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New Year’s resolutions for prospective homebuyers Writing out your New Year’s resolutions? If you’re thinking of buying a home in 2016, it’s time to add these five resolutions to your list: • Get your financial house in order: Good credit is key to getting a mortgage at a reasonable interest rate. If it's been more than a year, find out what your credit score is. You can improve your credit by paying your bills on time, working with a no-fees housing counselor, and beefing up your credit literacy. Free online resources can help, such as Freddie Mac’s CreditSmart online training. • Figure out how much you can afford. What do you earn? What do you spend? How much do you have in savings? Answering these questions will help you learn whether you are financially ready for homeownership. Make a budget and use free online tools and calculators to determine how much you can afford and the amount you have for a downpayment. If you're
short, reduce optional expenses and set up a monthly, automatic deposit into your savings account. • Explore your mortgage options. Don't assume you don't have enough for a down payment or won't qualify for a mort-
gage without 20 percent down. In fact, about 40 percent of today’s homebuyers are making down payments that are less than 10 percent and a recent study found that 87 percent of U.S. homes would qualify for down payment help.
Find out if you're eligible for any local or state down payment assistance programs. Remember, some options may be as low as three percent. But keep in mind that if you're not putting at least 20 percent down, you'll pay extra each month for mortgage
insurance. Contact several mortgage lenders to shop around and get the best deal. • Get pre-approved for financing. It’s highly recommended that you work with your lender to get pre-approved before you begin house hunting. Pre-approval will tell you how much home you can afford and can help you move faster and with greater confidence in competitive markets. • Rely on professionals. The typical homebuyer will look at 10 homes over a 10-week period so finding and working with the right team is critical. Housing counselors, realtors and lenders all play an important role in the home buying process. These professionals have the expertise to advise you every step of the way. For more tips and resources, visit myhome.freddiemac.com. With some firm financial resolve, you can make your dream of homeownership possible in 2016. -StatePoint
What factors influence the price of a home? 5 While curb appeal, structural integrity and a brand new set of appliances can impact a home’s value, there is one factor that seems to reign supreme. “Homeownership is one of the most solid long-term investments one can make, but it’s important to recognize just how much the location of a home can impact the value,” says Budge Huskey, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate. The new Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report, a highly extensive home price comparison tool, analyzes the listing price of more than 81,000 fourbedroom, two-bathroom homes in more than 2,700 markets throughout the United States. The report found some startling facts: the national average listing price of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is $302,632, but all of the top 100 affordable markets in the country have an average listing price under $135,000.
Meanwhile, all of the top 25 most expensive markets are $1 million or more. The price difference between the most expensive community in California and the most affordable in Ohio is $2.2 million. So what accounts for this major value discrepancy in similarsized homes? Here are several ways in which “where” matters most. Local Industry Job opportunities available in a given sector can have a huge impact on the market. For example, the continued tech sector growth in Silicon Valley is one of the factors making it one of those most expensive communities in the country. Revitalization Over time, revitalization efforts can make certain communities more attractive to buyers. When a city or region sees an economic and cultural renaissance this influences the market. Buyers value related factors like safety, a walkable main street,
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public transit options and green spaces. Schools You may not have children, but it’s still important to investigate the quality of local schools. This factor can have a major impact on every homeowner. Region Regional factors can have a huge effect on a given locality’s
pricing. These can include yearround weather patterns, proximity to natural beauty like beaches and mountains for outdoor activities like skiing and surfing, and commuting outlook. For more details about the report, or to see how your area stacks up, visit hlr.coldwellban-
ker.com. Buying or selling a home is a very emotional process. Whether you’re listing your home or thinking of moving, take location into consideration. Doing so can help you determine your lifestyle priorities and place an appropriate value on a particular property. -StatePoint
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Ways to keep cozy this season In cool weather, staying comfortable is a top priority -- from the clothes and shoes you wear to the food you put on your family’s table. Here, lifestyle experts explain their personal techniques for staying cozy all season long: No Shoes Policy Avoid tracking the outside elements into the interiors of your home. A no-shoes policy in the house can help. Keep a shoe rack by the door of your house to encourage family and guests to remove their shoes upon arrival. You can make the policy stick more easily by supplying your family with weather-appropriate shoes that are easy to slip on and off. “We keep a small basket of Crocs by our sliding door to the backyard. It’s easy for the kids to grab their pair, so they can go outside,” says lifestyle blogger Kacia Hosmer of Coconut Robot.
Though known as a summer shoe, she cites some of the brand’s newer styles, such as Baya Heathered Fuzz Lined Clog, as being cool weatherfriendly and a good fit that stay on one’s feet. Simple Meals With energy-zapping seasonal afflictions an ever-looming threat, your energy levels can be as unpredictable as the weather. But cooking your family wholesome foods that evoke warmth and comfort doesn’t need to be complex or tiring. “Since I’ve been under the weather, I didn’t really feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen,” says Stephanie Keeping of Spaceships and Laser Beams, who of late has turned to simple recipes that can satisfy hunger morning, noon or night. One dish recipes like stews or chili are great for incorporating seasonal vegetables with minimal fuss.
