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A cadre of Silicon Valley elites is drawing fierce criticism from local residents and environmentalists for planning a new city on the outskirts of the Bay Area, a project dubbed “California Forever.” But the effort should be applauded for revealing a truth about California’s failed housing policies.

This group of California’s most influential wants to build one or more new towns on the urban fringes, having spent about $900 million to buy an area roughly twice the size of San Francisco some 60 miles east of the city. The project breaks with the philosophy of the state’s housing policy, which has long been focused on urban densification.

Despite the state’s efforts to encourage residential development, California’s housing markets remain among the least affordable in the country. The homeownership rate is near the nation’s lowest. To afford a house at the median price today in Southern California, a family needs an annual income of $180,000, twice the region’s median.

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Some housing advocates insist that the solution is to force growth into existing neighborhoods. Yet the state’s supposedly pro-development new housing laws have yet to produce more homes at a scale sufficient to address the affordability crisis, and recent data suggest an accelerating decline in housing production.

Over the last five years, California has consistently lagged in construction not just of single-family housing but of multifamily housing as well. Not one California metropolitan area was among the top 50 in housing growth last year; Texas had six areas on that list, Florida 11. Los Angeles, the state’s dominant metropolitan area, didn’t crack the top 200.

Clearly we need a new approach that is more aligned with market demands. A recent report by London Moeder, a San Diego real estate consultancy, noted that California regulations make it difficult to build the kinds of housing people are looking for, particularly multi-bedroom homes that can accommodate families.

Research by Jessica Trounstine at UC Merced similarly found that “preferences for single-family development are ubiquitous. Across every demographic subgroup analyzed, respondents preferred single-family home developments by a wide margin. Relative to single-family homes, apartments are viewed as decreasing property values, increasing crime rates, lowering school quality, increasing traffic and decreasing desirability.”

Opposition to densification of existing neighborhoods remains staunch in many cities, with some threatening a voter initiative to restore municipal control of zoning.

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California’s focus on increasing density in urban areas is also at odds with the national shift toward remote work and retail and office growth in more suburban, lower-density areas.

A sensible California housing policy would respond to these trends and consumer desires, much as the Bay Area project promises to do. This does not mean we will need sprawling growth.

California’s population is dropping and is not expected to increase in the next four decades, which alters projections of future housing needs. The solution lies in strategic growth. Rather than force growth in places that are declining in population and resistant to development, including Los Angeles County and San Francisco, the state needs to look at the parts of California that are growing, places such as Riverside and Yolo counties.

To encourage growth where it’s happening naturally, the state could create a “Housing Opportunity Area” comprising the Central Valley and Inland Empire, subject to more liberal rules than the coast. Land costs are far lower in the interior of the state than in metropolitan Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San José. Policies that support inland development could help stem the outbound migration of Californians.

The rise of remote work means development away from urban centers is far more plausible and less environmentally toxic than in the past. Indeed, the International Energy Agency suggests that if everybody able to work from home worldwide were to do so just one day a week, it would save around 1% of global oil consumption for road transport per year. That would prevent 24 million metric tons of annual carbon dioxide pollution, equivalent to the bulk of greater London’s emissions. And roughly 40% of California’s jobs, including 70% of its higher-paying ones, could be done at home, according to research by the California Center for Jobs and the Economy.

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Equally promising, many new suburbs are being designed in consciously more sustainable ways, as MIT professor Alan Berger suggests. Sophisticated systems for controlling energy and water use can make suburban and exurban communities more environmentally responsible. Another promising innovation is broader use of manufactured housing, which has the potential to speed construction by as much as 50%, according to a 2019 McKinsey & Co. report. A single-family subdivision is under construction by 3-D printer in suburban Austin.

There are still opportunities for innovative housing production in dense urban cores such as downtown San Francisco and Manhattan. New York Mayor Eric Adams is seeking to quickly add 20,000 housing units through office building conversions. He has also proposed a larger program to convert more than 130 million square feet of office space to residential use, though he needs state legislation to reach that goal.

More such promising opportunities may lie in old, underused retail spaces in both cities and suburbs, which have the advantage of simple floor plans, ample parking and presence across metropolitan California. A recently announced plan to replace Buena Park’s vacant Sears building with 1,100 housing units could represent one piece of our housing future. Flagging malls in Orange County and throughout California provide similar possibilities.

Such developments are critical to our increasingly diverse middle and working class. Older, overwhelmingly white Californians have achieved high rates of homeownership, but the rates among millennials, African Americans and Latinos are well below the national average.

If they don’t leave the state entirely, younger generations will tend to continue to migrate outward in search of affordable suburbs. The majority of people of color in California live in suburbs, accounting for virtually all suburban growth over the past decade. Communities could be built in the exurbs and beyond for senior citizens, too, helping to produce new housing opportunities for young families near job centers. The outer suburbs and exurbs are the future homes of most Californians.

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We have the land for such a new vision. While other populous states have devoted as much as a third of their land to urban development, California’s developed lands constitute only 6% of the state. A “7% solution” to the California housing crisis would free up 1 million more acres to build the new communities that we largely stopped building around 2000, when we had 5 million fewer people.

Relying on billionaires to build new cities in the hinterlands isn’t a generally sustainable answer to California’s housing crisis. But the California Forever project does rightly suggest that our solutions must build on the state’s penchant for innovation, capitalism and a distinctly suburban lifestyle.

Joel Kotkin is the presidential fellow in urban futures at Chapman University. Wendell Cox is the principal of Demographia, a public policy consulting firm.

Source: latimes.com

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) generally requires that you report a forgiven or canceled debt as income for tax purposes. But forgiven student loan debt is different.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act specifies that student loan debt discharged between 2021 and 2025, and incurred for postsecondary education expenses, will not be counted as income, and therefore does not incur a federal tax liability.

This includes federal Direct Loans, Family Federal Education Loans (FFEL), Perkins Loans, and federal consolidation loans. Additionally, non-federal loans such as state education loans, institutional loans direct from colleges and universities, and even private student loans also qualify.

However, some states have indicated that they still count canceled student loans as taxable income. Read on for more information about which discharged student debt is taxable and by whom.

Different Student Loan Forgiveness Programs

Federal student debt can be canceled via an income-driven repayment plan (IDR) or forgiveness programs.

While President Joe Biden’s plan to offer federal debt cancellation of up to $20,000 to those with qualifying income failed — struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court — other forms of student loan forgiveness have been strengthened.

In October 2023, the White House announced at least $127 billion in student loan relief for nearly 3.6 million Americans:

•   $5.2 billion in additional debt relief for 53,000 borrowers under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.

•   Nearly $2.8 billion in new debt relief for nearly 51,000 borrowers through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to.

•   $1.2 billion for nearly 22,000 borrowers who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.

Recommended: Guide to Student Loan Forgiveness

Whose Student Loan Cancellation Is Not Federally Taxed?

As stated earlier, under the provisions of the ARP Act, any student debt (private or federal) for post-secondary education that was or is forgiven in the years of 2021 through 2025 will not be federally taxed. This means that the borrowers just listed above were not required to report their discharged loan amount as earned income, and therefore taxable.

Outside of the special five-year window of tax exemption provided by the ARP Act, participants in the Public Service Federal Loan program who receive forgiveness also don’t have to worry about paying taxes on the canceled amount. The program explicitly states that earned forgiveness through PSLF is not considered taxable income.

Recommended: A Look Into the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Whose Student Loan Cancellation Is Federally Taxed?

Borrowers who receive loan cancellation after participating fully in an income-driven loan repayment plan can generally expect to pay taxes. Again, those whose debt was discharged in 2021 and 2022, or will be discharged in 2023, 2024, or 2025, will not need to pay federal taxes on their forgiven loans.

Forgiven amounts that are taxable are treated as earned income during the fiscal year it was received. Your lender might issue tax Form 1099-C to denote your debt cancellation.
💡 Quick Tip: Enjoy no hidden fees and special member benefits when you refinance student loans with SoFi.

Which States Have Said They Will Tax Forgiven Student Loans?

Typically, states follow the tax policy of the federal government. But some states have announced that their residents must include their forgiven or canceled student loan amount on their state tax returns.

