National Remodeling Month in May is the second month of our nation’s season-long celebration of the benefits of homeownership to homeowners, their communities, their families and the economy.

Many Americans start on the path to home ownership thinking their first home needs to be a resale rather than a new home. Several will even focus on finding a ‘fixer upper’ – a term for an existing home that will require some work to make it comfortable and safe.

I chose to celebrate National New Home Month in April by sharing the benefits of new home ownership with all of you. I am hopeful that you will choose to celebrate and support the importance of this month by buying your very first, or second, or third new home.

Growing up in the mid-Atlantic region, I never understood the underlying premise of dystopian-themed movies that depicted a future where water was the new currency or something worth killing for.

In April, Americans celebrate National New Homes Month. The focus of this celebration extends beyond the home itself as new home communities have a far greater reach, including positive impacts to the local environment and the region at large.

Buy now! Aside from yesterday, there has never been a better day to buy a home. According to recent reports by CoreLogic, Inc., a major California-based corporation providing financial, property and consumer information; “homeowners with mortgages saw the equity in their homes increase by an average of 8.1 percent during the fourth quarter of 2018 compared with exactly one year earlier, according to data released (in February).

50 years ago, while Americans were still celebrating the first successful manned lunar landing, Californians celebrated the inauguration of the first native Californian as President of the United States.

Homebuyers must look beyond the purchase price when making what may be the largest financial investment of their lifetime.

“Seems it never rains in southern California…”

Albert Hammond It Never Rains in California 1972

If you are a participant in the modern economy, you are part of the environmental movement. When the fifteen-year-old toaster browns it’s last piece of bread or that 20-year-old washing machine spins its last load, the American consumer replaces it with a new one.

The American home is for most Americans the biggest and best investment they will make in their lifetimes and one of the best, most environmentally-sound and cost-effective ways to enhance that investment is with landscaping.

Many in our region have decided that this is the year that they will acquire their first home. This is likely the biggest and most important investment most Americans will ever make so, if you are among that proud and fortunate group, invest a bit of time to educate yourself about home ownership and homebuying.