Signs That You’re Ready to Buy

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Six tips that tell you it’s time

By Michele Dawson

Figuring out whether you’re ready to buy a house — whether you’re a renter or are aiming to move up or size down — can be a daunting task. But there are signs that will indicate whether you’re ready to take the buying plunge.

If you are thinking about buying, you’re not alone. So are you ready to make the move? You might be if you:
1. Are familiar with the market. If you’ve been paying attention to how much houses are listed for in the neighborhoods you’re eyeing and have a realistic view of how much a house will cost you, you’re in good shape. But if you’re dreaming about that big corner house with no clue about it’s asking price, you may want to spend some more time becoming familiar with the market and how much houses are going for.
2. Have the money for a down payment and closing costs. The down payment is a percentage of the value of the property. Freddie Mac says the percentage will be determined by the type of mortgage you select. Down payments usually range from 3 to 20 percent of the property value. Also, you may be required to have Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI or MI) if your down payment is less than 20 percent. Closing costs include points, taxes, title insurance, financing costs and items that must be prepaid or escrowed and other settlement costs. You can expect to pay between from 2 to 7 percent of the property value. Generally, buyers will receive an estimate of these costs from your lender after you apply for a mortgage.
3. Know how much you can afford. Freddie Mac says that as a general guide, your monthly mortgage payment should be less than or equal to a percentage of your income, usually about a quarter of your gross monthly income. Also, your income, debt and credit history go into determining how much you can borrow. As a general rule, your debt -credit card bills, car loans, housing expenses, alimony and child support — should not be more than about 30 to 40 percent of your gross income.
4. Know what additional expenses will come with owning a home. This includes homeowners insurance, utility bills, maintenance costs — roofing, plumbing, heating and cooling.
5. Have your credit in good shape and make sure your credit report is accurate. Potential lenders will view your credit history — how much debt you’ve accrued, how many accounts you have open, whether your payments are made on time, etc. — to determine whether they’ll give you a loan. You should get a report from each of the three credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union.
6. You haven’t made any recent major purchases, particularly a vehicle. If you do, you may have a harder time getting a loan — or it could potentially lower the amount you’ll be approved for.

10 Summer Moving Tips

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If you’re moving this summer, the busiest season for moving, you know how daunting it can be. But if you create a blueprint for your move, the transition from house to house will go more smoothly.

Here are 10 things you can do to prepare for a seamless transition.
1. Full serve, partial serve or a do-it-yourself move.  Can you do it alone or should you hire a licensed moving company for a full-service or partial-service move?  This is one of the first and often most difficult questions soon-to-be moving households face. The answer depends on your lifestyle, household size, budget and amount of time you have to get everything accomplished. Get written quotes from at least three licensed moving companies so you know you’re getting the best deal based on your specific moving needs.  Moving yourself or doing a partial-service move?  Packing calculators can make it easier to estimate the amount of boxes and packing materials needed.
2. Plan to unpack BEFORE you pack. Take photos of each room in the new home before you arrive with furniture, plants, appliances and family in tow. Write down on a clip board where each item should go in your next home before packing, and carry it with you on moving day. List out the major items that need to be assembled first. As you place each item in its new room, cross it off the list and you will be one step closer to enjoying your new home.
3. Be strategic about packing.  If you have more than a month to ‘pick up and move’, start early.  Complete a free change of address and schedule utilities ahead of time at Moving.com.  Start packing early.  Whether it’s one room, one cabinet or a drawer at a time, weed through what may be years of accumulation.  As you’re going through your belongings, divide everything into these helpful categories:  donate to charity, give to a friend, recycle, trash, pack now, or keep handy until moving day.  You’ll be surprised at how much you can donate, recycle or give to friends.  And, you’ll not be overwhelmed with the task at hand three days before you move.
4. Moving is NOT child’s play. Plan ahead. Consider daycare on moving day, or get help from a friend or family member.  Provide lunch or some other appropriate thank you gesture if you do call in a favor. If that’s not an option, prioritize setting up safe places for your children to play in the new home on moving day so they’re not underfoot.  This will help everyone remain happy and calm on moving day.
5. Don’t fight with Fido. Sometimes we forget that all the packing and constant in-and-out of visitors is stressful for animals. Consider checking your pet into a daycare facility, or setting up a time for a friend to take them or check them into petday care. Don’t let your four-legged best friends get lost in the shuffle and remember to make day-of moving arrangements.
6. Keep track of small parts. Some items need to be broken down into pieces when moving, but do you know what to do with the small screws and washers that you end up with? Rather than tape them to the furniture, which can result in losing them, put everything in a baggie that is clearly marked and sealed. Keep all of the separate baggies together in one box on moving day and personally take it with you to your new home.
7. Take pictures of electronic hook-ups. Hooking up TVs, DVRs, home theater systems and computers can be challenging. Before unplugging any wires for the move, take a photo of the connections, print them out and label them in detail. This will create fewer headaches when setting up technology in the new home. Keep track of all loose wires using baggies or boxes that are clearly labeled, and personally carry these easy-to-lose items on moving day.
8. Packing cleaning products and toxins. Products such as detergents, pesticides and paint are heavy and unwieldy to pack. Dispose of as many as possible before the move in an eco-friendly way.  Call your city’s waste disposal department for guidance on proper disposal. For items that must be transported, pack them in a small box within a larger box for protection against leaks. Don’t overstuff boxes with these items! Consider marking these boxes in a different color, and seal them extra tight. Keep them separate from the rest of the boxes, particularly if you have kids and pets.
9. Consider getting full value insurance protection. If using a professional mover, it may cost a few dollars extra, but it provides peace of mind and eliminates later annoyances. Investing in full value protection means any lost or damaged articles will be repaired or replaced, or a cash settlement will be made at current market value, regardless of age. It’s important to note that the required minimum coverage of 60 cents per pound would not cover the replacement cost of more expensive items such as a flat screen TV if damaged in transit.
10. Know your rights. If using a professional mover, research your rights as a consumer with either the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for interstate moves or contact the state agency within the state in which you reside for moves within state. Also, enlist the help of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or local law enforcement if the moving company fails to live up to its promises or threatens to hold your belongings hostage. FMCSA requires interstate movers to offer arbitration to help settle disputed claims.

