Kent Obrist, ABR | Homes in Lincoln, Nebraska

Buying a new home can be a truly exciting experience. Choosing your lot and floorplan, picking out all your fixtures, watching the progress from foundation to framing to finishes. Makes me want to run out and tour a model home right now!

Through all the excitement, though, there are a few realities that may be surprising for those buying new for the first time.

1. You probably won’t be able to negotiate the price

New homes are not like resale, where there is the expectation of price negotiations back and forth. The price set by the builder is most likely the price you’re going to pay. The exceptions are when there are just a few homes left and when there is standing inventory that needs to be sold.

“Look for builder inventory homes that have been on the market for 45 days or more,” said Inman. “These are the homes in which a buyer might be able to get a good deal.”

2. But you may be able get some upgrades at no cost

More typical in a new-home community is getting some upgrades thrown in—things like window coverings or nicer flooring. Negotiating a few must-haves into your deal can help offset your costs. Some builders may also help with closing costs as an incentive to buy.

3. There might also be incentives to using the builder’s in-house lender

Many builders have an in-house or preferred lender they work with to provide financing for buyers. There may be advantages to using this lender—better terms or a rate that’s bought down. By law, the builder can’t make you use their lender, so if you feel pressured, be sure to discuss with your real estate agent.

4. Use a REALTOR®

Speaking of Realtors…you can use your agent to buy a new home, and, in fact, you should.

“In general, builders’ model homes are staffed by agents who work directly for and represent the builder. A buyer also needs to have a real estate agent who represents them and looks after their best interests,” said Inman. “Keep in mind that most builders will require that the real estate agent accompany and register the buyer on their first visit to the builder’s model home or community.”

5. Your home will not look like the model

When you tour a model home, it’s decked out with pretty walls and floors and lighting and countertops. The furniture is to scale and the fabrics are custom and the pictures are hung perfectly. It’s pretty seductive. But the empty shell you buy won’t look like this if you go with all the standard configurations and finishes. Be realistic about what you want, what you need, what you can afford, and how that translates to what you are seeing. The salesperson can point out which of the items you love in the model come standard and which are pricey upgrades.

6. The price of the home as advertised is not what you’ll pay

Typically, it will take many tens of thousands of dollars in upgrades and options to get the home you buy to look like the model. This can be a rude awakening for buyers who are trying to stick to a strict budget. The good news is rolling some of those upgrades into the mortgage can make good financial sense, according to Money Crashers.

“Upgrading during the initial construction phase is generally cheaper than updating your home later on. For example, if you choose to upgrade from laminate flooring to hardwood, you’ll pay the difference in material costs—but you won’t necessarily have to pay extra for the installation itself, since your builder needs to install floors in the first place. The same goes for things like windows and bathroom features.”

7. You’ll be dealing with construction noise and traffic. For a while.

The peaceful life you envision can be a reality, but probably not from the get-go. Depending on the community, it may take time to complete construction. Which means dealing with congestion and hassle for the time being. Amenities like pools, sport courts, and trails may also not be built out by the time you move in. Asking ahead of time about the construction schedule can help you manage expectations.

8. Not everything will work perfectly

In any house, there are bound to be issues. New homes are no different. Builder warranties will help.

“Warranties for newly built homes generally offer limited coverage on workmanship and materials relating to various components of the home, such as windows, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, and electrical systems for specific periods. Warranties also typically define how repairs will be made,” said the FCC. “The duration of coverage varies depending on the component of the house. Most warranties on new construction cover siding and stucco, doors and trim, and drywall and paint during the first year. Coverage for HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems is generally two years. Some builders provide coverage for up to 10 years for “major structural defects.”

Source: RealtyTimes

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When looking for a great real estate agent, there are many things that you’ll have to consider. Your ideal agent will be knowledgeable about your local market, experienced, and have a plethora of connections to navigate you through the home sale process. Here are some important questions that you should ask your real estate agent before you list your home with them:

1. In which neighborhoods do you primarily work?

This is important because you’ll want a realtor that is experienced in the specific market in which your home is located.  The more knowledgeable your agent is about the neighborhood you’re selling in, the better, because they will be able to price your house according to the comps and first hand information that they glean from being familiar with the area.

2. What percentage of your clients are buyers versus sellers?

You want to make sure your agent has buyers for your home at the ready, but you also want to make sure they know how to list a home for sale to get you the best price.

