2022 Roof Shingle Color Trends

 The top renovation to the exterior of a home in 2021 was the roof. This is still true in the 2022 home improvement market. Not only are there many options for shingles but also many colors to choose from. In fact, it is reported that the roof shingle color can boost your home's resale value. Before selecting the perfect color for your roof, here are some tips you should know.

Tones can be important when it comes to selecting the right color for your roof.

Neutral Tones

When you think of neutral, you sometimes think of boring but this is not the case. Neutral colors such as brown and gray can look amazing on a roof. There can be different subtle color variations. A great example is Timberline HDZ in Weathered Wood. This is currently one of GAF's most popular neutral shingles. The shingle has both dark and light brown towns which will go with a range of home styles and exterior paint colors. Neutral tones are very practical making them popular in 2022. Since they can go with many changes, they can bring a higher resale value. These shingle tones are versatile and classic in looks.

Bold Earth Tones

Earth tones have been popular on both the interior and exterior of homes from 2021 and still in 2022. Nature-inspired shingles such as the GAF architectural asphalt shingles are good examples. These shingles alternate in color which offers a dynamic variation with a pop of color adhering to a cohesive look. A neutral exterior is perfect for this type of shingle. It will give your home more contrast and pop your curb appeal.

Classic Black

You can never go wrong with the classic black shingle. These have become very popular in 2022 due to the ongoing desire for a modern farmhouse look and easy accessibility to solar shingles. There is nothing more classic than a white home with black trim and black shingles. This combination can fit on most any architectural style from a traditional home to a modern home. Now there is even a black solar shingle that gives your home the traditional roof look. These eco-friendly roofs are currently in high demand.

Remember your shingle color can either make or break your home's curb appeal. It not only can affect the curb appeal but can also affect your home's resale value. The right shingle paired with the right roof can make your home have a higher market value.

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Tips on How To Decorate the “5th Wall”

 Most ceilings in a home are white.  White is simple, clean, and doesn’t clash with anything.  This doesn't mean that your ceiling has to stay white. Paint color or wallpaper on the ceiling are great ways to add visual interest to a room. Below are some interesting ways you can utilize your "5th wall" in any room.

Paint it.

Stephen Fanuka, New York City's "Contractor to the Stars" and Million Dollar Contractor star, believes painting your ceiling can take a space from okay to stunning. The contractor who has worked with Bruce Willis, Tina Fey, Beyoncé, and Michael J. Fox, says using pale blue in a space where you want to relax is a must. Put a pop of color on the ceiling," Stephen says.

Designer Jewel Marlowe of Jeweled Interiors says using the same color on the walls and ceilings creates a seamless transition from wall to ceiling that makes a space feel very immersive and adds a bit of drama. Remember you will want to choose a color that will not feel too overwhelming such as a nice light airy pink.

Add wallpaper.

If you like wallpaper or a touch of a pattern in a space, but you do not want all four walls decorated in it, then add wallpaper to your ceiling. Wallpaper on the ceiling can tie a space's design all together.

If you are adventurous, then using a bold pattern on the ceiling can be a plus, but remember to bring in texture on all other surfaces of the room to help balance it out. The Southern Gail added a whimsical wallpaper with a starry pattern to a child's bedroom. The ceiling looked like it had stars on it, giving it a splash of fun.

Expose the beams or add them in.

Having a wooden beam along the ceiling can add character and draws the eye up making the room look big and spacious. A great classic architectural element to add is a coffered ceiling. A coffered ceiling can add a touch of visual interest without overpowering a traditional space.

Wood boards can also make a great design element and can also cover up any old outdated looks. Wood boards are perfect for covering up popcorn ceilings. This design looks good both painted or natural.

Tile it.

A great way to brighten up a room is to tile the ceiling. Light bounces off the tile and makes it gleam. If you have a room such as a narrow kitchen, tile on the ceiling can distract from the small size. It can also help define an area in an open floor plan.

Basement ceilings can be plain and ugly. Vinyl ceiling panels can be used to hide unsightly ductwork and ugly basement ceilings. These are not ceramic tiles, but vinyl tiles. The ceiling panel tiles add a nice completed look to the basement space.

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2022 First Quarter Sees a 3% Increase in Homeowner Equity

 According to a report published by CoreLogic, homeowners with mortgages in the first quarter of 2022 saw their equity grow by 32.2% year-over-year. There was a collective equity gain of $3.8 trillion in the first quarter. This was an average gain of $63,600 per borrower. Homeowners with mortgages accounted for around 60% of properties across the country. Home equity and home prices both rose together, in fact, home prices were up 20% in March 2022 compared to March 2021.

“This has led to the largest one-year gain in average home equity wealth for owners and is expected to spur a record amount of home-improvement spending this year,” Patrick Dodd, CEO of CoreLogic said in a statement.

Homeowners across the nation, approximately 62,000 homeowners regained their home equity. Good news but CoreLogic still reports that around 2% of homeowners with a mortgage still remain underwater. This is about 5.3% less than those reported underwater in the fourth quarter of 2021.

