One of the biggest accomplishments to make is finally signing on the dotted line for the purchase of your very first home, but how exactly do you get to that point? Although it may be everyone’s dream to purchase property in some shape or form, it may not be everyone’s reality. Purchasing a home can cost more money than you can gather in between your couch. You may need to use a few more tactics in order to reach your financial goals. Here are a few helpful ways to help you to curb impulse buys and be intentional about saving up for one of the biggest purchases you’ll probably ever make in your life without having to starve yourself.

Figure out how much house you can actually afford

Before beginning the process of saving funds for your future new home, it’s best to plan out not only how much you are willing to spend on a home, but more importantly how much you can actually afford. Have a seat and tally up your monthly earned income as well as your monthly expenses to see how much room you have to groove. This way, you’ll have the ability to figure out just how much you can save and how often in order to reach your down payment goal while still living very comfortably. Ramen noodles are a great option for a college student, but not so much for a family looking for a starter home.

Look into down payment assistance

There are options out there that can save you even more money on the purchase of your new home. If you are a first time home buyer, you are more than likely to qualify for assistance with your down payment. There is also assistance for those with low to middle income and veterans as well. This might mean a little more paperwork and a lot more research, but it also means less money out of your pocket for that dream home of yours.

Check your credit

Your credit score as well as your credit history are pretty important factors when it comes to making a home purchase. The better your credit score, the more likely you are to get approved for a loan and the more options you will have. Keep your credit score in check whiling doing these things and you’ll be on your way to owning your home soon.

• Pay your bills on time

• Use less of your available credit

• Do not open any new credit accounts

• Maintain a mix of credit amounts

Open up a separate savings account

One huge mistake potential home buyers make is keeping their funds for their down payment in the same savings account meant for other funds, like vacations, or vehicle emergencies. Open a new account specifically for the purchase of your home so that expenses do not get mixed up. 

Another good idea is to open an account with another financial institution so that you are not tempted to touch the money you’ve worked so hard to save. The act of borrowing from the account will be much harder to do when the funds are housed in a completely different bank.

Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account

Make the hard work of saving funds a little easier with automatic transfers through your bank. You can schedule however much you’d like and however often you need in order to meet your goal and can almost forget about it. 

Take advantage of your raises

For those of you that receive raises from your employer, it would be very beneficial to take the extra money that you receive and place it into your down payment savings account. Many people use the extra funds to buy more rather than to save for more. 

Remove credit card numbers from your favorite online shopping websites

Spending money unnecessarily can be a difficult habit to break and make it much harder to save. One great suggestion is to remove your saved credit card numbers from your favorite online shopping websites. This will make it less convenient to spend and more convenient to save.

Spending money online is much easier these days. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars from the comfort of your home with just a few clicks. Just thinking about having to get out of bed to grab your credit card may help deter you from making those unnecessary purchases as often, which will save you a ton in the long run.

Wait a little longer before making a purchase.

Another tip that will be helpful when saving is to wait before you make a purchase. Maybe give yourself a few days or even a full week after getting receiving your paycheck to spend money other than bills. Ask yourself the question: Do I really need this? An even better question to ask is this: Did I need this yesterday? That question can be mind-blowing when you realize there was no actual need for the item at all. You can also take the amount of money that you would have spent and place it into your savings account, whether it’s a fast-food meal or a new pair of shoes. 

Minimize vacation spending for a year

Save hundreds and even thousands of dollars by skipping out on the elaborate vacations for an entire year. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun with your family. There are plenty of low-cost ways to have a mini-vacay right in your backyard. Choose more affordable options like driving instead of flying to your destinations. Select a location that is a little bit closer to home and make it a family road trip. Sign up for promotional deals to receive discounts for your experience at hotels, amusement parks, and more.