3. Will I be working with just you, or any other associates?

This is important so that you know what to expect when it comes to working with your agent. If your agent has an assistant or anyone working under them that you can contact when they are not available, you should find out as soon as possible.

4. Do you work full-time or part-time?

Some agents work full time and some work part time, so you’ll want to find out what to expect. Obviously, if your agent is working part time because it’s their side job, they may be more difficult to contact at certain times. If this is the case, you’ll want to figure out a set time that you can call them during the week.

5. How many homes have you closed in my neighborhood?

If your agent has closed a good number of homes in your neighborhood, you can assume that they have the experience to get the job done. Having this track record is a good sign that your agent knows the neighborhood well and has the right contacts.

6. How many other sellers are you representing?

When you ask your agent this you might want to note that the busiest agents are usually the most efficient. If your agent has a lot on their plate they know how to multitask, have processes in place and always manage to get things done.

7. Is your license in good standing?

You can check your agent’s certification yourself with your state’s Department of Real Estate, as many states provide this information online. This can give you peace of mind if you are nervous about hiring an agent and getting started.

8. How many years of education and experience do you have?

Typically, experience and a record of continued education is a sign of a seasoned agent that you can count on. Of course you can also find a great agent that does not have extensive education, but it certainly helps to know in your initial search.

9. Are you also a broker?

Agents that are also brokers have taken additional education classes and have earned a broker’s license. A broker may have more experience and may hold responsibility over other agents that are working under them.

10. Can you provide me with the names and phone numbers of past clients who have agreed to be references?

By doing this, you can gain valuable insight from past clients so you can learn more about your agent. This can create a greater level of comfort when working with your agent after hearing the advice and comments from real people that they worked with.

When it comes to asking your agent questions, don’t be shy! There are tons of questions that you can ask that will aid you in your decision to choose who represents you. If you’re a first time seller, take advantage of these questions to help find the best agent that fits your needs. Don’t worry, there’s an agent out there for you! Good Luck!

Source: RealtyTimes.com

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Flash flooding from intense storms over central Texas and Oklahoma over the past week has brought images of rivers and bayous overflowing their banks, streets inundated with water, homes floating off their foundations, and cars set adrift.

In Houston, more than 4,000 homes have been damaged by the muddy waters so far, officials say. Rebuilding those homes will take months, if not a year or more. But some homeowners may not get all the help they’ll need, because they don’t have flood insurance.

While homeowners in high-risk flood plain zones are required to buy flood insurance, others should consider buying it, too. More than 5.5 million homeowners in more than 21,000 communities across the U.S. already do, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Anywhere it can rain, it can flood. When you consider that, and what’s going on in Texas, which was in the midst of a drought until last week—homeowner’s insurance policies do not include flood damage,” says David Schein, a regional flood insurance specialist for  FEMA.

“You don’t have to be in a high-hazard area to flood. We pay claims for the obvious: a stream, creek, river coming over its banks. However, in an urban environment that’s paved, the water can be just ponding, or pooling on its way into the stream. That can be a covered claim, water flowing over the land.”

Why buy flood insurance?

Floods are the most common weather emergency in the U.S., according to FEMA, and they usually strike without warning. Flooding can result from hurricanes, tropical storms, cyclones, plain old heavy rains, winter storms, spring thaws, overburdened or clogged drainage systems, or occasionally from nearby construction. The increased development of buildings, parking lots, and roads has made flooding more severe throughout the country, FEMA says.

You can live miles away from water and still be a victim of flooding. It  takes only a few inches of floodwater to cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage, according to FEMA.

And don’t assume that federal disaster assistance will bail you out when there’s a flood. It’s helpful to homeowners only when the U.S. president declares a state of emergency—and is usually a loan that must be repaid with interest, FEMA notes. Flood insurance policies pay out on qualifying claims whether or not a federal disaster is declared.

What kind of risks am I running?

High-risk flood zones: Insurance required

People buying homes in certain designated flood hazard areas are required by FEMA to purchase flood insurance before getting a home loan from federally regulated or insured lenders. High-risk areas are those declared to have at least a 25% chance of flooding during the typical 30-year mortgage. FEMA estimates there are about 30 million structures, both residential and commercial, in that position nationwide. There’s less risk of a structural fire in your home, Schein notes (about 10%, over a 30-year mortgage), yet no one questions the need for fire insurance. You can find out if you’re in a flood zone or get a full breakdown of high-risk subcategories.

