Benefits and drawbacks of rent-to-own homes unveiled

Benefits and drawbacks of rent-to-own homes unveiled

A rent-to-own home helps individuals buy the home they are renting once the lease expires. It is an excellent option for individuals who cannot secure traditional mortgages upfront. Here, part of the monthly rent payments may go toward the purchase price, and additional expenses and fees might apply. However, before signing the agreement, one must explore various details, like the advantages and drawbacks, to make informed decisions during their home-buying journey.

Benefits of rent-to-own homes

Helping save for a down payment

Those who direct a portion of rent payments towards the purchase price could help accumulate a significant down payment towards the home’s purchase price. It could make it easier for them to handle a big down payment they might have had trouble saving up for. Going with the rent-to-own home option may also help an individual build equity.

Ample time to improve finances

One could use the rental period to pay down their debt, cushion their savings, and improve their credit score. Moreover, signing up for the rent-to-own home agreement may also help increase one’s income before one purchases a home. Therefore, the option could help one marginally improve their finances.

Lock in prices

Individuals who sign up for this agreement are usually aware of the purchase price from the start. The information may give one peace of mind and enable them to be financially prepared to handle all associated expenses and purchase the home later.

There’s no moving required

An individual who moves from one home to another at the end of a rental contract may incur thousands of dollars in expenses for furniture, supplies, and transportation of other utilities. Moreover, there may be expenses associated with renovating the new home space. However, in the case of a rent-to-own home, one would already have everything set up, and there would be no relocating involved. Therefore, such home ownership may help save in the long run.

Drawbacks of rent-to-own homes

Higher than average rent

An individual might have to pay higher than average rent, especially if part of their payment goes toward the purchase price of the rent-to-own home.

Other fees

Rent-to-own homes may come with certain fees. These might include nonrefundable options. Therefore, one could lose their money if they decide not to buy the home towards the end of the contract.

Maintenance and insurance costs

There are several out-of-pocket costs associated with rent-to-own homes. It might add up drastically, especially in cases where there is damage to the roof or if the air conditioning stops functioning. The maintenance costs and insurance costs in these situations might be quite hefty. One may also be liable to pay property taxes.

The financing isn’t assured

Contrary to popular belief, the financing options for a rent-to-own home are never assured. One has to qualify for a mortgage if one wants to finance the purchase of a home. Moreover, the individual may also have to pay closing costs, which may add an extra 2% to 5% to the total due amount.

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5 mistakes to avoid while booking concert tickets

Booking concert tickets requires careful planning. However, the buying process has become easier with the availability of tickets online. But one can still end up making errors while booking tickets online, making them lose money or their favorite seats. One should avoid overlooking the booking details or losing their patience when trying to get tickets. Here are some other crucial mistakes one can make when buying concert tickets and how to avoid them: Overlooking key detailsBefore one tries to book concert tickets online or offline, they must get all the important information on the concert. This includes the date of the concert, the venue, and the arrangements one can expect. If one misses out on such details, they may end up booking the ticket and realizing they can’t make it on that day. This may either lead to the ticket being wasted or being resold on other websites. So, one must always check the concert details thoroughly and consider their own schedule and budget before buying tickets.Not creating an account beforehandSome websites prompt the user to create an account to buy the tickets. However, because of the fear of scams, people usually avoid creating accounts on such platforms till the last minute. Further, when the ticket sale is announced, the users lose valuable time in creating the account and are often disappointed at the unavailability of the preferred seats. So, one should check the legitimacy of the particular website, create an account before the tickets go live (preferably a couple of days prior), and then quickly book the tickets as per their preferences. Not verifying the platform’s credibilityToday, one can choose from multiple platforms to get concert tickets. However, the chances of all websites being legitimate are scarce. Some websites are often designed to scam people and take their money. So, when one does not verify that the website is genuine and legitimate before placing an order, they are exposed to the risk of losing a lot of money. So, one should look up customer reviews of the websites and even seek recommendations from friends and family for reliable booking platforms. This can help one save their hard-earned money from scammers and also make their ticket-buying experience hassle-free. Not using multiple devicesWhen one tries to buy concert tickets online, they use just one device and end up disappointed. This happens because the concert tickets sell out incredibly fast once announced. However, one can double their chances of booking tickets if they ask a friend to log on to the platform at the same time on a different computer or phone. This could help one ensure that if they are unable to get seats on one device, they could try the other one. Missing great offersWhen one’s favorite artist comes to town, they may jump at the chance to book the pre-sale tickets. However, booking tickets without checking for offers and discounts leads to overspending. So, to avoid making this mistake, one should check out offers on social media, booking platforms, and the organizer’s page beforehand to save money on the purchase.

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5 common mistakes to avoid when caring for seniors

Taking care of seniors is a responsibility that needs utmost care and patience. As they age, older adults might need help with daily tasks. So, aside from taking care of their healthcare and companionship needs, one may need to help bathe them, feed them, and assist them in moving around. However, it is easy to falter in the process. To ensure that one takes the best care of seniors, here are some mistakes to avoid. Treating seniors like children When one takes care of seniors, they may equate it with caring for a child. This instinct is especially seen in adults who are parents taking care of their kids and their parents. While this approach may seem harmless, it might not work in the best way for seniors. Unlike children, seniors may not require assistance with every little task. Helping them with small tasks without them needing it decreases their sense of independence. Instead, it is better to encourage seniors to be as independent as possible in their daily lives as long as it supports their health and safety. Not seeking professional help Adults may often feel that they are completely responsible for taking care of their senior parents. While this is an understandable and loving sentiment, one must realize that one can't manage everything independently. One cannot tend to a senior for 24 hours a day while managing one's own life, job, and other responsibilities. Thus, it is better to turn to professional caregivers who can take care of seniors in the best possible way. Based on one's needs, one can look for either full-time or part-time caregivers. Ignoring rest A major mistake that many caregivers make when taking care of seniors is neglecting to take care of themselves. Regardless of how experienced and trained caregivers are, the daily responsibilities of caring for seniors can be tiring. Caregivers must recognize that. Instead of working to burnout, it is better to take a break. For this break period, one can explore options such as respite care for seniors. In this period, caregivers must focus on their well-being and do something to relax and refresh. It could either be spending time with loved ones or taking a trip. Choosing a standard plan of action for senior care One must realize that every senior has different needs when caring for seniors. Accordingly, one must also choose the right approach for their care. For instance, some seniors may need more assistance with daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing, while some may need companionship. So, as a caregiver, one needs to recognize the senior’s unique needs to provide them with the care they require. Forgetting about their social needs It is essential to realize that seniors also have social needs along with physical and healthcare needs. Studies have found that social isolation can severely affect seniors’ mental and emotional health. So, one must try to look for social communities and groups where the senior individual one is caring for can socialize with their peers.

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