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3 Things To Do If You’re Having Issues With Your Landlord

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When you’re a renter, having a good landlord and a good relationship with that landlord can make a big difference in your life. Especially if you’ve had a negative relationship with a landlord before, you know how much better it is to either work through this and get to a good place. So if you’re having problems with your current landlord but you don’t want to have to move, here are three things that you can do to deal with these issues in a positive way.

Check Your Lease

For many people who are having issues with the landlord, one of the biggest problems can come because their landlord isn’t doing what they say they will or what they should do.

If this is the situation that you’re finding yourself in, one of the first things that you should do is take a look at your lease. Within your lease, it should outline both what you are responsible for and what your landlord is responsible for. And just like how you sometimes forget what’s stated in this document, your landlord can forget, too. So if you notice that it clearly states something like that your landlord will take care of maintenance or other items, reminding them of this by showing them in the lease can be a good way to get the ball rolling.

Get Your Requests In Writing

When you do make requests of your landlord about anything, something that can be helpful to you is to get all of these requests in writing. Within these requests, make sure you reference in your lease where it states that your landlord should be taking care of this action.

By keeping a record of the requests that you make, you’ll be able to prove to a lawyer or others that you’ve done everything that you can to get this matter taken care of. Then, if you take further action like withholding rent or deducting the cost from your rent when you take care of things on your own, you can have something tangible to justify your actions.

Learn What Your Rights Are

Before you take any more drastic measures, something that can be helpful to you is to learn what your rights are as a renter. While you may not be able to do much, you still do have rights to live in a safe place.

If you’re unsure about what your rights are, you should do some research specific to the state that you live in, as these rights and procedures will vary based on where you live. But once you know what cards you have to play as a tenant, you can better maneuver the situation.

If you’re someone who’s having issues with the landlord, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know what some of your options are.

3 Tips For Surviving Your Baby’s Sleep Regressions

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While some babies sleep well from the jump, most babies go through at least a few sleep regressions as they learn to become great sleepers. But even after you’ve gone through sleep training, your baby can still regress back to a time when it seemed like you had to walk on eggshells in order to get the baby to sleep and keep the baby asleep.

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Financial Tips For Purchasing Your First Family Home

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Purchasing a home for yourself is one thing, but finding the right place for yourself and your family is quite another.  You want a place where your family can live happily, and making smart financial choices along the way is a huge part of achieving that goal.  

With a little research and financial preparation, you and your family can comfortably own the home of your dreams.  Start learning now, and read through some simple financial tips for purchasing your first family home.  

Research the current mortgage trends 

Before you get too deeply attached to any one property, start with a more broad standpoint.  Get a good feel for what you might be looking to pay for a great home by checking into a home loan comparison tool.  

Getting a good idea of the market before you jump right in will help you scope out a better deal.  Come to the bargaining table with as much knowledge as possible, so you can find the best prices for your wallet.  

Work to refine your credit reports 

You will need a decent credit report to find the home you and your family really need to thrive.  Start working on refining your credit reports at least one to two years before you plan to make the move on purchasing a home.  

The higher you can get your credit score, the better home you’ll be able to acquire.  Work to alleviate the strain of erroneous debts as well by disputing every charge individually.  

You need a healthy savings 

You will need quite a healthy down payment to get your family into the home of your choosing.  It’s best to save up at much as possible for a down payment to make your mortgage plans a bit more manageable.  

A solid ten percent of the purchase price is common, but you could do yourself a favor by saving up 20 percent for a down payment.  You’ll need extra friends for security after you purchase your house as well, so make saving a regular part of your financial plans.  

Get a preapproval letter from the bank

Once you have all of your financial paperwork in order, you have to present yourself to a bank for a loan.  The bank will want to know some very specific information about your personal finances and your financial history, so prepare to feel a little violated.  However, once you have a preapproval letter in hand, it will be easier to present an attractive bid to sellers.  

Consider the cost of making a house a home

Once all the purchasing is said and done, your financial responsibilities are just beginning.  Saving for a down payment is only a beginning step.  Once you purchase a home, you will need money to make your house a home.  

Getting the Kids Ready for Back to School on a Budget

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When you’ve got multiple children, getting them ready for back to school can be a nightmare. Nevermind trying to get them back into schedules and routines or getting them past their anxieties of being in a new classroom with new teachers and students. The amount of money it’s going to cost you to make sure they all have the proper clothes, shoes, and supplies for the school year is outrageous. 

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