Half of us knock on wood, wish upon a star, and won’t open an umbrella inside. We’re superstitious. And a home with murder, death, and ghosts are definitely bad feng shui. But how do you know if a house you’re considering buying has had any of those spooky occurrences? What does the seller have to disclose?

A peaceful death in the house

It’s usually not necessary for a seller to disclose a peaceful death unless the buyer asks. Keep in mind that a vast majority of us (80%) hope to die at home. So it’s not always a bad thing to have someone have died in the house. A peaceful death in a home is fairly common (20% of people die at home) and not something most states require a homeowner to disclose. California, South Dakota, and Alaska are a little different though. In these states, they do have to disclose it if it happened within the past three years. Everywhere, however, some types of death (such as by AIDS) cannot be disclosed.

If the death was directly related to the house, as example, if someone was killed by falling down the basement stairs because there was no railing, almost every state will require it to be disclosed (even after the safety issue was corrected).

Violent death in the house

Murders and suicides are a different story. Most people don’t want to build a life where tragic things happened. In the case of a violent death, the property is considered stigmatized. Like a physical defect such as water or fire damage, a violent death is something that can affect the home’s value. Sellers in many states are required to disclose the events.

See what must be disclosed in your state: nolo.com/state-seller-disclosure-requirements

Ghost in the house

If a home is known to be haunted – either in the community or nationally, it’s treated differently than if the homeowner only feels like it’s haunted. Famously haunted houses are stigmatized and its value and potential to sell is impaired. These types of hauntings should be disclosed. If an owner has seen a few strange things during their time in the house, but it has never been officially documented, they’ll probably keep this knowledge to themselves.

What can you do?

In general, the rule is “buyer beware” when looking to purchase a property. Do your own research. Ask questions. And talk with your real estate professional if you have any concerns. Companies like diedinhouse.com can even provide you with a report on deaths, drug activity, fires, and other information you may want to know before you buy.

If you have any questions about getting a loan for a spooky property, talk to your local Mann Mortgage loan professional. They live in your community and can help you find the neighborhood with the best Halloween parties. Find your local loan officer: mannmortgage.com/find-a-loan-officer.

Mann Mortgage announced the winners of its annual loan officer awards program, the Champions Club. Membership in the club is based on how many loans the individual has closed in their communities over the year. This year’s winners come from offices across the United States and represent the best of the best.

“These men and women have done an incredible job. They’re all small hometown lenders and they’re working directly with borrowers. They’re creating personal connections and really getting to know each borrower so they can suggest the right loan product for their needs,” says Cassidy O’Sullivan, chief strategy officer.

Award recipients are broken into two categories. Champions Club and ChairMANNs Elite.

Champions Club members are our top 20% of performer. This year, they are:

• Tony Reynolds of Kalispell, Montana
• Bernie Dittenhofer of Hood River, Oregon
• Betsy Rispens of Helena, Montana
• Brady Angelos of Allied Mortgage Resources in La Grande, Oregon
• Brody O’Connor of Homeseed Home Loans in Bellevue, Washington
• Chad Cole of Missoula-South, Montana
• Christa Nadeau of corporate loans
• Colin Myers of Monument Home Loans in Arlington, Virginia
• Cory Henderson of Reno, Nevada
• David Dohman of Wet Lynn/Lake Oswego, Oregon
• Davis Kempton of Silver City, New Mexico
• Doug Olson of Kailua, Hawaii
• Jake Van Cleave of Redmond, Oregon
• Jennifer Bunton of Great Falls, Montana
• Jodi Krause of Life Mortgage in Longview, Washington
• Jonathan Hughes of Lewiston, Idaho
• Juan Baltazar of Homeseed Home Loans in Bellevue, Washington
• Justin Blodgett of Missoula, Montana
• Keith Valentine of Kalispell, Montana
• Lara Hawkinson of Clatskanie, Oregon
• Matthew Brown of Eugene, Oregon
• Matthew Fleming of Las Vegas, Nevada
• Michelle Fiala of Allied Mortgage Resources in Baker City, Oregon
• Mike Hogan of Chimney Rock Mortgage in Spokane, Washington
• Mike Yutzy of Las Vegas, Nevada
• Narda Lopez of Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Salvatore Viti of Las Vegas, Nevada
• Sarah Bender of Homeseed Home Loans in Bellevue, Washington
• Shane McChesney of Kalispell, Montana
• Steve Thurston of Great Falls, Montana
• Tanya Torres of Eugene, Oregon
• Toby Gilchrist of Whitefish, Montana
• Valerie Mills-Smith of Allied Mortgage Resources in La Grande, Oregon
• Vickie Tuskan of Virginia, Minnesota

