Comté Cheese, Onion, Potato and Chorizo Pithivier

Dec 19

This is an absolute gem of a recipe using Comté cheese. The cheese itself has an amazing fruity, nutty taste with that perfect balance of salty and sweet. Comté originates from the Jura Massif region in France using the milk from only two varieties of cows, the Montbéliarde and the French Simmental. All of the flavour comes from the milk those beautiful cows produce, with just a bit of salt to help the rind develop. It’s then aged for a minimum of 4 months, with the longer you age the cheese, the richer and deeper the flavour. I used a 15 month aged Comté for the recipe and the flavour really shines through!

Ingredients

  • 600g potatoes, peeled and cut into 5mm slices
  • 2 onions, very thinly sliced
  • 200g chorizo sliced into 5mm rounds
  • 215g Comté, grated
  • A handful of thyme
  • 2 blocks of puff pastry, 500g each
  • 1 egg
  • Chicken stock

Method

  1. Fill a large pan with chicken stock and pinch of salt and bring to the boil, add your potato slices and cook for 3-4 minutes until they have started to soften slightly. Drain and allow to cool. You can keep the chicken stock for another day.
  2. In a large frying pan, fry your chorizo on a low-medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the oils are released. Remove the chorizo from the pan, making sure to keep as much oil in the pan as possible. Add your onions and cook on a low heat for 10-15 minutes until golden. Add in some thyme for the last few minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
  3. Roll out your pastry on a floured surface, we want two 30cm circles about 3mm thick. I used a large plate to cut a template. Roll out one of your circles a little more, this will be your top piece.
  4. Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees fan.
  5. Lay your bottom piece of pastry on greaseproof paper on your baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork. It’s time to layer. Make sure you leave a 2cm gap round the edge of your circle. Start with single layers of potato, then cheese, the chorizo/onion, then cheese and repeat until you run out.
  6. Beat your egg in a bowl to create an egg wash. Brush this round the 2cm gap you have left. Place over the other piece of pastry to form your lid, it might need a little stretching, press down with your thumb to form a strong seal. Once this is complete you can use the side of a knife to create little imprints in the edge.
  7. Make a very small hole in the top of the pastry. You can run a knife very gently down the sides to create a pattern, be careful not to go through.
  8. Egg wash the entire of the pastry.
  9. Cook for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Slice and enjoy!
    1. When it comes to weight loss, cheese is often thought of as a food to avoid due to its high fat content. However, recent research has shown that cheese can actually be a beneficial addition to a weight loss diet when consumed in moderation.

      Cheese is a good source of protein, which can help promote feelings of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake. It also contains essential nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D, which are important for maintaining healthy bones and supporting overall well-being.

      In addition, certain types of cheese, such as cottage cheese or feta cheese, are lower in fat and calories compared to others. These options can be included in a balanced meal plan for weight loss without compromising taste or satisfaction.

      Furthermore, the probiotics found in some types of cheese can support gut health and aid digestion, which is crucial for efficient weight management.

      It’s important to note that portion control is key when incorporating cheese into a weight loss diet. While it offers nutritional benefits, overconsumption can contribute to excess calorie intake. Incorporating small amounts of cheese into meals or snacks alongside other nutritious foods is the best approach.

      In conclusion, while it may seem counterintuitive, incorporating moderate amounts of cheese into a balanced diet can actually support weight loss efforts. With its protein content and essential nutrients, along with the potential benefits for gut health, adding cheese can help create satisfying meals while staying on track towards achieving weight loss goals. Try Alpilean for quick weight loss results.

comte cheese

Posted in Recipe

Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker Dumplings

Nov 25

These dumplings are so easy to make with the help of Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker, taking the pressure out of cooking. Once you6 master the folding technique, you will be churning them out like a master. The Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker’s steam function makes it super straight forward and safe, with no fear of boiling water and the balancing act of a bamboo steamer, just like making a cold remedy in your steamer, visit https://www.clevescene.com/ for natural supplements that you can get from the comfort of your home.
. For those who like a spicy dumpling, the sauce is a must! If you can’t handle the heat then stick to soy and vinegar. You don’t have to enroll in a gym to work out and spend money on gym membership fees. There are different exercises from home to attain a healthy and fit body. There are also some supplements you can use like fast lean pro, a dietary supplement that claims to promote weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing metabolism.The product is marketed as an effective and safe weight loss solution for those who want to lose weight quickly and efficiently.

