In the living room, spend money where people sit.

The living room is all about the return on investment — or in designers’ terms, “seat time.” The more time someone is likely to sit there, the more you should invest in the piece, says McGaha.

So spend time and money picking out a great sofa that will last a long time, but go for less expensive pieces when it comes to to accent furniture. “Like a lounge chair that goes in the room with your really great sofa, you don’t have to spend nearly as much money on that. That way if you get tired of it, you can change it out,” McGaha notes.

“I wouldn’t spend tons of money there because people don’t sit in a lounge chair as long as they relax on a sofa.”

Watson agrees that a sofa is really worth investing in — a neutral sofa, in particular. Bargain accent pillows and throws can be incorporated to stay on trend.

A living space can also be a good choice for spending on lighting, wallpaper and custom upholstery. After all, this room is where we spend many of our waking hours.

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“I love to splurge on upholstery,” McGaha shares. “By upholstery I mean getting a piece that’s custom for you, meaning it’s deeper or it’s got a different fill on the cushion, so that every time you sit down you say, ‘I just love this sofa.’”

Where can you save in a living room? Look under your feet. “Rugs are something trendy, so they can be replaced pretty often,” points out Watson.

“I wouldn’t say spend a lot of money, because that trend will change. I know we have faded antique rugs that have been the style for about three to four years now, but now geometrics are coming back in.”

Use lower-cost art prints in secondary spaces, such as a bathroom or guest bedroom. This bathroom is part of a home designed by Watson.(Courtesy The Design Quad)
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Limit what you spend in your guest room.

It can be tempting to go big in the guest room to really make an impression on people who stay with you, but resist the urge, says McGaha. Your investment in a space should relate to how much time you, the homeowner, spend there.

“I love to use artist prints instead of originals in hallways or guest bedrooms or bathrooms. I’m always going to tell you not to spend all your dollars in those secondary spaces,” says McGaha. “And while I love my guest rooms to be luxurious and really elegant for guests, let’s not put something in there that only that one person gets to enjoy. They’re only there for a few nights.”

To save in a guest room, you could paint instead of doing high-end wallpaper. Your window coverings can be sale items; so can guest linens and bedding. When you look for deals, you can more easily change out those elements for a style update.

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Go for cost-effective pieces in kids’ rooms.

You don’t have to spend a lot on a child’s room. Less-expensive, trendy pieces will create a space they’re happy with — and when their tastes change, you can more easily swap out the furnishings and accessories.(Getty Images)

Keep in mind that kids tend to be harder on furnishings, and their tastes will change as they grow up — so feel free to choose lower-cost, trendier pieces for their spaces. McGaha says the bed is a particular place you can save in a child’s room. Use a metal bed frame and score a fun and comfy upholstered headboard.

Don’t neglect your entryway.

You might not think about splurging on the entry to your home, but hear us out. It’s often the first thing you see when you return home and the last thing you see before you leave. And it’s the first and last impression of your home that guests have, too.

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This is where you want to go for original art, amazing lighting and the wallpaper of your dreams. And best of all, it’s a small space compared to other areas in your home, so you can choose just a few things and still have a big impact.

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Source: dallasnews.com

Apache is functioning normally

On the northern Oregon Coast between Warrenton and Gearhart, near Astoria and Seaside, lies the gated community of Surf Pines, Oregon. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, and the peaceful Sunset Lake on the east, the residential community offers quite a few beautiful homes in a serene setting where quiet rural living meets fun beach life.

And a sleek three-bedroom home is looking to attract new residents to the area.

Recently listed for $1,250,000, the property was designed by Pacific Northwest architect Paul McKean, and reflects the respected architecture firm’s design vision.

Photo credit: Don Frank Photography

“We believe that there is beauty in simplicity, and that good architecture improves lives and respects nature,” Paul McKean Architecture’s About Us page tells us, and the words could describe their Surf Pines, Oregon project to a T. “Our designs tend to be simple, efficient and materials-driven. This approach lends itself to smaller homes that are cost-effective, durable and energy efficient.”

Photo credit: Don Frank Photography

Custom built for its current owner, the founder of Schoolhouse Electric (a high-end lighting and home goods manufacturer based out of Portland, OR), the architecturally distinct home offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and of the area’s beautiful natural landscape through its western-facing, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sitting on a one-acre lot, the elevated modern beach retreat offers 1,443 square feet, three bedrooms, and two baths.

