This bathroom features a stand alone soaking tub.

Realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Trends Report said this October saw close to record levels in sales in the U.S. housing market. In fact, this October houses sold faster than September for the first time since 2011.

“In the fall, we normally see homes sell more slowly and prices pull back from peak levels. But this October, we saw a drop in the time it takes to sell a home even while home prices remain at their summer peak,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com.

According to Realtor.com in October homes sold in 53 days which was 13 days faster than October of last year. For home prices, the median listing price rose 12.2% year-over-year to $350,000.

The numbers for the newly listed homes by U.S. metropolitan area were very different. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California had the highest new listing count year-over-year at 30.6% with a median listing price of $1,199,100.00 with 34 days on the market while Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin,
Tennessee had the lowest new listing count year-over-year at -27.5% with a median listing price of $400,000 with 32 days on the market. Within the country’s 50 largest metros, homes sold in a record 45 days.

As far as the nation’s regions, the Northeast had the highest gains at 11.4%, next the West had 10.1%, followed by the Midwest with 9% and the South came in last at 7.3%.

Here is a look at the number of newly listed homes by metropolitan area:

Metro New Listing
Count YoY
Median
Listing
Price YoY
Median
Listing Price
Median
Days on
Market
Active
Listing
Count
YoY
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. 30.6% 8.1% $1,199,100 34 -18.5%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, N.Y.-N.J.-Pa. 28.2% 15.1% $639,100 58 -6.1%
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, Calif. 25.9% 11.6% $1,049,100 35 -4.2%
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Calif. 17.2% 16.9% $995,100 49 -22.9%
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, Conn. 15.9% 7.1% $300,000 41 -31.3%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.-N.H. 15.1% 13.9% $669,100 33 -29.4%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash. 12.5% 6.4% $625,000 35 -31.6%
Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, Calif. 11.3% 12.3% $549,100 35 -48.4%
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minn.-Wis. 9.9% 2.4% $348,000 37 -30.1%
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Va.-
Md.-W. Va.
5.4% 4.6% $502,100 36 -36.7%
Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nev. 0.4% 7.9% $345,300 41 -7.8%
San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif. -0.6% 11.2% $795,100 24 -25.4%
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. -1.2% 16.7% $349,100 48 -41.8%
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colo. -2.0% 5.0% $520,000 36 -44.2%
Birmingham-Hoover, Ala. -2.4% 1.7% $260,000 51 -36.1%
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Ore.-Wash. -2.7% 9.1% $510,100 49 -44.0%
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif. -3.8% 14.6% $470,100 41 -53.6%
Rochester, N.Y. -3.9% 12.9% $228,700 31 -43.3%
St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. -4.4% 10.3% $248,000 56 -38.4%
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Va.-
N.C.
-4.9% 6.9% $320,600 39 -46.7%
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, Md. -7.3% 4.6% $340,000 43 -51.4%
Raleigh, N.C. -7.3% 6.8% $390,000 49 -45.4%
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wis. -7.6% 3.8% $300,000 42 -39.2%
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Texas -7.6% 7.8% $334,100 52 -32.8%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Ill.-Ind.-Wis. -7.9% 9.5% $345,000 43 -32.6%
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, N.Y. -8.2% 7.5% $215,000 52 -46.7%
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. -8.2% 10.0% $308,000 48 -43.0%
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, Fla. -8.8% 2.5% $410,100 93 -15.6%
Austin-Round Rock, Texas -9.0% 15.9% $413,200 46 -47.7%
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Fla. -9.2% 1.6% $325,000 59 -20.9%
Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio -9.3% 3.2% $200,000 47 -48.2%
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz. -9.3% 7.7% $415,600 36 -41.8%
Pittsburgh, Pa. -9.4% N/A $245,100 57 -36.8%
Providence-Warwick, R.I.-Mass. -10.3% 6.1% $400,000 42 -52.5%
Kansas City, Mo.-Kan. -11.1% 10.1% $330,100 47 -48.7%
New Orleans-Metairie, La. -12.8% 15.7% $329,100 64 -39.1%
Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. -13.7% 16.3% $310,000 39 -44.9%
Oklahoma City, Okla. -15.4% 6.6% $270,000 48 -40.5%
San Antonio-New Braunfels, Texas -16.0% 3.6% $300,000 53 -40.8%
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas -16.1% 4.1% $356,000 47 -46.8%
Louisville/Jefferson County, Ky.-Ind. -17.4% 2.2% $258,100 35 -50.2%
Columbus, Ohio -17.5% 9.0% $305,100 35 -47.8%
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga. -18.8% 10.6% $355,100 46 -45.5%
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, Ind. -19.8% 5.7% $275,000 43 -47.8%
Jacksonville, Fla. -20.4% 2.6% $318,100 55 -45.5%
Memphis, Tenn.-Miss.-Ark. -21.7% 14.0% $263,800 45 -49.3%
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Mich -21.7% 12.4% $269,100 38 -47.4%
Richmond, Va. -21.8% 11.7% $357,000 45 -48.2%
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, N.C.-S.C. -22.9% 9.0% $365,400 43 -48.7%
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin,
Tenn.
-27.5% 8.1% $400,000 32 -43.6%
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Custom tile back splash is just one of the many upgrades in this designer kitchen.

