The Appeal of Open Floor Plans

Flip on most any home shopping or design program and you’re likely to hear a similar request – the need for an open floor plan.  What exactly does this mean? Why has it become so popular? Is it here to stay?

Homes are considered to have an open floor plan if the overall layout is spacious and blends several spaces together – typically the living, dining and kitchen areas.

Open floor plans are great for families. They allow for easy opportunities to watch the kids while working in the kitchen and prepping the night’s dinner.  This means more multi-tasking opportunities and less stress wondering what the kids are doing while you aren’t around!

A spacious open layout is great for entertaining and allowing guests to mingle in and out of the living and dining areas.  Guest are encouraged to talk across rooms and spaces with no place to feel left out or overlooked.

Open floor plans allow for more natural light from the windows without being blocked by additional interior walls. This combination makes even a smaller square foot home feel larger.

The trend towards open floor plan designs doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.  Changes in how the family functions, design norms and home construction support the ongoing popularity of open concept homes.  What are your thoughts on open floor plans? Pros, cons?  

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Where to Upgrade Your Home’s Features

Buying a new home allows for a lot of freedom when it comes to personalizing the look and feel of your home.  You can choose to build your home with the standard finishes and options that your builder offers or you may want to add in some upgraded items.

Which upgrades make the most sense?  To answer this question you need to think about two things – home functionality and possible resale value.  Will the upgrade make living in your home more enjoyable? And will it add to the overall value of your home should you choose to sell in the future.

Particularly in the master bathroom – a separate shower and bath are preferred.  A more luxurious shower option such as a tiled stall makes a big impression.

Many homebuyers expect granite countertops in the kitchen and stainless steel appliances.  These features offer both visual appeal and added functionality.

Other popular upgrades include lighting fixtures, stone accents on the exterior of the home and hardwood flooring.

Some options are important to work out in the beginning stages of home design or construction because they affect the layout and build of the home.  Plan in advance if you are interested in a kitchen island, gas fireplace, additional attic space or increased insulation.

What are some of your wish list items you want in a new home? What trends do you think are here to stay?

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Making Use of Your Tax Refund

If you’re fortunate enough to get a tax refund from the government this year – there are many ways you can put it to good use when it comes to buying a new home.  A little planning ahead and you can trade that refund in for a key to your brand new home!

-        Use the refund toward your down payment. Most loans require a 20% down payment to avoid extra points or penalties.

-        Apply it toward closing costs to keep your out of pocket expenses down.

-        Take the refund and fix up part of your current home to make it more appealing to interested buyers. Put it into the big ticket rooms such as the kitchen and master bath.

-        Save it to help cover the cost of moving into your new home – from movers and truck rentals to boxes and pizza for friends who help out on the big day.

-        Put the money towards a home upgrade that you otherwise wouldn’t have had. Think about upgrading your flooring, countertops or appliances.

-        Save it for that new piece of furniture, décor or area rug that will make your new home feel complete!

-        Invest in some landscaping items such as additional plants, flowers or trees. Maybe it’s time to purchase some new yard equipment or a playset for the kids.

However you choose to use it put your tax refund to good use by planning ahead and thinking about your new home goals.  A quick impulse buy may seem fun, but your new home will be a place to make treasured memories for years to come.

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Container Gardening Basics

When you’ve recently moved into a new home there are so many things to think about and set up. From placing furniture to hanging pictures and meeting the neighbors, there might not be time to set up an elaborate garden in time for the Spring planting season.  However, this doesn’t mean you need to forgo the delicious flavors of home grown veggies!  A container garden is a quick and simple set up that allows for fresh produce on a time crunch.

Start with choosing containers – this can be anything from large gardening pots to reusable shopping bags or specially designed fabric garden pots. Use your imagination! A larger container allows for more soil that will be less likely to dry out as quickly as a small pot.

No matter what container you choose there needs to be a way for water to drain out. Otherwise your plants may die. Drill a series of small drainage holes if there are not some already. Put a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the container to prevent the soil from draining out of the holes as well.

