Wallpaper has come a long way. The latest modern patterns are hot among design trendsetters. So if you’re dying to deck your walls in some jazzy pattern, you’ll want to learn how to hang wallpaper. It’s not hard, but it’s also not something you want to wing without a little guidance first (especially since it can be difficult to remove wallpaper). So, heed this advice to get it right on your first whirl.

Tools and materials you’ll need:

• Wallpaper (Measure your room first to see how much you need, then add about 10% extra for pattern matching.)
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Box cutter with extra blades
• Sanding pad or paper
• Wallpaper primer
• Wallpaper paste
• Roller to apply the paste
• Large table covered in a plastic tablecloth or dropcloth

Step 1: Prep the walls

Check your walls to make sure they’re clean and smooth. Fill in holes, and if you find any roughness, sand it back. Next, prime the walls with a wallpaper primer. This is also called sizing the walls, although it has nothing to do with measuring. You do this the same way you apply paint, with an even coat of primer across the entire surface. If you can see through your wallpaper, use a white primer; if you’re hanging dark wallpaper, it helps to tint your primer the same color.

Step 2: Cut your wallpaper strips

Measure your walls from ceiling to base, then cut your first length of wallpaper plus 4 to 5 inches extra, so you can later trim the top and bottom to fit exactly. For solid or vertical-striped wallpaper, you can continue cutting strips the same way. If you’re working with a pattern, there’s another important step: Before you cut your next piece, align it with your first piece to make sure the pattern will match or continue when the strips are hung next to each other. You may need to trim a few inches before measuring out the next piece to make sure the pattern matches. Do the same for all of your lengths.

Also, odds are you will need to cut one skinnier strip of wallpaper to fit in one corner. If you can, plan to hang that sheet of trimmed wallpaper in a less conspicuous place, like behind the door, so it’s less noticeable. You will then start hanging the wallpaper starting from the opposite corner. Or, if you want your pattern to have a center focal point, you can start in the center and move toward the outer edges (which means you could end up with two skinny strips instead of one).

Step 3: Paste and book your paper

If you’re using unpasted paper, apply paste to the top half of your strip with a roller. Then fold the newly pasted paper over from the top to the midpoint, sticky sides together, taking care to not crease the fold. It will stick to itself, but it’s not hard to pull apart later. This is called “booking,” which allows the paste time to expand and get stickier before you place the strip on the wall (check your wallpaper label for recommended booking time, typically five to 15 minutes). Once the top half of your strip is booked, repeat the process for the bottom.

“The paste will typically dry permanently in 24 to 48 hours, which gives you plenty of time to hang it and make any necessary changes,” says Kassin Adelman, founder and CEO of IDF Studio in San Francisco.

If all of this is already starting to sound messy and complicated, you have another option: “Buying a self-adhesive wallpaper will make your life much easier,” says Adelman. “There are so many great options like Joss & Main, or a removable version from Tempaper that isn’t permanent and can be used in rentals or rooms you may want to change more often.”

Step 4: Apply paper to the wall

Before you put your paper on the wall, remove any outlet and switch covers. (You should cut power while doing so, just to be safe.) You will be laying the paper over the outlets, then cutting them out later and placing the covers back on at the end.

Place your first strip flush to one corner of the wall with about an inch of overlap at the top (which you will trim off later). Once your paper is placed right, use your hands to press the sheet to the wall and smooth it from the top down.

“By starting at the top, you have gravity on your side, which makes the process easier,” says Adelman. By the time you reach the bottom, you should have an inch or two of extra paper to trim later.

Once the first strip is down, repeat the process with the next, making sure that your pattern aligns if that’s your goal.

Step 5: Cut to fit

Once all your wallpaper is in place, use your box cutter to carefully cut around any electrical outlets, as well as the extra paper off the top and bottom. Place the outlet and switch covers back on, and you should be in business!

 

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When the temperature tumbles and golden leaves fall, there’s a good chance your plumbing might start to give you some trouble. To get ahead of any plumbing issues, it’s a good idea to start taking some preventive measures before Old Man Winter knocks at your door.

“Fall is a great time to check for any plumbing damages and make any necessary repairs,” says Michael Green, vice president of operations for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing.

