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The Houseplant Styling Tip I Had Never Considered Before

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You need color variation to encourage the eye to move around a room, and Kate Berry includes houseplants as part of that equation. “They’re like another material!” she tells me.

A sea of similar greens, whether plants or fabric, can read flat, and we’re going for layered. In the end, a burgundy-tinged calathea rattlesnake brought nuance to my setup, but that’s just the beginning of the plant rainbow I’ve since discovered…

Behold, nine paths to a well-rounded plant corner:

  1. Yes, pink plants exist. Meet the anglaonema wishes, which doesn’t need direct sunlight to thrive, ideal for my north-facing house.

  2. If you’re married to the classic green houseplant, you can always bring in a splash of contrasting color with a glossy planter. 

  3. Even the most unusual plant is only as good as its support system, and this Greek column trellis beats standard stakes any day.

  4. In writer Marjon Carlos’s apartment, the reddish brown begonia ties together various warm tones, from the rug to the vintage sofa, without being too matchy-matchy.

  5. You could reach for a lamp, but this white arrowhead plant would honestly do just as good a job brightening up a corner.

  6. Most of my pots are basic terracotta—I love the patina they develop from algae growth and minerals in the water. But this one’s thumbprint edge gives it subtle oomph. 

  7. Rather than a bunch of individual plant stands, my husband and I bought a vintage slatted wood bench, similar to this option, to hold multiple pots. We just varied the plant heights so they’re not crowding one another.

  8. Greenery can be patterned! Along with the blush streaks that give the calathea pinstripe its name, the leaves have a wine-hued underside.

  9. Sometimes you need a grounding element. Rubber trees add a dose of rich, almost-black green to the mix.

Read more at Domino.com

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Why Fixing Up Your House Can Help It Sell Faster

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 If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know there are buyers who are ready and able to pay today’s high prices.

But they want a home that’s move-in ready. A recent press release from Redfin explains:

“Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay today’s high prices, but only if the house is in really good shape. They don’t want to spend extra money on paint or new appliances.”

It makes sense when you think about it. They’re having to pay a lot of money for a house in today’s market. That means they may not be able to easily afford upgrades after they move in. So, if your home is outdated or needs some work, buyers might pass it by or offer a lower price than you were hoping for.

And there are a lot of homes that need upgrades right now. Millions are entering their prime remodel years, meaning they’re between 20 and 39 years old. Maybe yours is one of them. According to John Burns Research and Consulting (JBRC), the number of homes in their prime remodel years is high and growing (see graph below):

 
 

If your house falls into this category, it’s important to consider making selective updates to help it appeal to buyers, so it sells faster. But how do you know where to spend your time and money?

Why You Need a Real Estate Agent

By working with a local real estate agent to be strategic about the improvements you make, you can be sure you’re making a smart investment. Put simply, not all upgrades are worth the cost. As Bankrate says:

“Before you spend money on costly upgrades, be sure the changes you make will have a high return on investment. It doesn’t make sense to install new granite countertops, for example, if you only stand to break even on them, or even lose money.”

 And, as that same Bankrate article goes on to say, that’s where a local real estate agent comes in:

“. . . a good real estate agent will know what local buyers expect and can help you decide what needs doing and what doesn’t.”

Your agent will know what buyers in your area are looking for and what they’re willing to pay for it. By working together, you can avoid spending money on upgrades that won’t pay off. Instead, they’ll fill you in on which changes will make your house more appealing and valuable.

Bottom Line

Selling a house right now requires more than just putting up a For Sale sign. You need to make sure it’s in good condition to attract buyers who are willing to pay today’s high prices.

The way to do that is by making smart improvements that will give you the best return on your investment. Work with a local real estate agent so you know what buyers are looking for and what your house needs before selling.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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Mortgage refinance demand jumps to a 2-year high, as interest rates drop

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Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level since March last week, sparking swift demand in refinancing. Homebuyers, however, seemed unimpressed.

Applications to refinance a home loan jumped 15% last week, compared with the previous week, to the highest level since August 2022, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. Demand was 37% higher than the same week one year ago when mortgage rates were exactly the same.

While the increase last week was large, it is coming off a very small base. Refinance demand is still more than 70% lower than it was in early 2020, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.87% from 7.00%, with points dropping to 0.57 from 0.60 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment.

“Mortgage rates declined last week, as recent signs of cooling inflation and the increased likelihood of Fed rate cuts later this year pulled them lower,” said Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, in a release.

Applications for a mortgage to purchase a home fell 3% for the week and were 14% lower than the same week one year ago. Buyers today are facing a lean and pricey market, and now, with the expectation that rates could drop even more, they may be waiting on the sidelines for a better opportunity. More supply is slowly coming onto the market and sellers are starting to reduce prices, especially for homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.

Mortgage rates have not changed much to start this week, despite a stronger-than-expected report on retail sales.

Read more at CNBC.com

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Unlocking Homebuyer Opportunities in 2024

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There’s no arguing this past year has been difficult for homebuyers.