Low- to moderate-risk flood zones: Still recommended

Homeowners who aren’t close to a body of water may still want to consider buying flood insurance. About 25% to 30% of flood insurance claims come from areas that have less than a 1% annual chance of flooding, according to FEMA. The agency still recommends flood insurance in these low- to medium-risk areas, and in fact homeowners and businesses there might be eligible for a lower-cost preferred risk policy.

You can find out your property’s level of risk at FloodSmart.gov. This can help you assess your potential flood insurance premium.

How to get insurance and what it’ll cost you

Flood insurance is available in more than 22,000 communities that participate in theNational Flood Insurance Program, created more than 45 years ago. The program requires certain flood plain management initiatives in high-hazard areas. However, it also offers policies outside of flood plains, whether or not your property has flooded before.

“What we’re hearing from our offices in Texas is that a lot of people who had major damage are quite far outside the mapped flood area,” Schein says, adding that it’s not terribly unusual. “We hear heartbreaking stories all the time. We hear, ‘My insurance agent told me I don’t need it.’ What the agent should have said, or meant to say, is: ‘The bank is probably not going to require it.’ That’s not the same thing.”

Premiums vary depending on the date of construction and relative risk of the area—they average $550 per year—and most policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins (that’s so you don’t take out a policy as you see the waters rising). Homeowners can purchase up to $250,000 in coverage for their home. Separate coverage is available for its contents, of up to $100,000 for homeowners or renters. Residential condominium associations can purchase up to $250,000 of coverage for each eligible unit, or the replacement cost of the building, whichever is less.

Source: Realtor.com

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Home prices are starting to inch up again in most areas, which is encouraging sellers to believe that their homes will sell quickly and for more money. And that’s when they start making mistakes.

Don’t be one of them.

Overpricing a home is the biggest mistake a seller can make. Asking a high price for your home says more about you than it does about your home. It may show you value your investment, that you have cared for the home and kept it updated and in good repair. But if the price is too high compared to other similar homes, it can make you appear unrealistic.

Buyers shop in a range that they’ve either been given by their lenders or one where they feel comfortable. If they’re searching on the MLS, they will typically look at homes they can afford and may miss seeing the page where your home is advertised because it’s out of their price range.

It’s also psychologically easier for buyers to negotiate in their price target range. Buyers feel more comfortable asking for a little discount on a home within their reach than to ask you for a big discount on a more expensive home.

You won’t get the more affluent buyer either. Buyers who can afford to pay the price of your home will simply compare your home to others in the same range. They will quickly find out that other homes have better locations, more square footage and snazzier finishes than yours and for the same price.

You’ll find your home will get few showings and if you get any offers at all, they will be low. To get traffic to your home, you’ll have to lower the price. You may find that offers still aren’t coming, even though your home is now fairly priced for its location, amenities and condition.

Why wouldn’t buyers jump at a price reduction? First impressions count, and you didn’t make a good one. The first impression the market had of your home was that it’s overpriced. An overpriced home is a reflection of the seller, not of the home.

Other agents and their buyers don’t want to deal with a seller who is unrealistic. They may have already jumped to conclusions about you and your home that are more negative than you deserve. You’ve overpriced your home because you’re unreasonable, greedy, out of touch with current market conditions, or you’re heavily in debt, upside down on your mortgage, or otherwise in some sort of trouble.

A wounded seller tends to bring out the predator in buyers. Often, homes that have been repriced attract lower offers than other similar homes in the same price range. Buyers think you’re desperate, so they may offer less than market value hoping you’re strapped enough to take it.

It’s far better to make a good first impression on the market — that your home is offered at a fair price because you’re a reasonable seller who understands your home’s value and current market conditions.

Keep in mind that a home will never sell for more than a willing buyer will pay for it, or that a willing bank will finance. You’re always better off pricing your home so that you can get as close to 100% of your asking price as possible.

Only then, will your home sell quickly and for more money.

Source: Realty Times

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When you prepare to put your home on the market, you hope that everything will go the way you imagine and that is your home will sell for over listing price the very first day it goes on the market.

The reality isn’t so rosy. The market may slow down. Your home may get few showings or no offers. You may have to lower your list price. Or, your home may not sell at all because you made a big mistake.

So if you’re thinking of doing any of the following five no-no’s, stop yourself right now.

