When mortgage rates spiked up over the last few years, some homeowners put their plans to move on pause Maybe you did too because you didn’t want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate for your next home But is that still the right strategy for you?
In today’s market, data shows more homeowners are getting used to where rates are and thinking it may be time to move. As Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, explains: “Listings are up a bit as life events and job changes are putting increasing pressure on locked-in homeowners to sell their homes. Homeowners may also be slowly coming to the realization that mortgage rates aren’t going back anywhere near the rate on their existing mortgage.”
A recent study from Bank of America sheds light on some of the things homeowners say would make them sell, even with rates where they are right n
“If buying a home is your goal and within your budget, the best time to buy is when you’re ready financially and you can find a home that fits your needs.”
Now that you know why other people would move, take a minute to think about what would make a move worth it for you. Is it time to take a chance and go for your dream job, even though it’s not local? Are you looking for a neighborhood that has more to offer and a close-knit sense of community? Maybe you just need more space, you’re looking for your next great adventure, or you want a house that opens up rental opportunities to pad your income.
And here’s something else to consider. Mortgage rates are still expected to go down over the course of the year. And once that happens, there’s going to be a big rush of buyers jumping back into the market. While you could delay your plans until rates drop, you’ll only have more competition with those buyers if you do.
So, does that mean it’s worth it to move now, even with rates where they are? The answer is: that it depends.
You’ll want to consider today’s mortgage rates, where they’re expected to go from here, and what would prompt you to want to make a change as you decide on your next steps. An expert can help with that.
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We’re here to help you purchase the home of your dreams. We know that buying a home is one of the most important decisions you will make. Few things give you more pride than owning your own home, and you will probably make no greater single investment in your lifetime We want to help you make that dream come true. There are many different types of loan programs you can choose from, and the best loan program for your neighbor may be different than the one that is right for you. From getting preapproved to finding the perfect home, understanding the home-buying process can help give you peace of mind. So can partnering with a mortgage lender you can trust. Put our expertise to work for you. Whether you ’ re building or buying your home, FBC is here to help you along the way!
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These elements will help homeowners bring the spa back to their homes.
Bathroom trends for 2024 reflect a growing focus on wellness at home Homeowners want tranquil, personal spaces with hotel-inspired design and spa-like features where they can retreat and recharge. See below for trending elements that will help create the spa-like experiences homeowners crave.
Clutter is known to create chaos, visually and mentally, so a minimalist aesthetic is appropriate for a soothing space, such as a primary bathroom. Popular with homeowners are “double vanities with ample counter space and extra storage,” so that clutter is concealed, says Robert Turner, vice president and director of residential properties of Allen & Rocks Scandi and Japandi styles, both of which center on simplicity and embrace neutrals, warm woods, and clean lines, are popular because they are commonly seen at day spas
Homeowners are forgoing a compact footprint in the primary bathroom and are willing to take space from adjacent areas to accomplish this, including the primary bedroom, closet space, hallways, or spare bedrooms. This makes way for a larger bathroom, with dedicated zones for dressing, bathing, and luxuriating in style An oversized, stand-alone shower with a freestanding soaker tub that serves as a stylish focal point is the most sought-after design.
The biophilic trend where design elements are chosen to replicate the calming experience of being immersed in nature continues to be popular. “Colors, especially in the primary suite, are now more spa-like with people gravitating toward calm colors like greens, blues, and warm neutrals to evoke an elevated experience. Botanicals are also trending in bathroom spaces, ” says Karen Baugher, marketing manager with Brookfield Residential Natural materials are also prominent with décor and accents, including wood, stone, pebbles, rattan, and bamboo.
Homeowners are choosing “larger showers (more than the typical footprint of a tub) with a built-in bench,” says Turner Showers are often frameless, doorless, or curbless to enhance sightlines. Walk-in steam showers are popular, as they mimic a sauna experience, offering similar health and wellness benefits. Homeowners are also upgrading shower fixtures, choosing rainfall showerheads, body jets, and dual showerheads
If the bathroom serves as a daily gateway to get away, it only makes sense that homeowners are being inspired by fine hotels. Flow is intentional and balanced with a proportional design between toilet, vanity, bath, and/or shower, contrived to create calm through a heightened sense of space For a hotel feel, homeowners opt for higher-end materials, such as marble and natural stone and upgraded, classic fixtures. Fully tiled walls, a selection of luxurious bath amenities, and crisply folded linens also add a hotel vibe
Homeowners prioritize sustainability, but the bathroom presents a bit of a dilemma. Many wish list features require a substantial amount of water or extra power to run. In order to balance dual priorities, homeowners are looking for sustainable options to offset indulgent choices, such as filling a deep soaker tub or running a steam shower. “The overall theme is to create a space that is spa-like and aesthetically pleasing, while also being environmentally responsible and reducing water consumption,” says Baugher. “In terms of sustainability, the bathroom features we include in our homes are water-saving faucets and showerheads, along with LED lighting,” she says
Light has a unique, important role in a bathroom, and homeowners are strategizing with lighting solutions that create calm while adding to the décor. Where possible, large windows that frame outdoor views and fuse an indoor/outdoor connection are desirable When adding artificial light, a dimmer capability lets you switch functions easily, creating softer light for bathing or stronger direct light for makeup, dressing, or shaving Mirrors play a role in lighting, in that they attract and disperse the light to create a sense of space, and are a sought-after accent.
