While Ebay wasn’t the first place I started online it was the most interesting for me. I was thinking about getting back into it again, and thought I would share some sources for product sourcing. If you have some more ideas feel free to post in the comments.
This list is intended for people who are just starting, and may not have the capital or confidence to start a true, full scale wholesale business. The best thing about Ebay is that it lets you test the water without much investment.
1.) Stuff in your house
The first place you can start looking for products is around the house. Have old cellphones? Computer software? Clothes? You can sell almost anything on ebay for the right price. If you’re wanting to see how the auction system works, and clean out the garage you can try selling these no longer useful (to you!) items. Chances are, somebody is looking to buy it.
2.) Stuff in your friend’s/family’s houses
You friends have just as much junk as you do! You can offer to sell their stuff for them for commission or even for free for gained experience. They might just even give stuff to you for nothing. People are brought up not to waste. They can’t throw out a perfectly good item, but may be glad to give it away to anyone who will take it.
3.) Consignment
If you really have zero funds you can get started this way fairly easily. You offer to sell somebody’s stuff for a cut of the price, minus fees. There’s plenty people who don’t know, and have no desire to learn about the strange thing known as the internet. They’ll be more than happy to let you sell their stuff for them. Be warned this can be tricky business. People are fickle. Have your agreement set outright so there’s no surprises. Most consignment places don’t bother with single items under $50 for the work involved in listing. You can offer to sell smaller items as a group though. (ie. 20 Vintage Nintendo Games as opposed to one game alone) If the items don’t sell you just give it back to the customer.
4.) Craigslist
Craiglist is just plain awesome. You can either browse the listings for what you want or post your own want ad. Somebody will respond if you’re being fair. Well, actually. Even if you’re not being fair somebody will respond to tell you so! Just browse the job listing section. You can get anything from electronics to furniture here. Arrange to meet, and you’ve got product.
5.) Flea Markets
Vendors at flea markets or even small businesses might be willing to work out a deal with you. They won’t feel very threatened competition wise if you’re selling to a totally different market then they are. You’re just money to them. For example, if you know a vendor who sells home made soaps or perfumes you could offer to buy their products in bulk, and sell them to a new online market.
6.)Yard sales
Yard sales are hit, and miss for me. If you’re looking for very specific items that not many people will have you may be wasting your time. If you sell things like clothes or baby items you will do very well at these sales. People are always getting rid of them, and for cheap. If there’s a phone number or e-mail included in the classified it may not hurt to call ahead, and ask if they have for example electronics, furniture, ect. You could potentially save time by mapping out a route. Go through the paper, craigslist listings, ect. Pick out the sales happening on the day you want to go, and create a drive by course.
7.) Thrift Stores
Places like Salvation Army, and Goodwill could prove a good place. Make sure you know how much items are really worth before you purchase though. Things that seem valuable like records might not even be worth what you paid for them due to the massive quantities in which they’re available. Electronics might be over priced here by ebay standards based on people not knowing what stickers to put on them.
8.)Ebay
Yes, you can even buy products on ebay - to sell on ebay. Many sellers will offer bulk deals to get rid of merchandise quicker. However, if you break up those bulk deals the individual items are worth more money. For example, I just bought a lot of vintage games for about $5 each because I purchased them in bulk. However, sold separately I stand to make at least a 50% mark up on each item. If you use this method take all factors into consideration! Demand, Profitability, and cost of individual items. Make sure you can competitively price those items with other sellers, and still make a profit.
9.) Information/Digital items
There really are people who sell information products on ebay, and some of them do make a pretty penny doing it. Everything from cookbooks to royalty free clip art is for sale. I even came across a person selling “black magic spells”, and yes, people bought them. And, they were happy customers on top of it. To each his own I suppose. Many people even repackage public domain works to sell. These are items that don’t have a copyright belonging to anybody anymore. Be very careful with this, because rules vary from country to country. You can make your own ebook, clip art collections, html templates, articles, ect. Though currently ebay does not allow “digital download sales” anymore for some reason. You can still sell these works on a physical CD, and mail it to customers.