During the fall season, your home may suffer from water heater problems, clogged drainage, a stuck garbage disposal, or a frozen pipe. But to help you focus your maintenance efforts, here are a few of the more common plumbing problems you might see around your house.

1. Cluttered gutters

Nothing says fall like a pile of leaves. But you don’t want those leaves to settle into your home’s gutters.

“Full gutters can lead to a host of problems, including roof damage and foundation issues or cracks,” says Green.

To prevent these issues, grab your ladder and thick gloves and get to work clearing out those gutters. Make sure to take a bucket with a small shovel to remove debris and other gunk. Then, rinse the gutters with a hose and inspect them—along with downspouts—for damage or cracks.

2. Clogged cleanouts

The cleanout is found close to the home and provides access to plumbing through an outside pipe that typically sticks out of the ground.

“When the leaves fall, they can fall into the cleanout if the cap or cover is damaged or opened. These leaves can cause a backup of water flow, causing a plumbing issue,” says Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing.

Homeowners may require a professional camera inspection and drain snaking to ensure there’s no obstruction.

“You will also want to make sure the cleanout cap is not cracked or broken to avoid debris from entering the cleanout,” says James.

3. Unclean sump pump

The sump pump’s filter screen can collect debris in the fall, such as mud, leaves, and pebbles—which can lead to clogs, premature pump shut-off, or even standing water in the basement.

“A quick visual inspection should let you know whether or not the sump pump is working and if there’s a problem,” says Green. “Catching it early is crucial.”

The easiest way to determine if your sump pump is unclean is by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the sump pit. If it automatically starts up, everything’s fine. If not, it’s time to do some maintenance.

“Wipe the filter clean, unplug the sump pump, and carry it outside, along with the drain,” Green advises. “Disconnect the drain line, and use a hose to flush out any debris or clogs. Then, flush the entire unit with water.”

Clean the entire sump pit, and then put it back in. Then, pour a bucket of water into the pit to ensure the system is working.

“It’s best to do this before the winter snow sets in,” says Green.

4. Root intrusion

After a drought season, root intrusion can be a problem.

“The first heavy rain of the season can cause tree roots to grow and stretch out as they search for water,” says James. “These roots may penetrate cracks in plumbing pipes and block the water draining from the fixtures in the home as they flow to the main sewer line.”

If you have large trees on your property, you may need to call in a plumbing professional who can perform a camera inspection and drain snaking to remove the obstruction.

5. Small or hidden leaks

Did an especially rainy day cause a small leak in your living room? Don’t ignore it!

“It can be easy to write off small leaks in your home,” Green says, “but they can be dangerous. If there’s a hidden leak in the plumbing system, water could seep into areas with electric wiring, and wiring sparks could start a fire.”

Watch out for unexpectedly high water bills or discolored spots after a rainy day that may indicate a leak. If you do suspect you have a leak, call a plumber who can diagnose the problem.

6. Garden hose mishaps

It’s easy to forget to put away garden hoses in the hope of one last gasp of summer temps. But neglecting to put them away before temps dip could spell trouble.

“Make sure all garden hoses are detached, and if the outdoor spigots are not freeze-proof, protect them with at least a foam cover to avoid the potential of freezing, bursting, and flooding,” says James.

 

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Warm weather usually brings out the barbecues, beach trips, and homebuyers in droves. But for this particular home shopping season, many buyers might feel like they’re on the fence.

Homebuyer ambivalence is high for good reason: On the one hand, buyers might be encouraged to hear that last year’s red-hot seller’s market, with its bidding wars and over-asking offers, has finally ebbed. On the other hand, mortgage rates are a full percentage point higher than last year, eating up potential savings. Combined with a bumpy economic forecast, it’s understandable that some homebuyers are hesitant to forge ahead.

“Currently, there are fewer buyers in the market because of rising interest rates and uncertainty in the market,” confirms Ralph DiBugnara, mortgage banker, real estate investor, and president of Home Qualified in New York City. Nonetheless, he points out that conditions have been improving for buyers, so right now is actually “a better time to buy than the [first half] of 2023.”

Realtor.com® chief economist Danielle Hale agrees with this assessment, saying that while it’s by no means a buyer’s market, the state of real estate has shifted to a more “buyer-friendly direction.”

