5 Savvy Ways to Save Money on a Home Purchase

When you look over the local real-estate listings, you'll notice many recent sales that seem to have astronomical figures attached to them. 

Buying real-estate is a major investment, but it doesn't have to be a far-fetched dream. There are ways to save money on a home purchase when you're aware of the industry's details. Consider these savvy ways to reduce the cost of that dream home.

Clean Up Your Credit

One of the best home buying tips is working on your credit. Many consumers aren't aware of their credit score or history. 

This information will directly influence your ability to buy and retain a home. Contact the credit companies and download your history. Read through every line item. Correct any items that are mistakes or incredibly old. 

A clean credit history will save you money on a home purchase because your mortgage interest rate can be much lower when your score is exemplary. Applying for a home loan with poor credit details will only increase your costs with each lender.

Look for Government Help

First-time homebuyers and people who fall under certain income levels may be eligible for government help during their home search. 

Speak to a lender who is experienced with government loans. These funds are designed for low-income individuals who're trying to create some wealth. There might be low down payments, reduced interest costs and other discounts applied to your loan. 

You simply need to be honest about your financial situation. The government wants to help everyone into a good home.

Save Up a Significant Down Payment

After the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009, it was harder to enter the housing market because of stricter guidelines. If you have time and the means, try to save up a significant down payment amount. 

The strict guidelines usually require a 20 percent down on any home. This amount could equal thousands of dollars, depending on the property. Ideally, you want to have more than the minimum down payment on a home. 

Because there's cash involved, the sellers may drop their price even further so that they can secure you as the buyer. Loans can fall through at any time, so most sellers prefer as much cash in the deal as possible.

Be Present for the Home Inspection

Save money on your home purchase by pointing out any flaws. The home inspector must go through the home before any transaction takes place. 

He or she will note any issues with the property. With this information, you can drop your bidding price based on the necessary repairs. Most sellers don't want to fix these items on their own so they'll agree to the lower price. 

You might be able to fix the issue for a lower price after you move in. As a result, you have a home that's a great deal with only minor problems to be fixed.

Negotiate With the Seller

Save money on your investment by simply talking with the seller. They may be in a hurry to sell the home because of a new job starting in a different state. 

Come to an agreement that pleases both parties. In many cases, you can lower your bid by a small amount, and the seller will accept the change. Be fair about your offers, however, and don't undermine the sellers. 

Everyone wants a fair shake in the real-estate industry.

You might consider contacting a real estate specialist company like Success Path for more information. Above all, be realistic when you shop for a home. 

It's easy to look at a huge property and justify its cost in your mind. However, your budget and family size will ultimately dictate the final property that you pick. 

An affordable mortgage and a happy family are your goals during this shopping process.

Digital Entertainment: 5 Tips For Saving Money On Your Television Service

Your television may be on for several hours out of each day, which makes it a popular device in any household. In fact, many families gather around the television as a way to bond and experience shows as a group. 

However, costs for your television service have steadily risen over the years. Although the audio and video feeds are incredibly clear, you don't want to pay a premium on your bill. 

Consider these money-saving tips that can help you lower your television service bill for good.

Give Corporate a Call

A clever way to lower your television bill is by contacting your provider, such as those at ACN. Don't be aggressive with your conversation because this strategy will only frustrate the operator. 

Be kind and persuasive as you build your case for a better price. In many cases, they can offer you a discount or package deal that's a promotion at the moment. The discount may be short-lived, but you'll still benefit from its savings for as long as it lasts. 

Avoid multiple calls regarding discounts, however. Asking for a discount each month will cause the television company to stop all discount packages on your account.

Be Honest About Viewing Habits

When you subscribed to a cable or satellite package, you may have signed up for nearly every channel. At this point, you need to survey your household's viewing habits. 

Ask everyone about their favorite shows and the channels that correspond to each time. You may find that most shows are on a handful of channels. You can potentially cancel other channel packages so that those charges aren't part of your bill anymore. 

It's possible to cut the monthly bill in half with enough cancellations to the packages.

Consider a Supplemental Streaming Service

Remove most channel packages from your cable bill while leaving the basic, network channels for everyone to enjoy. In addition, subscribe to a streaming service that carries the other shows and movies that you prefer. 

Many consumers are considering this strategy because streaming is very inexpensive compared to supporting channel packages of 20 or 30 networks. You'll be able to pick and choose your favorite shows through the streaming service. 

Use the cable's channels for late-breaking news, such as the main news networks.

Antennas Still Exist

Depending on your home's location, you may be able to supplement your cable or satellite bill with the old-fashioned antenna. Set-top and rooftop antennas are still viable in today's advanced-technology world. 

They receive digital signals now, which allows you to capture all of the free channels that still broadcast across a town or city. Simply set up the antenna so that it can catch all of the signals without any obstructions. 

You'll only receive a few channels, but the remaining networks can be found on your cable TV with a lower bill associated with it.

Accept a Lock Deal

Don't be afraid to accept a lock deal. These agreements between consumers and television providers will create a low price on a package, but you must agree to it for several months or years. 

