(3-min read)

Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or build your dream home, the location of the house is crucial. Even beyond finding a neighborhood that meets your needs, the portion of the neighborhood that you decide upon can be equally important. In this piece, we’re going to look at the various perks of living in a cul de sac. 

What Technically is a Cul De Sac?

Lifted from the French expression for “dead end,” a cul de sac is a street that does not allow for thru traffic typically with a large circular area at its end. Cul de sacs are especially popular in suburban neighborhood layouts where there is a decreased need for as many thru-traffic roads. 

1. Safety

Because of its reduced presence to thru-traffic in a neighborhood, living in a cul de sac is safer on several levels. From the perspective of burglary, theft, or vandalism, criminals will prefer residential targets with an easier escape route—something a cul de sac does not allow for quite as easily. From the perspective of family life, being off of a regularly traveled road means that you can feel better about the safety of those enjoying a game of basketball in the driveway, a little one cruising the sidewalks on a big wheel, or wandering cats. 

2. Less Traffic

One of the greatest appeals of cul de sac is the decreased traffic in front of the house. Not only is this important from a safety perspective for family members, but also noise inside. Less traffic in front of your house also means the ability to park a car safely on the street without as much fear of it being hit by a passing vehicle. 

3. Enhanced Relationship With Neighbors

Cul de sac living allows for an enhanced relationship with more of your neighbors. If you had lived on a regular street, you might not have much interaction with a neighbor four houses over. The design of a cul de sac layout puts the homes in closer proximity to one another. These enhanced relationships have lasting benefits—including children having friends nearby, the organization of neighborhood events, and instances of neighbors looking out for each other in the instance of a dangerous event such as vandalism, burglary, or fire. 

4. Property Values 

Depending on your location, the property value of a home located in a cul de sac may be slightly higher. This is especially true in more suburban neighborhoods with less thru traffic. This may be the opposite, however, in more densely populated urban areas, where having quick access to a thru street may be more appealing. 

Considering Building on a Cul De Sac

If you’re considering building a home and would like to see about building in a cul de sac in the Greater Tulsa, OK area, the home construction professionals from Perry Hood Properties can help. 

 

(3.5-min read)

Whether your home backs up to a high-traffic area or you live in a neighborhood where the houses are closer together, privacy fences can provide a much-needed buffer. Upon shopping for privacy fencing, you’ll soon notice an abundant variety of materials available. In this piece, we’re going to weigh the pros and cons of wood, chain link, and vinyl privacy fencing options.

Wood Privacy Fencing

There’s nothing quite as residential as a wood fence. This classic choice in privacy fencing remains popular even in the face of ever-evolving metal and PVC vinyl options.

Pros: When adequately treated, installed, and cared for, wood privacy fencing has quite the lifespan. Wood can also be updated to reflect the changing color pallet of the house with new finishes or even paint schemes. In terms of color, your options are relatively open. Wood fences are also reasonably simple to repair for the amateur carpenter if they incur damage—unlike PVC vinyl or metal options.

Cons: Though the resilient, because wood is a natural material, it is among the most susceptible to damage due to changing weather conditions. Also, to keep a wood privacy fence looking its best requires periodic sanding, refinishing, repainting, and sometimes the replacement of damaged components.

Chain Link Privacy Fencing

When one thinks of privacy fencing, chain link isn’t typically the first thought. Despite this being the case, there are ways to convert this pragmatic form of fencing into a privacy fence with inserts or screens.

Pros: Chain link fencing is among the toughest, most rugged forms of fencing on this list. A properly installed chain link fence can last for decades with little to no maintenance. Also, due to the flexibility of the chain-link sections, installation is easy and sound.

Cons: There’s really no nice way to say it—chain link fences are ugly. Their flexible nature and practical application can make them an eye-sore. Though there are ways to make them look a little less prison-like, they will always follow function over form.

PVC Vinyl Privacy Fencing

Among the most advanced material on this list by far, new vinyl PVC privacy fencing options are continually being released.

