Archive for the 'Home Improvements and Design' Category
Crown molding adds WOW factor to an Open House
October 19th, 2011 categories: Home Improvements and Design, Sellers
Homeowners can add pop to their home in time for an open house by installing crown molding in their living room. The architectural addition may be the “wow” factor a seller needs to boost their bids, and the luxe accent can also help to hide imperfections while adding polish.
Sellers looking to cut costs can make adding crown molding a do-it-yourself project as well. To begin, individuals will need to decide between wood molding and particle board, which can be less expensive. Once materials are decided upon, the molding should be measured, marked and cut to fit into place on the wall, according to Home and Garden Television.
The most difficult part of installing crown molding is properly cutting corners. A power miter saw can help to make these tricky slices more accurate, according to HGTV. Bob Villa recommends starting out with some foot long test pieces to use as a model later.
Those who want to forgo making corner cutouts can purchase pre-made corner blocks which are ready to install. After pieces are cut, they can be attached to the wall using finishing screws. Gaps can be filled in with caulk so that exterior corners are flush.
If you or someone you know is looking to sell their home soon, please feel free to call or email me for a free consultation.
courtesy of HGTV
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Winter Gardening
January 3rd, 2011 categories: Home Improvements and Design
5 Things to Do in Your Garden
1. Prune and feed deciduous fruit trees. Cut back the top at whatever height you want down to eight feet, and thin out branches from the middle of the tree so sunlight can filter through. Leave short “spurs” along the branches of plums, prunes, apricots and apples, but cut back the long branches. Feed with a balanced plant food and apply a cup of Epsom salts around the drip line.
2. When planting bareroot roses, soak plants overnight so their stems are plump. Cut back tops to 8 inches and trim off any leaves or sprouts. Plant so the crown of branches is at soil level, then cover all the stems with excess soil for two weeks.
3. Mow cool-season lawns, such as bent grass, blue grasses, fescues and ryegrasses, regularly- this is the season when they look their best. Prevent orangey rust diseases on these turfs by feeding and mowing them regularly.
4. It’s time to check for broken sprinkler heads and repair them. For most of us, automatic sprinklers can safely be turned off until spring except for windy or warm spells. No sense wasting water!
5. Continue harvesting winter vegetables as they mature. Peas will produce more if you harvest every day or two, and broccoli and cauliflower will yield additional edible sprouts from remainng stems after the main heads are cut. Add a little plant food to all winter vegetables.
If you like these and other household tips, make sure to like Kathy Villa Real Estate on Facebook by clicking the link to your left. We look forward to connecting with you!
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Stylish Small Kitchens
October 20th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
Thinking of revamping your kitchen but are limited on space? Nonsense!
By being a little creative and taking advantage of other useful features such as high ceilings and open shelves, you can definitely pull it off. From implementing simple storage ideas, to adding original charm, the possibilities are far more than you could have imagined.
Just check out the following 13 examples of small stylish kitchens for great ideas and inspiration! Courtesy of House Beautiful
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The Significance of Architecture
October 12th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
Architecturally significant homes are treasures that draw admiration generation after generation. They are usually one of two types of homes.
The first is the work of ground-breaking architects who push the limits of new design concepts to create a signature style that stands the test of time. The second is a sublime example of a period style, even if the architects’ name has been lost for ages.
The key to the significance is in the architect’s skill and the details of the home. If the home is an outstanding example of a given period or style, particularly if the architect originated the style. The home is always distinctive with aesthetic qualities that are inimitable.
Such homes are true to their nature. An architecturally significant home such as Queen Anne Victorian- will be strictly Queen Anne Victorian from the scrolls on the outdoor woodwork to the claw-foot bathtubs! The details will be authentic and artistic. As much of the original structure, wallpapers, moldings, colors and details will be preserved or meticulously reproduced, with any updating of plumbing fixtures giving a nod to the original style.
