5 Tips for Finding Your Dream Home

Tags

First-Time Homebuyer, Real Estate Tips

House hunting can be a daunting process. With a little prep work and the right mindset, you can focus on what you truly want and be well on your way to finding your ideal new home! These five tips will help guide you along the way to your dream home:

Know Your Budget

Don’t wait until you have fallen in love with a home to investigate your lending options. Meet with a lender prior to starting your house hunt. A lender will review your financials and provide valuable insight into how much home you can actually afford. You can also get a preapproval letter, which means that a lender has reviewed your documents and is ready to finance your loan. This will allow you to shop within a price range that you are comfortable with. And, when the time comes to make an offer, your preapproval letter will show the seller you mean business about purchasing their home.

Think Long Term

When looking for a home, search for one that you could imagine yourself living in for several years. Buying and moving is a huge financial investment. Try to find a home that can adapt to your family’s needs as your life changes, both in terms of the property and its location. Are you planning on having more children? Do you have a mother-in-law that plans to live with you at some point? Are there restaurants, medical facilities, schools, recreational options and entertainment nearby to accommodate your needs and lifestyle? All this factors into what makes a house your ideal home.

Research

Luckily in today’s society, there are various websites and online resources that make scouting neighborhoods simple. Almost every house for sale is listed online. You can even search for homes on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram. If you are still uncertain which area you are interested in purchasing a home, check out a few open houses. Spend some time in and around the neighborhood you are interested in during different times of the day. Consider knocking on a neighbor’s door and asking them about the neighborhood. Chances are they would be more than happy to answer a few questions. After all, there is a potential you could become their new neighbor!

Work with a Realtor

Ask people you trust for referrals for a real estate professional. Your lender can give you a referral as well! Purchasing a home can be stressful and may trigger many emotions, so meet with a few realtors until you find one who meshes well with your personality and has expertise in the neighborhoods you are interested in.

Be Realistic and Keep an Open Mind

It’s okay to draw a hard line about the amount of rooms or neighborhood you want. However, don’t be unrealistic or blinded by minor imperfections. It is highly unlikely that a seller will have the exact same interior decorating tastes as you. So don’t let that yellow bathroom detract from everything else you liked about the house. A few coats of paint and those yellow walls will be a distant memory. It’s important to be just as realistic with your renovation skills as you are with your budget. If a kitchen remodel surpasses your DIY skills and hiring a professional isn’t within your budget, perhaps this particular house isn’t the right one for you.

Have you recently found your dream home? Share your best house hunting tips in the comments below!

By Kendall Taylor

How to Make an Offer on a House in a Competitive Market

Tags

Advance Approval, First Time Homebuyers, Mortgage Basics, Preapproval

Hearing the words “a seller’s market” can seem daunting to many homebuyers. Although buying a home in a competitive market isn’t easy, your homeownership goals can still be attainable. Below we share how to make your offer stand out in hot real estate markets:

Get Preapproved

Before you even start to house hunt, you should meet with a lender to get preapproved. A preapproval letter shows a seller that a lender has already verified your income and other required documents, and has approved you for a loan. This differs from a prequalification letter, which only states that based on the information you provided you could qualify for a loan. A preapproval letter proves to a seller that you are serious about your offer and a lender is ready to fund your loan.

Escalator Clause

If your dream house has already received multiple bids, you may want to put an escalation clause on your offer. This means you are making an offer at a set price and agree to escalate your offer by a set amount to beat out other offers with a max cap. For example, you make an offer of $400,000 with a $1,500 escalation with a cap of $428,000. If another offer comes in at $410,000, the seller can accept your offer at $411,500. If the escalation clause is triggered, you should request to see the competing offer. Be cautious because this method does tip your hand, and shows the seller what your top offer could be. So be sure to weigh all your options before choosing this method.

Speed is Key

Given the choice between a buyer who is ready and able to move in fast and one that seems to be lagging, a seller will most likely choose the one who is ready to move. If you have fallen head over heels for a home, you may feel tempted to waive all contingencies, including inspection, appraisal and financing. Be forewarned, this is a risky move. Instead of waiving all contingencies, shorten the compliance time. RPM’s Advance Approval® is one way to use speed to make your offer more attractive. The Advance Approval® program allows you to shop for a home with your loan already approved. Full approval can happen with fewer constraints and less stress caused by contractual timelines. The seller is looking to secure the sale of their home as quickly and as easily as possible. Help the seller out by completing all contingencies promptly.