Pros: Vinyl PVC privacy fencing comes in a variety of styles designed to match the aesthetic of any property. Most options come in a variety of colors that are “baked” right into the material, making repainting largely unnecessary (most options wouldn’t take a coat of paint if you tried). They’re also relatively maintenance-free, usually only requiring a quick garden-hosing or wiping down to restore their original luster through dirt and dust.

Cons: Vinyl PVC privacy fencing is neither cheap, nor is it as tough as the other options on this list. Many material types of PVC don’t stand up very well to impact. When they do break, they are expensive and difficult to fix. Also, the aesthetic of these fences are not all that changeable as they are usually too slick to hold onto a coat of paint.

When deciding upon which material of residential privacy fence is right for your property, there are several questions to ask. Does it need to look nice? Does it need to provide the maximum amount of privacy? Are you OK with periodic maintenance? Does your neighborhood’s home owner’s association have guidelines concerning fencing styles and materials? It’s important to weigh what you need in a fence before weighing your options.

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For additional help with any home construction project in the Greater Tulsa, OK area, feel free to reach out to your friends at Perry Hood Properties.

 

(5-min read)
Recently, we wrote an article about the benefits of building a new rental property versus buying an existing home to rent. One of the benefits we mentioned is your ability to have more control over the house to maximize its renting potential. But what are the characteristics that make renters jump at the chance to sign a lease for a particular home? In this piece, we’re going to look at a few ways to make your build-to-rent house attractive to renters.

Location

While the appeal of building a home in a nicer location can go without saying, it bears repeating. Many aspiring landlords may balk at the prices of land and homes in nicer areas, instead opting to buy or build in more affordable areas. The motivation here may be to save money or they believe they may catch the swelling wave of gentrification in the area. There’s certainly no harm in saving money, but there are significant advantages to building your rent house in a nicer neighborhood.

• Future property value. It can be easy to forget that, in addition to the profit on the rent you collect every month, another profit source is your equity in a place with a rising value. A nicer neighborhood may seem to be a little bit less exciting of an investment, but it will be much less of a risk.
• Property and tenant safety. If your build-to-rent house is located in a better area, this will reduce the risk of harm to your tenants as well as your property. Rough neighborhoods may contain vandals, thieves, and other undesirable sorts that may do more than bring down the property value.

Neighborhood

It may seem like we just spoke about this, but the location is not always synonymous with the neighborhood — more specifically, the people.

• Meet the neighbors. If you’re shopping for neighborhoods in which to build, it pays to meet the neighbors. There’s no harm in knocking on a few doors, saying you’re considering building a house in the area, and asking a few questions about how they like the area. Also, being able to tell potential tenants that you’ve met the neighbors goes a long way in establishing their trust.
• Favor neighborhoods where most residents own their homes. While you’re meeting the neighbors, ask them if they own their homes or if they are renting. You will want to build your rental house with predominantly homeowners. Not only will living among homeowners add a feeling of prestige for your tenants, but homeowners are known to take better care of their homes and yards. Even more than this, homeowners are more apt to keep you informed of any issues with one of your tenants more so than a fellow tenant would. Keeping out any riff-raff is in their own best interest as a homeowner in the neighborhood.

Home Details

There are a handful of details that renters like to see when looking for new homes to lease.

• The 3/2 Rule. There’s no real science to back it up, but you’ll want to build a house that is at least a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Though renters are undoubtedly open to renting smaller homes, homes with at least two bathrooms and three bedrooms open up the tenant pool considerably. Most of the management of your build-to-rent home is tenant-centric rather than house-centric. Since the size of the house is irrelevant to these tenant issues, you might as well maximize your earning potential while minimizing your time managing said property.
• Go big on quality — it will pay for itself in the long run. If you’re considering filling your build-to-rent with cheaper materials and possibly used appliances as a means of saving money, don’t. Any up-front savings you were hoping to achieve will be swallowed up in maintaining these substandard elements. While a used dishwasher may seem acceptable, a brand new one won’t be considerably more and is much less likely to break down. A faux-granite countertop may save you some cash upon installation but will appear worn and dingy in a matter of years. A real granite countertop will hold up much better and increase the perceived value of the space for future tenants.
• Keep rooms neutral and multifunctional. When showing your build-to-rent house to potential tenants, they need to be able to see themselves fitting into what they see. If one space can only be used as a dining room and they don’t entertain, it will be seen as wasted space. When designing the home, aim to keep the various rooms and living spaces multifunctional. Also, choose paint colors that soothe instead of pop. Various tans, grays, and other colors that don’t easily show dirt are recommended. Also, like the point above, opt for a high-quality paint — unless you plan on repainting the home between every tenant.