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Top 5 Remodeling Headaches to Avoid
May 11th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
Whether you’re adding a room to accommodate an expanding family or remodeling to increase value, home renovations can be one of the best investments you make, especially in today’s economy. The key to a successful remodel, however, is knowing what mistakes to avoid. I have advised many clients on what renovations will offer the best return on their investment and pay dividends when the time comes to sell their home.
According to a Consumer Reports poll, the most popular remodeling projects for homeowners are kitchens (19%) and bathrooms (17%) . In another survey, however, Consumer Reports asked 6,000 readers to reveal what went wrong when they remodeled their kitchens and baths and how much those mistakes added to the overall cost of their projects. Here’s how to avoid their mistakes and save:
1. Don’t rush in. Changing plans is the most common, but costliest remodeling gaffe. Be sure to leave time for research and create a comprehensive plan, listing every product.
2. Prepare for the unexpected. There’s a lot going on behind the walls. Unexpected water damage was an issue with 17% of bathroom remodels, while structural problems caused headaches for 10% of kitchen projects. A good contractor will be able to anticipate such problems, allowing the homeowner to budget accordingly.
3. Don’t chase the “low ball.” Contractors are lowering their profit margins due to the tight market, but they often make up their costs in labor or other areas. Readers who went for “low ball” pricing ended up spending a median of $1,500 extra for labor on their kitchens and $1,000 extra on their bathrooms. Don’t sign a contract with a lot of open-ended amounts for products and materials- these are called “allowances,” in contractor speak.
4. Get the paper in order. Have the contractor attach copies of his or her up-to-date license, insurance and workers’ compensation policies to the written contract. He or she should also get permits and provide a lien waiver when the job is done; this will keep suppliers from contacting the homeowner for unpaid bills.
5. Focus on the boring bits. Specifying lighting and placement of trash cans are not much fun, but are critical to the process. For example, the proper exhaust fan will prevent mildew in baths and vent odors in kitchens.
Following the above advice will help ensure a successful and profitable remodel. For more information or for contractor referrals feel free to email me. And please share this information with anyone you know in the midst of remodeling- don’t let them make these same mistakes! Also, please join others by becoming a fan of Kathy Villa Real Estate by following the link on the left. I look forward to connecting with you!
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How Do I Prepare My Home for Showings?
May 3rd, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design, Sellers
It’s a very exciting time. Your agent has just lined up a prospective buyer. A deal can be made or broken during the showing. How can you prepare your home to its best advantage?
1. Removing the clutter should be your first course of action according to the National Association of Realtors. The reasoning behind this is simple. Clutter distracts the mind and it distracts the imagination. A potential buyer needs to be able to see themselves and their own style in your home. By banishing disorder and welcoming in neatness you can give your house an advantage over any competition who is not as prepared.
2. The next step is to clean, after getting rid of the clutter. In the same sense that decluttering is removing “you” from the potential home of another, cleaning is removing your grimy mark. Have carpets cleaned, wax the floors, and remove any odors of pets or smoking.
3. Luxurious bathrooms are a must! A bathroom that is clean and full of comfort is appealing to most every buyer. Arrange new towels and rugs, as well as burn fresh smelling candles. Consider adding rich decor, such as paintings.
4. Windows that shine. We can be desensitized to the finer details of our home, but buyers will hone in on each and every imperfection. Be sure that during your cleaning and decluttering, you don’t forget to wash your windows. This way buyers will be able to focus their attentions on the beautiful grounds of your property, as opposed to the spots on the glass.
5. Let there be light. Burned out bulbs can make rooms look dark and dingy. Consider buying eco-friendly fluorescent or LED lights for use in your home.
6. Minor repairs are important. There are buyers who are turned off by even minor repairs. They see that loose cabinet door or that warped deck board as a two-fold evil. Either the house has been poorly cared for with bigger repairs waiting for discovery under the surface, or that the home may be too much work for them.
7. Don’t neglect your yard. For many buyers, a yard is an extension of the home. Be sure that for each showing, your yard is freshly mowed and any debris, trash, or clutter (toys, tools, etc) are put away. A great way to make flower beds appear neat and well tended is to add mulch. Clean off sidewalks with a power wash.
