subject: Saving Cash On Your Housing [print this page] Whether you are renting a place or you have your own house, chances are a big amount of your monthly income goes to pay for it. You may often find yourself wondering if saving cash on your housing could ever be possible. The answer is yes, it is. In this article, you will learn about some tips on how you can save some money on renting, buying, or doing some home improvements.
Renting a House
Rental costs may differ widely even in the same neighborhood so you should take time to go around. When searching for houses, don't just check the classified ads. You should also check with the buildings or areas where you wish to live. You can also ask your friends and colleagues if they have personal referrals.
Bear in mind that signing a lease will obligate you to make regular payments for the property so you have to ensure that the house you are going to live in is the best among all the places you have seen. Include all the crucial factors into the equation. How big is the place? Is it in a convenient location? Weigh the rental cost against the possible expenses that accessibility to and from the house would incur.
Buying a House
There are three choices you can choose from if you wish to buy a house:
- Find a real estate agent The agent can help you a lot with the buying process. He or she can also present the pros and cons of a property. This can significantly help you with the decision making. However, using the service of a real estate agent can cost you money because the he or she usually gets 6% commission.
- Directly buy from the homeowner Directly buying a house from its owner can save you money because you won't have to deal with an agent. In addition, you can also personally haggle with the owner. However, this process may demand a lot more time and effort from you. You should also have the house inspected and appraised to make sure that the house is worth its asking price.
- Build your own house The upside of building your own house is it allows you to get what you exactly want. However, not all contractors and builders are the same so you need to do some research to ensure that you would only end up with the most reputable and affordable one.
Home Improvement
Home repairs usually cost a lot of money. If you need you home to be fixed, you'd better select from the best licensed contractors in the area. They should have their fixed-price bids in black and white. You should also ask for referrals and verify about the contractor's performance.
Full payments should only be given after the work has been fully completed. If a contractor wants otherwise, drop it from your list. Only go for the company which offers all the necessary papers as well as the most reasonable price. This way, saving cash can be made possible not just by getting the most affordable bid but also by ensuring that no future problem about the repair would arise.