The COVID pandemic is still causing uncertainty in the world today. A person’s home has become their essential safe haven. The NAHB has learned from a two-part presentation lead by the Leading Suppliers Council (LSC) there are two building trends that have become essential to buyers in the housing market. Buyers are more concerned about purchasing a smart home and a healthy home.

Homeowners are spending more time than ever at home during the pandemic. People are living, working and playing all at home. Utility costs are on the rise. Potential homebuyers are interested in smart technologies that can make their home more convenient, secure and energy-efficient. Smart devices are becoming the norm in newly built and renovated homes.

Two-thirds of consumers say they want a connected home. According to Stephen Embry, a partner with the law firm of Frost Brown Todd, in approximately 3 years around 43% of homeowners will have some sort of connected devices in their homes. She says that a home that does not have technology will not be worth as much as a home with technology.

Builders have also seen a trend in homeowners stressing the importance of a healthy home. What does this mean? Consumers want a home with good indoor air quality, plenty of sunlight and the use of non-toxic building materials.

Eco Pulse reports that 66% of Millennials are concerned about indoor air quality. According to the report, in one year six rooms can collect around 40 pounds of dust. There is a possibility that the dust collected could have close to 45 toxic chemicals in it. This is in the air homeowners breathe in their homes on a daily basis.

When building or remodeling a home to improve the home’s health there are many things to consider. Always use clean, renewable energy to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Use paints that do not contain VOC that will emit harmful chemicals into the home. Use sound insulation and lighting that adapt to circadian rhythms in the bedroom for improving sleep. Install sensors that monitor air quality. Use double-glazed windows to reduce noise and create better insulation, also make sure your windows provide maximum views to allow natural light in. Most importantly use energy-efficient systems that are easy to control and monitor.

Today more than ever, homeowners want to be able to depend on their homes for their safe place away from the stresses of the pandemic. These two trends are a great way to create a better, healthier environment for families to live, work and play in.

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Custom home with a custom hood in the kitchen.

The home has definitely turned into the live work and play of 2020. COVID-19 has caused many to rethink rooms and turn them into home offices and exercise rooms. The overall need for our home has changed due to shelter-in-place.

Energy usage has also gone up as we are staying home more than ever. According to Freddie Mac, March saw a 22% higher household electrical usage than March of 2019. The biggest consumption was midday between 10 am to 3 pm. Shelter-in place caused the nation to live work and play in their homes 24/7. On average there was a $25 increase to monthly utility bills the month of April.

COVID-19 will not be going away anytime soon, and shelter-in-place could be a likely possibility for us in the near future. Homeowners are looking for ways to cut back on energy consumption.

Energy-efficient appliances are a good way to conserve energy and cut down on the cost of utility bills. Other options to reduce energy consumption are updated HVAC units, new windows, and new doors. Sealing around entryways can also help with insulation. Solar panels and geothermal heating are other good solutions.

If the cost of upgrading is an issue, energy or green mortgages might be the solution. Green mortgages can offer homeowners an opportunity to purchase homes that utilize these technologies through mortgages that permit higher debt-to-income ratio requirements. Freddie Mac states that purchasing a home that is green-building certified will not only help decrease utility bills but will also increase the house’s market value.

If you are not planning on moving anytime soon, there is a type of energy (green) mortgage that is specifically for energy improvements to existing homes. Homeowners are able to finance through this mortgage to help increase their home’s energy efficiency.

Green mortgages have many advantages such as greater purchasing power, affordable energy-efficient upgrades and an increase in home values. If you are looking to purchase a home or update your current home to make it more energy efficient a green mortgage is right for you.

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A primary bathroom featuring a nice soaking tub and luxurious shower.

The U.S. labor market saw 1.4 million jobs added in August. The unemployment rate dipped to 8.4% which shows a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s The Employment Situation for August shows total nonfarm payroll employment jumped by 1.4 million. This increase comes after a 4.8 million increase in June and a 1.7 million increase in July.

