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How to Decorate With the Celestial Design Trend
Celestial imagery has become a popular trend in interior decorating. From social media style influencers to major decor vendors, the celebration of space and stargazing has found its way into every room. If you are interested in incorporating the celestial style into your own interior designs, here are some ideas to inspire you.
Create a Celestial Gallery Wall
A gallery wall is an excellent place to begin when exploring the celestial trend. Consider a collection of star and sunburst-shaped mirrors or artwork. Mixing metallic finishes, glass and reflective surfaces will catch the light in the room to create inspiring sparkle. Another option for a celestial gallery wall is building around a single piece of dramatic artwork or photograph of the Milky Way.
Celebrate the Constellations
For a more subtle approach to celestial decor, try minimalist diagrams or artwork of constellations. You can use the iconic shapes of constellations in your wall decor by hanging vintage style scientific diagrams or by using a set of decorative throw pillows. For a fun DIY idea, try painting the constellations on the wall using stencils.
Try a Star-Studded Backsplash
For a little sparkle in your bathroom or kitchen, go for a bold celestial tile mosaic or art deco-style star motif. Keeping the color scheme minimal will prevent it from becoming too busy or chaotic, and a simple combination of black and white will add a timeless feel. For the DIY-inclined, customize your own subway tile with painted stars.
Hang a Space Age Chandelier
A dramatic chandelier can transform the look and feel of any room while bringing the celestial decorating theme into focus. For a modern feel, opt for a Sputnik chandelier. The bold angles and minimalism of this light fixture will make an excellent addition to a formal dining room or cozy living room. You can also try a large Moravian star lantern or a collection of them in different sizes to add eclectic whimsy.
Add Sparkle With Twinkling Star Lights
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with string lights. While any type of white string lights hanging from the ceiling or on walls will emulate the beauty of a starry sky, star-shaped bulbs bring the celestial imagery to another level. Consider mixing in some lights with a twinkle setting to add magical ambiance.
Celestial themed decorations are easy to add into your existing designs in order to try out the trend for yourself. Add a little sparkle and shine to your home with these ideas and let them inspire you to reach for the stars.
Getting preapproved for a mortgage: When, why & how
Getting preapproved for a mortgage is an essential part of the home-buying process. While it’s possible to wait before securing your financing, there are major benefits to getting preapproval early.
For more information about preapproval, here are the basics to consider:
When to get preapproval
It’s recommended that would-be homebuyers obtain a preapproval letter from a mortgage lender as soon as possible in their buying process. The earlier you take care of this important step, the earlier you’ll know exactly how much money you can afford to spend on a home. This can help you narrow down your home search.
Why get preapproval
In addition to helping your home search, getting mortgage preapproval also shows sellers you are a qualified buyer. Preapproval requires a careful examination of your financial situation, including factors like debt-to-income ratio and liquid assets.
Going through the process confirms your eligibility for a mortgage and communicates to sellers that you’re less likely to back out of a sale.
How to get preapproval
Compare mortgage lenders to find the best fit for your needs. You can request a loan estimate and mortgage preapproval letter from a lender after providing essential documentation like investment account statements, bank statements, pay stubs and credit report.
If you intend to buy a home, it’s a good idea to get preapproved for a mortgage sooner rather than later. The more prepared you are with your finances, the more effective your home search will be.
A beginners guide to DIYs for your bathrooms
While the bathroom may not be the center of your home, it’s a vital part of the house. Sprucing up the bathroom can give it a fresh appeal, which in turn makes the space more enjoyable. The best thing is you can make many stylish changes completely with DIY bathroom decor ideas.
Barn wood-framed bathroom mirror
The bathroom vanity mirror is a major focal point when you enter the room. Try starting off your DIY bathroom projects by adding some pizzazz with a DIY barn wood frame. Create a new mirror frame with reclaimed wood planks for an eclectic and delightfully rustic aesthetic.
Minimal bathroom with DIY light fixtures
As a complement to your wooden mirror frame, consider a DIY wooden light fixture. Cut a large piece of wood, so multiple branches reach out to hold a light. This abstract decor idea brings a natural theme into the bathroom while offering a striking ambiance guaranteed to thrill .