And the ChairMANN’S Elite winners, who represent the top 5% of our loan officers:

• Angelina Rice of Life Mortgage in Longview, Washington
• Carolyn Cole of Polson, Montana
• Chris De Leon of Homeseed Home Loans in Bellevue, Washington
• Corey Hill of Helena, Montana
• David VanScoyk of Safford, Arizona
• Deb Criddle of Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Isaac Morris of Stafford, Arizona
• Julie Lapham of Missoula, Montana
• Mike Flores of Low Cost Mortgage in Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Rob Fleming of Missoula, Montana
• Robert Martinson of Monument Home Loans in Arlington, Virginia
• Ru Toyama of Monument Home Loans in Arlington, Virginia
• Ryan Howard of Las Vegas, Nevada

Congratulations to this year’s winners. Each receives travel, lodging, and meals for themselves and a guest at the next award ceremony location in addition to a selection of other perks.

Join Mann Mortgage’s award-winning team. See job opening at mannmortgage.com/careers.

The first step in determining whether your house is haunted is trying to debunk what’s happening. Older homes, failing appliances, and living pests are sometimes to blame for odd occurrences. Start by looking into the most common home issues that are mistaken for hauntings.

Easy to debunk

Doors slamming shut
Check for drafts. Try opening and closing a few doors and windows to see whether they create a breeze or pressure that can open your doors. You should also grab a level to check whether your home is off a few degrees. It’s possible gravity is pulling your doors shut. For windows, check to make sure they’re being held open securely.

Knocking on walls
A lot of older homes have plumbing or heating elements that make noise. Pay attention to when the knocking begins – is it right after a toilet is flushed or the heater kicks on? You can also contact an exterminator to look for mice, raccoons, or other animal infestations. They might be responsible for noises as they walk through your home or get stuck in your walls.

Strange smells
If you smell something odd in your house, stop and take a moment to figure out where it’s coming from. As a human, you’ve got a better sense of smell then you likely realize. You can recognize thousands of smells, even when they’re practically imperceivable. Dead rodents, old food, outdoor smell, even scents left by previous homeowners can make their way into your nose. If you smell something odd, pause, breathe deep, and try to follow the scent to its source.

Objects falling from shelves or walls
Like doors slamming shut, this might be due to a breeze. Check for open windows and try closing and opening doors in the room where the object was location to see if it creates airflow that might knock the object down. Vibrations could also be to blame. Do large trucks regularly pass by your house? Sometimes even heavy footsteps can be enough to jolt an object.

Harder to debunk

Dark shadow forms
This one is a little harder to blame on common household problems. If you see an odd shadow, remain calm and investigate where you saw the shape. Perhaps there’s an old water stain on the wall or shadow being cast by a car’s headlights outside.

A weird feeling
Check for carbon monoxide in your home. It’s a colorless and odorless gas produced through burning wood, propane, and other fuels. Being poisoned by it often has symptoms we’d associate with a classic haunted house: headaches, paranoia, a sense of dread, weakness, confusion, and more. Make sure to check your carbon monoxide detectors are working or ask a professional to check for leaks.

