Interior Design April 23, 2022

Most Profitable Home Improvement

And the most profitable home improvement is…🥁🥁🥁
Flooring!
According to the National Association of Realtors, homeowners who refinished or replaced their hardwood floors were able to recoup 147% and 118% of their investment respectively!
Interior Design March 9, 2022

Farmhouse Interior Design

Known for its signature chic comfort, the farmhouse style is a popular method of interior design for homeowners looking to blend elements of modern and traditional design. With a rustic charm at its heart that recalls images of the countryside and wide-open landscapes, the farmhouse style steadily picked up steam in the 2010s and continues to grow in the 2020s. The following information is a guide to understanding the characteristics that make up the farmhouse style and how you can translate them into your home.

What is farmhouse style?

The farmhouse style predominantly uses a white/grey/beige color palette which provides a foundation for complementing elements and brighter colors. Against this clean backdrop, rustic materials can really shine. Exposed wood beams of timber or reclaimed wood, shiplap, and wrought iron are materials typically used help to round out the aesthetic, creating that rural-with-a-touch-of-modern feeling that the farmhouse style is known for. These combinations create a sense of openness and simplicity in the spaces where they’re used. In the kitchen, the farmhouse style feels clean and inviting; in the living room, it beckons members of the household and guests alike to sit back and relax; and in the dining room, it creates the perfect setting for enjoying a meal together.

 

A farmhouse style kitchen with white surfaces, exposed beams, and wood accents.

Image Source: Shutterstock – Image Credit: Breadmaker

 

How to Decorate in a Farmhouse Style

When it comes to furniture, there are specific choices you can make that will help reinforce your personal farmhouse style. Functionality is a core principle of farmhouse design, exemplified by its use of reclaimed and found materials. When looking at furniture, tune your radar to pieces that are simple and functional rather than ornate and complex. Farmhouse’s warmth contrasts the colder feel of minimalism, so when thinking about texture, know that you’re not bound to selecting only the cleanest possible lines—feel free to experiment! With natural elements like stone and wood already providing a varied blend of textures, you can afford to be bold in your choice of throw pillows, blankets, carpeting, and furniture set pieces.

The farmhouse style will give you license to decorate with antiques and vintage materials. Items like armoires, wooden iceboxes, and vanities will find a fitting home among your complementary decorative items. With a prevalence of wood, choose grain patterns and wood tones that complement each other well without clashing. Clutter can get in the way of the coziness that the farmhouse style naturally evokes, so it’s important to keep your main living areas well maintained to truly let your home’s interior design flourish.

With the farmhouse style, it all comes back to comfort. If you’re looking to make the spaces in your home more comfortable, either fully adopting or borrowing from the farmhouse style may be just the ticket. For more helpful tips on home design, read our blog post on how to upgrade your bedroom:

A Guide to Upgrading Your Bedroom

Home Design September 29, 2020

How to Improve your Curb Appeal!

Image Source: Canva

 

When it comes time to sell your home, first impressions are crucial. Improving your curb appeal helps to make the most of a buyer’s first glance and sets the stage for their interest in purchasing your home. The following projects are simple and inexpensive ways to enhance both your home’s first impression and its value.

 

Landscaping

 

  • Lawn: A healthy, well-tended lawn goes a long way towards improving your curb appeal. Clean up all weeds, leaves and debris, and consistently water your lawn to give it that fresh green look. If you live in an arid climate, consider grass alternatives like artificial turf for the best lawn aesthetic.
  • Plant colorfully: Adding color variety to your front yard will grab buyers’ attention. Align smaller plants, like groundcover and flowers, neatly within your flower beds, aiming for symmetry when possible. Use larger plants and trees to frame in your entryway or walkup. If your front yard doesn’t have flower beds, try adding hanging planters or window boxes.
  • Lighting: Landscaping lighting boosts your curb appeal during nighttime, accentuates your shrubbery, and adds a welcoming touch for visitors as potential buyers, lighting the way to your door.

 

Image Source: Canva

 

Porch

Front porches set the stage for all your home has to offer. Improvements here will play a significant role in how comfortable potential buyers feel about the property and how inspired they are to explore the inside of the house.