Reasons to buy a house now

Ultimately, whether now is the right time for you to buy a home will boil down to a number of economic and personal factors. If you need help deciding, here are some reasons why it makes sense to buy a house now.

1. There are more homes for sale

Just a year earlier, the supply of housing was at such record lows that competition for the few houses out there was brutal. Since then, housing inventory has grown, with 50% more homes on the market today. Even better, the supply of homes for sale tends to hit its seasonal high point in May.

“Spring is typically the peak season for new listings, meaning there will be a larger selection of homes,” says Martin Boonzaayer, CEO of The Trusted Home Buyer in Phoenix. “This can increase the chances of finding a home that meets your needs and preferences.”

Keep in mind that while inventory is higher than last year, it’s still far below pre-COVID-19 levels, and many of these listings are stale, with fewer new sellers coming on the market.

The reason: According to a recent Realtor.com survey, 82% of potential home sellers feel “locked in” their current home due to a low mortgage rate.

Nonetheless, with plenty of homes for sale compared with a year earlier, buyers should have a relatively better shopping experience, particularly if they are willing to overlook a few flaws and drive a hard bargain.

2. Home prices may be heading south soon

Listing prices reached a record high of $449,000 last June, and while they’re still higher now than they were a year earlier, these numbers are poised to decline soon.

“The increase in inventory has been big enough to slow home price increases,” says Hale. Plus, buyers should take heart that listing prices are just a starting point, and sellers are willing to settle for less these days. In fact, the final sales price of homes has already declined annually in both March and April.

“Overall, home prices are trending lower,” agrees Rick Arvielo, co-founder and CEO of New American Funding, a privately owned mortgage company. “After the unprecedented increases in home pricing over the last two years, we are seeing the froth coming off some markets that saw home prices increase significantly. This is very market-specific, but for the most part, reasonable reductions are trending.”

Even lowballing, which would have been laughable a year earlier, could work with motivated sellers whose properties have been stuck on the market for a while, so make sure to check a home’s days on the market and negotiate accordingly.

3. Interest rates are poised to decline this year, too

Given the U.S. Federal Reserve isn’t expected to announce another significant interest rate hike anytime soon, many experts say that mortgage rates, like home prices, have likely reached their apex. So buyers should not worry too much that rates will rise higher.

“We’ve seen the highest mortgage rates we are likely to see for some time,” says Hale, who expects mortgage rates to stabilize in the short term, and then begin dropping by late summer and early fall. “I don’t think we’ll see a fast decline from here, but rather a gradual easing.”

“Mortgage interest rates are expected to hover at around 6% for 2023,” says Nick Ron, founder and CEO of House Buyers of America. That’s unless something dramatic happens with either inflation or the job market.

“When you consider that rates reached 16.63% in 1981, our current rates do not look bad,” adds Ron. “And if rates do fall several points, you can refinance.”

Eminlee Wang, a real estate agent with FlyHomes in Dallas, predicts that rates should stick somewhere between 6% and 7%, adding that many mortgage companies are making it easier to refinance in the future if and when rates drop.

“Many mortgage companies are meeting the moment with products that allow their customers to buy now and then refinance for free in the future,” she says.

Consumers should always do their research and make sure there are no hidden fees or timeline requirements to those refinancing deals, she advises.

4. Homes are taking longer to sell

In the past few years, homes in hot markets were selling so fast, buyers couldn’t even see the place before it was snapped up.

“During the pandemic, nearly one-third of new listings went into contract within hours or days,” recalls Wang.

But this whiplash pace has slowed considerably. In April 2022, homes spent 49 days on the market, which is 17 days longer than last year.

The reason for this slowdown: Everyone is waiting and hoping for either interest rates to drop or home prices to go down.

“This has meant that the limited number of homes which are on the market are sitting for longer,” says Wang.

This means buyers need no longer rush into a deal out of desperation, but can take their time to compare their options and negotiate a better deal.

“Buyers are more in the driver’s seat than they were just 12 to 18 months ago,” says Ron. “Demand is not what it was, so sellers are more likely to be flexible.”

