According to a survey that involved 2,000 home-buyers, 80% said they regretted at least one thing about their house, post-purchase. The study found that the number-one complaint was that the home was too small. Following close behind, the main regrets were, lack of closet space and not enough bathrooms. Experts have given a few tips to help you be sure you are making the right choice when buying a home, here. 

Sealing your asphalt driveway is a necessary preventative measure to ensure protection from water. Cracks and potholes from water damage can result in expensive repairs. Here are a few tips for applying asphalt sealant: When sealing your driveway, make sure there is no expectation of rain for up to 72 hours after application. Also, the ground temperature must be above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid coming into contact with sealant and avoid vapor inhalation. Clean off the surface of the asphalt with detergent and rinse well before you begin. When finished, allow time for the sealant dry completely. Apply the sealant in thin layers, and try to work on one small section at a time. Finally, the sealant will take approximately 24 hours to dry, do not drive or walk on the driveway during this time. More here

According to Black Knight Financial Services, as many as 25% of American borrowers with 30-year mortgages could benefit from refinancing their homes. Trey Barns, the senior vice president of Loan Data Products for Black Knight Financial Services said, “before the most recent reductions in the average 30-year mortgage interest rate, approximately six million borrowers met broad-based ‘refinancibility’ criteria. These criteria assume loan-to-value ratios of 80% or below, good credit, non-delinquent loan status and current interest rates high enough that borrowers have an incentive to refinance.” More here

Reverse mortgages have begun to gain more positive attention as new laws make the option more attractive to both borrowers and loan officers. In the past, there were some concerns, but now that new laws protect the borrower, the option has become safer, and ultimately, more appealing. Reverse mortgages have ensured that many older Americans can stay in their homes by tapping into their home equity, and it’s overall popularity is rising. Many experts are now promoting reverse mortgages to older individuals as a way to escape financial hardship. More here 

Insurance payments can be burdensome, but they are a necessity for you, your family, and your home. A few things you can do to help reduce your insurance costs are: Don’t switch companies too often, this may help reduce your payments or provide you with free credit from companies who reward for loyalty. Shop around for the best prices; check out comparison sites on the internet. Have plenty of smoke alarms throughout the house, and a burglar alarm to reinforce the fact that you are low-risk. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts, you may be surprised by special perks. Bundling can sometimes reduce costs, consider bundling your auto and home insurance together for a discount. Also, maintain a good credit score, and if your score is low, take steps to improve it. More here

Garage doors get a great deal of use and require special care to continue working properly. A few things you can do to keep your garage door well maintained are: Check all components of your door to make sure they are functioning correctly. Look for broken or bent pieces that may need repair. Lubricate the axles and rails and be sure they are in place and tight. If adjusting the sensitivity of your door, be certain the setting is in accordance with the manual. The weather sealant should be intact and free from cracks. You can also wash your garage door with car wax to control dirt and extra moisture. More here

According to recent data, foreclosure inventory in the United States declined this month, falling to the lowest level seen since February of 2008. There are currently around 893,000 loans in or starting the foreclosure process, down 435,000 from this time last year, and a 3.9% decrease from last month. Additionally, seriously delinquent loan inventory, mortgages 90 days late or more, has also decreased by 25,000, the lowest rate since August of 2008. More here

Analysts predict that home prices will decrease and stabilize in 2015. Many Americans have expressed concern about the possibility of another housing bubble, but experts suggest that the decline and stabilization in home prices will be positive for the housing market. Home prices have fallen over the last few months with the average home price now at $176,500. Zillow’s chief economist, Stan Humphries said, “we’re transitioning from a fast form of recovery to a slow form of recovery, particularly since a lot of those factors driving us forward – household formation rates and income growth – have not fully recovered.” More here

Existing home sales in the U.S. jumped 2.4% to an annual rate of 5.17 million units, the highest reading since September, 2013 according to the National Association of Realtors. September’s existing home sales exceeded what many economists had previously predicted, though the increase is not yet considered to be above average. Sophia Kearney-Lederman, an economist at FTN Financial said, “the housing recovery continues to move along sluggishly, as consumers are stuck between tight credit standards and limited wage growth.” More here

Winter is approaching, and if you have the luxury of owning an indoor fireplace it is time to start cleaning it up and making sure it is working safely and efficiently for those cold winter nights. A few things to do in order to get your home and chimney ready for winter are: Hire a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect the outside and inside of your chimney and fireplace to be sure it is clear of any creosote build-up. Install or replace batteries in smoke alarms inside your home, also replace batteries in carbon monoxide detectors. And finally, be sure you have a working fire extinguisher close by in case of an emergency. More here