Five Things That Make Us Happy With Our Homes

According to a survey conducted by houzz.com, here are five things that consistently make people happy with their homes.

1. Big windows and comfortable furniture: Nearly 75 percent of respondents listed these two items as major difference-makers. It’s a no-brainer—people like lots of light and a good place to relax.

2. A big-screen TV: This is more likely to be a key feature for men than women. 40 percent of men said having a big-screen TV makes them happy with their homes, compared to just 17 percent of women.

3. Overall design and layout: 87 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed said the design of the home is a major contributor to overall happiness. If you’re unhappy with your home and there’s a project you’ve been wanting to tackle, get to it!

4. Home cookin’: 39 percent of respondents said the scent of good cooking or baking made them happiest. Clearly, it helps to have a capable chef around the house!

5. Keep it tidy: 72 percent of homeowners said they’re happiest when their houses are clean and well-organized. If you want to be happier with your home, try having a place for everything, and put everything in its place.

 

Once a Bookworm, Always a Bookworm

Reading has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Since childhood, I have been in love with books. I was that kid who would stay up late in bed with a flashlight reading. When I was home sick from school, I didn't want a stack of my favorite movies to watch. I wanted a stack of books from the library to lay in bed and read. 

As the years passed, my love of books never changed. To this day, if you leave me in a bookstore unsupervised, I could get lost in there for hours. The only thing that has changed is time. Often demanding school schedules and work schedules would make it difficult to find time to read, and even those nights spent reading before bed were short lived as I would soon crash from a long day. 

Although many of us, myself included, have had a lot to complain about this year, there are still so many things for which I am grateful. One of those things is having an abundance of time to read and read and read some more. Since mid-March, I have been able to read 30 books. Some were new, some had been on my to-read list for years, and some were old favorites when I was needing an escape back to a world I already knew and loved. 

Most recently, I finished reading The Guest List by Lucy Foley. It's a book that hit my radar after seeing it mentioned on Reese's Book Club's Instagram. I'll admit that, for me, it started out slow and took a while to get into it. I think this was mostly due to it being a book with multiple POVs making it difficult to follow exactly who is who and keep track of the progressing storyline. However, as I started to get a handle on each character, the pace picked up along with the intensity. Although I found some elements of the book predictable, it still hit me with some unexpected twists and turns. Overall, The Guest List is a fun, quick read that is perfect for a relaxing weekend at the beach.

As for the rest of the books I have read over the last few months, I actually keep track of everything I read on Goodreads because I am that nerdy, and I also think it's a wonderful place to keep track of books I want to read and what my friends are reading. Everything I have read since mid-March:

Failure is Not an Option by Gene Kranz

The Justice Game by Randy Singer

The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

Year Zero by Rob Reid

Seriously...I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino

Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Lethal White by Robert Galbraith

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford by Clint Hill

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

Lifeguard by James Patterson

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Yes, the last few months have been rough and stressful, but I am grateful for the silver linings during this time such as reenergizing my reading time to full power. I have finally started to make a dent in my To Read List (although it has grown too) and for that I am thankful. When things start to return more to normal, whenever that may be, it is my goal to stay on top of reading and not letting it fall to the wayside like it has in the past.

What about you? Do you enjoy reading as much as I do? What's your favorite book you've read so far this year? If not, what is your silver lining during this global pandemic? Comment below, and as always, thanks for reading!

Which Features are Young Buyers Looking for in a Home?

With historically low interest rates, the market is hot this summer, and it's a great time to sell because inventory is low and there is an abundance of home buyers home shopping right now. Millennials are the second-largest segment of home buyers, ranking behind only baby boomers, according to the National Association of Realtors. Here are five features that tend to entice millennials who are looking to buy.

An up-to-date kitchen and bath

Younger buyers often have limited funds for renovations, so it’s important that they have functional and inviting bathroom and kitchen spaces from the very start.

An open floor plan

Having a formal dining room isn’t of particular importance to millennials, in fact, many prefer open spaces with no separation between kitchen, living room, and dining room. An open concept makes it easier to entertain everyone at once.

An office

More and more jobs are offering work-from-home options, and there are also plenty of freelancers and telecommuters among millennials. A dedicated space for getting some work done can be a key attraction.

Friendly location

With gas prices rising, many millennials prefer walking, biking, or public transit for their commutes. A great location is key.

Energy savings

Millennials are often more conscious of energy conservation and efficiency. Energy-efficient appliances, energy-efficient windows, and quality insulation can make a huge difference.

Phrases to Avoid When You're Buying a Home

Sometimes you need to keep a poker face when you’re buying a home. It’s not in your best interest to be totally candid with the seller and listing agent when you’re considering a home. Here  are a few things that are better left unsaid:

“This is at the top end of our budget”: Don’t let the listing agent know that a home is at the top of your budget. You want to keep all the bargaining chips you can, and letting the seller know your budget can hurt you when it comes time to negotiate.

“I hate the paint”: Or furniture. Or cabinets. Or any of the decor. No matter how hideous the wallpaper in the kitchen is, take care not to insult the seller’s taste. If they’re considering multiple offers, you don’t want to be the buyer that offended the seller!

