Opening Doors Blog

The U.S. Treasury Department announced a plan that could help homeowners who are experiencing financial problems avoid foreclosure. This plan which was announced last November 2009 and has taken effect since April 2010, could help so many homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure be free of their mortgage debt. They will no longer go through foreclosure and will instead be given $3,000 in order for them to relocate. [...] Read More

Some sink repairs are simple to do and require a minimum of tools. Working under the sink means squeezing into a tight spot so have all of your tools within easy reach. And use rags and towels to make things as comfortable as possible. [...] Read More

A lender's prequalification process will give you a ballpark estimate of how large a mortgage you will be able to afford. It really doesn't matter which lender you obtain this from since nearly all of them use the same criteria when determining what size monthly mortgage payments, property tax bill and homeowners insurance you can handle. This will give you a good idea of the maximum mortgage amount you can afford and will help you focus your house search on properties within your price range. [...] Read More

Adam Kosiorek, Project Manager for Opening Doors, and Kris Morin walk through the newest project in Harwinton CT. [...] Read More

Lenders can give you a loan with a smaller down payment but this also increases their lending risk. With a lesser amount of your cash in the deal, there is also less of a guarantee that should times get tough, you won't walk away and leave the lender with an unpaid mortgage and the deed to your home. The home might even be worth less than it was the day you bought it if your local economy really turns sour. [...] Read More

Condensation forms on a toilet tank when cold water in the tank meets the warm air in the bathroom. You can install an insulation liner to minimize the condensation, sold as a kit at home stores. Drain the tank and wipe it dry. [...] Read More

This option features an interest rate that is fixed at a certain percentage throughout the life of the loan. Typically, the longer the term of the loan, the lower the monthly payments will be. You will have higher monthly payments with a shorter term. However you will realize a savings in the amount of interest you will pay over the life of the loan. [...] Read More

Most household toilets work by using gravity to force a tankful of clean water into the bowl to push waste down a soil pipe and into the sewer system. To unclog a toilet, you'll need a plunger with a flagged cup like the one shown below. The flange fits the opening more snugly than a regular plunger and the large air pocket inside the plunger increases its effectiveness. [...] Read More

What is the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage plan? Home buyers usually favor this type of mortgage because it offers unequaled peace of mind. You know what your housing payment is going to be every month regardless of whether the economy is going through boom or bust. And thirty years also turns out to be a sweet spot among repayment schedules. [...] Read More

When you are familiar with the plumbing system and you have the proper tools then you have what it takes to tackle minor repairs such as fixing a leaky faucet and clearing a blocked drain. Preventive maintenance can save you money and inconvenience. Periodically clean out the hair and soap scum from the bathroom sink and tub drains. [...] Read More