1. Name a personal representative or executor.

In an individual will, your parent can name a person or institution to act as personal representative, called an executor in some states, who will be responsible for making sure that the will is carried out as written and that the property is divvied up and distributed as directed. It’s also wise to name an alternate in case the first choice is unable or unwilling to act.

2. Name beneficiaries to get specific property.

Your parent’s will can specify separate gifts of property — called specific bequests — including cash, personal property, or real estate. Likely beneficiaries for such bequests are children and other relatives, but they may also include friends, business associates, charities, or other organizations.

3. Specify alternate beneficiaries.

In fashioning their wills, most people assume that the beneficiaries they name will survive to take the property they’ve specified for them. The most thoughtful wills provide for what should happen if those beneficiaries don’t survive — either by naming a backup recipient or indicating that the person’s spouse or children should take the property instead.

4. Name someone to take all remaining property.

If your parent has opted to make specific bequests of property, a will is also the place to name people or organizations to take whatever property is left over. This property is usually called a “residuary estate.”

5. Give directions on dividing personal assests.

If your parent wants assets divided among children, charities, or other beneficiaries, the will should note precisely what property is included in that pool. It should also specify whether assets are to go directly to beneficiaries or whether they’re to be sold and the value divided among the beneficiaries, either equally or according to stated percentages.

6. Give directions for allocating business assests.

Business assets are often separate from personal assets — and most business owners have very specific ideas about what should be done with them after their deaths. If your parents don’t have a written plan covering the windup of their business, encourage them to see an experienced estate planning attorney to ensure that their wishes are clearly indicated in each of their wills.

7. Specify how debts, expenses, and taxes should be paid.

The will should spell out your parent’s wishes regarding how to settle debts and final expenses, such as funeral and probate costs, as well as any estate and inheritance taxes. Usually a specific source, such as a bank account, will be tagged to cover these costs.

8. Cancel debts others owe.

A nice added touch is that people making wills can use the documents to relieve those who owed them money from the responsibility of paying that debt — along with any interest that accumulated on it — to them or their survivors.

9. Indicate special instructions for maintaining real estate.

If your parents name someone to keep their house, they should list any specific instructions for its care and upkeep in each will.

10. Provide a caretaker for pets.

Since the law considers pets to be property, the best way for your parents to assure a good home for theirs is to leave the animal to someone named in each will who has agreed to give it a good home. Many people also leave that person an amount of money to help cover the caretaking expenses.

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

This property features 1 room, 1 full bath, 1 bedroom, and is currently available for $185,000.

For complete details click here.

The best part is that once you begin searching through the lists of homes this site has for sale, you do not have to leave the comfort of your own home. With less stress surrounding you, it becomes easier to begin your search, and this in turn means that you will have the right mindset to find a great piece of property that you can call home.

If you want to keep up to date without searching, you can sign up to receive daily email alerts. The alert will email you every morning with new listings, price changes, back on markets and open houses in your towns and price range. This daily email program allows you to find you the perfect home. In your search you can choose the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you prefer, the area it should be located in, and the overall price range that you are willing to budget for.

And don’t forget I am always a phone call away when you are ready to learn more about the homes you have been searching.

This property features 3 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 bedroom, and is currently available for $185,000.

For complete details click here.

Here is a checklist to help keep you on track:

60 Days Before You Move

• Sort and Purge-Go through every room, decide what needs to come with you and what can go. Make piles of things to throw away and things to donate.
• Plan a Yard Sale-Start planning a yard sale to reduce the amount of stuff you need to move. Some extra money for the move will also come in handy.
• Hire a Mover-Contact at least three moving companies. On-site estimates are better than over the phone or internet estimates. Get each estimate in writing, and make sure it has a USDOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) number on it.
• Create a Moving Binder-Store all of your move-related paperwork (checklists, contracts, receipts) in a binder. You may also want to inventory all of your items with photos or lists.

Six Weeks Before Your Move

• Get Packing Supplies-Determine how many packing supplies you’ll need and designate a room where you can begin to store and organize.
• Take Measurements-If possible get room dimensions of your new home. Make sure large pieces of furniture will fit.  Don’t forget to take measurements for appliances too.

30 Days Before Your Move

• Confirm with Mover-Check with your mover the details of your move.
• Start Packing-Begin packing out-of-season clothes and unnecessary items.
• Label-Make sure to label boxes with what rooms the boxes will go in at your new home.
• Start/Stop Utilities-Make arrangements to connect and disconnect your cable, internet and utilities.
• Change your Address- Contact or visit your local Post Office to obtain a Change of Address form. You can also obtain this form online at http://www.usps.com.
• Make Notifications- Change your address to the following: registry of motor vehicles, banks, schools, friends & family, insurance companies, doctors and specialists, cell phone providers, credit card companies and magazine and newspapers.
• Contact Service Providers—Notify landscapers, cleaning services that you are moving, and look for new ones in your new hometown.

Two Weeks Before Your Move

• Call Locksmith- Have your new home’s locks changed on moving day or before.
• Arrange Services- Have a cleaning company prepare the new home before you arrive and tidy the old home after you leave. Arrange for carpet cleaning too.
• Pack the bulk of your items.
• Start Cleaning-Begin cleaning any rooms in your house that have been emptied, such as closets, basements or attics.

One Week Before Your Move

• Pack Suitcases- Finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.
• Gather Keys- Organize all keys, alarm codes and garage door openers so that you can be prepared to hand them over to the new owner or real estate agent.

A Few Days Before Your Move

• Defrost the Freezer- Empty, clean and defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before moving day.
• Make Payment Plans- You will need to make sure you have made arrangements to pay the mover and have a tip (usually 10%-15%).

Moving Day

• List Contact Info- Write out a list for your movers of things they’ll need: phone numbers, exact moving address and maps.
• Take Inventory- Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.
• Walk-Through- Do a walk-through of your new home with your real estate agent.
• Layout New Home- Tape names to doors to assist movers in placing furniture and boxes.
• Have Director- Arrange for someone to direct the movers at your new home.

This property features 2 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 bedroom, 0.13 Acres, and is currently available for $429,000.

For complete details click here.

Where you place your furniture can make a big difference. It sets the mood and tone for that room. Here are tips from Mark McCauley, a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and author of Color Therapy at Home and Interior Design for Idiots on how to arrange spaces for chatting, watching TV or relaxing.

Design by Rebekah Zaveloff.