5. It’s the right time for you and your family

Sometimes, the reasons you’re buying a house are out of your control. Perhaps you’re moving due to a job change or other extenuating circumstances. So while interest rates and high home prices are challenging affordability for many potential homebuyers, it’s important not to try too hard to time the market and let it dictate what you do, especially if moving makes sense for your life right now.

“The best time to buy or sell is specific to you and your needs,” says Ashley Farrell, a real estate agent with The Corcoran Group in Westhampton Beach, NY. “Evaluate your life and the trajectory of your next few chapters. For naysayers on high mortgage rates, those are temporary. Date the rate, and marry the house!”

“A good real estate agent and lender can help you figure out a strategy to lower your interest rate,” says Delaney Juarez, a real estate agent with Keller Williams City View in San Antonio, TX. “So don’t let that be a reason you put off a move that you really want or need to make.”

Reasons to hold off on buying a house

While there are some good reasons to jump into the housing market right now, there are also a few things to consider that might mean you’re better off waiting to buy a house.

1. You’re maxing out your budget

Inflation was still up 4.9% year over year in April, eating into homebuyers’ budgets. So if mortgage rates have you stretched thin financially, then it might be best to wait and allow mortgage rates to steady or even come down before buying a house.

“If interest rates have risen to a level that would strain your budget and make homeownership unaffordable, it might be wise to wait until rates become more favorable or until you can improve your financial situation,” says Chase Michels, real estate agent with The Michels Group Compass in Downers Grove, IL.

Since interest rates change so often, potential homebuyers can and should rate-test their budgets regularly by plugging their income and debts into an online home affordability calculator.

2. Your future is uncertain

The country is sitting in a relatively unpredictable economic situation at the moment, so if your own future is unclear and you don’t have to move, waiting might be the safer option—especially if you aren’t settled in your job or sure you plan to live in an area for more than a year or two.

“If you have the flexibility to wait and are not in immediate need of a home, you can take the time to save more money for a larger down payment, improve your credit score, or explore other neighborhoods or housing options that may become available in the future,” Michels says.

 

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One of the first things home shoppers learn is that the price they see on real estate listings is nearly always negotiable. And that same flexibility exists when buying a newly built home, too, in the form of builder incentives.

Builder incentives are promotions offered by developers that, much like a coupon, cut the cost of purchasing property in that community. Incentives are increasingly common today to entice cash-strapped buyers to make an offer, yet these discounts aren’t always as simple as a straight price cut.

Here’s a guide to help homebuyers understand the various types of incentives, when and why they’re offered, and how to make the most of these deals today.

What are builder incentives, and when are they offered?

Many builder incentives are widely advertised on splashy billboards and online to capture the attention of buyers and reel them in. Examples might range from “For a limited time, get $5,000 in designer upgrades!” to “Purchase before X date, and we’ll pay all of your closing costs.”

“You will find these incentives explained on websites, social media, signs, and other places a builder might advertise to the public,” explains Kimberly Mackey, founder of New Homes Solutions and a sales and marketing management consultant specializing in residential homebuilding.

Homebuilders may offer incentives at any stage of the project’s development. Many happen at the initial launch to help generate buzz for a new community and get the first few residents on board. Incentives are also commonly offered near the end of a project when there are only a few homes left to sell, since builders might be eager to close the books.

Overall economic conditions that might slow home sales (such as high interest rates or a recession) might also spur builders to work harder to get buyers through their door. The type of incentive will vary based on what builders think will strike a chord with the target homebuyer at that time.

“For example, if the economy is struggling, lower interest rates and cash at close may help buyers qualify that would otherwise be unable to afford a particular community,” says Bob Seeman, vice president of sales, new homes at Realtor.com®. “If it’s a high-end community, then property upgrades are more likely to be a successful incentive.”

While many incentives are widely advertised, others are not and are discretionary. The only way buyers will know if this incentive exists is if they or their real estate agent asks for it.

“Occasionally, builders may have some wiggle room to provide to a buyer something like a refrigerator—new construction doesn’t always include one—or blinds, or something along those lines, to incentivize a buyer further to make a move during a specific time frame, like by the end of the month or quarter,” says Mackey. “If the builder has it, the builder’s sales representatives will know how to handle the question and they are generally happy to help the buyer as much as possible.”

