The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing on unique ways you can get help with your down payment for your home:

One of the biggest misconceptions about homebuying is the need for a 20% down payment. Here are some unique ways you can get help with your down payment –

• Crowdsource: Some people use crowdsourcing websites, like Kickstarter, to fund short films and concert tours, so who says you can’t crowdsource your first home?
• Your Employer: Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) programs help connect low-to moderate-income workers with down payment assistance through their employer. Ask the HR or benefits personnel at your employer if the company is party of an EAH program.
• Lender Programs: Many lenders offer programs to help people buy a home with a small down payment. FHA mortgages, for example, can require as little as 3.5% down.
• Government Options: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a number of homeownership programs including ones based on profession such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers and EMT’s.

The California Association of Realtors also offers a Down Payment Resource Directory that will help you find out if you are eligible for any of the 400 plus down payment assistance programs available in California.

Check out the latest One Cool Thing about some great high-tech features you might want to include in your new kitchen!

• Cut The Cords! There are many appliances now that are wireless and compatible with smart countertops. Plus a wireless kitchen reduces the number of cords, which is extremely important near kitchen sinks.
• Find A Digital Hub To Manage Your Kitchen – Download apps that can help you take greater control over your kitchen by using voice commands or allowing you to directly turn on your oven remotely or access videos with step-by-step directions.
• Make Sure Your New Appliances Are WiFi Enabled – Appliances that can connect to the internet are the future., and some companies believe other appliances will eventually be outdated. Connectivity, for example, allows ovens to control the baking for you!
• Consider A Wireless Charging Countertop – Yes you heard us!! Wireless charging countertops may become the “new quartz”. When choosing a countertop, it may be a smart idea to skip the stone and opt for smart countertops that charge your devices.

Do you have any ideas for updating your kitchen to be more tech-savvy? Please comment to let us know!

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest “One Cool Thing” from the California Association of Realtors about tackling your next home remodel:

The reason homeowners undergo a home remodel is because they desire better and newer amenities or they feel compelled to repair or replace old components in their homes. The following are some reasons homeowners take on a remodel:

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = Never/Almost Never, 5 = Very Often):

• Desire for better/newer amenities: 4.3
• Need to repair and or replace old components: 4.1
• Desire/need for more space: 3.8
• Want to avoid moving or having to buy another home: 3.5
• Desire to be able to age in place: 3.4
• Repairing a damaged property: 2.8
• Desire to be energy efficient and concerned for the environment: 2.4
• Family growing in home: 2.3
• Want to accommodate multi-generational living: 2.2
• Want to resell an ordinary non-distressed property: 1.8
• Need to get a property ready for REO/short/other distressed sale: 1.4

Source: National Association of Home Builders

Looking to buy or sell instead of remodel? Give The Lawhead Team a call!

The Lawhead Team would like to share the latest One Cool Thing about the most popular home renovation projects that are happening this year. Check it out:

Did you know that 58% of homewoners are planning to spend money on home improvement projects this year?

According to the latest One Cool Thing, here is what projects they have planned:

• 43% want to remodel their outdoor space
• 31% are going to take on a bathroom remodel this year
• 28% will be doing home repair (Isn’t it fun being a homeowner?)
• 26% are tackling a kitchen remodel
• 16% want to remodel their garage
• 5% will be adding a pool to their backyard

How are homeowners planning to pay for their home improvement projects?

• 62% will tap into their savings
• 30% will put the home projects on a credit card
• 13% are going to use a home equity line of credit
• 8% plan to liquidate or tap into investments
• 5% will get a home improvement loan

Source: Lightstream Home Improvement

Are you looking to upgrade instead of remodel? Contact The Lawhead Team!

Coldwell Banker’s latest One Cool Thing tells what typical buyers during this time of year are looking for:

The typical spring buyers are on the hunt for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a garage and up to date kitchen. However, these needs vary by generation:

Buyers of all ages:

• 44% want a 3 bedroom home
• 93% want at lease 2 bathrooms

Buyers 55 and older:

• 28% want a ranch-style home
• 12% want a contemporary-style home
• 20% want privacy in a home
• 18% want physical comforts in a home
• 15% want stability in a home

Millennial buyers:

• 17% want a home that fulfills family needs
• 14% want stability in a home
• 10% want a contemporary-style home
• 10% want a colonial-style home
• 6% want a ranch-style home

Source: realtor.com

Are you looking to buy or sell? Contact The Lawhead Team for expert information!

