When you’re planning a move, it’s normal to wonder where you’ll end up and what your future home is going to look like. Maybe you’ve got a specific picture of that house in your mind But unless you came into this process knowing you want to buy a newly built home, you may not have pictured new home construction
If you’re looking to expand your pool of options even more, turning to newly built homes can help
2. Newly Built Homes May Be More Affordable Than You’dThink Your real estate agent can help walk you through these two reasons that you may want to reconsider.
Builders are going to build what’s in demand And they know people need more options right now, especially ones that are smaller and potentially more affordable So, they’re focusing on building smaller homes at lower price points 1.AddingNewlyBuiltHomesCouldGiveYouMoreOptions
There are two types of homes on the market: new and existing A newly built home refers to a house that was just built or is under construction. An existing home is one a previous homeowner has already lived in. Right now, the inventory of existing homes is tight. But there may be options for you on the new home side of things
Data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that newly built homes are a bigger part of today’s housing inventory than the no
From 1983 to 2019 (the last normal year in the market), newly built homes made up only 13% of the total inventory of homes for sale. But today that number has climbed to over 33%
Rest assured, after over a decade of underbuilding, builders aren’t overdoing it today Even with an increase in new construction today, there’s still a significant housing shortage overall But for you, the uptick in new builds can be a game changer because it gives you more options for your search
You may still be wondering if a new build could really be an option for you. If you’ve previously written them off because you thought they would be out of your budget, consider this. The price gap between a newly built home and an existing house is shrinking Here’s why
As LendingTree explains: “In the past, newly built homes have been much more expensive than existing homes but that gap has been getting smaller recently In some places today, you may find that the cost to build versus buy is roughly the same.”
And an article from CNBC says: “While new builds are still sold for slightly more than existing homes, the price gap has significantly narrowed ”
Not to mention, some builders are even offering price cuts and mortgage rate buy-downs right now to sweeten the deal Today there are many reasons new builds may be worth considering Other buyers sure seem to think so As Freddie Mac says: “As the supply of existing homes for sale remains low and home prices continue to rise, more buyers are choosing to purchase new homes than in previous years.”
Just know that buying a newly built home isn’t the same as buying an existing one. Builder contracts have different fine print. So, partner with your real estate agent who knows the market, builder reputations, and what to look for in those contracts so you have an expert on your side to help you explore this option
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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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Here’s how to design with whole-home audio in mind.
Research has shown that people who listen to music share more quality time together, show more affection towards one another, and are more productive. Having audio throughout a home is not only appealing to an owner, it can be a huge benefit when a new home is for sale. Creating a warm and positive environment during the showing process can increase desirability with potential buyers, helping them create an immediate emotional connection to the space
HERE’S HOW TO MAKE SHOWCASE
1. Sound it out: Just as you’d plan a series of recessed lights for optimal illumination, thinking about speaker placement in walls and ceilings can enhance audio quality. During the design phase, you should consider a room ’ s size, shape, and acoustics to ensure equal sound distribution. “Waiting until the home is move-in ready dramatically decreases your options for audio/video placement,” says Matthew Nelson, senior product manager at Sonos “It’s much simpler and cost effective to run wiring for audio, data, and power before drywall or other permanent fixtures are installed, whether that’s for architectural speakers or even mounting TVs ” This is especially true if the space has a ceiling complicated by architectural elements or a home without an attic or crawlspace.
2. Disguise your decibels: The old home entertainment centers that housed all that unsightly audio and video equipment have, thankfully, gone the way of the VHS These days, minimalism is in Just as TVs have slimmed down, speakers and amps have assumed lower profiles, too Architectural speakers with grilles painted to match the wall or ceiling can be mounted flush, so they’re heard and not seen Likewise, amps and other controls can be tucked away The benefit of planning ahead is that you can create nooks and crannies where equipment can be discreetly stashed.
3. Get in the zone: With the help of a professional audio integrator (that’s a specialist who specs and installs audio equipment), designers can identify spaces or zones served by the same audio source Take the primary bedroom, for example, with a large walk-in closet and bathroom You can specify the types of speakers and placement to ensure each adjoining room has optimal sound It could also be configured so that each room has a designated volume control Zoning is especially important in a large house where audio equipment might span from end to end. “This way, wiring can be organized and routed most efficiently to the planned location where the A/V equipment is placed,” Nelson advises.
