Young adult home buyers aren’t afraid to buy a home in need of some major TLC. Sixty-seven percent of millennial home shoppers who participated in a recent Clever Real Estate survey of 1,000 U.S. residents in the market for a home said they would put in an offer on a property in need of major repairs. See: https://listwithclever.com/real-estate-blog/millennial-home-buyer-report/
Millennial home buyers are taking a long-term view when buying, the Clever Real Estate survey found. They also tend to value safe neighborhoods and good schools over walkability and short commutes.
Young adults also tend to have a fondness for real estate. Eighty-four percent of millennials believe that buying a home remains a core component of the American dream, according to the survey. Furthermore, a 2018 survey from Bank of America found that most millennials prioritize homeownership (72%) over other major life events, like getting married (50%) and having children (44%).
The chief reasons cited by millennials want to buy a home are that they need more space, they feel owning is more affordable than renting, and they believe owning a home is a good investment, the Clever Real Estate survey found.
The number one barrier to buying is coming up with the down payment, the survey found. This is followed by qualifying for a mortgage and high home prices.
“This is where millennial-centric issues like student debt and rising rent prices really factor into the equation,” Clever Real Estate notes in its study. “While Gen Y-ers are, on the whole, earning more than previous generations did at their age, millennial-specific issues like higher costs of living and poor credit are making it difficult for them to break into the market.”
“Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission.”
With a targeted opening date in late January, a new iPlay Experience indoor playground for all year use will be open to the public. Located at 8524 W Gage Boulevard in Kennewick, this 10,000 square foot space includes slides, tubes, climbing structures, as well as art and sand tables. The emphasis will be on recreation, education, and socialization of children.
Alex Tasama, the owner of the business, believes it can be a place for all children with differing abilities would be able to play and be creative year round. Birthday parties and other parties can be held there and hot food such as pizza is offered along with desserts and beverages. The building can accommodate at least 100 people at one time, and up to 15 employees will be hired.
For more information on iPlay Experience, check out their Facebook page.
Are you an outdoor enthusiast? If so, you need to visit the Northwest’s First Sportsmen show of the year to be held at the TRAC Center in Pasco, WA.
For all outdoor enthusiasts (men, women, and children) there is something to see or do, from all of the latest in outdoor equipment, a trophy antler collection from the northwest, free air rifle range, free hourly hunting and fishing seminars, retriever demonstrations, kid’s fishing pond, and more!
There will be the always popular Indoor 3-D Archery Shoot set up and sponsored by Colyak Bowhunters. Back by popular demand will be the Outdoor Cooking Camp hosted by Harrod Outdoors. Special Attraction will be a Live Rattlesnake Show all three days. Exhibitors include retail merchants, factory reps, outdoor clubs and organizations, taxidermists, wildlife art, fishing boats, and fishing and hunting guides who will be available to help you plan your vacations. Door prizes will be given away hourly and the first 150-200 people through the door each day will also receive a bonus prize.
Special Kids day is Sunday with admission $1.00 off and includes kids scavenger hunt.
Hours are:
Friday: January 18, 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Saturday: January 19, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: January 20, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission for adults is $11.00; Kids 6-12 is $5.00; and Kids under 6 are free.
Buying stuff can be stressful. Knowing the best time of the year to buy appliances and other household items can lessen the anxiety.
Furniture: You could save 30% to 60% buying furniture in January and July, as stores try to clear out inventory and make way for new pieces, which manufacturers introduce in February and August. Floor samples especially often sell for a song, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Storage Essentials: In August, retailers slash prices and offer free shipping on shelving, organizing systems, baskets, and storage bins. It happens again in January when stores roll out more sales and selections to help you find home for all those holiday items and meeting organization goals for the new year.
Linens & Towels: January. Department store “white sales” — launched in 1878 — are still a favorite marketing tactic and make January the best time to binge on high-quality bedding and towels.
