Exterior Home Design Trends for 2023

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Exterior Design Trends

If you’re considering re-doing your home’s exterior, several trends will be coming around in 2023. Here’s what you need to know:

Paint Color
The paint color you choose for your home’s exterior is one of your most important decisions. Not only does it help your home stand out, but it also helps define the mood you want to set with your design. This year, we’re seeing a trend toward earthy browns and other warm neutrals that mimic the colors found in clay, soil, or stone.

Entry
The front door is a critical element of any design, and the trend for 2023 will be to keep it simple. The most popular color for a modern exterior house door is white, but you can opt for a lighter or darker shade depending on your personal preferences and the style of your home.

Porch
Many home buyers prefer to have a porch as part of their property. It’s an intelligent way to extend the living space of your home without breaking the bank, and it gives you more options for entertaining family and friends outside.

Materials
Natural stone, like granite, limestone, travertine, and slate, is another trending material for exterior home design. This is one of the most durable and affordable building materials available, and it adds a rustic yet timeless appeal to any home.

Brick is another common building material, and it’s a favorite of builders because it’s incredibly durable. It’s also an excellent choice for cladding a home, offering an elegant and timeless appeal.

Textures
Another big home design trend this year is to create a layered look with varying textures on your home’s facade. In the past, this was typically done through textured concrete or poured-in-place brick, but now homeowners are adding a variety of materials for texture to their homes, including wood.

Cottagecore
Inspired by idealized rural living, cottage-core incorporates a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle into its designs. This design style features natural and neutral colors, reclaimed furniture, and other antique and vintage elements.

Indoor Outdoor Flow
Blending the inside and the outside of your home has always been a hot trend in interior design. With this in mind, we’re seeing more and more homeowners turning their backyards into spaces perfect for entertaining and relaxing outdoors.

Windows and Doors
This year, we also see a growing interest in using new and updated windows on exterior home designs. Often used with siding and cladding, new windows provide an airy feel to any room inside the house while creating a brighter outside space.

How Road Types Can Make or Break the Value of Your Home

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Roads Can Be A Factor In The Value of Your Home

Real estate is an industry that thrives on the mantra, “Location, location, location.” When buying or selling a home, the surroundings play a pivotal role in determining its value. One key factor that significantly impacts the value of a property is the type of roads in the vicinity. This article will explore how various road types can make or break your home’s value.

1. Quiet Residential Streets
A home on a quiet residential street often enjoys increased value, as these streets provide a peaceful and secure environment. The lack of heavy traffic and noise pollution creates a family-friendly atmosphere, particularly appealing to homebuyers with young children. Additionally, quiet streets typically foster a stronger sense of community, as neighbors interact more frequently due to the lower traffic volume.

2. Cul-de-Sacs
Cul-de-sacs, or dead-end streets, are also popular among homebuyers, as they offer privacy and safety that is difficult to find on busier roads. Due to their closed-loop design, cul-de-sacs discourage traffic, resulting in a quieter and more secure environment. This makes homes in these areas particularly desirable, increasing their value.

3. Busy Main Roads
Homes located on busy main roads tend to experience a dip in value due to several factors. The constant noise and air pollution from passing vehicles can significantly impact the quality of life for residents. Moreover, safety concerns may make these properties less appealing to families with young children. However, for some buyers, the convenience of being close to amenities, public transportation, and significant thoroughfares may outweigh the negatives, making these homes an attractive option.

4. Private Roads
A home on a private road can enjoy both increased value and exclusivity. Homeowners typically maintain these roads, offering greater control over road conditions and appearance. The added privacy, limited traffic, and sense of community can make homes on private streets highly desirable. However, potential buyers should be aware that they may be responsible for additional maintenance costs and that access to emergency services could be limited.

5. Highways and Freeways
Proximity to highways and freeways can be a double-edged sword for property values. On the one hand, easy access to major transportation routes can be a selling point for commuters, making these homes more desirable. On the other hand, noise and air pollution from traffic, as well as safety concerns, can negatively impact the value of a property. Overall, the effect on value will depend on the specific location and the preferences of potential buyers.

The type of road your home is located on can significantly impact its value. Quiet residential streets and cul-de-sacs generally contribute to higher property values, while busy main roads and highways can have a negative effect. Private roads offer unique benefits and drawbacks that may appeal to specific buyers. When searching for a new home or selling your current property, it is crucial to consider the road type and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of your specific situation. By doing so, you can make an informed decision that ultimately benefits your long-term investment.