Inside, an expansive great room brings together the living, dining, and kitchen areas, and is flooded with natural light thanks to its expansive windows. There’s also an adjacent patio that offers additional seating and a great spot to enjoy the views.

Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography

Envisioned for entertaining, the Oregon home features a primary bedroom with an attached bathroom, a large bunk room with a seating area, and a second guest bedroom and bathroom.

Photo credit: Don Frank Photography
Photo credit: Don Frank Photography

There’s also a second outdoor area to entertain guests underneath the upper-level patio and a fire pit with built-in benches next to the house. To top it all off, the beach is just a short walk away.

Photo credit: Don Frank Photography

The Surf Pines, Oregon house is listed with JP Faherty, Matt Robinson, and Grant Ludwick of The Agency Bend.

More stories

Edward Cullen’s sleek glass house in Twilight is actually in Portland, Oregon

A Starship-like home in Idaho celebrates both the future & the past

What $23.5 Million buys you at The Summit Club, Las Vegas’ most exclusive residential community

Source: fancypantshomes.com

Apache is functioning normally

Long-time readers of Get Rich Slowly know that I’ve been waging an ongoing battle against Stuff — the clutter and crap I managed to collect during 20 years of wanton spending and debt. Though I’ve managed to curb my spending (and have slowed the influx of Stuff), I’m still surrounded by constant reminders of my old habits.

Last week, Colleen wrote to ask for an update on this seemingly-endless war:

I was wondering if you would update us soon on your battle with “Stuff”. I, along with others I’m sure, struggle with this, and reading your blog has been a great help. I’m curious how you’ve progressed since the last post when you decided to clean the workshop.

I’m pleased to report that over the past two months, I’ve launched a number of successful campaigns to take control of clutter. There’s still much work to be done, but I can finally envision a future that isn’t filled with useless Stuff. Here are a few examples of my progress:

Guarding the Guest Room

On Saturday, Kris and I spent several hours cleaning our “guest room”. I put guest room in quotes because for the past two years, it’s been incapable of housing guests. Instead, it’s been a home for my photography equipment, Kris’ cooking magazines, my board game collection, upcoming Christmas gifts, and more. It’s just a holding place for Stuff.

This weekend, we decided we’d had enough. We sorted and purged. We cleaned. We re-arranged the furniture. The toughest part for me was culling my board game collection. I had to admit that although we used to play games once a week (or more!), we’re now lucky to play them once a year. I don’t need 50 board games. In fact, I’m sure that next September, I’ll be wondering why I kept 25 board games.

After a few hours of work, we’d managed to turn a dumpy useless room into an actual guest room. (We also managed to move all of the science fiction books and comic books into the guest room, freeing up space elsewhere in the house.)

Conquering the Closet

In June, based on a GRS reader suggestion, I set up a year-long experiment. I moved all of my nice shirts and sweaters from the hall closet to the guest room closet. Whenever I need something, I go to the hall closet first. If what I need is there, I wear it. If not, I pull it from the closet in the guest bedroom.

After I’ve worn something (and it’s been cleaned), it’s hung in the hall closet. After a year has elapsed, the guest bedroom will contain a bunch of clothes I have not worn for twelve months. I’ll take these things to Goodwill.

Note: There’s a subtle side-benefit of doing this. When I can’t find what I want in the hall closet, checking the guest room closet is very much like shopping. This may sound crazy, but it’s true. Same feelings.

This trick is awesome. It’s surprisingly liberating. When I open the hall closet, there are only a handful of shirts — the eight shirts I wear most often. This makes me realize that most of the other 25+ shirts hanging in the guest room are nothing but clutter. (I can’t evaluate the sweaters yet because the cold weather hasn’t arrived. Still, I think it’s safe to assume I don’t need 19 of them.)

Waging War in the Workshop

My biggest victory so far — one that I hope to finally achieve later today — has been the reclamation of my workshop. When we moved into this house five years ago, I had dreams of learning carpentry in the shop. Or converting it to a photo studio. Or something.

Instead, the workshop became a dumping ground for all the crap I’d managed to accumulate. (And continued to accumulate.) At the beginning of this summer, the building was packed to the gills with computer parts, record albums, magazines, and boxes of useless junk. After weeks of slow progress, however, I’ve managed to reduce the mess to a single bench. It will take me several hours to sort these last few difficult piles — but once I do, the workshop will be a homey place to pursue my hobbies.

