With rental homes scarce and rent prices on the rise buying a home beats renting.

There are two main factors at play that make buying versus renting a better choice.

  1. According to Rent.com, over the next two years rents could rise 7%.
  2. Nationally, home prices have finally dropped enough to create a buying opportunity. Since the price peak in 2006, home prices are down 32%.

What does this mean for your pocketbook? Home ownership is a forced savings plan. The mortgage bill comes in every month, the homeowner pays it and the mortgage balance goes down. Experts agree most homeowners will break even after just eight years in their home.

Renters, meanwhile, are just as likely to spend their savings as homeowners. They’ll wind up with less money over the long haul because they have no forced savings.  To see the real savings in dollars and cents, use a Rent vs. Buy Calculator.

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WELCOME to COLBY VILLAGE.12 FREE STANDING HOMES w/ a Nantucket Flair, Nestled on a Peaceful Cul De Sac,. Enjoy this SINGLE FAMILY ALTERNATIVE with the ease of CONDO LIVING. . First Floor offers Master Suite, Open Concept Kitchen w/ Custom Cabinetry, Dining Room, & Living Room w/Cozy Fireplace.Second Level adds 2 Spacious Bedrooms, Full Bath, & Great Room Accommodating the Largest of Flat Screens..Lovely screened Porch and Deck. Unique & Fabulous!! If you’re 55+ You DESERVE TO LIVE HERE

This is a Colonial/Contemporary/Farmhouse style home and features 7 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, and is currently available for $569,700.

For complete details click here.

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Buying a house can be one of the most exciting moments of anyone’s life. You have just moved in and now you have a whole new set of tasks. Making your house a home can be a huge job. Here are some tips on how to get your house feeling like a home in no time without breaking the bank.

 

Space out your purchases

Many first-time home buyers are coming into home-ownership without all the things they need to fill their new home. Many new homeowners feel the pressure to buy everything at once. It is important to focus on the most necessary items first.

According to a study from the National Association of Home Builders, furnishings represent a substantial investment, with home buyers spending about $5,300 on furnishings during the first year after buying a home. Space out your home furnishing purchases and focus on the most necessary pieces first, such as a bed, living room sofa and dining room table.

Windows can also present a problem for new homeowners. Don’t feel pressured to choose window treatments for every window all at once. Make a priority list starting with the areas where privacy is a must and go from there.

You will also need to prioritize appliances. You may want to rush out and buy that huge flat screen TV but consider what other appliances need to take priority, such as a refrigerator, stove, or washer/dryer.

New Responsibilities

A new home comes with new responsibilities. This may be the first time you have to take care of a yard. Don’t go crazy, invest in a few key garden tools, such as hedge trimmers, a sprinkler, and a lawn mower. No need to invest big money in expensive landscaping services at first. Just focus on keeping your yard uncluttered and neat.

Another new responsibility is home maintenance. There is no landlord to call when an issue arises. You will want to make sure you are equipped to handle minor issues on your own. Many home improvement stores have tool sets you can purchase, but make sure it includes a hammer, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, a tape measure and a staple gun.

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It is great to have a room renovation every once in a while but painting and changing the look of a room can be costly and time consuming. Here are three quick and simple ways to change the look of your room without busting the budget.

  1. Window Treatments are one of the quickest, simplest and most affordable ways to change the whole look and feel of a room. If you prefer to take the focus away from the windows, choose neutral colors, and a simple style. If you would like to create a dramatic look and emphasize the view, choose more color or a bolder style in the window treatments. A layered look with sheers or a top treatment will also do the trick.
  2. Lighting can definitely add color. A simple solution would be to add colored bulbs to some of your light fixtures. Incandescent lighting can also add more warmth, and accent lighting can highlight an area of the room. Transform a room’s mood with dimmers, uplights, and sheer textile lampshades. Wall sconces, floor lamps and even candles can also change the look of a room.
  3. Artwork can change the look without busting the budget. Artwork can be from a local gallery, children’s drawings or just what you already have hanging around the house. Choose pieces that showcase intense colors but also work well with the existing pieces in your room. Try moving your current artwork around. Photos, vases, and other collectibles can give new life to a room. Group them in sets of three or five for an instant eye-catching display.

The possibilities are endless. You can infuse a lot of color into any room without once having to pry open a paint can or spend a fortune. Have fun!

 

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