Why Is A House, Considered, REAL Estate?

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Why a house is Real Estate

Although we often refer to the dream of owning a home of one’s own, many of us fail to consider what doing so entirely means and represents to you, personally, rather than what others prioritize and seem to care about. One fact, which should be necessary, is that a house is one meaningful form of owning and possessing real estate, which is why this experience is REAL. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly review, consider, and explain, using the mnemonic approach, what this means and represents, and why it matters.

1. Relevant; responsibility; responds; region; research; real estate: Why do we call it real estate? Of course, it is tangible, viable, and valuable, but unless it becomes genuinely relevant to you and your needs or lifestyle, it isn’t necessarily suitable for you. Are you ready, willing, and able to take the responsibility of home ownership? How does, doing so respond to you? Why do you wish to live in this region, neighborhood, area, and block? Have you done your research to make the best decisions for you?

2. Empathy; emphasis; enrich; examine: Look objectively and introspectively to have as much understanding about you as you realize; you need empathy when others are involved. Will your primary emphasis be keeping up with the Joneses, behaving responsibly, and doing what’s best for you in the long run? Will home ownership enrich your life experiences, and will you thoroughly examine and consider your best options and alternatives?

3. Attitude; attention; aspirations; actions: Closely examine your attitude and how the stresses and strains of home ownership will impact you? Are you capable of fully paying attention to the necessary details and responsibilities, and will it meet and exceed your aspirations? What actions are you willing to take, to become a happy real estate owner?

4. Listen; learn; limitations; learning: Can you objectively consider your limits, financially and emotionally, and is it right for you? Will you consistently know from what others have experienced and discovered to make the best decisions? Real estate becomes natural only when you recognize the risks and rewards!

Savvy home buyers proceed carefully and with their eyes open to make the right decisions and ensure pleasure rather than regret. Are you prepared to be disciplined?

Home Remodeling – Which Rooms To Remodel To Sell Your House Quickly

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Remodeling to get more for your home

Many people take advantage of home remodeling to increase their home value. Thanks to their home remodeling achievements, they often sell their property quicker and at a higher price. You can earn $2-3 on every $1 you spend. That means remodeling your home can earn you money. Most people aren’t sure where to start with their home remodeling project. The two most popular areas to increase home value via remodeling are:


Kitchen Remodeling
Bathroom Remodeling
The wonderful thing about these two areas of home remodeling is they aren’t huge. Unlike opening a den where you need to remove walls, a bathroom or kitchen remodeling project is done on a smaller scale. As a result, you don’t have to spend nearly as much money on your home remodeling project to make your house look fresh and new.

But let’s discuss some specific projects that will increase your home value in these two areas.

Kitchen Remodeling

If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen, an excellent place to start is with the cabinets. That’s because they’re one of the first focal points you notice when entering any kitchen. A fresh coat of paint on any exposed walls also helps. Not only will the room smell fresher, but it will also look new. Other items on your to-do list can include:

New Appliances
Stainless Steel Sinks
New Counter Tops
New Tiles or Backsplashes
Hardwood or Laminate Flooring
Kitchen remodeling can include new furniture, such as breakfast nook tables and chairs, island carts, or barstools. You don’t need to spend a small fortune on your kitchen remodeling project. It just needs to appear visually appealing to potential buyers.

Remember, the newer your home appears, the sooner you’ll sell it at the price you want. Remodeling your kitchen is a cost-effective way of doing just that.

Bathroom Remodeling

Much like kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling also increases your home value. Better yet, the bathroom is even smaller than the kitchen…at least in most homes. So if you’ve considered remodeling your bathroom to earn more on a home sale, don’t forget the following areas to update:

Cabinets
Counter Tops and Vanities
Sinks
Flooring and Tile
Tubs and Showers
Home Remodeling Cuts Taxes
Another fact that many people don’t realize is there can be an additional benefit to home remodeling when tax time comes. Here’s how it works:

When you earn money on the sale of a home, you’re charged a capital gains tax. What that means is any money you make over the value of a home can be taxed. However, according to the IRS’s Publication 523, Selling Your Home, you can declare specific improvements you made to a home, like kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling. This can also include items such as:

Additions include bedrooms, bathrooms, decks, garages, porches, or patios.
New plumbing or wiring.
Any new heating and air conditioning units.
Interior upgrades such as built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpeting.
Exterior upgrades like paving the driveway.
Any tax-acceptable improvements add value to your home and prolong your home’s useful life, according to the IRS, not you. So check with your accountant, who knows IRS tax law, to make sure any home remodeling you do will be covered. In addition, be sure you save receipts, so you have proof of cost.