For additional help, consult the home construction experts at Perry Hood Properties in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

(3-min read)

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” – Matthew 14:28

Building a new home is an exhilarating time, but one with many plates to keep spinning. From strategizing a build timeline to choosing every element that will accommodate every square inch, the process can be both thrilling and taxing. To save money and feel like they are maintaining more significant control of the process, some may choose to forgo the standard practice of utilizing a project manager. While this may seem like a job that any business professional should be capable of performing, one of the more common missteps for do-it-yourself project managers is to underestimate or miscalculate the soft costs associated with home construction. This oversight can end up causing build projects to run tens of thousands of dollars over budget or more.

The Hard Costs vs. The Soft Costs of Home Construction

The Hard Costs

When most of us sit down to crunch the numbers associated with home construction, the vast majority of us will list off items that most frequently fall under the category of “hard costs.” Hard costs are expenses associated with the physical construction of the home structure. Some examples of these costs are the site, site clearance, site grading, foundational elements, building materials, landscaping, construction labor costs, equipment use or rentals, etc. All of these are the “brick and mortar” costs of building a new house.

The Soft Costs

What is frequently called the “soft costs” of home construction are everything else. You may be asking yourself, “but what else is there?” Just as most of us don’t consider these costs, soft costs are comprised of the “invisible” costs of building a home. Some examples of soft costs include the variety of permits, various inspections, accounting, designer’s fees, legal fees, taxes, financing, interest, and the like.

While hard costs still typically outweigh soft costs for a home construction project, the latter still comprise a significant chunk of a building budget. Failure to factor in all soft costs can result in some unpleasant surprises when it comes to finalizing payment details for a home construction projection. When soft costs are accurately accounted for from the beginning stages of a home construction project, the customer is likely in for a rude awakening.

Avoiding Budgeting Miscalculations

Perhaps the best way to avoid budgeting miscalculations and to keep a construction project progressing efficiently is by working with a home construction professional service. The home construction experts from Perry Hood Properties, for example, have helped hundreds design and build the custom homes of their dreams. Perry Hood Properties’ friendly staff assist builders with every conceivable dilemma to ensure a lack of surprises throughout the design, budgeting, and building process.

 

 

(3-min read)

Are you tired of looking for that perfect house to buy as a rental property — one that oozes rental potential? Why not just build it? Let’s look at a few reasons why you may want to consider building new homes to rent out rather than buying existing ones.

1. New Houses Appeal to Renters

Let’s face it — we all love new stuff. A new house is no exception. While historic houses may possess a certain warm and historical charm, the majority of renters prefer newer homes with updated amenities. If you really want to stand out from the rental competition and maximize the rent price, newer homes are incredibly appealing to renters.

2. Customize New Builds with the Popular Amenities

If you talk to any realtor or landlord, they will tell you that there are certain home design trends that stand out to shoppers. Granite or quartz countertops, open-concept floorplans, hardwood floors, intricate kitchen backsplashes, barn and bowl sinks, his-and-her you name it — the list goes on. Many landlords attempt to update existing homes to reflect design trends. Building new rental properties, however, gives you a clean slate to build homes with design elements that tenants crave.

3. Cheaper Insurance & Tax Credits

If you’re looking to quickly get some money back on a real estate investment, new builder credits, rebates, and incentives can add up. When it comes to homeowner’s insurance, the newer the house, the lower the perceived investment risk. This can make the insurance rates for a new home construction significantly less than an older property. Also, because a new property will be substantially more energy-efficient than older ones, this means that home builders are eligible for a variety of tax credits. If you install solar power systems in the house, not only will tenants love you, but you will be able to watch the tax incentives skyrocket. If you’re looking to maximize your income from a rental property, every bit of savings counts.

