December Home and Finance Tips

*Change out your welcome mat for a more festive one.

*Replace your front porch light with a red or green bulb.

*Wrap empty boxes in wrapping paper and use them as decor throughout the house.

*String popcorn and cranberries for some handmade garlands.

Dollar stores typically have a large selection of holiday decor, too, so be sure to try your local shop for low-cost options.

3 Perks of Buying a Home in the Winter

If buying a house is on your radar, you may want to act soon. The winter housing market offers serious perks for homebuyers.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

* Less competition. Fewer homebuyers are on the market this time of year, meaning no costly bidding wars.

* Lower home prices. When demand is low, home prices fall. Sellers are more willing to negotiate, too.

* Cheaper moving costs. Due to the harsh weather, few people move in the winter. This means more availability and lower costs with movers.