Where To Look For Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Products and Services

If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, it’s probably best to get quotes from home improvement contractors to help you with your remodeling project. Most of the products needed for your project can be found in various retail outlets or home improvement stores. However, you can likely save the most money by buying discount home remodeling products direct from the manufacturer.

Remember, not only will remodeling your home make it more livable and enjoyable for you, but any renovations you make will increase its sale price…and maybe save you money come tax time too.

Tips to Get Ready For Your House Valuation

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Ready For House Valuation?

Taking the proper steps to prepare for your home valuation will make the process easy for the valuation expert and yourself. In this article, we will give you a few tips that can help you prepare for your home valuation.

It is a great idea to clean, declutter and repair your home before the valuation begins. A little dust here and there won’t be a problem, but a lot of clutter scattered around your house will create a wrong impression. Therefore, you may want to make your home as tidy as possible. Read on.

Key areas to focus on:

Mow your lawn and clean it
Clean your kitchen and bathroom areas
Sweep and vacuum
Remove the rubbish
You should have at least five photos of your house in your valuation report. Typically, it would be best to take pictures of your home’s pool areas, backyard, bathrooms, kitchen, and front. Therefore, these areas should be clean and tidy.

Provide Access

Make sure each of your rooms is accessible. You can boost the process by providing easy access to all the rooms. The reason is that the valuer will need to measure your house.

Provide Documentation

Before the valuation day, you may want to provide the valuation expert with a printed or digital copy of the building plans. This way, you can speed up the process until the valuation is complete. You may also provide other documents that the valuation expert may ask for.

Provide Additional Information

If you know the value of other similar houses in your neighborhood, let the valuer know about it. You can also provide evidence of this, such as the contact details of a real estate agent or sales figures.

Don’t Miss Anything

If your house has a few difficult-to-see features, you can inform the professional. For example, if you have done a renovation lately, you may want to let the valuation expert see the cost of it.

Be Realistic and honest.

Make sure you are honest with the valuer. Expert valuers can determine your property value. Therefore, you don’t need to exaggerate as it will be useless. The valuer’s job is to assess the value of your property based on the market value and selling price of similar houses in your neighborhood.

Keep your Dogs at your House!

Before the valuation, you don’t need to leave your dog at your friend’s house. The valuation expert doesn’t mind seeing pets in your house.

Valuation Time

Usually, house valuations take about an hour or so for most properties. However, if you have a large property, it may take longer.

The Takeaway

After the valuation, the expert will need a few days to research and assess based on many factors. Therefore, ensure your property is in excellent condition before the valuation begins.

Is It Your Right HOME

Is It Your Right HOME?

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Are You In The Right Place?

Since, for most of us, the financial value of one’s house represents our single-biggest financial/ monetary asset, doesn’t it make sense to have a method/ technique to ensure you proceed as wisely as possible and consider a wide variety of suitable options and alternatives? Qualified, severe, and potential home buyers should consider if the distinct possibility is the right HOME for them. How can one do so thoroughly and carefully in a focused way? With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means, and represents and why it’s wise to undergo as effectively as possible.

1. House; head/ heart; heating: What are a particular house’s strengths and weaknesses? How are the systems, and will they serve your needs? For example, is the heating system effective and efficient, and what might be the possibilities for addressing any relevant conditions? Are you ready, willing, and able to use your finest logical and emotional components in a head/ heart balance in considering whether it’s the right house for you and your present and foreseeable future needs and priorities? Can you comfortably afford this particular place, both upfront and monthly?

2. Options; opportunities: Far too often, home buyers rely too heavily on their perceptions and are repeatedly misled by professional staging, curb appeal, etc. When seeking your next home, examine whether it offers future opportunities that enhance and improve the house’s bones. What specific options are most appealing to you, and why?

3. Motivate; measure; meet; needs: Examine, in advance, whether you are faithful or in love with specific furniture and furnishings, and consider how well they might fit into a potential property. Know the measurements and specifications of these items, and measure whether they’ll work in the new location. What about any home motivates you? How might it best meet your needs and serve you effectively?

4. Enrich; experience; energy; earn: If your house fails to enrich your experiences and happiness/ enjoyment, it won’t make your consideration. Whether you afford the costs associated with home ownership directly relates to whether you benefit and be happy/ comfortable. Many overlook the related energy costs, a significant component of a homeowner’s monthly expenses.