If you decide you want to keep selling on ebay you can start researching wholesaling, and be the real deal. Keep in mind you might not be getting as good of a mark up as you’re used to. I was very surprised at the meager profit margins of the gaming industry. Good luck in your conquests!
I was reading Money Ning recently, and they had an article on ‘The coupon Lady‘. Now, my mom was a massive bargain shopper. She took Winn Dixie for everything they had on triple coupon day. However, this lead her to purchase a lot of items we normally would not need just because they were on sale.
Don’t let this make you afraid to take advantage of a good deal though. Make a plan before you go, and don’t buy what you don’t need! It’s not a good deal if it goes to waste. While you probably don’t want to buy large quantities of fresh produce other items may be a good idea. Frozen foods, paper goods, and canned items that you know you’ll use namely. Often times you can get better deals buying these items in larger quantities, and you have plenty of time to use them before they’ll go bad.
If you don’t have time to clip coupons from papers, or they don’t have what you want inside there are other options. The internet is by far the most impressive tool I’ve ever come across for my day to day life. While many argue I need to see more sunlight, (that’s what laptops are for!) it’s really true that you can find pretty much anything you want on Google these days. Deals, savings, and coupons are no exception.
There’s countless sites that offer printable coupons free for the taking. A quick search brings up a medley of products I purchase all the time. Let’s take a look at coupons.com.
The coupons are grouped by category so you can bypass anything you don’t want immediately. In a few minutes I can download coupons from biscuits, crackers, cereal, and many more items. Right now the site features 64 coupons just in the food section.
Some of the sale items included popular brands like Land O Lakes, Hamburger Helper, Pillsbury, and Chee-zits. A lot of these sites pass around the same or similar coupons though I’ve noticed.
There’s even entire forums dedicated to coupons. People post printable offers, sale information, and anything else you need to know by store! You can browse the forum, pick up the links, and be on your way to savings.
If clipping coupons isn’t your thing you can still get a deal by purchasing gift cards. Many websites sell gift cards for below value. Make sure you’re getting one that’s usable though. Many credit cards also give you cash back on groceries, but remember.. if you’re accumulating interest you didn’t save anything. Pay it off immediately if you use this plan.
If you haven’t yet recognized the benefits of owning a business credit card, it’s definitely a matter worth your consideration. Aside from enabling you to separate your business finances from your personal money, business credit cards offer more advantages. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Build your business credit.
As soon as you’ve applied for a corporate credit, it’s best to start building up your credit history with the help of a business credit card. You be already aware of the importance of having a corporate credit. A solid and excellent business credit prepares your business for its future growth and expansion. How can business credit cards help you build a solid credit history?
By using your business credit card for your expenses and paying off your balances on time, you are showing your worth as a borrower. Aside from timely payments, staying within your credit limit is just as important. Financial experts recommend using only 30% to 40% of your given credit limit but not more than 50% of your credit as this could send a negative impression on lenders.
Monitor your business expenses.
A business credit card can also help you in keeping track of your business expenses. Take advantage of the online account access that most business credit card issuers provide. This feature allows you to check on your account at any time without even leaving your office or desk. For a manager who handles a hectic schedule and so many tasks, this is a very valuable option.
You can also use your monthly billing statements as well as your quarterly and yearly account summaries as detailed references to your accounting. When it’s time to file your business taxes, these documents can also prove to be indispensable in determining which of your past purchases can be deducted from your taxes.
Get rewarded for your spending.
Some credit cards for business offer reward programs that can help you save more from your expenses. The basic reward programs for business credit cards are the Frequent Flyer Miles, Gas Rewards and cash back rewards. You can choose a reward card that gives the incentives that complements the nature of your business.
