Horoscopes for Home: What's in Your Home's Future?

While this year has taught us that the future is unpredictable, we can look to the stars for some guidance. Find out your home horoscope according to your zodiac sign 

LEO
Dramatic, outgoing, fiery, self-assured

Leos are fiery and outgoing. There is no better way to show this in the home than a fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit. Leo can show their dramatic side with sharp and sleek lines and furniture.  

VIRGO
Practical, loyal, gentle, analytical

Virgo is practical and analytical, and will likely enjoy simple and clean organizational systems such as open or floating shelves. Virgo likes to get things done, so it is important to have a specific place to relax.

LIBRA
Social, fair-minded, diplomatic, gracious

Libra is known as one of the most social signs, so they will need room in their house to entertain. Be sure to have lots of seating, whether it be at the dining table or around the backyard to provide space for big groups. Libra is also gracious and diplomatic, so try to avoid conflicting design ideas, especially in the bedroom. 

SCORPIO
Passionate, stubborn, brave, resourceful

Scorpio can show their passion and bravery with a big, bold piece of art in the main living space. Scorpio is resourceful, so they don’t need an abundance of storage space or clutter around the home. Keep it simple, and only add decorations that are meaningful.

SAGITTARIUS
Extroverted, optimistic, funny, generous

Sagittarius is optimistic and generous. This can be shown with light paint choices and open spaces. Sagittarius are known to love the outdoors, so it may be worth investing in some landscaping to create an outdoor oasis as a part of your home. 

CAPRICORN
Serious, independent, disciplined, tenacious

Capricorn is serious and disciplined, which can be nicely complimented with neutral and dark colors. Capricorn is tenacious, with a respect to traditional design styles. Wood floors and sturdy furniture will help Capricorn feel grounded. 

AQUARIUS
Deep, imaginative, original, uncompromising

Aquarius needs a calming space to relax in the home. Open spaces may help you feel less restrained. Use relaxing tones in paint and decor, and consider adding a water feature to your home. 

PISCES
Affectionate, empathetic, wise, artistic

Pisces are affectionate and outgoing, so be sure to include a space for entertaining in your home. Tap into your artistic side with unique decorations to keep the energy high in the home.  

ARIES
Eager, dynamic, quick, competitive

Being passionate and dynamic, Aries might like to add an accent wall or fun tile in their home. Aries can be determined and courageous, so taking chances in their home projects and design choices can be very rewarding.  

TAURUS
Strong, dependable, sensual, creative

Taurus is strong, but also has a romantic side. Meld these two ideas together by using multiple bright colors in a room, or by adding fun throw pillows and blankets. Taurus is also known for being comfortable in the kitchen, so if you are looking to splurge, think about updating the kitchen.  

GEMINI
Versatile, expressive, curious, kind

Gemini loves to learn and express themselves, so blocking off an office space in the home for reading and art can help Gemini’s energy flow. Gemini’s are kind, and their warmth can be conveyed through plants and yellow accents.   

CANCER
Intuitive, sentimental, compassionate, protective

Cancer is an especially emotional sign, and may benefit from lots of whites and neutrals in the home to promote calm. Cancer is also sentimental, so don’t be afraid to display photos and family memories around the home. 

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The Great Recession Looms Large for Millennials Looking to Buy

If the Great Recession never happened, how would potential homebuyers be looking at today’s housing market? 

After all, the giant cohort of potential homebuyers now in their late 20s and early 30s was also the generation fresh out of college trying to find a job as the market was crashing in 2008. They remember the struggles of trying to find a job, and they remember the large swath of inventory on the market that made home prices drop lower and lower. 

So when it comes to deciding whether or not to buy a home in the middle of a recession, it’s difficult not to pull in past memories from the Great Recession. But this is a very different kind of recession, and, as Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist and senior vice president of analytics at Haus, said: “No housing analyst alive has seen the housing market perform during a pandemic.” 

McLaughlin noted that in this economic downturn, policy plays a much larger role in what’s going to happen with the health of the housing market than fundamental economics.

Back in April – during what should’ve been the year’s busiest home-buying season –  McLaughlin talked about whether or not it was a good time to buy a home. At the time, he noted that the largest group of first-time homebuyers, Millennials, are going to be the most susceptible to recency bias when it comes to recessions. “They basically only went through one, the Great Recession, and that sample size of one just happens to be the worst economy for the housing market since the Great Depression,” said McLaughlin. 

