Ready to buy a home? You'll likely need a mortgage to ensure you can afford your dream residence. Lucky for you, many banks and credit unions are happy to help you discover a mortgage that suits you perfectly.

Ultimately, meeting with a mortgage lender may seem stressful at first. But this meeting can serve as a valuable learning opportunity, one that allows you to select a mortgage that is easy to understand and matches your budget.

When you meet with a mortgage lender, here are three of the questions to ask so you can gain the insights you need to make an informed decision:

1. What mortgage options are available?

Most lenders offer a broad range of mortgage options. By doing so, these lenders can help you choose a mortgage that meets or exceeds your expectations.

Fixed-rate mortgages represent some of the most popular options for homebuyers, and perhaps it is easy to understand why. These mortgages lock-in an interest rate for a set period of time and ensure your mortgage payments will stay the same throughout the duration of your mortgage.

Meanwhile, adjustable-rate mortgages may prove to be great choices for many homebuyers as well. These mortgages may feature a lower initial interest rate that rises after several years. However, with an adjustable-rate mortgage, you'll know when your mortgage's interest rate will increase and can plan accordingly.

2. Do I need to get pre-approved for a mortgage?

Pre-approval for a mortgage usually is an excellent idea, and for good reason.

If you get pre-approved for a mortgage, you may be able to enter the homebuying market with a budget in mind. That way, you can pursue houses that fall within a set price range and avoid the risk of overspending on a home.

On the other hand, you don't need to be pre-approved for a mortgage to submit an offer on a home. But with a mortgage in hand, you may be able to gain an advantage over the competition, one that might even lead a home seller to select your offer over others.

3. How long will a mortgage last?

Many mortgages last 15- or 30-years – it all depends on the type of mortgage that you select.

A lender can explain the length associated with various mortgage options and highlight the pros and cons associated with these mortgages.

Moreover, you should ask a lender if there are any prepayment penalties if you pay off your mortgage early. This may help you determine whether a particular mortgage is right for you.

When it comes to finding a lender, don't forget to meet with several banks and credit unions. This will allow you to discover a lender that offers a mortgage with a low interest rate. Plus, it enables you to find a lender that makes you feel comfortable.

If you need assistance in your search for the right lender, be sure to reach out to a real estate agent. This housing market professional can provide details about local lenders and ensure you can accelerate your push to acquire your dream residence.

When you have a small yard, you may feel like there’s not much you can do with your landscaping scheme. The good news is that there is plenty that you can do to perk up your yard and give it some character. Read on for tips for your small yard. 

A Yard With A View

First, you should create a focal point in your yard. You want a place that your eyes are drawn to each time you enter your yard. This focal point could be a fountain, a pergola, a tree, or even some outdoor artwork.

Create An Intimate Spot

Even though your backyard might be small, having a spot for intimate conversation and entertaining can be a nice touch to your yard. When there is a space that exists for reading, relaxing, eating, or whatever you like to do outside, it becomes more inviting. This is landscaping with a purpose.   

Use Color To Your Advantage

Make bold colors pop in your yard. Attention will be detracted from the size of your yard and the focus will switch to the beautiful blends and colors that are in the space. Placing bright colors strategically will even make your yard appear larger. 

Trick Imagery

By creating a focal point and allowing your yard to form in long, clean lines, the perspective of the outdoor space will change from small to just right. One trick is to use fences to define your yard. If you have a garden, you can use a small fence to define this area. Define the boundaries of your backyard with a fence as well. Repeating rows of flowers or bushes is another way to create those straight, defining lines. 

Use Vertical Features

When space is limited, just as you would in the inside of your house, don’t be afraid to go up! You can plant things that grow on a vine and can be tamed with a trellis or pergola. This creates and elegant effect in your home. 

No Lawn No Problem

If your yard is small enough that you may not even have much grass, don’t fret. Any kind of greenery can help you to enjoy nature. Whether you live in a rural area or a large cityscape, there’s always room for plant life and green natural accents.      

Don’t Forget To Add What You Love

If you have an admiration for sitting by the fire, you certainly should install a fire pit. If you want a fountain, you should install it. No matter what the size of your yard, it’s a place that you love and should serve you and your needs. No yard is too small for enjoyment. The key is that your outdoor space allows you to bask in the glory of your own little piece of natural heaven.    

 

Out of all the rooms of a house, the children's room is the one that can be the most fun to decorate. Bright colors and creative decorations are fun to plan for a children's room whether you're an expecting parent or if you and your child want to change up their room a bit. A children's room is also the room in your house that will see the most change as your child ages. Sure, it will be sad when they tell you they're too old for baby decorations, but it just means you get to make more fun changes to their room together. You can be creative in decorating just about every area of a child's bedroom. So, here are some fun ideas, from the floor to the ceiling, that your kids will love.

Floors

A children's room floor sees a lot of wear and tear. Spilled drinks, crayons, and other forms of destruction are sure meet the floors of a child's play space. So you probably don't want to leave exposed expensive hardwood flooring; at least until they're older. There are, however, a number of creative ways to floor a children's room that are fun and kid-friendly. Foam puzzle tiles are a classic example. They are colorful and can be placed in any order you and your child decide. They're fun to build together, plus they're soft and squishy enough to help you avoid some crying fits when your child falls down. When one of them starts to get worn down or stained, just pop it out and replace it with another.

Walls

There are a lot more fun things to do with your kid's room's walls other than just painting them a fun color. Painting is a good place to start, though, so pick some bright, pastel colors that are fun but also easy on the eyes. You could stick with the same old pink and blue for girl and boy, but a more creative option is to go with green, orange, or purple hues. Plus you might get more use out of them if you have a second child who will eventually move in to that room. For other creative wall ideas you could...

• Build a whiteboard or chalkboard into the wall
• Make a super-hero changing station where you hang your child's costumes
• Hang a wall-sized map to get them interested in learning
• Paint or buy a tree decal that they can turn into a family tree
• Paint the walls white or light blue and buy a sticker kit to make the room look like an aquarium

Ceiling

There's no need to stop the fun once you reach the ceiling in your children's room. It may seem like there's not much you can do to make the ceiling interesting but you might be surprised. You could...

• Buy glow in the dark stickers like stars, moons, and space ships
• Buy a projector that shoots lights onto the ceiling
• Hang lights and fans that fit the theme of the room (like clouds, for example)
• Paint the ceiling to be an extension of the scene on the wall

  Now that you have some ideas for your kids room, try to make them your own by adding something unique. Have fun!  

Tastefully renovated & absolutely charming 1900’s Colonial on lightly traveled street in the Harrington School District! Enjoy pleasing fir, pine flooring, mahogany railings & newel posts, period stained glass windows, 9’ ceilings & airy spaces. Recent renovations perfectly complement: stunning cook’s kitchen w/open floor plan, high end stainless steel appliances, gas cooking, Omega cherry cabinets, pretty granite counter tops, attractive lighting & breathtaking sunset views. Charming gas fireplace in living room surrounded by custom built-ins, all baths have been handsomely updated, oversized master bedroom features enviable walk-in closet w/cedar storage & the 3rd floor offers perfect teenage or office suite w/spacious bedroom w/skylights, bath, walk-in closet. Recently replaced siding, roof & windows leave time to enjoy prvt. fenced backyard w/ Azek deck. Additional 18,000 SF lot provides privacy, play area, potential future structure. Walk to Arlington Res & Whipple Hill....enjoy!

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