“While there’s no arguing this housing market is challenging for first-time homebuyers, it is still achievable, especially if you have professionals on your side.
If homeownership is on your goal sheet for your future, you’re probably working on your savings And a big priority is making sure you’ve got a plan in place for things like your closing costs, down payment, and more.
Here are a few strategies that can help speed up that process.
Budget and Track Your Expenses: To start, create a detailed budget that tracks the money you’ve got coming in and the money going out This’ll give you a better look at your finances as a whole
Cut Down on Unnecessary Spending: Now that you have your budget sheet done and you know how you’re spending your money, look for any line items that aren’t absolutely essential. If you cut down on those, you can re-allocate that cash toward buying a home. Even the little things can add up. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:
“The majority of first-time buyers did make financial sacrifices to purchase a home. For those who did, the most common sacrifices buyers reported were cutting spending on luxury goods, entertainment, and clothes.”
Automate Your Savings: Once you know how much you want to set aside for your homebuying budget, look for ways to make it easy. If you have to transfer money manually, you may forget to do it. But getting some automatic transfers set up helps drive consistency and removes the temptation to spend it elsewhere. Realtor.com explains:
“If you’re struggling to put enough money away because of the constant temptations to blow your paycheck, consider automating the process Ask your employer if you can have your paycheck deposited into multiple accounts if so, instruct it to send a certain percentage of your salary directly into your savings account Or go through your bank ”
Lean into Any
You Have: Do you have a gig you do (or have done before) to net some extra cash? Taking on part-time work, freelance jobs, or picking up a side hustle can help give your savings a boost.
Put any Unexpected Cash To Good Use: If you get any sudden windfalls, like a tax refund, bonus, inheritance, or cash gift from family, put it toward your house fund.
By using these strategies and focusing on your savings over time, you can make sure you’re well on the path to having what you need to buy your first home As Ramsey Solutions says:
“Budgeting shows your money who’s in charge (that’s you). It gives you the power to tell your money where to go instead of having to wonder where it went. It’s how you make any money goals happen like saving for a down payment.”
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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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From mudroom dog washes to built-in crates and bowls, many of today's households are adding pet-friendly features to their homes
Home design is going to the dogs, with many pet-owning households across North America The popularity of pet ownership is redefining what a perfect family home looks like, making sure all household members are accounted for in the design even those with four legs. The American Pet Products Association says that 45% of U.S. households own a dog, with another 26% owning a cat. According to the Canadian Animal Health Institute, 60% of Canadian households have a pet.
Interior design is evolving to support the lifestyle needs of homeowners and their canine and feline companions, with communitybased pet amenities, as well as ways to integrate stylish design features for animals at home.
Home design matters for pets, but the community where a home is located is important. Dog owners need certain amenities close to home, including access to green space, along with safe areas for dog walking Ideally, a community would have a dog park, or walking trails. Given the vast number of homeowners with pets and recognizing the important role that housing and community design play in facilitating a pet-friendly lifestyle, many new communities are being designed with amenities and social events geared for pets.
A home with a yard is desirable for pet owners, but to make the most of outdoor space, homeowners should design the area with their pet’s safety and enjoyment in mind. A must is a fenced-in area Any material will do, if there are no gaps for Fido to sneak through Material choices will influence a home’s aesthetic, so choose something that is cohesive with the home’s exterior. Some HOAs require certain materials to be used. If space allows, include a dog run for extra fun and exercise It’s especially useful with larger breed dogs For homeowners with large properties, an invisible fence is good way to let a pet run free, but still stay within a safe distance.
Pets put household finishes and materials to the test regularly, so choosing easy-to-clean materials that will stand up to messes, pet hair, and four-legged traffic is essential Hard floors are easiest to keep clean from pet hair and other messes, but not all hard materials are well-suited to the pitter patter of paws because they scratch easily Most tiles, whether stone, ceramic, or porcelain, are fairly scratch-resistant, especially if they are glazed and sealed Hardwood flooring is relatively easy to keep clean but is prone to scratches and wear. For a hardwood look with pet-friendly durability, luxury vinyl plank is a good alternative For carpet, choose something sturdy and stain-resistant, such as a Berber-style Upgraded rug pads underneath resist soaking in liquids and help to avoid stains. DURABLE AND LOW-MAINTENANCE MATERIALS
Food and water dishes can take up a lot of room and be messy. The answer is to install a built-in feeding system. There are stylish, creative solutions, including pull-out drawers in the underused toe-kick space in the kitchen cabinetry or a built-in feeding system as part of the kitchen island. Trending in the kitchen for homeowners are pot fillers, that are both convenient and add a subtle splash of style Use the same concept with the pet’s dishes, with a pet-sized pot filler located above a feeding area to easily refill water dishes.