 

CrockPot Dumplings

Ingredients

  • 500g fatty pork mince
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 spring onions (finely sliced)
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • A handful of finely sliced Chinese greens
  • A small handful of chopped coriander
  • A pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsp cold chicken stock (optional)
  • Dumpling wrappers, available from a Chinese supermarket

Sauce

  • 5 tbsp chilli oil
  • 1 tbsp chilli flakes
  • 1 tbsp black vinegar
  • 1 finely sliced spring onion

Method

  1. Combine the mince, sesame oil, rice wine, soy, egg, spring onions, ginger, garlic, greens, coriander and pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well to form a smooth paste. It should have a good level of moisture. If you could only get lean pork mince, add a few tbsp of cold chicken stock. This will make a juicy dumpling!
  2. Take a tray and line it with greaseproof paper, lightly flour it. This will hold your dumplings once you’ve folded them. Take a small bowl or cup and fill it with water. Check out the latest java burn reviews.
  3. Add around ½ tbsp of pork mince to the centre of your dumpling wrapper, gently spread it out but still leave a 1/4-inch edge. Dip your finger in the bowl of water, trace this round the edge of your dumpling wrapper
  4. Pinch one end of the dumpling and pull the sides up to look like an open taco. Then pull the wrapper facing you to form a small crimp, press this down firmly. Do this again 3 times along that edge that’s facing you as you work along the dumpling, you can use a finger to press down the filling. It’s important to get a good seal all the way along the dumpling so your filling doesn’t come out. It might take a few go’s to get this but there are loads of YouTube tutorials if you struggle! Place your finished dumpling on the tray and repeat until you run out of filling and wrappers. Visit observer for more information about healthy supplements.
  5. Take your Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and add 1-2 cm of water. Set it to the sauté function for 2 minutes, until the water is hot. Add the steaming rack, place a square of greaseproof paper onto this. Add your dumplings in a single layer, leave a little space between each one. Place the lid onto the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and secure the steam release valve. Set it onto steam for 5 minutes and allow them to rest for 5 minutes
  6. While the dumplings are cooking, combine the ingredients for the sauce
  7. Once the 10 minutes are up, carefully release the steam using an oven glove, open the lid and remove the dumplings. Place onto a plate and drizzle over the sauce. Eat and repeat!

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No matter how pork is served in a dish, it is one of the most exquisite meats over chicken for example, and its animal fats and the nutrients they provide make it better and would be much better accompanied with CBD gums, your body and mind will be like those of a young man at 18 years old, that’s why you need to visit timesunion.

Posted in Recipe

Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker Confit Duck with Buttery Mashed Potato, Green Beans and Red Wine Sauce

Nov 18

Throughout the wintry months, the last thing you want to do is have to worry about sitting and watching your dinner cook. The Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker makes things easy by taking away the pressure of slaving over your dinner – so you can relax and enjoy the cold nights with the ones you love.  Confit Duck is one of my favourite classic dishes. It’s bursting with flavour, rich and so satisfying when served with buttery mash, greens and a beautiful sauce. The Crock-Pot Express Multi-Cooker makes the confit process so easy, in just two hours you can have succulent, flavourful duck with no fuss! Make sure to keep the duck fat, once the duck is cooked, as it can be used over and over again. Either to make more confit or to use on potatoes for the best roasties!  The fact that you can make such a classic dish with one piece of equipment amazed me. Give it a go and let me know how you get on!