Learn more about carbon monoxide and its impact on you: cpsc.gov//carbon-monoxide/carbon-monoxide-fact-sheet

A house in disarray
If you come home or wake up to a house that’s been ransacked – cabinets opened, contents spilled, chairs upturned, install a camera. Your pet or an animal intruder may be causing the mess, but it’s more likely a human doing it. Sleepwalkers or intruders may be to blame and catching them on camera is your best way to know for sure. Set up a camera to see whether you can catch the disruptor.

Next steps

If your house needs improvements more than it needs a ghost hunter, Mann Mortgage may be able to help. Your local loan officer can go over your options for a cash-out refinance or other way to get funds to make needed repairs.

Find your local Mann Mortgage loan officer: mannmortgage.com/find-a-loan-officer/

If you can’t debunk the weird things happening in your home, share your experiences with your roommates or family members. A Newsweek poll shows 45% of Americans believe in ghosts, so you’ve got a good chance they will take your experiences seriously.

How can you recognize some of today’s popular interior design styles? It’s probably not possible for someone to redo their entire home to fit the style, but you can always be inspired by these trends. Once you know a style you like, it’s easy to work with what you already have or buy a few accent pieces to freshen your room’s look.

Industrial
This style is very popular in cities where old factories have been converted into living spaces or restaurants. It works great if you have huge windows, exposed ductwork and brick, and concrete or rustic wood flooring. Repurposing items as furniture is a big part of industrial-style. Think of using metal piping for table legs, rustic wood for table tops, old machinery parts for decorations, and repurposed industrial lighting fixtures. To make the spaces a little more comfortable, leather chairs, sheepskin floor rugs, and neutral-colored furniture are added.
DIY industrial style designs  

Modern
To decorate in a modern style, stick with sharp edges and smooth surfaces. If your space has ceiling beams, concrete, or brick those elements should be exposed. Remove your window curtains so that natural light and the outdoor scenery shines through. Materials are natural – wood, metal, leather, wool, and linen. And, it’s important to keep the color pallet neutral colors.
20 stores that sell modern furniture

Maximalist
It’s the polar opposite of minimalism. It’s been described as a rainbow of color, texture, and styles. Put your antique armchair by your new favorite sofa. Add toss pillows made from your great grandmother’s hand embroidered pillowcases. Hang your wedding photo next to a series of paintings you got on vacation. Put your collection of antique crystal decanters together on a shelf. This style is about showing off your objects and sharing the stories they tell about your life.  
See maximalist décor ideas

Minimalism
Unlike modern design, it’s a way of life more than just a style. To be fully minimalist, you’ll need to declutter and sell or donate anything you don’t use or need. It’s uncluttered, monochromatic, and simple way of living. It works great for open floorplans, lots of light, and well built furnishings. In a minimalist room, the decorations aren’t the focus. The focus may be on a beautiful view from the window, the people in the space, or the architecture. Nothing is added as an embellishment.
Steps for the beginner minimalist

Glam
It’s a combo of art deco and old Hollywood. It’s opulent and a little over the top. It’s full of textures that beg to be touched – faux furs, velvet, and knits. Shiny brass and gold accents sparkle. A glam room would have classic furniture, glass or marble topped tables, crystal decorations, velvet toss pillows, rich colors, and sheer curtains.
How to get a glam look in your home

Cottagecore
This trend really took over while we were quarantined during Covid. It is about nostalgia, rural life, a slow pace, agriculture, with a splash of fairy-tale. It features traditional crafts like baking, gardening, knitting (all activities that became popular during quarantine). A cottagecore living room would have soft colored walls, nature-themed art, a few antique items, a hand-knit throw, potted plants, dried herbs in a basket, and a stack of books on an end table. You get extra cottagecore points if you display something you made yourself.
7 creative hobbies to take up this year

If you’re buying your first home this year, you’ll need to be extra savvy. Though competition is fierce on affordable housing, interest rates are still historically low. If you can get a home, now is a great time to do it! When you’re on the hunt for our first home, be sure to avoid these common first-time buyer mistakes:

Thinking you need 20% down payment
Unless you are getting a jumbo loan, you don’t need a 20% down payment. If you chose to put down 20% for a conventional loan you won’t have to pay private mortgage insurance. But the minimum down is 3%. And other loan options may offer as little as 0% down. Of course, the more money you put down the lower your interest rate and payments will be. Talk to your home lender to see what they recommend your down payment be.

