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April 16th, 2015 at 5:00 pm

how to come up with a down payment

One of the first steps a prospective homeowner must take before buying a home is to come up with the money for a down payment. To buy a home today, the purchaser needs at least 3.5 percent of the purchase price for a down payment. Depending on the price of your ideal home, this could range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand. The more money you’re able to put toward a down payment, the lower your mortgage payment will be. It’s in the homebuyer’s best interest to have a substantial down payment saved when starting the buying process.

Coming up with a down payment can seem like an impossible task to many, but it might be easier than you think. With a little creativity and planning, you could have a down payment saved for your dream home before you know it. Below, we’ve outlined a few creative ways for you to come up with your down payment. Don’t delay, start saving today!
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April 16th, 2015 at 3:00 pm

Ventura County events

Image courtesy of Png Studio Photography / Shutterstock.com

 

The 41st Scandinavian Festival–one of the largest Nordic celebrations on the western United States–celebrate the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, and the Saami people from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia. Music, dancing, food, lectures, demonstrations, vendors, and activities for all ages will fill the two-day outdoor event at Kingsmen Park in Thousand Oaks. Festivalgoers can try their hand at Dala horse croquet, play an ancient Viking game called kubb, return to the days of the Vikings at an authentic village staged by the Ravens of Odin, and visit a Saami camp. Presented by the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation.

Where:
California Lutheran University
60 E. Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

When:
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April 16th, 2015 at 3:00 pm

Orange County events

Earth Day, though celebrated in April, should be every day! Bring your friends and family and join the many others who will be celebrating the beauty of our planet at the Orange County Earth Day Celebration. Activities for all ages will engage and inspire, such as the compost workshop, arbor walk, and children’s garden workshop. You can participate in a free e-waste collection, lend a hand installing an innovative new agricultural exhibit at the Farm + Food Lab, and shop local at the Orange County Great Park Farmers Market. With so much to see and learn, you will be sure to be inspired all the way up until next year’s festival to do your part to keep our Earth clean and beautiful.

Where:
Farm + Food Lab
1 Civic Center Plaza
Irvine, CA 92623

When:
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April 16th, 2015 at 11:00 am

Open House

Spring is a time for new beginnings, a fresh perspective, change, and adventure. It’s also a wonderful time to buy a new home. What better way to bring about the season of change than by finding your perfect home?

In celebration of the spring season, our agents are hosting an open house extravaganza!

This one-weekend-only event will take place in communities throughout Southern California on May 2-3, 2015. Our goal is to give you the opportunity to explore a wide variety of homes up close and personal, all in one weekend.
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April 16th, 2015 at 9:00 am

Decorate with spring Pantone colors

The Spring 2015 Pantone Fashion Color Report is finally here, giving insight into which colors the designers are designing with this season. This year’s palette is described as minimalistic; however each color has a unique personality that you can incorporate into your own home. Here’s how you can utilize this collection of designer hues for a refreshingly in-style home this spring.

Calm colors to cool you down
After a stressful or chaotic day, it is necessary to have a piece of paradise to come home to at night. Here are three colors that will greet you with serenity and make both you and your guests feel more comfortable in your home.

  • Aquamarine: An airy blue with a dreamy feel, Aquamarine is a color that is cool, calming, and actually acts as a stress reducer. Use Aquamarine as your main or accent color. Pair with other cool neutrals, such as white or Glacier Gray, in a light, bright room for a restful and tranquil atmosphere.
  • Dusk Blue: Retreat into your happy place with Dusk Blue, a shade reminiscent of the sky that will make you feel safe and at home. It is a bold yet quiet blue and will mix well with either neutrals like Glacier Gray or more intense colors like Treetop. Use Dusk Blue in your entryway as an accent color; it will welcome you home and give you a small piece of the sky that is hidden outside your walls.
  • Treetop: A hip, edgy color, Treetop will reassure and relax your mind. Green is the color of restoration, new beginnings, and fertility. Treetop will affect your nervous system, causing you to breathe more slowly and deeply, and slow the production of stress hormones. This color is perfect to use in your bedroom and is great for an accent wall, as it works best as a background to other shades. Treetop pairs well with Glacier Gray and Dusk Blue.

Trendy hues catered to your style
A home should have family, comfort and personalization. Living in a bright and exciting home that you take pride in is important. Here are some bold colors and how to use them to add personality to your space.
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