DIY stone bathtub surrounding
Installing faux stone veneers is another affordable project to add to your DIY bathroom ideas list! These decals can be placed on your tub, giving it a more earthy yet sophisticated allure. This project is also great for renters because the decals can be removed easily if needed.
DIY rope-wrapped waste-basket
DIY for bathrooms can be as simple as some rope and a glue gun. This inexpensive DIY project involves wrapping rope around a waste-basket, giving new charm to a feature often disregarded in decor.
You can choose to keep the rope all one shade, or mix things up with multiple hues or styles of rope.
Enhancing your bathroom doesn’t always have to mean completely remodeling the room. Sometimes all you need is a bit of creativity and DIY ideas to make a fresh impact in your home.
Mortgage basics: A brief 30-year mortgage guide
Most homebuyers, even those just starting their first-time homeowner journey, have learned a thing or two about 30-year mortgages. For example, some 30-year mortgages will let you pay the mortgage down earlier than 30-years, while others may fix a prepayment penalty to that plan to make up the loss in revenue from the interest rate.
But what about some of the more uncommon questions and features of 30-year mortgages? Here’s a quick guide to understanding some nuances of 30-year mortgage rates:
Are there different 30-year mortgage rates?
While this question may seem obvious to some, there are a few tricky aspects about mortgage rates. One being the amount of options a homebuyer has when searching for a mortgage, which lends to several rate choices to pick from.
Mortgage rates often factor in a great deal of variables, such as buyer’s market versus seller’s market, personal financial health, economic stability, Federal Reserve action, mortgage lenders and a host of other facets. Once everything has been considered, lenders typically determine an individual mortgage rate for the specific potential homebuyer wanting to make an offer.
Are 15-year mortgage rates better?
Depending on your financial situation and what you want out of your loan, a 15-year mortgage could work out better for you. However, the same is true for a 30-year mortgage. So, how do you tell which one you should go for? Review your current monthly responsibilities.
For those wanting to keep their payments low and affordable, a 30-year mortgage may be a better fit since the monthly mortgage payment is likely to be lower than that of a 15-year mortgage. 30-year mortgages are also great for those who want to plan out their financial journey for the next few decades.
However, for those who may not want to be locked into a 30-year fixed mortgage with the potential for prepayment penalties, a 15-year may be a great option for you. Just remember, there’s a good chance your payments will be higher than those of a 30-year mortgage, depending on property and down payment, as does a 30-year.
What about jumbo 30-year mortgages?
For those wanting to purchase a larger home at a larger price point, 30-year fixed rate mortgages come in jumbo sizes. Jumbo loans are great for homes with higher price points and are often subject to the same base terms as your average fixed-rate mortgage. The difference is these loans typically have to exceed the average loans that cap their lending maximum.
What else should I remember about 30-year mortgage rates?
Mortgages can come in all varieties of sizes, shapes and interest rates. While an adjustable rate mortgage may fit some budgets (remember, these interest rates change throughout the loan), a fixed rate mortgage may give others security in knowing what their monthly payments will be year in and out.
Be sure to shop around for the mortgage that suits you best. However, don’t ignore your agent’s connections. They may know a lender who can get you everything you need in a mortgage and help you keep your financial health through the homebuying process.
4 Tips & tricks to prevent plumbing problems
Plumbing issues can occur suddenly sometimes and the result can be hundreds and even thousands of dollars worth of damage. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to maintain the upkeep of your plumbing system and reduce the chances of repairs needing to be made.
Keep toilets & drains clear
Clogged toilets and drains are a very common issue found in the home. When a clog isn’t dealt with, bigger issues such as leaks and displaced waste can become apparent. To prevent clogged toilets, refrain from flushing any items outside of toilet paper. Even items such as “flushable” wipes have a hard time breaking down and can lead to clogs over time.
To prevent clogs in your sink or tub drains, remove hair, and other items to avoid them from being lodged. Taking the extra initiative can save you plenty of time, money and remove stress down the line.
Prevent pipe & faucet leaks
Even a small leak can cause severe damage when left without repair. While faucets can develop leaks as they wear down with time, simply being careful with turning the faucet on and off can make a world of difference.