Step Up Your Earnest Money

Earnest money is the deposit you make on a house when you write an offer. If you decide to back out of the deal, the seller gets to keep your earnest money deposit. So needless to say, the amount of an earnest money deposit can show a seller just how serious you are and just how much money you are willing to put towards proving it.

Write a Letter

Another way to make your offer stand out is to try to connect with the sellers on a more personal and human level. If the sellers live in the home, good chances are they loved their home and have shared many fond memories within its walls. Tell the sellers why you fell in love with their house and why you want to make it your home. You never know what may sway a seller’s mind, and your hopes for their home might just do the trick!

Just Close Enough

If your dream neighborhood’s market just seems too competitive, consider looking at the neighborhoods that surround it. Often times the desirable aspects of those neighborhoods will trickle over into the adjacent ones. Which means you most likely will have less competition and can probably snag a home at a better price too!

If you are purchasing a home and need to discuss your lending options, contact a loan advisor today to see how they can help your offer standout.

 By Kendall Taylor

Eliminate Mortgage Insurance Faster and Save

Tags

down payment, FHA, FHA loans, Homeowners Protection Act, MIP, PMI, private mortgage insurance, refinance

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is often thought of as a “necessary evil.” It protects the lender and helps you purchase your home, but, it’s an added monthly expense that you will likely be anxious to get rid of as soon as possible. So, how do you eliminate monthly mortgage insurance? Below are some options to consider.

Automatic Removal
Under the guidelines of the Homeowners Protection Act, as long as certain criteria are met, your loan servicer is required to remove PMI when the balance of your loan drops to 78 percent of the home’s original appraised value. Said another way, PMI is canceled when your loan-to-value (LTV) is 78 percent, To see how close you are to reaching that 22 percent equity mark, divide your current loan amount by your home’s original appraised value, which is typically the purchase price. But, don’t worry too much about doing the math because your loan servicer is required to provide you information annually on when and how you can cancel PMI.

If you obtained an FHA loan prior to June 2013, FHA will cancel your Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) once your loan balance is scheduled to fall below 78 percent of the original value of your home. To put that into perspective, on a standard 30-year loan with a 3.5 percent down payment, cancellation typically occurs within 11 years. If you obtained your FHA loan after June 2013, the new cancellation policy is as follows: Loans beginning at 90 percent LTV or less will pay annual MIP for 11 years. Loans beginning at 90 percent LTV or more will pay annual MIP for the complete loan term, without the option to cancel.

Request Cancellation
78 percent isn’t necessarily the magic number. The Homeowners Protection Act also states that the homeowner may petition the lender to consider cancelling PMI when the LTV is at 80 percent. If you have at least 20 percent equity in your home and a history of timely payments, your servicer may allow you to submit a written request for PMI removal. Your servicer will require a new appraisal to determine the current value of your home and verify there are no junior liens against the property.

With an FHA loan obtained prior to June 2013, you can request cancellation if you have at least 22 percent equity and have had your loan for a minimum of five years. If you obtained your loan after June 2013, you are unable to request cancellation of MIP using this method.

Refinance
You may be able to remove PMI by refinancing your existing mortgage. While rates remain low, you may be able to obtain a lower interest rate and reduce your monthly mortgage costs.

If you have an FHA loan, you may be able to refinance into a conventional mortgage. Depending on the amount of equity you have, you may be able to reduce your mortgage insurance payments or eliminate them all together.

If you need help determining if you are close to eliminating your mortgage insurance, contact a Loan Advisor who can help you analyze your current mortgage and evaluate your opportunities for savings.

By Amy Malloy

6 Steps for Starting a Garden

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Gardening Basics, Gardening Tips, Homes and Lifestyle

Spring has sprung! And, if April’s showers didn’t bring you May flowers, don’t worry! There is still time to enhance your yard with a garden full of color and fragrance. Below are six simple steps for starting your own garden.

Pick a Site

First, you will need to pick the right location for your garden. When scouting locations, take into consideration the amount of sun exposure and the accessibility to water. You will also want to look for places that have healthy soil. To figure out what type of soil you are working with, you can take your soil to a local Cooperative Extension office or a local nursery to get tested. This will help you determine what plants will do best in your garden.

