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Two Resources That Can Help You Buy a Home Right Now

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A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.

There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.

1. FHA Loans

If your down payment savings and your credit score aren’t where you want them to be, an FHA loan could be your pathway to buying a home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Bankrate, the big perks of an FHA home loan are:

Lower Down Payments: They typically require a smaller down payment than conventional loans, sometimes as low as 3.5% of the home’s purchase price.

Lower Credit Score Requirements: They’re designed to help buyers with credit scores that might not qualify for conventional financing. This means, when conventional loans aren’t an option, you may still be able to get an FHA loan.

The first step is to connect with a lender who can help you explore your options and determine if you qualify.

2. Homeownership Assistance Programs

And if you need a more budget-friendly down payment, that’s not your only option. Did you know there are over 2,000 homeownership assistance programs available across the U.S. according to Down Payment Resource? And more than 75% of these programs are designed to help buyers with their down payment. Here’s a bit more information about why these could be such powerful tools for you:

Financial Support: The average benefit for buyers who qualify for down payment assistance is $17,000. And that’s not a small number.

Stackable Benefits: To make it even better, in some cases, you may be able to qualify for multiple programs at once, giving your down payment an even bigger boost.

Rob Chrane, CEO of Down Payment Resource confirms a little-known fact:

“Some of these programs can be layered. And so, in other words, you may not be limited to just one program.”

If you want to learn more or see what you qualify for, be sure to lean on the pros. A trusted real estate agent and a lender can guide you through the process, explain the help that’s out there, and connect you with resources to make buying a home a reality.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to stop wondering if buying a home is possible and start exploring solutions, connect with an expert agent and trusted lender.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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The Rise of the Instagram-Ready Home

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“Home” has become a place to show off on social media. But how do you balance a home that’s designed to envy against one that is also functional for everyday life?

The concept of an "Instagram-ready home" has emerged as a significant trend, reflecting a growing desire among homeowners to create spaces that are not just functional but aesthetically pleasing and primed to share with the world. But Instagram-ready homes are presenting challenges—and opportunities—for architects and builders. They’re finding they must balance aspirational beauty and home experience design—spaces that not only captivate an online audience but also nurture the well-being of those who live in them.

To pull this off requires a thoughtful integration of comfort, functionality and emotional appeal so that the home is as fulfilling in real-life as it is on social media.

Understanding the Instagram Aesthetic

So, what exactly is an Instagram-ready home? Well, it is one where rooms photograph well to show off on social media. On the surface, that may seem simple enough, but this requires a deep understanding of lighting, composition and the interplay between technology and aesthetics. Architects and builders are now being forced to think like photographers and social media influencers, envisioning how each room will translate into a compelling image or video.

To create truly Instagram-worthy spaces, professionals must start with a solid foundation of design principles. Clean lines, balanced proportions and a cohesive color palette also are essential. However, it's the thoughtful incorporation of unique elements that will make a space stand out on social media. This could include statement architectural features, such as dramatic staircases or floor-to-ceiling windows, and carefully curated design elements, like custom artwork or unique furniture pieces.

The Role of Technology in Creating Instagram-Ready Homes

As with many homes today, technology also plays an important role in creating versatile, photogenic spaces. For example, mechanical window shades and tunable lighting systems offer the ability to set different moods and environments within each room, allowing for a variety of aesthetics to be captured and shared. These features not only improve the visual appeal of a space but also provide practical benefits in terms of energy efficiency and comfort, supporting the broader goals of an intuitive home design.

However, these technologies must be hidden from plain view to accommodate the Instagram-ready design and purpose. Televisions that emerge from custom cabinetry or appear as paintings when not in use can help maintain a clean, uncluttered look while still providing real-life entertainment options.

Smart glass that can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button or whisper of a voice command offers privacy and visual interest, perfect for creating Instagram stories or reels, while also enhancing the overall home experience.

Balancing Form and Function

While the goal of creating Instagram-ready spaces is to produce visually stunning environments, functionality of spaces can’t be sacrificed. The challenge for architects and builders lies in creating seamless luxury and modern residential experiences that help homeowners live in harmony with their homes while enabling them to showcase this harmony to the outer world. This means considering how rooms will be used in real life, not just how they will appear in photographs.

