This year, prices on the housing market have skyrocketed, making it difficult for many people to buy or rent homes. Still, many see now as a good time to sell their home and buy a new one, as they’ll be getting a selling price that is significantly higher than usual. If you are trying to find a way to buy a new home in the near future, here are a few tools that will help you to navigate the market and find a successful deal.

Good Credit

First off, in order to buy a home, Quicken Loans says it is very important that you have a good credit score. A lot of mortgage lenders have minimum credit score limits in order to be considered for a loan. Most of these minimums are somewhere in the 600s. Some lenders will accept a lower credit score if you pay a larger down payment. However, you’ll generally get a good deal for a conventional mortgage loan if your credit score is somewhere in the 600s or 700s. This is why having a high credit score can literally pay off.

Loan Assistance Programs

If your credit score isn’t as high as you would like, don’t panic. There are lots of loan assistance programs that help people like you to get a good deal on a mortgage. One of these loan assistance programs is run through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which offers insured loans. According to Murray Home Loans, FHA loans offer lower rates and smaller down payments than other loans. These loans also come along with less risk for lenders, since they are insured, which makes them a lot easier to obtain even if you don’t have the best credit history.

Mortgage Calculators

The worst thing would be going through all of the effort to find the perfect home and place a down payment, only to find that you can’t swing the high mortgage that it comes with. In order to prevent a problem like this from happening, NewHome Source says you should use a mortgage calculator as you are viewing homes and placing offers. With each home, use a mortgage calculator to predict your mortgage and other monthly fees. This will help you to be financially prepared to buy your future home.

As you’re preparing to buy your first home, remember that the challenging process can be made easier by using the tools that have been discussed in this article. Even if you’re just considering buying a home, using loan assistance programs and mortgage calculators can help you determine if you’d actually be able to afford one. By using these tools and preparing yourself financially, you will be setting yourself up for a successful home buying experience.

Read this next: Fun Decisions You Get to Make When Renovating

When you’re prepping for a home renovation, there are a lot of things to think about. Figuring out your main goals for the space overall will help you tailor your plans as you go. Be sure to enlist the help and advice of experts to ensure you’re going to make positive changes to your home.

Color Scheme

Figuring out your color scheme in your new space is always fun. One of the best places to start when determining your color scheme is with the overall feel of the room—are you wanting calming colors? Or bright cheery colors? Mainly wood tones and an industrial feel?

Asking yourself these questions will help you determine the foundational colors of the space. Then as you think about all the details, you might find yourself adding pops of color that don’t initially seem to fit with the color scheme but actually add depth to the room.

Materials

Picking your materials for your specific renovation project is often one of the most important but also most fun parts of the renovation process. As you think about your renovations do your research to figure out what kind of look you are going for overall. Depending on that desire, you’ll be able to get a rough idea of the types of materials you may be looking at.

This is especially important for kitchen renovations where the materials are not only important for their looks but also for their function. When redoing countertops, quartz and granite both offer great features.

Layout

Another fun aspect of any renovation project is the end layout of the space you are changing up. Sometimes the decision of where everything will be in the finished room is pretty easy—maybe your original room had good bones but was simply outdated. Other times, your renovation might involve making two rooms out of one or adding a new built-in desk space to your kitchen area.

As you think about your layout, make sure you think carefully about functionality. You might initially be set on kitchen cabinets with glass windows—but will you need that space as storage rather than as decoration?

As you figure out where you want to take your renovation, make sure you think through your non-negotiables. If you know the things you have to have in your new bathroom or kitchen, you can center the renovation around those things. Then, even if you have to change the plan a bit as the renovation progresses, you’ll still be satisfied with the finished product.

To get started on your renovation project, contact us here!

If you are in the market for a new home or rental property, here are a few things you should know about buying or renting a home. There are lots of common mistakes that homebuyers make as they are in a rush to close on a deal. These mistakes can actually greatly affect the quality of the home that you close on if you’re not careful. Here are a few things to look out for when you’re browsing the home buyer’s market today.

Not Seeing the House in Person

Today, many home buyers aren’t actually going to the home to look at the property in person before buying. While this may seem easier or more time effective, neglecting to see the house in person can raise many problems. No matter how realistic or accurate the posted photos of the house might seem, there are elements of the house that will always look different in real life. The owner might have even neglected to capture specific parts of the home, like broken elements in need of repairs, that you wouldn’t know about until you’d actually move in. According to Howard Hanna, it is important to do a walk-through of any property that you’re interested in buying so you know what you’re actually getting yourself into.

