HOUSING UPDATE
With rising home prices and volatile mortgage rates, it’s important you know about every resource that could help make buying a home possible And one thing you’ll want to be aware of is just how much the numberofdownpaymentassistance(DPA)programshasgrownlately
Take a look at the graph below to see how many new programs have been added in the last year, according to data from Down Payment Resource:
SOURCE:DownPaymentResource
So, what does this increase mean for you? With more programs available, there’s a higher likelihood that one of them could help you reachyourhomeownershipgoals
Andtheseprogramsaren’tsmall-scalehelpeither–thebenefitscango a long way toward covering a chunk of your costs As Rob Chrane, FounderandCEOofDownPaymentResource,shares:
“Wearepleasedtoseeagrowingnumberoftheseprograms,andthink they are becoming a targeted way to help first-time and firstgeneration homebuyers struggling to save for a down payment get into a home they can afford Our data shows the average DPA benefit is roughly $17,000 That can be a nice jump-start for saving for a down paymentandothercostsofhomeownership”
With more down payment assistance programs than ever before, now’s a great time to explore how these options can help on your homebuying journey.
Imagine being able to qualify for $17,000 toward your down payment that’s a big boost, especially if you’re looking to buy yourfirsthome.Withthatlevelofhelp,buyingahomemaybemore withinreachthanyouthink.
But it’s worth calling out that the growth in DPA options isn’t just focused on first-time and first-generation buyers. Many of the new programs are also aimed at supporting affordable housing initiatives, which include manufactured and multi-family homes. This means that more people, and a wider variety of home types, can qualify for down payment assistance, making it easier for you tofindanoptionthatfitsyourneeds.
With so many DPA programs out there, you need to make sure you’re finding the right one for you. That’s why it’s key to lean on your real estate and lending professionals for guidance. The MortgageReportssays:
“The best way to find down payment assistance programs for which you qualify is to speak with your loan officer or broker. They should know about local grants and loan programs that can help youout.”
Your loan officer or real estate agent will know what’s available in your area and can point you toward programs that align with your goals
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Bathroom trends that will be everywhere in 2025, according to designers
There's a shift in bathroom trends for 2025 compared to the past year. There's still a desire for warm, lived-in spaces, but the year ahead promises a more refined approach to design While we aren't suggesting you should remodel your bathroom every year, these trends are a great guide for how you can add design elements that feel in style and offer advice on creating more personalized spaces.
1. Nature-Inspired Designs
Well-being benefits have become a priority in home design, and in 2025, this trend will continue to dominate in bathrooms ‘Fresh materials and colors incorporating nature-inspired textures and finishes paying homage to nature look to drive design trends for luxury bath spaces in the next year ‘Some examples of this include water filtration and steam shower systems being incorporated more frequently into bathrooms, along with increasing the number of windows and openness to allow for the incorporation of nature and natural light.’
2.Tile Drenched Schemes
Offering a blend of style and function, tile drenching is set to dominate in 2025, adding personality and unexpected design features to schemes of every style ‘It's striking and makes the room feel more polished and intentional ‘Tile drenching makes a grand statement in any room. Especially when using a high-gloss tile, it adds a beautiful visual effect that reflects light and elevates the space We’ve been loving rich tones like maroon, burgundy, and plum for tile drenching – they’re bold, but add warmth to a space Cream is another favorite of ours because it’s classic and will never go out of style.’