Need to leave a pet on their own? Not to worry. With a host of smart tech gadgets and systems, homeowners can keep tabs on their animals Pet cameras let homeowners monitor pets remotely and make sure that they are safe and secure. Two-way audio lets owners remind them omnisciently to stay off the couch or offer praise for good behavior Automatic pet feeders can be directed using an app, which are great for cat owners. Pet doors are a convenient way for a pet to let themselves out whenever they want, but for added safety, put in an automatic pet door that works on a motion sensor, opening on demand, and is securely closed otherwise.
Here are some additional features that pet-owning households will appreciate:
Central vacuum, for quick and easy cleanup
Upgraded HVAC systems with high-end filtration systems to clean the air of pet dander.
Increased insulation and soundproofing to muffle barking noise, inside and out
A bathtub. Even if they are shower-only people, having an additional bathtub somewhere in the house is useful
Temperatures are expected to be higher than ever this summer, with record-breaking heatwaves already hitting the Southwest United States. You might be prepared with ways to beat the heat, but what about your garden? Flowers, lawns, and outdoor foliage alike can shrivel under soaring temperatures. If your garden isn’t built to survive the heat, don’t give up just yet there are a few things you can do to help protect your plants from heatwaves this summer
A shade cloth is essentially a suspended tarp you’ll place above plants you want to shade from the heat of the sun. These cloths will let some light through, so your plants will still be healthy in the shade, but will prevent the sun from burning plants or harming plants that can’t tolerate full sun Unlike covering your plants for a winter frost, you’ll need to make sure the cloth isn’t directly making contact with any part of your plant This will ensure your plant is properly shaded without it burning.
Not mowing your lawn might seem like a counterintuitive summer activity, but it’s actually the perfect way to help your yard thrive. Tall grass retains shade and moisture, so the soil in your yard will be less likely to dry out under the hot sun. This will help keep your grass growing tall and lush, even without any maintenance. If you absolutely must trim your lawn this summer, keep the length as long as possible. This will ensure your lawn won’t be directly exposed to hot temperatures during its period of regrowth after mowing
You might not be an early bird, but if you want your plants to thrive, you’ll have to be this summer Watering your plants is, of course, one of the easiest ways to help them survive intense conditions. But when you water at times when the sun is high, your plants will lose some of the water to the hot soil. Watering during the morning when the sun isn’t directly over your plants will help them retain more moisture, giving your plants the opportunity to soak up all the water they can before the sun dries out the top few layers of soil later in the day
Soil dries out easily during hot conditions. You might find that the top few layers are having trouble retaining water, lowering your plants’ chance of survival To combat this issue, you can add a layer of mulch to your yard. In winter, mulch acts as a heat insulator. But in summer, mulch can protect your soil from being exposed to the sun, helping to retain water (and helping your plants thrive)
If you’re expecting long-term heat to continue affecting your garden, adding a water fixture might be one of the best things you can do for it. A moving water feature can help cool the air around it, so installing one near your plants is basically like giving them an air conditioner. Just make sure the water from your fixture is moving (such as a water fountain or rippling basin) to help decrease its evaporation rate and prevent bugs from moving in. To save as much water as possible, always opt for a fixture that recycles the water it uses
Do you have potted plants living outside? Window boxes? Small raised garden beds? You may want to consider moving these inside. A garage or cool room inside your home can help your most delicate plants stay cool this summer, especially if you’re anticipating a heatwave to die down within a few days. Even moving these plants to a covered area like a patio or porch can give them some extra shade and help them retain more water. Additionally, you could consider moving them to a side of the house that doesn’t get as much direct sunlight.
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