Everyone wants a home of their own, but let us face it, not everyone will have a home of their choosing. Being able to afford the home you like is the first step to getting that home; every other thing comes secondary. Before you go into the process of looking out for a home you like, you must first ascertain your financial ability to purchase that home.

No, you are not proving to anyone (although you might eventually have to as you progress); you are typing to make sure the bank does not take your home away from you in the future because you could not afford to pay the mortgage.

Look into utility

Most people make the mistake of taking into consideration only the cost of the house itself. Yes, you may be able to pay for the house, but the utilities and insurance are all compounded into the mortgage too. So, the question is this, if you calculate all of the utility bills to even the tiniest lawn mowing fee, would you still be able to pay for that mortgage?

There are also a few more bills that you could be ignorant of at the beginning, but you would find out later that it was. When all of these bills eventually accumulate, you may not be able to afford them anymore. The price of a house is more than the price tag on the building; that may be the major part, but it is still only one part.

See if the down payment is easily affordable by your standards

Affordability means that you can purchase something and still have enough for basic needs. Like it or not, a house is not a basic need. Ergo, if purchasing your dream home means not being able to afford basic things like healthcare, then you should relax and rent until you are sure you can afford a house.

Your emergency/rainy day fund is not what you should use as a down payment for your house. Buying a house is not an emergency, and if you find your hands in that fund, you may need to slow down on getting a house because it is no longer affordable.

See if all your income goes into mortgage payment

It is advised that your house expenses should not take more than 30% of your monthly income. So, if, after calculations, the money you pay monthly as mortgage is more than 30% of your monthly income, find another dream home or wait till you increase your income.

Spending most of your income on mortgage and house bills means you are living above your means, which, in the recent economy, is not a wise choice. You should be able to survive after paying your mortgage every month.

See if you can afford to furnish the house after the down payment

Some houses come with furniture; some do not. Chances are your home may not come with furniture, so you will have to furnish it yourself. Earlier, we asked you to see if you could still afford to get basic needs after a down payment. However, basic needs are not the only thing you should be able to afford after a down payment.

If you do not have some money left that could get you good furniture after a down payment, then maybe you should try again some months later. Besides, the cost of moving is rather expensive, and you should be able to foot that comfortably after making a down payment on the house.

See if there is anything left to pay your debts

You need to understand that a mortgage is a debt that you are paying at the end of every month. If you already have a debt on your hands, and after paying the mortgage monthly, you cannot afford to pay off the monthly allocation for that debt, there is a problem. You cannot handle two large debts, you must be able to pay both of them off simultaneously, or you have no business adding a new one to an existing one.

If you already find it hard paying off one debt, do not include a mortgage on the list. The government may not send the FBI after you when you cannot pay your student loans, but the bank will take your home away if you do not pay your mortgage. Whatever debt you already owe, make sure that your payment plan for them when you add a mortgage to the mix.

Use an affordability calculator

If you want to learn more about what you can afford when it comes to getting a house, use an affordability calculator. An affordability calculator will show you the financial implications of getting that house and what you will pay in mortgage. Having one of these will help you check for all the tips we listed above.

By knowing how much you will be paying as your mortgage using whatever percentage of your income you choose, you can see if you will be able to survive after each mortgage payment or not. All the questions you have about your finances in respect to your mortgage can be answered by a mortgage calculator.

Think of your future plans for the property

Many people are so caught up in the idea of getting a house that they do not think of what their future plans could be. Are they planning on staying in the house long term? What is the financial implication of that? Are they going to sell in the near future? What does it mean for their finances? You must take every one of these things into consideration.

Final thoughts

It might seem a little discouraging to bring up all of these things when you want to get a house, but getting a home is a big financial commitment; you want to be sure you are doing it right. If you are a family person, you may want to look at these tips a little harder and ensure you are doing right by your family, finance-wise. These tips would help you make the right decisions or, better yet, plan for the best decisions.

