(NewsUSA) - A need for reliable backup emergency power will be more critical this fall and winter season. Experts warn that extreme weather could bring additional power outages as temperatures surge and storms grow fiercer. Tropical storms are expected to intensify. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) continues to advise that a highly active hurricane season will likely continue in the Atlantic through 2024.

These warnings underscore the importance of preparation at home. The harsh realities of extreme weather and the increasing frequency of weather-related outages make it imperative for individuals and communities to have robust backup power solutions in place.

The Impact of Power Outages

Power outages have become exceedingly inconvenient and can have far-reaching consequences that affect nearly every aspect of modern living. Without electricity, homes are left without heating, refrigeration, and lighting. Power loss can lead to dangerous living conditions in colder climates, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with young children and even pets. Additionally, power outages can disrupt communication channels, making it challenging to stay informed about the latest weather developments and emergency instructions.

In recent years, the frequency and duration of power outages have increased due to more intense and unpredictable weather patterns. According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), weather-related power outages have risen, with hurricanes, ice storms, and heavy snowfalls being the primary culprits. The highly active hurricane season combined with the potential for severe winter storms suggests homeowners understand what they need for a reliable backup power source.

Types of Backup Power Solutions

Several options exist for those looking to secure backup power in emergency situations. Each has advantages and drawbacks, and the choice will depend on individual needs, budget, and the specific risks posed by the local climate.

1. Portable Generators. Portable generators are a popular choice for backup power due to the relative affordability and versatility of the unit, which can power essential appliances such as refrigerators, sump pumps, and heating systems. A portable generator will require fuel, typically gasoline or propane, and must be operated outdoors several feet away from any opening to the home due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Regular maintenance is also essential to ensure they can start and operate properly when needed.

2. Standby Generators. The more permanent solution is the most reliable option offered by a home standby generator. These units are installed outside the home and are connected directly to the electrical panel. Standby generators are powered by natural gas or propane and automatically activate when utility power is disrupted, allowing for continuous power for extended periods of time. This makes them ideal for homes in areas prone to frequent or prolonged outages. While more costly than portable generators, they offer powerful peace of mind and convenience.

3. Solar Power with Battery Storage. Renewable energy technology is advancing, and solar power systems with battery storage, such as those offered by companies like Generac, are another viable option and are becoming increasingly popular as backup power solutions. Solar panels can generate electricity during daylight hours, and excess energy is then stored in batteries. This eco-friendly option can reduce dependency on fossil fuels, though the initial investment requires considerable planning and energy system design.

Why Backup Power is Essential This Season

The 2024 fall and winter seasons are expected to bring a high risk of extreme weather events, making backup power solutions a preparedness priority. Hurricanes and severe storms can significantly damage the power grid, leaving homes without electricity for days or weeks. A backup power source is not just about convenience; it’s about being prepared for the unexpected. The peace of mind that comes from knowing you can maintain essential functions, such as heating, cooking, and communication, during a power outage is invaluable. Generac is a global leader in energy technology and offers information and resources at https://www.generac.com/prepare/

(NewsUSA) - In today’s increasingly fast-paced world, finding moments of peace and tranquility at home is more important than ever. Here are four simple ways to turn your backyard into a serene sanctuary:

1. Curtained Comfort

For a versatile and stylish solution, outdoor curtains are ideal for enhancing privacy and adding flowy flair. Whether you prefer light, airy fabrics for a breezy feel or heavier materials for added protection from the sun (or nosy neighbors), curtains offer flexibility and charm. If you have a two-story deck, consider installing a drainage system, like Trex^® RainEscape^®, to divert water and keep the space beneath the deck dry and usable as a bonus living area.

2. Botanical Barrier

Bring yourself closer to nature by bringing nature closer to you. Strategically placed potted plants and trees are ideal for blocking views both outward and in. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, try adding a living wall or vertical garden. The plants will grow vertically, creating a natural barrier while also serving as a lush and lovely focal point in your yard. As an added bonus, plants also absorb sound so you can enjoy enhanced privacy with limited interruptions.

3. Canopied Comfort

Define the parameters of your outdoor space with the addition of a Trex Pergola topped with retractable drapes or decorative shade panels. These architectural structures marry form with function to deliver style, shade and a sense of seclusion.