As of October 2023, the states that say forgiven loans are taxable are Mississippi, North Carolina, Indiana, Wisconsin, and possibly Arkansas, depending on an upcoming vote in its legislature. More states could decide to do so.

It’s important to consult a qualified tax accountant or someone knowledgeable about forgiveness of student loans in your state to confirm the latest information of how much you owe.

Preparing to Pay Discharged Student Loan Taxes

If you’re anticipating a tax liability after receiving loan forgiveness, there are a few steps you can take today to get ready.

Step 1: Estimate Your Bill

The first step when bracing for a student loan forgiveness tax bill is calculating how much you might owe come tax season. This factor can be influenced by factors including the type of forgiveness you are receiving and the forgiven amount.

To avoid sticker shock, you can use a student loan forgiveness tax calculator, like the Loan Simulator on StudentAid.gov. It lets you see how much of your student loan debt might be forgiven, based on your projected earnings.

Step 2: Choose the Right Plan

Enrolling your federal student loans into an IDR plan can help you keep your monthly payments to a manageable amount while you’re awaiting loan forgiveness. All of these repayment plans calculate your monthly payment based on your income and family size.

The newest IDR program is the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, which offers unique benefits that will lower payments for many borrowers, to as low as 5% of disposable income in 2024 for those who qualify.

Recommended: The SAVE Plan: What Student Loan Borrowers Need to Know

Step 3: Prioritize Saving

If you’re expecting loan forgiveness after 2025, it might be advantageous to allocate extra cash flow toward a dedicated tax savings fund. Incrementally setting money aside over multiple years can ease the burden of a sudden lump sum tax bill down the line.

Paying Taxes on Canceled Student Loan

If you can’t afford to cover an increased tax bill, contact the IRS to discuss your options. Inquire about payment plans that can help you pay smaller tax payments over a longer period of time. However, be aware that fees and interest will likely accrue.
💡 Quick Tip: Refinancing could be a great choice for working graduates who have higher-interest graduate PLUS loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and/or private loans.

The Takeaway

Thanks to a special law passed by Congress in 2021, post-secondary education loans forgiven from 2021 through 2025 will not count as earned income and will not be federally taxed. That said, state taxes may be due, depending on where the borrower lives.

Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.

With SoFi, refinancing is fast, easy, and all online. We offer competitive fixed and variable rates.

FAQ

Is loan repayment considered taxable income?

If your employer offers loan repayment assistance benefits, they would typically be considered taxable income. However under the Cares Act, loan forgiveness payments — and employer assistance loan payments up to $5,250 — made each year from 2021 through 2025 are tax-free.

Will refinancing my student loans help me avoid taxes?

Student loan refinancing simply involves reworking one or more existing student loans into a new private loan with more favorable terms. It’s a repayment strategy that does not incur a tax liability.

Photo credit: iStock/fizkes

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Source: sofi.com

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Lender Credit, HELOC, PPE, AI Tools; Wholesale and Correspondent News; Millennial Refi Interview

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Lender Credit, HELOC, PPE, AI Tools; Wholesale and Correspondent News; Millennial Refi Interview

By:
Rob Chrisman

Fri, Nov 10 2023, 11:47 AM

My cat Myrtle is enthralled with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Okay, I made that up. She’s only interested to the extent that it impacts the supply of Icelandic Sea Trout into her bowl. AI is a hot topic these days, and in fact today’s Mortgage Collaborative’s “Rundown” at noon PT, 3PM ET, features David Karandish, the CEO of Capacity, discussing that and other trends in mortgage tech. A trend continuing to rifle through the ranks is mergers and/or acquisitions as a handful of well-known residential lending companies crisscross the country in search of small institutions that fit their business models and are ready for a change. Sometimes discretion is the better part of valor in terms of staying in business: Unfortunately, yet another trend is a lack of profitability, especially among small and mid-sized lenders who have gone through their 2020/2021 savings and sold their servicing. Lastly, volume trends aren’t good either: According to Curinos, October 2023 funded mortgage volume decreased 19 percent YoY and 5 percent MoM. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures. We drill into this data further here.) Today’s podcast can be found here, and this week is sponsored by nCino makers of the nCino Mortgage Suite. With three products tailored to the needs of the modern mortgage lender, nCino Mortgage, nCino Incentive Compensation, and nCino Mortgage Analytics unite the people, systems, and stages of the mortgage process. Hear an interview with Millennial homebuyer Megan Sinclair on her lender choices behind her third time financing a residence.

Lender and Broker Software, Products, and Services

They’re back! Foreclosures are fast approaching their previous levels. Today’s market has changed significantly and doesn’t favor struggling homeowners. With trending interest rates well above those experienced over the past several years, relief for borrowers facing default will be significantly strained. Before thinking foreclosures are not an immediate concern, read Clarifire’s recent blog, “Foreclosures are Back!” to understand what’s happening, why this environment is different, and what servicers can do to stave off disruption. It’s time to experience the capabilities needed to manage borrower impact and your cost to service with CLARIFIRE®, truly BRIGHTER AUTOMATION®, delivering a better approach, better results, and better software, today!

Are you ready to take your lending operations to the next level? Join the live event on November 16th @ 2pm EST where we unravel the secrets to optimizing your processes, systems, and resources to achieve unparalleled productivity and cost-effectiveness. You’ll even learn how to save up 80 percent on several of your operations costs through specific automation and optimization strategies. Join industry leaders Taylor Stork, CMB of Developer’s Mortgage, Josh Friend, CEO of Insellerate, and Kirill Klokov, CEO of TRUV. They are ready to share proven strategies to ensure your operations and borrower interactions are optimized for success. Join now!

What’s better than the holidays? Never answering the same question twice. Give yourself (and your team) the gift of Capacity, so in 2024 you can spend less time struggling through the origination process and more time closing loans. Support internal teams, current borrowers, and prospects with secure integrations to over 150 systems, including Encompass and Total Expert. Capacity is designed to streamline lending as your personal assistant. On your behalf, it can read GSE guidelines, retrieve loan information, and assist current and prospective borrowers. Turn a costly, repetitive process into an affordable, scalable one. All you have to do? Ask Capacity. Don’t know where to start? Whether you’re an AI newbie or ready to join the mortgage AI revolution, we’re here to help. Reach out today to ask us about our AI Assessments, or book a demo.

In this market, hustle is everything. You can’t afford to waste a single deal, or a single minute. That’s why ReadyPrice has launched Shop, Lock, Deliver, an innovative platform designed to help independent mortgage brokers and their lenders save time and money. Now you can shop competitive loan offerings from multiple lenders, get rate lock guarantees in real time, receive underwriting findings, and deliver the borrower’s complete loan file to lenders, all on a single platform, at no cost to brokers. It’s already helping brokers around the country thrive and compete in the toughest market. Multiple lenders. One platform. Zero b.s. Come check us out today.

TPO Products for Brokers and Correspondents

Loan officers! You’ve likely heard that The Loan Store pays a whopping 200 bps per HELOC…but do you know HOW to sell a HELOC? You’re in luck: TLS is hosting the second of its 7-part HELOC Mastermind Series next week. This series features Loan Officers sharing their tips/experiences on how they’re using HELOCs to stay in front of clients and generate additional income. Next live event is Thursday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. EST. Register here to attend!

Do you need new affordable mortgage solutions in the communities you serve? Rocket Pro TPO’s Purchase Plus program offers first-time homebuyers in many low-income communities $5,250 in lender credits to use toward down payments and closing costs. The program is available in six metro areas: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Memphis, and Philadelphia. Additionally, the introduction of ONE+ by Rocket Mortgage provides an incredible opportunity for Rocket Pro TPO partners and real estate professionals. With this product, eligible clients provide 1 percent toward the down payment and the other 2 percent down payment requirement is covered… Plus clients are not responsible for paying the mortgage insurance! Interested in learning more about a Broker or Non-Delegated Correspondent partnership? Contact Rocket Pro TPO to learn more.

Wholesaler and Correspondent News

As a quick aside, in news for any originator, Down Payment Resource is highlighting 61 down payment assistance (DPA) programs offering up to $120,000 in funds for Veterans and service members. In addition to these programs, Veterans and service members are also eligible for the other 2,256 DPA programs available nationwide.

