When you find your dream home, it's only natural for your heart to beat a little faster. But you still need to get the best value for your dollar. Start by searching REALTOR.com. Following are six ways to make you a happy and savvy homebuyer: 1. Find the Right Real Estate Agent: An agent used to be your most valuable asset. Technology has equalized the value any one agent can provide. Find one who will rebate part of their commission.

2. Make a List of Needs and Wants: Prioritize them because you likely won't find a house with everything. Lenders, agents and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have online checklists that will help you focus on the important things.

3. Define What Value Means to You and Your Family and Follow Through: If you believe you've found the right neighborhood, don't just proceed with an offer. Make personal visits on different days and times. Talk to the neighbors and research the facilities and schools in the area.

4. Look Closely at the Boring Things: Updated wiring in an older home is a great plus, and a basement that's been flood-proofed is all-important in certain areas. However, that shiny, new siding you see could be hiding a not-so-new problem.

5. Energy Efficiency: Power is only going to cost more in  the future, so look for an energy-efficient home. Some homes have an energy rating tag on the electrical panel. Look for a high rating. If there isn't a rating tag, ask to see previous utility bills.

6. Don't Overbuy for the Neighborhood: Sellers may feel their $100,000 kitchen renovation should net them a 90% return, but if the neighborhood comprises modest 1970s bungalows with small kitchens, you may have trouble getting back the premium you paid when it comes time for you to sell.

The road to musical influence for Michael W. Smith has had multiple stops, including some places you would not expect. Such was the case at age 17 when he moved to Nashville to pursue a musical career. Leaving home with a foundation of God’s blessing, Michael’s first jobs took him to after-hours bars where he flirted with temptation—and more. The flirtation involved drug use, which ultimately led to a near-death experience. He was in the “pit of life, and looking at no escape.” Then he asked for God to do anything to get his attention. With that came Michael’s rescue, leading to the impact his songs have brought to millions and an identity that is secure in Christ.

Why are we so bored? It's a question scientists are asking as they research boredom in the 21st century. With so much to occupy our time (work, friends, devices) you'd think we'd be too busy being busy to be bored.
But according to a recent article in the Guardian, "Despite the plethora of high-intensity entertainment constantly at our disposal, we are still bored." In fact, reports the UK newspaper, we now have an attention span of 8 seconds, that of a goldfish.

Online site Live Science highlights the work of York University researcher John Eastwood, who defines boredom as "an aversive state of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity." Apparently, our brains are now so accustomed to constant stimulation that anything less is unpleasant.

Quoting Eastwood's findings, Live Science notes, "And while seemingly benign, though little understood, boredom can be a chronic condition that may lead to issues like binge eating, drug and alcohol abuse, and gambling problems."

In Psychology Today, Temma Ehrenfeld explains that it seems our brains are hardwired to seek pleasure and fast-paced activities that stimulate the body's release of endorphins, the opioid peptides that our brains love.

Ehrenfeld quotes Dr. Irving Biederman, a neuroscientist at the University of Southern California: "To stoke your inner opioids, keep trying new things, or delve deeper into an area you already know and love, triggering fresh insights." Says Biederman, "The best way not to be bored is to do what you like doing. ..."

Here are three essential tips:

Fees & Service Charges: Condo associations typically charge a variety of fees to cover everything from modest maintenance charges to extravagant luxury amenities. Understand what is included, anticipated large expenditures, and out of the ordinary expenses likely to be incurred.

Management and Operational Efficiency: Spend time speaking with current residents, review community literature, and take a careful look around the area to get a general "feel" for how things are maintained.

Finances and Reserve Funds: Perform due diligence on the finances and reserve funds of the condo association to make sure their problem doesn´t become your own. Pay special attention to large numbers of vacant units that could eventually result in higher per owner premiums to compensate for loss of revenue.

1. Understand the Objective: One of the most common problems with perfection is the tendency to procrastinate. After all, if something is worth doing it must be done perfectly, right? Wrong. While it's desirable to do your best, don't allow the desire for perfection to overshadow the main objective.

2. Balance Productivity With Perfection: Perfectionists have a tendency to take on more than their fair share of work, especially when working on important projects. Instead, learn how to delegate portions of a job, then review and finalize the work yourself. Not only does this ensure that quality meets expectations, but it reduces the stress and fatigue of trying to go it alone.

3. Prioritize Expectations: It's not always possible to do everything perfectly. Family, career, exercise and other life events often require compromise that may conflict with the desire for perfection. Even if you are able to attain what you consider perfection in one area, it often results in less-than-perfect outcomes in another. Learning how to prioritize expectations reduces stress and provides the necessary rationale required to see the big picture.

Before you buy, however, you might want to answer the following questions:

How Far Away Is It? If you must travel two days by rail, then take a four-hour hike through the woods with a toddler strapped to your back, you may want to seriously reconsider the purchase. Ideally, you should be within a few hours of your home. If electricity is a serious consideration, you should make it clear to your real estate agent that you are not interested in properties off the grid.

How Close Are the Neighbors? Buyers typically want a private retreat as they're trying to get away from the crowded urban sprawl. It's okay to have neighbors as long as the surrounding trees give a reasonable illusion of privacy.

Is It Worth It? As a buyer, you must determine whether the value you're paying is worth the return for your family. There are annual property taxes and insurance as well as the cost of upkeep to consider. Many buyers consider renting the property out for some additional income. However, there may be tax implications to renting your home, so seek professional advice from your tax advisor

By taking a good, hard look at the travel requirements, the modern luxuries and the financial aspects of rural home ownership, the dream of spending peaceful summers at the cabin can come true.

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