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Here’s what December told us about the 2021 housing market…

1. People REALLY want to buy your home. Like really, really.

The total housing inventory was down 16.4% from the prior December. As a result, the amount of time a home spent on the market was basically halved while receiving double the number of offers. Along with faster closing times, we saw a 13.5% increase in average home price (www.nar.realtor).

For anyone that has shown a house before, you understand having your home on the market for less than a month is a major win for anyone looking to sell. That’s less time spent yelling at the kids “it has to look like no one lives here” with the added bonus of a 13.5% selling price bump.

2. Most people want extra room to accommodate working from home.

Realtors reported over 60% of potential buyers to be looking for extra space in their next home to use as a workplace (www.nar.realtor). While a bigger home can mean a more expensive home in a competitive market, building from scratch allows you to benefit from your high sales price without paying the premium in the current market. Building a home can even allow you to acquire “instant equity” in some circumstances when comparing the sales price of your finished home to the actual cost of building.

3. There will not be a sharp rise in the amount of first time home buyers.

Mortgages are expected to rise but remain near record lows of about 3% interest (www.nar.realtor). While this is a major incentive for new buyers, higher asking prices have prevented a significant rise in first time home buyers. We expect this trend to continue with large down payments creating a barrier to entry.

4. Housing starts may be recovering to pre-2008 numbers.

More new homes were started in 2020 than any other year since the Great Recession. In fact, December 2020 saw the end of a year with the highest number of new homes started since 2006 (www.census.gov). With a constricted pool of options, more and more homes are being built to help meet the demand. As the nation feels the hope of additional economic stimulus,  increased new home projects are expected to continue.

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Cultivating Your Summer Outdoor Space

Are you getting the most out of your backyard space? With the meticulous attention we give to the interior of the home, it can be easy to overlook the backsides of our properties. These spaces may not be enclosed by four walls and a roof, but that does not mean they do not have incredible potential to be a place of retreat for our families. We have been inspired by backyard makeovers we have been seeing around town lately, and we thought you would be intrigued in upgrading your space too. The home does not end at the back door. Let’s dive into a few ideas to help jumpstart your journey towards the wonderful backyard experience you’ve been craving this summer.

Creating your own fire pit to gather around gives you the luxury of time with loved ones. Whether you choose stone or wood, there is no shortage of ways to bring a spark to your backyard. This more permanent addition can be DIY’ed or built by an expert contractor to match the exterior of your home.

At Home Projects_ Social Distancing Approved

With a little design work and some expert craftsmanship, you can turn a small square footage area into an impactful relational space. Check out these backyard nooks we found on Pinterest which were artfully redesigned to maximize their relational impact for the homeowner. String lights have been the hottest trend for a while due to their soft, warm glow and fun visual appeal. There’s a million and a half ways to DIY your string light set. A covered porch to hang string lights or greenery from will create a space of peace and tenderness to relax under. We love the idea of being protected from the sun on those hot summer days too.

Patio

Plants, plants, and more plants. Greenery can make a formerly stagnant place come to life. Whether you hang them from the ceiling, post them to a wall, or let them crawl, bring greenery into your space for a refreshing addition. Larger bush varieties can also provide much needed shade and privacy to keep your yard space serene and shaded.

 

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A deceptively simple update for a porch is to frame your current posts with wood. For those craving the clean lines and simple statement, surrounding your current posts with painted or stained wood can create a phenomenal appeal. The color scheme can be tailored to fit your home style for a modern, rustic, or farmhouse feel.

DIY Craftsman Style Porch Columns - Shades of Blue Interiors

Another update that offers a big design appeal is horizontal privacy fences. Whether you are putting your first fence up or ready to replace yours, this design offers sleek, modern lines and a safe enclosure for kids and pets to run around outside.

 

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The last trend we’ve appreciated is enlarged patios to cultivate the perfect entertaining space. Using jumbo concrete pavers allows you to enlarge your patio without actually having to pour mass amounts of concrete and permanently lose out on green space.

 

9 DIY Cool & Creative Patio Flooring Ideas | The Garden Glove

 

The best part about upgrading a backyard space is it will hardly cause an inconvenience to your daily life which is a major win for both you and the family. Get out there and make the most of that space this season!

New Year, New Home!

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You know we always say there’s no better time to start planning your dream home, and that’s never been more true as we launch into 2019. If, indeed, you are ready to get the ball rolling, here are some things that will help you make the best decisions possible as you move forward.

San Antonio Housing Market

According to MetroDepth, the San Antonio housing market is predicted to continue to see a rise in the cost of housing prices. This comes as no surprise to us, as San Antonio is one of the most booming towns in the United States. For locals, this means, there’s no time to delay! Good news is, price growth is anticipated to slow.

Currently, the median home value in town is $165,000, according to Zillow. That’s about an 8% increase from the previous year.

Mortgage Down Payment

Although, it’s recommended to put 20% down, many lenders allow a lot less than that. While this can be useful, we recommend that you put at least 20% down, if not more, and here’s why. You’ll be paying a lot more in the long run, and it could result in higher costs when paying for private mortgage insurance. Here’s a wonderful little tool – a down payment calculator, that will hopefully help shed some light on what to expect.

Know Your Neighborhood

Finding the right house or the right builder is only half the battle. Your neighborhood is the other half of the equation that will determine whether you and your family will be happy with your new home for the long run. To ensure a good match, consider a few things. Do you wish to be a in neighborhood with a homeowners association? Find out just what this entails. Sometimes the fee is worth the amenities.