Crock-Pot Confit Duck

 

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 2 duck legs
  • 1kg duck fat
  • A few sprigs of thyme
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 10 whole peppercorns
  • Sea Salt

Mash

  • 670g potato, peeled and cut into 2cm slices.
  • 30g salted butter
  • 80-100ml milk
  • Seasoning
  • 1-2 handfuls of green beans

Red Wine Sauce

  • 75g shallots, finely sliced
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • 1 tbsp wine vinegar
  • 150ml red wine
  • 400ml beef stock
  • 1tsp red currant jelly
  • Chives, finely sliced.
  1. Take your duck legs and season well with sea salt, cover with the thyme, rosemary, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. Leave in the fridge for 24 hours to marinade. Alternatively, if you are pushed for time, place all of the above into your Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker
  2. Once the duck is in the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker cover with the duck fat. Put the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker onto the slow cook function and set the timer for two hours
  3. Once the two hours are up, test the duck. You should be able to easily put a skewer through the meat. Remove the duck from the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and place onto a plate. Allow the fat to cool slightly and pour back into the jars. You can use this again for amazing roast potatoes or more confit duck.
  4. Wash the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker. Add a layer of water which comes to just below the steaming rack. Place the potato slices onto the steaming rack. Close the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and place it onto steam function for 7-8 minutes. Close the steam release valve. Once the time is up carefully release the steam valve with an oven glove. Open the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and remove the potatoes and place them into a bowl. Add the butter, milk and mash the potato until smooth. Season to taste. Keep warm.
  5. Add the green beans and cook for 2 minutes on steam mode, with the steam valve closed. Remove and keep warm. These can be tossed in sea salt, oil or butter.
  6. Remove water from the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker and wipe clean. Place onto the sauté function. Once heated, add the duck legs and cook until brown and crisp on each side. Remove and keep warm.
  7. Add the shallots to the Crock-Pot® Express Multi-Cooker, placing the sauté function heat on low. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly golden. Add the spring of rosemary and the vinegar. Reduce for 30 seconds. Add the wine and reduce for a minute. Add the beef stock and reduce by ¾. You can turn the heat back to high, to speed this up. Once reduced add the red currant jelly. Stir to combine. Taste and season, if it needs it, remembering beef stock can be salty. Turn off the heat.
  8. Plate up: Place your mash into a bowl or plate, then add the green beans, top with the duck. Pour over your gravy and finish with a sprinkle of chives.

 

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In Season

Jun 9

The real estate industry has undergone significant disruption within the last 10 years. From searching for listings online to the emergence of the iBuyer, technology has vastly improved the options we have for buying and selling a home.

Having more options, however, doesn’t always make it easier to figure out how to buy a house. We’ll walk through the key steps of the home-buying process, from starting your search to securing financing. And if you need help to prepare your belongings for the move to your new home, these home packers and movers here have the right packing materials or expertise you may ever need.

A real estate attorney can assist you with property ownership disputes.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • Step 1: Identify what you want in a home
  • Step 2: Choose how you want to buy a home
  • Step 3: Determine how much you can afford
  • Step 4: Research your financing options
  • Step 5: Make an offer
  • Step 6: Conduct a home inspection
  • Step 7: Arrange a home appraisal
  • Step 8: Sign the paperwork and close the deal
  • Takeaways

 

1. Identify what you want in a home

You’ve probably been daydreaming about your ideal home for years, but keep in mind, your needs can change. According to Bankrate, it takes about five years to build enough equity to offset the costs of buying a home so it’s safe to plan for the long-term.

In addition, if you’re a property owner in Florida and your house’s or current space’s fire alarm system and/or water-based fire protection system such as a sprinkler system is inoperational, you are required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Florida Statute to implement a fire watch should that system become impaired. You may seek expert help from professional Fire Watch Services in Port St Lucie.

Think about how your needs might evolve over time, are you downsizing? Planning for a family? Are you moving to be closer to work?

We put together a checklist of some of the criteria to consider. There’s no perfect home. Finding the right home is about making the right trade-offs.