And if you’re someone who has started the process of searching for a home, maybe you put your search on hold because the challenges in today’s market felt like too much to tackle. You’re not alone in that. A Bright MLS study found some of the top reasons buyers paused their search in late 2023 and early 2024 were:

  • They couldn’t find anything in their price range

  • They didn’t have any successful offers or had difficulty competing

  • They couldn’t find the right home

If any of these sound like why you stopped looking, here’s what you need to know. The housing market is in a transition in the second half of 2024. Here are four reasons why this may be your chance to jump back in.

1. The Supply of Homes for Sale Is Growing

One of the most significant shifts in the market this year is how the months’ supply of homes for sale has increased. If you look at data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), you’ll see how inventory has grown throughout 2024 (see graph below): 

 
 

This graph shows the months’ supply of existing homes – homes that were previously lived in by another homeowner. The upward trend this year is clear.

This increase means you have a better chance of finding a home that suits your needs and preferences. And if the biggest reason you put off your home search was difficulty finding the right home, this is a big relief.

2. There’s More New Home Construction

And if you still don’t see an existing home you like, another big opportunity lies in the rise of new home construction. Builders have worked to increase the supply of newly built homes this year. And they’ve turned their attention to crafting smaller, more affordable homes based on what’s most needed in today’s market. This helps address the long-standing issue of housing undersupply throughout the country, and those smaller homes also offset some of the affordability challenges you’re feeling today.

According to data from the Census and NAR, one in three homes on the market is a newly built home (see graph below):

 
 

This means, that if you didn’t previously look at newly built homes as part of your search, you may have been cutting your pool of options by a third. Not to mention, some builders are also offering incentives like buying down mortgage rates to make it easier for buyers to get a home that fits their budget.

So, consider talking to your agent about what builders have to offer in your area. Your agent’s expertise on builder reputations, contracts, and more will help you weigh your options.

3. Less Buyer Competition

Mortgage rates are still hovering around 7%, so buyer demand isn’t as fierce as it once was. And when you combine that with more housing supply, you have a better chance of avoiding an intense bidding war. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, highlights the positive trend for the latter half of 2024, saying:

“Home shoppers who persist could see better conditions in the second half of the year, which tends to be somewhat less competitive seasonally, and might be even more so since inventory is likely to reach five-year highs.”

This creates a unique opportunity for you to find a home you want to buy with less stress and at a potentially better price.

4. Home Prices Are Moderating

Speaking of prices, home prices are also showing signs of moderation – and that’s a welcome shift after the rapid appreciation seen in recent years (see graph below): 

 
 

This moderation is mostly due to supply and demand. Supply is growing and demand is easing, so prices aren’t rising as fast. But make no mistake, that doesn’t mean prices are falling – they’re just rising at a more normal pace. You can see this in the graph. The bars are still showing prices increasing, just not as dramatic as it was before.

The average forecast for home price appreciation in 2024 is for positive growth around 3% to 5%, which is more in line with historical norms. That moderation means that you are less likely to face the steep price increases we saw a few years ago.

The Opportunity in Front of You

If you’re ready and able to buy, you may find that the second half of 2024 is a bit easier to navigate. There are still challenges, but some of the biggest hurdles you’ve faced are getting better as time wears on.

On the other hand, you could choose to wait. But if you do, here’s the risk you run. As more buyers recognize the shift in the market, competition will grow again. On a similar note, if mortgage rates do come down (as forecasts say), more buyers will flood back into the market. So, making a move now helps you take advantage of the current market conditions and get ahead of those other buyers.

Bottom Line

If you’ve put your dream of homeownership on hold, the second half of 2024 may be your chance to jump back in. Connect with a real estate agent to talk more about the opportunities you have in today’s market.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

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“Chaos Gardening” Is the Low-Stakes, Low-Effort Hack You Need to Try This Weekend

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I am, by my own admission, a pretty lazy gardener.

While I love having a yard full of beautiful flowers and plants, I am not actually that interested in constantly tending to them. I’ll put the sweat equity into my veggie garden, which I plant in my raised garden bed every year, but the rest of the plants? You’re on your own, friends. 

That’s why I was immediately intrigued when I saw the term “chaos gardening” being thrown around on social media. By the sounds of it, this was a low-effort gardening method practically tailor-made for lazy gardeners like me.

The premise is simple: You gather a bunch of seeds (bonus points for native plants), mix them up, then toss them around your garden. That’s it! No planning, digging, organizing. No order. It is, in a word, chaos — and the results can be fabulous.

The first “chaos gardening” post I saw was from James Weston (@farmboyjames528), who uses the method to sow cover crops in his small plot. He says the various plants — beans, lentils, sunflowers, and more — help suppress weeds and feed the soil so his other veggies can thrive.

But the concept works great for more decorative plants, too. I loved this example from Amber (@karasumoongardens), who describes herself as a lazy gardener (my kind of girl!).

Native wildflowers are a perfect pick for chaos gardening, as they’ll thrive in your climate and you won’t have to worry about invasive species taking over. Many wildflowers don’t bloom their first summer, so sowing them now means you’ll see the fruits of your (minimal) labor next summer. 

Any annual flowers that bloom this year will re-seed, meaning they’ll essentially be planting themselves. A garden that does all the work for you? Sign me up.

Check out these tips for finding plants native to your area (and avoiding invasive species). If you want to go all-in with your native plants and ditch your lawn entirely, here’s our guide to growing prairie lawns. 

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com

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