Fighting the Good Fight

Though I’ve achieved some major victories in recent months, my war against Stuff is not over. There are some tough battles ahead. But I’m a veteran now. I’m confident that I’ll emerge victorious.

It seems like I always end these posts with a list of lessons learned. Today is no different. Here are some of the things I’ve been thinking about lately:

  • The best way to fight the battle against Stuff is to prevent new Stuff from entering your home. If you continue to acquire new Stuff, you just make it that much more difficult to turn things around. (It was difficult for me to learn that “free” Stuff is rarely actually free.)
  • It’s best to convert your Stuff to cash, no matter how little that cash might be. I used to think I had to get what my Stuff was “worth”. This is a great idea, and I encourage those who have time to do so, but extracting maximum value from Stuff requires a lot of effort. I’d much rather sell my Stuff on Craigslist or on eBay or at a garage sale.
  • Don’t be afraid to give your Stuff away. Though it’s best to get money for it, there’s nothing wrong with donating your Stuff to charity — or giving it to friends who can use it. One man’s Stuff is another man’s treasure (or something like that).
  • If it’s possible to outsource your Stuff, then do so. Why should I own thousands of books when there’s a public library down the street? Why buy DVDs when I can use Netflix? Why purchase CDs when I can buy songs through iTunes? By outsourcing my Stuff, there’s less clutter in the house. However…
  • Beware: Digital Stuff can be almost as insidious as physical Stuff. I have thousands of digital photographs, tens of thousands of mp3s (legal mp3s), 20+ years of Word and text documents, as well as a vast array of other data. This digital Stuff is nearly impossible to organize. If possible, organize your digital Stuff as you go.
  • Focus on quality. Sometimes there’s a thin line between stuff that is Stuff and stuff that is useful. The difference often comes down to Quality. I’ve learned that I’d much rather pay more for Quality that will last a lifetime (or most of one, anyhow) than to save a bit now but end up with Stuff later.

When I started this battle two years ago, it was difficult for me to imagine getting rid of any of my Stuff. At that time, I had over 3000 books. Since then, I’ve managed to trim my library by more than half. But this didn’t happen all at once. Every six months or so, I get rid of another batch of books.

Purging Stuff is like peeling the layers of an onion. You gradually shed layer after layer after layer. As you strip away the trappings of your old life, you come to realize that all you really need are the bare essentials. Everything else is just Stuff.

For more on this subject, please visit Unclutterer and Zen Habits. (Many GRS readers also recommend FlyLady, but I haven’t ever explored the site thoroughly.)

Source: getrichslowly.org

Apache is functioning normally

Apache is functioning normally

Underwriting, LOS, Appraisal Tools, Broker and Automation Products; Freddie and Fannie News; Housing Starts Skyrocket

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Underwriting, LOS, Appraisal Tools, Broker and Automation Products; Freddie and Fannie News; Housing Starts Skyrocket

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Tue, Jun 20 2023, 9:40 AM

I am fortunate to travel around some (no, I am not on the missing Titanic tourist submarine, nor personally shepherding the new Credit Trigger Bill in MA), and am in the Bay Area to give a speech on the eve of the Summer Solstice, and am reminded of the passage of time and how my skill sets have become outdated. I can refold a map correctly, unknot curly telephone wire to get all the curls facing the right way, and can cover a textbook with a brown paper bag. I know how to write in cursive. But I don’t know why cars don’t need to warm up anymore, or why my cell phone doesn’t work in the guest bedroom. I barely understand how electricity actually works, aside from my Mom telling me not to poke my fork in the electrical wall outlet. But others have a better grasp of it, and it’s a great time to be one of the 1.032 million electricians in America, the most ever, and LOs pay attention to changes in demographics and job markets. Electricians’ pay has skyrocketed, averaging $37.51 per hour for an annual wage of around $78,000, a 7.8 percent year-over-year increase. A boom in the housing market plus the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 (which steers $369 billion to beefing up energy infrastructure) is driving the golden age of electricians. (Today’s podcast can be found here and this week’s is sponsored by MCT and its Hedge Advisory division. Download their recently released whitepaper, Mortgage Pipeline Hedging 101, for more information on hedging in today’s market. Today’s includes an interview with MCT’s Andrew Rhodes on secondary market happenings in the current rate environment and the importance of loan sale automation.)