Don’t hire the first REALTOR® you meet. Selling your home is one of the largest transactions you’ll ever have, so why wouldn’t you interview several applicants to help you? You can ask friends and family for referrals, but there are several questions you should ask. Make sure the agents you interview are experienced selling homes in your neighborhood and the type of home you want to sell. To get the listing, potential agents may employ a number of strategies, including suggesting or agreeing with you to list a high price for your home. Don’t fall for it. Choose the agent who is straight with you, about the market and about your home.

Don’t ignore the market. Every market is different and those differences can impact the sales price of your home, the number of days your home spends on the market, and whether your home sells or not. You have to face the reality of market conditions to influence the success of your home’s sale. If home prices are going up, you’ll do well, but it will be more expensive to purchase your next home, unless you move to a less expensive market or home.

And if prices are going down, you may not net what you were hoping for, but your next purchase may be a bargain, if you stay in the same area.

Don’t hide problems the home may have. If you’ve had a major water leak or had your foundation fixed, you need to disclose that in a formal seller’s disclosure form for all potential buyers to see. While it may be tempting to check the I-don’t-know box, remember that any lie can come undone. You don’t want to face legal problems because you tried to hide the truth. And if your buyer wants to know more, you can show the receipts for what you did to fix the problem.

Don’t overprice the home. When your home is overpriced, it’s underdressed for the party. Everyone notices that it doesn’t quite fit in. Buyers who can afford your home quickly notice that your home doesn’t quite measure up to others in the same price range. Buyers who could afford your home if it were priced correctly are unlikely to make offers because they’ll be searching in a different price range.

Don’t ignore your agent’s advice. A real estate agent is a professional. When she or he tells you that you’ll get a better offer more quickly if you’ll declutter, stage your home, make certain updates or repairs, it’s a proven truth. Buyers are more negative when they see homes that need work, and tend to make offers or withhold offers based on their feelings.

If your agent showed you a comparable market analysis, he or she may have suggested a listing range to price your home. If you go over that, you’re risking a negative response from the marketplace, long days on the market, and probable price reductions.

Do things right from the beginning and you’ll have a smoother, easier, and more profitable transaction.

Source: Realty Times

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Are you waiting until spring to buy a house even though you could do it now? Rates are low, the economy has improved, and great deals are out there during the holidays. So if you’re waiting it out, it has to be because of one of these four compelling reasons:

1. You like paying more

If you’d rather wait until everyone else in your area gets up off the couch and decides to get in the market, well, OK. But you will pay the price. Literally.

“Sellers who are actively looking to sell their home during the holiday months – namely, October through December – are serious about shedding the weight of their residences, said US News. “This often works in favor of savvy buyers looking to get a deal on discounted homes.”

2. You like competition

You’re not unique in your desire to get through the holiday season and the winter before undertaking the massive life change that can be a move to a new home. After all, the spring buying season is called the spring buying season for a reason: it’s when buyers get it together to list their home and look for another, hoping the efforts of finding and selling and moving all line up perfectly – and over the summer when the kids are out of school. Makes sense, which is why everyone does it. And that’s exactly why you should be doing it now, when very few people are.

“Less competition from other buyers during the holiday season might mean you’ll be able to negotiate a favorable price for a home you want to purchase,” said Bankrate.

Added Veterans United: “Winter is a buyer’s market. With less competition and fewer dedicated house-hunters, the colder months present an opportunity to snag a good deal. Not only are asking prices typically lower, but you’ll face fewer buyers offering competing bids. Even a small difference in price can mean significant savings in the long run. For example, let’s say you’re buying a house with 6 percent closing costs and a 30-year mortgage with a 3.25 percent interest rate. If your house costs $500,000 as opposed to $550,000, the total cost of your mortgage will fall by over $80,000. You’ll feel the benefits of buying low for decades to come.”

3. You hate getting a great deal

“Sellers tend to avoid the end of the year due to the short days, wintry weather and conventional wisdom that says buyers are otherwise occupied, said Bankrate. “But those who do choose to sell at year-end are often under pressure and highly motivated to cut a deal. And that’s why the year-end might be a smart time to buy: Determined house-hunters can take advantage of sellers’ urgency.”

4. Interest rates, shminterest rates

Who cares if they’re near the lowest levels in almost two years and are projected to go up next year. We’ve already established you’re OK with the idea of paying more.

“The mortgage loan market is ‘at the cusp’ of a turnaround when it comes to rising interest rates,” said US News. “This means that for those who are looking to buy a home, the holiday season may be the last time to lock in low loan rates that could potentially start to climb.”