Pick up a side job or ask for overtime

To help you reach your goal a little faster, ask to work a few extra hours of overtime. If that is simply not an option for you, you can also make use of food delivery apps like Uber Eats and Postmates, or pick up and deliver groceries using Instacart. You can also use Uber or Lyft to offer rides or offer rides for the extra cash. If you have a skill that you’re great at, use it to make a few dollars. You can sell handmade jewelry, baked goods, or even offer resume editing services to go toward your savings goal and pay down your debt.

With a little bit of elbow grease and a lot of patience, you’ll be on your way to homeownership in no time! 

Our December realtor of the month is Kimberly Kelly, Broker for The Kelly Group Real Estate and our Real Estate Market Expert for Aubrey, TX.

Born and raised in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Kimberly is a devoted mother of two with over 19 years of experience in the real estate field. She has a degree in Interior Design and has worked in every aspect of the real estate industry. She has represented sellers, buyers, investors, and banks in the residential and commercial markets.

If you’re on the hunt for a brand new Dallas home, give Kimberly Kelly of The Kelly Group Real Estate a ring. Kimberly is committed to excellence in customer service and would not steer you wrong.

Find your dream home at Houston’s “Community of the Year” in the new master-planned development at Meridiana. This neighborhood is located near Pearland in Iowa Colony, TX. Meridiana is only ten minutes from endless shopping and dining at the Pearland Town Center. Meridiana is also 20 minutes away from the Houston Hobby Airport and 25 minutes from the Texas Medical Center.

The spacious one and two-story floor plans at Meridiana have so much to offer with the help of Houston's top home builders such as David Weekley Homes, Lennar Homes, and Taylor Morrison. You’ll absolutely love features such as the family room with an optional fireplace ideal for entertaining guests, an optional game room with a half bath on the first or second floor, and a library for the book lovers of the family. Meridiana’s floor plans come equipped with a master suite including a master bath with walk-in closets. A two-car garage is ideal to store your vehicles from the elements. Customize your home design to check everything off of your wish list.

You’ll have to pinch yourself when you discover all of the incredible amenities offered right in your back yard at Meridiana. Here, you’ll find a fitness center to burn off those holiday calories, and a splash pad perfect for little ones to cool off on warm days. There is also a family pool and lap pool as well. Have lunch with a new neighbor at Café Sol located at Oasis Village. Satisfy your taste buds with dishes such as wood-fired pizzas, burgers, juicy salmon, and satisfying appetizers that will keep you coming back for more! 

Your children will receive a top-rated education just minutes from home when enrolled in nearby schools like Meridiana Elementry. You can also look forward to the opening of Manvel Junior High School in 2020. This new school will render magnet academic programs, pre-advanced placement, and athletic and fine arts opportunities. The residents at Meridiana are also expecting the opening of Manvel High School in 2021. Beyond the walls of these astounding schools, Meridiana also offers a series of Learning Labs with hands-on lessons for children of all ages throughout the community.

Begin creating memories in the new home of your dreams at Meridiana. Visit the Welcome Center to grab more info or simply join the interest list to learn more. 

Our November realtor of the month is Fylicia Waugh, Broker for Gateway Real Estate and our Real Estate Market Expert for Puyallup, WA.

Fylicia is a full time licensed REALTOR born and raised in the lovely city of Puyallup, Washington. Throughout her entire life, Fylicia’s family has been in both the real estate and residential construction business. It was only right that the torch was passed on to Fylicia as she found interest in real estate and eventually head her own brokerage. Prior to fully immersing in real estate, Fylicia also worked in banking and lending for eight years with experience as a commercial loan documentation specialist. This gives her the upper hand in understanding the legal paperwork needed to buy and sell real estate. 

If you are in the market to buy a new Seattle home or sell your old home, contact Fylicia Waugh with Gateway Real Estate. Fylicia loves helping people and has several years of experience in both buying and selling real estate in and around the Puyallup area. Along with her extensive experience, Fylicia provides excellent communication and an amazing smile!

The fall season is well underway and what better time to revamp your home than now? Making a few small adjustments around the house can make a big difference, but it can be costly as well. No one wants to spend all of their hard-earned money on décor that will only be up for a season. Fear not! It doesn't have to be expensive to keep up with decor trends. Some of the best pieces can be found right under your nose! Here’s how to get your home fall-ready on a budget.