Dress for Comfort, Stylishly The temperatures may be dipping but that’s no reason why you can’t remain at the intersection of comfort and style. Seek out good quality outerwear. The key is finding favorites that look good with everything, work well no matter what activity your family is doing, and will last year in and year out. And it all starts with shoes. Especially for moms who want to quickly slip something on when running out to pick up the kids from after-school activities or racing around for last-minute errands. “If you know flats, you know not every flat is a very comfortable one,” says Jenny Ingram, the family blogger behind Jenny on the Spot. But Ingram and her daughters have been sporting Crocs Mammoth Bow Flats, a discovery she calls “winning the simple and comfy lottery.” When it comes to shoes for
kids, parenting experts recommend fuss-free shoes designed for a lot of activity. “Let’s just say that tying shoes is not top on his priority list. Crocs Kids Bump-It Shoes have been his shoes of choice since they arrived and they are keeping up with all his
outdoor neighborhood activities,” says Camille Gabel from the family and parenting blog Growing Up Gabel. With the right head-to-toe gear and the right mindset, you can stay cozy all season long. -StatePoint
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Make a style statement in 2016 9 Each January, people make vows to eat right and save money. But what goals are set for their homes? “The New Year brings fresh perspective and is the perfect time to experiment with décor,” says Taniya Nayak, interior designer and DIY television personality. Here are six home décor trends Nayak predicts will be filling your Pinterest feed in 2016. Nature’s Patterns For clean interior spaces with lots of detail, try simple designs inspired by nature, such as honeycombs, florals and leaves. “Pair these with neutral colors for a soothing atmosphere, or blow them up and paint them in a bright color for a bold statement,” says Nayak. You can also integrate natural patterns through accent pieces, such as light fixtures that have reflective metals to mimic sparkling water, or a textured
jute rug. Presswork Palette Generate conversation and set the tone for your space by incorporating text into your décor -- think monograms, family names or inspirational quotes. “Use various fonts and sizes to create different moods,” says Nayak. “Letters can be sharp and defined to create a contemporary and stylish aesthetic, or soft and casual for an elegant and timeless feel.” Digitally Defined “Geometric shapes and angles have become associated with technology; evoking creativity and innovative design,” says Nayak. Incorporate this trend with geometric floor tiles in different colors. Or use pixilation for a modern, clean look. Pixelated artwork made up of monochromatic cubes can be simplistic and versatile. Fresh and Fab Multiple bright colors mixed
together elevate the mood in any space. Paint a bold accent wall for an eye-catching statement. Or brightly paint a piece of antique furniture for an unexpected combination of modern and traditional. “When it comes to painting an accent wall or furniture, one of the most important tools you need is a premium painter’s tape, like FrogTape brand painter’s tape,” advises Nayak. Treated with PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape brand Multi-Surface and Delicate Surface tapes can be used on a variety of surfaces and help deliver sharp lines, so your handiwork looks professional. Textured Terrain From transformed wood pallets to worn leather or tin ceilings, aged raw materials offer texture and help give a space dimension. “Incorporate it into an application where you wouldn’t typically think to use the material,”
suggests Nayak. “For example, use concrete on a wall instead of the floor.” Home décor items can easily be made to look aged by adding paint and other finishes for a distressed look. Global Style Create a warm, friendly space with a parade of patterns from different cultures. “Don’t be afraid to mix multiple prints within a space,” says Nayak. “Tie these patterns together by carrying a similar color throughout each element in the room.” “When trying a new trend, make sure it accurately represents your style -- and remember you don’t have to go all out,” adds Nayak. “Any concept can be incorporated as little or as much as you’d like,” she adds. This New Year, update your home and accomplish your resolution in style. -StatePoint
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Healthy habits to try in 2016 Is your life in balance? The new year is a great time to take stock of your routine and make improvements where necessary. Here are some thoughtful habits to consider incorporating into your day in the coming year. Find Time to Decompress • If you’re a morning person, get out of bed 30 minutes earlier than normal to wake up with your favorite coffee or tea and think about what you need to accomplish for the day. • More of a night owl? Spend at least 30 minutes before going to sleep to unplug from technology and relax with a new book you’ve had on your list to read. • Schedule time for exercise to reduce stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Planning workouts ahead of time will make you more likely to stick to them. Write Everything Down • Handwritten notes and todo lists will reinforce your memory of the tasks you need to con-
quer. They also give you the option to look at what you need to do for the day and prioritize the list. Consider a personal planner, such as those from the popular AT-A-GLANCE collection, which includes a variety of styles that reflect your personality and organizational needs. • Documenting your day not only keeps you organized, but also provides you with an opportunity to look back and reflect on your life’s accomplishments, memories and milestones from the year. Balanced Diet, Balanced Life • Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet will help you feel great, and can increase your focus, energy levels and productivity. • Plan out your meals ahead of time before going shopping by marking them in a calendar. This will give you more time
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during the week to cook and prepare meals, without having to make frequent trips to the store or feel tempted to grab take-out. You’ll be more likely to stick with the habit if you love the calendar you use, so consider
something easy on the eyes, such as an AT-A-GLANCE fashion planner. • Cooking your own fresh meals can help keep your bank account balanced, and is often much healthier than food from a restaurant. And spending time
in the kitchen is also a stress reliever for some people. Make a fresh start -- the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to make positive changes to how you schedule and organize your time. -StatePoint
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