Diamond Residential Mortgage

Reducing the amount of space in which you live might be a big idea whose time is here. Its subscribers refer to it as micro living, or the tiny house movement among other names, but the idea is the same: lowering the amount of space, the amount of stuff, and the amount of debt. It’s an idea that is finding growing support. However, as with all tradeoffs, the benefits also come with some challenges. How do you part with ‘stuff’ that you want to keep or that has intrinsic value to your life, and where do you have your private space? A recent story here touches on some of these and other related points.

If staying inside this winter is driving you up a wall, then get yourself motivated by getting your house in shape. Start off with choosing a few projects, and planning them out to complete by the start of opening day. If you need a suggestion, start with the ones that will improve your home’s value the most.
1. Make your walls feel like new with fresh paint or wallpaper
2. Tile in a backsplash in your kitchen
3. Brighten up your spirits with new lighting
4. Open a new door by replacing old ones
5. Relax in a new tub after installing it
More info and links are here, good luck!

Mortgage rates are at historic lows for all types of loans. However, the difference in interest rates for 30-year and 15-year mortgages is worth looking at. 15-year mortgages require higher monthly premiums for the same loan amount, but the shorter term brings real money back into your income stream faster, and with significant savings over 30-year mortgages. On the current, average home-sale price, savings are estimated at over $100k for the term of the loan. However, those savings come with higher monthly payments, over $600 for the average home purchase price. Have a look at this great article that compares the options.