Los Angeles is one of the few places in the world where people from all around the world can come to see their dreams come true, to achieve their goals and reach their utmost potential. It is a city of creativity, opportunity, culture, and experience.
The glamour of Hollywood, the Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills, and the famous beaches have added to LA’s reputation as a Californian paradise and have contributed to the city’s phenomenal growth.
Los Angeles has one of the highest renter populations in the country. The median home price in LA is nearly $1 million. So, the first home you buy in LA could just be your dream home, and buying any home in LA is a big deal, considering the high cost and competitive market.
Luckily, hiring a mortgage broker can help relieve some of the stress and loan-related queries when you’re considering a new home, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer.
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Why Get a Mortgage Broker?
Because they act as the middleman between lenders and borrowers, a mortgage broker can help you find a suitable lender that meets your financial requirements, e.g., a preference for the best interest rate or a lower down payment.
If you want to avoid the stress of shopping around, a mortgage broker can give you an honest opinion and practical advice. They will also help you find the lowest interest rates on loans as per your financial situation. Due to their experience, they know plenty about which lenders and loan types you should turn to in certain cases. This will benefit first-time homebuyers who find themselves confused at the mention of an ARM or fixed rate.
By hiring a mortgage broker Los Angeles bound, you’re basically asking a professional to navigate through all the potential mortgages you would be eligible for to find the best ones. This will help reduce some of your stress and focus on finding the right home.
By the time you are done looking for a new home and buying it, you’re exhausted. However, it isn’t over yet as you now have to look for ways to furnish your home in the best way possible.
Checklist to Furnish Your Home
When it is a question of furnishing a new home, the articles on the web tell you the same old things: do not spend a fortune, consider used furniture, use patience, and whatnot. Yes, you need to be patient, and in fact, those are all great tips. However, there are a few actionable steps you must take if you really want to make your new home FEEL like your dream home.
Follow Your Vision
Take your time to visualize exactly how you want your new home to look when you are ready to move in. Visit each room for about 10-20 minutes and begin listing out all the things you believe the room requires, including large items like couches, beds, and chairs, and smaller items like picture frames, garbage cans, lamps, and so on.
Prioritize Your Needs
The best way to create your priority list is to consider the essentials first. So, for instance, this could include a bed for sleeping, a sofa for you to sit on and relax, a dining table and set of chairs to have a place to eat, etc. Buying a gigantic art piece to hang on the wall may seem intriguing, but think about your priorities first.
Consider the Basics
When it comes to interior decoration, starting with the basics will help reduce hurdles in the long run. Painting walls or taking up carpeting is easier to do before getting new furniture into your home.
Before you move in, create a list of changes you’d like to make to your existing interior.
- Walls: Choosing a suitable paint color, patching the existing holes, eliminating popcorn ceilings, etc.
- Floors: Adding carpet, refinishing floors, putting in hardwood floors
- Tiling: Retiling the bathroom, selecting a backsplash, redoing kitchen counters
- Appliances: Choosing kitchen appliances, getting a washer and dryer, setting up ceiling fans and lighting fixtures
Once you have made the list, decide what adjustments you want to make right away, and which ones to set aside for tackling in the future. Although you could manage to live with the blue tiling in your kitchen, the pink walls in the bedroom may not cut it.
Next, decide what you can do yourself, as well as what will demand professional attention.
Do not Purchase Everything All At Once
You have your dream home, the rooms are set, and now you’ve measured everything. All things considered, it can be tempting to want to purchase all things at once. This is one major furniture buying mistake new home buyers make.
Purchasing everything all at once is a massive cost in one go. It’ll take away your styling focus from all the rooms. This is due to the fact that you’re looking at several different styles and pieces throughout your house.
Not purchasing everything at once does not mean you should spend the first few weeks having dinner on the floor, though. Consider your staple and investment pieces. You can then add all of the sleek accessories later to provide each room with a more homely touch.
Focus on Storage
A sideboard is a versatile piece of furniture as you can use it for both storage and styling in different rooms. Do you think you will be somewhat pushed for space? If so, consider a compact sideboard. This will offer excellent storage space for keeping your items out of sight, all without taking up any extra space.
For a lower budget, you can expect an estimated cost of $4,700. If you go with a higher-end finish, walk-in wardrobe prices will increase accordingly and total around $9700 or more. As for the installation price, it may vary based on the materials used and the size of your converted space.
Refurbish
You can also refurbish your old furniture and make it look brand new. Instead of throwing that chipped table or ripped chair away, try fixing it up. Worn-down pieces can be usable with a bit of TLC.
Reupholster chairs and couches with refinishing wood and new fabric. Then, put your money into buying things you really want. Although refurbishing furniture is time-consuming and requires some extra effort, it is often worth it, especially if you have something that you know boasts plenty of use.
Leave Some Space
Remember, not every wall needs to be crammed with furniture or decor! Having space creates a more pleasing aesthetic. When you are in the room with others, everyone is taking up that space, so keep that in mind!
You could say the same for filling walls with art, photos, and other pieces. One attractive wall hanging will set the tone of a room by itself. Always aim for quality, not quantity.
Furthermore, the proportion is essential, particularly in a smaller space. Stuffing a relatively small room with an oversized sectional eats up space, making movement difficult.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, there’s more to furnishing a new home than meets the eye. If you take a strategic approach, your home will feel finished in no time. Remember, your home doesn’t have to be perfect in a week or a month. It likely never will be perfect, but it will be yours.