Additionally, if you have kids, you’ll want to research nearby schools. Even if you don’t have children, the quality of the schools could affect the value of your home. Look into safety and crime statistics and take the time to map out all the important go-to’s, such as the closest hospital, grocery store, gas station and other relevant stops. Although time consuming, try driving through your potential neighborhood on different days and various times throughout the day to check on the traffic and noise. You won’t regret making the effort!

These are just a few notes to help prepare you for your new home. When you’re ready, we’re here to help build your dream. Give us a call at 210-494-5400 or fill out our online form to get started.

 

Love Your Living Room

Courtesy of Glen Andrews Art Glass

Courtesy of Glen Andrews Art Glass

There’s that one main room in your home where everyone gathers, perhaps watches TV, enjoys lively conversations, plays games. You might call it the living room or the family room. You might even have a great room, a modern version with an open floor plan that also combines the dining room. We love building great rooms for our clients, which by its very nature, encourages family interaction.

Regardless of what it’s called, this is the heart of your home, and you want it to be a room that shines. Your living room should, more than any other room, reflect the personality of you and your family.

Here are some tips to help bring some love into your living room or make that great room even better!

-          If you have a great room, then you must rely on area rugs and furniture to create the spatial boundaries in the room. Typically, you want a backdrop that is more neutral. Different sections of the space can utilize colors and patterns but should compliment the other sections of the room. Accent walls can also be used to cleverly add definition between spaces.

-          Update your great room with a home office space, small library, children’s play corner or adult arts and crafts corner. All of these options can, again, add dimension and definition to the space.

-          Find some unique antiques to add some character to your living room. Old antique doors can also be used to divide up a room. We recommend a hidden gem right here in San Antonio, called Architectural Antiques Salvage. This giant warehouse is filled with all sorts of treasures, from doors to light fixtures, clawfoot bathtubs, sinks and even some décor. They are located at 403 Dawson St., just on the eastside of downtown.

-          If you’re looking to update your furniture, which is a fun way to change the look of your living room, consider adding some curved furnishings. Once popular in the 60’s, the curved look is coming back. For example, a crimson velveteen sofa with a back in the shape of a half circle and a curved cushion in front. A piece like this can help add a touch of femininity to the room.

-          Light fixtures can be an easy way to define the space in your great room or living room, and can also serve as a showpiece that truly represents the ambiance you’re wanting to achieve. You might consider having some custom blown glass pieces to create a modern-day chandelier. Locally, we recommend Glen Andrews Art Glass of Caliente Hot Glass. They can design a piece specific to your look and tastes and even install it for you. For more information, visit glenandrewsartglass.com.

However, if it’s simply time to start dreaming of a new great room, we’re here to help! Give us a call at 210-494-5400 or fill out our online form to get started.

Zhoosh Up Your Décor and Dinner for the Holidays

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The holidays are here are again, and this year, it’s time to go all out! If your home is the place to be this Thanksgiving or Christmas, we’ve got some tips to make sure that this holiday season will be one to remember for years to come!

Décor:

It doesn’t take much to transform your home into a Texas winter (we use this word loosely) wonderland!

-          For Thanksgiving, make an easy yet beautiful centerpiece on the dining table out of fruit. Fill a decorative bowl full of your fruit of choice (we recommend apples or pears) and attach paper leaves to the stems with messages of “thanks-giving” written on them. You can even ask your guests to write a Thanksgiving message. The same concept can be used as place cards on the table for seating arrangements.

-          If it’s a winter wonderland you truly desire, then go for it! White décor is in! Decorate your house with a stunning white fur tree, white walls and, don’t forget, fake snow. Use a bold accent color such as red or blue to complete the look. White lights are also a lovely addition to the tree, if you’re wanting to keep it elegant.

-          Decorating on a budget this year? No worries! Simple additions such as evergreen clippings, pine cones and homemade items from the kids, such as candy cane cut-outs and a show-stopping gingerbread house can make your home feel full of cheer. These are also great activities that the whole family can enjoy. Although they now sell kits that are a breeze, here’s an easy “how-to” of a made-from-scratch gingerbread house.

Dinner:

-          We know you’ve always wanted to fry a turkey, and not just because it looks dangerous. It’s delicious. Sure, thousands of people burn their house down each year trying to fry a turkey, but it’s not going to be you! Check out this Art of Manliness’ video and be safe!

-          Not only is ambiance important during the holidays, but dinner can actually make or break your special day, so we found some yummy recipes to guarantee everyone will go home with a full and happy tummy. We turned to Texas Monthly for something a little different but still with a Texas twist. Instead of the usual sides, why not try making these delicious Sweet Potatoes with Ginger, Pecans and Jalapeños? We bet you won’t be sorry!

-          We also love these Cranberry and Pecan Tamales. Even in the tamale capital of Texas (which we assume we are), this is something you don’t often find.

-          Oh, and don’t forget to leave some cookies for Santa. Here’s a fun recipe for the kids that’s hassle free for you!

Just make sure to ask Santa for your dream home, but if he doesn’t come through, you can always give us a call at 210-494-5400 or fill out our online form. We may not have any reindeer, but we know how to make dreams come true!

Happy Holidays from our family at Stone Creek Custom Homes!