Overall, the big are getting bigger, often at the expense of smaller companies. Inside Mortgage Finance reports that the top 25 mortgage producers in the second quarter generated $231.95 billion, a 33.2 percent sequential increase. In the second quarter “United Wholesale Mortgage reclaimed the top ranking, which it had lost by a narrow margin to PennyMac in the first quarter, with $31.85 billion in second-quarter production.” In terms of purchase biz, AmeriHome Mortgage and Guaranteed Rate were both up more than 50 percent from the first quarter. Chase nearly doubled its purchase-loan originations after assimilating First Republic Bank into its operations.

Reports show that Cenlar FSB, and Dovenmuehle ruled the roost in terms of subservicing, with $860 billion and $508 billion, respectively.

United Wholesale Mortgage came out with its third quarter results: Revenue of $677.1 million, with originations of $29.72 billion. (The 4th quarter production estimates run from $19-26 billion, which would put 2023 production at $103 to $110 billion range.)

Nations Direct Mortgage has just lowered its NonQM 2nd underwriting fee from $1499 to $995! In addition, Nations Direct Mortgage is pleased to announce their Veterans Special for the month of November! Honoring those who served with a $500 credit at closing on all VA loans submitted in November.

With Amendment No. 7 to DR-4724, issued on 10/13/2023, FEMA provided an Incident Period End Date of 9/30/2023, for a Hawaii county affected by wildfires and high winds from 8/8/2023 to 9/30/2023. See AmeriHome Mortgage announcement 20231006-CL for inspection requirements.

As part of its commitment to maintain the highest quality and security of its client’s data, Pennymac will begin to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) technology to log into the P3 portal. In the coming days, all P3 users will receive an email to complete the pre-registration process. View the Pennymac Announcement 23-71 to review.

United Wholesale Mortgage, (UWM) announced eligibility expansion for its Investor Flex DSCR loan program by allowing borrowers to close in a Limited Liability Company (LLC). “This enhancement allows borrowers looking to expand their real estate portfolios an additional option to separate their personal properties and their investment properties while benefiting from the faster, cheaper, and easier experience of the wholesale channel. Investor Flex allows borrowers to qualify for investment properties based on perspective monthly rental income of the subject property rather than their current income. Investor Flex was later expanded in July 2023 with four additional DSCR loan options. Additional details on the Investor Flex program can be found here.”

Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions shared an innovative solution that could change the way you help your clients achieve homeownership dreams. Angel Oak non-QM Bank Statement Mortgage, tailored specifically for self-employed individuals and business owners, is now accepting Profit and Loss (P&L) statements as a valid form of income verification.

Capital Markets

Why do markets still seem to underestimate the Fed’s resolve? U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said yesterday in prepared remarks that the central bank will continue to move carefully but won’t hesitate to tighten policy further to finish off inflation. Fed Governor Bowman said that she would support another rate hike in the event of stalling progress on inflation, and Atlanta Fed President Bostic said that the road to 2 percent will still include some “bumps along the way.” Conversely, Richmond Fed President Barkin said that in aggregate, we are still not seeing the full effects of policy.

Even with policymakers trying to cool expectations for rate cuts as the market underestimates their resolve on inflation, Fed funds futures are currently pricing in a less than 10 percent chance of a rate hike in December, and nearly a 20 percent chance of a rate cut at the March meeting. And that is with bond markets seemingly in a “sell any rally” position. Before Fed Chair Powell expressed doubts that policy rates were “sufficiently restrictive,” Treasury yields spiked after an auction of $24 billion in 30-year bonds met much weaker demand than sales of 3-year and 10-year notes over the past two days

On the housing front, NAR reported that single-family existing-home sales prices rose in 82 percent of measured metro areas (182 of 221 areas across the nation) in the third quarter, up from 58 percent in the previous quarter. The national median single-family existing-home price grew 2.2 percent from one year ago to $406,900, while the monthly mortgage payment on a typical, existing single-family home with a 20 percent down payment was up 19.2 percent from a year ago to $2,192. Twenty-five markets, or 11 percent of all markets, experienced double-digit annual price appreciation (up from 5 percent in the prior quarter).

Today’s economic calendar begins later this morning with preliminary November Michigan sentiment where inflation expectations will be closely scrutinized. Two Fed speakers are currently scheduled: Dallas President Logan and Atlanta President Bostic. We begin Friday with Agency MBS prices worse a few ticks (32nds) from Thursday’s close and the 10-year yielding 4.64 after closing yesterday at 4.63 percent.

Employment, Companies Wanted, and Transitions

Kind Lending is seeking a candidate for the position of Director of Non-QM. As Director, you will be responsible for spearheading the growth of our non-QM division. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of non-QM lending, and a proven track record of success in the industry. In this role, you will be responsible for program pricing for multiple channels, loan sales, trading, and hedging, overseeing analytics and pricing engines, as well as margin management and reporting for non-QM production. “At Kind Lending, we pride ourselves on providing our partners and customers with the best possible mortgage lending experience. As the Director of Non-QM, you will play a key role in achieving this goal. If you are a motivated and experienced professional looking for a new opportunity, we encourage you to apply today: Click here to learn more about this opportunity!

“Independent Mortgage Banker owners: If you are uncertain how you will survive this winter if rates remain higher, please call me direct to discuss a win-win opportunity. Equity Resources, Inc. is an established mortgage banking company that has been successfully in business for 30 years. We are privately owned and continue to look at growth opportunities. We offer a full marketing team and a media production team to provide best-in-class support to our loan officers and partners. Our history and culture are exceptionally important so let’s have a conversation to see if we may be a fit. We are large enough to offer exceptionally sharp pricing and products, yet we have a boutique feel where you may talk to the owner of the company at any time. We have a successful history of incorporating other companies into our model. Please contact Tom Piecenski, EVP of Sales.”

Mortgage Machine Services, an industry leader in digital origination technology to residential mortgage lenders, announced that Crystal Stanton will manage customer success and onboarding. “Crystal will onboard new Mortgage Machine customers, leveraging a success-centric approach with a commitment to white glove service to ensure a smooth experience and productive outcome.”

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

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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New York-based digital lender Better Home & Finance Holding Company has partnered with information technology consulting company Infosys on a mortgage-as-a-service platform.

The integrated end-to-end digital mortgage white-labeled platform aims to cut origination costs and helps partners limit operational volatility in the current interest rate environment, Better said Thursday in announcing the launch.

“Better’s mortgage as a service platform is the first full-stack, end-to-end solution that handles all aspects of the mortgage process including point of sale, pricing, underwriting, loan origination, closing, funding and investor sale,” Vishal Garg, CEO and founder of Better, said in an e-mailed response to HousingWire. 

Better’s mortgage as a service currently consists roughly 20% of its revenue and the lender aims to grow this business line, Garg said. 

The partnership with Infosys is in line with Better’s new strategy to become a leading mortgage-as-a-service company or a white-label provider of mortgage technology.

Before Better debuted on the Nasdaq after a two-year journey in late August, the digital lender strived to be a one-stop shop where the firm does everything in-house. Prior to its initial public offering (IPO), Better shifted its strategy to doing only what its best at in-house and partnering with other businesses for the rest.

The company’s latest efforts to become a digital homeownership company includes the launch of Better Insurance.

The white-label solution eliminates redundancy and offers competitive pricing for customers without engaging with insurance agents, said Nick Taylor, head of real estate at Better.

When a buyer applies for home insurance, Better Insurance asks questions about the type of property and estimated home sales price, then the firm provides customers with a preview of insurance options.

The digital lender reported a net loss of $45.5 million in Q2, an improvement from a net loss of $89.9 million the previous quarter.

Better’s origination volume was $900 million across 2,421 loans in the second quarter of 2023, compared to production of $800 million across 2,347 loans funded in the previous quarter.

Better ranked as the 62nd largest mortgage lender in the first half of 2023, according to Inside Mortgage Finance.

The lender is scheduled to report its third-quarter financial earnings on Nov. 14. 

Source: housingwire.com

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Everyday living gets smarter every year.