4. Future-proof for add-ons: If budget constraints don’t allow for speakers today, you can still wire for speakers tomorrow. Just as you would pre-wire with CAT cables, equipping homebuyers with a wired network for all their devices, you can prewire audio equipment Then it’s just a matter of cutting a few holes to connect the wires to the speakers and amps “This small extra step saves a lot of headaches and costs down the road, especially when dealing with a structure where the décor is already finished,” Nelson says. It’s also important to consider what types of products are being considered for installation. Technology advances quickly, and what’s new today can be outdated tomorrow. Selecting audio hardware that also has a software component (like an app) means that the manufacturer can send regular updates and features to ensure that your investment is performing its best.
5. Overcome audio obstacles: Ceiling height, room shape and layout, window size and placement, furniture, and even the type of flooring all affect acoustics But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice design for better sound On the contrary: Sonos speakers featuring Trueplay tuning technology, which measures how sound interacts with walls, furnishings, and other surfaces and uses this information to deliver a better audio experience “Of course, optimal speaker placement is always recommended, but Trueplay further fine-tunes the system to the space, ” Nelson says.
More daylight can make rooms look bigger and contribute to well-being, so who wouldn’t want to optimize it? But when budget forbids calling in the pros, DIY hacks for getting more natural light into your home are required These expert hacks will make rooms lighter, brighter and larger feeling with just a little time and effort that will be well worth it for the results.
If window panes attract your attention because of what’s on them rather than the view through them, they’re obstructing natural light The remedy? ‘Clean your windows regularly to remove dirt, rain stains, dust, and grime that can block light,’ says Jeramy Sibley, president of Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company. ‘Make sure to clean both the glass and the surrounding frames to ensure maximum light entry ’ Avoid streaks by using the tried-andtested ways to clean a window for glazing that’s light maximizing.
Like windows that aren’t pristine, the position of curtain rods could be compromising the passage of natural light into your home. Fabric blocking the glass means fabric blocking the natural light, so you might need to alter the height of a rod or invest in one that’s wider‘Opt for curtain rods mounted well above the window frame to allow maximum light exposure,’ says Tina Priestly, CEO of Ready, Set, Refresh. Use the rules designers follow to decide how high to hang curtains and place curtain rod brackets to allow for panels to be pulled away from the glass. Installing curtain rods is a simple DIY job
3. UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE
‘Trim any foliage that might be overshadowing your windows from the outside to allow more natural light to penetrate your indoor spaces,’ recommends Jeramy Sibley. ‘This is particularly important for windows that face garden areas or have trees nearby. Keep trees and shrubs around your home well-trimmed to maximize sunlight reaching your windows.’
While it’s a more complicated job than some of the other hacks, fitting a light tunnel, also known as a solar daylighting tube and by other similar names, is a DIYable project. As the name suggests, one of these introduces natural light into a space in your home via an entry point in the roof, bringing it to the room through a tube and then diffusing it into the space. ‘Because the light is coming from above rather than the side, it provides excellent illumination,’ says Gabriella Dyson, Head of Solved at Homes & Gardens. ‘Even better, one of these can be fitted where a window wouldn’t go.
If natural light is reaching a room well, but the one beyond is dark, then the answer is to borrow the light from the first room. A DIYable way to achieve this is to swap a solid interior door for one that’s glazed – or partially glazed. Clear glass will maximize the movement of light, but frosted glass will still let daylight through and offer privacy if that’s required. Think about the door’s style when borrowing light. ‘A single glazed panel lets the most light through,’ advises Gabriella. ‘The muntins of a multi-panel design will block a certain amount And if you’re opting for a door with, say, two or three glass panels, those with narrow stiles (the vertical pieces) and narrow rails (the horizontal pieces) will minimize light impediment.’
Getting more light into a home has a host of benefits. ‘These strategies enhance your overall wellbeing by making spaces feel more open and connected to the outdoors,’ says Jeramy Sibley. ‘They also support a healthier home environment by boosting mood and productivity through increased exposure to natural light ’
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