For example, if your business is into a lot of traveling, you can certainly get more benefits from a Frequent Flyer Miles Business Credit Card. On the other hand, if you own a fleet of vehicles that you use in your business operations, a gas reward business credit card may be your best choice. If you’re in a buy and sell business, you may want to consider getting a cash back reward business credit card instead.
Be prepared for unexpected expenses.
With the help of a business credit card, you are ready to take on unexpected expenses at any time. Did one of your customers place an unexpectedly large order at a time when you don’t have cash? You don’t have to refuse this particular customer just because you lack the resources. Instead, you can simply charge everything you need to your credit card so you can deliver this order on time.
Having the option to make purchases instantly and pay them off at a later time is certainly one of the best things about owning a business credit card. The important thing to remember is to always pay off your balances on time to avoid the risk of credit card debt.
About the Author:
Pamela Williams is a Loan Consultant, Internet Marketer, Writer and owner of BusinessCreditCardSite.com, a finance company Las Vegas Nevada providing support for businesses all across the US particularly with obtaining business credit cards. Visit www.BusinessCreditCardSite.com
Whenever something breaks your first thought is to call a professional, but that’s not always the best plan. Many things are very easy to repair, and you may as well throw cash into the street instead of calling a repair man. Do it yourself has many rewards including learning new skills, self-gratification, and saving money.
1.) Fix broken electrical plugs
Bent the prongs on an electrical device? Not making a connection? Most of the time this is a very easy fix for what could be an expensive kitchen gadget or other appliance. I have a pre-lit Christmas tree, and of course the main plug that powers the whole tree went out last December.
For under $2, and a couple minutes of my time I fixed the plug, and have a perfectly working tree again. You can pick up replacement plugs in the hardware section of places like Walmart, or Home Depot.
Snip the cord at an even place, and feed it into the new connector. This will establish a new connection, and fix your plug shorting problem.
2. Install your own operating system
Most of the time when people have trouble with their computer it’s windows errors. Over time your computer collects junk programs, and viruses. Eventually these weigh down your computer, and effect your performance.
If a virus starts eating away at your system files it may decide not to boot even! As daunting as this task may seem it is not a difficult repair, but it is one that your computer repair guy will charge you at least $200 to fix.
You can purchase your own Windows installation disk from most any store that sells computer software. Step one, is simply insert the disk. Many operating system disks will let you run from the actually desktop interface.
If not you may have to boot from disk. Which is still fairly easy. You’ll have to navigate through the bios screen; which is mostly following directions on the screen.
After you start your installation you can simply overwrite your existing windows installation or you can delete it, and start a brand new one. If you over write it your windows files will be fixed, but you may still have to get rid of spyware.
3.) Get rid of spyware, adware, and viruses
Again, another very easy to fix problem. However, many people will slam their computer around, and pay a technician a pretty penny to watch a scanner do all the work. You don’t need to pay $50 a year for a good virus program either.
If you leave your computer on all the time like I do you can also schedule scans. Mine run from 1am to 4am. I never have to even interact with the programs unless there’s a problem. Most of the time it’s fixed automatically.Try out these totally free utilities to keep your computer safe.
AVG - Anti-Virus will run constantly, catching threats. It will let you try to repair, delete, or quarantine a virus so it won’t damage your system any more.
Zone Alarm Firewall isn;t really “needed” since Windows has a built in firewall. However, I’ve found the standard one to leave much to be desired. Especially if you want to allow exceptions, because if you’ve ever used Vista you know Windows has a hard time understanding that sometimes you DO want to run programs.
Zone Alarm will automatically block programs until you try to run them. Upon which it will give you a message allowing you to either allow the program to access the internet or disable it from doing so. You can choose ‘always use this option’ so you never have to do it again also.
Spybot Search And Destroy does exactly what it says. It searches, and destroys bot programs that take up residence uninvited on your computer.
