It's a triple turntable treat for 2025 plus a "chunky puck", because why not.

FiiO's JM21 promises awesome audio for an amazing price.

Super-cheap ANC with 50 hours of playtime

Its my favorite time of year: awards season, which celebrates the best of film and television from the past 12 months. Like many entertainment lovers, this Sunday Ill be watching the Golden Globes for the fashion, the jokes, the critics picksand of course, the winners, as the Golden Globe stats are a pretty good precursor to who will be taking home an Oscar two months from now.The 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards will air live on Sunday, January 5, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT), hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, who will be the first woman to host the Globes on her own (Amy Poehler and Tina Fey cohosted four times). Despite being the show that kicks off awards season, the Golden Globes is no stranger to controversy. In 2021, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which created the once-venerable Golden Globes organization, was publicly criticized for a lack of Black representation among its members. In response, NBC canceled the 2022 Golden Globes telecast. In 2023, the star-studded ceremony was backbut not before the HFPA sold the Golden Globes to Dick Clark Productions, and in a complete restructuring, dissolved its membership. Fast-forward to January 2025: Enter Glaser, hot off the heels of Netflixs roast of Tom Bradyfor which she got a standing ovation and became one of the most viral moments of 2024. Glasers no shrinking violet, but dont expect her to pull a Jo Koy, last years host, who bombed with a few too many crude jokes at the expense of his star-packed audience. (One target thatll likely be off limits, fingers crossed: the lawsuit-laden feud between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.)Among the many presenters at theworlds largestawards show (a well-deserved moniker since it celebrates the best of both film and television):Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie,Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Awkwafina, Colin Farrell, Jeff Goldblum, Brandi Carlile,Demi Moore, Elton John,Margaret Qualley,Michelle Yeoh, Viola Davis,Zo Kravitz . . . and pretty much any celebrity you can think of from a slew of buzzy performances on both the small and large screens.And now, without further ado, what youve been waiting for: Here, how to watch the Globes live on your computer, mobile device, or TV.CBSThe telecast will air live on CBS. You can stream it onCBS.comor via the CBS app, but for that youll need a paid TV subscription with login credentials. Worth noting: If youre one of the shrinking number of people who still have cable, youre in luck. Ditto if you have an antenna somewhere and can catch it on air for free.Paramount+Paramount+ with Showtime subscriberswill be able to live stream the Golden Globes telecast. But Paramount+ Essential subscribers will have to wait until the next day to watch the show. However, Paramount+ is offering a seven-day free trial, inviting new audiences to try the service along with tuning into this years Globes.Streaming servicesFor those without cable or Paramount+, a number of paid streaming services offer CBS as part of a bundleand are offering free trials as well: Hulu with Live TVYouTube TVFuboDirectTV Stream

Rough-hewn stone basins and smooth marble sinks are featured in our latest lookbook, which showcases bathrooms with monumental stone sinks.Stone basins, whether made from marble, travertine or more rustic unpolished stone, are often used in hotels and restaurant bathrooms since they add a luxury feel, but can also create impactful designs in residential interiors.Here, we have collected eight stone sinks in homes and venues from Mexico to Poland.This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring low-light bedrooms and interiors with gold and silver accents.Vallirana 47 apartments, Spain, by VoraThe sleek marble sink inside this Spanish apartment has two wash basins, a practical solution for couples who want to use it at the same time.Local studio Vora designed the bathroom like the other spaces in the renovated Barcelona flats to blend old and new elements.Find out more about Vallirana 47 apartments Photo is by Nicholas WorleyUntitled House, UK, by Szczepaniak AstridgeIt's all about the textures in architecture studioSzczepaniak Astridge's Untitled House, a concrete and timber extension to a London home.Designed for the VP creative of a major British fashion house, the home features a concrete-walled void that leads from the kitchen up to the bathroom, where it sits next to a solid sink in veiny marble.Find out more about Untitled House Off Grid Home, Spain, by batonA crumbling stone stable in western Spain was turned into a family home by Madrid studio baton, which used renewable energy sources, including hydroelectricity, to power it.The home's