News on the House - First American Home Warranty

News on the House
October, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter
A H O M E WA R R A N T Y S E R V I C E F R O M F I R S T A M E R I C A N
Four hot, new-home trends that
can work for your remodel
Builders are back in business, and new-home construction is up in
areas across the country. So is remodeling, as plenty of Americans
choose to stay put and upgrade their current homes rather than
tackle the challenge of buying and moving into something new.
If you’re planning to renovate your home, you can tap some of
the hottest trends showing up in new-home designs. Here are
four new-home trends that offer strong returns on your time and
money:
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1. Creating a view - Americans continue to embrace all things
green and that trend is showing up in new home construction
in a number of ways, including an emphasis on energy-efficient
windows that bring the outdoors inside with a great view.
If your home has older windows, they’re likely not as energy
efficient as newer options, so replacing them can improve your
heating and cooling efficiency. Window replacements typically
provide a high return on investment at the time or resale, too more than 73 percent for wood windows and 71 percent-plus for
vinyl, according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.
While you’re replacing your windows, you also have the
opportunity to open up your home more to outdoor views. Work
with your architect or designer and contractor to determine
where the best views are, and how much additional glass you
can incorporate into your renovation to capitalize on those views.
2. Adding a bathroom - When it comes to renovations that
improve resale value and enhance a home’s usability, adding a
bathroom is at the top of the list for many homeowners. While
today’s new smaller homes often have less square footage,
demand for multiple bathrooms has not changed.
In existing homes, adding a bathroom can sometimes pose
plumbing challenges. Up-flush plumbing can solve a lot of them.
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News on the House
October, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter
Up-flush systems pump waste and water from a toilet, sink or
bathtub up and out, instead of into a below-floor sewage pit.
Up-flush toilets enable homeowners to easily and cost-effectively
install a bathroom virtually anywhere without breaking through
the floors - a special advantage when those floors are made of
concrete. That means adding a basement bathroom doesn’t
require cutting into a home’s concrete foundation, and you
can easily add an attic bathroom without tearing up the firstfloor ceiling. According to Saniflo, makers of up-flush plumbing
products, adding a bathroom using this type of plumbing can
cost about $5,000 less than one that uses conventional plumbing.
3. Defining the kitchen - Kitchens are another popular renovation
that pays off in a number of ways. Architects are fine-tuning the
popular wide-open floor plan concept, and the change is showing
up in the kitchen. Favored designs now open the kitchen on one
side to an adjoining room, such as the family room, but enclose
the other three walls to create a more defined space, as well as
more storage and cabinet options.
Easier mortgage processes,
positive attitudes inspire renters
to buy
Owning a home has been an integral element of the American
Dream for generations. But is ownership right for you? And if it
is, how do you know if it’s the right time in your life to purchase
a home?
Thirty-two percent of American households are renters, according
to the National Multi Housing Council. Generally, more people
younger than 30 occupy rentals, while the percentage of people
who own their home increases with age, NMHC statistics indicate.
People decide to buy a home for many reasons, but the recent
real estate market downturn caused many Americans to rethink
their assumptions about renting and owning.
This trend works particularly well in older homes where you
frequently find a completely separate kitchen. Now, rather than
ripping out three walls to create an entirely open flow, you can
tap the latest kitchen design trend by opening up just a single
wall in the kitchen. This leaves the space well-defined, but also
adds the open, social feeling that is so appealing in many new
home designs.
4. Maximizing every inch of space - With smaller floor plans
gaining popularity, making the most of every inch of space is
vital. New-home design employs entertaining nooks, breakfast
alcoves, built-ins, pocket doors and other tricks to use every inch
of space wisely.
It’s a trend that also works well in older homes that may have
smaller rooms and less square footage than the McMansions
popular a few years ago. For example, it’s easier to add a built-in
desk to a spare corner and create an office alcove than it is to add
an entire office to your floor plan.