There is still hope, the report predicts that if home prices increase by 5% then around an additional 130,000 homes would regain equity. Lets hope it takes this trend, if it doesn't and the market turns the opposite way, then around 167,000 additional homes will go underwater.

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The Current Housing Market Sees More Construction of Single Family Homes Over Multifamily

 This has been a whirlwind of a housing market since the pandemic began. It has been nine years since the number of single-family homes under construction is higher than multifamily construction. Robert Dietz, the National Association of Home Builders Chief Economist reported that up until 2008 that was the norm. Then the financial crisis that led to the Great Recession hit and homeowners moved to rentals in droves. 

The pandemic could be why this trend has taken over. People wanted to get away from the dense areas and were moving out of apartments. More and more people were looking for a single-family home for space to work and school from home. Since the pandemic will this still hold up to be the case?

Multifamily housing starts were 17% higher from 2020. This shows a sign that multifamily construction will start to come back. If homeowners want to go back to living in metro areas, these communities cannot support a large amount of single-family construction. Millennials are the big chunk of first-time homebuyers and cannot afford a single-family home in this housing market. Multifamily units are more cost effcient when it comes to construction and renting. This will probably put multifamily construction back into the lead.

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Steps To Take To Enhance Your Air Indoor Quality During Allergy Season

 Air indoor quality is important but it is especially important during allergy season. Understanding air quality and how to control it is a must. Allergy sufferers need to especially be mindful of their indoor air quality during peak allergy season, the spring. Triggers such as dust, mold and pet dander are all found indoors. Here are some tips on how to improve your home's air quality.

The First Step Is to Test

Testing indoor air quality is a great way to find out what is in the air of your home that can be harmful to your health. There are many devices to choose from for testing the air, so which do you choose?

When investing in a monitor, look for solutions that monitor all of the key air quality parameters: temperature, humidity, CO2, fine particulate matter and volatile organic compounds,” says Jennie Bergman, senior product manager of indoor environmental quality at Trane Residential. “You can also lean on a trusted local HVAC dealer for a whole-home indoor air quality assessment so you can make an educated purchasing decision based on your own family’s indoor comfort needs and air quality concerns.”

Level Up Your Indoor Air Quality

If the air quality in your home is not up to par, there are many things you can do to improve it. Options range from installing products that help keep the air clean to increasing ventilation through your HVAC unit and regularly changing the filters in your at-home appliances.

The best option is to install a whole-home air-cleaning device. This will remove asthma and allergy triggers. These include dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, dust mites and mildew. Another great thing is to use air cleaners. These will reduce airborne pollutants and certain bacteria.

Picking the Right Products

Just like with anything else, choosing the right product is important. The air-cleaning system you choose must be certified as asthma and allergy-friendly.

“When seeking out air-filtration products, look for certified products from trusted parties,” Bergman says. “Allergy Standards Ltd. and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America run the Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® program.”

Keep Up the Quality

Improving the air is the first step, once this is completed, then it must be maintained. A simple solution to this is to change your filters more often.

“Dirty filters restrict airflow, making your system work harder and reducing its efficiency,” she says. “A good rule of thumb is to change your filter every season. Regular cleaning or changing of your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your machine and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing easier.”

Comfort at Home Guaranteed

Having an air quality monitor is a great way to maintain comfort and air quality. These monitors can alert you when your air quality is in question and how you should improve it. A simple option to help alleviate poor air quality is to open the windows or turn on your air filter. By doing these things, you can help eliminate pollutants in your indoor space making it a healthier and allergen-free indoor environment.

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Tips on How To Choose the Best Mortgage Lender

 The current housing market is super hot and has reached record highs and looks to continue this way for the near future. The U.S. housing market is the highest we have seen in 15 years making 2021 the strongest year. This means tons of competition for buyers. This means finding the right lender is a must. The right lender can save both time and money for you as a buyer. Here are some important tips to follow when choosing a mortgage lender.

Look for a straightforward Pre-Approval Process

A pre-approval is very important when it comes to purchasing a home in this market. In fact, this should be one of the first steps in the mortgage lending process. A mortgage lender can help with understanding the requirements and give you a clear picture of how much you can afford.

Most pre-approval processes take into account your income, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), your FICO score, and your employment history. The right lender can help you get your answers efficiently. They can get you a pre-approval to show sellers when you make an offer.

Think Beyond Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are very important but it is not the only factor to look at when you are choosing a lender. Lenders can offer different fees and commissions so shop around and see what different lenders have to offer. You will want to find a lender who is great with communication. This will simplify the process for you and help the process home faster.

Consider the Full Range of Offerings

Almost every lender can offer excellent rates, however not every lender provides a vast array of services. You want to choose a lender that can support you through every stage of the process. A dedicated lender with an online application process makes for great repeat customers. Lenders take pride in their honest rate quotes, instant loan estimates, and lack of loan officer commission. This means that you will get upfront pricing and a clearer sense of how much you can truly afford.

Remember the right mortgage lender can help you find your dream home for the right price and in a shorter amount of time. A good lender will not only help you with low costs and transparency but will put your best interest first.

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