rustic feel continues in the bathroom, where a long stone sink was designed with two levels to provide plenty of space for washing.Find out more about Off Grid Home Photo by Joana Frana308 S Apartment, Brazil, by BLOCO ArquitetosThis renovation of a 1960s apartment in Braslia saw local studioBloco Arquitetos create the bathroom sink using Branco So Paulo, a matte-finished granite that it also used as flooring.The stone sink, which sits on top of a plywood cabinet, was designed in reference to typical Braslia architecture from the 1960s and 70s.Find out more about 308 S Apartment Photo by Fabin MartinezThe Loma Residence, Mexico, by Esrawe StudioAlmost more of a sculpture than a practical bathroom design, this stone sink was made from Tikal marble and designed byEWE Studio, which aims to promote Mexico's craft heritage.Marble was chosen throughout the home to "provide the space with a sober and contemporary atmosphere". The basin's dark hue matches the rest of the moody bathroom, which is lined in green quartzite.Find out more about The Loma Residence Photo by Jos HeviaPalma apartment, Spain, by OHLABArchitecture studio OHLAB designed this apartment block in Palma, Mallorca, with thin wooden slats that provide ventilation and shade.In the bathroom, expanses of wood are contrasted with a rough-hewn stone sink. Brass taps add a gleaming metal detail to the otherwise organic interior.Find out more about Palma apartment Photo by Ricardo LoureiroSmall House with a Monumental Shower, Portugal, by Fala AtelierThe unusual design of this home in Amarante, Portugal, features a "shower tower" designed by architecture studio Fala Atelier.Housed in a skinny chimney-style tower, the shower is clad in pale green tiles. Next to it, a smooth marble sink in a sculptural bowl shape adds a touch of luxury.Find out more about Small House with a Monumental Shower Photo by Pion StudioBotaniczna Apartment, Poland, by Agnieszka Owsiany StudioA calming mix of marble and wood was used throughout this apartment in Pozna by Agnieszka Owsiany Studio.Both the bathroom and the kitchen feature slabs of creamy travertine marble."I really wanted to create something timeless, hence the idea to use materials such as wood and travertine which age beautifully," studio founder Agnieszka Owsiany told Dezeen.Find out more about Botaniczna Apartment This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring low-light bedrooms and interiors with gold and silver accents.The post Eight bathrooms with chunky sculptural stone sinks appeared first on Dezeen.

Harassment, hate, and other social harms feel like an online inevitability, but developers are finally addressing their impact in a meaningful way.

Sunday, January 5th, 2025Posted by Jim ThackerTutorial: Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in Houdinihtml PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"The Gnomon Workshop has released Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in Houdini, a beginner-friendly guide to the procedural 3D software recorded by VFX artist David Silberbauer.The workshop provides over five and a half hours of video training, and is suitable for both beginners and intermediate-level artists.Create a CG shot of a mud monster emerging from a swamp entirely in HoudiniIn the workshop, Silberbauer reveals how to use Houdini a staple of FX pipelines in film, animation and games to create a monster emerging from a swamp, dripping with mud.The entire scene a full CG environment with a 3D creature, animation, effects and lighting is created using a semi-procedural set-up in Houdini: no other software is required.Silberbauer begins by setting up an animation and modifying it using simple and efficient tools like Point Deform and TimeShift.He then reveals how to set up a basic heightfield for the environment, and how to create the mud simulation using the new MPM Solver introduced in Houdini 20.5.Since the MPM Solver can be very resource-expensive, Silberbauer discusses what is best at, and when it should be used in production.As well as the MPM Solver, the workshop covers the basics of Houdinis FLIP fluid simulation toolset, including fluid meshing.Silberbauer also demonstrates efficient workflows for building environments using heightfields, including how to scatter vegetation, before assembling the scene as a USD asset, and demonstrating basic lighting and rendering techniques to create a final CG shot.Viewers of the workshop can download the Houdini project file for the mud monster.About the artistDavid Silberbauer is a VFX artist at animation facility Sunrise Animation Studios.He previously worked at VFX studio BlackGinger on movies including Monster Hunter, Deep Blue Sea 2 and 3, Black Beauty and Escape Room, as well as commercials and cinematics.Pricing and availabilityCreating a Swamp & Mud Monster in Houdini is available via a subscription to The Gnomon Workshop, which provides access to over 300 tutorials.Subscriptions cost $57/month or $519/year. Free trials are available.Read more about Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in HoudiniHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Full disclosure: CG Channel is owned by Gnomon.Latest NewsTutorial: Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in HoudiniCreate a creature, environment and FX simulation entirely in Houdini with The Gnomon Workshop's beginner-friendly new tutorial.Sunday, January 5th, 2025Celsys unveils Clip Studio Paint 4Check out the new features in the digital painting software for comics, illustrations and concept art, including updates to the 3D toolset.Friday, January 3rd, 2025Get 95 free modular village assets for Unreal EngineGet Scale XYZ's Pirate Stilt Village Island Modular Pack of 3D buildings, props and trees for free for two weeks on the Fab marketplace.Thursday, January 2nd, 2025The Pixel Farm releases PFTrack 24.12.19Update to the match-moving software 'completely overhauls' the scene-reconstruction toolset. Check out its new AI-powered features.Monday, December 30th, 2024Get unusual iOS digital painting app Flame Painter for freeFull version of Escape Motions' iPad and iPhone app for painting images using particle brushes is now free, as is mandala-creation app Inspirit.Saturday, December 28th, 2024Faceform releases Wrap 2024.11 and Wrap4D 2024.11Check out the new features in the topology transfer tools for creating digital doubles and blendshapes from 3D scans of actors.Friday, December 27th, 2024More NewsDreamWorks Animation releases MoonRay 1.7Sparseal releases Uniform 1.3Happy holidays to all CG Channel readers!Tutorial: Introduction to Marvelous DesignerBlack Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday 2024 deals for CG artistsRandomControl releases Maverick Indie and Maverick Studio 2024Pilgway releases 3DCoat 2024.30Terragen Sky now lets you paint clouds into the sky directlyPlanetside Software releases Terragen 4.8Photoshop users can now create filters in Substance 3D DesignerPixar releases RenderMan 26.3Create game characters with CC Auto Setup for 3ds Max and V-RayOlder Posts

Friday, January 3rd, 2025Posted by Jim ThackerCelsys unveils Clip Studio Paint 4html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Celsys has unveiled Clip Studio Paint 4.0, the latest version of its digital drawing, painting and animation software.New features include a puppet warp tool for posing 2D characters, and updates to the softwares 3D toolset, including the option to import mocap data to use as reference poses.The update is due for release in March, but is currently available to pre-order.A digital drawing and painting tool for comics, illustrations and concept artFirst released in Japan over two decades ago, and previously marketed as Manga Studio in the West, Clip Studio Paint is a digital painting app for both desktop and mobile systems.Although best known as a tool for creating comics, for which it has a dedicated set of tools, it is also used to produce illustrations, concept art, and 2D animations.Updates to the software were available free to existing users until the release of Clip Studio Paint 2.0 in March 2023, when Celsys switched to a new schedule of major, paid annual releases.https://www.cgchannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/250103_ClipStudioPaint4_PuppetWarp.mp4Clip Studio Paint 4: new Puppet Warp systemNew features in Clip Studio Paint 4 include the Puppet Warp system (shown above).It enables users to quickly pose 2D characters by pinning parts of the body in place, then rotating and deforming the rest of the character around the pinned points.Updates to the 3D toolsetThe softwares 3D toolset, which enables users to import and manipulate 3D models for use as references or background elements within an image, has also been updated.New features include the option to paint directly onto the surface of 3D objects, either to add basic surface colors, or to paint guidelines or patterns onto reference objeccts.It is also now possible to import 3D models in STL format, and animations in BVH format.BVH support was actually introduced in Clip Studio Paint 3.1 the release announcement include changes made in the 3.x updates and is intended to enable artists to choose frames from imported motion-capture data to use as pose references for characters.It is also now possible to customize the facial expressions of 3D avatars imported in VRM format.New Quick Filters and Quick Effects for interactive image adjustmentsThe softwares Filters system has also been updated.A new set of Quick Filters and Quick Effects (shown above) let users make interactive adjustments to an image again, a feature originally introduced in Clip Studio Paint 3.2.There are also new filters for extracting line art from images, intended for preparing scanned drawings for digital coloring, and for applying lens blur.Workflow improvements include better snappingWorkflow improvements include object snapping, with users now able