8. Add punches of seasonal color. Even if you aren’t a garden guru, you can still plant low maintenance flowers in beds and pots. Some examples of low maintenance flowering plants are: petunias, pansies, and vincas.
9. A petless home. We all love our pets, sometimes like they’re our own children. But they should be safely at a friend’s house or kennel during showings. While you’re at it, take your children and yourself out of the home during the showing as well!
10. Lock up your valuables. It would be nice to think that no potential buyer would steal from your home, but it could happen. Be sure that anything easily removed is locked away for safe keeping. And be sure that your real estate agent gets any one’s contact information before they are allowed into your home.
If you are thinking of putting your home on the market, feel free to call or email me for your real estate needs and questions. Don’t forget to share this information with your friends and family who may find these tips useful or need help selling their homes as well.
Courtesy of Yahoo Real Estate. Today’s Local Market Conditions Report
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Top 5 Ways to Build a Green Home
April 29th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
Most of us know that adopting an environmentally conscious or “green” approach to life can benefit the planet and its future generations. But did you know that greening your home can also benefit your bottom line in terms of energy savings and tax credits?
I’ve learned a lot of the latest green building strategies from clients and home builders I deal with. I though I’d share some innovative green building ideas from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB, www.nahb.org) in case there’s a remodel or new-home build in your future:
1. The roof. According to NAHB, 75% of new homes use “oriented strand board” (OSB), an engineered wood product that does not require the use of large trees in its production, to sheathe roofs and walls. Additionally, durable roof coverings, such as steel and fiber cement, reduce the need for roof replacement and are a key part of many solar roofing products that lock in heat during winter and help keep homes cool in summer.
2. The windows. Energy-efficient windows that incorporate advanced technologies like low-emitting glass coatings, keep heat inside in winter and outside in summer. “Passive” solar design features like large, south-facing windows, also help heat the home in the winter and allow for abundant natural lighting.
3. The walls. Vinyl siding on exterior walls saves money on installation and maintenance; fiber-cement siding is termite- and water-resistant and warrantied to last 50 years. Increasing the amount and R-value of insulation is a cost-effective way to save energy and help reduce heating and cooling bills, which account for at least half of all energy use in the home.
4. The outside. “Xeriscaping,” or using native plants, can significantly reduce the need for watering fertilizers and herbicides, and preserving trees on your property reduces energy costs by providing shade in summer and a wind barrier in winter. Also consider a covered entry for your front door, which can help prevent water intrusion and costly repairs.
5. The appliances. According to NAHB, the energy efficiency of refrigerators and freezers has tripled over the last three decades. Front-loading washers use about 40% less water and half the energy of conventional models. New toilets have redesigned bowls and tanks that use less water, while advanced shower and sink faucet aerators provide the same flow regardless of reduced water use.
Please consider the above green building ideas for your next construction project and share this with anyone else who may be in construction mode. I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or point you toward further green resources, so feel free to email me for more information.
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What is a Mother-in-Law Suite?
April 26th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
The mother-in-law room, commonly referred to as MIL in the Multiple Listing Service, is usually a private suite with a bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom that is separate from the rest of the home, and may include a private entrance. The addition of a kitchenette to the bedroom and bath offers your senior a little autonomy and the ability to make a cup of coffee or a snack without feeling as if they’re in the way.
Depending on your home’s floor plan, an MIL suite may be easier said than done, but for homes with spaces that can be converted, like a garage, workshop or sun room, preparing your floor plan can be simple. Just take the square footage to a kitchen designer or interior designer and he or she will design a practical and attractive floor plan that maximizes storage and living space.
If you don’t have space available, you can consider contacting an architect or contractor who can create a room addition that will not only complement your home, but also incorporate universal design features such as wheelchair access doorways.
When you decide to add on or build a new structure on your property, remember to check with your city clerk or other municipal authority to see what zoning laws apply to your home or area before you begin construction, because some municipalities prohibit a single-family home from having two full kitchens or a suite having a separate entrance from the main entry, while others will permit these so long as you can prove a family member lives there.