Featured Home of the Week: Sun Crest West 1210

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A large covered porch invites you into this well appointed comfortable home. The joined great room and dining room make for perfect family time or entertaining. The workable kitchen features an island and corner pantry. Separated from the other two bedrooms, the master suite is complete with vaulted ceilings and walk in closet.

https://www.encehomes.com/communities/sun-crest/floorplans/1210.php

The Hidden Costs of Homeownership

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You’ve traded in renting for owning. So now what?

You may be surprised to find out that there is more money involved in owning a house than just taking out a home loan and making your monthly payments.
What you weren’t responsible for as a renter becomes all yours as a homeowner. Property taxes, utilities, home maintenance and repairs, insurance and even decorating in any way you choose are all on you now, for better or worse. And if you live in an association or in other types of communities where special property taxes are assessed, you’ll have to contend with that, too.
Let’s break it down.
Closing Costs
Closing costs can add on thousands of dollars when your loan is settled. Those fees are often negotiated and vary state-by-state. As a buyer you may be responsible for a portion of them or the seller may assume all of them. The expense may be written into the offer so that the buyer doesn’t have to come up with the cash.
Property Taxes
Your property taxes are the principal source of revenue for municipalities, counties and school districts. The United States average for property taxes is 1.38 percent of the home’s value with the highest rates in New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island and the lowest in Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas. Additionally, there are variances within counties, parishes, boroughs and the like.
If you live in a condo or a community that assesses its residents a special tax, such as a Mello-Roos District in California, you will have fees on top of your property taxes.
Find out what your annual obligations are and budget accordingly. Otherwise, you’ll have a shock when those taxes and fees become due.
Private Mortgage Insurance
If your down payment was less than 20 percent of the purchase price, you will be required to buy Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI enables you to buy a house with a smaller down payment. The insurance protects the lender against you defaulting on the loan. Once you have sufficient equity in the house, the PMI coverage can be canceled.
Homeowners Insurance
You can’t get a loan without taking out homeowner’s insurance but that doesn’t cover everything, especially if you live in an area where natural disasters occur. You should consider  supplemental policies for floods, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes. And if you have a lot of valuable items, such as jewelry, antiques, art or a lot of expensive equipment like computers or cameras, you’ll need to buy a rider if you want them covered.
Decorating
One of the most satisfying things about home ownership is the ability to make your house look just about any way you want it. Want a moat and drawbridge? Put them in. Want a tropical island theme? Do it. You can change the appearance of a house with something as simple as paint or as elaborate as a remodel. And a house new to you generally needs furniture and other items like window treatments, carpeting and light fixtures.
Home Maintenance and Repairs
If you bought a fixer-upper, you pretty much know what’s ahead of you. Time, sweat and money… then add another 20 percent or more to the costs. But even a house in pristine move-in condition is going to need maintenance and it’s better sooner rather than later.
There will come the day – maybe not now, but inevitably – that the roof will need to be replaced or the furnace breaks down or something goes terribly wrong with the plumbing. Your choice is to repair or replace. If you’re handy at DIY, you have an advantage, but you’ll still need to spend some money.
Don’t be too startled if every year you have some sort of major expense, sometimes costing thousands of dollars. To smooth the edges off of those unexpected expenditures, start a savings account for your house.
And it’s important to maintain your house. Down the line, you may want to move up. To sell your house for the best price, you want to show a well-maintained home, not a neglected house.
By Diana Lundin

