HOUSING UPDATE
There’s no denying it’s gotten more challenging to buy a home, especially with today’s mortgage rates and home price appreciation And that may be one of the big reasons you’re eager to look into grants and assistance programs to see if there’s anything you qualify for that can help. But unfortunately, many homebuyers feel like they don’t know where to start.
A recent Bank of America Institute study asked prospective buyers where they lack confidence in the process and need more information. And this is what topped the list:
53% said they need help understanding homebuying grant programs So, here’s some information that can help you close that gap
WhatIsDownPaymentAssistance?
“Down payment assistance (DPA) programs offer loans and grants that can cover part or all of a home buyer’s down payment and closing costs. More than 2,000 of these programs are available nationwide. . . DPA programs vary by location, but many home buyers could be in line for thousands of dollars in down payment assistance if they qualify ”
And here’s some more good news. On top of all of these programs, you probably don’t need to save as much for your down payment as you think Contrary to what you may have heard, typically you don’t have to put 20% down unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender So, you likely don’t need to save as much upfront, and there are programs designed to make your down payment more achievable. Sounds like a win-win.
It’s also worth mentioning, that it’s not just first-time homebuyers that are eligible for many of these programs. That means whether you’re looking to buy your first house or your fifth, there could be an option for you. As Down Payment Resource notes:
“You don’t have to be a first-time buyer Over 39% of all [homeownership] programs are for repeat homebuyers who have owned a home in the last 3 years.”
Affordability is still a challenge, so if you’re looking to buy, you’re going to want to make sure you’re taking advantage of any and all resources available
AdditionalDownPaymentResourcesThatCanHelp
Here are a few of the down payment assistance programs that are helping many buyers achieve their dream of homeownership, even now:
Teacher Next Door is designed to help teachers, first responders, health providers, government employees, active-duty military personnel, and Veterans reach their down payment goals
Fannie Mae provides down payment assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers living in majority-Latino communities.
Freddie Mac also has options designed specifically for homebuyers with modest credit scores and limited funds for a down payment
The 3By30 program lays out actionable strategies to add 3 million new Black homeowners by 2030. These programs offer valuable resources for potential buyers, making it easier to secure down payments and realize their dream of homeownership.
For Native Americans, Down Payment Resource highlights 42 U S homebuyer assistance programs across 14 states that ease the path to homeownership by providing support with down payments and other associated costs.
If you want more information on any of these, the best place to start is by contacting a trusted real estate professional.
They’ll be able to share more details about what may be available, including any other programs designed to serve specific professions or communities And even if you don’t qualify for these types of programs, they can help see if there are any other federal, state, and local options available you should look into.
CONTACT YOUR REALTOR OR CLICK HERE!
MakeYourDreams ComeTrue
We’re here to help you find the home of your dreams. Ready to start a new life in a new place?
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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A great home-buying experience! Our experience couldn’t have been any better We never felt like a number or just another client to them They were patient with any If our questions, and put any concerns we had at ease with the mortgage process.
Mortgage Resources
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Then your dedicated credit coach will provide a customized plan to quickly exceed the minimum credit qualification thresholds of a mortgage.
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YELLOW IS THE ULTIMATE VERSATILE SUMMER DECOR HUE
When you think of yellow hues, do you think of flowering plants in the early days of spring, like yellow archangel, golden chain tree, hybrid witch hazel, forsythia, and yellow bird magnolia? Does it remind you of spring, as daffodils begin reaching through the sidewalk cracks? Does it remind you of summer, when you can finally start harvesting your yellow pear tomatoes and Irish gold tomatoes, and when lemon trees start blooming?
Interior design superstar Shea McGee, is proving that one particular shade of yellow is going to be the perfect versatile shade for summer this year: creamy butter yellow.
“The color is sunny and relaxed without going full force into the lemon territory, and the fact that yellow is a proven mood booster makes it the perfect choice for refreshing any space this summer, ” Studio McGee said in a press release, adding that the color has an incredible amount of versatility and timelessness, making it “the ultimate color of the season. ”
MAKE IT THE CENTER OF ATTENTION
The way the studio uses the color, of course, shows off its talent for versatility and adaptability, from small accents to huge pieces that grab your attention For instance, the designers use a creamy butter yellow striped wallpaper above dusty blue wood paneling behind a bed to brighten up a room while still supplying it with enviable coziness.