Since that interview three months ago, the housing economy has proved to be extremely resilient to the current crisis, thanks to some significant actions by the government. 

For starters, five months ago, the Federal Reserve started a bond-buying program again, something it did during the financial crisis. Since launching the program, the reserve has purchased about $892 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities, pushing mortgage rates to an all-time low. 

These low rates continue to fuel refinance demand, as the Mortgage Bankers Association’s refinance index continues to increase year over year, with last week marking the thirteenth-straight week of year-over-year gains. 

Then, there’s the CARES Act, which Congress passed in March to offer economic relief to those affected by the shut-downs, expanding unemployment benefits and offering mortgage forbearance to homeowners with mortgages backed or insured by the federal government, including Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, VA and FHA. Under the CARES Act, homeowners can ask for forbearance from their mortgage servicer and suspend payments for up to 12 months.

For information on housing programs + the future of housing, go to Housing Wire.

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Inexpensive Ways to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or simply want to make your home the envy of everyone on your cul-de-sac, trust us: A little work goes a long way. But that doesn’t mean every cool DIY project or flashy upgrade is worth the sweat equity. Here are the simplest ways to refresh your front door (and beyond) without breaking the bank—plus, three projects the pros say just aren’t worth it.

1. PAINT YOUR DOOR

A fresh coat of paint—colorful or not—is the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade your home’s exterior. Neutrals, navy and deep reds tend to be foolproof front door colors (hey, they’re classics for a reason), but if you’re looking to mix things up, try a mood-boosting buttery yellow, set a beachy vibe with a pale aqua or opt for a shade that coordinates with your foliage, like the berry number above.

2. UPDATE YOUR DOORBELL

These days, most people expect a top-of-the-line house to include a few smart features, according to Coldwell Banker’s 2018 home survey. One of most impressive tweaks you can make is a smart doorbell. We’re partial to the Nest Hello for its sleek looks, but the Ring is battery-operated, so there’s no hard-wiring involved.

3. REPLACE YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS

Pick up a set that has a matte finish. It’ll look expensive and polished, not to mention easier to read from the street. (You’re welcome, UPS guy.)

4. PRUNE YOUR SHRUBS

Trimming trees and shrubs is one of the top things real estate agents recommend people do to the exterior of their home before putting it on the market (behind basic lawn care and ridding their entry of any grime or cobwebs). And for good reason: Well-manicured greenery makes for a tidy first impression, giving the sense that the rest of the house will be just as well-maintained.

5. THROW DOWN FRESH MULCH

A lush, green lawn really does help sell a home, but if you can’t afford to resod, surrounding your shrubs with fresh mulch can be an affordable way to boost your curb appeal, fast. Seriously, this Saturday afternoon project has been known to yield a 126 percent return on investment.

6. PRESSURE WASH YOUR FRONT PORCH

It’s a great way to remove deeply set dirt stains and will give your porch that brand-new and shiny vibe. (You can even add a bit of wood cleaner to really get the job done.) Don’t own a pressure washer? Rent one from your local Home Depot for about $39 a day.

7. INSTALL SOLAR LIGHTS

Accent lighting doesn’t need to be a big investment. A 12-pack of sleek solar pathway lights costs $23 on Amazon. For $8 more, you could go with a more traditional look. Hell, even if you want to ball out with a totally decorative pick, like this lantern-like set, you’re only spending $45 for eight. Whatever style you choose, they’re great for highlighting freshly pruned trees or shrubs—or simply illuminating the way to your front door.

8. MAKE OVER YOUR MAILBOX

Repaint it. Cover an ugly base by surrounding it with elephant ears or hydrangeas. Go for something truly one of a kind and build a whole new one using instructions purchased from Etsy. Whatever you do, don’t settle for a rusted or warped mailbox any longer.

9. ADD WINDOW BOXES FILLED WITH BLOOMS

In addition to being inexpensive, window boxes are easy to install (you often don't even have to use a drill) and they won't damage your house's facade. Look for self-watering options that will allow excess water to easily drain out, and make sure to plant flowers that can handle plenty of sunlight, like marigolds or petunias.

For tips on what NOT to do when updating your curb, visit PureWow.

