Selling a house can be overwhelming yet time-consuming, similar to buying one. One may sell one’s house when downsizing, relocating, or trying to take advantage of a hot housing market. The process of selling a house has many steps and connected elements, which may cause one looking to sell the house to make certain errors. Avoiding these mistakes is crucial to safeguarding one’s finances and ensuring a smooth house-selling process. Misjudging the cost of selling Closing costs make up the largest portion of home-selling expenses. A few years ago, closing costs were estimated at 1 percent of the total sale price of houses. This percentage tends to fluctuate depending on the state of a given house and other factors related to the house sale transaction. Apart from closing costs, other expenses include preparing one’s home for listing. Then, if necessary, the costs are also associated with home improvements and repairs. All these costs mean that one may spend more than thousands of dollars when one decides to sell the house. Setting an unrealistic price tag When one sells one’s home, the temptation is always to price it as high as possible and then cash in on it once it is sold.

Owning a home is a huge financial decision that demands careful planning and proper evaluation of the property. Buyers, especially first-time home buyers, must consider various factors before making the purchase. Applying for a home loan can be a challenging process, and at times, people end up making mistakes that may lead to their applications getting rejected. It is crucial to carefully understand the process and avoid common errors to ensure a successful application. Ignoring credit check Credit score is a key factor to consider when it comes to home loans, car loans, personal loans, credit card applications, and more. It helps lenders determine how reliable the individual is and if they are eligible for the loan. The score can significantly affect the loan application and the chances of approval. Before applying for a home loan, individuals should check their score and take measures to improve it if needed. Check for any discrepancies; if any are present, speak to the bank to fix them. Unreliable debt-to-income ratio One of the key factors lenders consider before offering home loans to individuals is their debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. The ratio gives them a comparative overview of the obligations the individual has to take care of against their monthly gross income.

Ensuring the optimum safety of a home requires a bit of research to find the correct home security solutions. The holiday period proves to be the perfect time to invest in these home security systems, as the Black Friday sale lets you avail yourself of multiple deals as per your budget. Here are some estimates of the home security deals you can expect in 2022 based on offers from last year’s shopping season. 10 Black Friday home security deals to anticipate Level Lock The Black Friday sale is expected to bring more than a $50 discount on the set of smart locks offered by this brand. These are simple to install on the doors you currently have in your home. The locks also come in an in-touch edition and are app-enabled, so auto-lock and unlock can be easily achieved. Abode People looking for a home security system that works well with Alexa, Home Kit, and Google Assistant can opt for this brand. Abode is expected to provide its iota Security Kit at a discount of $70, just like last year. Furthermore, the Abode Cam 2 supports easy usage both indoors and outdoors and is also expected to be available at a discount of more than $12.

Every year, Black Friday comes with some of the most exciting deals. This day is meant to make everyone happy, both shoppers and retailers. Shoppers through the amazing deals available and retailers by the increased footfall and sales. From furniture to smart home devices, the list of products offered is endless. If you are considering buying some of the latest smart home devices on sale this Black Friday, then the following list might help you. Amazon Echo One of the most talked about smart home devices is the Amazon Echo. Alexa guides you through endless recipes and other instructional videos on voice command. The camera shutter gives privacy, and an entire home can be controlled by just one device. This product is likely to be on sale this Black Friday. Arlo Security Camera An indoor and outdoor security camera is almost necessary for a smart home. The features are endless as it streams at a 2K resolution and is fully weatherproof. The Arlo Security Camera is more suitable than other 1080p cameras. There is two-way audio that lets you see and communicate clearly with people before you let them into your home. On this sale extravaganza day, you can avail yourself of this device as it could be offered at a reasonable rate.

Vacuum cleaners are one of the most reliable home cleaning appliances. With the help of the machine, cordless or corded, one can get rid of dirt, cobwebs, and allergens found around the house. The device is used for cleaning purposes, therefore, it is vital to handle the vacuum cleaner correctly for optimal usage. That said, not everyone knows how to use a vacuum cleaner efficiently. Below are the common mistakes made while using them: Failing to empty or clean dust bags and filters It is important to empty and clean vacuum dust bags regularly. Failing to do so can affect the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner. Despite vacuuming, if you still notice dust stains on the carpet or the floor, it’s an indicator to empty the dust bag. Another tell-tale sign for the removal of dust bag is when your vacuum cleaner seems to be losing its suction power. The frequency of emptying the vacuum bags will depend on how often you use the device. A full vacuum dust bag will lead to an accumulation of dust and the breeding of bacteria and germs in the bag. Many latest models are equipped with disposable bags that are much more convenient.