Place the containers where you want them and begin adding your soil. A planting mix or houseplant soil is the preferred option over plain garden soil.  Don’t fill the pots too high so that there is room for watering.

Choose what you want to plant and be creative! You can plant several things together or just focus on one large plant.  Here are some crops that do well in containers. (This is just a sample – there are many to choose from!)

-        Basil

-        Tomatoes

-        Squash

-        Strawberries

-        Rosemary

-        Peppers

-        Spinach

-        Cucumbers

-        Lettuce

Water containers thoroughly and don’t allow the soil to dry out.  A top layer of mulch can help keep moisture from evaporating too quickly.  Fertilize container gardens and be sure to prune back plants to keep from overcrowding.

With minimal space and set up you can still enjoy a wonderful summer harvest with container gardens!

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Housing Market Overview

Just a few months into 2018 and the housing market is already heating up.  According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of existing homes are up over 3% and new construction is being purchased almost as soon as construction begins.

The majority of sales were in the South where numbers were up 6.6% according to economists at Reuters.

Homes are not on the market long! In February, the average days on market was 37. Forty-six percent of homes sold last month were on the market for less than 30 days.

The Federal Reserve increased interest rates with an expected two more increases by the end of the year. Buyers looking to enter the market are trying to do so before the other mortgage rate increases.

Inventory remains low with new construction being snapped up quickly! The number of new home starts in February increased dramatically – up from its previous high in 2008.

Tight inventory and increasing interest rates can make the cost of entering the housing market higher.  However buyers with a home to sell are often getting higher prices on their existing properties.  Entering the market before inventory decreases and interest rates rise is a great way to get ahead of higher costs! The time to buy is now!

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803.600.4237

The Basics of Window Treatments

One of the first things you’ll want to do when moving into your new home is putting up window treatments for privacy and décor.

There are many options when it comes to how you dress your windows. Here are just a few you may want to consider.

Blinds:
There are several types of blinds. Some of the most popular are:
Roman Blinds (Or Shades) – A more upscale window dressing made of folds of fabric. Perfect for bedrooms or living rooms.

Wood or Faux-Wood Blinds – Horizontal slats that pull up and down. Great for privacy and light control. Different widths to choose from to create different looks.

Shutters – Interior shutters that fit inside the window frame. Creates a luxurious look with a southern flair! Perfect for dining rooms or kitchens.

Curtains Vs. Drapes
Drapes are similar to curtains but are typically more formal. They are often lined and come with a string or rod pull for easy opening and closing.
Blackout curtains are a great addition to any bedroom – especially kids rooms when daytime naps are still needed.

If you love to DIY your home décor, drop cloths provide a blank canvas for your artistic expression. There are many no-sew tutorials online including this one:
https://www.thedesigntwins.com/how-to-make-no-sew-drop-cloth-curtains/

Whatever you choose – window treatments provide privacy, energy efficiency and style for your new home!

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Spring Lawn Prep

Warmer weather and longer days may be beckoning you back outside after a long winter.  It’s time to start thinking about spring lawn care and how to prepare your yard for the upcoming growing season. Here are a few things you can be doing now to encourage a lush, green lawn.

1.     Though there may not be leaves on the ground this time around, get the rake back out and start raking your lawn again. This will remove any thatch which is dead grass or leaves that may have compacted over the winter.

2.     Now is a good time to put down a weed killer – before the weeds have really had a chance to start growing.

3.     It may be tempting to fertilize as well but don’t start too early. It’s better to wait until April or May for warm season grasses.

4.     Address bare spots in your yard by putting down seed. Be sure to choose the right type of seed for your weather and amount of sunlight. Once the seed is down, water thoroughly to ensure growth.

5.     Time to tune up the lawn mower! Now is the time to clean your lawn mower, sharpen the blades and replace the oil. Having a properly working lawn mower will make the mowing season much easier!

Following these lawn care steps in the Spring will help create a lush and healthy lawn this summer.  For more information consult a local landscaping company with expertise in your local lawn care.

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