How financial incentives with builders work

While builder incentives may be found as price cuts on the actual house, homebuyers may more commonly see offers to help reduce costs on the financing front, with builders offering to buy down the interest rate on the home loan or pay some or all closing costs.

One caveat to keep in mind, though, is that these deals are typically tied to financing through a builder’s preferred lender. Builders often work closely with certain lenders because they want to know that the loan will close without delay once the home is completed.

“It is expensive to carry a finished home, so the builder wants to get it off their books as soon as possible,” says Mackey.

While buyers can always bring in a lender of their own choosing, these borrowers will typically be forfeiting any builder financing incentives and may end up out more money at closing as a result.

“If the builder doesn’t pay this incentive, then the buyer could have to pay all the closing costs, which typically adds around 3% of the purchase price,” says Mackey. However, she also says it’s always smart to shop around and compare offers from several lenders or brokers, just to make sure the builder’s terms are truly the best deal you can get.

Homebuyers who do find better financing terms with an outside lender should be aware that if that loan isn’t ready to close at the specified time the builder is prepared to turn the home over, buyers could face closing delay penalties, which could be hundreds of dollars per day.

“With the builder’s lender, if they can’t close, the buyer would not be on the hook for those delay fees,” says Mackey.

Whether you end up using the builder’s lender or not, Mackey always recommends buyers read the fine print of any incentive they agree to, since it may contain small conditions that may be easy to overlook in the rush and excitement to close the deal.

“There may be a caveat to these incentives, such as a ‘must close by date’ that may not be in the buyer’s control if the home isn’t finished,” warns Mackey. “Buyers should get, in writing, what happens if that home completion falls out of that date range.”

There’s also the possibility that a home loan may be delayed or fall through due to mortgage approval problems, which might occur if the buyer suddenly changes jobs at the last minute or makes a big purchase like a car. Generally, it’s best to come to the closing table having made no significant recent changes that would affect your finances.

Why builder incentives are on the rise today

During the red-hot market that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when record levels of Americans were moving, builders didn’t have to offer many (or any) incentives for the homes they were building. Now that things are leveling a bit, however, homebuyers are starting to see a few more perks being thrown their way.

“In general, builders face similar conditions to other home sellers when it comes to pricing, and although home shoppers are interested, current mortgage rates, which are more than double year-ago levels, have drastically reduced affordability,” says Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com.

“Higher costs and uncertainty about the economic outlook have made home shoppers who can navigate today’s housing market more selective, bringing demand much more in line with supply than we’ve seen in recent years,” she adds.

“In most cases, builders today are offering incentives at every phase of a project’s development or sales cycle,” says Kelly Zuccarelli, national builder and condominium program manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

How to take advantage of builder incentives today

With interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage more than double what they were a year ago and currently in the 7% range, Zuccarelli says they’re currently seeing builder incentives focused almost exclusively on providing buyers with a more affordable monthly payment.

One possible incentive that may be offered is a permanent interest rate buy-down, funded by the builder, that creates a lower monthly payment for homebuyers and reduces financing costs over the life of the loan. Another incentive being offered is extended interest rate locks, paid for by builders, which allow homebuyers to lock in today’s interest rates and insulate themselves against any future rate increases.

One other really interesting financing incentive homebuyers should know about is that some builders actually purchased “rate locks” when rates were lower than they are today and can offer loans below current market rates to their buyers.

Zuccarelli suggests that buyers worried about current interest rates may wish to seek out builders who purchased rate locks before mortgage rates started heading up.

That said, Seeman points out that current incentives are likely to be short-lived.

“You’ll notice most of the incentive programs are time-boxed in order to give builders as much flexibility as possible to adapt and adjust incentives depending on market conditions,” says Seeman. “As a result, if a buyer is ready to move, we recommend grabbing a good incentive when they see it.”

 

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“When am I ready to buy a house?”

It’s an important question to ask yourself, since the homebuying process is often as challenging as it is rewarding. While there’s no one right answer, there are ways you can determine when you’re ready to buy a house.

Here are some factors to consider, as well as some resources that can help you make a decision regarding the right time to buy.

Down Payment

When it comes to homebuying, a good rule of thumb is to have 20% saved for a down payment.