The summary indicates that in the past four months, the country has seen 10.6 million new jobs created. This is good news after 22.1 million jobs in March and April were lost due to the pandemic.

Government employment rose in August which added up to 25% of the gain in total payroll employment recorded for the month. The 344,000 new jobs were due mainly to the hiring of temporary positions for the 2020 census.

Retail trade, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, education and health services and temporary health services all saw an increase in jobs in the six figures. Health care and social assistance, transportation and warehousing, goods-producing, financial activities, manufacturing, nondurable goods, construction, information, wholesale trade, durable goods and utilities fell under the six-figure mark while mining and logging lost jobs.

August also saw an 8.4% decline in the unemployment rate which dropped 1.8 percentage points. Those that were unemployed declined by 2.8 million and those looking for a job or already with a job (labor force participation rate) rose to 61.7%.

As far as the housing industry goes, residential construction employment went up 27,700 to 2.9 million in August. The breakdown shows 820,000 builders and 2.1 million residential specialty trade contractors.

The unemployment rate for construction workers also dropped 9.9% on a seasonally adjusted basis. This shows a drop in the unemployment rate for construction workers for the past four months.

Along with the data, the Household Survey indicated 24.3% of employed teleworked or worked from home due to COVID-19. The Household Survey report comes from questions added to the Current Population Survey (CPS) since May 2020.

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A covered patio that has a nice tile stone looking flooring.

If you are a homeowner and are thinking about selling your home, now is the time. Homeowner equity is increasing because the average time a homeowner stays in their home is longer than in the past. According to the 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the median tenure for sellers was 10 years in 2019. After the recession in 2008, the median tenure in a home started to increase yearly. Now is the time to change the trend and sell with buyer demand high and inventory low.

Over the past 10 years, the equity position of homeowners has positively changed as a result of more than eight years of rising home prices. As the economy climbed out of the recession in the first quarter of 2010, 25.9% or 12.1 million homes were still underwater, compared to the first quarter of 2020 when the negative equity share was at 3.4%, or 1.8 million properties. Borrowers have seen an aggregate increase of $6.2 trillion in home equity since the first quarter of 2010 and the average homeowner has gained about $106,100 in equity,” explains CoreLogic.

To sum it up, the longer a homeowner stays in their home, the home price rises and more equity is gained. This is a form of forced savings that can go towards the purchase of a new home. This increased equity will increase the homeowner’s profit on the sale of their home.

According to the Q2 2020 U.S. Home Sales Report from ATTOM Data Solutions, the second quarter of 2020 saw a gain of $75,971 on a typical sale of a home. This was a huge difference from just the year before in the second quarter which saw $65,250 in a typical sale.

If you are considering selling your home, now is the time to make that move. It is important to determine how much equity you have in your home if you decide to sell. A local Realtor can help you determine your equity, selling your home and purchasing a new home.

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There are many steps to follow when purchasing a new home. One you should never skip is your final walkthrough. If you do skip this step, you might unwittingly take on large financial burdens that you had not planned for.

“It allows the buyer and their agent to check the property for any new signs of damage, inspect appliances and systems, and ensure that the home is reasonably clean and in good condition,” says Baruch Silvermann, CEO and founder of The Smart Investor, a free online academy for investors, and a real estate investor himself.

It is a good idea to always take your Realtor to the walkthrough. If there is a problem your agent can make a huge impact when addressing the problem. Take your phone to take pictures, videos and notes. Here are some additional tips you should follow during your final walkthrough.

Check the electrical system. If one switch or outlet does not work, that could be a sign of a bigger problem with the wiring. Go through your home and check the security system, doorbell and garage door as well as the outlets and light switches.

Run the AC/Heating. This should be one of the first things to check in the home. The HVAC is a very important unit and one of the most vital systems in the home.

“The big problem with heating systems is that part of the unit could be outside – the compressor, coil, electrical components, and fan – making it difficult to find the fault,” says Silvermann. “Other common problems can be related to lack of gas, corrosion, or a faulty compressor.”

Look for wet spots. Leaks can cause things such as mold and rotten wood. The repercussions can be termites and even worse foundation issues which can be expensive repairs.

“Visually look around for wet areas on the ceiling or discoloration from leaks by windows,” says Jeff Lichtenstein, owner of Echo Fine Properties in Florida.

Run anything mechanical. Go through and flush all the toilets, run the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and all the fans (including ceiling fans and exhaust fans). It would be a disappointment to move into your home and then find out that the dishwasher is not working after you have closed.

