How to Modernize the Layout of Your Home

For years, homebuyers sought homes with wide open spaces, with the kitchen competing for attention with the huge, two-story great room. Meg White, a writer for Realtor Magazine, says that's not the situation anymore. Today's homebuyers want to see carved out spaces with designated uses. As for the competition between the great room and the kitchen, these two areas have combined to comprise the main living space of a home. But the contemporary great room doesn't feature a soaring ceiling anymore--it's much more intimate with 10 foot ceilings. Furthermore, buyers don't want to walk right into their main living space, which then gets cluttered with the day's mail, the kid's homework, and car keys. New homes often feature distinct entryways that contain a "drop zone" to help people keep their homes clean and organized. Lastly, the master suite has gained more importance in recent years. Master fireplaces are on the rise, and home builders are conscious to create spaces that work for couples on different sleep schedules.

Does this not sound like your home? There's a few ways to modernize the flow of your house without tearing down walls or adding on rooms. To make the entryway more prominent, add a small table with a drawer, a mail organizer, key hooks, and a charging station. This can serve as your "drop zone." If you have a vast open space for your great room, consider creating nooks and crannies with specific purposes. Perhaps you could make a corner of the room a "homework space" by placing a desk in it. Both of these alterations will help keep your main living space livable--that is, not overwhelmed by everyday clutter. As for the master suite, it often pays off to moderately update your master bath. Funds used to add onto and improve mid-range bathrooms yield a better return on investment than higher-end projects. If you'd like to upgrade bathroom countertops without spending too much money on granite or marble, a mosaic of colored tiles may be the way to go.

For more information, view the original article here.

Contact me if you're interested in updating and staging your home to sell-when I list homes, I stage them for free!

Six Essentials to Consider When Buying a Home

With millions of new builds and many more resales each year, buyers have a huge array of options when looking for a home. There are many differences between buying a new home versus a "used" one. And it's not a decision to take lightly--for most of us, real estate is our biggest asset. So how do you decide which home is right for you? Consider these key features:

1. Location. Location, including the lot, neighborhood, and proximity to desired places, is traditionally the most important factor of home-buying. Do you want to be more towards the suburbs or city center? Older neighborhoods are more likely to be close to the center core and, with their mature landscaping, can create a stronger sense of community. You also want to make sure that an area is safe--drive through the neighborhood at night to see how well lit it is, and whether people are out jogging, walking their dogs, etc. The police station can give you information regarding crime rates. 

2. Price & Taxes. You want to feel good about buying your home, which can be accomplished by spending less than your maximum budget. Spending all your money on a home can make you "house poor," meaning you have insufficient savings to maintain your lifestyle (for example, travel and take vacations). Used homes tend to be less expensive than new builds. Remember that the asking price is always negotiable, and also that there are many additional expenses that accompany home ownership.  Taxes vary based on municipality and school district. Many older households aren't required to pay for local bonds associated with new development (for example, schools and parks). It's best to research taxes before you decide to put an offer on a home. 

3. Maintenance & Repair. Get a home inspection when buying a lived-in home, as the home likely will show signs of use. Check the status of all major working systems, such as electrical and plumbing systems. If something needs to be repaired or replaced, this should be considered when pricing the home. You can also use repairs as a negotiating tool ("contingent upon the fixing of..."). You may face some small, DYI projects. If you're up for this, a used home may be right up your alley. If you want a home that's 100% turn key, a new build may be the way to go. It's virtually the only way to eliminate the natural wear and tear an older home undergoes. 

4. Layout. Older homes have a more traditional floor plan, often with formal living and dining rooms. They also may be more closed off. The 5-level split is a popular floor plan for new construction, and oversized family rooms that open to the kitchen are also modern and common. Layout is important because it's hard to change--you may be able to knock down a wall or two, but it's a major renovation that's much more complicated than switching gold cabinet pulls with bronze ones. Function runs right alongside layout. Older homes can be functionally obsolete--they have minimal closet and garage space, for example. When searching for a new home, ask yourself how well the space is used to suit your needs. 

5. Features. Older homes, especially former model homes and custom built homes, tend to have more special features, or character, than new builds. This could be in the form of built-ins, security systems, landscape, etc. Again, ask yourself how important these features are, and if you are willing to compensate for missing essentials. If you love gardening and spending time outdoors, it may be no big deal that your home comes with little to no landscaping. 

6. Resale Value. In terms of resale value, older homes are safest because you can track how much they have appreciated or depreciated over the years. Even though this is a rough measurement, it gives you some idea of resale value. Whether or not you have kids, homes in good school districts often have good resale value. It's good to keep resale value in mind even after you buy a home, especially if you customize or renovate  the home in some major way. Try to put money into the home that you can reasonably expect to get out of it.  Kitchens and bathrooms have good returns on investment, while adding a pool can actually hurt sellers. 

Still not sure whether you'd prefer a new build or resale? Click here for a more thorough explanation of key differences between the two, or contact me for help.