10 Questions  to ask prospective child care providers:

Here are Angie’s 5 tips to help your child achieve a stress-free experience at the stylist:

• Many music instructors have a professional accreditation or hold a degree in music education, but not all do.  Ask for the instructor’s credentials.
• Ask the prospective instructor for references from current students and their families.  Also, word-of-mouth references from friends, family and Angie’s List could help you avoid hiring an instructor who might not be the right fit.
• Consider bringing along the child to the initial interview with the prospective teacher so you both understand the teacher’s philosophy and policies and to get a feel for how their personalities fit.  If the interaction between the student and teacher is less than harmonic, that could be reflected in the end result of the lessons
• Many music teachers offer discounts to families with multiple children enrolled.
• Just like with schoolwork, children in music lessons need plenty of study and practice time.  Often, children need motivation to practice.  Be willing to supervise, enforce and even participate in practice. If your child is starting new lessons at the beginning of the school year, agree on a firm practice schedule and stick to it. “Sometimes, it takes time for them to catch on,” offered one music instructor. “But once they do, it’s awesome!”

These three industries are essential in the current housing climate. For more detailed tips, click on each link.

• Appraisals: The appraisal reporting process has become much more important and thorough, as lenders are requesting more data and a deeper analysis from appraisers. As a homeowner, you may have reason to question the value of your home on various occasions. You may plan to sell it, appeal your property tax assessment or undertake a major home renovation project. A recent nationwide poll by Angie’s List found that nearly half of all respondents believe their home decreased in value during the past year.
• Mortgage companies: What was simple just a few years ago has become much more complex. Home sales are at their lowest level in more than a decade, and the housing crisis has made it difficult to secure a mortgage. For consumers with good credit, however, now is actually a good time to buy. Angie offers some tips on finding a mortgage company you can trust and on securing a loan – even if you don’t have stellar credit.
• Real estate agents: The housing slump has thinned the herd of agents out there and those who have survived are working harder to sell their customers’ houses. Clients should expect their real estate agent to have a market plan specific to their home. Angie offers plenty of tips on choosing an agent and on why communication between the client and agent is so important in this industry.

Driver's education teachers recommend getting kids enrolled as soon as they're legally able to get behind the wheel. In many states, that age is 15, but it varies. The sooner they get their permit to drive, the more practice they’ll have before getting their “real” license.

Tips for finding the best driver's ed program for your child:

1. Driver’s education is typically offered year-round, but you may want your child to learn how to deal with inclement weather conditions as well as getting the basics down. So schedule accordingly.
2. Check state’s regulations on student driving. Determine how much behind-the wheel driving time and classroom time is required. Make sure the curriculum your school uses is approved by the state.
3. Some schools offer driver's education as part of their curriculum or during summer school. But there are also private driver's education programs available.
4. Before enrolling, visit the school, talk to the instructors and get a look at the vehicles to be sure they’re well-maintained.
5. Schedule the road test as soon as you can after the course ends to allow for extra time just in case your child has to take it again.
6. Check Angie's List to see reviews on driver's education programs in your area before enrolling your child.

• Review your credit report to make sure all information is accurate
• Correct any inaccuracies by contacting the vendor
• Pay off any collections or liens you may have
• Pay your credit cards off and cut up the cards.
• Manage the money you have wisely by living within your budget

Angie’s List offers 4 tips to help secure a mortgage loan once your credit is in good standing:

1. First, find a mortgage company that is local, trusted, and will spend one-on-one time with you.
2. Get pre-approved for your loan before you start looking for a house, which means you should have and be able to produce:

• Good credit
• At least three percent of the home’s sell value for down payment
• Stable employment history
• Documentation of all of your assets
• A positive debt-to-income ratio
• Documents such as: last pay stub, W-2’s and bank statements

3. Decide with your lender what type of loan will best suit your lifestyle. Ask yourself questions such as: Do you plan to live there for a long period of time? Do you anticipate your finances changing over the next few years?  How long do you want to pay on your mortgage?
4. Have your mortgage broker write you a letter of prequalification only for the loan amount for which you have decided.

• Your agent should design a marketing plan just for you. Get a copy, review it, make suggestions if appropriate, and hold your agent to it.
• Communication is key. Good agents will contact you about your home sale/purchase status at least once a week; often more. Anything less is a sign of a lazy agent.
  
• Do a little Web surfing to be sure your home is really being marketed. If you can’t find it online, or you find it only on one site, (especially if the marketing plan calls for more) talk to your agent.
  
• A good agent will update you not only about your house, but also about similar houses in your area that have sold or gone up for sale.  You have to know your competition to beat it.
  
• An experienced agent should advise you about whether you need to update and how to properly stage your home for open-houses and showings.
• Check real estate reviews on Angie's List before you decide on a Realtor.