Use edible décor

Throw a few apples in a decorative bowl you already own and place it somewhere in your kitchen or on your coffee table.  If you’ve recently gone apple picking in the spirit of fall, you’ve probably got plenty of fresh apples to work with. They’ll double as décor and a crisp juicy snack.

Pumpkins go with everything! Use pumpkins to decorate your home. Instead of carving your pumpkins this season, try painting them in colors like white, grey, or a nice shade of forest green. Place a few larger pumpkins near your doorstep and spread out some smaller ones where you see fit throughout your home. You can also opt to grab a few plastic pumpkins from your local dollar store and spray paint them in white, gold, or even bronze for the perfect fall touch.

Take advantage of thrift store finds

Your local thrift store is a goldmine for dirt cheap décor. You just have to keep an open mind when searching and sorting through all of the chaos. Dress up your fireplace with a few repurposed items such as a wicker basket, teapot, or an antique broom to give it a cozy feel. 

Make use of blankets and throw pillows

The use of blankets can add a simple touch of warmth and color without the paint job. You can grab a few throws from the thrift store or local discount store or use a few you have on hand. Bring in blankets and pillows with warm tones and plaid designs to throw over your favorite chair or ottoman or even on a back porch table.

Fill your home with candles

There are tons of warm fall scented candles available at an affordable price. You can choose to light some to fill your home or place a few in rooms for decoration purposes only. Alternate between different sizes, shapes, and colors with your candles.

Prepare Autumn Goodies

This may not seem like décor, but baking anything warm with a scent of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg is sure to fill your home with all of the fall feels. Creating memories in your kitchen with loved ones is the best way to bring in the new season.

Add color with wallpaper

If you don’t want to commit to painting your walls, consider incorporating wallpaper to add color in your home. You’ll save time and have the option to peel it away when you change your mind.

Arrange fresh fall florals

Use dahlias, ranunculus, and clippings from your yard to create an arrangement that is sure to make a statement. Here’s a tip: place your flower arrangements in the fridge at night to make them last even longer.

Have fun with decorating your home for the fall season on a budget. The possibilities are endless!  

What is a great room? A great room is a large centrally located room that has multiple functions such as a living room, dining room, or even the kitchen. As of late, open concept living has been pretty popular. But why are so many homeowners leaning toward including a great room in their homes and why are builders including these in most floor plans? Well, here are 6 reasons why having a great room is so great!

The Illusion of More Space

The placement of walls between each room can leave you feeling closed in and closed off from everyone else in the home. Removing those walls will give off the illusion of more space. The large open spaces provide more functionality rather than having several rooms with unnecessary wall space. 

A Bird’s Eye View

With a great room or open floor plan, you have a bird’s eye view of the common areas of your home. This way you'll know what's going on in your home from many different angles all while standing in one spot.

Making sure that children play nice while you prepare a meal is another great reason for an open floor plan. You can be involved with homework help while preparing snacks after school or watch the game.

More Quality Time 

Having a great room within an open floor plan increases quality time and allows for families to gather together while each member still has space for themselves.

Ideal For Entertaining

Having a great room is the perfect addition to your home if you find that you like to entertain family and friends for small get-togethers. Guests will not feel confined to one room and you have the ability to socialize different groups of people while hosting.

Plenty of Natural Lighting

In a great room, there’s more natural light that comes in because of the lack of walls space. The use of artificial lighting is not needed as much which also cuts down on your light bill. Bountiful natural life can also boost your mood and you’ll enjoy your home even more.

Energy Efficient

You’ll find that a home with a more open floor plan provides for more energy efficiency. It’s easier to heat and cool. It is much easier to maintain the temperature of one controlled area rather than several rooms that aren’t in use. 

A great room offers plenty of benefits within the home, in addition, to its beautiful aesthetic. If you weren't much of a fan of open spaces before, this may help you get a better idea of why you may want to join the many homeowners that do.