Broker and Lender Services, Products, and Software

National Homeownership Month means new opportunities for your business. June is National Homeownership Month and ICE Mortgage Technology® is sharing resources all month long to help mortgage professionals put more people into homes. Did you know, according to their 2023 Borrower Insights Survey, fewer than one in 10 borrowers wanted a fully digital experience? By leveraging mortgage automation, you can streamline the previously manual steps that slowed your team down, and ensure they have time to deliver the high touch experience your borrowers are looking for. Click here to learn how ICE Mortgage Technology can partner with you to streamline the various steps in the mortgage process.

It’s industry belief that transferring your loans to a new subservicer is slow, risky, and just too scary to even try. As a result, most originators have FOMO (Fear of Moving On), but Servbank clients found there was no need to fear the move because Servbank has the loan transfer process down to a science. They handle dozens of client transfers per year, with a fully assisted, stress-tested transfer process that is entirely transparent. Once aboard, all loans get the same compassionate, compliant servicing that has turned Servbank into one of the nation’s Top 10 Subservicers. But the proof isn’t in the claims, it’s in the numbers. In April 2023, Servbank efficiently transferred 175,000 loans timely, with imperceptible disruption to the customers or their existing clients. So, if you have a FOMO from your current servicer, let Servbank share all the details with you on how they can make transferring your loans a seamless and worry-free process that will enhance your brand and improve your bottom line. Ready to learn more? Visit here.

“AFR Wholesale® (AFR) is incredibly honored and blessed to be providing homeownership for over 25 years. As a leading manufactured home lender amongst wholesalers and to be a leading FHA 203k lender for sponsored originations and an innovator in construction and renovation lending, AFR is steadfast in providing more homeownership opportunities to more families. AFR wants to teach the masses how to leverage programs such HomeOne®, Home Possible®, Home Ready®, and a full suite of other lending products to help diversify your lending toolkit. You still have time to join! We invite you on June 21st at 2 PM EST. to join AFR and special guests from Fannie Mae to learn about HomeReady® and how to leverage this program. Register Today! This is a live webinar and will not be recorded, so sign up today and don’t miss it! Contact AFR by going to afrwholesale.com, email [email protected] (1-800-375-6071).”

“One of the ways Xactus is serving to innovate and innovating to serve is with its powerful residential and commercial appraisal valuation management technology, Appraisal FirewallX. It shortens appraisal times and lets you manage your own appraisal process. Appraisal FirewallX also improves efficiency because it is integrated with numerous LOS systems such as Encompass by ICE Mortgage Technology. Cambridge Savings Bank has been using Appraisal FirewallX since it launched Encompass in 2017 and it has enabled the Cambridge team to maintain partnerships with its approved appraisers and move away from a very inefficient manual process to a highly automated one. It considers Appraisal FirewallX’s customer service to be top notch too. In fact, it’s one of Cambridge’s top vendor relationships. See how this innovative technology solution can improve your appraisal process and how Xactus is advancing the modern mortgage. Email us for a demo.”

Integrated LOS and POS systems are essential to creating the quick, easy, and fully digital mortgage application process that today’s borrowers expect. Learn how MeridianLink® Mortgage LOS is leading the charge toward better borrower experiences in its recent ebook on the importance of integrated systems in creating an automated online application process from start to finish.

Cover your staff’s time off with Maxwell’s on-demand underwriting. As a mortgage professional, you know the value of an uninterrupted workflow. Maxwell Fulfillment services empowers you to seamlessly maintain your operations while your team enjoys time off this summer (and beyond). With direct integrations to your LOS, our experienced onshore team of underwriters provides a seamless, fast, and cost-effective experience. To learn more about Maxwell’s on-demand underwriting or other fulfillment services, click here or schedule a call today.

Freddie and Fannie Updates

The two Agencies, under the guidance of the FHFA, continue making the changes that the industry keeps following, given 60-70 percent of production follows their processing and underwriting guidelines. This includes the increasing issue of climate change.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued its 2022 Report to Congress. The statutorily required report provides information about FHFA’s 2022 examinations of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (the Enterprises), Common Securitization Solutions (CSS), the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks), and the FHLBanks’ Office of Finance.