The Prep

Next, you will want to clear the planting area. Remove any sod, weeds or other debris that may be in the area. Then spread a 4-inch layer of compost or fertilizer. Using a spade fork, work the soil so that it is well mixed, soft and has decent depth.

Choose Plants

Where to even begin! Selecting plants can easily become overwhelming simply because there are just so many options. Do you want annual flowers or perennials? Peonies or roses? Should you get drought-friendly plants? The options are endless. The key things to keep in mind are your soil type, and how much time and effort you are planning to put into tending your garden. If this is your first time planting a garden, I would recommend choosing low maintenance perennials, such as sage, daylilies or catmint. Remember, this is the fun part! So pick a variety of different colored plants and flowers that will help liven up your landscape.

Plant

When it comes time to plant your garden, follow the guidelines on the seed packet or plant tag as closely as possible. Dig each plant’s hole twice as wide as the original pot. This will give the plant’s roots plenty of room to grow and ensure that the plants aren’t crowding each other. Also, make sure that the hole is deep enough that the plants’ crowns (where the plant meets the soil) are level with the existing soil. If the crown is above the soil, the plant may dry out. Or if it’s too deep, it may become over saturated with water.

Mulch

Mulch is essential for conserving moisture and preventing weeds. Plus, it helps make your garden look fuller and neat! Mulches vary by regions. However, whichever mulch you choose, spread it so that it is about an inch thick. Be cautious of piling too much mulch against the plants’ base because this will absorb too much moisture and cause the plants to rot.

Maintain

The most important aspect of sustaining a garden is consistent care. Some plants are more demanding than others, but there is always upkeep to be done, whether it be planting, staking, watering, cutting back or weeding. Regular tending of your garden will allow you to see what plants do best in your garden, identify the ones that you don’t care for and help you prepare for future gardening adventures.

Do you have a garden at home? Share your tips in the comments below!

By Kendall Taylor

3 Tips To Help Home Affordability When Rates Rise

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Buying Points, Debt-to-Income, DTI, Fed rate increase, First Time Homebuyers, mortgage rate, pay points, rate lock

So far the Fed has increased its benchmark rate three times since the financial crisis as they track economic improvement and attempt to maximize employment and stabilize inflation. If the economy continues to improve, and economic data remains positive, another increase could come as soon as May or June. While consumers with credit card debt may see an immediate increase in interest rates as a result of the Fed’s rate increases, the effect on longer term mortgage loans will be less direct, but still impactful. As RPM’s Julian Hebron explains in an article on Zillow “Even though mortgage bonds represent longer-term rates, these Fed hikes still fuel selling of mortgage bonds, pushing mortgage rates higher.”

So what does this mean to prospective home buyers trying to navigate the volatility of rates?

Adjust Your Budget
If rising rates make your payment higher, it could impact the price point of the homes you are comfortably able to afford. Most lenders allow you to spend up to 43 percent of your income on housing and non-housing expenses each month. If increased rates push your expenses over this threshold (also known as your debt-to-income or DTI), you may have to reduce your targeted purchase price in order to qualify for a loan. If downsizing your homeownership dreams and reducing your price point don’t appeal to you, another option is to trim other expenses not related to housing in an attempt to lower your DTI. Start by taking a hard look at credit card debt and focus on paying down a good chunk of that to reduce monthly payments.

Pay Points
Another way to limit risk from the unknown when rate increases are expected is to “buy down your rate” or “pay points.” Put simply, this means you pay an extra fee on top of standard loan fees to secure a lower rate over the life of your loan. To determine if this option is right for you it is important to consider the cash you have on hand to pay points, and the time you will spend in the home. From there your lender will help you evaluate where rates are likely headed and calculate possible savings to decide if buying down a rate makes sense in your particular situation.

Lock a Rate
Another way to protect yourself from rate increases that could occur while you complete the loan process is to lock in a rate. When you lock a rate the lender guarantees that you can obtain a loan at a set rate and price within a specified amount of time. A rate lock is typically good for 30, 45, or 60 days. Costs associated with the rate lock will depend upon the duration.

Know Your Options
There is more to home affordability than just rates. Contact an experienced loan advisor who understands the market and can look at your entire financial profile, evaluate it against your financial goals, and devise a plan to keep homeownership within reach!