Satisfy your sweet tooth this month with a new home in the attractive manicured master-planned community at Meridiana. Located in Iowa Colony, TX, this neighborhood delivers easy access to downtown Houston and its many amenities. Indulge in an array of dining and entertainment all under one roof at the Bayou Place Complex in the Theater District of Downtown Houston. Get to know your new city while burning a few calories on a three-hour bike ride through Downtown Houston with Bayou City Bike Tours. You can also enjoy a little shopping at First Colony Mall just a few miles away in Sugar Land. 

During the month of October, the Meridiana community is offering potential homeowners the sweet opportunity to view their new homes with its month-long model home tour cupcake extravaganza! You’ll have the opportunity to take a peek at 16 fully furnished model homes created by the minds of Houston’s top builders with must-have features such as spacious open floor plans, gourmet kitchens, and expansive master suites. Those who purchase a new home at Meridiana during the month of October will automatically be entered to win a $5,000 Williams Sonoma gift card! How great would it be to furnish your new kitchen on their dime? 

To top it all off, you can get a taste of Café Sol’s signature Confetti Cheesecake commemorating its first birthday during this month-long festivity. Café Sol is the place to be whether you’re grabbing a quick bite with friends or you plan on staying a while to enjoy their wood-fired pizza and lakeside scenery.

This new neighborhood is jam-packed full of onsite amenities for the entire family to enjoy year-round.  Learning labs throughout the community, lakes, walking and jogging trails, a fitness center, swimming pools, and even a football stadium are all available for your pleasure when you become a part of the Meridiana community. The Park at Adventure Lake just recently opened in addition to Explorer’s Park equipped with climbers, slides, swings, and other play equipment under a shady canopy as well as plenty of green space for sports and group activities.

Don’t miss out on the sweet festivities this month! If you would like to learn more about how to begin your journey to homeownership, now is the perfect time. Maps are available at the Oasis Village Welcome Center to guide you through Meridiana’s array of gorgeous model homes and move-in ready homes.

Kadence Centennial by Pardee Homes is a brand new development of master-planned homes located in lovely Menifee, CA. Enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment all a few minutes of your new home. Get some much-needed shopping done at nearby shopping centers like the Menifee Farmers Market, Menifee Town Center, and Menifee Countryside Marketplace. There you’ll find Lowe’s, Target, Home Goods and good eats like Chipolte Mexican Grill, Bushfire Kitchen, Red Robin, and In N Out Burger. 

Enjoy a few rounds of golf at the Menifee Lakes Golf Course or take a visit to the Mason Jar Brewing Company. Drop Zone Waterpark is the perfect place to be on those hot summer days with the family.  Kadence Centennial also offers easy access to neighboring cities via interstate 215 and Newport Rd. where you’ll discover even more for you and your family to appreciate.

Children who reside at Kadence Centennial receive a high level of education within the Menifee Union School District. Those who would like to continue their education have the opportunity to attend one of many surrounding colleges such as Mount San Jacinto College, the University of California, Riverside, or Azusa Pacific University. 

Take your pick of Prairie, Cottage, or Spanish architecture when you choose your desired floor plan. At Kadence Centennial, there’s something for everyone whether you have a large family or you’re just starting out. Multiple generations can live comfortably together with Pardee Homes’ GenSmart Suites® that give the feel of a home within a home. Kadence offers three-floor plans with up to 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and a 2-3 bay garage. These open floor plans span up to 2,823 square feet of living space which are perfect for entertaining guests or just spreading out in your own space. You’ll also love the extra living spaces such as lofts, patios, porches, and even extra den space.

The new neighborhood at Kadence Centennial includes top-notch features in every inch of each home. The gourmet kitchens are comprised of a General Electric® Profile Café™ appliance package, under and over cabinet LED lighting, rollout shelves, and kitchen sinks and faucets in a variety of finishes. The bathroom suites include a drop in tub/shower with tile, mirrored closet doors, a door between the owner’s bedroom and bathroom, and the customizable countertops. You’ll have the choice of either a top or front load GE® washer or dryer in a spacious laundry room with upper and lower cabinetry. Flush mounted heaters at the covered patio are a great feature to have during the cooler months when you want to sit out and enjoy the scenery. The exterior also includes rain gutters at the entry and exterior barbecue gas stub.