Although prioritized as a personal space, a bathroom is most functional if multiple people can use it at the same time, especially when getting ready in the morning. Placing the toilet in a separate water closet affords privacy It also is a design trick that supports the overall spa aesthetic, where the focal point is on the luxurious items, such as the shower, tub, or vanity.
Growingincontainersiseasyandaffordable,buthereareafewkeystosuccesswhencreatinganycontainergarden.
1. Use the right potting mix.
The pros sometimes mix their own potting soil, but leave that to them if you are a beginner and purchase a high-quality bagged mix. Look for one specifically designed for containers; it usually has perlite, compost, and other materials to keep the mix loose and aerated. Bargain-priced bagged soil is often of low quality, and your plants will suffer. You can’t get the season back and do it over, so this is the area to spend a few dollars more to get it right.
2. Never use soil from your yard.
Although plenty of plants grow fine in your garden’s soil, that doesn't mean it will work well in containers. Garden soil compacts quickly in the confines of a container and with frequent watering. Compacted soil doesn’t drain well, is hard for roots to penetrate, and suffers poor aeration (yes, roots need to breathe). Stick to potting mix designed for containers.
3. Drainage is a must.
Lack of drainage is a close second to poor soil as the top reason container plantings fail. Some pots don’t have drainage holes DIY pots or containers like that old watering can you bought at the flea market often need to have holes drilled in them before using them as a planter. Excess water that stays in the root zone means plant roots can’t breathe–they need oxygen too. Soggy soil also creates anaerobic conditions, which foster harmful bacteria and kill off the helpful ones. Too much moisture in the soil over extended periods often causes root rot.
4. Don't add rocks to the bottom.
A popular garden myth goes that adding a layer of rocks, broken pieces of pottery, or other coarse material will help drainage. While it seems logical, studies have proven that in most cases, this doesn’t work and may even slow down drainage.
5. The correct pot size matters.
Most plants in containers are limited by the pot size A tomato variety planted in a 3-gallon pot grows much larger than the same variety planted in a 6-inch container. To get that lush and full look and help your plants thrive, match the pot to the mature size of the plant, not the tiny seedling you bought at the garden center.
6. Place plants with similar needs together.
Sliding glass door tracks probably aren't the first spots you'd think to tackle during spring cleaning, but you'll be glad you did it before the outdoor entertaining season gets going full swing. Smallin suggests scrubbing the tracks with an old, dry toothbrush to loosen debris, then using your vacuum hose to remove it Finish with a wet sponge
7. Don’t forget to water.
Soil mix in containers drains more quickly than in-ground soil, and the smaller volume of soil in the pot means the plant will use up available water faster Large potted plants often need to be watered daily in the summer heat. To check, stick your finger an inch or two (up to the main knuckle) in the soil and feel if it is dry If it is, it’s time to water. Water thoroughly; don’t just wet the surface.
8. Provide fertilizer.
Depending on the soil you use when planting, you may need to add fertilizer throughout the season Some potting mixes come with slow-release fertilizer, and others don’t. If you forgot to check and have already thrown away the bag, don’t worry Any general-purpose organic fertilizer is acceptable to add. Follow the directions on the package and water it in.
9. Support larger plants.
As in a garden bed, tall plants may need some staking or support to help them withstand wind and heavy rains or keep them from tipping over Containers can be located next to a deck railing, trellis, or fence for support. A little twine tied loosely around the stems and to the rail is often all they need
10. Pay attention to sun and shade.
Many plants thrive in full sun, but others scorch and burn. The sun’s position in the sky changes throughout the summer, and your sun or shade areas may change, too You may need to relocate a pot that is getting too much sun or not enough.
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