For example, an all-white kitchen may look stunning on social media, but it may not be practical for a family with young children. Similarly, open concept living spaces are popular on Instagram but may not suit homeowners who value privacy or separate areas for different activities.

The Impact on Design Process

The rise of Instagram-ready homes has significantly impacted the design and construction process. Architects and builders must now consider how natural and artificial light will interact with spaces throughout the day, ensuring that rooms are photogenic at all times. This may involve strategic placement of windows, the use of reflective surfaces or the incorporation of lighting fixtures that can be easily adjusted for optimal photo opportunities. Certain textures and colors may look different on camera than they do in person, requiring careful consideration and testing during the design phase.

Instagram-ready homes present both challenges and opportunities for the architecture and construction industries. By embracing this trend, professionals can create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also functional, comfortable and truly reflective of the homeowner's lifestyle. The key lies in striking a balance between the desire for shareable, aesthetically pleasing spaces and the fundamental principles of good design that have always been at the heart of architecture and home building.

Read more at NAR

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8 Things Pro Gardeners Want You to Do Now to Grow Vibrant Spring Flowers

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These cold weather to-dos can make a big difference come springtime.

Wandering through your yard or garden right now may not be the most joyful experience; the trees are without their fluttering green leaves, the bushes look scraggly and those once-colorful flowers now lie dormant. Fast forward just a few months, though, and it’s an entirely different scene. You can make the view even better by tending to a few small to-dos leading up to warmer weather. Here’s what gardening experts say you should do now for a beautiful spring garden.

(Re)Design Your Garden Now 

If you’re starting from scratch or you’d like to make changes to your garden, now’s the perfect time to draw up your plans. 

“Winter is the perfect time to review your garden's performance, noting which plants thrived and which underperformed [last year],” notes Jessica Booth, a landscape architect at Yost Design. “Use this time to plan improvements, such as dividing perennials, adding fertilizer, or designing new beds.”

While planning, also observe site conditions like sunlight and moisture while researching plant options. 

Learn More About Plants

Along with planning out your garden, Madeline Hooper, host of the PBS show Garden Fit, says it’s a great time to invest in a little plant education. “Find a local botanical garden, school, or nursery that gives classes on a variety of gardening topics and let the experts get you up to speed,” she suggests. You can also find free videos and articles online to learn more. 

Test Your Soil

Winter is also an ideal time to gather soil samples for testing, and most state cooperative extensions offer this service. “These tests reveal what nutrients your soil lacks and recommend fertilizers or amendments to improve it,” Booth explains. “The cooperative extension can also provide tailored advice based on the specific plants you’re growing.” For example, a rhododendron bed requires different soil pH and nutrients than a vegetable garden or lawn.

Start Composting and Mulching 

Speaking of soil nutrients, most plants heavily rely on the health of the soil. If you have the space, consider adding a composting bin. “Creating a compost bin with kitchen scraps is an easy, cost-effective way to enrich your garden without purchasing compost,” Booth says. 

Your compost can be added to the soil once you’re ready to begin planting and/or once plants start growing again. Booth notes that, “Mulching further enhances soil health by adding organic matter, conserving moisture, and insulating plants during winter.”

Together, composting, and mulching support a thriving, nutrient-rich garden ecosystem. 

Start Some Seeds Indoors

You can get a head start on any new garden additions by growing them indoors. This is especially worthwhile if you’re starting anything from seed, or if you’re buying smaller seedlings that take time to grow. Use seed trays or small pots filled with seed-starting mix, and place them in a warm, well-lit area or under grow lights. Check seed packets for specific timing and care instructions based on your growing zone.

Prune Select Trees and Shrubs 

In mid-to-late winter you can begin pruning some trees and shrubs. Booth says that pruning is ideal for plants like butterfly bushes, roses, callicarpa, panicle hydrangeas, and some shade trees. 

