Category: Brandpoint

2023-12-06T12:47:00

(BPT) – This is it, folks. Platinum-selling recording artist Brett “Mr. Christmas” Eldredge has unwrapped his décor picks for the 2023 holiday season, and it might just be the best-looking list of all time.

The décor guide was released as part of Eldredge’s ongoing partnership with Lowe’s, which is also the official décor sponsor of his 2023 Glow LIVE holiday tour. The tour, based on his celebrated 2016 album of the same name, has grown into a beloved Christmas­time tradition across the country.

“This is my favorite time of the year, and I love that Lowe’s goes all out — because I do, too,” said Eldredge. “From the classic trees that I love to yard décor, matching garland and wreaths, and more, they’ve got all the festive finds to greet guests, inspire wonder or get in the spirit.”

1. For the New Homeowner

The first holiday in a new house often means starting from scratch, décor wise. This magical, yet classic Pre­Lit Fawn and Doe Pair will get any freshly minted homeowner off to a stunning start.

2. For the Outdoor Decorator

Whether they have a sweeping estate or a petite patio, this 9­ft Spruce Artificial Garland is beautiful for anyone who takes a festive pride in their home’s exterior.

3. For the Coziness Champ

Classic aesthetic meets comfy vibes with this chic French Blue Throw. It’s a wonderful gift for bookworms and movie buffs alike who prefer to snuggle up in style.

4. For the Practical One

This Outdoor Door Mat is sure to delight, being both undeniably charming and classy — with a fun twist.

5. For the Crowd Pleaser

Mantles are the focal point of a room and can be decorated for each and every season. This festive, charming deer is the perfect stunner to get holiday guests talking and bring in the holiday spirit!

6. For the Traditionalist

For those that find the holidays about shimmery perfection, this 48­in Artificial Wreath, crafted with mixed greenery, golden baubles and fairy lights, is ideal.

7. For the Hot Cocoa Enthusiast

Tasteful and playful, these Candy Cane colored mugs are perfect for the seasonal hot drink connoisseur with a soft spot for cute design. They can even be packed with hot chocolate supplies to create a charming cocoa kit!

8. For the Interior Remixer

If they love giving their indoor space a facelift from time to time, they’ll love these Gradient Tan Faux Sheepskin Throw Pillows. They’re deliciously soft, with a neutral color palette that complements just about everything.

9. For the Stocking Stuffer

Who doesn’t love opening a full stocking on Christmas morning? Make your stockings the star of the show with these Silver Stocking Hangers.

10. For the One Who Needs to Think Big

As for big spaces, this graceful 11-ft Pre-Lit Artificial Tree is the ultimate gift for someone who hasn’t figured out how to get the most out of their grand hall just yet. It’s 132 inches of splendor, sure to give even the most towering rooms the coziest Christmas glow.

Of course, the choices don’t stop at just these ten ideas. You can find all Eldredge’s décor picks, as well as gift picks for everyone on your list, on Lowes.com. With a list this good, you’re guaranteed to have the most magical home on the block.

2023-12-05T20:01:00

(BPT) – With the new year just around the corner, you may be thinking ahead about home improvements you want to make in the coming year. Especially if you’d like to maximize your outdoor space, planning ahead is crucial. Imagining exactly how you want to use the area outside your home can help you make decisions for expanding your living space beyond its four walls — comfortably and beautifully.

To start your planning process, these 2024 design trends may influence your decision-making, along with tips and tools to help turn your outdoor living dreams into reality.

1. Unique usage of space

Due to higher interest rates and other factors, today’s homeowners are staying in their homes longer. As a result, homeowners are getting more creative around using their existing outdoor spaces, and are heavily investing in this part of their property. Instead of just an outdoor barbecue area where friends and family can hang out, outdoor spaces are fulfilling functions traditionally seen only indoors.

Beyond building entire outdoor kitchens, homeowners are creating outdoor office areas for remote work in the fresh air, studios for creative endeavors and areas suitable for meditation, yoga or other forms of exercise. The sky is the limit when it comes to your outdoor space. How about a gaming area or a movie theater? Imagine how you most want to spend your time outdoors, then see how you can make it happen.