This isn’t a hard and fast rule, as many home loan programs allow you to buy a home with as little as 3% to no money down, but without a 20% down payment, you might have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), which could increase your monthly mortgage payments.

Furthermore, the more money you put down, the less you’ll have to borrow. A smaller loan amount will translate into a lower monthly mortgage payment, saving you money each month.

Saving for a down payment before you start shopping for a home can increase the amount of home you can afford. Make sure you have enough savings to cover closing costs and your first mortgage payment.

Credit Score

How’s your credit score? In today’s environment, a borrower can acquire a loan even with a less than ideal credit score. For a conventional mortgage, most lenders will require you to have a credit score of at least 620 to qualify. For an FHA loan, a credit score could be between 500-580 depending on your available down payment.

That’s why it helps to boost your credit as much as possible before applying for a mortgage. Even an increase of 40 points or more can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your loan.

Monthly Payment and Home Maintenance

How will your mortgage fit into your broader budget?

When you buy a home, you’ll need enough to cover your monthly mortgage payments and property taxes, along with other costs. Homeowners insurance, for example, costs an average of $100 per month. And if you purchased your home with a down payment of less than 20%, you may be responsible for monthly PMI payments.

Added to these regular expenses are the costs of home maintenance. A broken air conditioning unit, for instance, could easily cost you over $5,000. It’s important to have an emergency fund that can cover roughly three to six months’ worth of your usual expenses to cover unforeseen costs.

Area of Ownership

Where do you see yourself in five years? It’s important to buy in an area that a borrower is comfortable in. Does the city have a good school district? Is there nightlife? How is the commute? Is it close to family and friends? All are important areas in deciding where to live.

Rent vs. Buy

Why buy when you can rent? Renting has its advantages, especially since your landlord will be responsible for covering property maintenance and repair. Renting may also be necessary until you’re officially ready to buy a home.

Despite the flexibility of renting, buying is often the better option, at least if you plan on staying in the area for five to seven years. A house is an investment — by buying a home, you’re keeping your financial future secure.

For example, if your rent and potential mortgage are the same amount of money, your mortgage payment would help reduce mortgage principal and build up equity in your home. With a rent payment, that payment just goes to the landlord and does not allow you to build value.

How Much Can You Afford?

Preparing to buy a house also means setting a budget. How much house can you afford?

As a rule, you’ll want to look for a home price three to five times your household income. However, your exact budget will depend on your existing debts and how much money you can put toward a down payment.

First-Time Homebuyer Programs

Does the answer to the question “am I ready to buy a house” change if you have poor credit or limited savings? Not necessarily.

Many programs exist to help first-time buyers  purchase the home of their dreams. Here are a few options you might consider.

Conventional Loans

Don’t discount traditional loan options just because you’re a first-time buyer.

A conventional loan is often preferable since it offers the lowest interest rates and other favorable loan terms. And while it’s customary to make a 20% down payment, some lenders allow first-time buyers to receive a loan with as little as 3% down.

Keep in mind, however, that conventional loans usually require a credit score of 620 or better. Some lenders can work with you if your score is slightly lower, though this can mean higher interest rates. If your credit is low, you might consider one of the other options on this list.

USDA Loans

If you don’t have money for a down payment, you might consider a loan backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA loans allow you to purchase a qualifying home with no money down, nor will you be responsible for PMI payments.

To qualify, the homes you look at must be located in designated rural or suburban areas, and you’ll typically need a credit score of 640 or higher.

VA Loans

Active-Duty Military Members, Veterans, and spouses of both groups are all eligible for VA loans.

Backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA loans allow you to purchase a home with no money down and no PMI requirement. Individual lenders may have specific credit score requirements, but you can often get a VA loan with a score as low as 580.

FHA Loans

Can you buy a home with poor credit? You can if you receive a loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans are available to anyone with a credit score of 500 or above, though you’ll need to put 10% down. But if your score is 580 or above, you’ll only need to put 3.5% down.

Bottom Line: Am I Ready to Buy a House?

Buying a house is a momentous decision, both personally and financially. Our CCM loan officers are trained to run through all of the homebuying scenarios to make sure that you are comfortable with your first home.

 

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