When you buy through links in this article, we may earn an affiliate commission.

In the digital age, the concept of home is being reimagined by the advent of smart technology, transforming everyday living spaces into hubs of convenience, comfort and entertainment. Never has this been so clear as when you take even a cursory tour of the HGTV Smart Home 2023. If you need further evidence of just how expansive this industry is becoming, a study by Grand View Research, Inc. determined that the home automation industry will reach a staggering $444.98 billion by 2030.

Smart home technology, once fodder for dystopian storylines on TV, has evolved into a widely accepted seamless integration of devices and systems that streamline tasks, enhance security and personalize our environment. From the moment you wake to the soft glow of a sunrise simulation to the reassuring click of a smart lock securing your home at night, these intelligent systems work collaboratively to simplify routines, conserve resources and provide peace of mind. Smart home devices not only respond to our immediate commands but also anticipate our needs, learn our preferences and adapt to our lifestyles, offering a bespoke living experience that was once the stuff of science fiction.

Image Source: HGTV

Noteworthy tech in the HGTV Smart Home 2023

Each year, HGTV builds a new, technologically advanced home in a different location within the United States. The contest is typically run as a sweepstakes, where viewers can enter for a chance to win the annual smart home. Entries are usually accepted online through the HGTV website or via mail. The main prize is, of course, the HGTV Smart Home itself, which includes the home, all of its furnishings and the latest home technology. In addition to the home, there are often other prizes, like cash awards or vehicles.

Coolest devices in the 2023 HGTV Smart Home

Laid out below are just a few of the most highly sought-after pieces of smart home tech in this year’s HGTV Smart Home 2023 and their less expensive counterparts.

GE Profile Kitchen hub

The GE Profile Kitchen Hub is a unique and high-tech kitchen appliance from General Electric. It’s designed to serve multiple functions and is geared towards making the kitchen experience more interactive and connected.

  • Interactive screen: The GE Profile Kitchen Hub features a large touchscreen display that can be used to access recipes, watch videos, control smart home devices and more.
  • Vent hood: The screen is built into a vent hood, allowing it to sit above your range or cooktop. This design not only provides essential ventilation but also offers a central view for following recipes or watching videos as you cook.
  • Cameras: The device includes front-facing and downward-facing cameras. The front-facing camera can be used for video calls, while the downward-facing camera is intended to capture your cooking, which can be useful for sharing your culinary adventures on social media or with family.
  • Integrated apps: The Kitchen Hub comes with a suite of applications designed for the kitchen. These can include recipe apps, music and video streaming services and other smart home integrations.
  • Connectivity: Being a smart device, the Kitchen Hub connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows it to pull up recipes, stream content and interact with other smart devices in your home.
  • U+ Connect: This is GE Appliances’ smart platform that allows various devices to connect and communicate. For example, if you have a GE oven, the Kitchen Hub can interact with it, setting temperatures, timers and more.

Not looking to shell out nearly $1,200 for this type of tech? Consider an Alexa. While not as advanced as the Kitchen Hub, it is still a solid virtual assistant option for the kitchen.

DAKboard Wall Display v2 Plus

DAKboard is a digital wall calendar that integrates with various online calendar services to display your events, tasks, weather and other custom information. The DAKboard Wall Display v2 Plus is one of their products, designed to be a versatile, visually appealing display for personal and professional environments.

  • Screen: The Wall Display v2 Plus includes a high-resolution screen designed to make texts and images clear and easy to read from a distance.
  • Customization: DAKboard is known for its highly customizable displays. Users can choose different layouts, fonts and color themes to match their preferences or interior design.
  • Connectivity: The device connects to Wi-Fi to sync with various online services like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook and others.
  • Photo display: Besides showing calendar and weather information, DAKboard devices can cycle through personal photos or artwork, making them a dynamic alternative to traditional picture frames.
  • Integration: DAKboard devices support integration with various third-party services for weather, to-do lists, news and more.

While the Dakboard Wall Display v2 Plus will run you close to $500, the Skylight Calendar is a solid replacement for around to $200 less.

Image Source: Samsung

Samsung AirDresser Grand

The Samsung AirDresser is an in-home garment refreshing system, which uses air and steam to clean and deodorize clothing. It is part of a new category of home appliances intended to reduce the frequency of traditional washing and dry cleaning.

  • Jet air and air hangers: The system blasts air to loosen and remove dust from inside and outside your clothes.
  • Steam cleaning: It uses steam to sanitize clothing, removing bacteria, viruses and allergens.
  • Deodorization filter: The filter captures and reduces odors, leaving clothes smelling fresh.
  • Gentle drying: Clothes are dried at a low temperature to reduce the risk of shrinkage and heat damage.
  • Smart control: Integration with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem to monitor and control the device remotely through a smartphone app.
  • Self-cleaning: An internal system helps to maintain the device by removing scale and residue.
  • Wrinkle care: The AirDresser can smooth out wrinkles without the need for ironing.
  • Capacity and design: The AirDresser Grand offers a larger capacity to accommodate more items of clothing and potentially an updated design or premium finish.

Not nearly as fancy as the $1,100 AirDresser Grand, a handheld steamer, like the Conair Turbo EstremeSteam is a great option for quick sanitization and keeping clothes wrinkle-free with ease.

SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System

SimpliSafe is a company that offers a variety of home security products and services, with an emphasis on ease of installation and use. Their systems are known for being wireless and user-friendly. These systems are typically marketed toward homeowners and renters looking for a quick, easy and effective DIY security solution.

  • DIY installation: SimpliSafe systems are designed for easy setup without the need for professional installation. The devices can be placed on shelves or adhered to walls without drilling.
  • Variety of packages: SimpliSafe provides different equipment packages to suit various home sizes and security needs. You can start with a basic set and expand with additional sensors and accessories as needed.
  • Components: A typical SimpliSafe kit includes a base station, which is the central hub of the system, wireless door and window sensors, motion detectors and a keypad. Additional components might include glass break sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and panic buttons.
  • No contract monitoring: SimpliSafe offers optional professional monitoring services on a month-to-month basis, without the need for long-term contracts. This professional monitoring can dispatch emergency services in case of a break-in, fire or other incidents.
  • Smartphone control: SimpliSafe has an app that allows you to arm and disarm your system, receive alerts and monitor your home from anywhere.
  • Integration: SimpliSafe systems can integrate with smart home devices and platforms, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice control and other smart home automation.
  • SimpliCam: They offer an indoor camera called SimpliCam, which can be used to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. It comes with features like motion alerts and the ability to stream live video.
  • Design: SimpliSafe sensors and devices have a discreet and modern design to blend in with home decor.
  • Battery and cellular backup: The system is equipped with battery backup to keep your home secure during a power outage, and the professional monitoring service includes cellular backup to maintain communication with the monitoring center if the Wi-Fi goes down.
  • Environmental protection: SimpliSafe also offers sensors that detect water leaks and freezing temperatures to help prevent environmental damage in your home.
  • Privacy protection: Features like camera shutters allow customers to control their privacy.

While the Simplisafe wireless home security system is great, it does come at a price, of about $320. If you’re looking to spend a little less, don’t fret, Amazon is full of more affordable DIY wireless security systems.

Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker

The Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker is a product by Kohler, known for combining the functionality of a showerhead with the entertainment feature of a wireless speaker.

  1. Showerhead: It’s designed to provide a full-coverage spray, offering a quality shower experience with good water pressure.
  2. Removable wireless speaker: The center of the showerhead houses a wireless speaker that can be easily detached and used independently. The speaker connects to devices via Bluetooth to play music, podcasts or other audio streams.
  3. Water-resistant: The speaker is designed to be water-resistant, which is essential for any electronic device used in a shower.
  4. Rechargeable battery: The speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. When fully charged, it supports several hours of playtime.
  5. Magnetic docking: The speaker is held in place with magnets, which makes it simple to detach and reattach to the showerhead.
  6. Harman Kardon sound: Some versions of the Moxie speaker are engineered with sound by Harman Kardon, delivering a high-quality audio experience.
  7. Voice assistant compatibility: Depending on the model, the speaker can sometimes be compatible with voice assistants, which would allow you to control music and other functions with voice commands.
  8. Multiple colors and finishes: The Moxie showerhead may come in a variety of colors and finishes to match different bathroom decors.
  9. Installation: It’s designed to be easy to install, fitting onto a standard shower arm.