to snap vector layers, rules and text to grids, guides, other rulers, and the edges or center of the canvas.It is also possible to snap to content on the current layer or reference layers with the Lasso tool.You can find a list of other changes, which include the option to color-code layers in the animation toolsets Timeline palette, in the release announcement.Initial reactions from users were mixed, with opinion divided on the value of the 3D toolset, and calls for native CMYK support and performance improvements to the brush toolset.Price, system requirements and release dateClip Studio Paint 4.0 is due for release in March 2025, and is available to pre-order, with anyone buying a perpetual license of Clip Studio Paint 3 getting an automatic upgrade when it ships.New perpetual licenses of the Pro edition, which includes the core feature set, but which restricts animation to 24 frames, cost $54, rising to $58.50 when version 4.0 is released. New perpetual licenses of the Ex edition, which removes the limit on the length of animations, and adds features for creating multi-page projects, cost $237, rising to $258.Subscriptions are priced according to the number of devices you want to use the software on, but for desktops and laptops, rental starts at $4.49/month or $26.99/year for Pro and $8.99/month and $76.99/year for Ex.The current version of the software, Clip Studio Paint 3.2, is compatible with Windows 10+, macOS 13.0+, iOS/iPadOS 17.0+ and Android 12+.Read a full list of new features in Clip Studio Paint 4.0 in Celsyss release announcementHave your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we dont post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.Latest NewsTutorial: Creating a Swamp & Mud Monster in HoudiniCreate a creature, environment and FX simulation entirely in Houdini with The Gnomon Workshop's beginner-friendly new tutorial.Sunday, January 5th, 2025Celsys unveils Clip Studio Paint 4Check out the new features in the digital painting software for comics, illustrations and concept art, including updates to the 3D toolset.Friday, January 3rd, 2025Get 95 free modular village assets for Unreal EngineGet Scale XYZ's Pirate Stilt Village Island Modular Pack of 3D buildings, props and trees for free for two weeks on the Fab marketplace.Thursday, January 2nd, 2025The Pixel Farm releases PFTrack 24.12.19Update to the match-moving software 'completely overhauls' the scene-reconstruction toolset. Check out its new AI-powered features.Monday, December 30th, 2024Get unusual iOS digital painting app Flame Painter for freeFull version of Escape Motions' iPad and iPhone app for painting images using particle brushes is now free, as is mandala-creation app Inspirit.Saturday, December 28th, 2024Faceform releases Wrap 2024.11 and Wrap4D 2024.11Check out the new features in the topology transfer tools for creating digital doubles and blendshapes from 3D scans of actors.Friday, December 27th, 2024More NewsDreamWorks Animation releases MoonRay 1.7Sparseal releases Uniform 1.3Happy holidays to all CG Channel readers!Tutorial: Introduction to Marvelous DesignerBlack Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday 2024 deals for CG artistsRandomControl releases Maverick Indie and Maverick Studio 2024Pilgway releases 3DCoat 2024.30Terragen Sky now lets you paint clouds into the sky directlyPlanetside Software releases Terragen 4.8Photoshop users can now create filters in Substance 3D DesignerPixar releases RenderMan 26.3Create game characters with CC Auto Setup for 3ds Max and V-RayOlder Posts

The construction of the Golden Gate Bridge was an immense project with an immense cost. George Rinhart / Corbis via Getty ImagesToday, San Franciscos Golden Gate Bridge may be the worlds most photographed. Upon its completion, it became Earths longest suspension bridge and the Bay Areas most famous attraction.But in the early 20th century, it was just an impossible dreamand when construction workers broke ground on January 5, 1933, work started inauspiciously as they began moving three million cubic feet of dirt.The idea for a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait, where the Pacific Ocean flows into the bay in Northern California, was first floated in 1872 by railroad mogul Charles Crocker. But most dismissed Crockers idea. A bridge stretching almost two miles across open ocean? Unfeasible.Nearly five decades later, in 1916, San Francisco engineer James H. Wilkins re-proposed the bridge, and by 1919, officials tasked city engineer Michael M. OShaughnessy with exploring the idea. When OShaughnessy consulted with engineers from across the country, most estimated such a project would cost more than $100 million, if it could be done at all.One engineer, though, believed in the project from the start: Joseph B. Strauss, who told OShaughnessy it could be built for around $27 million.Strauss original design was a dud, so he recruited other players who steered the project onto a successful