“These benefit from pruning to prevent storm damage, maintain a youthful appearance, and encourage vigorous new growth,” Booth says. “Since these shrubs bloom on new wood, winter pruning also leads to more abundant summer blooms.”

She adds that, in late winter, you can prune large shade trees. This allows them to begin healing pruning wounds in early spring, reducing the risk of pests and diseases. 

Clean Up Debris and Clutter

Once ice and snow start melting away and the ground begins to thaw, walk through your garden to clean up fallen branches, leaves, and other debris that may have accumulated.  This helps your garden look tidy, of course, but also helps prevent pests and diseases from making their way into your space. Be careful to avoid disturbing any plants that might have already started emerging. 

Protect Early Bloomers From Frost

Winter weather has a way of coming back just when you think you’re cleared for spring takeoff. Pay attention to forecasts and cover any early bloomer perennials with fabric if temperatures are expected to drop below freezing. You can use frost clothes, burlap, or even an overturned bucket to shield these tender shoots during cold snaps. Old sheets and towels work in a pinch, too.

Read more at Real Simple

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5 Ways to Love Your Home, Even If It’s Not Your Dream Home

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There’s nothing new about Instagram- and Pinterest-perfect homes overtaking our social feeds, and the flood of inspiration is always welcome. Imagery of ideal homes can spark ideas for how to tailor your own space to feel like a true reflection of your style. But these "ideal homes" can also have the adverse effect—maybe, because of all these picture-perfect spaces you see each day, your space seems a bit duller, and you long to live in a dream space that isn't yours.

Your home—whether it’s your dream home or far from it—is where lifelong memories are made. There, you’ll bring home a new kitten, host beloved friends and family, kick off your shoes after a long day, and sing a little too loudly while cooking dinner. Whether you rent or own, nearly no home is perfect. By reframing your perspective, you’ll be able to appreciate the positive sides of your home, instead of focusing on what your budget or landlord doesn’t allow you to change.

After all, home is where the heart is. Read on for five ways to love your home, even when it’s not your dream home.

Don't Put Off Loving It

“I’ll only be here a year,” you think. Then, that initial year turns into another, which rolls into a third. No matter how long you plan to stay in your home—a month or a lifetime—don’t put off prioritizing easy and budget-friendly ways to make your house feel like it’s yours.

That could be as simple as hanging a family photo or inviting your closest friends over for a dinner party. Wherever you are, make your house feel like a home with the decor, people, and memories you fill it with.

Change What You Can

Some aspects of a home may simply be out of your control—but not all. Pinpoint what’s bothering you about your home, then mull over creative solutions.

Hate the harsh overhead lights? Add dimmers. Can’t stand the carpet? Layer a rug on top of it. Painting is an obvious first step to freshening up any room, and so is switching out hardware. You would be surprised how much a kitchen full of new cabinet pulls can transform the space. Sometimes, the best option is a “for now” solution that can hold you over until you can either change it permanently or move.

Focus on What You Like About Your Home

Instead of getting caught up in what you don’t like about your home—an awkward floor plan or inefficient windows, perhaps—turn your attention to what you love about it. The windows may let drafty breezes inside, but they’re full of charm and character. Small square footage may feel like a tight squeeze, but think about how much easier it is to clean. You may prefer a dozen more kitchen cabinets, but the few you currently have ensure you stay organized.

For every downside, there’s an upside, so focus on the inherent, redeeming qualities of your home.

Embrace the Quirks

Think back to college, when you lived with five of your friends in a wacky, seen-better-days house where the heat would stop working—ironically—on the coldest nights. We're willing to bet you couldn’t have loved it more, right?

Though you may not want to live with all the quirks of your college house now (reliable heat is nice), chances are, the eccentric parts of your home are the things you’ll be nostalgic for later. Learn to embrace them.

Remind Yourself of Your Home's Purpose

What a home is: a refuge, a safe space to rest, relax, feel like yourself, and surround yourself with loved ones. If you’re too busy hating the tone of your hardwood floors or are obsessed with the wall you want to tear down, you’ll forget the true purpose of a home.

