Archive for June, 2011

So, you need a place to live and you need it now, huh?  It might be tempting to jump on the first decent rental flat you find, but if you really want to end up living in a place you like, you need a property rental checklist. I found inspiration browsing Gumtree.co.za, a South African property site, and thought I’d share it with you.

Doing these 5 things now – before you rent a flat or a house – can prevent you from getting some major headaches down the road.  If your prospective rental property still looks good after you’ve gone through this checklist, chances are you’ve found a great new place to call home!

1. Make a list of your priorities

This is something that you need to do before you even start looking at rental properties.  Figure out how many bedrooms you need.  Make a list of appliances that you absolutely can’t live without.  Determine whether or not you will need to buy furniture – or if you need a flat that’s already furnished. By making a list, you will know exactly what kind of amenities you are looking for – and exactly what you will be willing to do without.

2. Find out what the owner’s demands are

What kind of maintenance will you be responsible for?  For example, when you rent a house, your landlord may tell you that you’re responsible for cutting the grass.

Or, if something breaks, is there a specific process that you have to go through to report it? What about adding your own personal touches?

Do you have permission to put as many things on the wall as you want?  Are you allowed to paint the walls a different color?

Will you be responsible for any recurring fees – or charges when you move out?

3. What needs to be done before you move in?

When you rent a flat, you may insist that the carpets be cleaned, or that the inside gets a fresh coat of paint.  You’ll have to iron out all of those details before you sign anything.

4. Look around the neighborhood

Are there too many young children for your liking?  Is the street outside a mess during the rush hour?  Is there a noisy nightclub nearby that’s going to keep you awake at night? Make sure the neighborhood is to your liking.

5.  Find out which expenses you’ll be responsible for

Are any of the utilities included in your rent, or do you have to pay them all yourself?  Do you have to pay for a parking spot? Are there any community dues – like, paying a fee to access the gym or the tennis courts? Hidden charges and community expenses can sometimes add a high price to your monthly rent.

For houses to buy or rent in South Africa, give Gumtree.co.za a look. They list thousands of properties on sale across large cities such as Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, and even small cities such as Port Elizabeth. I’ve used them in the past when moving places, and can only recommend them.

There are various ways in which you can save money as you go forward in your mortgage plan. However, the sad part is that this is one aspect that most mortgage advisors do not tell their clients. One of the best ways to be able to save money on mortgage is to know how to use the mortgage repayment calculator.

When you are able to use the mortgage repayment calculator, you do not have to depend on anyone to understand the kind of savings that you can make in your home loan. The most basic repayment calculators will only tell you the amount of money that you will need to pay back when you take a loan of a certain amount for a specific tenure at a fixed rate of interest. However, there are other advanced versions of the home loan repayment calculator that allow you to calculate the manner in which your monthly outflow will change when you make extra payments.

It is a fact that when you start a mortgage, there is only a certain amount of money that you can set aside for mortgage repayment. However, as life progresses and increments happen, you can generally afford to pay a relatively higher amount towards home loan. In such a situation you can use an advanced mortgage repayment calculator to see the reduction in your monthly outflow if you make a lump sum payment.

Make sure that you check with regards to any early payment fee or charges that may be applicable in your mortgage contract to be sure of what you are gaining. Visit here if you’re looking for a mortgage repayment calculator that can perform this function and save you money.

One of the most daunting and exhaustive things in life is looking for an apartment. This is particularly the case when looking for NYC apartments. Thanks to the unbelievable offers and a stable real estate market, their demand has risen over the past few years. This has created a “war” among apartment hunters. If you are in need of NYC apartments then the following ways can be of assistance:

• Real estate brokers. Hiring the services of NYC brokers is one of the best ways of finding an apartment. With the vast technological advancements, most of these brokers have their businesses over the internet. You can get the necessary information by visiting some of their websites.
• Asking around. This is the most basic way of getting an apartment. You can ask your NYC friends, family members and associates to assist you in your hunting. Inform them about the type of apartment you are looking and the price you are willing to pay. They will ask around and give the results. Asking around is beneficial because there is no need of hiring a broker.
• Checking out NYC apartments guides. There are directories and guides that have information about upcoming apartments. These resources are very useful for your apartment hunting endeavors.