home improvement tips Archives

6 Decorating Tips for Your Home in 2020

Written By: Holli McCray

Here’s to new living spaces in 2020!

It’s a new year, which means new opportunities to design and decorate your living space the way you want to live. Many people relish the idea of decorating, while others dread the very thought. Whether you’re the proud owner of a new home or looking to spruce up your forever home, you’ll want to avoid these common design mistakes.

Sentimental Décor

Everyone loves their grandma, but maybe not her outdated collection of figurines. Not only is sentimental décor a pain to dust, it typically adds clutter to the room which can add unwanted stress to your life, so ditch the kitsch. According to organizing guru, KonMari, keep only the items that bring you joy.

Displaying Art

If you’re an art lover, you know, there’s no such thing as too much. But practically speaking, too much art and/or family photos on display can crowd a room. We believe in keeping family at the center of every home, so save your table space and opt for a gallery wall (or two). Displaying your favorite photos or artworks on a gallery wall instead allows you to switch them out whenever you’d like. The experts at HGTV suggest organizing the rest of your photos in albums by decade or event and keep them nicely arranged on a bookshelf.

Dried Flower Arrangements

Years ago, dried flower arrangements used to be a lot more common. But if you ask a design expert like Nate Berkus, “how exactly do you clean them?” Instead of collecting dust and aggravating allergies, opt for house plants and fresh flowers. Adding a little green can also clear toxins in the air and bring a space to life.

According to Rutgers, studies have shown that fresh flowers have an immediate impact on happiness and a long-term positive effect on moods. Study participants reported feeling less depressed, anxious, and agitated after receiving flowers. Flowers also create intimate connections. Giving and receiving flowers creates positive contact between family and friends. (Hint: Remember this tip for Valentine’s Day!)

Matchy Matchy

Too much of a good thing, can be a bad thing. According to Young House Love, Ideally, you want a room to “coordinate” but not “match.” Rooms that coordinate have varied textures, prints, materials, and tones that work together and appear balanced and cohesive. Rooms that look collected over time (and feature a variety of tones, textures, and materials) always look eons more stylish than rooms that look like they could have been purchased all at once from one store.

Dark Walls

If you’ve been on Pinterest lately, you know that dark walls are in. Kitchens, dining rooms, powder rooms, and more are enrobed in rich shades from gray to navy to black. You may even be tempted to paint an accent wall to change things up, but we’d like to caution you against going too dark. According to Country Living, deeper hues, while warm and cozy, can have the unwanted effect of making a room feel small or cave-like. Dark colors can also heat up quickly in the sun—and that sunlight can cause fast fading. Plus, they’re pretty unforgiving when it comes to imperfections (meaning you’re going to see every lap mark and drywall chip) which can be difficult to touch up or paint over if you eventually decide you want to lighten up again.

Outdated Kitchen

Don’t let your rooms feel dated by hanging onto dated (or even worse, damaged) cabinet hardware. Make small changes like switching the hardware on your kitchen or bath cabinets for a big impact. Kitchen cabinet hardware affects the look and feel of not just your kitchen cabinets, but the entire room. The shape of and finish on your pulls, knobs, and handles can put the final touch on your kitchen design. The very same cabinet might have a vintage feel with porcelain knobs, or a contemporary look with brushed nickel pulls. You can give your kitchen a very personalized treatment with something custom, like artistic glass knobs, or handworked metal in oil-rubbed bronze. Think of the hardware like jewelry for your cabinets. Let it speak for your style – be that contemporary, modern, vintage or traditional. Check out some of Bob Villa’s favorite examples here.

The most important thing to remember about designing and decorating your home is to remain true to you. Fads and trends may be hip, but you’re the one who’s going to have to live with it. That said, we are always here to help you with decisions about updating your home and how it can affect its resale value. Don’t ever hesitate to reach out to us!