4. New Homes Require Much Less Maintenance

Buying an older home as a rental property increases your risk of winding up with a money pit. On the flip side, building a new home to use as a rental property is typically a maintenance home-run. Because everything about a new home has hardly seen the light of day, the maintenance on everything from the appliances to the HVAC unit will be nearly nonexistent for many years to come. To make matters even better, when you build your rental homes with Perry Hood Properties, the home construction professionals out of Tulsa, Oklahoma provide all buyers with a one year builder’s warranty.

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Learn more about Tulsa-based home construction experts from Perry Hood Properties today.

 

(6-min read)

If you’re considering building a new home over buying and you’re reading this article, you’ve likely never been through this process before. If you have, it’s been a while. Even though most of us are excited to start looking at layouts, flooring, and accent features for our custom home, many factors go unconsidered until you’re up to your knees in the build. To help you mentally, emotionally, logistically, and possibly financially for these factors, here are five items to consider when building a new house.

1. The Time of Your Involvement

One of the most beneficial aspects of building a house with an experienced builder is simply deciding what you want and leaving it to the pros to make it so. This is all well and good, but some folks fail to consider just how much time out of their lives it may take to fulfill their role in the process even if they’re not swinging a hammer or touching a paintbrush. Considering designs, layouts, materials, testing them, weighing them against each other — this isn’t merely an afternoon with a designer. Those who are building their own house, even with the help of a home construction professional, say that the project can be as time-intensive for them as a part-time job.

If you’re considering building a custom home, there’s no need to rush into the process. Consider what time of year works best for your lifestyle. Choose a season or time when you feel you will be able to give the project the attention it deserves. After all, building your new house should be an exciting endeavor, not something that makes you want to pull your hair out. When you’re able to dedicate the proper time and focus to the project, this will ensure much better outcomes for your family in the end.

2. Consider Your Daily Use of the Space

As you begin looking at home design magazines and websites for ideas, one aspect to give your utmost consideration in the home building process is how you will use the space daily. Go through your daily routines in your head. Your morning routine may include getting out of bed, making a stop into the bathroom to freshen up, then going to the kitchen to make coffee and then maybe reading a book or the news at a breakfast nook. In the evening, you may want to be able to read while some other family members enjoy a round of videogames. The design layout of your home needs to conform to and flow with your daily lifestyle.

Take your daily routines and the proposed use of your home into account when designing a home layout. A simple way of doing this is to create a rough map. This map should include your starting points, ending points, activities to accomplish along the way, and where other family members may be on their routine journeys. Are you going to be able to talk to your spouse while cooking dinner while they’re relaxing? Do you usually do so? Would you like more privacy or a more open feel? Just because open floorplans are all the rage now doesn’t necessarily mean they are what’s right for your family. Consider your options before jumping into a floorplan isn’t the best for your family.

3. Consider Furniture & Cabinet Placement When Designing

“Surely, my furniture and the cabinets I picked out will work flawlessly in this space.”

These are the words of someone likely in for a little bit of disappointment. You may assume that a space will accommodate your furniture or that the particular set of cabinets will flow best in an area. This may be wishful thinking at best. Even though a living space may have the square footage to accommodate a piece of furniture, the shape of the room may make its use awkward.

To avoid any unwanted surprises, keep furniture and cabinet usage in mind as well as dimensions during the design process. Which direction will those chairs face? Will these directions make communication awkward across spaces? Will cabinet doors open in a way that inhibits design flow or foot traffic? Considering how you intend to use the space, the layout of the furniture, and the purpose the cabinets will help you to choose the best options for your new home construction.

4. It Will Look Ugly For a While, But the Best is Yet to Come

Building a new home comes with a variety of exciting phases — breaking ground on the lot, the pouring of the foundation, seeing the frame reach the sky, etc. Still, several phases aren’t so exciting. In fact, some stages of the build are downright ugly. You may visit the construction site of your home to find plywood, darkened corners, and dumpsters filled to the brim with construction leftovers. It can be easy to lose steam and even possibly grow dismayed during a build.