In many cases, the lock deal may last up to two years. When the discount is significantly in your favor, it's a perfect deal to make. You simply need to calculate your savings before agreeing to it.

From your local Internet provider to international business there are many companies in the industry that can offer quality programming. Look over your bill, and confirm that it's a fair deal in your mind. 

Speaking with a provider representative is always possible when you're not pleased with the monthly charges. In the end, the company can help you find the right package that meets your needs.

Investment Management: How to Know You Are Making the Right Investment Choices

Investments can be risky. They can either get you a great reward, or they might cause you a loss. But investments can help your personal finances and even your retirement plan.

It comes down to having the right management when it comes to your investment management solutions. You want to make sure each one you make is calculated and that your chances of graining in money or assets have more of a chance of an increase than a decrease.

With so many possible investment choices available to you, how do you know that you are making the right decisions about your portfolio?

While investing is mostly subjective, there are ways to determine what strategies may work best to keep your money working hard for you.

What's Your Time Horizon?

If you have 30 years to grow your money, you are most likely better off with a growth portfolio geared toward stocks instead of bonds.

However, if you are closer to retirement, it may be better to preserve capital by investing in bonds or CDs. Index funds are a good way to preserve capital and achieve tangible returns for those in retirement or looking to keep building wealth throughout their lives.

Income or Long-Term Appreciation?

Dividend stocks allow investors to receive a steady income stream on a monthly or quarterly basis.

This may appeal to those who want increased liquidity or who want to use some of their returns now to pay bills or invest in other projects. Those who care more about overall returns for a long period should look for stocks that have a decade long record of consistent growth.

Realistically, an adviser from a company like State Bank of Cross Plains will work with you and may tell you to use a mixture of both.

Are You an Investor or a Trader?

An investor is someone who buys a stock because he or she wants to hold it for a long period. A trader is someone who wants to make money off of short-term price fluctuations.

Investors tend to prefer equities that will grow steadily over a long period while traders like volatility because it creates the price action they need to profit in short periods.

Do You Think About Diversification?

A good portfolio will be diversified to create a cushion against any significant pullback in one part of the market.

For instance, if the price of gold plummets, you may be buoyed by an increase in the price of education stocks.

If oil prices fall, the effect may be negated by a rise in real estate prices that can keep overall returns in the black until oil prices recover.

Do you Think About the Risks?

Every investment comes with a risk. For example, if you are looking to invest in stocks, you have to understand that stocks often tend to fluctuate.

You want to make sure that you buy low and sell high if possible, but when playing the stock market, your investment doesn’t pan out the way you want it to. But it can also get you great rewards as well.

Less risky choices would be with things like property. Remember, though, that there will not be a risk when you make an investment decision.

There is no surefire way to know whether your investment decisions are right. All you can do is make educated choices based on your preferred strategy. As long as your portfolio is diversified, you stand a good chance of making positive returns in most years.

5 Savings Benefits When Going Solar

Making the choice to switch over to solar power may seem like a big decision, but with the economic, financial, and environmental sense it makes, a growing number of people are taking the plunge. 

In fact, having a solar power system installed in your home has so many benefits that even the government offers tax credits to incentivize homeowners and businesses to switch over. Here are five ways you will save when you decide to go solar.

Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits you’ll get for installing a solar power system is the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). 

This benefit is worth 30 percent of the cost of your solar system, including labor, permitting, and engineering. The amount will be deducted from the amount of taxes owed by the system’s owner, but the tax credit is not capped. 

This means you can start out with a basic system this year and claim this solar tax credit, and then add on to your system next year, and still claim the credit. 

Keep in mind, however, that the government is reducing the credit value in the upcoming years, so get your system in sooner rather than later to take full advantage of this tax credit.

State Tax Credits

In addition to the ITC, several states also offer a tax credit for owners of solar systems. This is also usually in the form of a tax credit, with the amount deducted from your tax bill. 

Some states offer up to 25 percent or more, which means that you could save 55 percent in solar power tax incentives between the ITC and your state’s tax credits. Check your state’s policies and incentive programs to get the most benefits for installing your solar power system.

Cash Rebates

Sometimes a particular state, city, company, or other organization will offer cash rebates in order to promote the usage of solar energy. 

These rebates are usually capped and will end once a certain amount of solar panel systems have been installed. If you’re lucky enough to snag one, you could save up to 20 percent on your system.

Monthly Electrical Bill

Once your solar power system is installed and begins to generate its own solar power, you will see your monthly electrical bill decrease more and more, with some solar power customers claiming a nonexistent electrical bill some months.

Solar Renewable Energy Certificates

You can also make money with your solar power system through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC)’s. Basically, several states have passed legislation that require utilities to generate a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources. 

These companies must obtain a certain amount of Renewable Energy Certificates, including SREC’s. As it turns out, your solar power system will produce several kilowatts each year, which are each associated with their own SREC. 

You can turn around and sell these SREC’s to utilities that need them to meet their requirement. An average solar energy system produces around five kW’s per year, which can be sold for anywhere from $50-$200. That’s a nice little chunk of extra change per year.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to find out how to get a solar energy system installed in your home. Learn just how much you could start saving by installing a solar energy system.