It’s hard to get motivated when there’s fudge to eat and Christmas Vacation to watch

Yes, relaxing with a plate full of goodies and a holiday flick sounds great. You know what sound even better? Relaxing in your new home knowing you made a great investment. The ability to kick up your feet isn’t going anywhere. But the house with the pool and the perfect layout that just listed in your ideal neighborhood for a reasonable price definitely is. The movie can wait. But will that home you’ve been eyeing still be there when it’s over?

Source: Realty Times

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If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home.

There are three questions you should ask before purchasing in today’s market:

1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?
This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:

• A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education
• A place where you and your family feel safe
• More space for you and your family
• Control of the space

What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.

2. Where are home values headed?
When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number.

Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:

• Home values will appreciate by 4% in 2015.
• The cumulative appreciation will be 19.5% by 2018.
• Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 11.2% by 2018.

However, even though values are heading up Jacksonville remains affordable.

3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?
A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months.

Bottom Line
Only you and your family can know for certain the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision. Once you have made the decision to move forward then you should explore finding the right neighborhood and how to find your perfect home. I enourage you to act quickly if you decide to become a home buyer.

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The National Association of Home Builders’ Remodeling Marketing Index (RMI) for Q2 2014 has a composite score of 56, up three points from Q1. A reading over 50 indicates that more homeowners and remodeling firms are reporting renovation activity versus inactivity. Large jobs costing over $25,000 scored a 54. The RMI has now been above the 50-point mark since April of 2013.

Regional differences play a major role when deciding on renovations. Georgia and other southern states typically have lower labor costs than the New England area. Remodeling magazine, in it’s 2014 Cost Vs. Value (CVV) Report, found that the national average cost to add a wooden deck to a home was $9,539, but only about $8,700 in the South Atlantic region. A fireplace adds more value to a home in the North and Midwest, while patios and decks a make more sense for warmer climates.

Regardless of the reasons why you want to remodel, all projects should add both aesthetic and monetary value to your home. These three projects cover both aspects.

Windows

The 2014 CVV report estimates the average cost to replace 10 double hung windows with energy efficient vinyl windows in Atlanta to be $9,924. The average regional cost was $9,531. Homeowners will recoup about 72 percent of that cost on resale in Atlanta and 81 percent in the region, including the towns of Augusta and Athens.

Replacing windows has so many other peripheral advantages beyond a monetary return. New windows look bright and shiny, and give your home instant curb appeal as they are easily noticeable from a distance. It’s important to preserve the historic value of your home’s unique architecture when replacing your old windows. Potential buyers look for homes that represent the historical significance of the community, and they also want to save money with modern updates.

Kitchen and Bathroom

Kermit Baker, of the Joint Center For Housing Studies at Harvard University, told This Old House that the first area of the home that prospective buyers look at include the kitchen and bathroom. The best way to approach the kitchen is to give it some TLC. Refinish all surfaces, replace appliances with energy-efficient ones and paint the walls. These types of jobs are not only less expensive than complete remodels, but provide a larger return since the initial investment was smaller.

Bathroom remodeling jobs typically return 72 to 77 percent of the initial investment, according to the CVV report. Custom showers, his-and-her sinks, and tranquil lighting are en vogue and can make the difference between a closed sale and a house remaining on the market for months. But again, smaller improvements like a new toilet, paint, and shower faucets and head will add shine and that “new” smell to your bathroom.

Entry Doors

The National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association estimates that 33 percent of burglaries are initiated by entry through the front door. A Nationwide Insurance survey of 1,005 homeowners found that only 15 percent of them knew the front door is one of the most-common points of entry for burglars.

Steel entry doors are inexpensive, relatively easy to install, and are a criminal deterrent. They also carry a near 100 percent ROI. Both fiberglass and wood doors last longer. Salt and heavy rains can shorten the life span of steel doors significantly. Fiberglass does not react to the elements but is significantly more expensive than steel. Wood doors are also expensive but are the most visually attractive choice of the three.

All renovation projects should take into consider both ROI and personal taste. If selling is in your immediate future, stick to neutral styles and colors to attract as many potential buyers as possible.

source: Realty Times

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There are three reasons a buyer chooses to buy a home:

• Location
• Condition
• Price

Let’s take a look at each:

Price

First, you need to know if your neighborhood and price range is in a buyer’s market or seller’s market. A buyer’s market is characterized by large inventories of 6 months supply or higher, fewer buyers making offers, low offers, and many seller concessions. A seller’s market is characterized by low supply of 6 months on hand or less, heavy buyer traffic, multiple offers, and close to full price or full price offers. Bankers, buyers’ agents and buyers all have access to the same information that your agent has given you. If you overprice for the current market, your potential buyers won’t get their loans approved.

