sidewalks, homeowners can simply break up and remove the existing sidewalk on their own rather than paying their contractors to do such work for them. It’s best for homeowners to leave interior labor to the professionals, as they are more knowledgeable about how to find load-bearing walls and plumbing fixtures than the average weekend warrior homeowner. Homeowners who mistakenly take out fixtures inside their homes in an attempt to cut down on labor costs might find such miscues are far more costly than simply paying for the labor from the get-go. * Remember how flattering imitation can be. As the old adage goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Homeowners working on tight budgets can opt for imitation materials that appear and feel just like more costly authentic materials. When opting for imitation materials, homeowners should know that they or their representatives cannot falsely represent the materials as authentic when selling the home, no matter how much materials look and feel like the real thing. * Schedule projects during the offseason. Like many professionals, contractors have busy seasons and seasons that tend to be slow. These seasons can change depending on geography, but homeowners can save money by postponing projects until the slow season, when contractors are more likely to offer discounts in an attempt to stay busy and continue to generate income. Savings will vary depending on a variety of factors, but it’s not unlikely that patient homeowners willing to wait until the offseason to renovate their homes can save as much as 5 percent on the overall cost of the project. * Try not to customize. Though the driving force behind many home improvement projects is to create a dream home that caters to homeowners’ What to Know about Applying for a Mortgage individual needs, going overboard with customizing is expensive. Larger-than-normal dimensions may seem like a great idea, but unless they’re absolutely necessary, they’re best avoided by budgetconscious homeowners. Building supplies are sold at certain dimensions because those dimensions are the most common. Altering these dimensions unnecessarily is only driving up the cost of the project, so it’s best to stick with stock sizes when money is tight. Home improvement projects are often expensive undertakings. But such endeavors need not break the bank. MetroCreative Connection SPECIALTIES * COMMERCIAL * RESIDENTIAL * FARM WIRING * PROMPT SERVICE * QUALITY WORK * COMPETITIVE PRICES Although homeownership doesn’t make good financial sense for everyone, some experts say you may be qualified to purchase real estate without realizing it. “Factor in today’s very low interest rates and current home prices, and affordable mortgages are within reach for many qualified borrowers who may have been hesitant to enter the market,” says Christina Boyle, senior vice president and head of single-family sales and relationship management at Freddie Mac. After receiving your application, along with the required paycheck stubs, W-2s, bank statements and tax returns, lenders will evaluate the four Cs: debt payments -- such as credit card charges and other financial obligations -- help lenders determine whether you have the means to take on a mortgage comfortably. investments, properties, and other salable assets. More loan application tips can be found at myhome.freddiemac. com. “You have choices, so interview lenders to compare costs,” says Boyle, who also recommends getting the process started early. “Getting pre-approved for a loan can help you shop with confidence.” StatePoint NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING AN ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR WITH A CAN-DO ATTITUDE 6 3 ???3??3?????3???3 ? 3 ??3????3 ? 3 ?????????3????? Harry Lane Electrical Contractor HOME: 665-6612 FAX: 668-1772 TODAY’S HOME - Spring 2016 21