2. A backyard retreat

Another result of today’s economic climate is that multigenerational homes are becoming more popular. And with more family members sharing a home, many may be seeking ways to create more private spaces for family to enjoy a little “me time.”

Outdoor spaces present a huge opportunity to create more breathing room and expand beyond the four walls of your home. Separating parts of your outdoor area by adding screen panels or shade structures can help invite solitude for individuals needing a little escape. You can even find ways to mask intrusive noise such as a water feature or wind chimes, which can make a world of difference for developing a peaceful outdoor oasis.

3. Eco-friendly attitudes

Although this is not a new trend, 2024 will see further expansion of environmentally friendly projects like pollinator gardens, stormwater captures, native planting, zero-scaping and using permeable pavers in outdoor spaces.

For example, Belgard’s permeable pavers, also known as permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP), are installed with layers of varying-sized stone or aggregate underneath that filter and direct stormwater to underground aquifers, mimicking the way natural land absorbs water. With permeable concrete pavers and permeable grass pavers, any rain falling on your patio, walkway or driveway seeps back into the ground, reducing the burden on storm drains.

The primary goal for all these approaches is to develop a more eco-friendly outdoor space requiring fewer resources — making it easier and more natural to maintain.

4. Natural tones and materials

The emphasis on the environment and incorporating nature into your outdoor space also inspires design choices based on colors found in nature, and materials with the look and feel of organic elements.

Staying within this aesthetic, you can find hardscaping options ranging from retaining wall systems, outdoor kitchens, fire pits and pavers for patios, walkways and driveways from Belgard offering a color palette ranging from neutrals to cool and warm tones — but always appearing natural and pleasing to the eye.

5. Gardens galore

One of the biggest shifts across the country is a renewed interest in gardening and growing your own food. From those who want to live more healthful, balanced lives to foodies who seek to use the freshest produce in their culinary creations, gardening is the answer — and a fun, easy way to spend time outside. This trend also brings generations together, from those who’ve been gardening for decades to enthusiastic new gardeners of Gen Z.

Another great thing about gardening is that you don’t need much square footage to get started. Container gardens, raised beds and vertical gardening are all ways to explore growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Ready to get inspired? Learn about all the possibilities for your outdoor space at Belgard.com.

For additional help envisioning your outdoor space, Belgard Rooms Planner gives contractors and homeowners a templated outdoor design plan that can be further customized to meet every homeowner’s needs. Even better, Belgard Rooms provides an augmented reality (AR) feature, letting you select AR plans and drop them into your outdoor space to view, walk through and scale templated outdoor rooms, bringing them to life in your own backyard. AR Rooms makes it easy for you to test a variety of rooms, features and styles in your outdoor space, also making it easier to communicate your vision with your contractor. Currently, 38 AR Rooms can be viewed on any device that will help you design your dream space in 2024.

2023-12-05T07:01:00

(BPT) – By Brian Walsh, “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™”¹, SoFi

Deciding to purchase a home, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer, is a big and exciting milestone. It will define your finances in the short- and long-term and will likely be the biggest purchase of your life, so it’s natural to want to make sure everything goes right — location, budgeting, credit profile, Realtor, and lender.

Now, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when preparing to buy a house, and everyone’s financial situation is different, but there are some good rules of thumb to follow as you develop your plan. That’s where I come in, to help ease some anxieties in the preparation process and to offer some helpful tips as your planning and path to homeownership begins.

Can I Afford to Buy a House?

Affordability is one of the main obstacles people face when deciding to purchase a house. Property values have substantially increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic as buyers flocked to suburban settings and purchased new properties. Three years ago, interest rates were historically low, creating ideal conditions for some buyers to secure an affordable loan.

Since then, however, rates have risen as the Federal Reserve — the main federal government agency responsible for rate hikes — has sought to combat inflation, resulting in an increase in mortgage rates as well. For prospective first-time home buyers who are just now exploring homeownership, now is the ideal time to start creating a plan to put you on a path toward homeownership.

While saving toward your down payment fund may take time, here are some ways to help you get started:

If your timeline is under three years, consider a conservative investment portfolio, or maybe a high-yield savings account.

If your outlook is three to five years from now, consider a conservative or moderately conservative investment portfolio that can grow your money faster than a cash-based account.

