If you’re planning on buying your very first home, chances are you are not taking the decision lightly, and for good reason. You should conduct as much research as possible about the process before you commit to your first home. Here are some things that every first time home buyer should know before purchasing a […]
Author: Benchmark
Lesson: Home Insurance 101
One aspect of buying a home that people don’t pay enough attention to is homeowner’s insurance. Although lenders require everyone buying a house to get some insurance covering basic risks like theft and vandalism, fire and smoke and other common forms of unintentional damage, such insurance is usually inadequate for your long term needs. Adequate […]
Preparing Your Home: Beat The Summer Heat
In order for you to beat the heat this summer, you will need to start preparing your home before the heat hits. There are several things that you can do to ensure that your home stays comfortable during the summer months. Below are some tips for preparing your home: Update Your Insulation This will help […]
Common Mistakes When Buying & Refinancing
When buying or refinancing a house, you will want to avoid common mistakes. If you can do so, you will save money and help your cause greatly. With this in mind, here are the top four common mistakes to avoid when you want to buy or refinance a house. Mistake 1: Not Understanding Rates First […]
Top 10 Family Vacation Spots
Where it used to be difficult to decide on a vacation spot that would please the whole family, a new trend, family-friendly resorts solves the problem of where to go for that great family trip. Experience everything from an African Safari to the Wild West with one of these top 10 family vacation spots. #1 […]
Preparing Your Kids For College
Teenagers who are in high school usually don’t understand what is ahead of them in college. Living on a college campus and dealing with the responsibilities of a higher education can be difficult for many students. Preparation beforehand is the key to having your kids know what to do before they head off. Live As […]
Top 10 Tips To Save Water This Summer
With the warm summer weather comes an increase in activities around your home, outside and inside, that use water. Here are 10 tips for smart water usage. Check Your Connections 1. Check hose connections and outdoor faucets for leaks. Replace or adjust them as soon as you notice a leak. Also watch lengths of hose […]
Keeping A Germ Free Home During Flu Season
Flu season can be a dangerous time of the year. We all like to think our home is safe and germ free, but germs can be lurking everywhere! Thankfully, there are ways that you can keep your home germ free during the flu season and keep your family healthy and safe! High-traffic Areas There are […]
Why Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage is Important
While plenty of people pick out the house they want and then go to the lender for a mortgage, this is actually quite backwards. If you are hoping to purchase a home soon, getting pre-approved for a mortgage should be the first item on your list. Here are some reasons why this will make buying […]
Top 10 Mortgage Tips
When getting a mortgage, you should do your research and know how to proceed wisely. For most inexperienced buyers, this is hard. However, if you can follow these top 10 mortgage tips for borrowers, you will land the best mortgage at the lowest APR. 1. Document Above all else, when you want to borrow a […]