4. Serene Screening

Privacy screens are a classic and effective way to establish boundaries. Available in freestanding panels or wall systems, these screens come in a wide array of designs and colors and are easy additions to any deck, patio or outdoor area.

These creative solutions not only add a sense of intimacy but transform your outdoor space into a peaceful, private oasis. For more information and inspiration, visit TrexRainEscape.com.

(NewsUSA) - Solid wood has always been the gold standard when it comes to high-quality home furniture. “Whether it’s something major like a dining table and chairs or a smaller item like a nightstand, making it with Real American Hardwood^® will ensure that it’s not only strong and durable but also unique and characterful,” says Ian Faight of the American Hardwood Information Center. “No matter what style of furniture you favor, from the warmly traditional to the sleekly modern, there’s a wood—classics like oak, maple, walnut, and cherry or less familiar ones such as cypress and hickory—that will enhance its looks and increase its longevity.” Here are six stylish pieces for today that could well become tomorrow’s treasured heirlooms.

Natural cherry lends a gorgeous, honeyed tone to this dining room set by Copeland Furniture (copelandfurniture.com) in Vermont. The Catalina trestle table softens the crisp, clean lines of Mid-Century Modern design with the more flowing, organic forms of earlier styles like Art Nouveau, while the handsome Ingrid chairs are a contemporary take on the simplicity and elegance of 19th-century Biedermeier furniture. Photograph courtesy of Copeland Furniture

Handmade with sustainably harvested Appalachian hardwood by Gat Creek (gatcreek.com), a manufacturer in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, the Sunbury bed has a gently canted headboard with vestigial side wings that create a sense of cozy embrace. Shown here in dark-stained ash, the timeless design tempers modern Danish aesthetics with American Shaker plainness. Photograph courtesy of Gat Creek

With roots dating back to 1900, the renowned Stickley (stickley.com) furniture company in Manlius, New York, continues to produce iconic pieces like the Prairie settle, a comfortably upholstered sofa that’s part of its historic Mission collection. Crafted here in natural-finish white oak—it’s also available in cherry—the Arts & Crafts-inspired seating fits seamlessly into a bright and airy modern setting. Photograph courtesy of Stickley

Custom built in North Carolina by Mantle Furniture (mantlefurniture.com), the Tavern round coffee table features solid red oak construction and a hand-rubbed matte finish that emphasizes the wood’s distinctive grain. As practical as it is attractive, the piece incorporates a useful storage shelf and has no sharp corners to bump your shins on. Photograph courtesy of Mantle Furniture

Minneapolis-based furniture retailer Room & Board (roomandboard.com) turns to Built by Newport, a Vermont artisanal workshop, to make the Ericson lounge chair. The solid-wood frame, which boasts precision dowel joinery and elegantly contoured arms, is available in white oak, shown here, as well as walnut and cherry, meaning there’s a version that will fit your style of home décor. Photograph courtesy of Room & Board

Characterized by elegantly restrained detailing, well-balanced proportions, and an eye-catching golden aura, the Clio credenza is handmade by Doorman Designs (doormandesigns.com), a New Orleans-based furniture brand. The flexible piece, which serves equally well as a dining room sideboard or a media console, showcases rift-sawn white oak planks to stunning effect. Photographer Jacqueline Marque

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using American hardwoods in your home.

(NewsUSA) - If you plan to add an elevated deck to your home, there’s one element that will greatly increase its value and function: an under-deck drainage system. These systems, which divert water to keep the space beneath a deck dry, are easy to install for both professional builders and DIYers, and virtually doubles an outdoor living space.

Why Install a Drainage System?

An under-deck drainage system creates dry space below the surface of a deck that can be used as a patio, outdoor kitchen, private spa area, bonus storage and more. These systems also protect the wooden joinery of the substructure from moisture that can lead to decay, adding years onto the life of a deck.

Choosing the Right System.

There are two main types of deck drainage systems – those that install above the joists before the deck boards are laid and those that are retrofitted beneath the joists of an existing deck. The latter systems leave deck joists exposed to the elements while an above-the-joist system, like Trex® RainEscape®, protects the entirety of a deck’s foundation from moisture penetration. It also allows homeowners to discreetly run gas and electrical lines between the drainage system and a soffit ceiling to power lights, ceiling fans, appliances and electronic components.