Waiving an Inspection

Another huge mistake that home buyers today make is waiving the home inspection that is usually expected when buying a home. This is a problem because inspectors are hired to find different kinds of damage, like water damage, that could have occurred on the property. This will be able to help you identify any issues occurring on the property that you would need to repair upon buying the home. According to J Bixler Inspections, an inspection can take several hours to complete, and you may want to be present for the inspection so you can take note of any issues. Being fully aware of the conditions of the property will help you to make the decision to buy the house or not.

Underestimating The Down Payment

One of the most unfortunate mistakes that homebuyers make is underestimating the down payment on the home. Usually, down payments can be anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent of the entire home value, which can be quite a hefty bill for homebuyers to pay. If you anticipate that you’ll be looking to buy a home in the near future, try to save at least enough money for the average down payment of homes in your price range. According to BB&T, the more you can save for the down payment, the better because the more financially prepared you’ll be.

Now that you’re aware of these common mistakes that many homebuyers make in today’s market, try to avoid them. Remember how to successfully maneuver each of these challenges, as discussed in this article. If you take the time to view, inspect, and save for the home that you want to purchase, you’ll be a lot more successful in closing on the home of your dreams.

Read this next: Should You Add a Pool to Your Arizona Home?

If someone were to ask you what the weather in Arizona is like, the answer could reasonably be something about it resembling an oven. Arizona is hot. That can make having a pool in your backyard a very attractive idea. But is it a good idea for you? There are some questions you should answer for yourself before you make your final decision.

Does a Pool Fit Your Lifestyle?

Pools can be a lot of fun for the vast majority of people, but there’s a huge difference between someone who wants to go for a swim multiple times a week and someone who is content with an occasional dip in the pool here and there. If you’re more like the latter, having a pool doesn’t make much sense. It makes a lot more sense for an avid swimmer who has time to swim regularly, though. Swimming has lots of health benefits, so if it’s something that fits your lifestyle, it’s worth considering.

Are You Prepared to Keep It Nice?

There’s more to having your own pool than just going swimming whenever you want though. You need to be prepared to keep it nice and clean or hire someone to do it for you. Proper pool maintenance helps keep pools in good condition and needs to be done regularly. It keeps your pool running smoothly and makes it safe for swimming. Regular maintenance takes time and money, so if you aren’t prepared for that or able to afford it, you may be better off using the community pool instead of adding your own.

Can You Keep It Secured?

Having a pool can be a lot of fun, but it also poses an inherent danger. Young children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of a pool. If you have a pool, it becomes your responsibility to do everything you can to keep your pool secured and closed off from people who shouldn’t be accessing it. Your area will have regulations that govern the type of security you need to have for your pool. Make sure you’re familiar with them before you decide to add one to your property.

Adding a pool can be a great way to enhance your home, but it’s not something that makes sense for everyone. Before deciding to get a pool, make sure it’s something that fits with your lifestyle, that you’re prepared to keep it in good condition, and that you’ll be able to secure it. Once you’ve weighed all the factors and your options, then you can feel confident that you’re making the best decision for you and your home.

Read this next: Home Improvements That Are Tax Deductible

When it comes to doing your taxes, figuring out which home improvements are tax deductible can seem like quite a tricky process. You want to make sure that you cover all your bases to minimize the amount you’re paying. While you may have thought about a lot of different home improvements that are tax deductible, you may not have thought of these.

Room Additions

Home improvements that substantially add to the value of your home can sometimes be difficult to write-off when it comes to your taxes. However, there are a few room additions to be aware of that can be tax deductible.

One of the main room additions you can write-off is the addition of a home office. If you convert another room into a home office or upgrade your current office by adding bookshelves, know that you can usually write-off that expense as a business expense.

Roof Replacement

When it comes to tax deductions for your roof, there are a couple of things to be aware of. For the next couple of years, you can get tax deductions for upgrading your home with more energy-efficient aspects. For most energy-efficient upgrades, by and large, you can expect to get some sort of tax deduction. And this is especially true of an upgrade like installing a new energy-efficient roof. While you're at it, you can add a solar system to your new roof to take advantage of the 26% federal tax credit that comes with it until the end of 2022.

Medically Related Renovations

In addition to adding more energy-efficient aspects to your home, you can generally get a tax deduction for renovations on your home that are made for medical purposes. If for example, you have to add a ramp next to your stairs, you can generally get a deduction for the materials and cost of installation.