Meeting Your Senior Family Member’s Needs
Remembering the senior’s needs will assist everyone in adjusting to having one more member in the household. Place your senior’s suite on the first floor, away from children’s bedrooms or playrooms, in a tranquil and private part of the home.
Using a few basic tenets of universal design will improve quality of life and make life in the suite more comfortable for your older family member. To begin with, you’ll want to implement wider doors and through ways that are open and easy to navigate visually. Also be sure that doors have lever handles as opposed to knobs to prevent hand cramping or arthritic inflammation.
Lighting is also very important for you MIL. Light switches should be larger than normal and flat, which is also easier on aching joints, and make them easier to see with plates that contrast the paint or wallpaper color. Adding bright lights that help in seeing will make your elderly family member more comfortable, especially if they have adequate lighting for tasks and hobbies. Large windows that let in light are great, especially if they provide a relaxing view of the backyard.
Treasure your time with your loved one, and remember that the time and expense it took to create your MIL suite isn’t wasted, even if it’s only used a few short years. Enjoy the closeness you’ll have with your older loved one. The space will never go to waste, it can always be re-purposed down the road as a family room, second home office, or recreation room. Or keep it ready for that graduating senior as he or she looks for a job!
For more suggestions or questions, feel free to email me anytime. Also- remember to become a fan of Kathy Villa Real Estate on Facebook by following the link on the left. We look forward to connecting with you!
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How to Create a Focal Point
April 24th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design
The focal point defines a room’s ambiance and underscores the room’s purpose. It makes you want to enter, and enjoy the room to sit and relax, study, watch videos, sleep, make conversation, play or whatever the room is designed to do.
What makes a good focal point?
According to Better Homes and Garden a good focal point attracts attention. Focal points are either created for you by the room’s architecture, or you have to create one yourself, but the idea is to make the room enjoyable to use.
The room may have an organic feature that you can enhance, such as a bay window with a beautiful view. A picture window can be enhanced with window seats with colors like blue or green to bring the outdoors inside the room.
By establishing what your focal point is going to be, you have an easier time decorating the rest of your room, because the other furnishings will fit around it. For example, if you are creating a focal point with a fireplace and seating area, you can embellish the mantel with a small group of candles or collectibles. Your seating can be arranged to enjoy the fire in the winter, or you can replace the grate with fresh or dried flowers for the summer.
If you want a warm, relaxing ambiance, add bookshelves and a luxurious lap throw draped on the arm of a chair or couch. Use neutral paints and tones, small patterns or solids on furnishings, and decorate with prints of pastoral scenes or still life. Finish with a thick pile area rug, and you’ve completed a cozy den or study.
If you like this article and other subjects we’ve covered, please follow the link on the left and let us know you like Kathy Villa Real Estate on FaceBook.
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Tacky House
April 20th, 2010 categories: Home Improvements and Design, Upcoming Community Events
I’m really looking forward to a new show on Style channel called Tacky House. I’ve seen a few clips and so far it looks hilarious. The show targets homeowners with… let’s say, interesting taste of decor and rescues them from their decorative disasters with professional interior make-overs. I just love watching the “before and after” footage of these kinds of shows.
Not only is the basis of the show entertaining but I’m even more excited about the host being Thom Filicia. If his name rings a bell, that’s because he was one of the Fab Five guys of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. He was the interior design expert of the show and very fab himself! Or perhaps you’re familiar with his work. He redesigned the W Hotel here in Westwood (Los Angeles) California. Can you tell I’m a fan?
The show premieres this Wednesday April 21, 2010 at 11:00pm. You early birds will have to set your DVR’s and Tivo’s! The first show is appropriately titled “When Leopard Prints attack.” Click on the link to see a sneak preview of the show. Feel free to leave your comments and let me know how you liked it.
P.S. Don’t forget to join others and become a fan of Kathy Villa Real Estate by following the link on the left. You can also call or email me with your real estate questions or needs. I’ll be happy to connect with you!
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