Installing as Simple as 1-2-3.

A deck drainage system uses a network of troughs and funnels that can be installed using tools you likely already have on hand at home. A pair of scissors or a utility knife, a staple gun, and a caulk gun are typically all that’s needed.

Installation can be done in three simple steps:  

1. Position the downspouts and troughs. Cut the funnels to match the joist spacing and position them along a rim joist and/or leger board. Lay the trough material, ensuring proper placement to guide water into the downspouts. Be careful not to seam or overlap the troughs.
2. Staple all components into place. Repeat the installation of funnels and troughs across all joists.
3. Tape all joists and seams. Use butyl tape to seal all seams and any spots where screws may penetrate the system. This creates a watertight installation.

Finishing Touches

With a drainage system in place, you can finish your under-deck space with furniture, lighting, accessories and anything else you might want to create your dream outdoor oasis.

For more information, visit TrexRainEscape.com.

(NewsUSA) - Recent Generac/Harris Poll survey provides insights into preparedness for widespread power outages*

With the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season expected to have the highest activity level in recent history, now is the time to prepare with a plan to protect your loved ones.

Colorado State University’s annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast predicts 23 named storms, with 11 which could become hurricanes and five possibly reaching major hurricane strength. This marks the highest ever outlook prediction the CSU team has issued since it began the forecasts in 1995.

When a hurricane or even a strong tropical storm strikes, it leaves a path of destruction that could leave homeowners without power for days – even weeks. Families are faced with difficult decisions like whether or not to evacuate, how to keep their pets safe and how to complete daily functions with no internet, household appliances, or even in total darkness.

A recent survey* commissioned by Generac and conducted by The Harris Poll illustrates that many Americans are not prepared for widespread power outages and are at risk for both their comfort and safety. More than half of Americans (52%) would only have enough food in their home for 1-2 days if there was a widespread extended outage in their area. 71% of Americans would be concerned with food spoilage if their home experienced an extended power outage, with half (50%) saying they would struggle financially to replace all of their perishable food lost due to an extended power outage. The survey data also revealed that 36% of Americans have medical devices powered by electricity that they or someone in their home use daily. Moreover, 77% of pet owners are willing to risk their own comfort to stay with their pets at home amidst extended power outages.

“With the highest-ever predicted hurricane season in nearly three decades, homeowners and business owners need to do everything they can to prepare now,” said Kyle Raabe, president of Consumer Power for Generac Power Systems, a global energy technology company. “Making a plan ahead of time that includes a source of backup power is an important step to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe and comfortable in the event of an extended power outage.”

Generac offers a free Hurricane Preparedness Guide to help homeowners prepare for the storm season. The guide not only highlights steps to take before, during and after a storm but also provides printable inventory checklists, comparisons on backup power options and power outage safety tips.

Power outage experts from Generac have provided tips on how to prepare for blackouts during hurricane season:

• Identify the safest location in the home to wait out a storm, and review emergency plans for evacuation, based on your local government’s recommendations.
• Identify when your nearest evacuation centers will open and, if applicable, which ones allow pets. As an alternative to an evacuation center, reach out to friends or family who live outside of the forecasted cone of impact and create a list of potential evacuation locations.
• Designate a main location and a backup location to meet after the storm.
• Gather local area maps in the event mobile devices lack service or electricity.
• Build an emergency kit with items such as a 7-day supply of non-perishables per person, three gallons of water per person, a fully stocked first aid kit and flashlights and extra batteries.
• If you are planning to stay in your home, ensure you have a backup power plan. Consider investing in a portable or home standby generator to back up critical components of your home.
• If you already have a generator, be sure it is well-maintained and you have an ample amount of fuel, so it is ready to work when you need it most.
• Review appropriate instructions on how to safely operate a generator to protect your loved ones and your home. Make sure to only run a portable generator outdoors, far away from any doors or windows and with the exhaust pointing away from the home.
• For more information on generator safety, visit https://www.generac.com/be-prepared/the-home/outdoor-power-equipment-safety.