4.) Fix your toilet
Fill valves, and chains are painfully easy to fix. Yet you’ll still be paying the plumber’s standard hour bill so you could end up paying him $80 -$100 to fix something that could cost you about $5.
Most parts come with easy to follow instructions, and are just a matter of clipping parts in place. Plus, if you get a water saving valve it could save you a bundle on your water bill!
5.) Install your own flooring
Some flooring is harder than others. However, with the right research you can get the job done quickly, and for a lot less than if you hired a professional. Linoleum flooring is super cheap, easy to lay, and requires nothing more than a pair of scissors. Carpeting requires not much more, a box cutter, and a little time.
Ceramic tiles will take a little more work, but can be just as easy if you have concrete sub flooring down already. Just make sure the work area is nice, and clean before you start.
5.) Unclog your drains
Vinegar, and baking soda can be used to unclog a drain. You can skip the chemicals, or the plumber, and do it yourself. This mixture creates a reaction that will dissolve the clog. You may need to use more than one application for it to work though.
6.) Remove stains from carpets and clothes
Oops, you spilled something on the rug! Before you call an expensive carpet cleaner you may be able to get it out yourself! Depending on what type of stain you have there’s many household items that will do the job!
Soda/sticky stains - If you have a stain from something like cola - your stain is probably not from the soda itself. Even after you mop up the liquid it leaves a sticky residue on your carpet that attracts dirt. Sponge the stain with laundry detergent; then cover it with paper towels. Put something heavy on top of them to help lift the stain out.
Blood - I won’t ask how the blood got on your carpet or clothes, but if it did peroxide helps in removing it. This common first-aid helper will eat away these types of stains.
Pet stains/smelly stains - Opps, your new puppy just soiled your carpet. You can get rid of the scent by applying vinegar to the rug. This helps neutralize the odors left behind.
7.) Fix damaged furniture
Don’t get rid of it! Fix it! If you have some damaged furniture it can be pretty easy to touch it up. Try these methods to save your old digs, and give them new life.
Scuffed paint - You can purchase touch up pens for a couple dollars. If you’ve got a couple scratches on your favorite table you could do a quick fix on it.
Torn fabric - re-upholstering is a fairly easy job and fabric is pretty cheap. You can even use a staple gun to affix new fabric to the bottom of an old stool.
Wood filling - I recently had a solid wood chair I really like get chewed up by my dog. With some varnish remover, paint scrapper, and a couple scouring pads you can get to work fixing it. Remove the old stain/paint, fill the affected areas with wood filler putty, sand it down smooth, and re-paint or stain it. It should be noted painting will yield a much better look than staining. The wood filler doesn’t pick up stain as well as wood does. However, since paint will cover it; it’ll look much better.
8.) Refinish your cupboards
If you’ve been thinking of installing new cupboards; you could save a bundle by repainting or refinishing them. Much less work, much less mess, and much cheaper. You can even get new handles to go with your new paint job!
The main objective of the debt consolidation companies is to make you debt free. Surviving the credit crunch has become a challenge as corporate giants are closing down shutters and there are many that have declared bankruptcy.
There is a famous quote that says “Survival of the fittest”. Similarly, debt consolidation non profit as well as for-profit companies is competing with each other to offer the best rates to their clients so that they can survive the competition. Undoubtedly, the debt consolidation non profit as well as for profit companies have successfully managed to get many debtors out of debt. However, due to a handful of illegal and unethical debt help companies, the authenticity and the fate of the entire debt help industry is questionable and at stake.
Debt consolidation companies are in business for a common cause and for a larger cause. However, there is no free lunch. So, the quality of service they offer and the fees they charge are 2 important parameters that differentiate the debt help companies from one another.
Debt consolidation non-profit companies operate in a similar manner as do the debt consolidation for profit companies. The only difference is that the for profit debt consolidation companies charge fees for offering their services while the debt consolidation non profit companies take nominal fees from you or don’t charge you for offering their services. The non profit debt consolidation companies run with the help of donations they receive that funds their activities.