If you’re anticipating buying a house in the next five to 10 years, consider a moderate or moderately aggressive investment portfolio that can yield higher returns in the long run.

Planning and budgeting will help create friendlier paths as you pursue homeownership.

Credit Score is Paramount

Your credit profile also plays an important role in your planning.

One of the best things to do ahead of a home purchase is to understand and build your credit score. Banks and lenders look at your credit score to determine your creditworthiness and to evaluate the risk associated with lending you money. Typically, the higher your credit score, the higher the chance that you will be able to lower your interest rate. Over the life of a loan — say 15, 20, or 30 years — this could potentially translate to thousands of dollars in savings. A lower rate will keep monthly payments lower or even provide the ability for you to pay back the loan faster.

As an example, let’s look at SoFi’s mortgage calculator: If you were to take out a mortgage on a $500,000 home after putting 20% down with an 8% interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, your monthly payment would be $2,935 and you would pay $656,620 total with interest over the life of the loan.

If you were to take out that same loan with a 7% rate of interest, your monthly payment would be $2,661 and you’d pay $558,035 total with interest. The difference of 1% in interest results in almost $98,585 paid over time.

I’m Ready to Buy Now

Now, if you’ve saved enough and you’re comfortable with your credit score, and you’ve done your research, then it’s time to take the leap!

There are lots of programs out there, so be sure to do your research on which one is the right fit for you.

If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you have access to down payment assistance and flexible loan qualification requirements. Who qualifies as a first-time homebuyer? Someone purchasing their very first home, sure, but also someone who has not owned a principal residence in the past three years, as well as certain other groups. So check into whether you qualify.

First-time homebuyers may be able to get a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, which can have a down payment as low as 3.5%. Some other lenders, like SoFi, also offer as little as 3%² down for qualifying first-time homebuyers. You may have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) or pay a mortgage insurance premium (MIP), as most lenders require one or the other when the down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price.

Veterans, active military service members, National Guard and reservists, and surviving spouses also have flexible benefits when purchasing a home. If you fall into this category, then you can take out a VA loan that is backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and offered by private lenders. Because the VA guarantees a portion of the home loan, people in this category can qualify for perks like lower-interest rates, lower closing costs, no mortgage insurance, and no down payment requirement. Make sure your lender offers a VA loan if you decide to pursue this great benefit.

Hire a Good Real Estate Agent

A skilled real estate agent can help buyers locate their dream home, navigate negotiations, and wrap up all that tedious paperwork. An agent with a strong professional network and familiarity with the housing inventory where you’re hoping to buy may even get early word of so-called “whisper listings” — properties that are about to come on the market.

First-time home buyers may find an agent’s guidance to be especially helpful. Experienced buyers may find value in expert advice. (If you do feel confident you have the skills to go it alone, buying a house without a real estate agent is possible.)

Competition Promotes Additional Perks for Buyers

Lenders will compete for your business, so you have the upper hand. Do your research and see what additional perks the lender can give you as you decide on which one is best suited for you and your family. Excellent customer service is essential, so make sure your lender has a reputation of being available, has a rate lock, and an on-time closing guarantee offer. Additionally, it would be best if you select a lender that is able to give you a verified preapproval letter (more on this below).

Mortgage Preapproval

Unlike pre-qualification, which gives you a rough idea of how much money you can borrow, mortgage preapproval is a formal step, when a lender verifies your credit history, income, debt, and assets (so it helps to have your financial documents organized in advance).

This is when you’ll determine what kind of mortgage you want to take out. Will it be a fixed rate or an adjustable rate? How long a term?

A pre-approval letter, typically good for 90 days, states that a lender is tentatively willing to lend you a specific sum for a mortgage. A pre-approval may help your offer stand out since it shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer who has been vetted. That means you’re ready to act when you find your ideal home and agree on a price.

A pre-approval letter is not a guarantee, though. Final loan approval rests with mortgage underwriting.

Happy House Hunting

These tips aren’t meant to be comprehensive, but if you follow some of them, it will make the homebuying experience a little easier. When you’re ready to make your purchase, you’ll know.

Just be sure to consider all your options, including private lenders, and do your own research. Everyone has a different experience. Happy house hunting!