By Amy Malloy

10 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

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Earth Day, Eco-Friendly Homes, Green Living, Green Living Tips

Henry David Thoreau once said, “What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?” It is easy in the everyday hustle of life, to choose convenience over taking the time to make more eco-friendly choices. In honor of Earth Day, we are sharing 10 easy and inexpensive tips for a more eco-friendly lifestyle in your home.

Choose Eco-Friendly Light Bulbs

Swap out your light bulbs for Energy Star-rated CFL bulbs. Not only do they use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than standard bulbs, but this upgrade could knock up to $30 off your electric bill for each bulb over the course of its lifetime.

Start Composting

Consider starting a compost heap! Not only will this save money on fertilizer for your garden, but it will also help maintain soil health and keep food scraps from rotting in a dump, which helps reduce greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

Stop Microwaving Plastic

Plastic dishware that is labeled “microwave-safe” can still leach into foods when microwaved and some contain hormone-disrupting compounds. The “microwave-safe” label simply means that the dishware can withstand a higher heat without losing its shape. So before you pop anything into the microwave, make sure that you are reaching for glass or microwave-safe ceramic dishes instead of anything plastic.

Avoid Heating an Empty House

When you are out of town during the colder months, turn down your thermostat to cut back on unnecessary heating. Most programmable thermostats have a setting for when the house is empty. Just remember if you live in a state that experiences a lot of snow or freezing temperatures in the winter months, you may need to leave your heater on a minimal setting to ensure that your pipes don’t freeze.

Use Your Dishwasher

It is a common misconception that hand washing your dishes conserves more water than running a dishwasher. However, it is actually the opposite. Running a full dishwasher uses half, or less, of the water and energy of washing the same dishes by hand.

Repair Leaky Faucets

This is especially important if you live in a drought-prone area! You can also cut back on unnecessary water use by installing water-saving toilets and shower heads, and only running the clothes and dishwasher with full loads.

Turn Off Your Computer

Your computer may go to sleep when it becomes inactive, but it still is using energy. Be sure to turn your computer and monitor off at the end of each day. While you’re at it, unplug any phone or laptop chargers when they aren’t being used.

Use Cloth Napkins

Cloth napkins are far more durable than paper ones and can save you money over the years. Opting for cloth napkins helps reduce your trash output, which means less energy is used transporting and processing your waste.

Switch to Chemical-Free Cleaning Supplies

Replace your heavy-duty cleaning supplies with plant-based products. Switching to green cleaners reduces air pollution, and minimizes exposure to chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

Plant More Trees

Planting trees in your backyard is not only great for the environment and aesthetically pleasing, but can also save you money if done strategically. Consider planting your trees on the south and west sides of your house, perhaps even shading your air-conditioning unit. This trick can help save money on your electric bill.

Did we miss your go-to green living tip? Please share your tips in the comments below!

By Kendall Taylor

FHA vs Conventional – Choosing Which Loan Is Best for You

Tags

conventional, credit score, down payment, DTI, Fannie Mae, FHA, FHA loans, FICO, Freddie Mac, LTV, PMI, private mortgage insurance

From location, to budgeting, to the right floor plan, there is a lot to consider when searching for the perfect home. In addition to choosing the home features that matter most, you are also faced with decisions about home financing.

To help you determine which loan program is right for you, we’ll show you some of the differences between two of the most common types of loans; government-backed FHA loans and Conventional loans.

The Basics of FHA Loans
FHA loans are insured by the Federal Housing Association and offer competitive interest rates. They are also known for having fairly flexible parameters ideal for first time home buyers such as: easier credit standards, low down payment options, less elapsed time required after financial hardships or derogatory credit events (foreclosures and bankruptcies), and higher debt-to-income ratios (DTI). FHA loans follow guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with loan limits up to $424,100 for single family homes in all parts of the country. Limits go up to $636,150 for homes in designated high cost counties. If needed, you can even use a non-occupant co-borrower (who is a relative) to help you qualify for the loan. Gifted down payments are also allowed. But, FHA loans can be pricey in terms of mortgage insurance. An FHA loan requires mortgage insurance, regardless of the amount of the down payment. Both an upfront premium, which can be financed into the new loan, and a monthly premium are required. The monthly premium payment extends throughout the life of the loan and is a percentage of the loan amount borrowed on your home.

