving out the information on the Internet, contact the insurer by phone to receive an accurate quote. Don't sign any policy paperwork or make any payments until you've reviewed the policy in full and confirmed the coverage levels and premium amount. You can find more tips on how to control your motor spending at www.CarFinance247.co.uk.

Built to Last: The Clothes that can Stand-up to Messy Kids

Investing in kids’ clothes that are built to last is an absolute imperative for any parent. Buying low-quality, cheap clothing simply means that you’re going to eventually end up spending a fortune on replacements.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the children’s clothes that are really built to last, and can stand up to the ways of messy kids.

Invest in cotton

It may be tempting to save a few pounds here and there by buying poly-blend t-shirts and shirts for your children. Making such a decision is, however, a false economy.

Cotton is one of the hardest-wearing fabrics on the market, and is especially suited to messy kids who will be sliding around on the floor, pulling each other’s shirts and plastering themselves in mud.

Cotton may put a few extra pounds on your clothes shopping bill, but its hard-wearing nature ensures that it won’t tear easily and need replacing in a matter of days. 

If you’re a little short on funds to purchase cotton clothing for your kids, consider having a little spring clean, collecting up any unwanted items, like CDs or DVDs, and selling them on a website, such as Music Magpie; the extra investment will certainly pay off in the long run.

Jeans

Denim is famously hard-wearing; if it’s good enough for builders, dockers and pioneers, it’s surely good enough to stand up to messy kids.

The great thing about denim is that, due to its popularity, the cost is fairly low. A quick look around your local superstore will see you unearth some great deals, and you’ll be able to snag a decent pair of jeans for your child for only a handful of pounds. Many supermarkets even offer deals on multi-buys, making jeans an excellent trouser choice for your messy kids.

Raincoats and waterproof trousers

A day out at the park, especially in the UK, invariably involves rain. And where there’s rain, there’s mud. If you’re prepared, however, mud stains on your kids’ clothes is not something that need concern you.

In order to keep the mud stains at bay, invest in a quality raincoat and waterproof trousers. While it may be tempting to choose waterproofs that have your child’s favourite cartoon character on them, resist the urge and plump for some hard-wearing waterproofs, purchased from your local outdoor shop.

Although these waterproofs may cost a little more, they will pay for themselves in the long term, as they will offer a protective barrier to mud, dirt, paint and whatever else your kids find themselves covered in.

Homemade chic

Whatever fashion decisions you end up making on your child’s behalf, a great way to make your kid’s clothes more durable is to make a few alterations of your own.

Consider buying some stylish patches, or fabric stickers, and sewing - or sticking - them onto the elbows of your child’s jumpers, as well as the knees of their trousers. It will take a matter of minutes to make this alteration, but those few minutes could end up saving you a fortune in the long term.

5 Alternative Ways to Invest in Real Estate

It is indeed a lucrative option to invest in real estate. There is no dearth ways by which you can indeed ensure the best ways of earning manifolds like the way you have always wanted. From placing home for rent to passive investment in Real Estate, you will indeed experience some of the best ways to earn a lot of money like never before. Therefore, it necessitates you to know the 5 Alternative ways to invest in real estate.

Lower Taxes

Real estate investors are eligible for various tax incentives which can turn the fortunes in their favor. Since, it is able to allow loss to turn into profit from the money which has been saved from deductions. It usually pertains to actual cost related with financing, managing along with operating the property. 

Appreciation the market value of properties

Being the most prevalent and widely used ways of profiting of real estate, you are indeed assured of the best possible results. Since, the appreciation of the property is done on periodical basis and it happens at a faster level as compared to the market value. Therefore, you are assured of great returns with the passing of time. Great, isn’t it? 

Identify the inflation rate of the area

Prior to investing in real estate, you need to help yourself towards identifying the inflation rate of the area. The price of the home increases at par with the value of the commodities. You can equally understand in other way as well. For example, during inflation, the value of the real estate increases and so the rest. However, the cost of mortgage remains static. Thereby, you will be able to save money on the maintenance costs as there will be an immense cash flow from the rent. 

Budget the real estate investment

You can save money in couple of ways that is pre-tax and post tax positive cash flow. A pre-tax positive cash flow signifies that the income is more than expense and the second method means that the expenses are comparable more than the collected income. In such cases, thanks to tax breaks, you are able to ease yourself. Hence, it is important to budget your real estate investment so that you are able to save a big chunk of your money by equally earning profits in the process as well. 

