7 Fun and Easy Housewarming Gifts for A [City] Home

  7 Fun and Easy Housewarming Gifts for A [City] Home   Whether you have new neighbors next door or old friends moving across town, a housewarming gift is a great way to show you care. New owners always appreciate anything that relieves the pressures of moving and settling into an unfamiliar neighborhood. Here are seven fun and easy housewarming-gift ideas for your friends moving into their [city] home.   A Door Wreath  You can choose a wreath that fits the season or that is simply attractive on the front door. Include a wreath door-hanger and storage box so they can easily hang it or put it away.    A Pair of Candlestick Holders  Candlesticks are a simple, yet practical gift for a new [city] home. They’re perfect for a mantel, dresser or table. Choose attractive candlestick holders that match the house’s décor and include a set of candles to burn.   A Homemade Meal Moving and getting settled in a new house takes a tremendous amount of time and effort. This leaves little time to cook nutritious meals. Bring either takeout or home-cooked meal along with disposable plates and utensils for a much-appreciated housewarming gift.    Fresh Flowers Nothing makes a room look more inviting than fresh-cut flowers or a lush green plant. Flowers add a punch of color while plants last longer while still requiring little work. Choose flowers that fit the season or a plant with full, green leaves that is easy to maintain.   Scented Candles  Not only are they practical, but they also help bring comfort and serenity to the chaos of moving. Choose a theme for the candles, such as a color or a scent that matches the style. Include candles of different shapes and sizes and a lighter.   Picture Frames  Keep in mind the house’s décor as you choose a picture frame. Wood, pewter, bamboo, or decorative glass looks great in a casually decorated house. If the house has a more formal décor, choose crystal or silver. It’s fun for your friends to have a place to display their new memories.   If you want to be the one receiving housewarming gifts by moving to a new [city] home, then give me a call today at 254-247-0683 or email me at admin@people1st.org.

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3 Ways That Buying a New Construction Home Beats Buying an Existing One, Every Time

  3 Ways That Buying a New Construction Home Beats Buying an Existing One, Every Time Are you in the market for a new house? Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or are upgrading to get more space, you will need to choose between buying an existing home or building a brand new one. As you might imagine, there are pros and cons to each kind of home. But if it is in your budget, you may want to lean towards a newer home over an older one. Let's explore three reasons why new construction homes are better than existing homes.   Customize Every Aspect To Your Tastes Ask anyone living in a custom-built home and they are likely to tell you that the ability to customize everything was a major decision factor. When you build a brand-new home, your input isn't limited to the floor plan or room layout. Your family can choose everything from the paint colors to the door hinges. Imagine having your pick of appliances, cabinets, flooring, and trim in every room – that's what new construction is all about.   Modern, Efficient And Convenient A brand-new home means a home that is energy-efficient and built for convenience. Your home can be designed with as much advanced technology as you have in mind. Seamless Wi-Fi and other wireless connectivity for all your devices. A cutting-edge video security system to keep your family safe. Efficient heating and cooling that offers superior indoor air quality. And, of course, lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint.   If you are a fan of technology and the conveniences it can provide, a new construction home is a perfect choice.   Many Years of Trouble-Free Living Another benefit of living in a new home is that everything around you is far less likely to fail over the next few years. Moving into an older home means worrying about the roof, the electrical wiring, the appliances, and a whole host of other potential problems. In a new construction home, you will be surrounded by brand-new machinery that is built with the future in mind. Also, even if you do run into any issues with your home or appliances, it should all be under warranty.   As you can see, the scales are tipped when it comes to comparing brand-new construction with an older, dated home. If you're ready to discuss making an upgrade to a new construction home, contact us today. Our professional real estate team is happy to help.  

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Mortgage 101: How Interest-Only Mortgages Work and Why They're A Good Solution for Some Buyers

  Mortgage 101: How Interest-Only Mortgages Work and Why They're A Good Solution for Some Buyers   Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or an experienced real estate investor, if you are planning to borrow funds to buy a home you will want to choose the right mortgage product. In today's blog post we'll explore how interest-only mortgages work and why they're the perfect choice for some homebuyers.   How Interest-Only Mortgages Differ From Conventional Ones   As the name suggests, interest-only mortgages are loans where you are only required to pay off the interest portion of the loan each month for some specific term. The length of these loans can be up to ten years, although five or seven is the most common. Once this period is over, you will have some options. Some choose to refinance their mortgage into a new term; others will make a lump-sum payment to pay off the balance. The most important item of note is that during the interest-only period, no principal is paid off unless you pay a bit extra.    The Pros And Cons Of Interest-Only Mortgages   Interest-only mortgages are a popular choice because of their many upsides. Your monthly payments are almost certainly going to be far lower during the interest-only period. This is because you're not responsible for paying down the principal of the loan. A lower monthly payment frees up money that you can use for other purposes, such as investing. Also, your entire monthly payment during the interest-only period should be tax-deductible, which may contribute to a refund each year.   Note that there are some potential downsides to interest-only mortgages as well. For example, if your mortgage interest rate is adjustable, you can end up paying more in interest than if you had locked in. You also need to stay disciplined financially. Once the interest-only period ends, your monthly payment may increase significantly to cover both interest and principal.   Who Should Consider An Interest-Only Mortgage? Interest-only mortgages are a good fit for those individuals or families where you are confident that your income is going to grow significantly in five or ten years. Alternatively, if your income is somewhat sporadic and you want the option of paying lower payments in some months and more substantial payments in others. The key point is that these mortgages offer flexibility that other mortgage products do not.    As you can see, interest-only mortgages are an excellent choice in certain circumstances. To learn more about how an interest-only mortgage might be right for you, contact our professional mortgage team today. We are happy to share our experience to find mortgage financing that perfectly suits your needs.  

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