Read more at the spruce

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10 Reasons Your Home Is So Drafty and How to Fix It Fast

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Air drafts can rapidly chill a house, no matter how much you run your heating system. If you've ever wondered why your house is so drafty, the causes are easy to pinpoint. Solutions can be as simple as adding foam insulation or installing outlet sealers.

Here are 10 solutions from contractors and weatherization experts for fixing a drafty house.

Outlet Leaks

Electrical outlet receptacles are hidden causes of drafts, says Randi Bujnovsky of Duck Brand, a provider of weatherization products.

Fix It

Socket sealers are a simple, fast solution, and you don't need to be an electrician to install them, says Bujnovsky.

"Just place one behind the outlet or switch’s outer face plate cover for a snug fit between the wall and the face plate, stopping drafts," Bujnovsky says.

Gapped Floorboards

Drafts may seep between gaps in floorboards, says contractor Docia Boylen. It's a common problem with older houses with gapped floorboards or inadequate subflooring.

Fix It

The solution to floorboard drafts is to add area rugs, Boylen says. Area rugs are instant insulation that take minutes to roll out.

Leaky Penetrations

Houses are pierced with various penetrations, including outdoor water faucets, bathroom exhausts, chimneys, soil stacks, and wires.

Many drafts come from improperly sealed penetrations, says Glenn Gault of Gault Heating & Cooling. These are often left unsealed during construction or the sealant has failed.

Fix It

Apply caulk or low-expansion spray foam insulation around larger openings where pipes or wires enter the wall.

Failed Insulation

Poor insulation installation can lead to drafts, according to Andrew Legge, CEO of sustainable insulation company Havelock Wool.

The insulation may be the wrong size for the wall cavity. Or, the vapor barrier might be improperly stapled to the studs—or detached.

Fix It

One solution, says Legge, is to add insulation in easy-to-access places: attic, crawl space, and open walls.

With blown-in insulation in closed walls, have a professional add more insulation to the top of the existing insulation.

Windows and Doors

Doors and windows are one of the most common sources of drafts, Bujnovsky says.

Fix It

"By installing draft seals, homeowners can easily insulate their home and stop drafts," Bujnovsky says.

This simple fix can have a dramatic impact on high energy bills, as it limits energy waste and minimizes the need to constantly adjust the thermostat upward.

Attic Leaks

The attic is a major source of heat loss, Gault says. Heated air passes upward through a poorly insulated or sealed attic. Drafts can pass downward, as well.

Fix It

"Go into the attic and look for openings around light fixtures, vent pipes, and wires," Gault says. Stop the drafts by applying caulk or expanding foam to seal these gaps from above.

Open Damper

A chimney rapidly carries smoke up and away from the house. It can do the reverse by bringing outdoor drafts into the house.

The problem may be that the fireplace damper is not closed or doesn't seal properly.

Fix It

Make sure the damper is closed, Boylen says. It's easy to forget that the damper is open after the fire has gone out.

If the damper is closed but it still leaks, install a chimney balloon. A chimney balloon is an inflatable device that seals the flue and costs $25 to $45.

Recessed Lights

Recessed lights are an avenue for drafts in a house, according to Gault.

Recessed lights penetrate the ceiling, and the attic is usually draftier and colder than the level below.

Fix It

Install insulated, airtight covers directly over the fixtures in the attic, Gault says. Or, install IC-rated (insulation-contact) recessed lights so you can safely lay the attic insulation over the lights.

Empty Plumbing Traps

Drafts may come from an unexpected source: sinks, showers, tubs, or toilets. If the drafts faintly smell of a sewer, the plumbing drain traps are likely missing the water.

The purpose of a drain trap is to create a water seal to prevent sewer gas from entering the home. Water may evaporate from the trap if the device hasn't been used for a while.1

Fix It

Flush the toilet to fill the trap. For sinks, tubs, and showers, run the water for about a minute to fill the trap.

House Settling

"Older homes are often drafty because the foundation settles over time," Gault says. "This creates hairline cracks in walls and around windows and doors, letting in cold air."

Fix It

To fix drafts due to house settling, seal hairline cracks in the foundation with flexible caulk and use expanding foam for large gaps.

Read more at the spruce

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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