Not working with a local home lender
There are a lot of home lenders out there. The reason we recommend a local lender is they have more flexibility with down payments, minimum qualifications, and the type of loan programs they can offer. As an extra bonus, they have connections in your community with realtors, inspectors, builders, and title companies. Local lenders live and work in your community, so they have more of an incentive to give you a positive experience since word-of-mouth (and not national ad campaigns) are how they get new business.

Assuming you won’t qualify
Many renters don’t think they’ll be able to get a loan due to their credit or amount they have saved for a down payment. There are many different home loans, and each has its own qualifications. Some are designed for people with low credit, some offer 0% down payment, and others allow your family to gift you money for your down payment. Rather than assume you won’t qualify, make an appointment with your local home lender to see what programs they have available. They are the experts and will be able to tell you the best way for you to purchase a new home.

Underestimating repair costs
Before you buy a home, hire a good home inspector to get an idea of what repairs it needs. Roofs, floors, appliances, windows… all your home’s features wear out. If you purchase an older home as a starter, you might have to pay more money to keep it in working order. The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors has a great document showing the estimated life expectancy for components in your home. If you’re working with a local lender, they’ll be able to recommend inspectors in your area.

Shopping for a house before you get pre-approved
The best way to start your house hunt is by calling or visiting your loan officer. Together, you’ll set a budget for your home purchase and you’ll get an idea of what your monthly payments will be. They’ll run your credit report and pre-approve you for a home loan. In a competitive market, a pre-approval letter will let the seller know your offer is legit and will almost certainly get funded by your lender.

Not taking advantage of local first-time homebuyer programs
Many states (and some communities) combine closing costs and down payment assistance programs for first time homebuyers. Some states offer tax credits you can use on your federal tax returns too. Your local lender is an expert on the current grants and programs you can take advantage of to save money.

So far in 2021, there are still less homes for sale than before Covid hit us in early 2020.  But there’s an interesting trend in the homes that are being bought. More homes are being sold as secondary homes than in previous years. The National Association of Home Builders reported that 15% of all new home sales in 2020 were for second homes – that’s up from 5.5% from 2018. With housing inventory being so low, this trend is especially significant. Whether they’re buying a vacation home or investing in real estate, why might so many more homes be for secondary purposes?

Take advantage of low interest rates
Even though home prices are high, interest rates are staying low. A buyer will likely overpay for your second home, but since rates are so low, you might still be in a better place financially than if you paid less but interest rates were higher. Some buyers who have had an eye on buying a secondary home may be jumping at the chance to get one with a low interest rate.

Income potential
If your second home is located in an area people like to vacation, you may be in an especially good position to use it for short term rental like an Airbnb. The income from the rental may help offset the cost of HOA dues, mortgage payments, and taxes. Pay attention to how much income potential you have and compare it to the time you’ll spend cleaning the property, advertising, responding to reviews, communicating with guests, filing insurance claims for damage, and booking rentals. The average is 5 hours booking per each rental.

Alternatively, you can do long term rental for your second home. It will take less time to manage but you’ll still have to handle payments, repairs, maintenance, and communicating with your renter. You won’t have the flexibility to use the home as your own vacation spot, but you may make more income overall.

Getaway
How many times have you been somewhere beautiful and dreamed of owning a little piece of that heaven? Owning a true vacation house is something a lot of people aspire to have. You just pack the car and head out for the weekend. If you maintain your home and property, you may be able to sell it for a profit some years in the future. You can even rent it out up to 14 days a year before it’s classified as an income property by the IRS.

Future retirement home
Take advantage of the low interest rates and purchase your retirement home today. You can rent it out and put the income towards the mortgage payments and home upkeep. When you’re ready to retire, you can simply move in a continue to make your mortgage payments until it’s completely yours.

