HOUSING UPDATE
For some buyers, there’s a misconception that newly built homes aren’t made to last or fall short of the quality you can find in older homes Unfortunately, this is turning some buyers away from what may be one of theirbestoptionsintoday’shousingmarket AsBuilderOnlinesays:
“Asresaleinventoryremainslimitedandthepricespreadbetweennewand resale homes narrows, new homes are increasingly an attractive value proposition for buyers, with incentives such as rate buydowns a way to helpaddressongoingaffordabilitychallenges.”
So,isthereanymerittothemyth?Let’sbreakdownthebestwaytomake sure you feel good about looking into new home construction. That way, you’renotmissingoutonsuchagreatoptiontoday.
ChoosingtheRightBuilder
The key to making sure you get a quality newly built home is to choose a good builder Reputable builders adhere to strict building codes and standards, use advanced construction techniques, and often offer warranties that cover structural issues for several years That’s why the MortgageReportsoffersthisadvice:
“When embarking on the journey of buying a new construction home, one of the most important steps is selecting the right builder This decision cansignificantlyimpactthequalityandsatisfactionyouderivefromyour newhome”
And while you could dig into research about all the builders in your area, there’saneasieroptiontogetthejobdone:leanonapro.Whenyouwork with a local real estate agent, they already know about the builders and thenewhomecommunitiesunderconstructioninyourarea.
Beyond that, maybe they’ve even worked with other buyers who opted for a home in one of those neighborhoods. Here are just a few of the thingsyouragentwillhelpyouwith:
Data shows homebuyers unanimously scored their agents higher than their builders when looking back on their recent purchase. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back Work with a local real estate agent to find a home you’ll love and be proud to call your own
1. The Builder’s Reputation: Your agent will help point you toward builders with strong reputations and positive reviews from previous buyers. Additionally, your agent will make sure the builder is licensed and insured. Membership in professional organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is also a good sign of abuilder’scommitmenttoindustrystandards.
2.TheirModelHomes:Youragentwillalsobeabletotellyouifthe buildershavemodelhomesyoucantour.Andwhenyouragentwalks through the model with you, they’ll draw your attention to the little details that matter most Things like the quality of finishes, layout, andoverallfeelofthehome
3. Builder Warranties: Your agent will also be able to help you navigate any builder offers or incentives Reputable builders often provide warranties to cover major structural elements of the home for a significant period of time This is a testament to their confidenceinthequalityoftheirconstruction
4. Getting Inspections: Even with new homes, inspections are crucial Your agent will coordinate the inspections with licensed professionals to ensure the home meets safety and quality standardsbeforeyoumovein
AgentsAretheMVPWhenYou’reBuyingaBrand-NewHome
By working with a knowledgeable real estate agent to choose a reputable builder, you can feel confident when buying a newly built hometoday.AsRealtor.comsays:
“If you are interested in buying a new construction You need your own real estate agent from the get-go Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder’s on-site agent, you’re going to want someonerepresentingyoursideofthedeal”
WHY CHOOSE FBC MORTGAGE?
Choosing the right partners for your home purchase team is an important decision. You need to work with partners you can trust will be there for you every step of the way! This is why you should choose FBC Mortgage, LLC:
Leading national direct mortgage lender
Local and knowledgeable appraisers
In-house underwriting, processing, closing and decision making
Preferred lender for the nation's top real estate agents and home builders
Competitive rates and extensive loan product options
Industry-leading turn times
Available on nights and weekends
Real-time loan updates to our clients and business partners
When you call us a personal advisor will review your credit profile to determine how our program will effectively increase your credit scores.
Then your dedicated credit coach will provide a customized plan to quickly exceed the minimum credit qualification thresholds of a mortgage.
Chic Details: The Latest Home Hardware Trends to Elevate
Living Spaces
Many know the saying “it’s all in the details” and when it comes to designing home interiors, hardware is one of the small additions that can elevate the look of cabinets, doors, built-in spaces, and more. From the rise of matte black to today’s mixing metals, hardware trends, like all design aspects, have morphed throughout the years.
