Top Five Costly Home Buyer Mistakes

Aside from being a huge financial decision, buying a home is an emotional roller coaster. It's easy to make mistakes when you're swept up in the excitement of it all. There are many common buyer errors to be aware of - here are just a few to look out for:

1. Location, Location, Location - Determining the location that best suits your family's lifestyle is critical. Make sure you consider things like public transportation, schools, proximity to stores and crime rates. It's also important to plan ahead so if you hope to start a family in your new home, consider features like local parks and school zones even though they're not an immediate priority.
2. Choosing the Wrong Home - It's so easy to be taken in by a home's curb appeal but if it doesn't have that critical third bedroom, walk away! Buyers also get caught up in a home's beautiful furniture and decor only to realize on closing that when the stylish furniture's gone, only chipped and faded paint remains. You need to be aware of the features that fit your family's lifestyle before looking at homes, so make a list and stick to it.
3. Buying a Home that's Too Expensive - Buyers will often look at homes that are way out of their price range which they obviously fall in love with. Because they've overextended themselves, they're often forced to sell - usually at a loss. Avoid the temptation by ensuring you only view homes you know you're able to afford.
4. Not Getting a Home Inspection - Getting a home inspection is money well spent. Just because you've viewed the home for an hour doesn't mean all is well behind the scenes. Making an offer contingent on a home inspection ensures there aren't any nasty surprises lurking in the basement or attic that could end up costing you thousands of dollars.
5. Being Too Cautious - The house you've fallen in love with today could be sold tomorrow if you don't move quickly. Avoid this regret by doing your research ahead of time so you're confident enough to act swiftly when the time comes. Always get a mortgage pre-approval beforehand and take advantage of the services offered by your Realtor such as estimating the home's value by comparing it to others that have recently sold.

As buying a home is a very emotional experience, it's important to stay grounded so you don't make any errors that will cause you to second guess your purchase. To avoid these regrets at a later date, make sure you conduct your research ahead of time, know what features you're looking for in a home and be prepared to make a strong offer when the time's right.

How to Slash Your Grocery Bill

If you're like most people, you tend to wander around the grocery store spontaneously adding hoards of unnecessary items to your cart. It's easy to go over budget if you're not careful so read on to learn how a few smart choices can save you thousands of dollars off your grocery bill each year!

• Do you have loads of food but nothing to make dinner with? Planning your meals ahead of time will help you avoid this problem. A list will also help you avoid impulse purchases.
• Never shop when you're hungry as you'll end up purchasing additional items you wouldn't normally buy such as delicious looking desserts.
• Leave the kids at home as they always find ways to sneak extra items into the cart and can distract you from working out the best deals.
• Don't be enticed by the items on display at eye level. Higher and lower level shelves are where the cheaper products are placed.
• Make sure to compare unit prices to determine whether or not they're cheaper. The unit price is usually calculated under the main price - bigger isn't always better!
• Try to buy large quantities when they're on sale as long as you can use them by the expiration date. Purchasing a second freezer will pay for itself in no time.
• Don't forget to keep your coupons clipped to your shopping list or in your wallet. There's nothing more frustrating than realizing you've left them at home.

Lots of us are feeling the pinch due to rising food costs so now's a great time to change our shopping habits. By incorporating just two or three of these tips, you'll notice a substantial difference in your grocery bills. It adds up quickly - a weekly savings of $50 amounts to a staggering $2,600 a year!

Today's Tip For A Greener Life

No, it's not your imagination - it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade. But staying cool this summer doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night. Here are 10 tips - most costing less than $25 - that will keep you comfortable and cut the typical $1,000 cooling bill by as much as half. What's needed to get the temperature to drop? Only a little time and a few changes in your routine. Tip: Use Sunblockers As much as 20% of summer heat enters your home as sunlight shining through windows. To cut "solar gain," add curtains or blinds to rooms that get direct sun and draw them in daylight hours. With the shades drawn, a well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees. Pay special attention to west-facing rooms late in the day. Shades and blinds to consider include roller shades (the least expensive option), venetian-type micro-blinds, reflective curtains and insulated curtains (the most expensive, at $100 per window). Cost: $8 to $100 per window Benefit: Up to 20% of your cooling bill Source: David Dobbs, This Old House