Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.9% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.8% over the next year.

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have remained around 4% over the last couple months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac & the National Association of Realtorsare in unison, projecting that rates will increase by at least a half a percentage point this time next year.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You are Paying a Mortgage 

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to build equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Creative Xeriscaping: Save Water With Style

Westlake Project: Build a Moat!

Mark Biechler of Pearson Landscape in Austin, Texas created a solution for a homeowner in Westlake, Texas whose home tended to flood during heavy rainfall. To solve the problem, a moat was built around the house (designed by Gregory Thomas of CG&S Design Build). Let it rain, let it pour. This house can now easily handle water as deep as 8 inches or more in its gravel covered moat that redistributes the excess. To appreciate the work involved in this installation, refer to these steps to make your own!

Westlake Project: Envy of the Neighborhood

The full effect of the renovated yard and entrance is visible in this view from the far end of the front yard. You can see how the natural landscaping adds color and texture to the yard while protecting it from street flooding.

Westlake Project: More Out Back

Just as aesthetically pleasing as the front yard makeover is the newly reconstructed back yard which presents an organic, natural landscape designed for water conservation.

Arroyo Project: The Dry Creek Design

The second project by Mark Biechler of Pearson Landscape in Austin, Texas involved creating an arroyo (dry creek bed) between two properties that would effectively handle storm water runoff and also serve as photogenic xeriscaping.

Arroyo Project: Ready for Action

This street view of the completed dry creek shows how on the far left, any excess water will be channeled over the gravel and large rock slabs into the gutter.

Arroyo Project: Double Duty Beauty

Many native plantings along the arroyo help conserve water while adding color and decoration such as Yucca rostrata (in the foreground), Mexican feathergrass to the far right, and in the background, ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ sage, Knockout roses and salvia. To appreciate the work involved in this installation, refer to these steps to make your own!

Prepare to Lay a Paver Path

Lay out pegs and string lines along the edges of the path. Dig out the path area to a depth of paver height plus a 2-inch (5-cm) sand bed.

Create a Form for the Path

Put treated wood edging into the excavated area. Drive in wooden pegs on the external side of the board to keep it in place.

Lay the Sand Base for the Pavers

Compact the soil with a rammer. Pour sharp sand into the excavated area and use a wooden furring strip notched out at each end to level off the sand surface to the depth required for the pavers.

Prepare to Cut Paver Blocks

Position the paver between the jaws of the block splitter. Align the point you wish to cut.

Cut the Pavers

Lower the handle of the splitter to break the paver in two.

Laying a Paver Path

Lay blocks in your chosen design. Butt each end up against the next.