Find the Perfect Neighborhood

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 Once you’ve become pre-qualified for a loan, you should be ready to put your house-hunting efforts into full gear. But don’t skip the important step of scouting out neighborhoods before you start your search for the perfect house.
The neighborhood in which you live will heavily dictate your whole way of life—things like walking to a nearby park with your kids, knowing your kids are attending good schools, feeling safe when your children play outdoors, being close to restaurants and shopping, enjoying a short commute, and knowing your home will appreciate at a healthy rate.
Of course one way to get started in your neighborhood search is to get in your car and explore, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Get an idea about the neighborhoods by driving around and seeing which areas appeal to you. Walk around, explore, and talk to some of the residents.
Take note of the general appearance of the homes. Are they well maintained? Are they nicely landscaped?
If you have children, you might be looking for a neighborhood with plenty of children around, as opposed to neighborhoods that attract more seniors or young singles.
Other factors you’ll want to consider are the schools, crime, your family’s specific needs, and appreciation – as in how much the value of the home is likely to increase.
A good Realtor will be very familiar with all the neighborhoods in the area and should be able to tell you about the strengths and weaknesses of the specific neighborhoods you’re eyeing.
The school district
Even if you don’t have school-aged children, buying a home in a district with good schools will be in your best interest. When and if you sell the home at some point in the future, future buyers with children will likely consider good schools their top priority. And neighborhoods with good schools typically attract more buyers.
There are several sites on the Web in which school reports are just a few mouse clicks away. Basically all you do is enter a geographical area or zip code and it will display ratings for the school system. Also:
  • Ask your Realtor about information on schools in the area.
  • Talk to people in the neighborhood, especially people with children.
  • Standardized test scores are also available on the Internet.
  • Visit the schools and take a tour if you have children. It’s important that your decision isn’t based purely through facts gathered online. Get a true feeling for what the school is like.
Crime statistics
No one wants to live in a neighborhood where break-ins and burglary are the norm. There are web sites that can provide you with statistics on crime and other information pertinent to your search.
In addition to school information, Homestore lets you enter a city or zip code and provides you with crime data for the area you choose. It also compares crime statistics with other cities (such as the city from which you are moving).
In researching a neighborhood, you must first determine your area. The suburbs may have lower crime statistics, but may be farther from your work. Cities may have more crime, but may have other qualities that you consider more attractive, such as convenience and cultural activities.
Use the following tips to help you learn about crime statistics in a neighborhood:
  • Talk to neighbors.
  • Take note if there are bars on the windows and doors of homes.
  • Talk to the police or sheriff’s department.
  • Check for gang graffiti on walls and walkways.
  • Keep in mind that if you’re looking in-town, you may not be able to get away from everything you consider unappealing (such as noise and traffic).
Keep your family in mind
A home isn’t just an investment when you have a family to think of. You’ll need to consider more than just the number of bedrooms or whether it has an attached garage. You’ll need to consider the community first and foremost. Do you want schools that are in walking distance? Do you want to be close to your place of employment? Do you want to be close to shopping, restaurants, and other services?
You’ll also want to research property values before you find a home in the neighborhood that you like; property values reflect a community’s overall health.
And when you do your research, find out what houses sell for now versus a decade ago, five years ago, and three years ago. Also, find out how much property taxes have gone up.

Home of the Week: Village on the Heights 1528

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Featuring a 14.5′ X 18.5′ great room this home provides lots of room for everyday living. The vaulted ceilings in the entire living area as well as in the master suite add to the airy feeling. The master bedroom and bath combination offers double sinks, shower and corner bath. Notice the convenient pantry and closet on the way to the two front bedrooms and second bath. This open design makes a great space for family gatherings and entertaining.

Foyer design and decorating trends for new homes

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Your foyer is the gateway to your home. It’s the first thing guests’ notice when they walk through your front doors and the last impression they have of you when they leave. Foyers should be inviting, reflect your personality and set the tone for the rest of your home. Get inspired to create a wonderful space by these foyer design and decorating trends for your new home in St. George, UT.

Transform your foyer into a welcoming place. Paint your foyer a warm color but select a different color from the surrounding rooms for contrast.