OPT FOR ACCESSORIES
The addition of a light yellow throw pillow or a floral pattern that highlights this summery hue wraps it all up nicely. McGee and her team also brought in the power of a creamy butter yellow staple item with a yellow rug in the entryway that offers guests a seamless transition from the outside world into the calming inside one
Adding some dishware to your home that might have that pop of yellow a serving bowl or tray, a set of plates, or a fruit bowl are also bright and lovely examples for adding the color of the season into your home decor without breaking the bank or changing the whole aesthetic of your home
USE LIGHTING
And an even more transcendent creamy butter yellow addition is light itself. Light has the ability lighting has to transform a space. Whether through pendant lights, table lamps, or sconces, adding in an accent of warm light can really create a cozy ambiance and an escape from the bright glare of the sun outside
STUDIO MCGEE
WILLIAM SONOMA
THE 7 GOLDEN RULES OF ORGANIZING PROS FOLLOW
Whether you live in a studio apartment or a four-bedroom house, organizing is the best way to keep your space soothing and serene. To help you get started on your summer clear-out session, we spoke to three professional organizers to find out their golden rules of organization.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Showing yourself kindness through decluttering and reorganization is key in staying motivated, and setting systems that will last. "Be kind and gracious to yourself," Revelation Organizing's Reba Bassett says. "Remind yourself that the tidiness of your space is not a reflection of your success as a person Give yourself grace as you move through organizing your home, and remember to take breaks and celebrate wins along the way."
REVIEW FROM A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE
“The most important step is the review," Soreff says. "This is not about throwing things out we want to focus on what we are keeping, and how often we use it." "Once you have your quantity, you can decide on the best storage solution and the best place in your space for it to live," he adds Shifting your organizing mindset from focusing on what to get rid of to discovering and celebrating your must-have items (and making sure they are front and center and ready to use from now on) can make letting go of unnecessary clutter and extra pieces feel a little less stressful.
"BEST, FAVORITE, NECESSARY"
Bassett's favorite golden rule of organizing is also her go-to catchphrase: "Best, favorite, necessary" "No magical organizational tool or container will make your space bigger; you have to do that on your own by getting rid of things," she says. "As you go through the multiple versions of your items, only keep things that fall into one of these three categories: best, favorite, and necessary." For example, if you have an overflowing drawer full of pajamas and some hole-filled shirts haven't seen the light of day since high school keep the set in the best condition, your favorite set (or sentimental band t-shirt), and a necessary set of short and long pajamas for year-round comfort. The rest can be donated or upcycled.
ONE IN, ONE OUT
"The 'one in, one out' rule is perfect for those having trouble with space constraints or overbuying," Bassett says. "When you buy a new item of clothing, a new pair of shoes, or a mug, you must remove an old item in its place This is a great maintenance strategy for keeping spaces organized over time."
GET RID OF THE "JUST IN CASE"
It's great to feel well-prepared for overnight guests, vacations, and last-minute visits from family and friends (who may be keeping an eye out for the set of cheese knives they bought you last holiday season), but overpreparing and keeping items on hand for every possible scenario can actually lead to more stress and clutter in the long-term.
"If you don't love it and aren't using it, ask yourself why you are keeping it," owner of Amelie Organizes and KonMari consultant Amélie Saint-Jacques advises "Don't keep something out of guilt just because it was a gift, or 'just in case' especially if it is easily replaceable, or it can be borrowed or rented in a pinch."
MAKE YOUR OWN RULES
While our organizers each have a broad set of rules they follow when working with clients, they are also mindful that each individual home and family has its own set of needs, and that the "best" method varies from person to person Remember this is true for you, too and experiment with organizing hacks, viral techniques, and repurposing products to find what makes the most sense in your space.
"You don't have to store things 'the typical' way," SaintJacques says. "For example, you can take a wooden rack meant for cookware and use it to organize purses instead, and you can hang t-shirts instead of folding them. There aren't any set rules the most important thing is to have a system that is functional for you."
BENJAMIN MOORE
PAINT DESIGN BOARDS
See how new paint colors look on your home... BEFORE IT'S PAINTED! Be "Color Confident" with a Virtual Color Consultation
your color nces, and take le quiz.
rs will create 3-5 initial you to see online, then u to create more designs the one you love
S Custom Designs
t feeling of knowing you'll aint color after your home
. No more guesswork!
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