5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Anxiety Could be Diminished
Some users have reported lower symptoms of anxiety after using these blankets. They simulate deep pressure touch (which is also accomplished through hugging) which releases serotonin and dopamine, promoting relaxation. The end result? Less anxiety and attention issues.

Ease Your Pain
Although more research is necessary, experts say that weighted blankets could help those with chronic pain fall and stay asleep.

Psychologists Have Used Them for Years
Mental health practitioners have suggested them to patients, and now, weighted blankets have gone mainstream. While they’re not a cure-all for anxiety or insomnia, they are a natural remedy that may be worth trying in conjunction with other remedies.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Owning a pet can help kids learn responsibility, as well. Assigning chores such as feeding a cat or dog can teach kids to think about and tend to the needs of others. Having an older child clean the litter box can help him or her realize that the benefits and enjoyment of having a pet come with some unpleasant, but necessary, tasks. This simple lesson can help children be prepared when they grow up and have families of their own.

Playing with a pet or laughing at its funny antics can bring family members together. Sharing in the responsibilities of pet care can help siblings bond as they work toward a common purpose.

Choosing a Pet
If you already have a pet and you’re planning to have a baby, the animal might warmly welcome the child, and they could form an instant bond. If you have a child and you’re thinking about getting a pet, make sure it’s the right fit for your family.

The personalities of your child and the pet are critical factors to consider. A large, energetic dog might be fine for an older child, but a shy or anxious toddler could feel overwhelmed. A pet or child that’s aggressive could put the other at risk. An animal that was abused by a previous owner might be intimidated by a rambunctious, curious or affectionate child. It’s also possible that they could respond to each other with sensitivity and help one another grow. If possible, give your child and the animal an opportunity to interact before you bring the pet home.

If you’re considering welcoming a pet into your family, make sure it will fit your lifestyle. A dog that needs to be let outside frequently wouldn’t do well being left home alone all day. Having someone come to walk the dog could solve the problem, however, if that isn’t possible, consider a cat, hamster, fish or some other type of animal.

Is a Pet Right for Your Family?
Growing up with pets can teach kids patience, responsibility and compassion. Children and animals often form long-lasting bonds. If you’re thinking about getting a pet, consider your child’s age and personality, the amount of work that the pet would require and the characteristics of the animal to decide if it’s the right fit for your family.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Buy and sell used
For one month, make it a point to only buy used items. And for each item you buy, sell something you already own.

While this tactic won’t necessarily work for food (although you can shop at a cheaper grocery store and make meals at home), it can work for phones, clothes and even cars.

Any money you save should be stashed in your emergency fund.

Price adjustments on old purchases
If you happen to buy a brand-new item, hang onto the receipt. Many stores have price adjustment policies where they’ll give you the difference between the price you paid and a lower price that comes later on down the line. Timing is everything when it comes to price adjustments, as you typically only have a week or two from the date of purchase to ask for an adjustment.

Compare prices on big purchases
Comparing prices on small purchases may not be worth your time, but when it comes to monthly expenses (clothing, groceries, gas, etc.), taking the time to shop around and find the best price is critical if you’re looking to save some dough.

The same goes for large purchases that may only happen once every few years, such as a car or major appliance.

It’s also a good idea to shop around for the best insurance rates for any insurance policy you may have. Check with your insurance agent before it’s time to renew your policy to see if you qualify for any discounts. And always check with other insurers to see if they offer a better price for the same coverage.

Cut little expenses
Little expenses have a way of adding up quickly, so consider whether you can eliminate any of these smaller expenditures, such as gym memberships, daily coffees and lunches out. You can even stand to save big by ditching cable and opting to use any of the streaming services that are currently available.

While it’s not necessary to cut everything at once, choosing to eliminate one recurring expense a month is a simple way to see exactly how you’ll fare without it.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

If you want to improve your chances of being productive while working from home, do the following:

Create designated space. Don’t try to do your job from the sofa, or worse, your bed. If you don’t already have a designated office space in your home, create one. Set up a table and comfortable chair in a room—or corner of a room—where you’re likely to have the most privacy. Use a decorative screen to help section off your workspace if need be. Take over a guest room, if you have one, or claim the dining room as your new office, relegating meals to the kitchen instead. The idea is to have a space that’s as private as possible, where you can leave your work materials out at the end of the day.

Get up on time. Working from home doesn’t mean it’s time to sleep in. Be sure to maintain the morning schedule you had when going into the office, and if you now have more time due to not having to commute, use it for exercise or to have breakfast with the family. Giving in to sleeping longer may reduce your energy level and make it harder to focus.