Of note, the FHFA increased its efforts to address the climate-related risks faced by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The agency’s latest annual report to Congress outlined the progress made by FHFA’s eight climate-focused working groups.

Fannie Mae’s Appraiser Update June 2023 edition focuses on certain appraisal quality issues and share examples of ways they identify and mitigate the resulting risks. Also, several recent appraisal-related policy changes and the Uniform Appraisal Dataset (UAD) and Forms Redesign project are discussed.

Fannie Mae implemented 2023 area median incomes (AMIs) in Desktop Underwriter® (DU®), Loan Delivery, and the Area Median Income Lookup Tool. There was a 7.73 percent average increase for 2023, meaning more borrowers may meet AMI requirements. AMI is also used to determine eligibility for certain loan-level price adjustment (LLPA) waivers. Lenders may use this information to determine income eligibility for HomeReady® and other loans with AMI requirements.

PennyMac Announcement 23-44: Freddie Mac Bulletin 2023-11 Credit Underwriting Updates.

Fifth Third Correspondent Lending Communiqué edition 2023-5-6.16.23 provides information on Agency and FHA Products Temporary Buydowns, Investment Property QM Points and Fees, Long Term Lock Updates.

With SEL-2023-04, Fannie Mae announced multiple Selling Guide changes, including updated requirements related to shared equity and shared appreciation, subordinate financing, and alternatives for tax filing documentation. View AmeriHome Mortgage Announcement 20230511-CL for details.

Pennymac is aligning with Freddie Mac’s selling guide updates on property appraisals and condominium projects. Updates are listed in Announcement 23-41: Freddie Mac Bulletin 2023-9 Property Appraisals and Condominium Project Updates and are effective immediately.

PennyMac posted Announcement 23-43: Updates to Conventional LLPAs. Pennymac updated Conventional LLPAs effective for all Best Efforts Commitments taken on or after Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The “Purchase Special” will improve by 0.10 for loan balances <= $175,000.

Citizens Correspondent National Bulletin 2023-13 includes information on Conventional Conforming Product and All Product Updates. See the bulletin for additional information and all lock, delivery, and purchase by dates, if required.

Of course, the private mortgage insurance companies, like Arch, Enact, Essent Guaranty, MGIC, National Mortgage Insurance, and Radian, are very interested in anything that the Agencies are up to or impact their business. Seth Appleton, President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), released a statement on the U.S. Senate Reintroduction of The Middle-Class Mortgage Insurance Premium Act of 2023 sponsored by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Capital Markets:

Okay class, let’s review. Our Federal Reserve (the “Central Bank”) doesn’t want to be seen as weak on fighting inflation. We learned last week that consumer prices rose 0.1 percent in May, in line with many analysts’ expectations. Year over year numbers are always rolling, dropping off the one 13 months ago. Sure enough, over the last year, prices were up 4.0 percent versus 4.9 percent in April. This marks the lowest annual inflation reading in over two years. Are we having a “soft landing?”

Shelter costs continue to buoy the headline number, however rental prices have moderated significantly from last year’s large increases. Consumer expectations for future inflation also fell to their lowest since March 2021. Meanwhile, the Federal Open Market Committee kept the Fed Funds Rate steady at a range of 5.00 – 5.25 percent following its June meeting. While this was in line with expectations, the dot plot released following the meeting indicates the committee still feels more tightening is appropriate this year. Officials continue to reinforce their expectations for rates to remain elevated for longer than some analysts’ forecasts. Employment and housing remain significant headwinds to inflation subsiding to levels where the Fed would consider declaring an end to the current tighter policy cycle.

After yesterday’s holiday, markets resumed today with Philadelphia Fed non-manufacturing figure for June (-16.6), as well as May housing starts and building permits (+21.7 and +5.2 percent, respectively, an enormous jump). Two Fed speakers are currently scheduled, St. Louis President Bullard and New York President Williams. The bond market, and therefore interest rates, begins the trading week little changed from last Friday: the 10-year is yielding 3.75 after closing last week at 3.77 percent, the 2-year at 4.71, and Agency MBS prices unchanged.