“We can’t wait to renovate”: Customization is one of the big perks of homeownership, but it’s best to keep your renovation plans quiet for the moment. The seller may have a lot of memories in the home, and may not appreciate your plans to immediately tear down some walls.

History of Honeymoon Island

One of the top attractions in Dunedin, Florida is Honeymoon Island State Park. Located only a short drive from the city life of Tampa, it's a popular spot for locals and tourists. The over four miles of beach and a three-mile nature trail offer a multitude of activities for a day spent on the island. 

Like so many things in Dunedin, Honeymoon Island has a long and fascinating history. Originally known as Hog Island, its first known settler is Henry Scharrer who made the island his homestead in the late 1800s. Henry lived on Hog Island with his wife, Catherine, who died in April 1902, and his daughter, Myrtle, who traveled by rowboat to and from Dunedin each day in order to attend school. 

In 1921, a hurricane split Hog Island into two and created what is known today as Hurricane Pass. The land owned by Henry was on the land which would later be known as Caladesi Island. The other half was, at the time, being used as a hog farm. Eventually, the land was purchased by Clinton M. Washburn in 1938, who tried to sell the land a year later but couldn't. After joking that the island would be the perfect location for a honeymoon to a Life magazine editor, the story hit the newswire and soon people were requesting to do just that, eventually leading to its current name, Honeymoon Island.

By the end of 1940, fifty huts were built on Honeymoon Island along with a recreation hall, bathhouse, water tower, landing pier, sewer system, and a chapel. The island had an airstrip for couples to arrive by plane; however, most visitors were brought to the island by a cabin cruiser named Seabiscuit. 

After the end of World War II, storms destroyed the huts on the island, and in 1956, Washburn sold Honeymoon Island to Arthur Vining Davis. Then in 1974, the State of Florida purchased 113 acres, took six more years to purchase the remaining parcels of land, and on December 7, 1981, the area was named Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area. In October 1982, Honeymoon Island State Park opened.

Thanks to the Dunedin Causeway which celebrated its grand opening on December 13, 1964, visitors to Honeymoon Island were no longer limited to only arriving by boat. Over the years, the Dunedin Causeway have seen changes with the addition of landscaping which provides a scenic drive to the island for a day at the beach.

Each day Honeymoon Island provides waves, sand, sunshine, nature, and breathtaking sunsets to its visitors. It is no wonder that it is loved by Dunedin residents and attracts visitors from around the world. 

It's Great Time to Buy, so You May Be Wondering Which Down Payment Strategy is Right for You?

If you have been following the real estate market, you have probably heard that interest rates are low making now a great time to buy. You may be seriously considering starting a home search and take advantage of the low rates. However, it's possible you are concerned about having enough of a down payment.

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders.

But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a small down payment—as low as three percent—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available.

THE DOWNSIDE

The downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance for years, and the lower your down payment, the more you’ll pay. You’ll also be offered a lesser loan amount than borrowers who have a 20-percent down payment, which will eliminate some homes from your search.

THE UPSIDE

The national average for home appreciation is about five percent. The appreciation is independent from your home payment, so whether you put down 20 percent or three percent, the increase in equity is the same. If you’re looking at your home as an investment, putting down a smaller amount can lead to a higher return on investment, while also leaving more of your savings free for home repairs, upgrades, or other investment opportunities.

THE HAPPY MEDIUM

Of course, your home payment options aren’t binary. Most borrowers can find some common ground between the security of a traditional 20 percent and an investment-focused, small down payment. Your trusted real estate professional can provide some answers as you explore your financing options.

Fun Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home

This year has presented a lot of unique challenges, and all of us have needed to adapt to a new normal. With social distancing, mandatory masks, and many typical events cancelled this year, our 4th of July festivities are bound to be a lot different this year. Despite the changes, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate this weekend and stay safe.

1. Stream a Virtual Fireworks Show - Check out websites like YouTube for fireworks shows of the past to stream on your TV, or if you are able, set up a screen outside.

2. Make It a Patriotic Movie Night - Grab some popcorn and watch a patriotic film like "Independence Day", "Top Gun," and "1776", or stream "Hamilton" now available on Disney+.

3. Organize a Socially Distanced Parade - Put together a small march through your neighborhood with a patriotic theme, and you can make it more festive with decorated bikes, strollers, and wagons.

4. Bake and Enjoy Red, White, and Blue Treats - Bake some cupcakes and cookies, and have fun decorating them with patriotic colored icing and sprinkles.

5. Have a Good Old Fashioned Cookout - Grilling and celebrating the 4th of July tend to go hand in hand. Grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers with all your favorite fixings and sides for a great at home celebration.

6. Throw a Backyard Water Party - Enjoy a day of fun and games in the pool, or if you don't have a pool, pull out the sprinklers and hose for a fun-filled day that avoids the crowds at the beach.

7. Don't Forget to Dress Festively - Dress head to toe in red, white, and blue, and maybe spend some time crafting and making your own patriotic accessories. Add an extra dose of fun with some face painting and fake tattoos.

8. Check Out What Socially Distancing Activities Your Town is Hosting - Although most traditional celebrations have been cancelled, many towns are still hosting a few activities. Head to your local government's Facebook page or website for more info.