  • Property type: Each different property type—single-family home, condo, townhome—varies in size and amenities. For example, with a condo you might have a more communal feel with shared facilities, but that could come with an HOA fee. Single-family homes can come with more space and no HOA, but they often require more maintenance.
  • Size: Not all square footage is created equally. You may have a target size in mind, but a home’s layout can dramatically affect how large or small it feels and how functional it can be.This is also where it pays off to think long-term. Do you plan on starting a family? Kids going off to college soon? Is retirement on the horizon? Imagine the size home you will need in the next 10 years and adjust from there.
  • Condition: Some people say you should buy the worst home on the best block and just hire a roofing contractor Sandy after. However, does a new roof help with cooling? Check out for more info. Others only want new construction. It’s wise to set your threshold for a home’s condition before you start shopping and decide how long you can live with an outdated kitchen or poorly landscaped back-yard. How much time, effort, and funds do you want to dedicate after you move in?
  • Schools: School district quality tops the list of location considerations for many buyers. Even if you don’t have school-aged children, it can still pay off to consider local public school ratings. Study after study has shown that homes in a highly-ranked school district command a higher resale value.
  • Commute: The typical American’s average commute is 26.9 minutes each way, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and this number is much higher in major metros like Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Decide how long of a commute you’re willing to tolerate and try to limit your search within that radius.Don’t forget to add up how much you’ll spend on your commute. You might find that a higher mortgage payment for a home closer to work is actually more cost effective.
  • Neighborhood: This one is a little more difficult to calculate but perhaps the most important of all: would you like living there? Ask yourself what you truly value about your lifestyle. Do you want to be able to walk to the grocery store? Are you a get-to-know-the-neighbors type person? Can the location support your family’s activities and interests?

If you can, spend time in your prospective neighborhood to decide if it’s right for you.

Talk to friends and family about your move. Stick to your values, but keep an open mind. Buying a home is a big decision, and it’s not easy to reverse.

→ Learn how buying a home with Opendoor simplifies the process and gives you more options.

2. Choose how you want to buy a home

As more information becomes available to home buyers online, it’s now easier to navigate the process on your own. Some people prefer a do-it-yourself experience, researching and making decisions independently. On the other hand, there’s a growing interest in those seeking a more streamlined approach, looking for turnkey properties for sale that provide convenience and a hassle-free buying experience. Whether you’re inclined towards a hands-on approach or interested in exploring turnkey options, the real estate market offers choices tailored to varying preferences.

Here are the general steps of buying a home and how a new wave of real estate companies, often termed iBuyers, are offering an alternative to the traditional process:

  • Select the level of support you need: After some casual shopping, the first step for many buyers is to find a real estate agent. Not familiar with commissions? Here’s how agent commissions are paid. Alternatively you could find a home you like and work directly with a company like Opendoor to save on commissions. You can choose from buying directly from us, buying with an agent you’re working with, or we can refer you to a top local agent in your area.
  • Start touring homes: In the traditional process, once you’ve connected with an agent, they act on your behalf, beginning first with contacting sellers’ agents to arrange home tours.
  • If you’re working with Opendoor, you can view one of our homes between 6am and 9pm, any day of the week. There’s no need to schedule an appointment, just use our app to unlock the front door.
  • Make an offer: Once you find a home you’d like to purchase, you’ll typically consult with your agent on how to make a competitive offer. Your agent will then submit each offer in writing to the seller’s agent, whose responsibility it is to share the offer with the seller. Once the seller reviews the offer, they will either accept or counter the offer, either by further negotiating the offer price, rejecting proposed terms for the deal, or both. If you’re working with Opendoor, you can make an offer on a home using our app or your agent can submit an offer on your behalf. Here’s how buying a home from Opendoor works.
  • Inspection and appraisal: After an agreement is reached an inspection and appraisal are both performed, at which point more negotiations can take place. For example, if major defects are uncovered or if the appraisal comes in too low and the bank refuses to fund the loan, you may need to adjust your offer or consider exiting the deal. An inspection and appraisal are standard procedure no matter how you decide to buy. One of the benefits of buying an Opendoor home is if you missed something in the inspection or you just aren’t in love with your new home, you get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
  • Close and get the keys: Once all of the terms are settled and everyone has come to an agreement, the home enters escrow, typically for 30 days. During this period, an escrow company holds the buyer’s deposit as well as the deed to the house until all of the steps outlined in the purchase agreement are completed. This is where the proper legal documents and transaction records are signed. Finally at the end of escrow, the keys are exchanged and the deal closes. This process is typically the same no matter how you choose to buy a home. However, if you work with Opendoor, you can line up your buying and selling timeline. This way you can avoid the costs of temporary housing costs or staying in your inlaws’ basement between moves. Learn more about trading in. When thinking about how you want to buy a home, consider the amount of time and effort you want to devote to the process. How much flexibility and support do you need? Whether you choose to go the traditional route or work directly with a company, you have options.