Pardee Homes has been in the building industry since 1921 providing great locations, quality construction, community partnerships, and industry-leading green and safe building practices. This astounding homebuilder has received several awards including the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Corporate Advocate of the Year. Pardee Homes has regional offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, the Inland Empire, and Las Vegas, NV and is committed to building great homes and even better communities for their customers. End your search for a new home in Riverside County at Kadence Centennial. You’ll be glad you did! 

The type of lighting you have in your home is essential to your day to day life. It can deeply affect your mood and productivity. Dim lighting can contribute to depression and even affect your appetite. Bright lights can heighten emotions and make you feel more energetic. Having ample natural lighting in the rooms in your home is very beneficial, but what if certain rooms don’t offer enough natural lighting in the first place? Here are 7 tips to brighten up a dark room.

Paint Your Walls 

This is probably the most common way to brighten up a room that doesn’t get much natural lighting. Get rid of any walls that may have a darker paint color to liven things up. Grab a can of white or light-colored paint and watch your room transform.

Make sure to purchase a matte paint rather than one that is glossy. Matt surfaces reflect light in every direction rather than glossy paint that actually creates a glare. The goal is to reflect natural light equally in order to illuminate the room properly.

Add More Light Fixtures

Just one lamp may not provide ample lighting in a darker room. Consider adding a few more light fixtures to enhance the lighting in your home. 

Replace Lightbulbs

If you find that a room or rooms in your home give off a somewhat yellow light, you may want to consider replacing your lightbulbs. This is a great way to upgrade your home on a budget. Switching to daylights is an easy and affordable way to brighten up a dim room. You can find them at Walmart or order a few on Amazon.

Add Lots of Mirrors

Adding multiple mirrors in a room will not only brighten it up but it will give the illusion of more space as well. You can create a gallery of mirrors on one wall, add one large mirror, or one on each wall. Have fun with the frames to give your space a little more personality. 

Hang Sheer Curtains

If you want to brighten up your space, you’ll have to get rid of those drab heavy curtains and replace them with something a little more sheer. Sheer curtains will allow for more natural light to pull through into the room whereas a thicker fabric will take the lighting away. 

Clean the Windows

This may seem extremely simple, but cleaning your windows can make a huge difference. If you can safely clean both the inside and outside of your windows, they’ll be free from any dirt, dust, and grime that can trap more natural light from coming in. 

Trim Your Trees

Trees bring lots of shade, but they also block natural light from coming into your home. If you have any trees that are directly in front of your windows, trim them a little. 

You should see a big difference in how your dark room has transformed just by using a few or all of these great tips to brighten things up. Most importantly, you'll also see a change in your productivity and the way you feel walking into your newly illuminated space.

Our October realtor of the month is Lori Webster, Real Estate Agent for HomeSmart Lifestyles and our Real Estate Market Expert for Fountain Hills, AZ.

Lorie earned her Associate Degree in Merchandising at Arizona State University and earned her Bachelors Degree in Finance at Gonzaga University in Spokane Washington. Lorie Webster has worked in the Real Estate Industry for the past 30 years. She has plenty of experience in working very closely with both homebuyers and sellers during the transaction process. 

In her free time, Lorie enjoys being a part of a Ladies Golf League. She also volunteers to cook for and feed homeless adults through a private non-profit group and also participates in several clean-up projects a year.

Lorie has a great passion for real estate and her relationships with her clients show it as they go well beyond the final sale. If you're looking to purchase a brand new home near Phoenix, be sure to contact Lorie with HomeSmart Lifestyles for all of your real estate needs.

“The more you thank life, the more life gives you to be thankful for.”

-Lorie Webster