Debt consolidation non profit companies - scam artists?
Almost everyday we come across notices and statements released by Better Business Bureau, different websites or originating from state attorney generals urging consumers to be careful while dealing with debt relief companies. Not all are crooks but reports suggest that there are many debt consolidation non profit companies that don’t take any fees from you directly but when you make payments for the creditors, a major portion of the fees is pocketed by these debt consolidation non profit companies. So, the best is to do a bit of research about these debt relief companies before you get trapped into their bait.
When you enroll for a debt consolidation program with the help of a debt consolidation non profit company, the company will negotiate on your behalf with the creditors so that you can make payments as per a new repayment plan that is worked out taking your convenience into consideration. You can make payments as per reduced interest rate. Once the interest rate is reduced, your monthly payments are also lowered.
No, you won’t get a degree out of this. However , if you’re interested in sitting in on a couple lectures this is for you. You can tell your friends you went to Yale, or Stanford. Even if only for thirty minutes. If you’re a college student looking for an inside view of a classroom at your choice university, pull up a seat.
Academic Earth is a website that serves up free education. The world of video blogs, and podcasts is taking the world by such force that even professors are getting in on it. Staff from Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and several other esteemed colleges are posting video lectures for the masses.
The topics range from English, Political Science, economics, Physics, Astronomy, and tons of others. You won’t get anything that’ll help you land a job, but you can learn a little something. A little something, for absolutely nothing.
You can even subscribe to feeds for instructors that you like. I’m watching an interesting lecture on the human brain by Marian Diamond or Berkeley. This video runs about 51 minutes; so it’s truly a full course for you to view. Not a 10 minute tid bit. A pretty interesting view, and a great idea in my opinion. Now, not only can people learn on their own through written material, and books - but you can learn from real professionals in your field of interest whenever you have time in the day.
I had an interesting experience a few years ago that made me really think about perception. Colors, and what they do for the human mind. Choosing a color scheme doesn’t seem like a huge decision. However, they have a much bigger impact than you might realize.
I used to visit two very similar sites; run by the same person. Basically one was his main niche, and the other was a similar one that he was cross marketing. Many members of the original niche site were very interested in this add on site so most of them joined up there as well. (Including me)
The sites were pretty much identical. They were made with the exact same UBB board scripting, and forum set up. Almost all the same people were there, and things were run exactly the same way. Something was still different though, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
The only real difference between the sites was the color scheme. The main site that I liked had a very bright color scheme. The second site had a very dark scheme. I finally attributed this factor to my seemingly unwarranted dislike of this new site.
I began observing, and noticing that I felt the same way about many other sites. I would always spend more time at a site with a brighter scheme. There’s plenty of research on colors, and what they mean to us.
Often times darker colors are depressing, and people shy away from them. White is a popular color, not only for uniformity, but for the emotions is portrays. It’s a very bright, and happy color. People like to be around it. Stores are usually well lit, and painted in pleasant colors. It makes people want to be in a place more.
Many times certain colors are used if you’re marketing to a certain demographic, or going for a theme. A business site for a lawyer or doctor will most likely use more toned down colors such as browns, and beige. A site aimed at children will most likely use brighter, and fun colors.
Many colors are believed to effect other brain impulses such as hunger too. McDonalds uses the color red, because it stimulates this effect. Other colors such as soft greens or blues could make the person feel very calm, and relaxed. Many websites choose to go with a white background, and a bright highlight color. Something such as blue, green, or red. The white background says professional, and the colors make it a little less boring. Often used to highlight areas such as navigation, ad space, or other areas you want the user to look at.
Important words are often highlighted in red or green. Our brains are programmed to believe red means stop. It’s often used for text that may have pertinent information to display. Green is usually used in associated with moving forward or sometimes for money. If an item is on sale, or you will be saving money it’s often highlighted in eye catching green. The contrast on white is immediately eye catching.