While pipe leaks may not be avoided completely, regularly checking for leaks can help you compare the issue from the start. If you have a pipe leak, consider consulting a plumber about repairs as soon as possible to prevent significant damage.
Avoid running toilets
A constantly running toilet may indicate internal issues with the structure and should be addressed as soon as possible. Checking your toilet mechanism on a regular basis or testing for leaks using food coloring in the tank can help you catch issues early on.
Inspect your water heater
Issues with your water heater may range from having no hot water to water that isn’t getting hot enough for showers and other household uses. Water heaters can develop problems over time due to deterioration, a mineral buildup or other problems. Inspecting the pressure valve, flushing the tank periodically and doing other maintenance checks can help lower the risk of problems arising.
Using the aforementioned tips, you can maintain the features of your home and prevent serious damage.
Average closing costs for buyer hopefuls: What to expect
Budgeting for buying a home can seem daunting, but one of the best ways to make it easier is to figure out the average closing costs for buyer hopefuls. There are various service charges bundled together to make up closing costs, and some can vary significantly based on location and specific property.
Here are some of the most common closing costs you can prepare for:
Loan origination fee
Mortgage lenders charge an origination fee for creating the loan. This closing cost varies from one mortgage provider to another, but usually ends up being equal to about 1% of the total amount of the loan. While this is considered a closing cost, some lenders require this fee up front for the loan estimate.
Home inspection fee
Home inspection fees typically cost a few hundred dollars. They cover the optional – but important – official property inspection by a licensed professional before closing.
While technically not always required by lenders or buyers, home inspections can help you identify major issues or repair needs before buying a home.
Appraisal fees
Appraisal fees are paid to the professional home appraiser to determine the value of the property. These fees often range from $300 to $400, though the cost can vary depending on location and the size of the home.
Title search
Before a buyer can take over the title for the new home, it has to be examined carefully for any evidence of prior issues. Examples of issues a title search looks for include liens, unpaid property taxes or unfulfilled contingencies. Typically, the fee for a title search will cost around $400 to $500.
These are not all the possible closing costs associated with buying a home. However, they are some of the most common, and the easiest, to budget for. Remember these fees when planning a budget to include average closing costs.
4 Mistakes to avoid when listing your home
One essential part of the home selling process is how you advertise your property. Having quality photos can make or
break the first perception potential homebuyers have of your property, so avoiding a few rookie mistakes can help
you maintain the quality of your listing photos.
Not taking enough photos
In the age of digital photography, you can never take too many pictures. Try to experiment with different lighting,
angles and setups, and don’t shy away from taking as many photos as necessary to get the perfect shots, showcasing
your beautiful property.
Avoid close-ups
Your home should be spotlessly clean and tidy when taking photos; however, you don’t have to get a shot of every
small nook and cranny. Instead, consider taking wide shots, which can help your home appear spacious and more
welcoming.
Be mindful of mirror reflections & other distractions
Even the best shot in the world can be ruined when unplanned objects or reflections of shadows appear of the
photographer. These things can distract your audience from the focus of the photo, your home. Plan your angles so
you don’t get any flashes, glare or reflections in your photographs.
It’s best to take your pets out of the room or area before you start shooting photos. Remember, potential home buyers
may not love your cat or dog in the same way you do.
Not using time of day to your advantage
The different (or lack) of lighting your home receives throughout the day can make or break your photos. Consider
taking photos of your home at midday, when there are the least number of shadows present.
Then, take some photos at golden hour (just before the sun sets) to capture warmer tones. Finally, right after dusk,
turn the lights on inside your home and take some shots from outside to give the illusion of a warm, cozy place
where the light are always on.
By being dynamic, creative and open to different perspectives, your listing photos can pop wonderfully and showcase
your home with style.
Prequalified vs preapproved: Understanding mortgage terminology
If you’re a first-time homebuyer, odds are you’ve encountered the words “prequalified” and “preapproved”
interchangeably. However, when it comes to home loans, there are some critical differences between the two.
Mortgage prequalification
Getting prequalified helps borrowers find out what kind and what size mortgage they’re likely to be approved for.
Prequalification will give you an estimate based on self-reported information like income and credit history. You
can use this “big picture” info to plan for the future, or to compare lenders.