With an expected 23 named storms forecasted for the upcoming hurricane season, it’s important to remember that it only takes one strong storm to cause serious destruction. In order to navigate a well-above average hurricane season, it’s crucial to plan ahead. Getting a home standby generator takes planning and a period of time to get installed, therefore you should reach out early for a free, no cost estimate so you are prepared with the information you need. https://www.generac.com/nationalpromo

*This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Generac from April 18-22, 2024, among 2,094 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

(NewsUSA) - Today’s homeowners are having an Extra Room Boom! This latest real estate reality is marked by the convergence of two mounting trends – growing home sizes and declining household members – that together mean more extra space and energy-efficiency challenges.

Americans want their homes supersized. In fact, median home sizes have increased by a whopping 150% in just over 40 years with the median size of a new home jumping from 1,595 square feet in 1980 to 2,383 in 2022.

Simultaneously, the number of household occupants is steadily shrinking. For example, the average population per household has decreased by more than 100% dropping from 2.75 people in 1980 to 2.57 members in 2022. 

This emerging dynamic demands a smart energy-efficiency strategy that effectively regulates cooling power between used and unused rooms. The good news is that homeowners can prevent a utility bill blitz by following a few simple tips. With home heating and cooling accounting for more than half (54%) of home energy use, small steps can go a long way.

• Leverage the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act:The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act is a landmark legislation that encourages Americans to transition towards a new era of energy efficiency and decarbonization. It offers households tax credits for related improvements that save money in the long run, such as highly efficient heating and cooling appliances like heat pumps. Households can claim a tax credit for 30% of the costs of buying and installing a heat pump, up to $2,000 including support for any electric system upgrades needed to make the home heat-pump-ready. ‘
   
• Ease Into Electric: According to Columbia University’s Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control.  Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25% on energy bills. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is qui­etly distributed to the interior space.
   
• Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Prioritize your rooms. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home, consider upgrading to a zoned ducted, or ductless system, allowing you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you don’t spend much time. You’ll multiply savings by needing less cooling and gaining a more efficient system in the spaces you use.
   
• Get “Smart" About Climate Control: When it comes to home tem­perature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create “smart” sys­tems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-con­nected device or voice-operated home automation system. 
   
• Voice Your Preference: Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to ver­bally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.
   
• Try Low-tech Fixes: Try to use heat-producing appliances – stoves, irons and dryers – at night or early morning.  Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs – which consume 90% more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks.

Targeted, room-by-room climate control systems will allow families to enjoy their extra space without paying to cool empty space this summer. To learn more or find a contrac­tor nearby, visit www.constantcomfort.com.

(NewsUSA) - With existing home inventory predicted to remain low in 2024, many home buyers are choosing to purchase new construction or instead electing to remodel their current home. Either option takes homeowners on a design journey with an array of endless selections and choices as they look to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle. Wilsonart has unveiled four new home surface trends that are sure to inspire and bring beauty and function to any new or existing space.

1. Light & Bright

In the ever-evolving realm of design, the Light & Bright trend emerges as a captivating focal point, seizing the spotlight and celebrating the timeless allure of white tones. In the kitchen and bath, white continues to lead as the top choice for styling, and modern countertops are often sleek and slim. Wilsonart^® Quartz and Wilsonart^® Solid Surface offer an array of marble and natural stone looks that are perfect for achieving this look in modern backsplashes or countertops.

2. Crafted Calm

Crafted Calm is a soft, warm, comforting interpretation of casual living and will be seen in homes that prioritize well-being and tranquility. Connecting with nature through design is an essential element of the Crafted Calm trend, and the wellness kitchen is at the center of that connection. Here, look to countertop designs that feature warming hues.

3. Fresh Heritage

The new Fresh Heritage trend draws inspiration from the historic English countryside and features traditional woodgrain styling, neutral tones and polished rooms that feel lived-in and loved. It's a journey into the past with a contemporary twist. The LUJO^® Collection from Wilsonart^® Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL) offers a luxury matte Silken Wood finish that is a premium example of a surface that can add revolutionary texture to any home.

4. Dark & Moody Luxe

The Dark & Moody Luxe trend invites us to turn down color and dial-up the intensity with dramatic color contrasts that convey a deep sense of luxury. Embracing the desire to 'escape at home,' this trend introduces exotic wood accent walls, bold open storage, and industrial surfaces. The Wetwall™ Waterproof Wall Panel System offers designs with dark veining and a bold appearance, perfectly suited for the trend.