course. Charles Ellis, an Illinois engineer, and Leon Moisseiff, designer of New York Citys Manhattan Bridge, drew up a new, $35 million plan. Architect Irving Morrow contributed the Gates famous aesthetics, like its Art Deco lines, dramatic lighting and iconic reddish colorcalled industry orange.Construction began in January 1933. In 1934, the north tower was raised, and in 1935, the south pier. By 1936, workers had built a precarious catwalk between them so they could build suspension cables in situ.Facing Pacific winds atop the towers, workers insulated their jackets with crumpled newspaper. You put all the clothes on you had and worked, worked hard, or youd freeze, worker Martin Adams told KQED. He called the Golden Gate Strait the coldest place Ive ever worked.Still, it was the 1930sthe middle of the Great Depressionand people were desperate for work. Hopeful men lined up, waiting for construction jobs that would open when laborers inevitably died on the job.Loss of life was expected with big projects like this one, but Strauss took a special interest in protecting the bridges builders. Workers wore special hard hats and glare-free goggles, and Strauss insisted on an unheard-of construction feature: a $130,000 safety net. It ended up catching 19 men, who called themselves the Halfway to Hell Club. But it didnt catch all who fell.On February 17, 1936, construction workers were tasked with removing wooden scaffolding, working from a temporary catwalk. Adams watched as the catwalk broke away, ripped through the safety net and fell into the ocean, taking 12 men with it220 feet down.The only thing that went through my mind was survival, said Slim Lambert, one of the falling men. I knew that to have a prayer, I had to hit the water feet first.When Lambert plunged into the Pacific, his legs became tangled in the sinking net. He was pulled so deep that his ears bled before he untangled himself and swam to the surface. He and two others were plucked from the waves by a crab fisherman, but only Lambert and colleague Oscar Osberg survived.Construction continued. By May 1936, the cable compression was finished, In November, two main span sections were joined, marked by a blessing with holy water. In the first half of 1937, the roadway was paved.Finally, on the morning of May 27, 1937, 18,000 people gathered on each side of the finished Golden Gate Bridge as it opened to pedestrians. San Franciscans had fun with it, marking historic firsts: The San Francisco Chronicle recorded the first person to walk across the bridge on stilts, pushing a stroller, on roller skates, on a unicycle and while playing a tuba. A weeks worth of celebrations became known as the Golden Gate Bridge Fiesta.The bridge has since become a symbol of architectural ingenuity and Bay Area style. After all, its construction was championed by citizens who voted to spend a fortune building a structure once deemed impossible in a time of economic strife.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: California, Labor History, On This Day in History, San Francisco

New year, new housing market? Not exactly.In early 2025, affordability remains a major challenge for prospective homebuyers, with rates and listing prices proving to be sticky, said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage kicked off 2025 near 7%, just above where it was last January."Several key factors can cause mortgage rates to rise or fall," said Valerie Saunders, chief executive strategist at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. The mortgage market is deeply impacted by inflation, Federal Reserve policies, bond prices, GDP growth and employment figures, to name a few.Based on current economic conditions, a significant drop in mortgage rates before the spring home-buying season is unlikely, according to Saunders.Moreover, given recent strong economic data and speculation that President-elect Donald Trump's tax, immigration and tariff proposals will reignite inflation, the Fed is projecting a far slower pace of interest rate cuts by the agency in 2025.With so much uncertainty, the only sure thing is that mortgage rate forecasts always change. "Buyers shouldn't worry about timing the mortgage rate market, and instead should focus on finding a home that meets their budget and making as big of a down payment as possible," said Berner.Read more: 2025 Mortgage Rate ForecastWhere will mortgage rates go in 2025?Aside from typical day-to-day fluctuations, mortgage rates are expected to stay above 6.5% for the next few months. If inflation continues to cool and the Fed is able to carry out its projected two 0.25% cuts, mortgage rates could inch down closer to 6.25% later in the year.Today's rates seem high compared with the recent 2% rates of the pandemic era. But experts say getting below 3% on a 30-year fixed mortgage is unlikely without a severe economic downturn. Since the 1970s, the average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has