With increasing sensitivity to allergens and rising pollution levels, air purifiers have become essential appliances. According to Bloomberg, the air purifier market will likely exceed $7 billion by 2032. This is not surprising at all, given how polluted the indoor environment can be, with the principal sources being dust, fires, car emissions, and cooking. Today you can find all kinds of purifiers, so here is all you need to know before buying one:  Top air purifiers Here are some of the best options for your home: Levoit LV-H132 One of the top-rated purifiers, the LV H132 by Levoit, is compact and small, with a capacity for filtering up to 129 square feet. It has a HEPA filter (or high-efficiency particulate air filter) capable of eliminating 99.97% of pollen, dust, odor, smoke, pet dander, and mold spores. It promises an outstanding performance backed by features like a three-stage filtration arrangement consisting of a HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, and a pre-filter. Additionally, it comes with three fan settings, allowing you to control the purifier’s volume and speed. Furthermore, it is so tiny that you can easily place it on your desk. Levoit VeSync Core 400S Smart air purifier While most top purifiers on this list effectively eliminate pollutants from the air, the VeSync Core 400S by Levoit goes one step further and allows you to check the air quality indoors as well as outdoors.

A vacuum cleaner is a great companion since it makes home or office cleaning efficient. But, buying the right one is not easy with multiple choices in the market. So, if you understand various factors such as the need, convenience, area and nature of your residence, product features, etc., it’ll help heaps. You will make a cost-effective purchase, one that’ll sustain for long. Here is a list of the most popular vacuums in the country: Upright vacuum cleaner from Shark APEX  This one is a must as it is one of the best bagless cleaners that can clean carpets and floors with equal effectiveness. Also, it is sealed, implying that the dust retention power is better. Although, the sound levels are pretty low, but even in the absence of the bag, its capacity to filter out small particles is exceptional. The added advantage of this model is its easy-to-convert feature in a canister. This feature, along with its 30ft long cord, helps the cleaner reach out to shady nooks and corners, below the furniture, and other tricky spots or crevices. You will also love that the HEPA filter is washable, which means you have less stress of replacing it regularly.

While most homes in the country have vacuum cleaners, only a few homeowners know how to use the device correctly. Although this versatile home appliance is convenient, it is an investment. However, by simply learning how to handle the machine, you can use it lifelong. Thankfully, most of the mistakes are avoidable. Let’s take a look at the six most common vacuuming mistakes that we tend to make and how to avoid them.   Six common vacuuming mistakes to avoid    Vacuuming in one direction This is the most common mistake homeowners tend to make. People often use the cleaner in a single direction. However, the appliance is designed to operate in both directions. When you use the cleaner in one direction, it sucks up the dust and grime from one direction and leaves behind the contaminants from the other side. However, when you use the appliance in both directions, a higher concentration and percentage of stubborn allergens, dirt, hair strands, and dust get removed. Optimal use of the device is possible only with bi-directional usage.   Using the machine too fast Most people believe that since the vacuum cleaner is a machine, it can do the work fast. While it is faster than manually dusting and brooming the floor, it still takes time to clean the place.

Keeping your surroundings clean and free of dust and germs is essential. Most people undertake cleaning rituals as a part of their daily chores. However, without realizing it, they may be doing more harm than good while going about the cleaning tasks. These common cleaning mistakes we often make leave behind a trail of dirt, allergens, and grime. Here’s a list of eight things to avoid doing when cleaning your home: Reusing sponges without disinfecting Most of us reach out for the sponge without even thinking twice, especially when wiping kitchen countertops and bathroom sink tops. Sponges are good absorbers of grime, but they are also perfect for facilitating the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms. When you repeatedly use the same sponge, it is easy for the bacterial growth to get transferred to your kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Such a mistake is common but one that can prove to be enormously costly. The solution is to use microfiber clothes to wipe these commonly exposed surfaces instead of a sponge. But if you love the sponge, make sure that you disinfect it from time to time. Also, ensure that you change the sponge or the microfiber cloth every month. Ignoring common touchpoints Every house has common touchpoints, like the door knobs or the taps.

Home renovations are a major task, especially if you own a big house with a complex design. A lot of deliberation must be done before the project can even begin. Right from coming up with ideas to drawing a plan on paper, you need to consider multiple factors before hiring professional contractors for the job. Further, you must avoid making the following mistakes in planning and executing the home renovation project. Miscalculating your budget Everything costs money. Whether simple repairs or a complete makeover, you must be prepared to spend your hard-earned bucks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t set a realistic budget. Typically, a home renovation is estimated to cost 10% to 15% of the home’s total value. Whatever the estimate, always keep an additional 10% to 20% buffer over the agreed amount. Experts suggest this as a general rule of thumb for calculating the final cost. Material and labor rates keep fluctuating, so you might end up underpaying or overpaying depending on the extent of the job. The bottom line is never underestimate the budget, or you may fall short of the actual costs. Neglecting the natural layout of your home Home renovation is a complex job. It involves making significant modifications to the entire space, including the living room, bedroom, and kitchen.