For those looking for kitchen and bath design inspiration to give their homes a fresh look for the new year, visit www.wilsonart.com.

(NewsUSA) - They say blonds have more fun, but there are non-frivolous reasons for choosing pale or light-finish hardwoods for floors, cabinetry, paneling, and millwork in your home. “Many species of Real American Hardwood^®—white oak, maple, birch, ash, poplar, beech, and sycamore among them—are naturally blond,” notes Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “These pale-tone woods can help create bright and airy residential spaces that readily adapt to the homeowner’s preferred style of décor, from the comfortably traditional to the boldly contemporary.” More than just a collection of pretty faces, they all share hardwood’s well-known durability, flexibility, and sustainability—qualities that make it an ideal material for use in today’s most Instagram-ready interiors. Here are six examples of how it’s done. 

In remodeling this Chicago kitchen, designers Rebekah Zaveloff and Kat Andrejevic of KitchenLab Interiors (@kitchenlabinteriors) achieved an invitingly informal feel by choosing white oak for the massive island and chunky open shelves, the gorgeous honey-toned wood adding warmth but no visual bulk to the sizeable elements. Refinished light-stained hardwood floors, the island’s single-slab marble top, dark-green custom cabinets, and white subway-tile walls complete the crisp but welcoming look. Photo by Michael Alan Kaskel

Subtlety is the name of the game in this Sleepy Hollow, New York, bathroom by Studio Dearborn (@studiodearborn), where designer Sarah Robertson has used rift-sawn white-oak millwork finished with a custom pale-mushroom stain to enliven what might otherwise be a bland color and materials palette: Calacatta Gold marble for the counter and floor, smoke-gray subway tile for the backsplash, and pure white tub. Nickel-finish faucets, hardware, and sconces add sparkle. Photo by Adam Kane Macchia 

The traditional kitchen in an Arts & Crafts–inspired farmhouse in Charlottesville, Virginia, by BRW Architects (@brwarchitectscville) is a masterclass in how to give a fresh, modern look to a beloved classic style. Blonde maple cabinetry in a clean Shaker-like design is joined by red-oak flooring, green-granite topped island, stainless-steel appliances, and an abundance of natural daylight, all of which help amplify the contemporary vibe without violating the room’s period spirit. Photo by Virginia Hamrick 

Renovated by Ectypos Architecture (ectypos.com), this 1950s ranch house in Seattle now includes a library, thanks to a handsome wall of built-in light-oak shelving that turns a former corridor into an attractive reading nook. The golden-hued wood glows under strategically placed ceiling lights, ensuring that the narrow space, which connects the living and dining areas, is warm and inviting—a place to linger in rather than a mere passageway. Photo by Joe Iano

The owners of this contemporary town house in Austin, Texas, asked Breathe Design Studio (@breathedesign) to give them minimalist, midcentury-modern interiors—a request that the sleek, sophisticated kitchen with its polished-concrete flooring, waterfall island, wireframe stools, stainless-steel appliances, and pure white walls more than delivers on. Custom, solid-birch cabinetry with a natural finish renders the space cool, calm, and collected rather than cold and clinical as it could have become. Photo by Chase Daniel 

A wall of vertical poplar slats sets off a white-painted brick fireplace in the family room of a Danville, California, house renovated by Kimberley Kay Interiors (@kimberleykayinteriors). The individual wood battens are stained slightly different shades of light khaki, creating a sense of organic color variation across the wall that contrasts pleasingly with the regular rhythm of the neatly tailored millwork. More texture and visual interest are added via textiles and woven-straw baskets. Photo by Life Created 

Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about using blonde American hardwoods in your home. 

(NewsUSA) - As Americans prepare to spend more cold cash to keep warm this winter, it’s more important than ever to learn how to leverage the benefits of The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) is the largest ever climate investment in American history expected to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and cut home energy costs by incentivizing the adoption of highly efficient electric appliances – including heat pumps. In fact, the IRA specifically highlights the vital role of heat pumps to achieve its objectives.

A Heat Pump Primer

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates and seasons.

