Fannie Mae to help out first-time homebuyers!

More good news has surfaced for first-time homebuyers, even as interest rates begin to slowly climb. Still on the fence about buying a new home? We think this might help: Fannie Mae is now offering to pay closing costs up to 3% of a home’s value, for first-time homebuyers.

That’s right, there really isn’t a catch! All you must do, is participate in the mortgage entity’s counseling course. For first-time homebuyers and families who do not have adequate savings, but qualify for a mortgage based on credit history and ability to pay, this new option will be extremely helpful.

So let’s do the math. If the home you’re waiting to build is $150,000, and Fannie Mae will pay up to 3% of that home’s value, you will see a closing cost deduction of $4,500. Here’s a little more information regarding the first-time homebuyer program.

Spring is the perfect time to build your brand new, customized, dream home. And now, thanks to Fannie Mae, the upfront costs associated with purchasing a new home are now much, much less.

Are you ready to move into a brand new Faber Home? Visit our website today or give us a call: 585.889.4840.

5 ways to boost curb appeal

You’re ready to make the leap and start designing your dream home. The checks are signed, deposit is made, floor plan is chosen, but there’s just one thing standing in your way: your current abode. It needs some work, no doubt, but what are the most important things to update to get that instant curb appeal, setting it apart from other properties in your area?

Photo Cred: pinterest.com

Here are five of our favorite easy updates that won’t break the bank.

Tidy Up! Many families opt for using the garage door as the home’s main entrance, but delivery drivers, pizza guys, and solicitors still access your front door. You’d be surprised how quickly little pieces of paper, delivery post-its, phone books and flyers pile up. Take a day and make sure the porch is clean and tidy. This will give guests a clear, clean view of your home.

Scrub-a-dub! Grab a broom, rent a power washer, and stock up on Windex. Start by giving siding a good power wash, removing dirt and grime and animal/bug debris. The power washer is also helpful for removing weeds from driveway cracks, so keep it handy if need be. Once the house has dried off, use a push broom to remove debris from your front porch, patio, walkways and driveway. After you’re done, clear off those windows, as this will let more unfiltered, natural light into your home.

Paint. You don’t have the paint the whole house (unless you want to), but a new coat of paint on your front door will do wonders for the overall appearance. Opt for a similar color to what you have, or spice things up with a dark blue or brick red for extra pizazz.

Grab some mulch. It’s amazing how a coating of mulch can completely transform the outside of your home. Just add a 2” layer around all flowerbeds, mailboxes, and trees about two weeks before your first showing. Mulch also helps trap in moisture, so you’ll be doing what bushes and flowers you have planted a favor, giving them a much-needed boost. If you have a lot to cover, consider purchasing mulch in bulk as this will be cheaper in the long run.

Plant TLC. Overgrown yards are not attractive, we all know that, but trees and shrubs can really add to the overall appeal of your home if they’re cut properly. Make sure branches aren’t touching the home (as this can actually cause siding damage and a gateway for critters to enter your home), and bush height should never overshadow a window, hindering natural light indoors.

Building a walkway

Faber Homes recommends waiting a couple years after moving into your brand new home before building patios or walkways in order to accommodate for settling. Once that time has passed, stones and other poured materials have a better chance of staying where you put them. So you’re ready to get started? Here is an easy how-to guide on assembling your new stone path.

First, lay out your path using string and stakes, and begin by digging the soil deep enough for the base, leveling as you go. Measure the space you’ve created so you’re accurately able to order gravel, sand and other supplies. Once you’ve cleared the space, shovel gravel in and compact it using a plate tamper after raking the space smooth. If you don’t have a tamper, you can rent one for between $25 and $50 per day. 

Photo Cred: houzz.com

Next, take the sand you ordered and cover the gravel with a 1 to 2 inch layer. Use a rake to smooth the surface and finish this step by running a string between two stakes to show where the finished path space will be.

Now is the fun part. Grab your stones and fit them close together along the path with quarter-inch gaps between each piece. Once your stones are placed where you want them, use a rubber mallet to set each stone in the sand. Finish by using a level to ensure all stones are level with each other and the string.

Using sand or rock dust, fill the gaps between the stones and set it by spraying the whole walkway with water. If the stones are still elevated, add another layer of sand (and spray with water) until everything is level. You can opt to add a sealant to ensure sand doesn’t make its way off the path and into your yard or home. This will also help to prevent bricks, stones or pavers from spreading and moving around where you don’t want them.

Send us your final project pictures on Facebook and we’ll feature them on our page! Good luck!

Top 10 landscaping mistakes

It’s that time of year to get outside and landscape. You have an idea of what looks nice, but we all have that neighbor who went overboard. Don’t be that neighbor and take note of some of these landscaping mistakes. 

1.     Excessive lawn ornamentation. Need we say more? Stick to a theme and make sure those ornaments fit the rest of your landscaping design. If you must, sick to one statement, as opposed to ten (or more).

Photo Cred: privateandpublicspace.wordpress.com

2.     Planting in the wrong locations. Many people don’t heed the warnings and read the directions on the plant tags. They’re there for a reason! Make sure you’re planting new items in the right places. HGTV’s Plant Finder is a great tool to double check seasonality, light exposure and hydration needs.

3.     Short grass. It’s a myth that cutting grass shorter will yield less time out mowing throughout the season. It’s actually the opposite, and you can end up doing more harm to your lawn. Exposing too much earth can cause bare patches and dryness, and it also opens the door for insects to make homes.

4.     Incorrect potting. Large planters are all the rage, but it’s easy to incorrectly plant items when you feel like you have a lot of space. Make sure you’re not planting a plant in a pot that’s too large, as it can sink down causing it to get too much water (or the opposite – dry out too fast).

5.     Blotchy lawns. Caused by improper or non-existent fertilization, a spotty lawn can really be an eye sore. Visit a Home Depot, Lowes, or local garden center and ask for a professional’s help with fertilization. Let them know how much (and why type) of sun your lawn gets and what types of fertilizer will work best. Fertilizing should be done at least twice per year, never in the bright sun, and with a good long soaking.

6.     Not taking animals into account. New York is a beautiful place to live, there’s no doubt! But in living in such a lush, green area, we also have our fair share of critters that frequent our properties. From deer to birds to rabbits, each are in search of tasty treats that are easily accessible, so make sure you’re not planting items that they love, otherwise you’ll end up with chewed up green stalks and no color.

7.     Overgrowth. Again citing our trusty HGTV tool, Plant Finder, make sure the plants you choose are the right plants for the areas they’re being planted in. Keep in mind, some plants grow very quickly and can span large areas. While the color may be what you’re looking for, the size may really hinder the overall appearance of your home.

8.     Too. Many. Colors. Pick a color theme and stick to it. Coherence in your color palette will create harmony and beauty, while a cluster of colors will be just that – a cluster. 

9.     Not family-friendly. Some people get carried away with ornamentation themes in their yard for visual appeal, but forget about usability. After all, you’re paying taxes for the land your house is on so you ought to be able to use some of it, right? It’s best to start off with a list of what you want to be able to do in your yard and go from there, design-wise.

10. Sticker shock. It’s easier to start a project than it is to finish it. But sometimes, without proper project estimation, we can get carried away with the cost of finishing the job, leaving it partially or totally uncompleted. Get a budget and estimate together before you get started, so your project gets completed and looks nice sooner rather than later!