been around 7%.Only a sudden economic shock, such as the onset of a recession or spike in oil prices, could cause mortgage rates to plunge, said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of mortgage site HSH.com. "Drastic changes in direction are usually the result of some emerging significant event somewhere that upends financial markets." What will affect mortgage rates in the near term?The biggest wild card for mortgage rates is the new administration's economic policies. Trump's proposals for tax cuts and tariffs could stimulate demand, increase deficits and cause inflation to soar again. Mortgage rates are highly sensitive to inflation."Tax cuts, tariffs and mass deportations are all inflationary measures that would indirectly pull mortgage rates up while directly pushing up the cost of home construction and purchase," said Berner. If these policies are implemented quicker than markets expect, it could result in an equally fast surge in mortgage rates, Berner said.Higher inflation would also prompt the Fed to delay future rate reductions. Though the Fed influences the direction of overall borrowing rates, it doesn't directly control the mortgage market.Still, investors care about the Fed's future outlook for rate adjustments because it determines their trading strategy and risk assessment. That's why market forces often move in anticipation of the Fed's policy moves.Average 30-year fixed mortgage rates closely track bond yields, specifically 10-year Treasury yields. If the expectation is for unemployment to increase, bond yields and mortgage rates will fall. But if the outcome doesn't match market expectations, yields can quickly swing higher or lower.Mortgage rates are also impacted by geopolitical events, including military conflicts and elections. Political instability can lead to economic uncertainty, which can result in more volatility with bond yields and mortgage rates.Bond market investors would have to be convinced that the economy is cooling for mortgage rates to reverse course. That's why, absent a fresh downshift in the inflation trend or a sudden weakening of labor conditions, mortgage rates will remain close to 7% for a while, said Gumbinger.What is impacting the housing market in 2025?Today's unaffordable housing market results from high mortgage rates, a long-standing housing shortage, expensive home prices and a loss of purchasing power due to inflation. Low housing inventory: A balanced housing market typically has five to six months of supply. Most markets today average around half that amount. According to Freddie Mac, we still have a shortage of around 3.7 million homes. Elevated mortgage rates:In early 2022, mortgage rates hit historic lows of around 3%. As inflation surged and the Fed hiked interest rates to tame it, mortgage rates more than doubled. In 2025, mortgage rates are still high, pricing millions of prospective buyers out of the housing market. Rate-lock effect:Since the majority of homeowners are locked into mortgage rates below 5%, they're reluctant to give up their low mortgage rates and have little incentive to list their homes for sale, leaving a dearth of resale inventory. High home prices:Although home buying demand has been limited in recent years, home prices remain high because of a lack of inventory. The median US home price was $429,963 in November, up 5.4% on an annual basis, according to Redfin. Steep inflation:Inflation means an increase in the cost of basic goods and services, reducing purchasing power. It also impacts mortgage rates: When inflation is high, lenders typically raise interest rates on consumer loans to ensure a profit. Is it better to wait or buy?It's never a good idea to rush intobuying a homewithout knowing what you can afford, so establish a clear home-buying budget. Here's what experts recommend before purchasing a home: Build your credit score. Your credit score will help determine whether you qualify for a mortgage and at what interest rate. A credit score of 740 or higher will help you qualify for a lower rate. Save for a bigger down payment.A larger down payment allows you to take out a smaller mortgage and get a lower interest rate from your lender. If you can afford it, a down payment of at least 20% will also eliminate private mortgage insurance. Shop for mortgage lenders.Comparing loan offers from multiple mortgage lenders can help you negotiate a better rate. Experts recommend getting at least two to three loan estimates from different lenders. Consider renting.Choosing to rent or buy a home isn't just comparing monthly rent to a mortgage payment. Renting offers flexibility and lower upfront costs, but buying allows you to build wealth and have more control over your housing costs. Consider mortgage points.You can get a lower mortgage rate by buying mortgage points, with each point costing 1% of the total loan amount. One mortgage point equals a 0.25% decrease in your mortgage rate.More on today's housing market