For those who enjoy listening to music or podcasts in the shower, the Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker system brings convenience and a bit of luxury to the everyday routine. If you’re looking for the same luxury at a more affordable price, you’re in luck. There are plenty of showerhead speaker combos at all price points on Amazon.

Image Source: Kohler

Anthem Digital Shower Control

The Anthem Digital Shower Control is another Kohler product that provides a high level of personalization and precision for the showering experience. It is designed to provide a user-friendly interface to control various aspects of the shower.

  1. Digital interface: The Anthem Control includes a minimalist display with easy-to-read buttons.
  2. Customizable settings: Users can save their preferred shower settings, making it easy to start the shower with their personalized preferences at the touch of a button.
  3. Multiple outlet controls: The system can control multiple water outlets, allowing users to switch between them or use them simultaneously for a luxurious shower experience.
  4. Smart home integration: Advanced models feature integration with smart home systems, enabling control via voice commands or through smartphone apps.
  5. Easy installation: Even though it is a sophisticated system, companies like Kohler design these controls to be as easy to install as possible, sometimes compatible with existing plumbing.
  6. Safety features: Many digital showers include safety features like automatic shut-off after a certain period or if the water gets too hot, which can prevent scalding.
  7. Energy saving: Some models offer features that help conserve water and energy, aligning with eco-friendly practices.

If you’re after the type of precision temperature control that only a digital display like the Anthem Digital Shower Control can provide, consider the much more streamlined and affordable BLTFAUCER Digital Display. While it doesn’t provide as much customization as the Anthem model, it will allow you to achieve and monitor the exact shower temperature you want.

Elements Hexagon Starter Kit

The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is a product by Nanoleaf, which is a company known for producing smart lighting solutions that are popular for their modular, geometric design and customizable lighting scenes. The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is part of Nanoleaf’s Elements line, which focuses on combining smart lighting technology with decor.

  1. Hexagonal panels: These are the core of the product, designed to be attached to form patterns on your wall. They’re hexagon-shaped to allow for a variety of configurations.
  2. Wood look: Unlike the original Nanoleaf light panels, which have a very futuristic look, the Elements line has a more natural wood-like appearance, allowing them to blend into home decor more seamlessly when turned off.
  3. Customizable lighting: Users can customize the illumination of each panel to create scenes or set the ambiance. This can include warm to cool white light settings, designed to mimic natural elements like a fireplace or thunderstorm.
  4. Interactive control: The lights can be controlled via an app, where users can select or design scenes, schedule on/off times and adjust the brightness. They can also respond to touch or sound.
  5. Smart home integration: The kit is compatible with most smart home systems, allowing for voice control.
  6. Rhythm feature: With the rhythm feature, the panels can synchronize with music in real time, creating dynamic light shows in response to the audio they detect.
  7. Simple installation: The panels attach to the wall with adhesive strips, which are included in the starter kit, making for a relatively easy setup without needing to drill holes.
  8. Expandability: The starter kit includes a certain number of panels but can be expanded by purchasing additional expansion packs at any time.

The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is a great system for incorporating upscale and entirely unique lighting into a space. That said, there are also a ton of customizable hexagon lighting solutions on Amazon for a range of prices.

Smart home. Seamless tech. Smiling faces.

The rise of smart home technology stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the quest for an enhanced quality of life. As we look to the future, the integration of these intelligent systems into our homes continues to evolve, bringing new levels of ease and enjoyment. These devices do more than just perform tasks — they create experiences, foster safe environments, and cultivate moments of joy and relaxation.

In a world where time is precious and personal happiness is paramount, the smart home is less about the gadgets and more about the freedom they afford us — the freedom to spend less time managing our homes and more time savoring the pleasures of life. As we embrace this era of connected living, we find that the true genius of smart home technology lies in its ability to fade into the background, creating a symphony of convenience.

Looking for your own place to add tech to? Whether you want to replicate the HGTV Smart Home 2023 or just add some DIY home automation, the future revolves around tech-forward homes. Check out our available apartments and houses for rent.

Source: rent.com

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16 Aesthetically Pleasing Photos Of Maximalist Home Decor

maximalism instead. I totally welcome this time of embracing the eccentric when it comes to home decor.

So, if you haven’t heard, let me be the first to tell you that minimalism is out and maximalism is in! I spend a lot of my time scrolling the r/maximalism subreddit, where people celebrate their creativity with decadent displays of swirling colors and differing patterns. What makes it even better is that even though it may look expensive, it’s more affordable than splurging on overpriced home decor at department stores because you can get most pieces from thrift shops (we love sustainability) or by repurposing things you already own that are just laying around the house.

Here are 16 photos that fully demonstrate all the pillars of maximalist decor:

1.

I’ve seen enough specifically themed living rooms where every single thing HAS to match. I’m over it! There are no rules with maximalist decor. You are the theme!

2.

A “gallery wall” is a major part of maximalism. If you want your pieces to look a bit more cohesive, this can easily be achieved by using the same frame for each of them:

3.

Or, you can go for frames that are slightly similar, but a teensy bit different:

4.

Even if the frames don’t match at all, it can still work and look stunning! The goal of maximalism is to take up space and become ensconced in your favorite things:

5.

Like I said, there are no rules. You don’t need to use any frames at all if you don’t want to! You could even overlap the art on your gallery wall and create a moment that’s more gallery and less wall:

6.

Beyond just hanging up pictures, I love seeing the most random things being used as decor. It turns your home into a crafty little game of “Where’s Waldo?” because why shouldn’t you put a purple meteor on the wall?

7.

If having a coffee mug clock and a framed picture of a lobster on the same wall is wrong, then I don’t want to be right:

8.

There are zero creative restrictions when it comes to maximalism, so you don’t have to stop at the wall. You can hang things — like tapestries — on the ceiling if you want to:

9.

You can get creative with things you already own — like books:

10.

Or plants:

11.

Another approach to maximalism is splashing bright colors and patterns all over:

12.

Like this kitchen that makes me feel like I’m cruising down Rainbow Road in Mario Kart:

13.

Or this living room that pushes the boundaries with its bright blue wall juxtaposed with a black and white striped wall:

14.

Maximalism doesn’t even have to be a bright explosion of color either:

15.

Even the ~dark and stormy aesthetic~ girlies can get in on the action:

16.

This room brings together all of the elements: a gallery wall with different pieces that somehow flow together along with mixing colors and patterns:

No matter what your personal aesthetic is, there’s a way for you to maximize your home and create a one-of-a-kind living space that’s totally independent to you and only you. Let me know in the comments which one of these rooms was your favorite!

Source: buzzfeed.com

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Everyone has heard of Nashville. It’s not called Music City, U.S.A. for nothing! Most people think the city is all about country music, cowboy boots and line dancing, but locals know the Nashville facts that are the truth behind the stereotypes.

It has great weather and amazing views. Some of the most unique architecture in the country is here. Two U.S. Presidents are buried in or near Nashville. As for music, sure we’re the home of country music, but Elvis also recorded more than 200 songs at RCA Studios. Here are a bunch of other Nashville facts known only to locals.

39 facts only real Nashville locals know

1. BBQ is a separate food group. Don’t argue about it. Just try all the different kinds and decide on a favorite. Not all of them involve pork and tomatoes. Barbecue chicken with Liquid Gold barbecue sauce is a national treasure.

2. Named “The Athens of the South,” Nashville is the only city in the world that has a replica of the Parthenon from Athens, Greece. You can find it in Centennial Park.

3. The city hosts Tin Pan South, the largest festival for songwriters in the world. Songwriters of all genres, not just country, descend on the city every spring for the weeklong festival. Many perform their work on street corners, as well as at local music venues.

4. The creators of Maxwell House Coffee did it in Nashville. President Theodore Roosevelt reportedly gave the brand its famous tagline “Good to the last drop” when he tried it on a visit to the city.