The most common type of heat pump is the air source heat pump (ASHP) which provides optimally efficient heating and cooling by extracting heat from outside into your home in the winter and pulling the heat out of your home in the summer. Today's systems can reduce electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to units such as furnaces and baseboard heaters and is about one-half the cost of oil heat.

For homes without ducts, ASHPs are available in a ductless version called mini-split heat pumps. Mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General, provide maximum energy efficiency, saving homeowners up to an additional 25% of utility bills by simply eliminating wasteful ducts. Duct losses can easily account for more than 30% of energy consumption.

Further, heat pumps are better for the environment because they don’t burn fossil fuels. In fact, even under conservative modeling assumptions, 98% of U.S. households would cut their carbon emissions by installing heat pumps today, according to Rewiring America.

Acting on The Inflation Reduction Act

The benefits boil down to two categories: Tax credits and rebates. Specifically, there’s the 25C Tax Credit and two rebates (coming soon) including the High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA) and the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) Rebate Program.

• Energy Efficient Home Improvement (25C) Tax Credit: 25C provides households a 30% tax credit for heat pumps capped at $2,000 per year. The credit resets each tax year, effectively becoming available again for additional projects. 25C also includes a 30% tax credit up to $600 for an electrical panel upgrade, but only if it’s upgraded in conjunction with another upgrade covered by 25C (like a heat pump).
   
• High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act: The High Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act provides point-of-sale consumer rebates to enable low- and moderate-income households to electrify their homes. For low-income households, the program covers 100% of heat pump costs up to $8,000. For moderate-income households, they cover 50% of costs up to $8,000. The rebates may be implemented differently in each state, so final amounts, eligibility, or timeline may vary.
   
• Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program: The Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate Program will provide funding to State energy offices to develop and implement a rebate program for whole-house energy saving retrofits including certain HVAC equipment. Unlike the HEEHRA program, the HOMES rebates program is not income restricted but is rather performance-based with modeled or measured energy savings from energy efficiency upgrades.

With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use, don’t let rising utility bills leave you in the cold this winter. For more information about the IRA benefits, visit Rewiring America and www.constantcomfort.com to find a heat pump system that would suit your home’s needs.

(NewsUSA) - Despite increased interest rates and inventory challenges, you can still be a homeowner this year.

Many first-time homebuyers may not realize that there are many ways to make home ownership happen, and not all of them involve a 20% down payment.

The need to put down 20% of the cost of a home is a general misconception according to Freedom Mortgage, a residential mortgage lender with experience originating conventional, FHA and VA loans. They are an independent, non-bank, full-service, residential lender whose mission is to expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers, especially military personnel and consumers with low down payments.

One secret to securing a successful loan is to work with a loan officer who is experienced in the wide range of available home loans, especially those backed by the U.S. government. That way, homebuyers are aware of all potential financing opportunities and companies who offer those options. A good loan officer will walk you through the process and find a loan that works for your budget. Remember—even if your credit history is less than stellar, or if your resources for a down payment are limited, owning a home is still within reach.

Government-insured loans for first-time homebuyers that don’t require a 20% down payment include:

• VA loans. If you are a Veteran—either active military or retired—you may be eligible for a VA purchase loan through the federal government with no down payment.
• FHA loans. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan allows for lower rates, flexible credit terms, and low minimum down payments (approximately 3.5%). FHA loans are designed for individuals with lower credit scores (minimum 550) and can be used for refinancing, too.
• USDA loans. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans help people seeking to buy homes in rural (and some suburban) areas. USDA loans are not available everywhere, but they are an option in many states. Benefits include competitive interest rates and, in many cases, no down payments. USDA loans have no limits on the loan, and low mortgage guarantee fees. The minimum credit score is 620.

For homebuyers with good credit and finances, a conventional loan may be a good bet, because these loans allow you to finance a wider range of houses than other mortgage types do. Conventional loans also may allow you to borrow more money to finance a more expensive home.

The bottom line is that home ownership can—and should—be available to everyone. A lender such as Freedom Mortgage can help identify the best loan that lets you purchase a home sooner and start to build wealth through home equity.

Visit www.FreedomMortgage.com for more information or call 833-687-1212 for assistance.