Though a home construction project may go through an ugly patch, remember that the ugly duckling eventually became a beautiful swan. As the days and weeks go by, you will begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As windows, drywall, and flooring are installed, the project will start to feel less like a construction site and more like home.

5. Consider Hiring the Right Home Construction Professionals

Nobody ever said that building a home is cheap. When it comes to certain areas, we may be tempted to cut costs. Cutting costs is fine — you should never pay more than you need to. With that being said, what may end up being more expensive in the long run is hiring the wrong home building professional to help you. Between shotty work, inefficient processes, and bad decisions, going with the cheapest builder may end up compromising the value of your home for decades to come.

Talk to the Home Construction Professionals from Perry Hood Properties

Whether you’re considering building a home, but don’t know where to begin or you’re already halfway through the process, the home construction professionals from Perry Hood Properties can help.

Learn more about the friendly folks from Perry Hood Properties today.

(3-min read)

On the heels of our recycled paper countertop piece, now we dive into another little-known countertop material — bamboo! Let’s get an idea of what we’re dealing with as well as the pros and cons of the material.

How Bamboo Countertops are Manufactured

Bamboo countertops are manufactured in a very similar fashion to certain varieties of butcher block or plywood countertops. Thin sheets of bamboo are bound together using specially formulated resins and heat to make a tough and durable surface that is fashioned into any style.

The Pros of Bamboo Countertops

• Relatively inexpensive: Due to the short amount of time it takes to grow and the relatively straight-forward manufacturing process, bamboo countertops are among the more affordable options for those looking for unique countertop material.
• Environmentally friendly: Bamboo is an extremely fast-growing material that requires few resources to grow. Unlike regular wood, bamboo can be ready to harvest very quickly and literally grows like a weed.
• Aesthetically pleasing: Bamboo is a reasonably attractive material. This is heightened by the availability of intricate layerings of sheets of bamboo for a single countertop.
• Antibacterial: Bamboo is naturally non-porous and doesn’t facilitate bacterial growth.
• Very hard and sturdy: Bamboo is known as an extremely hard material with some varieties found to be harder than even oak or maple.

The Cons of Bamboo Countertops

• Not stain or water-resistant: Though very strong, bamboo by itself is not as resistant to water damage or stains from various solutions. While combatted with sealants, dents in the resin can expose bamboo to moisture that can lead to damage.
• Not heat resistant: For as hard as it is, bamboo is a natural material, making it susceptible to scorching at high temperatures.
• Visible seams: Because bamboo is often provided in a plywood or composite material, any single board of bamboo will contain many visible seams.
• Not a large variety of color options: The composition of bamboo limits the color options for consumers. While most will select bamboo for its natural aesthetic, this may inhibit one’s ability to match tones across various kitchen color schemes consistently.
• Susceptible to denting and chipping: Though hard, bamboo is not impervious to dents or chips from very hard kitchen elements. These can damage the sealant coating, but this is frequently easily repaired even by those with limited wood maintenance know-how.
• Occasional maintenance: Over time, bamboo countertops will require upkeep in the way any such wood table top would. This usually involves sanding and resealing the surface of the countertop. Though somewhat of a hassle, this is not nearly as labor-intensive as some other countertop material options. When maintenance is performed, it is crucial that food-safe sealants and coating are used.

When properly cared for, bamboo countertops can be an attractive option for a variety of household furniture applications.

What are your thoughts on bamboo countertops? Would you consider installing them in your kitchen or bathroom?

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Why buy when you can build?

If you’re interested in building the home of your dreams in the greater Tulsa, Oklahoma area, you’re invited to learn more about your friends at Perry Hood Properties.

Photograph credit to Seattle kitchen company Viola Park (a subdivision of Henrybuilt).

(4-min read)

When building a new home, the material possibilities are endless. Moving into the kitchen doesn’t simplify things. Ceramic tile, butcher block, granite, quartz — these are the usual countertop suspects these days. What would you say about a countertop made of…paper? Yep, recycled paper is now a countertop material option coming to a kitchen near you.

But, Just…How?