Mortgage preapproval
If you’re serious about buying a home in the near future, getting preapproved will simplify your buying process. It
will also make sellers more likely to take you seriously, since you already have your financing partially
secured.
For preapprovals, the lender will request details of your financial situation including income statements, credit
reports and information about any other assets. You’ll need to submit official documents for their review, and in
turn receive a letter of preapproval for a certain amount of financing.
Mortgage applications & credit scores
There are two types of credit checks lenders perform to view your credit history: hard inquiries and soft inquiries.
A soft inquiry won’t affect your credit score. However, a hard inquiry can lower your score a bit for a period of
several months. Prequalification usually involves a soft inquiry, while preapproval has a hard inquiry. So, don’t
panic – expect your credit score to drop a few points temporarily after getting a pre-approval letter.
After preapproval
Once you’re preapproved for a mortgage, you can begin searching for homes with a clear budget. If you decide to make
an offer on a home and your offer is accepted, your preapproval will make it easier to move forward in closing on
the home.
Once the lender checks off on the house you’re making an offer on, they will send you a loan commitment letter,
enabling you to move forward with closing on the home.
Getting financing for a home can seem daunting at first. However, the more you understand about the prequalification
and preapproval processes, the quicker and simpler your experience will be.
Things to consider before you list your home
Putting your home up for sale on the market can be challenging. The market can move quickly and there are many steps
to get to the finish line of selling your property. One of the first steps to consider is your home’s outward
appearance:
Curb appeal
Before listing your home on the market with photos and a description of the property, it’s a great idea to consider
its curb appeal. Curb appeal is the outward attractiveness of a property. Increasing the curb appeal of your
home can include manicuring the lawn, planting flowers and repairing the driveway if needed.
It’s estimated, properties with excellent curb appeal are perceived to be around 5 to 11 percent more valuable by
potential homebuyers. This in turn can also help to get a property sold off the market quicker.
Does your property have enough equity?
Equity is the portion of the home which completely belongs to you. For example, if you’ve paid off 50 percent of the
property, you would hold 50 percent of the home’s equity.
It’s preferable to have enough equity in a home to cover the basic cost of selling the property, moving fees and
more. It’s estimated the average homeowner needs to be in a property for at least 5 years before enough equity is
built up to sell.
Have you done research on a reputable real estate agent?
Having an exceptional real estate agent by your side is essential for a smooth home selling process. Your agent can
help you to pinpoint the best marketing strategies to sell your home quickly in your area.
They can also give a professional opinion on areas of your home needing fixing to make the space more appealing to
potential homebuyers.
Overall, before you list your property on the market, it’s important to do research to have all the necessary tools
for a successful home sale.
Pros & cons of umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance, sometimes called personal liability insurance, offers coverage beyond the limits of your other policies. It can help cover the financial gaps and protect your savings and assets in the event you’re liable for damages.
Umbrella insurance is not required, but many choose to purchase a policy for greater peace of mind in answering some of life’s “what if” questions. There are key advantages to this type of coverage, but there may also be downsides.
To help you understand umbrella insurance more clearly, here is a breakdown of some major pros and cons:
Advantages of umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance can help you avoid major financial loss. Some major advantages include:
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- If you reach the limit on your home or auto insurance, umbrella insurance can help cover the remainder.
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- Umbrella coverage includes incidents and situations that other policies might not (like being sued for libel or slander).
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- Coverage limits are high, usually starting at $1 million.
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- Most umbrella coverage applies anywhere in the world, keeping you protected while you travel.
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- Umbrella insurance might cover expensive rental items you might not have other insurance for, e.g., boats.
Disadvantages of umbrella insurance
Umbrella insurance provides extra liability coverage and legal defense in a variety of situations. However, there are some downsides and major exceptions to consider, including:
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- You cannot buy umbrella insurance unless you’ve already purchased a qualifying minimum amount of auto or home insurance first.
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- Umbrella insurance does not cover the cost of your own medical bills if you’re injured.
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- Damage to your own personal property is not covered.
An umbrella insurance policy can keep you and your assets safe. While you’ll hopefully never need to file a claim, the more you know about what umbrella coverage provides, the better insurance decisions you’ll be able to make.