5. The Grand Ole Opry has been airing weekly for 94 years. It’s the longest-running show in the entire world. It’s still carried on the radio, as well as on TV and the auditorium is always packed with a live audience. Good luck getting tickets if you don’t make plans in advance!

6. Revolutionary War general, Francis Nash, is the inspiration for the name Nashville. The city was founded in the middle of the war in 1779.

7. The famous music scene began with African-American gospel groups, not country music. It all started with the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University way back in the 1870s. Emancipated slaves studying at the university were the first members of the group. They traveled the country to raise money to fund the school. The group is still around and continues to travel and perform.

8. Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is an overrated tourist attraction that’s not worth the admission price except in December. That’s when Opryland turns into a true wonderland that delights Christmas lovers of all ages. It’s the best Christmas display in the city.

9. The first seeing-eye guide dog in the United States was trained in Nashville by a native named Morris Frank. He left his studies at Vanderbilt University to travel to Europe to find out more about the seeing-eye dogs he’d heard about. He returned with his first guide dog, Buddy, and began training more. The foundation he created, The Seeing Eye, is still in Nashville.

10. Hunting for the best apartments in Nashville is easier and more fun compared to other cities. There are many types of apartments to choose from here. Nashville is more affordable than most other big cities, too!

11. Nashville is where the phrase “Old Glory” became popularized to describe the American flag. It started in the Civil War when a retired sailor named William Driver retrieved his hidden flag and flew it over the city after the Union Army recaptured it from the Confederates. He referred to his flag as “Old Glory” and the nickname caught on.

12. Famous thoroughbreds War Admiral and Seabiscuit were both born in Nashville. Move over, Louisville. They’ve got the Triple Crown winners right here in Nashvegas. Belle Meade Plantation, which bred both horses, is open to the public for tours. They also offer tastings at the on-site winery.

13. Every neighborhood in Nashville is distinctive and has its own personality. You’re sure to find one that suits you perfectly.

14. The architecture at the Country Music Hall of Fame is better, but the real country music history is at the Johnny Cash Museum. They’re proud of their favorite native son. (Yes, he was born in Arkansas, but they overlook that small flaw.)

15. Pancake Pantry’s pancakes aren’t worth the wait. Neither are the biscuits from Biscuit Love. They’re both overpriced restaurants that cater primarily to tourists. Many other restaurants have pancakes and biscuits that are homemade, just as good and don’t require an hour-long wait.

16. Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack IS worth standing in line for. Be prepared to drink a bucket of water to douse the heat. That chicken is hot, hot, hot.

17. Nashville was the first city in the South to desegregate public businesses. The protests and sit-ins that led to the victory sparked civil rights advocates in other cities to do the same.

18. RCA Studio B stays decorated for Christmas since Elvis recorded his first Christmas album there in the middle of July. The Music Row Studio is open to the public year-round.

19. Goo Goo Clusters were created in Nashville and are still made right here. The company makes over 3 million pounds of chewy confection every year.

20. The city has thriving hip-hop and rap scenes. Some of the best rappers have come from Cashville, including Young Buck, Lil Queze and Starlito.

21. Speaking of music, Nashville has a ton of live music venues and might be the only place in the world where you can listen to bluegrass, walk next door to catch a country concert, then go downstairs to listen to a rap battle and finally finish off the day by driving down the road to listen to the Nashville Symphony perform.

22. Nashville has more people working in the music industry than anywhere else in the country, including Los Angeles and New York. Over 60,000 music industry jobs are in Nashville. That’s four times as many as the next nearest city.

23. No one really knows what goes on in the Batman Building downtown. Supposedly, it’s owned by AT&T and is an office building for them, but locals aren’t so sure. Could Bruce Wayne have an office on the top floor?

24. Nashville has the only music studio left in the entire world that can record music directly on vinyl records. The Blue Room is part of Jack White’s Third Man Records and has live performances, too.

25. The only American to ever become President of a foreign country was born in Nashville. William Walker became Chief Executive of Nicaragua in 1856.

26. Ryman Auditorium started off as a meeting place for local gospel churches. It was only later converted into a concert venue. It’s been a designated Historic Landmark since 2001.

27. The Frist Art Museum is an underrated landmark. It’s one of the only museums on the National Register of Historic Places. The building itself is a work of art in the Art Deco style. It was the main post office!

28. Nashville is home to the oldest FM radio station in the country. It’s another reason for the nickname “Music City.” In fact, local legend has it that it was one of the DJs for this music station back in the day that first called Nashville by the famous moniker.

29. The Gulch is still an old hippie neighborhood, despite the new businesses moving in. It’s still the best place to find eccentric shops and bars. There’s no better location in town to hear eclectic music, either.

30. We’re the only city other than Los Angeles to ever host the Grammy Awards. They’d love to do it again if anyone from the Recording Academy is reading this.

31. Sri Ganesha Temple and Sanctuary will transport you to another time and place. It’s a replica of Hindu Temples built in India between 900 and 1100 AD. The temple welcomes visitors and holds tours daily, but it is a working temple, so it closes periodically during the day for services. There’s a restaurant and a gift shop on-site, too.

32. Nashville has the largest Kurdish community in the U.S. More than 15,000 Kurds call Nashville home, though the U.S. Census has yet to recognize the refugees from Iraq. The community calls its neighborhood Little Kurdistan.

33. Percy Priest Lake is the best place to go boating and hiking despite the entry fee, which is only $5, anyway. There are miles of trails and campgrounds, as well as plenty of boat ramps.

34. Nashville is home to over 678,000 people. It’s the biggest city in the state of Tennessee and is rapidly growing. Its population has grown by almost 13 percent since 2010 and it’s the 23rd largest city in the United States. More and more people are discovering the charms of Music City and deciding to call it home!

35. The monument to Lysicrates in Athens was the inspiration for the Tennessee State Capitol building, which is one of the oldest capitol buildings in the country still operating. President James Polk and his wife are buried on the grounds.

36. Even people who don’t like country music will admit that the architecture at the Country Music Hall of Fame is amazing. From the front windows designed to look like piano keys, to the physical representation of recording technology evolution that makes up the rotunda’s roof, it’s worth visiting just to see the building.

37. The Honky Tonk Highway is the nickname for an area of South Broadway that has bars and other venues playing live music — and letting it flow outside onto the streets —from 10 a.m. every morning until 3 a.m. the following morning. Many of the venues have multiple floors and they rarely publish their playing schedules in advance. Sometimes, music stars just show up and start playing.

38. President Andrew Jackson lived just outside Nashville on an estate named The Hermitage. He’s buried on the grounds. The estate is now a museum dedicated to the history and the President’s life.

39. Wave Country is the place to go during the summer. The freshwater swimming pool and water park complex can easily be an all-day affair to help the family keep cool during the hot Southern summers. There are concession stands but you can also bring your own picnic. You can even bring a tent if you like.

Did we miss any Nashville facts?

Residents are proud of their city and heritage. If you’re moving to Music City, you can find apartments in Nashville here.

Did we forget any Nashville facts that we should have included? Did we get anything wrong? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: rent.com

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Oklahoma is more than OK in these reasonably priced metros.

Oklahoma is a lot of things, and not a lot of things. It’s in the South, but not genteelly Southern. It sits across the Red River from Texas, but most certainly not Texas. And it’s at the bottom end of the Great Plains but doesn’t have flowing fields of wheat and corn.

Oklahoma is dusty but contemporary. It’s diverse but steeped deep in Indigenous tradition. It’s the NBA, but also Bedlam. And from modern skyscrapers to a long, endless panhandle, it’s an inviting place to live.

Luckily, it’s also an affordable place to live. Rents are low and mostly reasonable. And options are diverse. The state features gleaming cosmopolitan cities, college towns, independent suburbs, close-knit farm communities and much more.

But with such a cheap state to live in, what are the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma? Where can the most affordable rental cities be found?

Average rent prices in Oklahoma

First, let’s take a look at rent prices in Oklahoma as a whole. Overall, the Sooner State is a fairly inexpensive state in which to live.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment across the state is $733. That’s a good bargain price for most renters. In fact, all but one of the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma fall below that figure.

Much of the country has seen a significant jump in prices from this time last year. However, Oklahoma remains fairly consistent. That number is up just two and a half percent from a year ago.