You can only get reimbursed for medical expenses that weren’t compensated by insurance. Additionally, when you add on to your home, you can only get a partial deduction if the additions add value to your home.

Figuring out how to properly account for all your home improvement tax deductions can be difficult at first. There are so many different things to be aware of. Starting with this list can help you get moving towards getting your taxes done.

Are you ready to improve your home? Let us make your project easier with our construction services!

Your home is the place where you feel the most comfortable, so when you set out to remodel it, you will likely want all the latest conveniences. This means that you'll want to turn your residence into a smart home. When you do, you will have more freedom to perform certain tasks than ever before.

Wiring Up

The first step to turning your abode into a smart home is to have it properly wired. Your electrician will be able to advise you on the types of wiring you'll need, but there are a few recommendations that everyone should follow.

Neutral wiring should be placed so that it reaches every wall switch throughout your house. While this type of wiring used to be something you could take or leave, in today's technology-driven world, you'll want to take it.

If you plan to have remote control panels installed on the walls, you'll need in-wall transmitters. These will allow you to remotely turn lights off and on. In addition to neutral wiring, in-wall transmitters also require hot wires.

Power Options

With so many smart devices in your home, it is extremely important to have surge protection installed. All you need is one surge protector that will work for the entire house. Otherwise, you run the risk of having all your electronics rendered useless in the event of a major power outage.

For a house with so many electronic devices, you may choose smart plugs. However, this can be problematic as not all of them offer built-in surge protection. In the event that a power surge hits your home, a lack of protection could be disastrous. One option is to connect your surge protector to your smart plug. In this case, it is necessary to choose both a protector and a smart plug with the lowest possible wattage. Experts often recommend simply purchasing a power strip that has a built-in surge protector.

If you are extremely concerned about intermittent power outages, consider making your smart home more eco-friendly. You can do this by adding a natural source of energy. There are many reasons people may want solar panels. Self-reliance is one of them.

Install A Smart Thermostat

To complete your new home, consider having a smart thermostat installed. By placing sensors in your thermostat, you will give it the ability to regulate room temperatures throughout the house. You'll also be able to program it for optimal efficiency.

Doing so can be a great way to save you money in the long run. If you have a smart thermostat, you can make sure to turn off the hot or cold air when you’re not using it. This can save you money on your utility bills.

Preparing your house to be a smart home should be the ultimate goal of any remodeling project. Let technology keep your family safe and make your life easier than ever before.

If you’re ready to remodel your home, let us know! Contact us to get started on your project.

Kitchen remodels are often one of the most expensive home DIY projects. However, they can also be extremely rewarding by increasing your home's overall property value, especially if you intend to replace and upgrade all of your kitchen's current appliances and accessories. With a few tips and tricks, learn how to save money whenever you intend to conduct a thorough renovation of your home's kitchen.

Adjust Your Mortgage

Adjusting your mortgage or taking out a second mortgage loan is one possibility for homeowners who qualify who are interested in remodeling an area and space of their home. According to Bosse Loans, even if you can afford a 20 percent down payment, by using a 5 percent down payment, you can use the extra funds for a home remodel. Consider working with a financial expert to determine just how much you qualify for with regard to your kitchen remodeling plans.

Don't Let Anything Go to Waste

Waste not want not. Always use any material you have while working to update or remodel a space in your home. Never allow material to go to waste, even if you consider it as scraps or have no current use for it. Anyone who is on a budget understands the value of keeping scrap and additional or excess material around throughout the process of completing a remodel. Keeping excess material around is a way to stick to your budget while also ensuring you have the materials necessary to get the job done properly.

Consider Alternative Countertop Materials

While you may want to replace your countertop, some counter materials are more expensive than others. If you want to save some money but still get a new counter look, consider looking at some less expensive counter material options. Granite is a popular countertop material, but it can be really unaffordable if you have a limited budget. According to Houzz, there are tons of creative ideas for countertop materials that can still make your kitchen look upgraded without being too expensive. Do your research beforehand so you can pick the best countertop material that fits both your desired aesthetic and your budget.

Renovating your kitchen does not have to break your bank, even if you intend to do a complete overhaul of your home's current kitchen's look. Taking the time to properly plan for the remodeling of your kitchen, brainstorming creative ideas, and committing to completing the project on your own can ultimately save more money than working with any professional or local team.

If you’d like help renovating your kitchen, contact us today for a quote!