A HOME WARRANTY SERVICE FROM FIRST AMERICAN

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News on the HouseOctober, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

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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:

Service, value, integrity, and a little peace of mind.

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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 HouseOctober, 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 first-floor 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.

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.

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.

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 HouseOctober, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

metropolitan areas it will still be cheaper in the long run to buy than continue to rent.

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.

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,

even weeks - into minutes. As part of the process, applicants also receive the credit reports from all three major credit bureaus.

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.

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.

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News on the HouseOctober, 2013 - Monthly Newsletter

First American Home Buyers Protection Corporation makes no express or implied warranty respecting the information presented and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. First American, the eagle logo, firstam.com, and First American Home Buyers Protection are registered trademarks or trademarks of First American Financial Corporation and/or its affiliates.

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No Eek, No Squeak Cookie CutiesIngredients for 36 cookies:

3 cups all-purpose flour

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 medium-high speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually, add sugar,

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, untilmixed, 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.

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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