The Lawhead Team would like to share the C.A.R.’s latest One Cool Thing about what can affect your home value.

It’s common knowledge that location, crime, and neighborhood comps can affect home value. But what are some of the more invisible factors that influence sales prices?

The view angle from the backyard

The maximum angle that opens up to scenery or nature from your backyard. This is measured from no scenic view at all from your backyard to 180 degrees, indicating that the view is scenic from every angle.

Footage length

The length in feet of the street-facing side of the home’s lot can affect home value.

Backyard exposure to neighbors

The measurement of how easily neighbors can see into a home and backyard.

Privacy

Researchers factored in backyard slope, distance to neighbors, home density, and other metrics to determine a privacy score. The more private, the more desirable.

Backyard slope

Homes with downhill-sloping backyards tend to be more desirable than homes with backyards than slope uphill.

Source: HouseCanary

Contact The Lawhead Team today to find out what your home value is!

The Lawhead Team would like to share the following milestones from the latest “One Cool Thing”: Financial Milestone Markers.

The average consumer’s life is filled with financial milestones. Take a look at this typical financial time and see how you stack up.

Average Age – Financial Achievement

• 26.2 – Stated saving for retirement
• 26.9 – Attained a credit score over 700
• 27.6 – Reached a $10k in savings
• 28.3 – Paid off students loans
• 29.1 – Purchased first home

Source: Comet Financial Intelligence

Contact The Lawhead Team to find out how you can start saving for your home and reach the next milestone!

The Lawhead Team would like to share a few stylish ways you can add bamboo to your home decor from the latest One Cool Thing. 

Bamboo is making its way into more home interiors. From flooring, window treatments and wall accents to furnishings and more, this sustainable material is popping up everywhere.

• Gold bamboo is particularly hot for home accents, such as coffee tables.
• Bamboo is popular in landscapes and for adding privacy.
• Bamboo-textured walls can add a focal point to a space.
• Bamboo flooring is an alternative to wood flooring and comes in many different color variations.

Source: REALTOR Magazine

The Lawhead Team would like to share these tips on how you can help to prevent wildfires from the California Association of Realtors.

Mother Nature was not kind to California in 2017, with wildfires breaking out in all parts of the state, even during the non-tradional wildfire season. Fire officials say that most homes that burn during a wildfire aren’t ignited by dry brush, but instead by embers landing on the roof, through vents, or on decks and porches.

1. Secure Your Roof

The roof can be the most vulnerable because of the large surface area. Roofs made of metal or asphalt are generally safe, as the most dangerous roof type is one made of wood shingles. Check with a local building inspector to see if yours is up to date.

2. Add Metal Mesh To Vents

Homes sold have 1/8th inch of metal screening over vents to prevent embers that might enter the building.

3. Use Tempered Glass For Windows

Windows fail because of the amount of heat on the full pane of the glass. The glass might shatter resulting in heat directly entering the house. Double-pane glass protects the inner one to some degree, but tempered glass material prevents glass from fully breaking.

4. Clear Vegetation

Combustible materials should be kept at least 5 feet away from walls, paying special attention to much which can catch fire and grow.

5. Avoid Flammable Patio Furniture

Wooden decks and furniture are especially vulnerable. Build a deck with ignition resistant materials. They last longer and take less maintenance than wooden ones.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

The Lawhead Team would like to share the C.A.R.’s latest One Cool Thing about delayed settlements on home sales.

While the majority of home sales close on time, there are some that are delayed or cancelled altogheter. Here are the 5 most-common reasons for a delayed settlement.

• 32% – Issues related to obtaining financing
• 20% – Appraisal issues
• 16% – Home inspection/environmental issues
• 11% – Titling/deed issues
• 6%  – Contingencies stated in the contract

Source: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS REALTORS Confidence Index