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Housing Characteristics That Shape Financial Well-Being During a Crisis

The current global pandemic has put stress on nearly nine in 10 Americans’ personal finances, according to a new survey by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).

More than half of Americans who participated in the survey reported that they are worried about not having enough money saved, while nearly half—48 percent—stated that they are concerned about being able to pay their bills.

With one in every 10 Americans now seeking unemployment benefits, it is no surprise that more Americans are worried about job security, with 28 percent reporting they are “stressed.” About 75 percent of Americans are making efforts to adjust their finances due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and this includes cutting expenses for two out of five Americans. In doing so, 26 percent have reported that they are putting off major financial decisions, and 22 percent have refocused their attention on increasing contributions to their savings.

Financial well-being is “a state of being wherein a person can fully meet current and ongoing financial obligations, can feel secure in their financial future and is able to make choices that allow them to enjoy life,” according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Financial security is not synonymous with having wealth, as consumers can experience financial well-being—or lack of it—across a wide range of incomes. Instead, it is tied to financial skills and confidence in those skills.

One of the factors that influences one’s financial well-being is one’s housing characteristics. Below are some key findings:

1. Adults with high levels of housing satisfaction tend to have higher financial well-being than those with lower levels of housing satisfaction. Superficially, this indicates that being satisfied with one’s place of living influences financial well-being, but it is also possible that individuals with higher financial resources and financial well-being have more housing options that meet their needs.

2. Adults who spend a high percentage of their income on housing tend to have lower financial well-being. Adults who spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing have an average financial well-being score below those who spend 30 percent or less of their income on housing. Families that have to spend so much of their income on housing often have little money left over for other necessities.

3. Homeowners have higher financial well-being than non-homeowners. While homeownership may increase one’s financial well-being in the long run, it is likely that those who are able to buy a home are in a more secure financial position in terms of income and savings.

Now is the time for financial educators and services in the real estate industry to work together to help families recover from the economic loss they have suffered at the expense of the COVID-19 pandemic. Helping Americans not only helps the financial well-being of households, but also the nation’s economy as a whole.

To read more, visit ACESocial.

If you need assistance figuring out how to make your housing situation work for you during the pandemic, shoot us a message.

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What to Look for in a Single-Family Investment Property

Investing in real estate is a wise decision that can often help you enjoy a relaxing and full retirement.

To ensure you purchase the best real estate, though, you need to know what qualities make for a good investment property.

While any property can ultimately turn out to be a good investment if you have enough determination, there are certain qualities that will make your life easier when it comes to the return on your investment. Here are some qualities to look for in an investment property:

Location

Since you can't change the location of the home you choose to buy, it's important to consider this quality carefully. One important aspect to consider is the rating of the local school district since many young families move into certain homes simply to further their child's education. You should also consider factors such as the proximity to mass transportation options, expressways, stores and other amenities that will help set your home apart.

Community Amenities

If a home is located in a community that offers extra amenities, that can only serve to make your property more attractive to potential tenants. Whether it's a community swimming pool, playground, walking path or other unique option, single-family homes in these communities usually sell very well. Just make sure the community is vibrant and actually takes care of these amenities so that you fully understand what you're advertising.

Multiple Bathrooms

While people have different needs when it comes to bedrooms, almost everyone wants at least two bathrooms in the homes that they consider. Therefore, if you want to own a property that's easy to rent, you need to look for one that's built with multiple bathrooms. Once you own the home, make sure to update any out-of-date bathrooms, as this will be one of the qualities that people scrutinize most closely as they tour your house.

Easy Upkeep

Most renters aren't looking to have much maintenance to do when they move into their rental home; so, if a home has a large yard, you can expect it to be a harder sell. Likewise, if you volunteer to take care of all the maintenance, you could find that you spend all your time on the upkeep of the home if it has anything more than a small patch of grass. Therefore, look for yards that are big enough to provide a functional outside space without having a lot of fast-growing plants or other hard-to-maintain elements.

The prospect of the income that an investment property can provide can be quite tantalizing. However, since you don't personally need this home for shelter, it's important to stay patient throughout the process. By being selective about your investment properties, you'll be able to have a quality portfolio that you won't have to shift around too much as the years pass.

For more investment advice, check out this article by RISMedia.

If you need help deciding what your priorities should be when investing, or want to check out the market in a particular area, contact us. We’d be happy to help.

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