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Food For Thought When Buying A Home

When buying a new home, here are some things to keep in mind as you move forward.

Andrew R. McKinley

Aug 21, 2018

National Storytellers Society

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You might not really think about what all is involved when buying a house, not at least until you are faced with it all and, it can be a little overwhelming. I know for myself, as a second time home buyer, there are still things that hit me in the face like a tree branch when trying to make decisions. Ultimately the people you should lean are for help, advice, any and all questions is that of your lender and realtor. But, take it from me it doesn't hurt to do some of your own research as well just take everything with a grain of salt and consult the professionals.

First things first. Understand your finances.

Save Money

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You have to know what you can and cannot do when looking to buy a new home. This is not just referring to the price range of the home itself. There is also the closing costs, the costs of paying for an inspector, and then if you already own a house, you need to remember to take its mortgage and utilities into consideration if you don't plan to sell it before you buy another place. I believe the safe rule-of-thumb is: your take-home income should be three-times what your predicted rent/mortgage and utility payment will be.

Choosing a Realtor.

Realtor

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Second of all, when it comes to choosing a realtor to either sell or help you buy a home. Do not, and I repeat, do not settle for the first realtor you speak with. Take some time, do some research on your area or the area in which you wish to buy. Check reviews and, don't be afraid to treat it like an interview process. You want to make sure you are working with someone who has your best interests in mind that listens to your wants and needs and is proactive. You shouldn't have to do most of the house hunting yourself. But ultimately find someone you're comfortable with.

What are you looking for?

Floor Plans

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Take time to understand what it is your looking for and what meets your needs. Then, think about what level or amount of deviation from these wants and needs you would be willing to accept. Remember, already built homes were built by someone else and likely is designed after their needs or wants. I haven't found a home that didn't have something I would change or remodel.

Negotiate

Negotiate

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Don't be afraid to haggle with the price. In a lot of cases, the seller will take what they absolutely have to sell the house for, the estimated worth of the home and then add a little. I owed $83k left on my previous mortgage, the home was estimated to work $100k, and I put it on the market for $115k. This gave me room to haggle with potential buyers. But besides that, you can ask for the seller to pay your share of the closing costs; this is especially important to remember if you're in a situation where you cannot afford those costs out of your own pocket. Or you could ask them to split the cost, or request certain repairs to be done and you'll offer this, the list goes on. But, in the end, again, take advice from your realtor.

Syllabus Week As Told By Kourtney Kardashian

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

University of Iowa

789

Winter break is over, we're all back at our respective colleges, and the first week of classes is underway. This is a little bit how that week tends to go.

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

Kuwtk Keeping Up With The Kardashians GIFfrom Kuwtk GIFs

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

Kardashian GIFfrom Kardashian GIFs

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Kourtney Kardashian Keeping Up With The Kardashians GIFfrom Kourtney Kardashian GIFs

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Whatever GIFfrom Meh GIFs

Now it's time to get back into the REAL swing of things. Second semester is really here and we all have to deal with it.

syllabus week

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Chips, apple or bread?

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Whether you specialized in ringing people up or preparing the food, if you worked at Panera Bread it holds a special place in your heart. Here are some signs that you worked at Panera in high school.

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

Definitely the worst part about working at Panera was the uniform and having someone cute come in. Please don’t look at me in my hat.

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Making the world safer through language.

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7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

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Recommended for you

Food For Thought When Buying A Home

When buying a new home, here are some things to keep in mind as you move forward.

In This Article:

First things first. Understand your finances.

Choosing a Realtor.

What are you looking for?

Negotiate

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It's happening.

Excitement

Relief

Excitement (again)

Sadness

Feeling Lost During Syllabus Week? You're Not Alone!

The professor starts to go over something more than the syllabus

You get homework assigned on the first day of class

There are multiple group projects on the syllabus

You learn attendance is mandatory and will be taken every class

Professor starts chatting about their personal life and what inspired them to teach this class

Participation is mandatory and you have to play "icebreaker games"

Everybody is going out because its 'syllabus week' but you're laying in bed watching Grey's Anatomy

Looking outside anytime past 8 PM every night of this week

Nobody actually has any idea what's happening this entire week

Syllabus week is over and you realize you actually have to try now...or not

Chips, apple or bread?

1. You own so many pairs of khaki pants you don’t even know what to do with them

2. Chips, apple or bread is probably your most repeated phrase

3. Taking bakery items with you out to parties was a must

4. Taking bakery items home to your parents was also a must (if you wanted to live)

5. Your friends expected you to give them free stuff

6. Being put on dishes made you question humanity

7. You saw everyone and their mother (especially their mothers)

8. Working the opening shift was actually the worst thing to ever happen to you

9. Being able to predict what people would order

10. Making coffee was your least favorite thing to do

11.Being put on the dining room was the absolute WORST

12. Secretly putting in your Panera card number when other people didn’t have them or want them.

13. You would still come in on days you weren’t working to take advantage of your discount

It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

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