Condition

Allow your real estate agent to help you market your home by putting it in the best condition possible. Buyer’s pet peeves may be easy items to fix, but you don’t want your house to go to the bottom of their list because you failed to paint, mow, replace the carpet, etc. Sometimes you have to invest a little money to make money.

Location

You can’t do much about your home’s location, but you can make your home more attractive with lovely landscaping, fences to block out ugly views and sounds, a lower price and immaculate condition. If you do have a great location, don’t overprice. It’s hard not to be sentimental about the home you’ve lived in for years, but to buyers, your home is a commodity. Like you, they simply want to make a good deal on a home they love. You’ll quickly find out what real estate agents and their buyers think of your home. If you get a quick offer, you know you priced it right for the location, condition, and the current market. If you don’t get an offer within a couple of weeks, or whatever period is normal for your area, there’s something wrong.

Source: Realty Times

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For many of us, the idea of being happy is tied to a feeling of comfort, love, security. Did you know you can create an environment of happiness in your home just by surrounding yourself with a few key things? Check out these six ways your home can improve your mood.

Come on, get happy!

1. Soft geometry

Soft geometry is one of the elements of “neuroarchitecture,” a hot new field of design…using emerging research on how factors like light, space, and room layout affect physical and psychological well being. The premise is to consider how each feature of the architectural environment influences certain brain processes such as those involved in stress, emotion, and memory,” said Oprah. “Soft geometry…is the use of curves instead of hard edges on counters, furniture, and cabinets to help nurture contentment and well-being. The reason has to do with your peripheral vision and is linked to a primitive part of the brain called the amygdala. Everything need not be rounded—that gets very tedious. But if the key pieces and places are curved, that makes the body relax.

2. Color

Certain colors are said to have the ability to make you hungry, relaxed, energetic, and, yes, happy. “One easy and effective way to change your moody outlook is to brighten up your life with color,” said She Knows. “Research has proven how color therapy, or chromo therapy, is a natural way to lift your spirits.”

Vibrant colors like yellow and orange “will fill a room with excitement and warmth… promote joy and laughter and also aid in improving focus. The more surrounded you are with rich colors, the happier you are! Pastel colors, such as lavender and pinks can help you manage stress because these soft, soothing colors foster calm feelings.”

3. Light

Natural light is a known mood lifter. If your place is dark, think about ways to brighten it up. Sheer curtains instead of heavy draperies can filter in light, but if you need a more potent solution, try skylights. These Solatube skylights are an easy and more affordable option than a traditional skylight. Overhead lighting complemented by abundant task lighting can also help brighten up a room.

4. Texture

We are tactile people, and a combination of textures can also help our mood. “Slipping beneath a soft blanket or burying your toes in the sand evokes certain feelings,” said Up Your Property Value. “Use texture in your decorating to achieve the same effect. A shag rug thrown over a hardwood floor is a surprising contrast for bare feet. The feel of chenille upholstery can be comforting, compared to something more formal, such as leather. Add texture to any wall with textured wallpaper or a faux-finish painting technique, and choose window treatments that reflect your desired mood as well. Some people like the crisp, clean lines of wooden blinds, while others prefer a billowing sheer curtain.”

5. Pets

One of the quickest, most effective, and most satisfying ways to improve your mood at home is to add a pet. “Pets can be calming stress-fighters,” said WebMD, and can also:

• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce stress
• Increase opportunities for social interaction
• Improve a baby’s immune system

“Babies raised in families that have pets may be less likely to get allergies and asthma, some studies show,” said Web MD. “It has to start early, ideally before a baby is six months old. Babies with dogs or cats at home have fewer colds and ear infections during their first year than babies living in pet-free homes, one study found.”

6. The green stuff

Not ready to take care of a pet? How about a plant? “Houseplants are popular as decorating accents, bringing natural color to a room and softening hard corners. The biggest benefit, though, is your health,” said Make It Better.

“Plants can reduce stress, clean the air, and help increase “oxygen for better breathing, which “can reduce drowsiness during the day, improve sleep at night and reduce the occurrence of headaches.”

Source: Realty Times

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