Employment

Nations Lending Continues Growth with Highest Ever Rank on Scotsman Guide! Nations Lending has once again been recognized by Scotsman Guide as one of the Top Mortgage Lenders in America. The company secured the 42nd position on the 2023 list, which was based on its impressive volume of nearly $3 billion. This marks the eighth consecutive year that Nations has been included in the ranking. Over the last few months, the company has introduced a slew of new products and improvements that have seen immediate success. This includes the RIO, a Nations investor-product-focused on generational wealth for investors with simplified qualifications, a temporary buydown solution for the Jumbo product line, giving Nations an advantage in promoting payment solutions in the early years of the loan, enhancements to its agency product line-up with lowered FICO scores to 500 for FHA/VA loans, and focusing on a borrowers Positive Rent Payment History for borrowers that are past tenants. Any IMB interested in joining Nations can reach out to John Owens.

“Who onboarded over $1B producing LO’s in May-June? Who won a Regional HW Tech100 Award? Who made the Scotsman Top Lenders list …again? Who made 2023 National Mortgage News Best Mortgage Companies to work for? Who was the 4th fastest growing company Inc Regionals Rocky Mountain Region? Who developed a highly efficient proprietary LOS that allows LOs to do more volume with less effort? Who has a business model that is sustainably good and profitable in any market? …heard enough yet? Join us and we’ll revolutionize the mortgage industry together. Reach out to Josh Neumarker at Canopy Mortgage for more information 888-696-9076.”

“Are you frustrated as a retail loan officer or mortgage banker with the lack of flexibility to provide custom loan options? Take control: follow the lead of an estimated 24,000 MLOs like you who have joined the wholesale channel in the last year. Whether you open your own independent mortgage brokerage or join a team as a loan officer, you’ll have the ability to provide your clients with the personalized solutions they need. Contact our team at BeAMortgageBroker.com today and you’ll be well on your way to a more fulfilling tomorrow.”

 Download our mobile app to get alerts for Rob Chrisman’s Commentary.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

Apache is functioning normally

When we first moved out when we were 18, we moved into a very tiny house. Technically, it was not a “tiny home,” but to us it was.

It was extremely small home at around 400 square feet (less than that if you don’t count the basement), but it was cheap, had a backyard and was located very close to the college I was about to start attending.

Also, as a reminder, last year Jordann also posted about how she used to live in a 400 square foot house. I also recently published the interview I Live in a 175 Square Foot Tiny Home – Sailboat Living. I highly recommend you read these two posts!

I recently became interested in tiny homes again when I was watching a documentary on Netflix (we’re starting to find cable less and less worthwhile) called Tiny: A Story About Living Small. This documentary followed a man building his very own tiny home, and the documentary also showed others who lived in their own tiny homes.

I find tiny homes very interesting. They make great use of their space, they are usually very cute, and they are very affordable. Even with the positives below though, I don’t think it’s something I could do.

For me, the negatives greatly outweigh the positives. I think we could do something smaller than what we currently have, but a 200 square feet tiny home is just too extreme for me.

Below are the positives and negatives of living in a tiny house:

Pro: Your housing expenses will be cheaper with a tiny home.

The average tiny home costs less than $30,000 to build. You can also buy a tiny home for very cheap. That price before includes the exterior and interior of the home. That is very cheap! That is much cheaper than the average home.

However, I do think you have to remember about where you are going to place this tiny home. Yes, you can buy land for cheap, but land can also be very expensive in other areas.

Your home will also be cheaper in that your utility bills will be cheaper. It’s much cheaper to heat or cool down a 200 square foot house than a 2,000 square foot house.

Repairs, maintenance and replacements will also most likely be much cheaper in a tiny home.

Con: I think it would be difficult with children and pets.

We don’t have children yet, but we would like to have them in the future. With all of the people I’ve seen and read about who live in tiny homes, I don’t think there’s been a single one who had children or pets.

I think it would just be very difficult with a family. People need their space… Or, maybe that’s just me?

However, I think if it were just one or two people living in a tiny home, then it would probably be much more doable. When we lived in our 400 square foot house (let’s keep in mind that we haven’t lived there in a very long time), it wasn’t completely bad. The size didn’t really bother us at all at the time. I think it really helped that there were multiple small rooms to escape too, and there was also a front and backyard and porch.

Pro: You’ll spend less money on material items.

I am a bit of a hoarder. Just ask Wes and he will probably want to cry just thinking about how much stuff I have.

My closet is jam packed to the ceiling with stuff, and then I also have things in the guest bedroom and in our basement.