3. Colorful Marble
‘Bathroom trends are generally influenced, at times, by kitchen trends, and one we are sure to see in 2025 is the rise of colored marble Colored marble is having a real moment, whether it is full color or heavy-colored veining It is striking, it is dramatic, and it is luxurious,’ says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca’ Pietra ‘However, all this doesn’t come cheap or necessarily practical for bathrooms. And so, to get this trend in this setting, we’re seeing a rise of marble-effect tiles that are replicating the look
‘The concept of having your own spa bathroom at home is a trend that isn’t going to go anywhere – even if it has been around for several years – and one that we’ll continue to see in 2025 Home spas are evolving as we are moving back towards one larger bathroom over two smaller ones in the home,’ says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. The big-ticket item is a rainfall shower that has several different functions and settings for a truly spa-like experience,’ she explains
5. Walk-In Showers
Past bathroom trends have focused on statement bathtubs, from roll-top designs to free-standing additions, but this year is all about the walk-in shower. ‘I love a seamless walk-in to the shower, no threshold, and the same tile throughout This is great, especially for smaller bathrooms – the seamless floor helps to make the bathroom feel bigger,’ says interior designer Taniya Nayak. ‘Make sure the floor tile is smaller to accommodate the slope in the shower There are plenty of great options from penny rounds, to small-scale chevrons to hexagons, or even a smaller stone tile like a river rock for a more spa-like feel,’ she adds
6. Statement Stone
There’s been a theme running through interior design trends for creating ‘moments’ in schemes In bathroom trends, it’s all about using a statement stone to create a focal point ‘We love a statement stone in a bathroom, like a bold Calacatta Viola. A colorful, striking marble can act as the anchor in a design scheme, with more muted, neutral elements tied in,’ says Molly Torres Portnof, founder and principal designer at DATE Interiors There are plenty of ways to create a ‘moment’ with stone in the bathroom – a statement sink can look really striking, or a shower nook lined in a quality stone can create a stunning focal point.
4. Home Spas
TIPS TO GET YOUR KITCHEN ORGANIZED BEFORE
ACCORDING TO PRO ORGANIZERS
Thanksgiving is probably the biggest day (or week) of the year for your kitchen, and it needs to be properly organized and decluttered beforehand A kitchen that's cleared of clutter and efficiently organized is one that's prepped and ready for Thanksgiving Here are some expert tips on stress-free Thanksgiving kitchen organization according to professional organizers Courtney Cummings, owner of The Stylish Organizer and Meaghan Kessman, owner of Meaghan Kessman Home Organization.
1.Create Prep Zones
"Before the Thanksgiving cooking marathon kicks off, I like to clear off my countertops and set up specific zones one for prepping ingredients, one for cooking, and one for serving," says Kessman Make sure each of these spots is cleared of whatever isn't needed, thoroughly cleaned, and kept empty when not being used. You can even label each area if you're sharing your holiday kitchen with other Thanksgiving cooks
2 Declutter the Pantry and Fridge
Another must-do before Thanksgiving week arrives is an in-depth declutter of your pantry and fridge Both spaces will need to hold a variety of seasonal ingredients, and the fridge will need to fit plenty of prepped food and leftovers, too. "Make room for all of the extras," says Cummings. "Take a quick peek in your pantry before you hit the grocery store and remove any expired food or spices You’re likely going to bring home a good portion of the grocery store, so help out your future self and leave room for special baking mixes, extra spices, pounds of potatoes, and more "
3. Keep On Top of the Dishwasher
As you organize and declutter your kitchen, the dishes, food containers, pots, and pans that need a quick wash before the Big Day can start to pile up. Load and unload your dishwasher frequently to avoid making a mess out of your sink, and consider recruiting other family members to help with this much-needed task
4. Sort Through Your Containers
Food containers can make your Thanksgiving prep and leftover distribution so much simpler But it's all too common to have a cabinet full of mismatched drawers and lids rather than full sets of anything useful
Pull out all your food containers to take stock of what you have and don't have, along with setting aside all the mismatched containers and lids.
5. Make Sure You Have Enough Dishes
Another kitchen organizing must-do is a dish inventory. Once your guest count is (close to!) finalized, pull out the dishware you plan to use and inspect it Are there enough dinner plates, bowls, and dessert plates? What about glasses and cutlery? Is anything chipped, cracked, or dirty? Get rid of items that are too broken to ignore and wash your dishes if they're dusty or grimy If you don't have enough Thanksgiving table settings for everyone on your guest list, add in a few complementary sets or purchase a pack of disposable items for everyone to use.
6. Go Through Rarely Used Pans
After spending the rest of the year hidden away, it's finally time for that massive roasting pan (and decorative pie plate) to shine! But they shouldn't be pulled out for the first time on Thanksgiving Day Instead, "set yourself up for success and inventory your pans, platters, and plates well before the doorbell rings," says Cummings Make sure each pot and pan is clean and dust-free, and double-check that nothing is missing a lid or serving utensils
7. Do a Final Declutter
The day before guests arrive, walk around your kitchen one last time Clear off any clutter or dirty dishes, and give those counters one final wipe down.
BENJAMIN MOORE
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