Major Appliances: June, September, October & Holidays – The prices on this year’s appliances bottom out when they suddenly become last year’s models. With the exception of refrigerators (more on that below), you can pick up last year’s models for way less in September, October, and January, when stores are making room for new inventory. For good deals on this year’s models, wait for Black Friday and the holidays. The season rivals inventory clear-out bargains as the best time of of the year for sales on appliances. And if you’ve got more than one appliance on the fritz, holidays are often the time to find incentives for buying multiple items.
Refrigerators: May – Unlike other big-ticket appliances, new fridges are released in May. Combine the need for retail turnover with Memorial Day sales, and you get epic savings nearly all month long, making it the best time of year to buy a new refrigerator.
Mattresses: February & May – Even the most obscure holiday seems to inspire mattress sale commercials. Annoying, yes, but also a reminder that you should never pay full price for a mattress. The best time of year for sales is February (courtesy of Presidents Day) and May (Memorial Day). Many department stores offer coupons for additional savings on the sale price, while specialty chains — which have the biggest markups — can drop prices 50% or more. But don’t waste your time price shopping: Manufacturers have exclusive deals with retailers for each model, so the only way to find a lower price is to snuggle up to a different mattress.
Snow Blowers: March & April – The best time to pick up a low-cost snow blower is exactly when you DON’T need it: in March and April. That time of year, no store wants them taking precious floor space away from spring merchandise like patio furniture & grills.
Vacuums: April & May – New vacs debut in June, so last year’s models go on sale in April and May — just in time for spring cleaning.
Roofing: May – For the lowest price on materials, buy in May. But if you’re paying a pro to install a new roof, contractor rates begin their climb April 1 and stay high through fall. So if weather allows for wintertime installation, you could save big.
Gas Grills: July & August – Come July 5, there’s still smoke in the air from Fourth of July fireworks, but stores are already moving on to Halloween, with Christmas not far behind. So, they’ll cook up juicy savings on grills and other summer staples in July and August. Sales peak by Labor Day, so you could pick up a new grill and still have time to host one final summer hurrah.
Lawn Mowers: August, September & May – August and September are the perfect time to retire an ailing mower. You’ll find the lowest prices of the year (but also the slimmest selection) as stores replace mowers with snow blowers. Retailers also kick off the season with sales every April. You generally won’t save quite as much, but you’ll have more choices.
Perennials: September – Unlike non-perishable goods, there’s not much retailers can do with last season’s perennials, so September brings savings of 30% to 50% and two-for-one offers on plants like hostas, daylilies, and peonies. And note that independent gardening stores can typically offer deeper discounts than big chains. Cooler weather also makes this a great time of year to plant. How’s that for a win-win? If you prefer planting in the spring, many nurseries offer 10% to 20% off when you pre-order in February or March.
Power Tools: June & December – Power tools are a favorite go-to gift for Father’s Day and the holidays, so June and December are the best time to buy tools like cordless drills.
Paint: January, May, July, November, & December – Prices for interior and exterior paint bottom out when the mercury (and demand) falls — in November, December, and January, but also when it rises back up, in May and July.
HVAC Equipment: March, April, October & November – Like snow blowers, the best time to buy furnaces and whole-house air conditioning systems is when you don’t need them. Prices are lowest during months with moderate temperatures — generally March and April, then October and November. Many installers also run promotions during these slow seasons to help load their books. They also may be more willing to negotiate a lower price or throw in a free upgrade like a fancy thermostat.
Flooring: December & January – From mid-December and into January, homeowners tend to take a break from major remodeling projects because of the holidays. Flooring retailers and installers are looking for business, so that gorgeous wide-plank flooring or luscious carpet can be yours for an even more scrumptious price.
“Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.”
WASHINGTON (December 19, 2018) – Existing-home sales increased in November, according to the National Association of Realtors®, marking two consecutive months of increases. Three of four major U.S. regions saw gains in sales activity last month.
Total existing-home sales1, https://www.nar.realtor/existing-home-sales, completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 1.9 percent from October to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.32 million in November. Sales are now down 7.0 percent from a year ago (5.72 million in November 2017).
Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, says two consecutive months of increases is a welcomed sign for the market. “The market conditions in November were mixed, with good signs of stabilizing home sales compared to recent months, though down significantly from one year ago. Rising inventory is clearly taming home price appreciation.”
“Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission.”
Buyers are spending significant time trying to find the perfect home. Fifty-four percent of active buyers say they’ve been trying to find the right home for three months or longer, according to the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Trends Report poll.
Buyers say the biggest delays that are stretching out their home search is they can’t find a home at an affordable price (49%), followed by not being able to find a home with the desired features they want (40%) or in their ideal neighborhood (38%).
But most of the prospective buyers surveyed say they refuse to give up and will keep looking until they find the right home. The NAHB survey found that buyers who are unable to find a home over the next few months plan to do the following:
61% will continue looking until the “right” home opens up in a preferred location
37% will expand their search area
23% will accept a smaller/older home than originally intended
18% will give up trying to find a home until next year or later
16% will buy a more expensive home than they originally intended.
National homebuilder Taylor Morrison has its eye on pastels, unique finishes, and floral touches in the new year. The builder says it will be incorporating some of the hottest home design trends into its model homes for 2019.
Some of those home design trends that it expects to make a splash in the new year are:
1. Pastels and jewel tones: Baby blues, mint greens, and blushing pinks will gain popularity in 2019, according to the homebuilder. “We’re calling these the ‘ice cream cone’ colors,” says Lee Crowder, design gallery and model home branding manager for Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes in Houston and Dallas. “But if pastels aren’t for you, bold jewel tones like emerald and sapphire are another popular option for the new year.”
2. Monochromatic schemes: The builder also picks high-contrast, monochromatic designs as a go-to trend for 2019, particularly in the kitchen. “Pairing dark finishes with stark white or gray cabinets will be a very popular look in the new year,” says Brittany Wightman, a Taylor Morrison design consultant in Charlotte, N.C.
3. Florals: “We’re seeing tons of floral patterns inspired by [fashion] runway looks,” Crowder says. “Florals are a top trend in the fashion world right now, so it makes sense that floral wallpaper is making a comeback.”
4. New finishes: Hardware finishes like black, rose gold, and brass are gaining popularity, according to the builder. “Black is a really important color for 2019, and you’ll be seeing it pop up everywhere—from countertops to hardware and faucets,” Crowder says.
5. Healthy homes: Healthy lifestyles that are also reflected throughout the home’s design is also trending, Crowder says. “While there are a lot of different ways to achieve this look, one must-have is an abundance of plants,” Crowder says. “Bringing touches from the outdoors inside is not only an aesthetic choice, but real plants also provide the benefit of filtering the harmful chemicals out of your home.” Crowder also suggests swapping out hardwood for dust-collecting carpet and switching out high-gloss paint for flat finishes (since there are fewer chemicals in them).
You’ll get 30% more sunlight shining indoors without screens on your windows.
Here’s the best part: Sunlight warms your room and saves you money on your heating bill. It’s solar power — for you!
Be sure to store your screens in your garage or basement where they won’t get damaged. In the spring you’ll want to put them back on so you can keep that 30% of the sun out and run your cooling system less.
They don’t give off a lot of light, but they’re cheerful as heck.
Drape them around a window or a mantel, or hang a string of LED glimmer lights in a tall potted plant. They’ll add a layer of soft light to your room and remind you of fireflies, flip-flops, and patio parties.
Scandinavians excel at making a home light and airy because they’ve got places where the sun doesn’t rise at all from November to January.
And you thought you had it bad.
To adapt to weeks and weeks of polar night, Swedes keep interiors pale to reflect and amplify light.
Think white walls, light woods for furniture and floors, and light upholstery. To get the look without getting rid of your dark furniture and floors, put white or light gray slipcovers on your sofa and chairs, and put down light-colored rugs.
The fastest way to bring a little Sweden into your room is to paint it. Try creamy white, pale blue, or dove gray.
Replace those incandescent bulbs and their yellowy light with LEDs, which produce a brighter, whiter light.
But get your bright right:
The higher the K rating on the bulb, the cooler and whiter its light.
For cool, white light, opt for a bulb rated 3,500K to 4,100K.
