|
| |
|
| |
![]() |
Tips for Stress free life > Expert Zone > Home Improvement Home Improvement Tips |
|
|
|
|
Log Homes - Is a Log Home In Your Future?
Many people dream about a log home in their future but never get around to making their dream come true. Here's how to get past the hurdles and start living your dream. Finances are one of the most common reasons many people never live their log home dreams. The reasons may only be perceived or they may be real. But even if real, it may be possible to overcome the obstacles. First, you'll have to decide on a basic floorplan and house size. Selecting one of the standard plans from a log home company's portfolio simplifies this process. The company can tell you the price of the log "kit" and may be able to give you a "turn-key" estimate for the finished house. If not, you can make a very rough estimate by assuming that the final turn-key cost will be between two and three times the cost of the kit. This estimate does not account for the cost of land. Understand that this is simply a crude way of approximating the cost of the home of your dreams. The objective is to determine if you are even in the ballpark of a cost that you can afford. Consider the home that you now live in and what price it might bring if you sell. Subtract the amount you still owe on your mortgage plus real estate commissions to determine your equity. This equity can be applied to the purchase of your log home as a down payment, or used to purchase land. Also consider any savings, investments, or inheritance funds you have that might be applied. Use an online calculator or visit a bank to determine how much you might be able to borrow. This will depend on your current income and debt load. Most lenders use a formula that limits your future mortgage payment, plus taxes and insurance, plus your existing debt load (credit cards, car payments, etc.) to 36% of your gross income. This determines your maximum mortgage amount. Add your down payment and you'll get the amount you can afford to spend on your dream home. If you find that your dream home is affordable, great. If not, you might be able to scale back on your home plans or find additional funds, or both. Sometimes, simply waiting a few years solves the problem. Often, when you have a dream and are committed to it, you will be able to find solutions through sheer determination. Al Hearn is owner and operator of Log Home Advisor (http://www.LogHomeAdvisor.com) where log home enthusiasts can find helpful information, advice, cost calculators, and affordability calculators.
MORE RESOURCES:
Group advocates tax increases and non-user fees for sewer debt relief - The Birmingham News - al.com
Debt-Relief - Google News |
RELATED ARTICLES
Tips For Buying a Whirlpool Bath Online So you're building the bath of your dreams but find the prices you have been quoted for the Whirlpool Bath way out of your budget.Don't despair and settle for a Whirlpool Bath you don't want!Go online and save by buying direct from a Whirlpool tub distributor. Breaking Away from White Wall Paint Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an overwhelming task. Have You Considered Fluorescent Lighting for Your Home? Many of us know that fluorescent lighting is common in work areas and schools. It is the long tubes that run in ceilings, right? Fluorescent lighting is more then just that. Laminate Flooring Is Attractive And Long Lasting Laminate flooring is perfect for people who want to install a floor covering that is easy to install and combines the rich look of hardwood with the easy care of a laminate counter top. Laminate floors that have been constantly gaining popularity since their creation a few years ago. The $27,000 Toilet Seat - Funny DIY Story This story was told to me by a plumber I know and it brings home the reason why there are times to call a professional.I received a call from a homeowner asking for someone to come estimate some repairs. Country Home Accessories Country home décor is the most sought after home interior and it's no wonder since country décor invites a casual friendly lifestyle.Make sure you carefully study the specific style, and color scheme then carefully coordinate the colors of each element of your country décor. Non Slip Maintenance Of Honed Interior Marble A honed finish is a satin surface with relatively little light reflection. It is specified for floors, thresholds and other locations where the presence of water might make a polished finish slippery, or where heavy traffic would wear off the polished finish. The Truth About Honda Pressure Washers "What they don't tell you about Honda Pressure Washers"I recently received the following e-mail regarding honda pressure washers:"I was unaware Honda made pressure washers. I can get one locally now that I have seen your web page". Why Cant We Kill Too? Why does big business have all the fun? We fix our own postage stamps - THEY use a franking machine. We use scissors - THEY use a guillotine. Bakers Racks Add Flair And Style To Your Kitchen Many items a person can add to the kitchen are stylish and functional. Bakers racks fit this description nicely. Getting the Power to Control One of the advantages of using machines to control processes for you is that you can harness tremendous amounts of power and energy which humans do not possess.By a flick of a switch, huge sliding flood gates can move to allow large quantities of water to flow out of a dam. Tips For Breaking Away From White Wall Paint Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to change a room. But choosing the right paint colors for your home can seem like an overwhelming task. Save Time & Money Doing Your Own Basic Electric Wiring Hiring a professional electrician can be very expensive and is often the reason why people try doing their own basic electric wiring themselves.I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly results of these efforts and I have come to the conclusion that basic electrical wiring is not something anyone should do without proper guidance, tools and confidence. Old House Remodeling: Removing Old Tile and Glue When you live in old house like I do, remodeling is always a challenge and a surprise. I am currently involved in a major kitchen remodel. Cork Flooring Is The Best Option Around For Durability And Aesthetic Value It is inevitable, almost everyone no matter how long they have lived in their house, wants to replace their flooring at some point. Do you have carpet that is covered in pet stains, juice, coffee or wine stains? Carpet gets matted down and shows wear patterns quickly. Feng Shui Your Home, Work and Life For Balance and Harmony Feng Shui describes the communication that takes place every day between you and your environment, be it your home, garden or work. This discipline investigates the universal feelings and reactions of human beings to all environments, including our world. Summer Is Here! Consider Tackling Key Home Improvement Projects While The Weather Is Good! Summer time means barbeques, baseball, camping, and yes, Home Improvement Projects! As the weather gets nice and the days get longer so do lists of home improvement projects. Here are a few projects which are best done in the summer maximizing the long days and the good weather!Gardening/Landscaping: Depending on which part of the country you live in it may be too late to plant a garden from seed, but you most likely still have time to get your garden going using starters. Planning Permission Tips UK - Understanding Your Local Planning Officer - They are Only Human This time of year often sees an explosion in new enquiries for development schemes but the irony of this fact is that most people think that they are in time for a Spring/early summer build if they start the Planning & design process now through the Local Authority?? Sorry but this thinking should have been at the end of last summer - September at the latest. In most cases people do not seem to realise the time scales involved . Expansion for Heat Absorption In the refrigeration cycle, the refrigerant must undergo a change in state in order for the heat to be absorbed from the environment.The refrigerant has the property of changing its state from liquid to vapor at normal room temperatures. Planning Permission Tips UK - Garage Conversions - What Value Do They Add? Most conversion works to an existing structure is often more expensive than having it knocked down & rebuilt. The main reason for this is the VAT element that is exempt for new dwellings. |
|
You are here |
|
| Home Improvement | Home Improvement - Complete list | |
|
| Main Home | | Meditation Corner | |
|
|
| Recommend us | |
|
[About
us] [Contact] [Privacy
Policy]
Copyright 2006, Meditation
is Easy.com, All
rights reserved