Establish a communication system. Working from home can often leave you feeling cut-off from your coworkers and managers, which can quickly stymie productivity. Make sure you have a system for effectively connecting, using both chat programs and video conferencing to stay in regular contact. Don’t just rely on email, which can lack details and intent. The idea is to avoid isolating yourself, even though you’re not physically present at the office.

Work during work hours. When working from home, it can be tempting to try and sneak in some domestic tasks or social engagements. Try to avoid this during designated work hours, as the distraction factor will quickly mount, and you’ll find it hard to keep switching between work and home life. Take a lunch hour and a couple of breaks for your personal tasks, then focus on work during the times you would while at the office.

Honor quitting time. One of the dangers of working from home is that your work is always right there with you. Be as productive as possible during work hours, then end your day as you normally would when at the office. Shut your computer down, organize your papers, turn off the light in your home-office space and call it a day. Taking the necessary time to detach from work every day will ultimately make you more productive.

5  BEDS

4  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

A plumbing leak may not seem like a big deal, but even a small one can waste hundreds of gallons of water per month. Have a plumber check your sinks, toilets and appliances for leaks and make any necessary repairs.

Installing efficient, Energy Star-certified appliances and other devices, and using appliances with water conservation in mind, can help you lower your bills. Aerators on your kitchen and bathroom faucets and a low-flow showerhead can save water. Newer toilets use less water than traditional models. Front-loading washers use less water than top-loading versions.

Don’t flush tissues or other household items down the toilet since that wastes water. Throw them in the trash instead. Work on reducing the length of your showers. Only run the dishwasher when it’s full.

How to Reduce the Amount of Water You Use Outdoors
Weeds can use up water that should go to your plants. Weed your garden regularly so your plants won’t have to compete for water. Group plants based on their water needs so you can make sure that each section gets the appropriate amount of moisture. Place a layer of mulch around plants and trees to help the soil retain water and reduce runoff.

Check your outdoor faucets, hoses and irrigation system for leaks and clogs. Watering your yard with a hose as needed can help you use less water than you would with an automatic irrigation system. A soil meter can let you know if your yard needs water so you don’t overwater it.

If you would prefer to use a sprinkler system, choose one that uses water efficiently and that adjusts the watering schedule based on the amount of rain the area has received. That can help you avoid overwatering the lawn and wasting water. Make sure the sprinklers are positioned so water lands in the yard and garden, not on the driveway or street.

When you water the lawn, give it a deep soaking so water can penetrate the soil and encourage the grass to grow deep roots. Water your lawn early in the morning so the water won’t evaporate quickly.

Look for Ways to Save Water
Many people don’t realize how much water they waste and how that affects the environment and their wallets. Figure out where your family is using more water than you should and look for ways to cut back.

4  BEDS

5  BATHS

5520  SQFT

FOR SALE

$975,000

1232 OLEANDER WAY , ODENTON, MD

Reasons to Consider a 203k Loan
Lenders often reject mortgage applications for houses in need of significant repairs, but a lender might approve an application it would otherwise reject if some of the money would be used to make repairs. If you use an FHA 203k loan to fix up a home, you can quickly build equity.

Eligibility Guidelines
You can use an FHA 203k loan to buy a house that needs repairs or to refinance your existing mortgage. A 203k mortgage can only be used to fix up a primary residence.

You might be able to qualify for a 203k loan with as little as 3.5 percent down. The income and credit score requirements aren’t as stringent as they are for other loan types.

You can take out a loan for up to 110 percent of the house’s proposed future value or the sale price plus the cost of repairs, whichever is less. Regional FHA loan limits will apply. A Mortgage Insurance Premium will be required and can be included in the loan total. Interest rates are higher for 203k loans than for typical FHA mortgages. Getting a 203k loan will require more time and paperwork than obtaining a traditional mortgage.

Costs and Types of Repairs Allowed
A Limited 203k mortgage will cover most cosmetic repairs, but not structural repairs or changes to the footprint of the house. You can borrow up to $35,000 for repairs, but a 15 percent buffer is required in case of cost overruns. That means the total estimated cost of repairs can’t exceed $31,000. A 203k Standard loan will cover almost any renovations, except non-permanent changes, luxury amenities or minor landscaping.

The lender will require you to make repairs to address health and safety hazards first. Then you can decide how to spend the remaining money available.

You must choose contractors who are licensed and insured, and they typically must operate a full-time business. You may only do work yourself if you are a professional contractor. Choose contractors who have worked with 203k loans in the past and are familiar with the process and requirements. Submit accurate bids to the lender. Contractors will be able to start working once the loan has been approved.

Funding for a Fixer-Upper
Buying an inexpensive house and making repairs can help you build equity quickly. Getting a mortgage can be a challenge, however, if you don’t have funds set aside for renovations.