Inspect the bathrooms. According to Remodeling Magazine, bathroom remodels retain their value at resale. It is important to check the toilets to make sure they are not running, and turn on all the faucets to make sure they work correctly.

“Check that bathrooms are free of water damage, standing water, and mold by the shower, sink, and base of the toilet,” says Silvermann, who says mold can develop within days, so it’s worth taking a close look after the inspection.

Take a look around outside. Make sure all the exterior doors and windows are properly sealed.

“Any small leak can cause the heating and air conditioning system to operate at higher power and raise the electricity bill,” says Silvermann. “And check wood and concrete around the exterior of the home for cracks and water damage.”

Following these six tips can help with the walkthrough process. Make sure to take give a copy of your inspection to the seller so the items will be corrected before closing.

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What most homebuyers today are looking for in a home will be completely different than what a homebuyer pre-pandemic look for in a new house.

“The pandemic has brought about a seismic shift in people’s perspective on housing,” said Jordan Ayan, an agent who leads the North Scottsdale Luxury Real Estate Team at the Lifestyle Collection, under Keller Williams Realty in Arizona. “They are thinking more about where they want to be and what kind of environment they want to be in.”

People want to live in a less congested area now. Many homeowners work from home more because of the times so traffic is not a problem anymore. Homebuyers are looking for a more laid-back lifestyle, where they can both work and decompress.

Homebuyers will be looking for very efficient spaces such as tucked away home offices. Home offices have become very popular since the pandemic.

“The office was somewhat of a flex space, previously,” said Laura Powers of the Laura Powers Property Group, part of Compass in Houston. “Maybe it was also a guest bedroom or more of a library. Function has become much more critical.”

Homebuyers want a separate living space from their home office. When working from home, you need a quiet space with privacy. Ideally, the home office would have built-in shelving, space to move around, and good natural lighting.

Homes have become the live, work and play of 2020. Homeowners are taking formal living rooms and updating them to a comfortable place to relax. Many are “tech-free zones” where homeowners can get away from screen time.

Many Realtors have found that homebuyers are seeking larger garages, extended foyers and mudrooms. They are also interested in LEED-certified homes that are environmentally friendly and built to the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Outdoor covered areas such as patios, porches, decks, and outdoor kitchens are another must. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has been stuck at home. A nice area to enjoy the outdoors is a must during these times. In Florida, Realtors have reported that access to the water has become more popular along with docks, pools, expansive decks, covered patios, fire pits and outdoor kitchens.

In urban areas, homeowners use public parks and greenspace for their outdoor living, however, with the pandemic many of these spaces are restricted. Homebuyers are now seeking an outdoor space included in their urban home.

“Any other time, we would talk about parks and the neighborhood. But now, they might not even be able to use it,” said Patrick Ryan, owner and managing broker at Genuine Real Estate in Chicago. “So outdoor space at home has become huge.”

Homebuyers in the suburbs are seeking homes on a golf course with views of the greens and larger lots. Many even want extra acreage where they can have distance between their neighbors. Others have emphasized a guest house or in-law suite for multi-generational living.

“They want space. They don’t want to be cooped up,” Ryan said. “But they also want community and to be able to connect with their neighbors.”

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When it comes to your home, you want to make it is your own space with timeless pieces. Estate shutters are a good investment because they fit every style of interior and most any room in your house.

“Classic, sophisticated, timeless, this window treatment is never a mistake. They can be modern, contemporary, or traditional. They work everywhere,” said interior designer Karlie Adams, of Denver.

Here are six reasons why you should install estate shutters in your home.

The very first reason is obvious, it’s for the looks. Shutters are an element that can stand alone in almost any interior of a home. Shutters have a finished look on their own. Even the ancient Greeks used them in their homes back in 800 BC. Shutters have been around for an extremely long time because of their goods looks and sun-blocking ability.

Next, they are very versatile. They fit in all kinds of different style interiors and all different kinds of rooms. From informal to formal they work perfectly. The same shutter can work in a laundry room that is also in the formal dining room.

Another reason is control. Sometimes you want a dark room while other times you want an open and bright airy feel. Shutters can allow you to control privacy, light, and airflow which keep your home cool and save energy.

Color choice is another good reason. Shutters can come in a variety of colors and can also be stained. Most people choose white shutters because they reflect the sun and heat. In fact, over 90% of the shutters sold, said Nathan Swartz, who owns Shutter Professionals, in Orlando are white.

Longevity is a great reason to install shutters. “People like shutters because they never have to cover their windows again,” said Swartz. Curtains fade and also change in style with the design trends. Shutters also do not have mechanical parts that break or not cords that can be a risk to children or animals.