The idea of a countertop made of paper sounds downright zany. Before you image your counters wrapped in brown paper grocery bags like textbooks were in the ’80s and ’90s, let’s help you understand what these paper countertops are actually like. The recycled paper is heavily, heavily processed before it becomes anything resembling a surface worthy of your cutting board or mixing bowl. The paper is combined with a series of resins, heated, and shaped to any configuration imaginable. The material manufacturing process was originally developed for marine applications as well as skateboard parks, science labs, and the like. All of this equates to a material that is built to last.

What’s it Like?

“Well, if it isn’t like the paper I’m used to, what is it like?” Good question, voice in my head. Recycled paper countertop material takes on the look and feel of a mono-tone stone. Many styles have a matte-like aesthetic that comes in a variety of shades.

The Advantages of Recycled Paper Countertops

There’s no doubt that recycled paper countertop manufacturers are going to need to make a good case for their product before it is expected to compete with the likes of granite or quartz. So far, they have some bragging rights.

• Easy Installation: The paper composite is much lighter in comparison to its stone competitors, making it easier to heft around, shape, cut, and attach to wherever it needs to be.
• Eco-friendly: Most of the materials for countertops is either made of recycled paper or acquired via sustainably harvested woodlands.
• Tough: While no one is saying that recycled paper composite countertops are as hard as stone, their hardness is somewhere between stone and wood.
• Water-resistant: Because they were originally designed for marine environments and skateboard parks, you can rest assured that a paper countertop can handle water. They’re sealed with a robust resin that is impervious to moisture. It can take all of the spills you can throw at it and won’t harbor bacteria. This also means that they’re easy to clean, but not with bleach.
• Indoor or outdoor use tested: Whether you’d like to use it for the countertops in your kitchen or your outside dining area, recycled paper countertops can take a beating from outdoor elements.

The Disadvantages to Recycled Countertops

For all of their perks, recycled countertops do have a handful of drawbacks.

• Limited colors (for now): There aren’t tons of recycled paper countertop companies at the moment, meaning the color options for this material are limited at present.
• Scorchability (that’s a word, right?): Yes, they’re still made of, what is essentially wood. This means that they scorch. However, their heat rating is around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Patina-prone: Over time, the color of these countertops may fade slightly and develop a slight patina. Some consider this a perk, but we’re going to be safe and consider it a con.
• Not recyclable: Though made from recycled materials, recycled paper countertops are not, themselves, recyclable. This is due to the sturdy resin used to bind the material together. The sections can be repurposed, though.

So, what do you think about recycled paper countertops? Would you consider installing some in your home?

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Ready to build your dream home?

If you’re looking to build your dream home in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area or merely have questions, you’re invited to learn more about Perry Hood Properties.

(3-min read)

Whether you’re ready to expand, downsize, or merely stop paying rent, the decision to buy a home is one that should not be taken lightly. While you may assume that this is the only path to homeownership, building a home is becoming more accessible than ever. In this piece, we’re going to look at a handful of reasons why building a home can be a better option than buying an existing one.

No Settling & No Compromises

Shopping for a new home essentially means choosing the best house that is on the market in the area where you want to move at the time you’re looking to buy. Because you’re selecting the best of a handful of homes, trade-offs and compromises are unavoidable. Even if you’re sold on 99% of the house, there are going to be aspects of an existing home that you don’t care for. On the other hand, when you opt to build a house, there’s really no need to compromise. You can feel better about fully committing to a home you’re going to love for decades to come.

Less Pressure in the Buying Process

When buying a home, you’re also participating in a competition—you versus everyone else who may want to purchase this house. Once you find a home that seems to meet your requirements, the race is on to make the most significant investment of your life before other home buyers beat you to the punch. When you build a new home, however, there’s no such hourglass that has been flipped over. You can take your time to make a fully informed decision in regards to your new home.

Increased Peace of Mind

A good deal of home buying is crossing your fingers, hoping that nothing breaks for a good while. The house may have hidden issues that may decide to rear their ugly head at the most inopportune time. Building a new home removes this mystery-induced anxiety. When all materials and components are brand new, the possibility of a significant maintenance issue creeping up is very low. Even if it does occur, many home builders provide extended warranties on their projects.