Long term profits
Over time, the value of real estate typically increases. It’s possible to purchase a home now at low interest rates and reap the rewards over time when the home value increases. In order to be successful, you’ll need to know what your total investment in the home will be (factoring in principal, interest, maintenance, taxes, HOA dues, and more) as well as the potential for the home’s value to increase (in that past year, they’ve averaged an increase price of 9.2%).

Whatever your plans for a second home are, be sure to contact your local home lender. They’ll go over your loan options, an estimate of costs, and an estimate of your payments. With their information, you’ll be able to decide whether a second home is right for you.

People toss around terms like split-level and craftsman house styles, but what do they mean? In some regions, some styles are more popular than others. But overall, you’ve probably heard all of most of them. Let’s take a moment to go over how to identify the country’s most popular home styles, starting with the classic ranch.

Ranch

It’s a long low-profile one-story home with a pitched roof, attached garage, big picture windows (often with non-functional shutters), and a sliding door leading to a patio. They were popular in the 1930’s to 1960’s and remain a popular style today. Inside is an open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, and sunken living rooms.

Mid-century modern

It’s a style of home built between the 1930’s and mid 1960’s. They look contemporary and even futuristic from the outside. They showcase large windows, open spaces, sliding glass doors, geometric forms, asymmetry, minimum ornamentation, and a range of colors. Inside, they feature floor-to-ceiling windows, sunken rooms, and lots of doors to access the yard.

Contemporary

This style is easily confused with modern. But, unlike modern, contemporary style is still evolving. It started in the early 2000’s. Outside, the homes are asymmetrical and irregular but with a touch of farmhouse, mid-century modern, and boho styling. The design pushes boundaries and showcase the latest technology including eco-friendly materials, smart home products, and energy efficiency. Inside, it’s all about clean lines, a minimal color pallet, and big windows to let in lots of light. They’re interior design is similar to modern, but much warmer. They have large plants, glass accent pieces, natural stone, natural fibers, and open and flexible floor plans.

Split level

It’s a modern style that has at least three staggered levels connected by short flights of stairs. There is a flight of stairs leading to the front door. Commonly one floor has the kitchen, living room, and dining room. A short flight of stairs goes to the upper level with bedrooms. Another short flight of stairs goes to a basement and recreational room. They often have living spaces above a connected garage. Think of the house from the Brady Bunch – that’s a split level. They became popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Bi-level

When you walk up to a bi-level, the front door is level to the ground. When you open the door, there is a small landing with one short set of stairs going down to the below grade basement level and another going to the above-grade level where the kitchen and living rooms are. Since the basement is partly out of the ground, big windows bring a lot of light to the space. This style of home was popular across America the 1970’s.

Cape Cod

Some of the first homes built in the United States were Cape Cods. They’re efficient, symmetrical, and easy to build. The front door is placed in the center of the first level and opens to the main living spaces. If there is an upper level, it’s considered a half level as it isn’t as large as the one below it – it’s essentially a converted attic space. Some homes feature dormer windows, which are individual windows (dormers) that projects out of the sloping roof to let light into the top level.  They were very popular in the 1950’s and were often built with the second story left unfinished to make them even more affordable.

Colonial

In their most basic format, American colonial homes are rectangular in shape, symmetrical, two story structures. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are located on the first level. Bedrooms are on the upper level. The front door is in the middle of the first story, and the windows all around the house are double hung with individual panes.

Dutch colonial

Once you know what one is, it’s easy to pick them out. For the past 400 years, they’ve looked almost the same. They’ve got Gambrel roofs that are fairly flat on top then slope almost straight down. Sometimes they have dormer windows in the roof, but not always. People often think the roofs look like barn roofs. The design makes the attic space livable without always being considered a two-story house. Originally they were very symmetrical, but over time the style has changed and they became larger with side and rear wings.