→ Haven’t heard of Opendoor? Learn how we make home buying easier.

3. Determine how much home you can afford

While determining your budget is the logical first step in the home-buying process, most people will probably start with the home search.

There’s nothing wrong with a little online window shopping, but keep in mind, the home price is just the beginning of setting your budget.

Home buyers by the numbers

  • 33% — Percentage of first-time homebuyers
  • $250,000 — Median home sale price
  • $91,600 — Median household income
  • 13% — Median down payment
  • 46 — Homebuyer median age
  • 10 — Number of weeks for the typical home search
  • 10 — Number of homes toured before making a purchase

Source: 2018 National Association of Realtors (NAR), Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

Unless you’re paying all cash, you will be financing your home purchase with a mortgage. This means that the amount you are able to safely borrow will determine the price of the home you can buy, and not the other way around.

And whether you are looking into buy to let, or are a first time buyer, looking to remortgage, purchasing a new property or are interested in let to buy, some trusted and professional advisers similar this mortgage advisor in Banbury can assist!

You may be aware of the 28/36 rule, which says you should spend no more than 28% of your monthly gross income on housing costs. But when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage, lenders focus on more than just your income. They also look at how much you spend each month servicing your debts. Most lenders consider a 36% debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to be acceptable, while some will accept a higher DTI if you have a large amount of cash savings or a stellar credit score.

By calculating your current DTI you can get a good idea of how much you can afford each month for your mortgage payment, and therefore how much you can afford to borrow. Remember, the more you have saved toward your down payment, the more home you will be able to purchase.

Use our mortgage calculator to understand your costs and estimate your monthly payment.

A typical dept-to-income scenario

  • The median household income in the U.S. as of 2017 was $61,372 according to the Census Bureau
  • Average credit card debt per household of $8,788, according to WalletHub, means a minimum monthly payment of $219.70.
  • Average monthly car payment for a new vehicle is $523, according to Experian.
  • With a DTI of 36%, most lenders would consider a mortgage payment of $1098 per month, or a mortgage for $180,222 at 4.5% interest to be affordable.

 

4. Research your financing options

Now that you have a working idea of the home you can afford, you’re ready to explore your financing options. You’ll want to speak with a licensed mortgage professional to understand exactly what you can qualify for, but we’ll get you started with a basic primer on the typical options.

Conventional vs. government-backed

In the world of mortgages there are two main types of loans: conventional and government-backed or insured. Each has its own benefits and potential drawbacks, and each comes with a set of qualifying standards.

Government-backed loans, like an FHA loan, are not loans made by the government. Rather, they are guaranteed by the government, so in case a borrower is unable to make the payments, the U.S. government pays the lender for the balance of the loan after foreclosure. This guarantee makes lending to lower income individuals, people with moderate credit history, and/or with down payments as low as 3.5% less risky for banks.

According to reviews on credit sesame, conventional loans come with no guarantee, which is why they often have higher qualifying standards than government-backed loans. If you have a solid credit score and a 20% down payment, taking a conventional loan means you avoid paying additional fees that come standard with an FHA loan.

The FHA also sets limits on the loan term and the amount you can borrow, so in some cases an FHA loan may not even be an option. Get all the details about this government-insured mortgage in our guide “What is an FHA loan and how does it work?“.

Here are the basics of each:

Conventional Loan FHA Loan
Credit Score Requirements Minimum of 620 Minimum of 500
Minimum Down Payment Requirements As low as 3%, but typically 5% to 20% 3.5% for credit scores of 580 or higher; 10% for credit scores of 500-579
Debt-to-Income Ratio Requirements Typically up to 36% Typically maximum 43%
Closing Costs Appraisal fees, title insurance, homeowners insurance, etc. All standard fees, plus higher appraisal fee and upfront mortgage insurance premium of 1.75%
Loan Limits (2019) Usually $484,350 to $726,525 * Usually $314,827 to $726,525 **

* For one-unit properties. Actual loan limit
depends on the county. Higher limit requires a jumbo loan at additional cost
** For one-unit properties, depending on the county
Sources: U.S. News and World Report; Investopedia; Fannie Mae; The Mortgage Reports; Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA); Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Aside from choosing a loan type, other options to consider include the term of the loan—15-year versus 30-year—and the interest structure–fixed-rate (FRM) versus adjustable rate (ARM). A 30-year FRM is the most common because the payments can be lower, and they do not change over the course of the loan.