I’ve always been very interested in how the human brain works. Some people are amazed at how this information can be used, and others are appauled by it. I’m simply curious.
Today, is networking day. I’ve spent some time reading other people’s blogs, learning, commenting, updating social profiles, ect. So, I thought I’d share what I’ve been reading today! Here’s some track backs to some great finance blogs I’ve been checking out.
Also, if you’d like to follow me on any of my networking sites it’d be much appreciated. : )
Ever wanted to be more like him? Emoney log offers some tips for negotiating, and a little advice from the man himself. While these tips aren’t guarnteed to make you rich - it’s still a fun read.
I clicked on this post instantly, because I saw the cover of a book I just finished reading. It’s called ‘The Geography of Bliss’ by Eric Weiner. It’s lead me to the conclusion that happiness goes hand in hand with contentment. Take a time out, and read the interview. Then head to Amazon (or the library), and check out the book. If you’ve got an iphone or a kindle you can download a free sample too!
The tip about driving to save on accomodations didn’t strike me. Honestly, it should have. Considering I live in a small town bordering many other very pricey towns. Staying in Orlando will cost you a pretty penny, but staying just outside (10 to 15 minutes away) will be much cheaper. If you’re the adventureous type there’s free or super cheap camp grounds all over too. If you’re in a gaz guzzilng motor home you’ll spend more on gas then if you’re brining a long a tent though.
Learning is a big part of my life. I’m addicted to RSS, because it delivers tidbits of knowledge from every source directly to my reader page every morning. I sit down at my computer, check my messages, and see what I can learn today. Which, I honestly think is a good way to start the day! I wish I’d have started doing it years ago, because hopefully without being too cliche “knowledge is power”.
Why don’t I pay somebody to fix my computer? Because I’ve learned to do it myself.
Why don’t I pay somebody to manage my websites? Because I’ve learned to do it myself.
Why don’t I pay somebody to do my taxes? Because I’ve learned to do it myself.
Knowledge like anything else is varying in its degree of neccesity. I might learn how to build something fascinating today, but tomorrow I might just learn a new cookie recipe. Today I’m learning that I am at an important age. The age where people form most of their wonderful ideas, because they don’t know enough yet to be weighed down by the reality of failure. So, I present a few articles that have inspired me today, and hopefully they will do the same for you.
I was instantly interested in this article. Kevin Lylman who is among other things the organizer of the ever popular music event ‘Vans Warped Tour’. I’ve attended this event myself, and enjoyed it a lot. His interview with Forbes gives insight into how he became a music promoter, and the legacy that unfolded. Also how he’s still kicking himself for dishing out a full partnership stake to his lawyer.
I’ve never lived off the classic college diet of ramen noodles. I’ve always been fortunate enough to have a better dining selection. I can however sympathize with Betsy McLaughlin’s need to establish her own financial plan. Like her I never grew up with one, both of my parents were awful with money. Now she’s the CEO of Hot Topic, and definately has her paperwork in check.
It’s truly a buyer’s market right now for those that are financially able. If you’ve been wanting to buy a home for a while this could be your opportunity to get an awesome deal. Here’s some things you may want to look out for.
I’m currently in the process of buying my first home! I’m buying a 3 bedroom, and 2 bath home that needs virtually nothing done to it for $85,000. It may take some patience, but you can get a great home for rock bottom pricing if you’re diligent about what you want.
Before you go hunting there’s a few things you should figure out so you can really compare prices. A house that looks like a good deal might really be a train wreck.
Fixer Uppers
The agent that shows you the house will most likely tell you with only a little work this could be a great house. However, make note of repairs that need to be done. Things like paint, and carpet are not a big deal, but other things could be. New drywall, water damage, and other seemingly ’small repairs’ could end up being very costly. If you don’t know how to fix it then it’s best to move on.