Bungalow

The name “bungalow” has its origins in India where it meant a small thatched home. We commonly use the term to define a small 1.5 story house with a low profile. They were incredibly popular around 1900 – 1930’s. Bungalows have a covered porch outside and inside feature a big living room with other rooms located around it. There are many variations on this style including California, Chicago, craftsman, arts and crafts, Milwaukee, and many more.

Victorian

In the late 1850’s, machinery and technology advancements in America allowed builders to incorporate mass produced ornamentation for homes such as beautiful spindles, fancy brackets, and interesting shingles. The style is a tall vertical home with a mix of materials and colors. Inside, they have a grand staircase, high ceilings, many rooms, ornate wood paneling, decorative fireplaces, and hardwood floors covered with rugs.

Tudor

This architecture is based on English styles from the 1600 – 1700’s. They’re easy to recognize with their steeply pitched roofs, front-facing gables (covered windows that come out of the side of the home rather than the roof), brick, and decorative half-timbers filled with stucco or stone between the spaces in the boards. They became popular in wealthy areas of Northern and Eastern parts of the United States from 1900 – 1940’s. Inside, the rooms are asymmetrical and decorated with dark wood from ceiling to floor.

Spanish eclectic

This style has its roots in the architecture of Spain and Latin America with Mediterranean accents. You’ll see them all around the United States, but they’re most popular in Florida, Texas, and California. The roofs are red or reddish-brown tile, the siding is a light-colored stucco, doors are dark wood, and you’ll often see arches over the windows, porch entries, and doors. Inside you’ll find a private courtyard, wrought-iron railings, and beautiful painted tiles along the staircases and floors.

No matter which type of home you like best, when you’re ready to buy one talk to your local Mann Mortgage lender. They’ll help you pick a budget that fits your lifestyle so you can find the perfect house to match.

Deciding whether to rent or buy is complex. The right choice for you depends heavily on where you live and the local housing market. There are benefits to either option, and it’s a good idea to consider both before you make your decision.

Advantages to buying
It’s a long-term investment
From January 2020 to 2021, home prices nationally rose 11.2% according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index. Most homeowners purchase their home hoping it will be worth more money in the future. And, historically, they do appreciate in value. The amount can depend on how desirable an area it’s in, job growth in the community, housing demand, and the quality of the school district.

Easier to budget
Your landlord can’t raise your rent on a whim, but they can do it when your lease ends. Give or take, it usually goes up between 3% to 5% a year. If you’re renting month-to-month, it can raise even faster – every 30 days with proper notice. With a mortgage, your rate is set when you take out your loan. If the interest rate drops, you’ll have the option to refinance and save even more. Knowing how much you’ll pay for your home for years to come is a great comfort when budgeting and planning for your future.

You can make it yours
You can renovate or decorate your home to your liking.  Paint the walls, redo the landscape, renovate a bathroom… your home is your canvas. And, any improvement you make could also increase your property’s value.

More privacy
Compared to an apartment complex, a single-family home provides loads of privacy. You won’t hear other families, pets, music, or parties through thin walls. And, likewise, you won’t have to worry about upsetting neighbors if you decide to host a late night party.

A sense of home
Buying and living in a house creates a deeper sense of permanency than renting a home. Buying or building a home is a good idea if you’d like to settle down and settle into a routine.

Advantages of renting
It’s easier to relocate
If you’ve got a more nomadic lifestyle, renting is perfect. You can set a countdown for once your lease is up, then you can try a new neighborhood, city, state, or country. If you rent furnished apartments, it’s even easier to pack up your things and head out to a new adventure.

Fits a transitional life
If you’re lifestyle is temporary, like you are just settling into a relationship, thinking of a career move, or going to school; an apartment might suit you well. Your life may change quickly, so it’s good to have the ability to relocate or change your home size and style when you’re ready.

Worry-free maintenance
Not everyone is handy or enjoys working around the house. In an apartment, you won’t have to mow the lawn, shovel the driveway, water the grass, fix a burst pipe, replace a broken appliance, or worry about any maintenance. All these activities are physical, take time, cost money, and can disrupt plans – and they can be avoided in an apartment.