Lighting is essential for any foyer but you don’t want to overdue it by making it too bright. You can add flair to your foyer by putting in a chandelier. Just make sure you leave enough headroom for those tall family members and guests.

A classic foyer design has always been hanging a wall mirror above a table. A current trend is leaning a long mirror against the wall. A mirror comes in handy for checking out your appearances before you step outside, reflects the surrounding features and adds to the décor of your foyer.

Next, add seating. Make sure it’s conducive to the space in your new home in St. George, UT by size and proportion. Seating is multifunctional and can be used as a place guest’s wait, as a seat to remove footwear and outerwear or event o place the mail, magazines or newspapers. Good seating options include an ottoman, bench or accent chairs.

After you’ve selected your seating, designate a place for footwear. Even if you don’t require shoes to be removed before entering the rest of the house, some guests may prefer doing so. A shoe rack or rug may be a great place to put the shoes and comes in handy during inclement weather.

Don’t forget to add a personal statement to your new home in St. George, UT foyer. This can be anything from seasonal flowers in a vase, to family portraits, a collection, artwork or sculpture. It’s a great way to tell your guests a little bit about you and is a great conversation starter.

Easter Egg Hunt at Treasure Valley

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Ence Homes’ Easter Event at Treasure Valley Community

You,your family, and friends are invited to Ence Homes’ Easter Activity on Friday April 6th from 5-7PM. The Event will be held at the Treasure Valley park (3945 S. 20 E. Washington, UT). To secure your kids a spot in the Easter Egg Hunt, just register online by clicking the image above, or the easter banner on our website, and fill out the short form we’ve provided. Registering will also ensure that you don’t have to wait in line.

Easter Egg Hunt (Starts at 6:00PM). It will be split into two groups. Group 1 is for children 1 younger, and group 2 is for children 5 – 10.

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Free Barbecue from DUBS served from 5 – 7PM

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The Dove Center will be selling and accepting donations for their “Reclaim the Beauty Campaign”.

There will also be face painting, free balloons and stickers, and drawings for prizes. You won’t want to miss it.

Northbridge Grand Opening

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Ence Homes will be hosting the grand opening for Northbridge: A new neighborhood in a prestigious area, with the most beautiful views in town.Ence Homes will introduce their newest community to Washington on Saturday, March 10th, with a grand opening event at Northbridge, located on 1566 W N. Great Falls Dr. right off Green Springs Dr. Shoppers are invited to Northbridge to tour the professionally designed model home and take advantage of the special prices. “We believe with 7 new home plans ranging from 2,006 to 2,624 square feet, combined with the unrivaled location of Northbridge, that we have something attractive for those looking for a prestigious area with striking views of the Red Cliffs Reserve and Pine Valley Mountain..” said Kade Ence, sales manager for Ence Homes. “In most cases, clients interested in a new home, must choose a location that is outside of the main city and a distance from downtown and shopping”. The homes at Northbridge feature a new Tuscan and Southwest-European architecture and are designed with modern and energy-efficient features. They include single-story homes, with as many as four bedrooms. The grand opening event is set for Saturday, March 10th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Guests can stroll through the fully furnished model home and learn how Ence homes’ saves an average of 30% on heating and cooling, and encounter all the top quality features that Ence provides on every home. Tracy and Troy Ence with the community specialists will be on hand to provide buyers information on products and services and answer questions about the building process. The event will feature free cupcakes from 25 Main, served from 11am to 2pm, a Dove Center booth accepting donations, free pre-qualifications from PrimeLending, Ence Homes preferred lender, and drawings for prizes. To visit Northbridge, take I-15 exit #10 towards Green Springs, and follow Green Springs dr. for 1.7 miles, turn left on N. Great Falls Dr, and the model home will be on your right. Preview floor plans today at encehomes.com or call Ence Homes’ new home specialist at 435-628-0936.Dove Center Donations: Our campaign goal is to help fund victim’s services by collecting and selling used jewelry. Just like our hope to polish and renew the jewelry, we can help victims reclaim their beauty and feel empowered and shine once again. The DOVE Center sells the jewelry at a variety of community events. This provides the DOVE Center with additional opportunities to share information with the community concerning our services, outreach and mission.

25 Main Cupcakes

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We will be giving away free 25 Main cupcakes at the Northbridge Grand Opening.If you’ve never had one of 25 Main’s cupcakes, you’re missing out, and ought to come grab one before they’re gone. They will be served from 11:00AM to 2:00PM, or until they run out. 25 Main is famous for their incredible cupcakes. Come get one at the Grand Opening of Northbridge. Saturday, March 10th. It is located in Near Green Springs at 1566 N. Great Falls Dr. Washington, UT. Hope to see you there!