The last reason and most important reason is for resale value. Realtors will include shutters in their descriptions but will skip out on blinds and curtains. This is a great added bonus to a buyer. Shutters are rarely ever changed out like curtains or blinds.

Remember if you are planning to add these classic window treatments to your home, shop and compare prices and samples.

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Natural disasters are something everyone around the world fears. There are many construction techniques that have been tested and passed approval to improve the resistance of houses during high wind events such as less-severe (EFO-EF2) tornadoes and intense hurricanes.

Data has been collected two ways to see what products pass high wind conditions. The first way products are reviewed is by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) which tests different products under controlled wind tunnel conditions. The second way data is collected is by post-storm assessments taken on what works during these high wind conditions by both the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the Engineered Wood Association (APA).

The International Residential Code® (IRC®) created by the U.S. Department of Energy is the ” Code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less. It brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.” Homes that have been built to the IRC code have shown high performance during high-wind events but builders are now finding ways to build homes that are above the IRC® standards.

Focusing on other ways to strengthen the roof and enable a “continuous load path through the structure to the foundation” can help builders build homes that can withstand high-risk tornadoes and intense hurricanes. By doing this, homeowners would be able to stay in their homes after a high-wind event and home repair cost would be lowered.

One way they have found to strengthen the roof is by sealing it. If air is kept from being able to seep underneath the roof components the roof will stay intact and not tear off. During a study IBHS did on homes in Florida after Hurricane Michael, those with sealed roof decks held up better than those that were not sealed. Taping the roof deck seams, using tighter nail spacing to fasten roof decking to trusses and rafters, using ring shank nails A, upgrading the underlayment to 30lb felt, properly fastening drip edges and gutters to minimize the ability of the wind to get up underneath roof covering and using self-adhered or synthetic underlayment are construction techniques used to strengthen roofs when homes are under construction.

There are many ways wind can damage a home. As mentioned previously uplift pressure can take the roof off, shear loads can cause a house to lean, and lateral loads can make the home slide off the foundation. Wind load is defined as the load in pounds per square foot placed on a structure by the wind. Builders are finding ways to allow a constant load path in the construction of homes. To prevent leaning wood structural panels or other structural sheathings (allowed by the IRC®) are used to brace walls, anchors are used against base shear and hold-downs are used against overturning. These types of construction techniques fight winds from tearing a home apart.

When building a home for a consumer, builders can take this information and inform them about these preventions. When living in a geographical area that is prone to these events, it is important for homeowners to be aware of the risk when not using these techniques or materials approved by the International Residential Code®.

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Purchasing a home is a huge event in a person’s lifetime. There are so many steps and hurdles to go through and once the home buying process has ended, it is now time to focus on giving your home a personalized touch.

Your new home is a blank slate just waiting for you to design and create the perfect living space for your family. Here are some tips on how to get started during the first 30 days in your new home.

Take time to focus on your vision. Visualizing and planning your space is a very important step that you do not want to rush through. Do not rush to get everything set up in the space. Live in the space for a few days to plan the best path for each room. If kids are in the picture, give them the task of deciding on a theme for their new bedroom. Getting the whole family involved will make your new house feel like home for the whole family.

Use what you already have. This is a perfect budget-friendly way to personalize your new house. Find ways to use the furniture that you are bringing from your last home. Cherished memories are attached to many of our items. Using items that you already own makes your new house feel like a home.

Paint for today and tomorrow. Painting your entire home is a feat in itself. Once you have your vision, take smaller steps. Pick a few rooms to start with or accent walls and remember to paint for the future and not just today. Use a timeless color over a trendy color that will be out of style in a few years. Another quick and easy way to add your colorful mark on your new house is to paint the front door.

Choose decor that inspires. Choose decor with a meaning behind it. Something free can be just as priceless to you as something that is extremely expensive. Choose an item that says something to you and about you. Using objects that are important to you is a fantastic way to personalize your new home.

Buy some new basics. If you are moving into a larger space, you will need to purchase new furniture but this is not the only reason to purchase new items for your new space. Upgrading some of your old items will also add to your new vision for your home. This can be an expensive task so choose one or two items to splurge on within the first month.

Grow with the flow. As mentioned before, live in your home for a few days to get a feel of the space. In order for a new house to feel like a home, it needs to be lived in. Even though you have a vision for your space, that vision needs to be flexible. You will change and grow in your home.

Remember even though this seems like a huge undertaking, by taking small steps and following these tips, your new house will feel like a home in no time.

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