Buying a new house requires you to put in a lot of effort; right from visiting different relators to applying for a loan requires, the entire process has to transpire smoothly. The process of buying a house is difficult, and if you are a first-time home buyer, the entire process becomes more overwhelming. Without the right guidance, there are high chances that a first-time home buyer will end up making certain mistakes that can cost them dearly. In a bid to keep tabs on online listings and ensuring that your dream home doesn’t slip away, people often end up making certain mistakes, and these can be easily avoided if you are appraised about the same.
Here are some common mistakes that first-time home buyers usually make.
- Not prioritizing the credit report: It is common knowledge that our credit report can make or break a deal. So, for a first-time home buyer, the credit report is that ace which can help them secure the desired loan. However, many first-time home buyers often overlook the importance of keeping tabs on their credit report; a slight error on the part of the credit company can cost you your new home. To keep track of your credit report and devise ways to improve your credit, you can check your credit report for free from each of the three credit report agencies: Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.
- Not waiting for the pre-approval letter: Everybody is out looking for their dream houses, and there are high chances that another individual might be vying for the house you have short-listed for yourself, and since sellers don’t wait around for anyone, they grab the best deal they get. Another error that first-time home buyers often commit is setting out to buy the house without getting a pre-approval letter from the lender. This proves quite detrimental if the other party has all the documents, including the pre-approval letter, ready.
- Buying a house that you cannot actually afford: One of the most prominent mistakes first-time home buyers usually make is buying a house that is beyond their purchasing power. No matter how big or attractive the house is, if you cannot afford it, you must not buy it. Irrespective of what you believe, taking a loan to pay the original loan doesn’t yield a desirable result. Instead of getting yourself into a dilemma, use a mortgage calculator to fathom how many monthly payments you can afford. Also, determine how much money can be saved since you will need to keep money aside for maintenance purposes.
- Not hiring a real estate agent: People often are of the opinion that not hiring a real estate agent can help save money. However, if you go about looking for a new house for yourself, and especially if you are a first-time home buyer, this process can be extremely time-consuming, and there are high chances that you might not find what you are looking for.
Ensure that, as a first-time home buyer, you wouldn’t make these mistakes.
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Popular colleges for criminal justice degrees
Read moreIt might astonish you, but criminal justice degrees are currently one of the most sought-after bachelor courses in the country. This could be because of the fact that today these courses just don’t deal with subjects like corrections, public safety, and law enforcement. Now there are tailored courses based on specific skill sets. As an aspiring criminal justice student, you have the liberty to explore an extensive variety of areas associated with criminology, law, social service, etc. However, after you have shortlisted your specialization you must choose a good school for your undergraduate studies. Here are some of the most popular colleges across the country which offer excellent criminal justice degree programs.
Northeastern University – Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Northeastern University offers bachelor and advanced criminal justice degrees. They let students choose from majors like criminology and public policy, international criminal justice, community and family justice, and leadership. Along with academics, NU also encourages their students to gain relevant experience through co-op programs.
George Washington University – Offering one of the best courses in criminal justice, George Washington University is situated in the capital city of Washington D.C. The degree is handled by the university’s department of sociology, which allows the students to pursue a general degree or a specialized one. The university is also associated with various community initiatives, federal agencies and justice organizations which increase the level of exposure for students.
Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice – The criminal justice degree program offered by Sam Houston State University is one of the oldest in the country. Located in the city of Huntsville, Texas, SHSU offers traditional undergraduate and advanced degrees as well as online graduate programs. The criminal justice school of SHSU is also known for its state of the art facilities for forensics and law enforcement training.
American University – The American University of Washington D.C. provides students with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in several fields related to criminal justice. The university offers 4 majors, which includes social thought and jurisprudence, law and society, terrorism and security policy, and public policy.
Marist College – Situated in Poughkeepsie, New York, Marist College has a unique course structure which combines traditional teaching methods as well as practical techniques. Some of the mandatory subjects for the criminal justice degrees include criminology, juvenile crimes, terrorism, and politics. Marist College also offers certain short-term certificate courses in criminal justice.
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REM sleep disorder: Overview, symptoms, and treatment
Read moreSleep disorders comprise a large number of sleep disturbing conditions such as bed wetting to chronic insomnia and sleeplessness from degenerative disorders of the brain. Rapid Eye Movement sleep or REM sleep disorder is one of the commonly experienced sleep disorders. Below, a brief overview, REM sleep disorder symptoms, and its treatment has been mentioned.
REM sleep is that phase of sleep that is characterized by the rapid movement of the eyes. There are a number of times REM sleep happens during a sleep cycle. As much as 20% of sleep is the REM type. During REM, body parts do not move. REM happening in the second part of the night is the time when most dreams occur.
REM sleep disorder symptoms are characterized by a “fight or flight” sort of dream. In disordered conditions, the patient tries to actually live the dream. The patient usually imitates kicking or punching movements. The patient may even actually jump down from the bed. The patient even talks, shouts, and makes sounds of emotional states. There are criteria set by International Classifications of Sleep Disorders. It is based on these criteria that different sleep disorders are diagnosed. The criteria for diagnosing a REM sleep disorder specifies, inter alia, that a number of arousals during sleep where one talks or makes noises or performs complex motor behavior such as punching, kicking, or running movements that often relate to the dream.
The treatment is to normally protect the patient and the sleep partner from physical injuries. Padding the surrounding areas of the bed, removing dangerous objects from the vicinity of the bed, protect the windows, putting barriers around the bed, etc. are effective methods. Moreover, if required, the patient and the partner can sleep in different rooms. Medications that generally are prescribed for those experiencing REM sleep disorder symptoms include the dietary supplement, Melatonin, which may reduce or even stop the episodes. Another drug that is normally given to those suffering from this sleep disorder and its symptoms is a remedy for anxiety, i.e., Clonazepam. This, however, has some side effects like daytime sleepiness, loss of balance, etc.