The Basics of Conventional Loans
Conventional loans follow the same Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limit guidelines as stated above (up to $424,100 in all parts of the country and up to $636,150 in designated high cost counties). Higher limits apply to 2-4 unit properties. Any loans above the Fannie and Freddie limits are considered non-conforming or jumbo loans, which is a topic for another day! Conventional loans have more restrictive requirements than FHA with a lower maximum DTI of 45 percent and a higher credit score requirement (usually 620). But, if you can meet the requirements to qualify, a conventional loan may offer lower monthly payments. With a down payment of 20 percent or more, no mortgage insurance is required. Even if you put down less than 20 percent, the private mortgage insurance (PMI) charged to obtain the loan could potentially be a lot less than the FHA mortgage insurance premium rates.

The chart below compares the features of these loan types in an easy-to-follow format that will help you match your financial profile to the loan option that offers the most benefits.

For assistance evaluating the home financing options that will work best for you, contact a loan advisor near you.

By Amy Malloy

5 Questions to Ask Your Lender

Tags

Homeowner Tax Breaks, Homeownership and your taxes, personal finance, taxes

Buying a home is a huge financial decision. Before you start your search, it’s important to be prepared and consult with a lender about your financing options. You want to feel confident that the mortgage lender you choose to work with is providing exceptional service and answers to all of your questions. When you first start shopping around for a mortgage lender, consider asking these questions:

What type of loan option best suits my financial needs?

Lenders offer a variety of loan options and each loan program’s features, such as interest rate, loan term and monthly payment, may vary. The most common types of mortgages are the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Veterans Affairs (VA), Conventional, Jumbo and Reverse mortgage loans. Loan terms can be fixed, adjustable or interest only. Consult with your lender to discuss what your financial goals are, and he or she can walk you through the lending options available to you to find the perfect fit, for not only what you qualify for, but what you can reasonably afford.

How much money do I need for a down payment?

It’s a common misconception that buyers need a 20% down payment to secure financing for a home. While putting 20% down will likely get you a better rate and avoid the added cost of private mortgage insurance, it is no longer the norm. Down payments for FHA loans start at just 3.5% and Conventional mortgages at 3%. In addition, there are opportunities for down payment assistance. For more information on low down payment options, click here.

Should I pay points to buy down my interest rate?

Paying points means that you are paying an extra fee on top of typical loan fees, such as appraisal and underwriting fees, to get a lower interest rate. Essentially, you pay more upfront, but receive a lower interest rate which means you pay less over time. A point typically equals 1% of the loan amount. For example, buying a point on a $400,000 mortgage would cost an extra $4,000 at closing. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau advises that “the longer you plan to live in your home, the more sense it may make to pay points.” When it comes to your particular loan and buy down options, consider these details and consult with your mortgage professional.

How much will I need to pay at closing?

There are various costs and fees associated with buying a home, especially the closing costs. Closing costs include a series of recurring and nonrecurring (one-time) fees. Your lender should provide you with a Loan Estimate. On the second page of your Loan Estimate you can find an estimation of the cash you will need to provide at your closing. Remember this is only an estimation. Lenders are required to provide you with your Closing Disclosure three business days before your scheduled closing which will clearly define all the costs of your loan and confirm the cash you will need to present at closing. For more information on closing costs, click here.

What can I do to avoid any delays in closing?

Each mortgage professional will have their own specific recommendations to avoid delays, but here are some general recommendations:

• Fully and honestly complete all required documents.
• Respond quickly to any requests from your lender for additional information.
• Get pre-approved before you begin your home search.
• Review your credit report for any errors, be prepared to explain any past credit issues, and work with your lender to request any corrections.
• Refrain from taking on any new debts or career changes during the process.

Buying a home is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience. It’s important to find a lender and mortgage professional who can explain all the aspects of your loan options. Reach out to an experienced loan advisor today to discuss your financial needs.

By Kendall Taylor

6 Things to Know About Homeownership and Your Taxes

Tags

Homeowner Tax Breaks, tax, tax credits, Tax Filing

There are many costs and benefits associated with living “the American dream” and it’s important to remember that owning a property can qualify you for some potentially large tax breaks. Whether you already own a home or are considering purchasing a home in 2017, here are six opportunities for tax savings worth looking into as a homeowner:

Mortgage Interest

Homeowners are allowed to deduct the amount of money they paid towards their mortgage interest from federal and state taxes. This can provide a relief for new homeowners since interest payments can be the largest component of a mortgage payment in the first couple of years of owning a home. If you happen to own a second home, you can also deduct the mortgage interest for that, as long as it is not a rental property. You will receive a Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098) from your lender, which you will file with your tax return.