Brian leads advice and planning at SoFi, a personal finance company. In this role, he leads SoFi’s robo-advisor, develops the underlying logic for digital tools, leads the financial planning team, and serves as a spokesperson. Brian has his Ph.D. in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University and is a “CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™”. His insights have been featured in TODAY, CNBC, Forbes, the New York Times, WSJ, Fortune, and more. He also creates content delivered via webinars and social media platforms as ‘Dr. Money’.

DISCLOSURES

SoFi Checking and Savings accounts are offered by SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.

The SoFi Credit Card is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A. pursuant to license by Mastercard® International Incorporated.

Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Equal Housing Lender.

Brokerage products offered through SoFi Securities LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Advisory services are offered through SoFi Wealth LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Information as of November 2023 and is subject to change.

1 Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

2 SoFi requires Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for conforming conventional home loans with a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio greater than 80%. Other loan types may require different fees or insurance (e.g., VA funding fee, FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums, etc.). Loan requirements may vary depending on your down payment amount, and minimum down payment varies by loan type.

2023-12-05T09:05:00

(BPT) – Think of local businesses that feel connected to your community. What comes to mind? Perhaps a retro diner displaying photos from the town’s earlier days, or a sports bar decked out with memorabilia from the local team? What gives a business a distinctly local flair, and how can you infuse this essence into your own business?

For an effective way to transform a business space, consider starting with one of the largest design opportunities: the walls. Walls often offer the largest amount of surface area in a business space and utilizing them properly can have a huge impact. Wallpaper murals are large-scale wall coverings that are customizable in design. Whether you run a hotel, restaurant, bar or any other business, here are some ways incorporating local-inspired art can make a significant impact on your interior decor and customer experience.

Why local murals matter

Locally inspired wall decor is a trend that’s not only visually striking, but also embraces a business’s location. By opting for these murals, you’re not just adorning walls; you’re curating a personalized experience. Visitors appreciate the authenticity and connection that local flair brings to a space. Celebrate your area by adorning your business with images that showcase the local culture, history and identity. Whether it’s iconic landmarks, historical events or the vibrant local scene, these engaging design elements celebrate the essence of your area.

In a world of ever-increasing competition, businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, need to find ways to stand out and create a memorable experience for their guests. In hotels, restaurants, bars and other hospitality businesses, local murals are a game-changer. They invite guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of the area. From showcasing the scenery to featuring local sports teams, the options are endless.

Here’s how different business types can bring local flair to their establishments:

1. Bars and clubs: Create a trendy and energetic backdrop for your venue with a local-inspired mural in a bar or nightclub. For sports bars or venues, consider featuring local sports team collages or a blueprint of an iconic local stadium. On accent walls, add displays of local memorabilia, such as jerseys.

2. Hotels or Airbnbs: Welcome your guests with inviting hotel wallpaper murals that elevate the ambiance of their stay. These can be featured in hotel lobbies, rooms and more. Local landmarks, famous landscapes, national parks and ski trail maps celebrate the best parts of your hotel’s locale. When selecting furniture, consider sourcing from a local designer or supplier to emphasize the local connection.

3. Restaurants: Whether you own a coffee shop, café or fine dining restaurant, murals can create the ideal ambiance, share your restaurant’s history or highlight the culture behind your cuisine. On other walls, you may want to add pictures of the owners or framed newspaper clips reporting on the business.

4. Museums, points of historic or local interest: Museums can showcase local history and culture, creating an immersive experience for visitors. Antique maps or photo murals can add a touch of historical legacy to your space. Add in framed shadow boxes to display additional local and historical items to engage visitors.

5. Retail: Retail stores can benefit by adding an eye-catching, photo-worthy element to their shop. If you sell locally made products, murals are a great way to highlight their source with pride. This can be done with a map of your city or state, or custom imagery unique to your products, adding a personalized touch that sets you apart.

Breathe life into your business with the vibrant, one-of-a-kind touch of local murals. It’s a transformation that speaks volumes about your business’s personality, adding charm and character that captivates guests and keeps them coming back.

By celebrating the culture and identity of your city or area, you can connect with your customers on a deeper level, enhancing their overall experience and making your business a memorable destination.

For more design inspiration, visit MuralsYourWay.com. While there you can download a free idea book that shows you the exciting ways murals can be used in your business.