Flood Zone Houses
Many houses will be cheaper if they’re in a flood zone. I live in an area that can be bone dry, and then ankle deep in water over night. Mother nature is fickle, and you don’t want to be using your couch as a life raft. Your insurance will be much more expensive to boot. If your house is a wood frame, and it floods you could be in a lot of pain. Almost any house remotely close to a body of water will be considered ‘flood zone’. Now, if the house you’re buying is on a high point of the street it may still be very unlikely to flood. That doesn’t mean the insurance company will not charge you an arm, and a leg. It simply means that if you really like the home it should be relatively safe.
As Is housing
The majority of the housing available are foreclosures or short sales. There’s nothing wrong with buying these homes as long as you do some homework. Your bank will most likely require inspections anyway, but if you’re paying cash it’s up to you! As is means that after you buy the house the owner and the bank will fix nothing. It’s your problem. You can buy a one year insurance policy from a private company for $350 in case of anything going wrong. If you suspect things like the hot water heater or the air conditioner not to last it may be a good plan. They’ll pay for 100% of repair/replacement minus a $50 deductible.
Taxes
Pay close attention to the tax status of your home. Depending on many factors you could be paying several hundred dollars a month more than a similar home in a different location. While it seems they’re the same your expenses could be up by $200 a month by purchasing one home over another. Don’t expect the taxes to drop dramatically based on what you paid. While they may appraise the house slightly lower don’t expect to pay taxes on a 2,200 square foot house based on your $40,000 short sale price.
Wood Frame versus block construction
Many people are leery of a wood frame house, especially banks. Personally, I think they are just as structurally stable as a concrete block home. I lived for most of my life in a two story wood frame house inbetween the bay, and the beach. It weathered many storms without damage. Infact most of our neighbor hood was composed of wood frame homes, and they’re still standing strong. It’s up to you, but purchasing a wood frame home could be much cheaper. As, now block construction is much more desirable asthetically.
Swimming pools
Don’t expect a home to be more valuable based on having a pool. Think of this more as an expense. It will cost a lot of money to maintain, run the pumps, clean, buy chemicals, and pay for insurance. Due to the fact of drowning being such a high risk with pools your insurance will eat a hole in your wallet. If you don’t really want a pool it may be best to skip it over. I didn’t see it as being worth the trouble. I’ll just go to the beach instead.
Extras
If a home’s price seems inflated compared to another keep in mind the extras included. Does it have wood floors, ceramic tile? Stainless steel appliances or hardwood cabinets? These all cost a pretty penny. If you’re happy with plain old white cupboards, cheap carpet, and stick tiles your home price will reflect it. If you want these extras it will be easier to buy a home with these items already. Personally, I made sure to find a home that was mostly ceramic tile already. So, I would not have to do as much work later. Keep in mind you can also refinish your cabinets instead of replacing them!
Location
Location is a big portion of the price of your home. When you buy a house that’s fifty feet from the beach you are not paying for the home. You are paying for sand. A home in a densely populated area will be more money, because of availability. If there’s no more available land in that area then the housing prices will reflect that. If you purchase a home slightly out of the clutter your home will be cheaper. This will also probably be less noisy, less traffic, and a better experience in my opinion. I looked at a home in the center of town that was virtually identical in size to my home. The only difference was location was better, but the extras were not as nice. The taxes though were three times as much money.
Utilities
Homes that are not hooked up to city utilities will be much cheaper. Even if this doesn’t bother you now, keep in mind that when the city decides to run piping they could force you to hook up to it. Even if you like your private utilities. I don’t like well water, so I made sure to get a home on city utilties.
Older houses
A home that’s aged will not be as pricey as a brand new home. This doesn’t mean that the house is not solid, just that it may need some updating to make it modern. If this doesn’t bother you then don’t be afraid to purchase an older home. While many people will argue that older houses have problems, so do new ones. Just talk to all the happy new owners of chinese drywall homes.
Recent Comments