The bathroom is an integral part of any house. It might even be one of the most used rooms in your home. Due to the regular use, the wear and tear on your bathroom is high. Often, trivial services and repairs have to be done to maintain it at its optimal condition. This includes replacing your bathroom tiles and regrouting them.

The tiles in a bathroom are often overlooked – you might not pay them much attention during your showers. However, keeping your grout in good shape and replacing your bathroom tiles at the right time can increase the lifetime of your bathroom. Are you planning on giving your washroom a good makeover? Then check out Topmozaiek24 and choose the best interiors for your bathroom!

Why should you regrout your tiles?

You might wonder why grout is crucial to your bathroom floor and the tiles that decorate it. There are numerous reasons that explain the significance of grout in tiling and how it helps you maintain the condition of your bathroom floor.

• Grout plays a crucial role in preventing water seepage between the bathroom tiles. This way, the substrate beneath it will not rot and waste away.
• Because of grout, adjacent tiles are deterred from colliding with each other.
• Grout smoothes out any inconsistencies in the difference in size and texture of the tiles.

While these are the major functions of grout, it slowly loses its properties as years go. This may cause severe problems like water seepage, discoloration, and mold growth. It is better to inspect these issues at the earliest and find a solution for them instead of letting them turn into something bigger.

Here are some sure signs that indicate you should definitely begin the process of replacing the tiles in your bathroom.

Signs that indicate you should consider replacing your bathroom tiles:

Stained Tiles

Are the tiles in your bathroom stained and blemished? If yes, then you should consider regrouting and changing the tiles in your bathroom. The stains in the tiles are tough to get rid of, and they paint an unpleasant picture of your bathroom. This could be even more of a disadvantage for you if you are planning to rent out your space. Spattered and marred features of a bathroom make its appearance unwelcome.

Replacing your tiling and hiring a professional service to seal it can help you in avoiding future stains. The new tiling work will enhance the look of your bathroom and also helps in sustaining the excellent condition of the room.

Mold

Logically, one can understand the growth of mold and algae in the bathroom – after all, it is the wettest room in the house. But, if you spot the spread of mold in your bathroom, don’t hesitate to take the necessary steps toward changing your tiles. Mold and mildew growth makes the tiles slippery, thus giving a wide opening for numerous accidents. It also loosens the grip between the tile and the grout.

Mold produces a distinctive uncomfortable odor that might be harmful, especially to asthma patients. So, if you suspect the growth of algae in your bathroom, then it’s time to refurbish your washroom.

Problematic Grout

Discolored grout is also a major sign of an aging bathroom. Just like tiles, the grout also gets stained and shabby, thus making it look questionable. As grout is porous, it absorbs several liquids used in the bathroom – from the shower water to the floor cleaner, your grout could soak up these liquids and become weak. While discolored grout doesn’t specifically imply a weakened structure, it still looks dirty.

Weakened grout indicates that the basement of your tiles could be wobbly. There are a variety of grouts available in the market today, so choose the one you want and transform your bathroom like it’s brand new!

The right time for Replacing your Bathroom Tiles

An important thing to keep in mind about grout is that they do not last forever. A good quality grout will serve steadily for several years when maintained in good condition, but they still tend to grow weak and loose after many years of use. There is no specific time defined for changing grout and tiles in your bathroom. It all depends on the frequency of your usage and the condition in which the tiles are preserved.

One solution to this problem is inspecting your grout periodically. This way, you will know about the damages that it endures and the state of its texture. The same goes for your tiles. If you feel that your tiles are not in their best shape, start your plans to replace them.

Two major indicators of weakened grout are texture and growth of mold. You can check the texture of your grout by scratching it. If it weathers down and crumbles at moderate pressure, it is an indication that your bathroom needs regrouting. As mentioned earlier, mold also implies the same, for it grows in the gaps formed between the tile and the wall.

Extending the lifespan of your grout

As we all know, taking precautions is always better than facing an issue. It is no different when it comes to your bathroom tiles and grout. You can follow these steps and preserve your grout from weathering away faster.