The cheapest cities in Oklahoma for renters

There are a number of reasons Oklahomans are looking for cheaper places to live, or assessing the price of where they currently reside. Among all the cities and towns in the Sooner State, what are the most affordable for renters? Below are the 10 cheapest places to live in Oklahoma.

10. Sapulpa

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $737
  • Average rent change in the past year: +1.38%

Like many below, Sapulpa is an Oklahoma city born as a railroad town and modernized as a stop on old Route 66. Today, it sits as Tulsa’s fourth-largest suburb, with a population of 22,000, fourteen miles from downtown. Sapulpa remains a commuter town, mostly residential with small pockets of service shops and fast-food restaurants. Its primary commercial strip is along the Dewey Avenue corridor, part of Route 66.

As a residential district, Sapulpa has a plethora of parks and green spaces. The town offers over 500 acres of land spread out among two dozen parks and recreation facilities. As well, there are nearly five miles of running and biking trails along five designated park paths around Sapulpa. For water enthusiasts, Sahoma and Pretty Water Lakes cover 300 acres combined. The destination is known for its excellent fishing, with stocks of trout and catfish.

“Oklahoma’s Most Connected City” is also one of the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma. On average, a one-bedroom apartment in the growing suburb leases for $737 a month.

9. Oklahoma City

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $711
  • Average rent change in the past year: -13.90%

Oklahoma has “plenty of air and plenty of room to swing a rope, plenty of heart and plenty of hope,” according to its eponymous musical. At its heart is its capital and largest city of Oklahoma City, with more than its fair share of that plentiful air and room. At over 600 square miles, O.K.C. is the second-largest city in the continental U.S. by area with a population of more than 100,000 residents.

The city where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain is more than its roots as an oil and cattle town. “Oklahoma City is mighty pretty,” sings Nat King Cole on his hit “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66.” Anyone who has visited O.K.C. can confirm that statement’s validity. It’s a bustling city of vibrant neighborhoods, close-knit communities and big business sectors. More than a fossil fuel hub, Oklahoma City is a leader in tech, healthcare and even sustainable energy.

It’s been a quarter-century since the attack at the Murrah Federal Building and two decades after the Moore tornadoes. The city has taken great strides in rebuilding, as well as revitalizing its city center. Downtown’s Bricktown entertainment district is one of the most vibrant in the Great Plains.

However, rents have remained affordable throughout the city. An average one-bedroom apartment runs $711 a month on average, a 14 percent drop over the last 12 months.

8. Tulsa

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $695
  • Average rent change in the past year: +1.30%

Be sure to take note, Tulsa is not some sleepy Midwest oil town. The city, one of the 50-largest in the nation, centers a metro area of over a million residents. It presents as modern, clean and metropolitan, more so than its larger neighbor and state capital to the west. It’s a city of big money, Great Plains skyscrapers and a bustling downtown with its gleaming BOK Center.

Tulsa is a growing tech, healthcare and finance hub, not to mention great for beef lovers. It offers a diverse population, over-40 percent non-white, and a rich history. Its cosmopolitanism has allowed it to become the leading arts, culture and nightlife destination in the Sooner State.

The Tulsa Zoo was voted “America’s Favorite Zoo.” The Linde Oktoberfest is ranked one of the top German celebrations and food festivals in the nation. And don’t forget the barbecue. Tulsa staples RibCrib, Billy Sims Barbecue and Oklahoma Joe’s are shipped across the country.

An affordable locale in the up-and-coming Ozark Plateau region, Tulsa is attractive to renters. The cheapest large city in Oklahoma, one-bedroom rents sit just under $700 on average.

7. Stillwater

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $668
  • Average rent change in the past year: +3.88%

Oklahoma State fans will be happy to find out their beloved Cowboy town is one of the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma, while the Boomer Sooners’ Norman failed to rank. One-bedroom apartments in the Frontier Region college town of Stillwater rent for an average of just $668 a month.

Stillwater — equidistant from Oklahoma City, Tulsa and the Kansas border — is a full-fledged Southern Plains small city college town. Washington Irving described it as a “glorious prairie spreading out beneath the golden beams of an autumnal sun.” Activity obviously centers on the university, but Stillwater offers plenty for urban living, as well. The city of 45,000 offers a number of museums, cultural institutions and a legendary music scene. It’s even home to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

But Stillwater is still chock full of college town favorites. World-famous sports bar Eskimo Joe’s is a hub for students, music enthusiasts, ‘Pokes fans and T-shirt-toting tourists. It even was named “Best College Post-Game Hangout,” as well as serving “America’s Greatest Cheese Fries.” The bar sits steps from both 60,000-seat Boone Pickens Stadium and Gallagher-Iba Arena, one of the oldest in the NCAA.

6. Midwest City

Source: ApartmentGuide.com
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $575
  • Average rent change in the past year: -12.09%

Most cities at the top of this list are old homestead towns that boomed when the railroad came through. Not Midwest City. O.K.C.’s third-largest suburb, Midwest City only dates back to World War II. The city was created around the then-new Tinker Air Force Base.

Thanks to considerable media attention, it quickly became a national model for community development after the war. A grocery store opened, a hospital, a junior college and a mall soon followed. By 1970, the city that rose out of empty land had nearly 50,000 residents.

Like several of the other cheapest places to live in Oklahoma, the military base is still the focal point of the town. But the heart of residential Midwest City lies in its thriving central business district. The commercial district lies across I-40 from the base. Revitalized at the turn of the century, the city’s main street follows SE 29th Street and centers on bustling Town Center Plaza. The area features big box stores, a walkable row of national chain casual dining and Tinker Bicentennial Park.

For suburban commuters to Oklahoma City or military families, Midwest City remains affordable. A one-bedroom apartment leases for an average of $575 a month. That figure has dropped over 12 percent since this time last year.

5. Enid

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $573
  • Average rent change in the past year: N/A

Just 30 miles from the Kansas border, Enid is the cheapest place to live in northern Oklahoma. Its proximity to Kansas explains its notoriety as the “Wheat Capital of Oklahoma.” In fact, the small city of 50,000 features the third-largest grain storage capacity in the world. This agricultural skyscraper city of silos is now the Enid Terminal Grain Elevators Historic District.

While Enid is still “where the best wheat grows and the oil flows,” there’s much more to the town life. Downtown Enid is low-slung among wide thoroughfares. That is except for the 14-story Broadway Tower, the tallest building in Enid. The district also features a children’s museum, railroad museum and western museum and Cherokee Strip Heritage Center. Enid even features the oldest symphony orchestra in Oklahoma.

The southern tip of town is occupied by the large Vance Air Force Base. With such a large military facility, affordable rental housing is important. An average one-bedroom apartment leases for just $573 a month.

4. Lawton

  • Average 1-BR rent price: $558
  • Average rent change in the past year: -7.95%

At just $558 a month for an average one-bedroom, Lawton is the cheapest city to live in southwestern Oklahoma. Significantly, rents in the Frontier Region city have dropped nearly eight percent from this time last year. With nearly 100,000 residents, it’s the fifth-largest city in the Sooner State.

Lawton’s primary landmark and largest employer is Fort Sill. The massive base on the north end of town is one of just four Army Basic Combat Training facilities in the U.S. While growth can be attributed to the base, the city has diversified into manufacturing, higher education and health care industries.

Unlike many cities, the focal point of Lawton’s downtown isn’t the main street or a town square. It’s the nearly 50-year-old Central Mall, an enclosed shopping mall smack in the middle of downtown. When built, city officials thought the mall would attract shoppers from surrounding suburbs. Today, renewal efforts are focusing on building more appealing and pedestrian-friendly blocks north of the mall.

Some of those revitalization efforts are centered on the area around Elmer Thomas Park. Here lie two of Lawton’s largest museums. The Museum of the Great Plains and Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center sit side-by-side adjacent to the park. The park is the city’s largest, but just one of 80 parks and recreation areas operated by the city.

