Lists for Life

The Essential Guide to Getting Organized and Tackling Tough To-Dos

Rory Tahari

• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781439153574
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Self Improvement

Who hasn't ever walked out the door with that "am I forgetting something" feeling? Let's face it, everyone could use a little help getting more organized and dealing with life's daily demands. Written by Rory Tahari—a powerhouse businesswoman who not only oversees a company with annual global revenues of more than $500 million but also manages a bustling household with young children and various philanthropic endeavors—Lists for Life breaks big moments down into easy, manageable steps so readers will never feel overwhelmed again. Featuring approximately 100 "lists for life" on topics including parenting, moving, traveling, car ownership, financial planning, taking care of your home, preparing for a hospital stay, planning a funeral, and much more, this handy guide leads readers step by step through life's most stressful events and provides helpful checklists for creating and balancing an organized existence. Lists for Life helps eliminate moments of panic and is practical and portable enough to keep within reach at all times. For anyone from busy moms to overscheduled newlyweds to on-the-go working women, Lists for Life is a must-have resource for every time-crunched, over-extended individual.

HOME

Whether you live in a cozy apartment or are lord of a manor, the principles of “keeping house” are basically the same, just on a different scale. Many of us do not have a staff of elves to keep our humble abodes ticking like clockwork. Even if we did, having knowledge of how things work and need to be maintained will add years to the life of the property.

Homes, like cars and people, need regular tune-ups, checkups, maintenance, and adjustments. In this chapter, I have put together a month-by-month calendar of what you should be doing and when, so come November you are not stuck with a leaking roof because you forgot to clean out the gutters in October.

Maintaining your home is easy compared to moving there. I, for one, hate to move. In fact, I once considered obtaining squatters’ rights to an apartment with an expiring lease, rather than packing up my belongings and relocating. But I have put aside my aversion to corrugated cardboard and packing tape to offer you a comprehensive guide to making your move as painless as possible.

From upkeep to uprooting, here is everything you need to know about home sweet home.

BUYING A HOME: FIRST THINGS FIRST

Buying a house is often the single biggest investment you will make in your lifetime. Let’s examine some of the factors that go into the purchase.

1 Your budget. Sit down with a financial adviser or accountant to determine what you can and can’t afford for a monthly payment plus expenses like utilities and home maintenance. How large will your down payment be? How much will you need for furnishings, repairs, and renovations? What are you looking for: a “starter” house or one you can stay in as your family grows? And consider this rule of thumb I learned: Whatever you think your budget is, lower it 10 to 15 percent as you will always need extra money for any additional “surprises” that may arise.

2 Location. Location. Location. Right now you are thinking about buying, but one day you will also want to sell. A good real estate buy will be in a great location with proximity to excellent schools, grocery stores, hospitals, and shopping. Also consider proximity to work and cultural interests as well as to family and friends.

3 Financing. If you just won the lottery, you can pay all cash; otherwise you will need a mortgage. I recommend looking into financing before you start your search so you can make sure that you qualify ahead of time. Then, when you make your offer, you can have a preapproval letter on hand. Here are things to consider when securing a mortgage:

One of the first things you should do before attempting to secure a mortgage is obtain a copy of your credit report to see your credit score and correct any errors. Do not apply for a mortgage until you are sure everything is correct.

Do your homework. There are numerous types of loans and mortgages to choose from. Banks or mortgage brokers will assist in your search for the best available rates and terms.

Before you make a decision, if possible speak with a banker with whom you have an established relationship. Compare the banker’s terms with those offered by several mortgage brokers.

The Search

1 Find an experienced residential broker through a trusted source. Real estate brokers and agents have access to multiple listing services, which offer more choices in inventory. Your broker will guide you through the process (which can seem tricky at times). Also, start looking into hiring a real estate attorney. You’ll want someone lined up and ready to go when you’re ready to make an offer.

2 Spend your free time visiting the area where you want to move. See as many houses as you can to educate yourself, price shop, and understand the market by asking your broker for comparables.

3 When looking at a house, ask yourself the following questions:

How long do I plan to live here?

Will this size and configuration accommodate the future needs of my family?

Can I care for a property this size?

Is there adequate parking (driveway, street), storage, appliances, et cetera?

What if I have to resell? Will the house appreciate in value? Suppose I need to sell my house and it doesn’t sell for three years? Can I afford the mortgage and maintenance?

4 Get estimates from a contractor for repairs and renovations.

5 Bring someone objective to see the house. You may not notice important things because you are “in love” with it; for example, a nonworking fireplace, a malfunctioning stove, a leaking bathroom, uneven floors.

6 See the house during different times of day (morning, afternoon, night) and on both weekends and weekdays. Check out the surrounding areas for potential problem neighbors. (Is the house across the street from a bar that might be loud at night? A high school?)

7 Be on the lookout for current or potential construction projects. If you think people will be building nearby, know that dirt, noise, and perhaps an obstructed view might be in your future.

8 Knock on neighbors’ doors. Talk to the...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• NOTE TO READERS
• CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• WEDDING
• HOME
• PREGNANCY
• PARENTING
• TRAVEL
• CARS
• MEDICAL
• DIVORCE
• POSTMORTEM
• EMERGENCY
• ACKNOWLEDGMENTS