• Always use the exhaust fan in your bathroom. This will ensure that the moisture on the floor won’t stay for long. The drier the floor is, the longer your grout will stand.
• If you feel that your exhaust fan isn’t enough to get rid of the moisture, use a cloth to wipe it dry. You can also use a mop to do this.
• Clean your bathroom floor periodically. Discoloration of the tiles can be prevented by giving them a thorough cleaning now and then. This method also helps in eliminating the growth of mold and mildew.
• For cleaning the tiles and grout, do not use acidic or basic solutions. They cause more damage than actual benefits. Use a shower cleaner instead.

Final words:

The aging of grout is inevitable; you can prevent it, but one day, it will surely become problematic. Changing the tiles and regrouting your bathroom gives it a fresh look and also helps in preserving the shape of your bathroom. So, if you spot even one sign that your tiles need replacing, start your work today!

If you’re currently converting, or currently considering converting your home to solar, you’re doing so at exactly the right time. Not only are the latest solar technologies improving the quality of the solar equipment, but solar panels and accessories are also gradually becoming more affordable (this is great news, right!). In this short guide, we want to offer some advice for homeowners, as well as reasons why you should at least be considering solar as an alternate energy source for you and your family.

The Basics

For those looking to invest in solar panels, and want to know a little bit more about the technology behind them, this is for you. Solar panels work by using photovoltaic cells; although this might sound confusing, it essentially means they take the natural sunlight in and convert it into usable electricity. Rather than over-paying energy suppliers for energy, solar panels give you the flexibility to harvest your on energy, use it, or sell it back to the grid. The benefits of doing this can have a positive impact on the environment and your wallet.

Now let’s talk about the conversion process. To start, we should first address some common misconceptions regarding the process of converting to solar. Firstly, the improvements we mentioned in equipment means that solar panels are now extremely efficient at working even during cloudy weather conditions. Of course, you’re always going to see the best results when the sunlight is shining directly onto the panels. However, it isn’t the case that solar panels ‘don’t work’ when cloudy (if anybody says this to you, show them this guide!).

Additionally, we should also note that you don’t have to spend thousands on converting your home to solar. Not only can you invest in solar accessories and convert your home bit by bit, but you also have opportunities to lease solar panels and solar equipment. The solar water heater cost has come down in price substantially (research online to see if you can find providers near you!).

Benefits of Converting to Solar

Why should you consider converting to solar? Let’s look at some benefits below!

• Savings – Perhaps the biggest and well-known benefit of converting to solar is the reduced energy bills you’ll enjoy when all is said and done. Since you won’t be relying on energy companies quite so much, you won’t have to pay for their service. Instead, you’ll be producing large amounts of energy yourself; you can thank the sun and its light for the money you’ll save…money that can be spent elsewhere (or saved, of course!).

• Carbon Footprint – To produce the energy we use in our home, energy suppliers burn valuable fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources. Unfortunately, the planet is eventually going to run out of these resources. With solar energy, you can reduce your carbon footprint and your reliance on fossil fuels. If we all did this, the planet would have a fighting chance in the years ahead.

• Home Value – By investing in solar, we should also mention that you’ll be adding significant value to your home. According to SolarMelon.com, installing a small solar panel system will add an additional $18,000 in value, on average, to your home. Nowadays, many buyers are looking for efficient homes for the above reasons so why not take advantage of this? As soon as your house goes on the market, you’ll get your investment back.

Getting Started

How do you get started with solar energy? How would you convert your home to solar? First things first, we recommend allowing a professional to assess your home and the potential your home has for solar energy. With an energy audit, they can identify energy inefficiencies in your property and suggest solutions. After this, they can also tell you how well your home would perform with solar panels.

If you don’t quite have the investment for solar panels just yet, we recommend looking into leasing. This can be a great way to take advantage of all the benefits we’ve discussed, but without spending thousands of dollars. Similarly, you could also consider the more affordable solar generators and solar accessories.

Going solar is the way forward… because it benefits everybody!