3. Pauls Valley

Source: Facebook.com/CityofPaulsValley
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $554
  • Average rent change in the past year: +1.84%

Deep into the Chickasaw Nation is the small Interstate city of Pauls Valley. Grammar nerds take note, there is no apostrophe in “Pauls,” though named for original settler Smith Paul. The lack of punctuation can be attributed to a singular tradesman. In 1887, a painter hired by the railroad to hang the Santa Fe Railway station sign failed to add the possessive apostrophe and the name stuck.

Pauls Valley’s quaint downtown lies at the northeastern corner of the city. The district radiates out from the easement of the town’s historic railroad line. In its heart is the old Santa Fe Railway Lone Star depot. Closed in the ’70s, the century-old depot now houses the historical society museum. However, right next door is the active Pauls Valley Amtrak station on the Heartland Flyer train line. Despite the city’s diminutive size, it’s one of just five Amtrak passenger stations operating in Oklahoma.

Elsewhere, downtown features pizza places, diners, service centers and community shops along Grant Avenue and Chickasaw Street. It’s also home to the award-winning Toy and Action Figure Museum. In the city’s western portion, numerous hotels and truck stops lie at the exit to Interstate 35.

The largest city and county seat of Garvin County, Pauls Valley has a population of only 6,000. The city is quaint and also cheap. To live here will cost you $554 a month on average for a one-bedroom unit. That figure is just $2 more than the city ranked No. 1.

2. Ada

Source: Facebook.com/CityofAdaOK
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $553
  • Average rent change in the past year: N/A

Ada is a small but bright town in south-central Oklahoma. It’s the county seat and largest city in Pontotoc County, but with a population of just 17,000. It’s the second cheapest place to live in Oklahoma. At $553 monthly, the average cost of a one-bedroom is just a buck more than the number one city. Oh, so close.

Ada is best known as the headquarters of the surrounding Chickasaw Nation, which encompasses 7,700 square miles of southern Oklahoma. While Ada itself is nearly three-quarters white, a significant 15 percent of all residents are of Native American descent. Around 2,500 Ada residents speak Chikashshanompa’, the Chickasaw language. As such, much of the public signage, including many traffic and directional markers, is written bilingually.

Most commercial activity in Ada centers on the downtown area along Main Street and Mississippi Avenue. Native American shops and eateries mingle with fast-casual restaurants, outdoor outfitters, beer bars and locally owned boutiques. Off the east edge of downtown is the spacious campus of East Central University.

1. Shawnee

Source: Facebook.com/VisitShawneeOklahoma
  • Average 1-BR rent price: $552
  • Average rent change in the past year: +0.41%

On the eastern edge of the Oklahoma City metro is the satellite city of Shawnee. It’s convenient, modern and accessible. And this suburb of 31,000 tops the list of the cheapest place to live in Oklahoma. An average one-bedroom apartment runs just $552 a month.

Only 45 minutes from downtown OKC, Shawnee is a convenient commute into the city. But Shawnee maintains distinct independence. Its bustling Main Street sits alongside its historic railroad right-of-way. This design dates back to the city’s founding, eschewing a town square for a primary business thoroughfare. The district offers a number of coffee shops, comfortable bars and casual dining spots.

But Shawnee’s most famous restaurant was located a couple of miles north on North Harrison Street. That was the spot of the original Sonic Drive-In. Then known as Top Hat Drive-In, the original site was moved in 2017 to the corner of Harrison and Highland streets.

Located downtown is the brand new Pottawatomie County Museum of railroad and transportation history. The new building opened at the start of 2021 as the collection outgrew its old home. That original site was located in the adjacent historic, castle-like Santa Fe Depot. Shawnee is also home to the Heart of Oklahoma Exhibition Center that features both indoor and outdoor performance arenas. And on the north end of town is the Black Hawk Casino. The vibrant gaming center is operated by the Sac and Fox Nation.

The most expensive places to live in Oklahoma

There are plenty of options to finding the cheapest places to live in Oklahoma, and which is right for you. But the Sooner State isn’t all about affordability. There are plenty of pricier places to lay your head at night.

The five most expensive places to live in Oklahoma are primarily large suburban edge cities. In fact, both Oklahoma City and Tulsa’s largest suburbs — Moore and Broken Arrow, respectively — are among the most expensive. Nearly all have also seen large jumps in rent prices for an average one-bedroom from this time last year.

Methodology

Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of August 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.

We excluded cities with insufficient inventory from this report.

The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

It’s time to deck the halls or at least start gathering everything you’re looking forward to adorning your space with before December inevitably sneaks up on us. 


Whether your aesthetic consists of all things bright red and green or a neutral palette, Target has loads of decorations to get both you and your home in the holiday spirit. It just dropped a Christmas Shop brimming with indoor and outdoor decor like throw pillows, blankets, stockings, garlands, wreaths, and more from brands like Threshold, Joanna Gaines’ exclusive collection—Hearth & Hand with Magnolia—and Wondershop, Target’s in-house brand for all things holiday. 


Keep scrolling to see the 12 home decor pieces we’re eyeing right now at Target—all under $35. 



Target Holiday Decorations Under $35

  • Threshold Lit Village Christmas Stocking Holder, $30
  • Wondershop 30 by 18-Inch Buffalo Plaid ‘Merry’ Outdoor Mat, $10
  • Threshold Artificial Flocked Tree in Woven Basket, $10
  • Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Stripe Woven Throw Blanket, $20
  • Hearth & Hand With Magnolia 12-Inch Decorative Wooden Bead Garland, $15
  • Threshold Embroidered Winter Scene Faux Shearling Lumbar Pillow, $25
  • Wondershop 22-Inch Pre-Lit Flocked Mixed Pine Wreath, $20
  • Threshold 4-Ounce Mercury Footed Ribbed Glass Candle, $5
  • Wondershop 10-Piece Battery Operated Ceramic Village Kit, $30
  • Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Chunky Rib Knit Christmas Stocking, $15
  • Wondershop 16 by 16-Inch Reversible String Lights Pillow, $10
  • Hearth & Hand With Magnolia ‘Tis the Season Christmas Wall Sign, $20



Threshold Lit Village Christmas Stocking Holder

Target





When hanging your stockings by the chimney with care, don’t settle for just any old stocking holder. This Threshold Lit Village option offers spots for four stockings underneath a light-up village of red, white, and green-adorned homes. One shopper called it “perfect” for holding their entire family’s selection of stockings, whereas another person called it “magical” and “just as cute in person.” 



Wondershop 30 by 18-Inch Buffalo Plaid ‘Merry’ Outdoor Mat

Target





If you’re hosting several guests this holiday season, snag this $10 buffalo plaid outdoor mat so visitors can wipe their feet off at the door before entering. And if you have pets, this is also an opportune spot for your pup to wipe their paws before dragging unwanted dirt inside. At just $10, you should grab an extra to keep at the backdoor of your home as well, or opt for this jolly snowman motif instead. 



Threshold Artificial Flocked Tree in Woven Basket

Target





If you live in a smaller space like an apartment and don’t have a ton of room to spare for a 5-foot tree, this artificial one with flocked branches is a festive alternative. It comes in a woven basket with a flat base so you can place it on your coffee table, windowsill, or on the floor for some warm, welcomed holiday spirit. It’s available in three different sizes and can play host to a handful of your most treasured ornaments, and if you’re in need of a few, Target’s got you covered there, too. 



Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Stripe Woven Throw Blanket

Target





An easy way to jazz up your living space is with throw pillows and blankets like this striped woven throw from Joanna Gaines’ exclusive Target collection. Drape it over your armchair or couch for a pop of color in your living room, or lay it at the end of your bed to make your sleeping space extra cozy. It’ll also come in handy when it’s time to get situated in your favorite pajamas and hot cocoa for upcoming holiday movie nights. One shopper called the fringe-accented throw “lovely” and “high quality.” 


Keep scrolling for more of our holiday decor favorites under $35 available at Target. 



Hearth & Hand With Magnolia 12-Inch Decorative Wooden Bead Garland

Target






Threshold Embroidered Winter Scene Faux Shearling Lumbar Pillow

Target






Wondershop 16 by 16-inch Reversible String Lights Pillow

Target






Hearth & Hand With Magnolia ‘Tis the Season Christmas Wall Sign

Target






Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Chunky Rib Knit Christmas Stocking

Target




Source: realsimple.com