Purchase below market value

There are property sellers who are in immediate need to get their equity out of property. Hence, in such cases, they have no other option than to let go their prized property at far below market value. The properties which are in the verge of foreclosure will indeed take far less than the actual market value. This is indeed done so that further marketing expense can be avoided. At the time of purchasing the property, as an owner you are bound to enter an equity position (your profit) in the transaction.

Finally, aforesaid are the 5 Alternative Ways to Invest in Real Estate. You will indeed be enjoying to the fullest. Hence, strengthen your finances like never before.

Author Bio:

Raj pharmacist, real estate business expert and blogger from Hyderabad has various blogs on all kind of niches which include finance-insurance and financenize

Online Coupons Can Help You Save Money

In any budget, buying food is one of your largest expenses. If you're like me your bills and expenses are not keeping up with your income. Over the last few years people have had to relearn how to stretch their money by budgeting more carefully and finding ways to get more value for their dollars.

One terrible by product of smaller food shopping budgets is, people end up purchasing cheaper more convenient foods. These foods are more processed and have lower nutritional value . As good parents you want to offer your children highly nutritious foods but it's hard when you have less money to spend. We need to learn new ways to give our children healthy foods without breaking the budget.

Have you heard about online coupons? This may be one way to solve your problem. Online coupons help those people who want to save money and time. Online coupon site Save1.com is a good place to start your coupon search. Here are the benefits of online coupons to help in your goal to save money:

• Purchasing an online coupon when you are busy can help you save money. If you are going to compare two brands of food, you will notice that they are just the same when it comes to the nutritional value. Buy the food that offers a coupon and pocket the difference. If you want to save money and the time, before you shop, surf the Internet to find online coupons.
• An online coupon can help you choose the less expensive but nutritious foods. This type of coupon is offered to promote and help people find foods that can be both nutritious and affordable.
• Online coupons allow you to purchase the same brands you always have. Saving money with coupons allows you to not have to purchase the cheaper off brands which may not be as nutritious. The makers of online coupons want to help people save money when shopping for food.
• If you thought the only way to serve healthy meals to was to spend a lot of money, coupons allow you to actually reduce the costs and stretch your weekly food shopping dollar.  With the help of online coupons you can focus more on the needs of your family and not worry so much about not being able to feed your them.

There is another benefit that online coupons can give. Many coupons offer recipe ideas that show you how to properly prepare your meals and offer tastier dinners your family will love. You can even find the best recipes that can help you lower the calories and eat more healthy.

How To Avoid Common Tax Mistakes

When you file your taxes then you need to do it with full carefulness. This is necessary to avoid unnecessary mistakes you may make. To get together your tax return you need to organize all the information. After this double check the returns to ensure that these are accurate and complete. 

When you file the tax return for the first time then you need to be more careful. The common tax mistakes you need to stay away from are: 

1. Missing Social Security Number

This is a very common error made by people while filling the tax form. Do not forget to fill your Social Security Number. IRS gets numerous tax returns every year without or with wrong attached Social Security Numbers. If you make this mistake then it would hinder to process your tax return. Entering the wrong one would lead to rejection of all the exemptions and deductions claimed by you. Moreover, any of your refunds would be put to hold and late fees can be asked for the money you owe to IRS. Double check Social Security Number of yours and your claimed dependents. Look at the Social Security cards to verify it exactly. 

2. Failing to add all the income sources

Add the documentation of your income to tax return. Add the copies of all the W-2 forms received by you in the year. Also add 1099 income as well as any miscellaneous income earned by you. If you fail to add some income received by you then it would give a negative impression about hiding something. This may make IRS have a closer look to your return. It may lead to asking for audit and additional documentation. If you do not have forms to show income from any company then contact that company immediately. Request for 1099 and W-2 from all your employers. 

3. Math errors

Lots of people file the returns manually. This increases the chances to make mathematical errors. Even a small error can make you owe a huge amount of money. If you claim too much income and too less deductions due to math errors then you can find yourself paying more taxes than otherwise. So always double check using a calculator or tax preparation software.

4. Forgetting to add payment

Always check your envelope to ensure you have put your money order or check with tax return. You can e-file as well to make payment electronically. In case you cannot pay the entire amount then you can contact IRS for making payment arrangements.

Author Bio: Leona is a content writer and writes on all the niches of this field. She elaborately covered this topic on how to avoid common tax mistakes. You can place orders of discount checks online unlimited to take care of your financial worries.