An Exciting Journey Toward Your Dream Home

By F.A. Shahid

Many people want to own a home, but one thing or another prevents them from taking the necessary steps to make their dream a reality.

Others want to sell their home to move someplace that better suits their needs, but they arent sure how to earn a profit on their investment or at least minimize their losses.

F.A. Shahid, who has spent a decade as a real estate professional, helps both groups achieve their objectives with this handbook that answers critical questions such as:

What are the benefits of home ownership? Are there certain characteristics that make a home a good investment? How can you make the process of buying a home easier? What will happen to the value of real estate in the future?

Once you buy a home, however, your job isnt done: Shahid also provides a blueprint to help you beautify your home whether its decorating the interior or sprucing up the outside with landscaping.

Instead of backing away from what you want, its time to get practical guidance and advice to accomplish your goals by embarking on An Exciting Journey Toward Your Dream Home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 3, 2015
• ISBN: 9781480819542

F.A. Shahid

F.A. Shahid (M.A., B.Ed.) has excelled as a student, teacher and seeker of knowledge. He spent his career teaching before being trained in sales and marketing and becoming a real estate professional a decade ago. He enjoys helping others and guiding people towards the achievement of their real estate goals.

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Copyright © 2015 F.A. Shahid.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-1953-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-1954-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015946802

Archway Publishing rev. date: 10/28/2015

CONTENTS

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

CHAPTER 1 WHY SHOULD WE BUY A HOME?

Introduction

Advantages of Homeownership

•   Peace of Mind:

•   Family Safety and Security:

•   Social Status and Respect:

•   Personal Freedom:

•   Enjoyment and Health:

•   Compulsory Saving:

•   Renting vs. Owning:

•   Tax Benefits:

•   Value Appreciation:

•   Better Credit Rating:

CHAPTER 2 WHICH KIND OF HOME SHOULD WE BUY?

Dream Home

•   Location:

•   Kinds of Homes:

•   Styles of Homes:

Attention First-Time Buyers!

CHAPTER 3 WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD OF BUYING A HOME?

•   Option 1: Educate Yourself

•   Option 2: Get Professional Help

Selecting the Best Realtor

Various Steps During the Search for Your Dream Home

•   Meeting with a Realtor:

•   Home Search:

•   Preparations and Presentations:

•   Submission of Deposit:

•   Mortgage Approval:

•   Home Inspection:

•   Waiving the Conditions:

•   Attaining a Lawyer’s Service:

•   Possession of the House:

Tips to Remember When Buying a House

CHAPTER 4 HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN OUR HOME?

•   Attention to Home Inspection:

•   Transfer of Utilities:

•   Attention to Furnace:

•   Attention to Air Conditioning Unit:

•   Maintain Doors and Windows:

•   Save on Energy Bills:

•   Cleaning and Housekeeping:

•   Discard Unnecessary Items:

•   Utilize the Basement:

CHAPTER 5 WHAT IS A MORTGAGE & HOW CAN WE PAY IT OFF FASTER?

What is a Mortgage?

•   Amortization:

•   Rate of Interest:

•   Term:

•   Open Mortgage:

•   Closed Mortgage:

•   Pre-Payments:

•   Payment Options:

•   Assumption:

Privileges of Mortgage

•   Prepayment:

•   Renewal:

•   Transfer of Privileges:

•   Portable Privilege:

How to Get a Mortgage

•   Option 1: Contact a Bank

•   Option 2: Contact a Mortgage Broker

Advantages of Paying off Your Mortgage Faster

Smart Steps to Pay off Your Mortgage

•   Full Awareness:

•   Mortgage Details:

•   Getting a Mortgage with Attractive Terms:

•   Payment Frequency:

•   Extra Prepayments:

•   Variable Rates:

•   Use of Extra Income:

•   Basement Apartment:

•   Make a Lump-Sum Payment:

CHAPTER 6 HOW CAN WE BEAUTIFY OUR HOMES?

Internal Beautification

•   Cleanliness:

•   Selection of Paints and Shades:

•   Doors, Windows and Cabinets:

•   Curtains and Blinds:

•   Floors:

•   Selecting Furniture:

•   Cooking at Home:

Positive Effects of Internal Decoration and Cleanliness

External Beautification and Maintenance

•   Front Entrance and Porch:

•   Garage Door and Driveway:

•   Front Yard:

•   External Walls:

•   External Doors and Windows:

•   Backyard:

Positive Effects of External Decoration

CHAPTER 7 HOW CAN WE ENJOY GARDENING?

Benefits of Hobbies

Our Homes and Gardening

Gardening: Growing Vegetables and Fruits

Advantages of Gardening

Landscaping

•   Aims and Objectives of Backyard Landscaping:

Tips and Suggestions for Successful Gardening

CHAPTER 8 HOW CAN SOLAR ENERGY BE USEFUL IN OUR HOMES?

•   Solar Energy and Power:

•   Uses of Solar Energy:

•   Future of Solar Energy:

•   General Advantages of Solar Power:

•   Uses of Solar Energy in Daily Life:

•   Financial Benefits for Home Owners:

•   Solar Power System and Peace of Mind:

•   Investing in a Solar Power System:

Funding a Solar Power System

Installation of a Solar Energy System

CHAPTER 9 HOW SHOULD WE SELL OUR HOME?

Reasons to Sell a Home

•   Employment Instability:

•   Family Circumstances:

•   Financial Reasons:

•   Change in Lifestyle:

When Should We Sell Our Home?

The Best Time to Sell a Home

Market Factors of Buying and Selling Real Estate

Should We Buy or Sell First?

The Procedure of Selling a Home

Benefits of Using a Realtor’s Services

•   Peace of Mind:

•   Best Advice:

•   Full Guidance for Home Preparations:

•   Highest Price Analysis:

•   Effective Marketing Plan:

•   Best Negotiation Methods:

•   Connection with Other Services:

Cooperation and Confidence in Your Realtor

Important Points to Keep in Mind When Selling Your House

•   Selection of a Realtor:

•   Listing Agreement:

Price Evaluation of Your House

Important Things to Do Before Listing Your Home

•   Renovation:

•   Start Moving:

•   Thorough Cleaning:

•   The Best First Impression:

•   Pre-Inspection:

Good Planning to Sell Your House

Tips to Get the Best Results

Quick