If you crave a fresh environment and the latest home design
trends, you don’t have to give up your old home and tackle the
hassles of moving into something new. With some planning and
creativity, it’s possible to translate some of the hottest new- home
design trends into your renovation project.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
www.firstam.com/warranty
Even with many real estate experts predicting the market will
continue to improve, it pays to carefully evaluate how home
ownership does - or doesn’t - figure into your long-term financial
goals. If you’ve been renting and wondering if it’s time to apply
for a mortgage and buy your own home, consider these points:
1. Renting isn’t always the cheaper option, and comparing your
monthly rent payment directly to a mortgage payment won’t give
you a clear picture of the financial impact of either option. Online
calculators, like Guaranteed Rate’s rent vs. buy online calculator,
can give you a better understanding of the comparison. With
mortgage rates consistently low and rental markets competitive
across the country, real estate experts agree that in most major
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News on the House
October, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter
metropolitan areas it will still be cheaper in the long run to buy
than continue to rent.
even weeks - into minutes. As part of the process, applicants also
receive the credit reports from all three major credit bureaus.
2. While the days of zero-money-down mortgages are essentially
over, it’s a misconception that you need a huge amount of money
to buy a house. Yes, you’ll almost certainly need a down payment,
but different lenders will require different percentages. Research
your mortgage options before you begin house hunting so you’ll
know how much you’ll need to save in order to secure a mortgage
- and the home of your dreams.
4. Buying a home affords you the opportunity to really grow your
roots, but the flipside is that in order to get the most out of your
investment, you need to stay put for a while. If you anticipate
being in your current job and living in your current town for at
least five years, the long-term investment of buying a house will
make more sense for you. If you anticipate a job change or a
move within a few years, you may want to hold off on buying a
house. The good news is, doing so gives you more time to save
toward a down payment so you’ll look even more appealing to
lenders when you are ready to buy.
3. Although the mortgage application process is detailed, it
doesn’t have to be drawn out and tedious. Many lenders now
allow you to initiate the process online, and Guaranteed Rate
has recently overhauled its website to allow borrowers to apply
for a loan, track the approval process and receive their home
loans all online. The eighth-largest retail mortgage company in
the U.S. allows customers to choose and customize their loans,
submit an application and receive an official approval letter all at
www.guaranteedrate.com. Automating the application process
compresses the traditional time frame from days - sometimes,
While only you can decide if homeownership is right for you and
your family - and if now is the right time to buy - keep in mind
a few statistics from Trulia.com: 42 percent of renters say they
regret not having bought a home, and 31 percent say they want
to buy a home in the next two years.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
Sweet Eats, Adorable Treats:
Fun Food for Fall
If you’re looking for a fun treat for Halloween or any time this
fall, you can’t go wrong with these “No Eek, No Squeak Cookie
Cuties.”
Full of nutrients and energy, California Raisins provide a delicious
burst of flavor to these cookies. All-natural and dried-by-the-sun,
California Raisins deliver fiber, potassium and antioxidants, and
just a quarter cup of raisins provides a serving of fruit.
FIRST AMERICAN HOME WARRANTY PLANS
AVAILABLE FOR:
» Current Homeowners
» Buyers and Sellers
» Portfolio Managers
TYPE OF HOME WARRANTY PLANS:
» Basic Plan
» Premier Plan
» Additional Options
For more information call 800.444.9030 today!
www.firstam.com/warranty
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News on the House
October, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter
No Eek, No Squeak Cookie Cuties
Ingredients for 36 cookies:
3 cups all-purpose flour
beating until mixture is pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in
vanilla extract, then the egg.
Reducing the speed, gradually add one-third of the flour, until
mixed, add another third and another third until blended. Knead
in the finely chopped California Raisins. Half the dough, flatten
into two disks, wrap in plastic wrap, chill for 2 hours.
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup California raisins, chopped finely
1/4 cup sliced natural almonds, for the ears
4 30-inch black licorice laces, cut into 4-inch lengths, for the tails
3 ounces semisweet chocolate mini chips, for the eyes
Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, set aside. In
another bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on mediumhigh speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually, add sugar,
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Roll about 1 tablespoon, shaping the
dough in an oval. Gently pinch bridge of the nose to form
eye sockets. Place two sliced almonds at top of each piece of
dough, and place two mini chocolates for the eyes below the
ears, pressing them gently into the dough. Place the mice on
parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing the mice 2 inches apart.
Bake until the cookies are light golden brown, about 15-20
minutes. Insert a wooden skewer about 1/2-inch into mouse’s
round end. Remove the skewer and insert the curved length of
licorice for tail. Cool on rack. When the cookies are cool, they
can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to
one week.
Article provided by Brandpoint - formerly ARAcontent.
Reprinted with permission.
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has home warranty plans for buyers,
sellers and current homeowners!
Call 1-888-547-5448 today
and protect your home!
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© 2013 First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation. All rights reserved.
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