7 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Value On A Budget

7 Home Improvement Ideas Under $1,000

Implementing one or more of these affordable upgrades can help increase your home’s value…

1. Install programmable thermostats

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating your home accounts for more than 40% of its total energy usage. Adding programmable thermostats help to maintain a consistent temperature in your home to avoid costly highs and lows. Remember to drop the temperature inside your home by a few degrees while sleeping or when you’re out of town. This strategy can lead to huge monthly savings. The long-term savings in utility costs will be also appealing to potential buyers when your house is on the market.

2. Updated fixtures

It’s amazing how much a new fixture can breathe new life into any space. Both your kitchen and bathrooms will benefit from items such as new drawer and cabinet handles. When new cabinets for the kitchen aren’t an option for your budget, new hardware and possibly fresh cabinet paint are simple (and affordable) ways to update the overall look of the room. Other items such as faucets, light fixtures, ceiling fans, and doorknobs also help create a fresh new look for a home. Just make sure the new fixtures you install match and are the same style throughout…

3. New tile floors

Bathroom a bit “blah?” Install a brand new tile floor to breathe life into the space for an instant upgrade. Tile is easy to clean, low maintenance and also resists germs as well as allergens. Tile is also ideal for high-traffic areas both in the bathroom and throughout the home. There are thousands of tile options out there that can fit almost any budget. If you’ve never installed tile before, we recommend a professional tile installation contractor, so please let us know if we can refer one to you.

4. Replace old toilets

The overall visual appeal of your bathroom can be enhanced by simply replacing an old, cracked, or outdated toilet. It only costs a few hundred dollars to purchase a new one, and the impact will be worth every penny. Also, many newer toilets use less water than older ones, which will help to reduce your water bill.

5. Updated window treatments

New window coverings are an easy way to enhance a room. We love the look of plantation shutters and upgraded blinds! We recommend the faux wood blinds, not only because they are cheaper than traditional wood blinds, but because they tend to last a lot longer. Standard width windows are easy to shop for, so check any large home improvement store for basic blinds (most allow you to customize the length right in the store). For custom or irregular windows, odds are you’re looking at a special order situation. If your budget allows, definitely consider plantation shutters for that upscale vibe — they can be a major selling point when it comes time to sell…

6. Replace the front door

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Curb appeal is everything, and the front door is one of the first things a potential buyer will see! It’s also the outdoor focal point of your entryway. Give your home a facelift and replace (or re-paint) the front door. Keep in mind practicality and safety when choosing a door, and don’t skimp on the hardware.

7. Create a walkway

There are many options when it comes to adding a new walkway path leading to the front door of your home, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Brick pavers add a classic look to the exterior of your home, but depending on your budget you may also consider stone, concrete, or even rocks. Just make sure the walkway falls within the overall style of your home. You only have one chance to make a first impression! It can be easily elevated when walking up a pretty new pathway to the front door.

Have you recently made budget-friendly improvements to your home? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below! When you’re ready to sell your home in the Greater Knoxville area, reach out to our team of experts and let us know. We’ll be glad to come out and provide some ideas to help get your house ready to put on the market…

Home Improvements That Can Help Sell Your Home

Are you ready to take the next step and sell your home?

There are many things to consider when putting your home on the market, one of them being home improvements and upgrades. Sellers often ask us what home improvements they should do to help get top-dollar for their home. From small updates to major projects, knowing where to allocate your time and money to attract the right buyers is crucial, so that you can sell your home for the most money in the shortest amount of time.