Points

A mortgage “point” is a payment that equals typically around 1% of your total loan amount. A borrower can pay points to “buy down” their rate. The first year that you own your home, you are able to claim the points you paid as a deduction for your taxes. Since points of 1% or more are common, the savings can be quite considerable.

Property Taxes

Homeowners are able to take a tax deduction for their local property taxes. Depending on where a homeowner lives, this can be a substantial deduction.

Energy Credits

If you spent money to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you may qualify for a tax credit. Unlike a deduction, which only saves you the tax amount you paid based on your income bracket, a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar savings. Upgrading items such as insulation, windows, doors and roofs may qualify you for this credit. For more information regarding energy credits and tax filing, click here.

Mortgage Insurance

Borrowers who are unable to put down 20% for a down payment are required to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI) to protect the lender in case the loan defaults. PMI holders are able to deduct their PMI payments from their annual taxes.

Casualty Losses

If you suffered property damage and weren’t reimbursed by an insurance company for repairs, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. The cost of your casualty loss must exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income in order to be eligible. So although you won’t be able to write off any small-time repairs, you can claim any major damage that your home might have suffered during any storms or fires.

Consult with a tax professional to ensure that you don’t miss out on any tax savings related to homeownership. If you are thinking about buying a home or refinancing the one you currently own, contact a loan advisor near you to evaluate your options.

By Kendall Taylor

5 Spring Cleaning Tips

Tags

Cleaning Tips, Home and Lifestyle, Household chores, Spring Cleaning

Spring is right around the corner! But, before you can relax in your backyard and enjoy your blooming garden, there are probably some seasonal chores to conquer. To make this year’s preparation for spring a breeze, focus on these five spring cleaning must-do’s:

The Fridge

It doesn’t take much for a fridge to go from pristine and organized to a disaster zone. Give your fridge some TLC this spring. First, remove all the contents from the inside of your fridge. Combine salt and soda water to give the inside of your refrigerator a much-needed cleaning. The carbonation of the soda water combined with the hard texture of the salt makes for a great cleaner. Now that you have a clean and bare fridge, you have the perfect opportunity to thoughtfully organize its contents to fit your family’s needs. If you have children that like to ransack the fridge, consider dedicating an area of the fridge to kid-friendly pre-portioned snacks.

The Faucets

Lime buildup around faucets and drains are not uncommon, but can be a huge pain to clean. Since you are already in the spring cleaning spirit, now is the time to tackle this project! An easy trick to get rid of lime buildup is to lay paper towels around the fixture or drain. Then, soak the paper towels with vinegar and let it sit for an hour or so. The deposits will soften and you should be able to easily remove the buildup with the tough side of a sponge.

The Screens

If you leave your screens in year-round, now is the time to give them a once-over! If not, all that dried-on dirt from winter storms may blow into your home the first time you open your windows or sliding glass door this spring. Luckily, there is an easy way to accomplish this task! Leave the screens on the window and run your vacuum with its dusting-brush attachment over the side that faces into your home. To ensure that you remove all the dirt, run the brush side to side from the top to the bottom of the screen.

The Windows

You can’t admire spring’s beauty if you can’t see outside your window! To clean your windows, first brush off any excess dust or dirt lining the window frame or sill. Then, spray cleaner onto the inside of the glass until it’s heavily misted, but not dripping down. Next, with a lint-free cloth, wipe the glass horizontally until the window is dry. Repeat these steps on the outside of the window. Pro tip: Choose a cloudy day to clean your windows. Direct sunlight can make the cleaner dry too quickly, which can leave behind streaks.

The Walls

Take time to really examine your walls. Are they covered with fingerprints and smudges? Eliminate these wall marks by taking a soft cloth dipped in cleaning solution and wipe off the marks using a circular motion. Avoid any ammonia-based cleaning supplies. A drop of gentle hand soap diluted with water can do the job! Also, be sure to wipe down light switches, doorways and other high traffic areas.

Did we miss your go-to spring cleaning chore? Share your cleaning tip in the comments below!

By Kendall Taylor