Apr 14
Property managers and other commercial real estate pros are increasingly leveraging “scent marketing” to boost a building’s appeal. The rules could even apply to homes. Commercial buildings are turning to the power of smell to enhance the customer or tenant experience, matching an enticing visual space to a pleasant scent. The trend is taking hold …
Apr 13
The business of home staging is under transformation. Though physical staging has long dominated the market, virtual staging is quickly becoming a go-to option, but whether it’s the better option depends on several factors. Key takeaways: When Barb Schwartz introduced the concept of home staging in 1972, inspired by her background in theater, the idea …
Apr 12
Home inspectors say they can spot the work of an amateur versus a pro. Homeowners may have gotten overconfident with their DIY skills. Armed with YouTube tutorials and extra time at home during the pandemic, more homeowners have been drawn to DIY house projects to save money and bypass waits for overbooked contractors. Home inspectors …
Apr 11
Today’s vacation homes require an updated set of features to maintain appeal in a post–COVID-19 world, including space to spread out and top-notch Wi-Fi connectivity Key takeaways: During the second half of 2020 and through 2021, vacation home sales skyrocketed, according to a report from the National Association of REALTORS®. Today, vacation houses provide important …
Apr 11
Presale renovation companies work with real estate professionals to improve a home’s looks in pursuit of turnkey properties that garner top-dollar at resale. First impressions matter in any housing market—but all the more so now that home sales are cooling. So, presale renovations may become more commonplace as home buyers, who are already stretching their …
Apr 10
Green is in when it comes to design, especially amongst the younger buying pool, and staircase gardens provide a unique, aesthetically pleasing look for those who want a touch of nature. Staircases serve an important function both in and out of homes, but their ability to add aesthetic value to a space often goes unrealized. …
Apr 10
The quest for organized storage and space for pandemic reprieve spurred interest in transforming garages, but nowadays the sky’s the limit on how the space is used and looks. Key Takeaways: When it comes to a garage, most clients won’t require the space to house 12 cars like a recent client of Los Angeles architecture …
Apr 07
More than 50 years after the federal ban on housing discrimination, upholding the law’s spirit remains a challenge. Here’s how to be a fair housing leader. Sandra Butler refused to let it slide when a seller she represented made what felt like a discriminatory comment. The seller thought the buyers, who had foreign-sounding names, were …
Apr 06
Homeowners are spending a median of $9,000 on bathroom renovations, which is 13% higher than last year, a new study finds. These are their favorite trends. Homeowners are spending more money to spruce up their bathrooms as the pandemic-fueled home renovation boom continues. The national median spend for bathroom renovations jumped nearly 13% year over …
Apr 06
New trends in kitchen islands offer versatility in function and design, as well as an aesthetic boost. You may remember when the kitchen’s status symbol was a hulking appliance like a six-burner range or a smaller but still chichi wine refrigerator. These statement pieces enhanced a kitchen and set it apart from others. Nowadays, though, …
Apr 05
When moving in or remodeling, homeowners are wise to focus on the power of light to illuminate rooms, add decorative panache and color, pare energy consumption and improve safety. Key Takeaways: October is all about getting back to a routine and welcoming the crispness of fall. It sometimes serves as a reminder to dig into …
Apr 05
Sustainability is trending, especially among young buyers, and an aesthetically pleasing rain barrel offers cost savings and curb appeal. Outfitting a house with a rain barrel does more than collect and conserve rainwater: It saves money, too. Well-placed rain barrels help cut utility costs by collecting free water for gardening, lawn watering or even washing the car. …