What might make a particular HOME the right one for you? Know yourself, your finances, needs, goals, and priorities, and proceed with common sense!

A SMART Approach To Real Estate

A SMART Approach To Real Estate

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Smart Real Estate

There are so many aspects, contingencies, scenarios, and differences in real estate that it serves little sense to seek some overly simplistic approach. Instead, looking at the bigger picture and proceeding with a SMART way/ method makes more sense. Some considerations should include the current economic state and the foreseeable future; consumer confidence; specific personal needs; present finances; personal comfort zone; future financial possibilities; region/ area/ neighborhood. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, review, examine, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, why this matters and why it is the wisest possible approach.

1. Systems; sustainable; strengths; solutions; sense: When considering houses. it is wise to avoid following any emotional first – look, but take the time, and make an effort to consider, all the specific house’s systems and see which might best serve your needs. Consider what you believe the future may offer, and select a sustainable place. Know, identify, and consider every property’s strengths and weaknesses, and determine which makes the most sense in the long run and has the finest solutions for your needs.

2. Money, motivating, meaningful: Begin by giving yourself a check-up from the neck-up and in a reflective, objective manner, and knowing if you can afford the up-front money and the future financial responsibilities of home ownership, your home must be personally motivating because, for most of us, the economic value of a house represents our single-biggest financial asset. Make the finest, most meaningful, personal, and well-considered decision.

3. Attitude; attention; aptitude; actions: Focus on why and how you can, instead of cannot. Proceed with a genuine, positive, can-do attitude and keenly consider your options. Learn as much as possible so you are prepared and develop the most relevant skill – set and aptitude. Proceed with taking personal charge of your life, and take the actions needed and necessary.

4. Relevant; responsibility/ responsible/ responsive; realistic: Know your individual needs and requirements, and consider your quest in relevant terms. Take the personal responsibility to take accountable measures responsive to your present and future needs in a realistic manner.

5. Trends; time-tested; timely; trust: Trust your little – voice, and know which trends best fit you. Learn the time-tested, industry-related information, and avoid procrastinating and proceeding promptly.

Be your best friend, and use a SMART approach to real estate. Are you prepared?

What is the Decorating Trend for 2023

What is the Decorating Trend for 2023?

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Decorating Trends 2023

The decorating trend for 2023 will likely include the return of bold color, natural stone surfaces, closed floor plans, mixed metal finishes, luxe living, statement lighting, and 60s and 70s influences. Whether you’re redecorating or renovating your home in the coming year, these trends will help you spaces create timeless and beautiful rooms.

Bold Colors
Viva Magenta, Pantone’s color of the year for 2023, will be famous in fashion and interior design. It is also a good choice for a bedroom or bathroom because it can warm the space and make you feel more relaxed.

Sage Green
Another popular calming and relaxing color is sage green, a shade often found in wood tones or brass fixtures. It is an excellent option for bathrooms and bedrooms because it can help you to relax and unwind, which makes it a perfect choice for anyone who wants to feel calmer in their space.

Natural Stone Surfaces
The return of natural stone surfaces is a big trend for 2023, according to Sydney Markus, an interior designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build. She suggests pairing it with a warm neutral, like tan or brown. This option suits bathrooms and kitchens because it is durable, easy to clean, and offers a beautiful, organic touch.

Closed Floor Plans
The trend for closed floor plans will continue to be big in 2023, says Krisha Salud, director of design at StudioLAB. This is because many homeowners are looking for a connection to the outdoors, and closing off space can be a way to achieve that. She recommends using sliding glass doors to connect indoor and outdoor spaces and adding large windows to maximize views.

Mixed Metal Finishes
One of the hottest decorating trends for 2023 is mixing metal finishes, including brass and iron, in furniture and decor pieces. Adding these finishes to smaller accent pieces is a good idea to avoid them feeling too busy or overwhelming.

Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a popular and inexpensive way to add storage to a room. They are also easy to move and can be used in various ways. However, floating shelves are not an excellent long-term solution for your home because they can quickly become cluttered and look outdated when you’re ready to replace them.

Luxe Living
The newest decorating trends for 2023 are all about luxurious looks and sumptuous fabrics. This is especially true in the bedroom, where you can use a soft bed to create a serene space that will be a restful place to sleep every night.

Statement Lighting
Whether you choose to have one piece of artwork or several, statement lighting is an essential decorating trend for 2023. It is an easy way to create the perfect mood in any room and can be used in various ways, from highlighting a focal point to making sense of intimacy.