Moving into a tiny home would probably be a lifesaver in that I would be forced to think about each purchase I make. Since there’s only so much room in a tiny home, you will buy fewer items.

Con: Having guests over won’t be comfortable.

I remember watching in the documentary when the main person being filmed had guests over.

He invited his family over to see the home he just built and it was extremely cramped. It was almost like everyone had to bend over in order for their to be room for everyone.

Now, I’ll be honest, I don’t throw raging parties or anything, but I would like the option of having people over when I can. This is especially true since we plan on moving to a new state and we would like people to visit us occasionally.

Pro: You may be able to bring the tiny house when traveling.

Okay, this doesn’t apply to every single tiny house, but there are some that are small enough where you can actually travel with it.

You can bring your tiny home to where you want it to be, and you may even be able to do some road trips in it as well.

This makes the list of possible places to live pretty much endless.

Con: Not a lot of personal space.

This is no surprise. They are called tiny homes for a reason. According to the documentary, tiny homes are homes that are 200 square feet or less. That is extremely small.

That’s smaller than my bedroom, and my bedroom is not huge by any means.

Since I work from home 24/7 now, I would like to have more space since I’m at home more. I think I would get a little crazy if I was in the same exact room hour after hour, day after day.

Would you ever live in a tiny home? Why or why not? How small could you go? How big is your home currently?

Also, if you live in a tiny home (less than 250 square feet preferably), I’d love to hear from you and possibly conduct an interview for this blog. Please send me an email if you are interested.

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Source: makingsenseofcents.com

Apache is functioning normally

An adorable gingerbread cottage in Oak Bluffs, MA, is now available for $875,0000.

Known as The Pink House, for its bubblegum-hued exterior, the aesthetically unique residence is one of 312 Victorian cottages on Martha’s Vineyard. The brightly colored cottage was built in 1870 and comes with a storied history.

It’s part of what’s known as The Campground, a collection of homes originally created as a summer retreat with campsites for the Methodist Church. Over the years, the camping tents were removed and cottages were constructed around The Tabernacle. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Tabernacle now hosts religious services and year-round cultural events.

“Everyone who lives there loves it,” says listing agent Kyle Neyer, of Tea Lane Associates. “The home is located in the most iconic fairytale campground, and I think its pink color really sets it apart. It’s been painted various colors of pink since after the Depression.”

Exterior

(Realtor.com)

The home’s distinctly pink exterior and Gothic front door give way to a cozy, 697-square-foot interior that drips with charm.

From the lacy wood details to exposed-beam ceilings, the home’s history echoes throughout the all-white space.

“Most of the cottages are truly summer cottages, but this one is a year-round home,” Neyer says. “I would describe this home as a fairytale mixed with modern amenities.”

Living room

(Realtor.com)

The home is bound by a ground lease, so a buyer rents the land from the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. The buyer will own the home but not the land beneath it.

“An association fee includes trash and snow removal as well as maintenance of the communal gardens,” Neyer explains. “There are some rental restrictions. You can only rent it out six weeks in the summer, from June to September. It’s a real thriving summer colony, and they want it to stay owner occupied.”

The main floor features a bright and open floor plan, including a living room with preserved-hardwood floors and an oversized picture window that overlooks the pink deck.

Dining area

(Realtor.com)

Just past the living room is an adorable dining area with a second Gothic door for outside access.

The nearby galley kitchen has arched ceilings, a Gothic window, and a few pink countertop appliances to offer flourishes of color and contrast to the all-white interior.

Kitchen

(Realtor.com)

Two spacious bedrooms with sloped ceilings are found upstairs. The primary bedroom has a dormer window and another Gothic door that opens to a private terrace.

A guest bedroom features a stained-glass window with balcony access.

Bedroom

(Realtor.com)

And a brick patio and garden out back make for the ideal spot to host summer barbecues.

Located just blocks from Oak Bluffs Harbor and Nantucket Sound, the property is a delightful retreat for anyone in the mood to embrace year-round vacation living.

“It’s pretty much turnkey and is being offered fully furnished, but it doesn’t have a TV,” Neyer notes. “There is so much going on there in the summer, from religious functions to music and art festivals. The history of the home is just so amazing. It’s a very special, magical place.”

Patio

(Realtor.com)

Source: realtor.com