For blue-white light that’s closest to natural daylight, use a bulb between 5,000K and 6,500K.
Unless you live in Sweden (see above) you may want to leave the uber-high K bulbs for grow rooms and seasonal affective disorder therapy clinics — because they’re as bright as real sunlight on a hot summer day at noon. You’ll need sunglasses to read.
Make the most of that weak winter light by bouncing it around the room with mirrors.
If you don’t want the distraction of seeing your reflection all the time, use a large, convex one — also known as a fish-eye mirror. It will amplify light better than a flat one. Another option: Hang a gallery wall of small mirrors.
#6 Replace Heavy Curtains With Blinds or Roman Shades
Fabric curtains, while quite insulating, block light and make a room feel smaller and more cramped, especially if they’re a dark color or have a large print.
Try Roman shades or a simple valance paired with blinds to let in the maximum amount of natural light.
#7 Trim Branches and Bushes That Block Light
Image: Michele Constantini/PhotoAlto/Getty
If you look out your windows and see the tops of your bushes, grab your pruning shears and get whacking.
You don’t want anything blocking that precious natural light. Same for tree limbs that may be arching down and blocking windows. Cut them off.
Admit it, yours are kind of cruddy because who remembers to block out an afternoon to clean the windows?
So get it on your list. Clean the glass inside at least once a month and the glass outside once a year. Your serotonin level will thank you.
#9 Swap Your Solid Front Door for One With Glass Inserts
Image: irina88w/Getty
A solid front door can make your house look and feel as dark as a dungeon.
Get rid of it and install a half-light or full-light door that lets the natural light stream in. For even more natural light, add glass sidelights and a glass transom.
The median cost of a new door is $2,000 for steel and $2,500 for fiberglass, before any extras, but a new door will add curb appeal.
Curb appeal equals higher resale value. And coming home in the evening to the warm glow of light radiating out the glass panels in your front door is an instant mood lifter.
It’s the ultimate way to bring more natural light into your house. A window only catches sun for a couple of hours a day, but a skylight lets in the sun all day.
An indoor view of the sky makes deepest January more tolerable. And feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, light streaming from above, is liberating. A skylight, installed, can cost as much as $3,000. A cheaper alternative is a tubular skylight, which costs around $1,000.
If you’re really good with tools, you can install a tubular skylight yourself. Don’t even think about installing a full-blown skylight yourself.
Putting pots of plants around your room will remind you that spring and green will return.
Match plants to the amount of light you have, because dead and dying plants are depressing. Tropicals that thrive in indirect light are usually the best choice. If you have a sunny window you’ve got more plant options.
Bonus points for adding a plant that blooms in the winter, like a kaffir lily or anthurium.
#12 Celebrate National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
Image: @mrsfergie13
February 10 is National Cream Cheese Brownie Day. Really. Since February is when winter is feeling longer than a seminar on insurance underwriting, this is exactly when you need to make cream cheese brownies.
Chocolate won’t make the sun shine longer or your house brighter, but it will make you feel better because … endorphins. Besides, you spent a ton of money on that marble-topped kitchen island and those double ovens, so get baking.
“Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.”
When major disaster strikes, the REALTORS® Relief Foundation has one goal: help families who have endured unimaginable loss. The REALTORS® Relief Foundation is currently coordinating efforts to provide relief for those affected by wildfires in California. The foundation has made a $1 million commitment to wildfire victims. Your support will help us continue meeting the immediate housing needs of disaster victims.
Contributions
The REALTORS® Relief Foundation welcomes contributions—not only in times of disaster, but at any time throughout the year—and 100% of all funds collected go to disaster relief causes.
REALTORS® Relief Foundation
430 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
Check Memo Description: RRF Contribution
Note: The REALTORS Relief Foundation distributes 100% of all funds collected to disaster relief causes. The funds are distributed on an “as-needed” basis by the Foundation’s Directors. The Foundation cannot guarantee donors that donations made in response to a particular disaster will used for that specific disaster, but the Foundation does guarantee all donors that 100% of their donation will be used for an appropriate disaster relief effort.
