We think our residents would agree that Balmoral is the perfect place to be on New Year’s Eve. Our builder’s gorgeous open-concept homes are perfect for ringing in 2023 with family and friends. What should you serve? How about these elegant appetizers:
Fabulous Finger Food
Nothing says elegance like caviar, so wow your guests with these caviar and crème fraiche tartlets. Fire up the grill and serve up some grilled beef tenderloin mini sandwiches. Who doesn’t love bacon and scallops? Vegetarians shouldn’t have to subsist on the relish tray. Serve them vegetarian buffalo meatballs instead.
Wings and Things
Can wings be elegant? These rosemary honey mustard ones can. Add a little spice to your wings with lemon and pepper. Of course, some guests like adding little more spice to their celebrations. Get a head start on your resolution to eat healthier with these crispy baked wings.
Take a Dip
Add smoked salmon to upscale your party dip. Trade in the onions for this caramelized fennel and leek dip. Chili crab dip warms up any party. We think your guests will feel lucky if you serve up black-eyed peas in a dip.
Choose Your Cheese
There’s nothing more elegant than baked brie. It takes a little time, but your guests will rave all night about your marinated goat cheese. Figs, bleu cheese and toasted baguette? Yes, please. Fondue is just another name for fun.
Check Out the Crackers
These seasoned crackers are the perfect foundation for your cheese selections. Crown polenta crostini with your favorite topping. Make a bunch of these bacon bow tie crackers because your guests will be snacking on them until the ball drops. A truly elegant cracker can only be made with phyllo.
Delightful Desserts
Champagne isn’t just for drinking (hint, put out spoons). Have some fun creating and serving these “cone-oli” desserts. These resolution cookies are a treat for the eyes. These grown-up cupcakes will disappear like 2022 at midnight.
Cocktails and Mocktails
Don’t just pop the cork and fill the flute. Serve a French 75 instead. Bubbly goes big in this delicious champagne punch. Guests will love crafting their own cocktails at a bellini bar. If some of your guests don’t imbibe, these virgin pomegranate and cranberry bellinis are just the ticket. Serve the kids these chocolate martini mocktails to make them feel part of the party.
Not feeling the turkey this year? That’s okay, the Pilgrims probably didn’t serve turkey either. Instead, grace your table with these turkey alternatives.
There Are Other Birds
If it’s only the two of you this year, roast a chicken instead of a turkey. Don’t know how? The Kitchn has got you covered. If you do know how, give your roast chicken a holiday makeover. There will be no fighting over drumsticks if everyone gets their own bird. If you want to serve something a little more elegant, try this easy duck confit recipe.
Breathtaking Beef Dishes
Yes, you can serve beef for Thanksgiving. In fact, some people might prefer it. Serve a crowd on a budget with this eye-opening chuck roast. This tender rib roast will have guests coming back for seconds and thirds. Sophistication is the name of the game with flank steak in bourbon cream sauce. We love the idea of serving Boeuf Bourguignon for the holidays.
Practically Perfect Pork
Spend less time in the kitchen and more with your guests by popping a ham in your slow cooker. Pork loin is a simple, yet elegant substitute for turkey. Up your pork loin game with mushrooms and wine. Move over Beef Wellington, this pork version is a treat for the eyes and the tummy.
Surf Without the “Turk”
Seafood was definitely on the Pilgrim’s dinner menu although they probably didn’t have it as good as this herb roasted salmon. You can never, ever go wrong serving lobster. Who doesn’t love shrimp in a cream sauce? Think soup can’t be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving meal? Think again.
Vegetarian
Thinking of ditching the meat altogether but dreading the usual vegetable lasagna? Try these oyster mushroom steaks instead. Not a mushroom lover? These butternut squash steaks are Thanksgiving on a plate. Even confirmed carnivores will be drooling over this greens-and-cheese stuffed pumpkin. Vegetables go upscale with this mushroom wellington recipe.
You’ve probably heard it most of your life. To buy a home you need to put 20 percent of the purchase price down. That may have been true once, but not now. Today you may qualify to put as little as 3 percent down. You might even qualify to put no money down. How? We break it down for you.
Do Most People Put 20 Percent Down?
According to the National Association of Realtors, the average down payment is 12 percent. First-time buyers average 7 percent down. The average down payment for repeat buyers is 16 percent. In other words, the average home buyer is not putting 20 percent down.
Benefits of Making Lower Down Payment
With a smaller down payment, you may be able to purchase a new home faster. To put 20 percent down on a $300,000 home, you would need to save up $60,000. Ouch. If you qualify to put 3 percent down, you only need $9,000. A smaller down payment can give you a cushion against other expenses.
Certain Loans Require Smaller Down Payments
If you qualify for certain loans, you won’t have to put 20 percent down. You might not have to put any money down at all. These loans are usually backed by the federal government. That means if you default, the lender is still protected. Most of these loans have conditions attached, but the money you save is worth it.
FHA loans are government-backed and require you to put at least 3.5 percent down. To obtain this type of loan, you will need a minimum credit score of 580. It is possible to get an FHA loan with a credit score between 500 and 579 but you will be required to put at least 10 percent down.