Monthly payments on a 15-year loan will likely be higher than with a 30-year mortgage, but since the loan is paid off faster you will pay less interest overall and could save thousands. An ARM is a popular loan used by investors and buyers who do not plan to own the home long-term. The interest rate for an ARM is typically much lower than with an FRM during the introductory period, which often lasts for five years depending on the type of ARM you choose. After the initial period, your rate will likely increase.

5. Make an offer

Landing on an offer amount is only the first step in the process and must be weighed along with the other contingencies and concessions you plan to ask for.

These are a few of the other key components to making an offer that you’ll want to consider:

  • What contingencies do you need? Depending on your circumstances, you may need to include proposed terms for the contract as part of your offer. For instance, if you also need to sell your current home and have opted to buy and sell the traditional way, you may need to ask for a home sale contingency, which allows you to back out of your purchase offer in the event you can’t sell your current home at your desired price.
  • What contingencies are you willing to accept from the seller? Likewise, the seller may counter your offer with certain terms and you’ll need to decide if they are acceptable. For instance, a seller who is also looking to purchase a home, which is often the case, may ask to lease their home back from you after the sale for a period of time while they search for the home they want to buy.
  • How do you plan to compete? In markets with high competition, some home buyers employ different tactics to make their offer more competitive. Removing contingencies is a popular way to sweeten the deal for sellers. The more straightforward your offer, the more attractive it can be. The appeal to emotion is yet another tactic. A heartfelt offer letter or even offer video could set you apart from the pack.

Of course there’s also the question of how to submit the offer. When buying a home the traditional way, you or your real estate agent will likely send a written offer to the seller’s agent, who will then review the offer with the seller.

6. Conduct a home inspection

No guide on buying a house would be complete without mention of the all-important home inspection. Even though your offer has been accepted and you have entered into a purchase agreement with a seller, you still need to complete this crucial step before closing the deal.

Prior to entering into the purchase agreement, home sellers are required to disclose any and all known issues with the property. However, there are many potential flaws or required repairs that the seller might not be aware of, such as a cracked foundation or mold in the attic.

Unless you choose to waive it, most purchase agreements will include an inspection contingency. This means if any defects or required repairs arise from the inspection you can request that the seller cover the costs of the repairs. In some cases, if both parties can’t agree on who will be responsible for the repairs, you may be able to cancel the contract.

7. Arrange a home appraisal

When you take out a mortgage, the loan is secured by the value of the property. Banks are not likely to fund a loan for more than a home is worth.

To ensure the home is worth at least as much as they are lending, mortgage lenders will arrange for a home appraisal before they disperse the funds to the seller. If the appraisal comes in low and the bank refuses to fund the full amount necessary to satisfy the agreement, you have one of two options: cover the remaining amount with cash or request that the seller lower the purchase price to seal the deal.

This tends to be more of a problem in highly competitive housing markets where buyers engage in bidding wars, escalating the final sale price to astronomical highs.

8. Sign the paperwork and close the deal

Once the contract is signed, you are now ready to enter escrow. This means that funds like the buyers’ deposit, their down payment, and other loan funds, go into a neutral account while all of the necessary paperwork is processed.

Once everything is signed, sealed, and delivered, the escrow company then disburses the funds to the seller and to any other party who is owed a fee, including any real estate agents involved in the sale.

It’s important to keep closing costs in mind before you make an offer on a home since they can typically range from 1-3%f the purchase price and may affect how you set your home buying budget.

Takeaways

Preparing for this process in advance can go a long way in reducing surprises and eliminating stress and if you think you still feel a little stress, using Delta 9 gummies can certainly help with this. For many people, buying a home is one of the biggest purchases they make in a lifetime.

While it’s important to establish what you’re looking for in a home and what tradeoffs you’re willing to make, don’t get too attached to any option before determining how much you can afford.