How Do You Know Your Home's VALUE

How Do You Know Your Home’s VALUE?

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Your Home's Value

Many homeowners, potential qualified buyers, believe they know what a particular house is worth, but often, they either over or underestimate its actual value. Homeowners seeking to sell their homes need an accurate idea to ensure it’s priced right from the start. Those considering selling should also gain this knowledge, to be specific. They are not overpaying their real estate taxes. Wouldn’t it also make sense for potential, qualified buyers to know this, so they understand their options within their price range? Instead of trying to fake – it, it’s wise to be sure. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, review, and discuss what this means and represents, using the mnemonic approach, and why it’s an important matter to feel.


1. Virtues; viable; views/ viewings: Know the strengths and weaknesses of the house, property, and location and realize which virtues and liabilities might impact the value. You need a realistic, viable approach and solution, so you better learn if your views align with others! In real estate transactions, you must get quality, qualified viewings, or even the best property won’t sell!

2. Area; analysis; attitude: Let your attitude be supportive and helpful rather than getting in the way of your best possibilities! Does the area make the place more or less attractive to others? Instead of guessing, proceed, with the necessary analysis, based on a professionally designed Competitive Market Analysis, or CMA.

3. Learning; listening; listing price: Gain knowledge and commit to learning as many factors as possible that affect real estate values! Effectively listen to the professional real estate agent you hire, and begin by offering it at the most appropriate listing price.

4. Unique; usual/ unusual: What are the unique features or characteristics of a specific property and house make it more or less valuable? A desirable location, pristine overall property, and room layout/ size might add value, while particular areas, small rooms, or strange-shaped property might diminish it! Fully consider both the usual and unique advantages and disadvantages in a well-considered manner.

5. Excellence; emphasis; energy: Is the house energy-efficient, and does it take advantage of specific trends? Will you place your focus on introducing the best approaches and maximizing excellence?

An intelligent approach is to know the actual value realistically. How will you consider these considerations?

How Are Flexible Short-Term Home Rentals Changing the Face of Hospitality

How Are Flexible Short-Term Home Rentals Changing the Face of Hospitality?

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Short-Term Short-Term Home RentalsHome Rentals

Travelers have, over the years, been conditioned to accept terms and staid rules that lack imagination. Innovation has sparked and transformed industries and sectors globally, and it was only natural that the clouds of change would eventually loom over the hospitality sector. Reputed agencies have offered innovative services destined to change the landscape of tourism and accommodation forever. Short stays were generally unheard of in hospitality and accommodation. Well, the rules have been redefined. Tourists can stay as fast as eight to twelve hours, offering incredible savings in one go. Here is a look at this bright prospect in hospitality.

Grab your forty winks without paying more.
Accommodation from mid-morning to sundown is probably the first time you have heard of this option. Incredible as it sounds, it is one of the most practical and economical solutions for many occupants. Having to pay for unoccupied periods is a waste of earnings. The cost of overheads or the need to pocket decent profits may have been the reason behind the logic of fixed times or whole check-ins and check-outs. However, with vacation rental agencies that operate on slender margins with direct contacts among prescreened homes, the concept is changing with positive results.

Hit the bed and spare your pocket.
Many travelers may fly into destinations in the mornings and spend the day sightseeing before retiring for the night at hotels or resorts, intending to fly back the next day. Such travelers end up paying for a full day, despite using the place for less than half a day. Flexible short-term homestays have emerged as options that have changed the playing arena, reducing costs and permitting travelers to enjoy full benefits. Flexible options are the perfect complement to beautiful locations. A scenic area or a hustling business district may attract many business travelers or tourists. However, the lack of flexibility may sometimes force travelers to look for other options.

Extensive network, reputation, and patronage
Reputed vacation rental service providers enjoy the patronage of a large number of owners of properties. This extensive network of properties offers aggregators and specialist service providers multiple options for extending to visitors. Reputations matter the most in the hospitality sector¿flexibility, integrity, and honoring terms of occupancy. Hyperbole sometimes dents the image of the hospitality sector with tall claims. Reputed vacation rental service providers offer visitors the option of walking through the locations available to get a better feel for the actual services.

The shift from dull, plain, and stale to an exciting and innovative choice of stay can shake out the industry and offer the best terms for visitors without bankrupting businesses. As visitors turn tech savvy, demanding better facilities and proof of facilities coupled with competitive and reasonable rates, it is high time innovative concepts that get introduced. This is just the beginning of a slew of visitor-friendly features.