Veterans do not need a down payment to qualify for VA loans. There are service requirements, however, and veterans should check with the Department of Veterans Affairs to see if they qualify. Spouses of active-duty military or veterans who have died in service or have a service-related disability also may be eligible.
Homebuyers who have not served can get a USDA loan that will relieve you of having to put money down. To qualify, your home must be in an approved rural or suburban area. Members of your household will need to meet income requirements, as well.
Conventional loans are offered by lenders at higher interest rates. Lenders have different requirements and set their own percentages, but it is possible to get a loan that allows you to put anywhere from 3 to 5 percent down. If you have a credit score above 620 points, you are more likely to get a better loan percentage.
What About Community Seconds?
A “Community Seconds,” loan from Fannie Mae or “Affordable Seconds” loan from Freddie Mac can help you purchase a loan without a down payment if you qualify. These loans are essentially second mortgages that cover the cost of your down payment. Their purpose is to make affordable housing more accessible. To qualify, you must meet certain requirements. You can find out more here.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that you can qualify to purchase a home in Balmoral for less than you thought. Talk with a Realtor and your lender. You could be living the lagoon life before you know it.
If a new home for the holidays is at the top of your wish list, we have good news. Balmoral builders have many move-in ready homes just waiting for families to discover. Many of these homes are ready now, so you can be settled in time to cook a holiday feast. Check out the advantages of purchasing a move-in-ready home.
Less Time Until Moving Day
Quick move-in homes, also called inventory homes, are at or near completion. The time it takes to close is typically the same as for an existing home. That means if you buy now, you could be home in time to hang up your holiday decorations.
You Can Tour Them
Instead of looking at a floor plan, you can see the completed home. Completed inventory homes are open for touring. You can see if the home will fit your family’s needs for the holidays and the future.
Many Builders Offer Incentives
Hoping to save some money? Many builders offer incentives if you purchase a move-in-ready home. Those incentives could take the form of reduced pricing, money toward closing costs, money toward upgrades and more. More savings could mean more money in your wallet to buy holiday gifts.
A Nicer Kitchen
New homes boast the latest trends. Yours might feature stainless-steel appliances, a kitchen island, more counter space, more cupboard space and a walk-in pantry. Purchase an inventory home and you can get it all in time to bake holiday cookies, stock up on holiday dinner supplies and have more space to entertain holiday guests.
Speaking of Guests
A new home could mean more room for guests. Your new home could have a guest suite. Bigger children’s rooms offer more space for younger guests. If your current home is too small for entertaining, you could have a larger one in time for a New Year’s Eve bash.
Less Holiday Stress
The holidays can be stressful. So can choosing floors, countertops, cabinets, paint colors and all the other decisions that come with a build-to-order home. With an inventory home, most of those decisions have already been made.
You’ll Have Fun Meeting the Neighbors
Inventory homes are usually located in master-planned communities. These communities host a lot of holiday events — which are great places for you and your family to make new friends.
Ready to Get Moving?
Visit Balmoral and talk to our amazing builders about their inventory homes. Then make a list of all the holiday activities you can enjoy in your new home.
Apple cider, pumpkin spice and flannel — there’s a lot to love about fall! Tap into that fall aesthetic and give your home a cozy décor makeover. How? Here are some tips for easy-as-pumpkin-pie fall decorating.
Cozy Curb Appeal
Up your home’s curb appeal with a fall-themed porch and front door. Start with one of these DIY fall wreaths to make your front door stand out. We like this letterboard wreath because we change up the greeting every day. Fill a red wagon with pumpkin patch finds for an adorable porch display. Celebrate the spooky season with these scary good Halloween decorations.
Fall Halls
Jazz up your entryway so you get that fall feeling every time you walk through the door. Fill a vase with painted acorns. This Magnolia-topped white pumpkin is an elegant addition to your hall table. Pick up a few items at a garage sale and craft a centerpiece around them. You can also hang up fall art or a quilt and place painted pumpkins on the stairs.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
Purchase pumpkins in all shapes to use in craft projects, centerpieces, topiaries and more. Part place marker, part party favor, these pumpkin succulent planters are sure to be a hit with dinner guests. Nestle your favorite vintage in this pumpkin wine cooler. These caramel apple pumpkins are simply adorable. Want pumpkin décor without having to make pumpkin pie later? Craft these pumpkin mason jars.
Throw on the Throw Pillows
The shelves at Target, Wal Mart and HomeGoods are filled with fall-themed throw pillows, cozy blankets and other linens. Orange, red and yellow throw pillows will brighten your sofas and beds. Pack a wicker basket full of plaid throws and place it in your family room. Have fun and hang a few blankets on hooks or coat wracks — autumn colors of course.
Inviting Kitchens
Spruce up the heart of your home with well-chosen, well-placed fall decorations for a cozy kitchen. Treat your island the same way you treat your table. Pile pumpkins in an antique basket, arrange fall flowers in a vase and stack up these tree-branch coasters. Hang up cute fall-themed kitchen towels for instant autumn appeal. These burlap wine covers are easy to make and fun to display.
Perfect Patios
If you plan to entertain guests on the patio, make sure it is dressed for the season. Pinterest has some beautiful pictures you can take inspiration from. Give your patio furniture a makeover with fall-colored cushions. Pile pumpkins in the yard. Those apples you picked will look great next to your outdoor fireplace.