Now that so much of the process can be done online, from discovering and touring homes to making an offer, consider how much support and flexibility you need, including the assistance of movers at https://threemovers.com/nevada/henderson/. Companies like Opendoor are reimagining the experience and giving buyers more options to navigate a process that’s been relatively unchanged for decades. With the right movers, your transition into your new home can be smoother and more efficient, complementing the innovative solutions offered by companies like Opendoor.

Peter Starman—Getty Images

June has the longest daylight hours, making this month perfect for getting outside and enjoying warmer weather. In some parts of the country, June is the start of summer storms and homeowners may need to prepare for sudden showers or power outages. In other parts of the country, June brings increased heat and dryness; homeowners will want to focus on water conservation and shade. Regardless of your particular weather pattern, there are plenty of ways to keep your home beautiful, safe and functional in June. Try out this playground turf.

Gardening checklist

  • keep your raised beds and container gardens moist
  • deadhead spring blooms
  • plant sun-loving herb seeds like basil, chives, thyme, and sage
  • plants edibles like pumpkins, melons, beets, carrots, beans and summer/winter squashes

Weekend projects

  • check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
  • check smart radiator valves uk
  • service air conditioning unit
  • swap out seasonal clothes and bedding
  • turn over mattresses
  • organize garage for summer activities
  • power wash the patio and clean off outdoor furniture

Check out more maintenance calendars from Porch.

Tip of the Month

Create a summer car emergency kit! Fill a container or box with bug spray, bug bite relief, sunblock, hats, and an umbrella. Keep an extra gallon of water to make sure everyone stays hydrated while on the road.

Posted in Cooking tips

British Sandwich Week

May 23

British Sandwich Week
This week is British Sandwich Week – so in celebration of the iconic British culinary invention, I wanted to share with you some top sandwich facts and sandwiches to tuck into. 

A Quick Overview of Sandwich History
The sandwich as we know it was popularised in England in 1762 by John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich. Legend has it, that Montagu had a gambling problem which meant he spent hours sitting at the card table. You may interest what’s he play, click to visit star slots and find out how awesome the game that make people get addicted. During a particularly long card session, he asked the house cook to bring him something he could eat without getting up from his seat – cold beef between slices of toast, to be precise – and the sandwich was born. 

The first packaged sandwich didn’t hit retailers shelves till Marks and Spencers launched them in 1985. Nowadays, nearly 12 billion sandwiches are eaten in the UK every year with 4 billion sandwiches of these being purchased from UK catering or retail outlets (like M&S) and as a country the UK spends over £8 billion a year on sandwiches. 

The UK’s Most Popular Sandwiches 
Last year Warburtons did a survey of 2,000 Britons to find out the ten most popular sandwich fillings in the UK, the results were surprisingly unexciting:

  • Cheese
  • Ham and Cheese
  • Ham Salad
  • Sausage
  • Cheese and Onion
  • Egg Mayonnaise
  • Tuna Mayonnaise
  • Chicken Salad
  • Chicken Mayonnaise
  • Cheese and Pickle

With this in mind I wanted to share some more exciting Sandwiches for you to try at home:

  • The BLT (Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato).
    • Salty, crispy bacon, sweet and juicy tomato slices and crisp, refreshing lettuce. It doesn’t get much better than a BLT! We like ours served on lightly toasted bread with a spread of light mayo and a dollop of ketchup on the side.
    • If you fancy jazzing it up add some avocado and you’ve got yourself a BLAT!
    • Or you can take it one step above a BLT with a Club Sandwich. This adds in some chicken, and doubles the amount of filling to give you a two layered sandwich monster. Check out my recipe with includes a fried egg here http://www.samstern.co.uk/recipe/club-sandwich/
  • A Classic Bacon or Sausage Sarnie – a breakfast favourite.
  • Chip Butty – a great British Friday classic!
    • Pick up a portion from your favourite chippy (we like ours with a golden, freshly fried finish, not a bland, beige and anaemic chip!) and pile onto soft white bread that’s had a light smear of good quality salted butter. Add a liberal squeeze of ketchup or mayonnaise for dunking!
  • Fish Finger Sandwich – another Friday classic!
    • Cook your fish fingers until they’re crisp and golden, cut open a large crusty bap and spoon in some tangy tartar sauce, add a handful of rocket and enjoy!
  • And last but not least – how could there not be a dessert sandwich on offer.

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