Modern Efficiency Upgrades

When people say, “they don’t make them like they used to” in regards to houses, they mean to say that they’re made better than they were in the past. Modern home design and residential construction mean an unmatched dedication to energy efficiency. Different construction styles, newer insulation materials, and specialized windows mean that you will pay significantly less in utilities than you otherwise would in an older, previously existing home. Even the way newer homes are wired can lead to increased energy efficiency and lower utility rates for you going forward.

Getting Precisely What You Want

Playing off the first perk of building a home over buying, one of the most significant benefits is the amount of control you have over virtually every aspect of the house. You get to select the floor plan, materials, colors, the light fixtures, the doors, and even the doorknobs. Building a new home means that you get to decide how every inch looks and operates.

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Have additional questions about building your dream home? We have answers! Feel free to learn more about new home construction from Perry Hood Properties.

(4-min read)

A down payment on a house is one of the most substantial sums of money many will save at one time in their life. Needing to save up such a large chunk of change can be anxiety-inducing. To make the process less stressful, here are a few tips to help you to save for your down payment.

1. Set Up a Separate “Down Payment” Savings Account

Even if you’re setting aside a certain amount of money into your primary savings account each month for your down payment, it’s best if you have a separate savings account dedicated to your down payment. There are a few different reasons why this is a good idea.

A. Clarity. By making a separate savings account, you won’t have to do the mental math necessary to see just how much you have saved for your down payment. It will be as clear as day how far you’ve come.

B. No dipping. Having a separate savings account for your down payment goal will decrease your likelihood of dipping into it for purposes other than a down payment. In fact, make a rule that you’ll never touch that account for any reason other than finally providing your down payment.

2. Set Goals & Timelines

One of the most challenging aspects of saving large sums of money is visualizing the process. Though you’re making a dent, simply throwing amounts of money into a savings account over time may feel like you’re throwing it down a bottomless hole. To help you stay motivated, a little bit of math may be in order. Calculate not only how much you need to save, but also how long it will take to do so. When you can put a number on your finish line, you will be able to see how far you’ve come at any step in the process. Seeing your success may be the motivation you need to keep chipping away at that final amount.

3. Automate Your Savings Transfers

Even though moving money from your checking account to your savings account is relatively easy to do, it can be fraught with emotional difficulties. It’s easy to justify why, maybe this pay period, you need to hold onto a little more of your paycheck rather than move it to savings. When you set up automatic transfers from checking to savings following paycheck deposits, you reduce a great deal of friction in the saving process. In fact, you may not even notice that it’s happening until you look at your savings account balance several months later. 

“Where did all this money come from? Oh, yeah — from me!”

4. Reassess Your Luxuries vs. Your Needs

One of your most significant hurdles to saving for a down payment on a home may be your current lifestyle. A step to overcoming that hurdle is assessing needs versus niceties. Look at your spending habits for areas where you can cut back. It may be the unnecessary restaurant and take-out spending, monthly entertainment subscription services, or truly needing the latest phone when your current phone works fine. Take what you normally would have spent on frivolous purchases and throw them into your down payment savings account.

Make a game out of determining how little you truly need to be happy. Spoiler alert: It’s usually much less than you thought.

Bonus Tip: The “Below Your Means” Game

Many of us think we’re living within our means we’re actually not. One reason this is so is due to spending money from other paychecks outside of our most current one or unsustainable credit card transactions. Just because you’re not overdrawing your checking account doesn’t mean you’re not spending more than you make. If you’re not living below your means, saving toward a down payment will be virtually impossible.

The “Below Your Means” Game: The next time you receive a paycheck, transfer any remaining sum out of your checking account into savings or to investments. For example, if you have $400 in your checking account the night before payday and then were paid $1,500 through automatic deposit, move that $400 to savings. Not only will this help you quickly start to build your savings, but it will force you to live below your means.

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Why buy when you can build?

Building a home customized to your needs has never been easier than it is with the help of Perry Hood Properties. Learn more about how to get started building your dream home in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area today.