 

  • Door: Your front door is an opportunity to make a tasteful statement. Look at bold color choices that are within or slightly stretch your home’s exterior color palette. Take time to prepare the surface for a fresh coat of paint to make the color pop as much as possible. Try stylish doorknob options that accentuate the aesthetic to give your door some added flair.
  • House numbers: New and stylish house numbers are an easy, eye-catching touch to the look of your porch. Look for styles that match with your exterior color palette and any exterior lighting fixtures.
  • Go for comfort: Incorporating classic front porch elements like a porch swing, sitting bench, and other outdoor furniture gives a welcoming aura to the front of your home and creates a sense of comfort for prospective buyers.
  • Shutters: Windows are the gateway to the inside of your home. Shutters of delicate fabric will bring elegance to your front porch, while wooden shutters deliver a solid, cozy vibe.

 

Other

These miscellaneous projects will add the finishing touches to your home’s curb appeal and get it in prime selling condition.

 

  • Quick maintenance: Small chores and minor fixes like cleaning gutters, repairing chipped paint, and cleaning windows are important for buyers with a detailed eye.
  • Staining: Instead of replacing fences or garage doors, look into applying a fresh stain. This brings a refreshed look and is much cheaper than a full renovation or replacement.
  • Power wash: Power washing your walkways and driveways makes a significant difference in curb appeal. If buying a power washer is outside your budget, explore rental options from the big-name hardware stores.

If you have particular questions about your property feel free to ask me what you can do to improve your home’s value and curb appeal. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned.

Investors September 29, 2020

Buying a Fixer-Upper

Image Source: Shutterstock

For some home buyers, a fixer-upper is their idea of a dream home. Preparing for the process comes down to creating a plan, knowing what to look for, and understanding what financing options are available.

 

Create a plan 

Fixer-uppers require a future-oriented mindset. Knowing the magnitude of the project you and your household are willing to take on will help dictate your budget and expectations as time goes on. Understand that in addition to the down payment and closing fees, the costs inherent in a fixer-upper purchase have the potential to go over-budget easily. Familiarize yourself with permitting in your area to understand how to navigate any legal roadblocks in the renovation process.

 

What to look for 

Location: Whether you are purchasing a fixer-upper with plans to sell it, rent it out, or live in it, consider its location before purchasing. If you’re planning on selling or renting, location is one of the most important factors to making a return on your investment. And if you’re planning to live in your fixer-upper, keep in mind that location will be a large part of your experience in the home.

Scope of renovation: If you are looking for a smaller scale renovation, look for fixer-uppers that require cosmetic projects like new interior and exterior paint, fresh carpeting and flooring, appliance upgrades, and basic landscaping maintenance. More expensive and involved projects include reroofing, replacing plumbing and sewer lines, replacing HVAC systems, and full-scale room remodels.

Inspections: Beyond a standard home inspection, which covers components of the home like its plumbing and foundation, consider specialized inspections for pests, roof certifications, and engineering reports. This will help differentiate between the property’s minor flaws and critical problems, further informing your decision when it comes time to prepare an offer.

 

Financing options

Renovation loans allow buyers to finance the home and the improvements to the home together. Extra consultations, inspections, and appraisals are often required in the loan process, but they help guide the work—and thereby, added value—of your fixer-upper. Talk with your lender about which option is best for you.

 

  • FHA 203(k): The Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) 203(k) loans can be used for most projects in the process of fixing up a home. In comparison to conventional mortgages, they accept lower incomes and credit scores.
  • VA renovation loan: With this loan, the cost of the improvement projects is combined into the loan amount for the home purchase. Contractors employed in any renovations must be VA-approved, and a construction fee may be charged by the lender.
  • HomeStyle Loan – Fannie Mae: The HomeStyle Renovation Loan can be used by home buyers purchasing a fixer-upper, or by homeowners refinancing their homes to cover the improvements. Funds are distributed directly to contractors via a separate escrow account. This loan also allows for luxury projects, such as pools and landscaping.
  • CHOICERenovation Loan – Freddie Mac: This renovation mortgage is guaranteed by Freddie Mac, allowing projects that bolster a home’s ability to withstand natural disasters.
If you’re interested in buying a fixer upper, just let me know and I’ll be happy to help you understand the process and discuss what makes the most sense for you.