1. Trend: Timeless Classics
Some call this the rise of the “New Romantics” and it can be seen in everything from the return of florals in upholstery, textiles, and wallpapers to the thrift finds of vintage-inspired appliances renewed with modern features and technologies The shift from gray-toned woods back to darker tones and metal-accented cabinetry and as for metals, taking some of the nuances from the ornate details modernizing them
2. Trend: Texture and Material Exploration 3. Trend: Adding Luxury to the Everyday With Hooks
The use of materials like marble and stone, for example, enhances the visual appeal and tactility in the space, creating the ultimate sensory experience for the user This trend of incorporating diverse materials and textures emerged from years of door hardware remaining relatively unchanged in form and function Nowadays, however, designers and homeowners alike are realizing how impactful diverse materials and textures can be in shaping an interior space, inspiring them to swap out their hardware to make a statement starting at their entryway
A hook is an everyday, run-of-the-mill accessory that you might not spend a lot of time thinking about. But a beautifully crafted, well-designed hook makes you take notice. Any hook can do the job of holding a towel, bathrobe, coat, or your keys. But when hooks are added with intention, coordinating with the style of design in a space, they make a statement on their own
Trend: Premium Features and Finishes
Two things driving the sales of door hardware that come to mind are premium features that elevate the quality and function, as well as finishes that stand the test of time, and not just for the sake of trendiness For instance, all Grandeur square rosettes come standard with a concealed screw mechanism so no fasteners show, and any of those combinations that are ordered with levers include a 28-degree latch, versus the usual 53degree latch
5. Trend: Be Bold With Tones
Unlacquered brass is having a moment, especially paired with black. I’m loving the two-tone aspect of Baldwin’s Estate Mix and Match collection. The Gramercy with knurling is the perfect complement to achieve a sophisticated and timeless effect Whether it's the entry set or the impressive long knurled door pulls, and especially for coordinating interior levers, they are a statement in bold design! Go for it! Carol Kurth of the Baldwin Hardware Design Authority
90S HALLOWEEN DECOR IS TRENDING
Incorporate the cozy, nostalgic feel of '90s Halloween decor into your home this fall. Whether you plan to stay home to watch thrillers or throw a Halloween party, incorporate plenty of streamers, paper lanterns, pumpkins, and DIY cobwebs into your home to get the '90s look Outside, create ghosts made from sheets to hang from trees or place glowing pumpkins in windows and along walkways.
1 Use a Classic Color Palette
To fully embrace the '90s Halloween look, you need the right color palette An easy way to incorporate orange into your decor is by using pumpkins Place various sizes of pumpkins around your home and place carved jack-o'-lanterns by your front door to get the classic '90s look. To decorate with black, consider cutting out and hanging up silhouettes of bats, birds, mice, or trees.
2 Don't Go Too Spooky
Another key aspect of re-creating the nostalgic '90s look is to lean more toward cozy instead of scary. If you want to use more eerie decor, follow this rule of thumb: aim to spook, not to scare Feel free to use decor like skeletons and spiders, but avoid more chilling motifs Switch out gothic, dark academiainspired decor with friendlier accents like grinning jack-o'-lanterns and cartoon ghosts
3. Incorporate Iconic Characters
It wouldn't be Halloween without fan-favorite characters. Incorporate Frankenstein, Dracula, and Casper into your Halloween decor this year to nail the '90s aesthetic When decorating with classic characters, lean toward cartoon or vintage versions to keep with the cozy feeling
To incorporate iconic Halloween characters into your decor, carve a pumpkin to resemble Dracula or Frankenstein Cut out paper ghosts and draw smiling faces on them to mimic Casper the Friendly Ghost Attach the ghosts to your wall, around a door frame, or along your fireplace mantel.
4 DIY Your Halloween Decor
Go old-school and craft your Halloween decorations to avoid a cookie-cutter display From carved pumpkins to faux ghosts, '90s Halloween decor had a homemade look Take a night to craft your own Halloween decor this year Invite friends to craft together, or get the whole family involved with carving pumpkins and cutting out silhouettes. Make ghosts from scrap fabric or old bedsheets, and hang the spooky ghouls from trees in your yard or under your porch Spread gauze on bushes to mimic cobwebs with creepy DIY spiders And for your door, make a custom wreath using garland and dried flowers
BENJAMIN MOORE
PAINT DESIGN BOARDS
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