It’s the Little Things

Before buyers even come to see your home, they get their first impressions from the listing photos. Making small changes to the home’s interior can help bring about a more clean and cohesive look. Consider having your home professionally cleaned before the photos are taken. Get rid of faded curtains and/or broken blinds for an instant refresher that won’t break the bank. Replace dated fixtures and appliances to provide a more updated look to the house. Potential buyers can be easily turned off by small details. Some buyers may even assume that since the little things around the home weren’t taken care of, then it’s likely there are issues with some of the bigger items such as the roof, HVAC system, and plumbing.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Painting is a relatively inexpensive way to improve the look of your home. Freshly-painted walls with neutral colors will definitely help to enhance the overall appearance of the house. Painting is generally a MUST if there are bright or bold colors that may not be attractive to most buyers. Keeping a neutral color palette is essential so that potential buyers can picture themselves and their own furnishings in the home. These colors also tend to make rooms look more spacious. If the home’s exterior is faded, consider a pressure washing or a fresh coat of paint. Be sure to stick to neutral color combinations outside as well to maximize curb appeal.

Major Projects: Worth it or Not?

While there’s no tried-and-true formula to guarantee that any home improvement will yield a higher selling price, there are definitely some that will help sell a house more than others. For instance, if the roof is leaking this could potentially lead to more issues during the home inspection, so take care of it before that “for sale” sign hits the front yard. On the flip side, adding a new media room, steam shower, or a pool may not be as prudent when considering your return on investment. Certain upgrades such as a new HVAC unit conditioning can add a lot of value and appeal. In Knoxville, temperatures can get up into the ‘90s, so many home buyers would prefer having an HVAC system is in good working order. Other upgrades that typically yield a positive return for sellers are minor updates to the kitchen (example: adding new countertops), adding new bathroom fixtures and installing new flooring. As a general rule of thumb, away from major upgrades that are deemed more of an “option” than a “must” when selling your home.

According to Remodeling Magazine, you’re less likely to recoup your investment in a full kitchen remodel than you are on basic home maintenance such as new siding. That said, homes with updated kitchens typically sell faster and for more money than comparable homes that do not have updated kitchens. If you do opt to remodel, whether you plan to sell your home or not, make sure the style and finishes you select match the rest of the home. Again, keeping the overall look somewhat neutral can help command a higher price at the time of the sale.

HGTV points out that, “What you’ll get back on your investment depends on the value of your house, the value of houses in your immediate neighborhood, the housing market where you live, how soon you sell after making improvements, and the quality of the project itself. Installing a $10,000 stove in a $200,000 house, for example, ‘just doesn’t compute.’” Before making the decision to any major home improvement, carefully consider whether it’s a necessity. Is it something that will actually increase the value and overall desirability of your home? Don’t go overboard!!

Go Green!

Many of today’s home listings highlight green and eco-friendly features because sustainability is becoming more important to home buyers. Which of these types of improvements will help sell your house? One of the most effective improvements to make is adding energy-efficient windows, which could help recoup up to 70% of the cost when selling a house. Other popular green features that are desirable to buyers include programmable smart thermostats, energy-efficient water heaters, high-efficiency appliances and landscaping with native plants that are easy to maintain, which also help improve curb appeal.

In today’s market, especially in the Knoxville area, buyers will pay a much higher price, even over the list price in some cases, to purchase a home that is updated and considered move-in ready. We strongly recommend discussing any potential improvements or home staging ideas with your real estate agent before making any final decisions. The Holli McCray Home Marketing Group listing team is always available to answer any questions you may have about what improvements to make to help sell your house. Contact us today!

6 Landscaping Tips to Boost Curb Appeal

6 Things You Can Do To Make People Fall In Love With Your Home!

You’ve heard it before: You only have one chance to make a great first impression! This is especially important when selling your home. Put yourself in the mind of a potential buyer: How will they feel the first time they pull up to your home? Does it scream “Buy me!” or “Drive on by?” The appearance of your landscaping should not be overlooked when placing that “For Sale” sign in your yard. A well-kept lot with neat landscaping goes a long way with buyers. It shows that you care about the property and have taken good care of it. Here are a few tips to help keep your yard looking its best without breaking the bank…

1. Keep it neat!

Mow, trim, and cut should be your three buzzwords here. A little bit of yard maintenance goes a long way. If you can’t handle the maintenance yourself, consider hiring a landscaping company to avoid the perils of a scraggly and overgrown yard. On the same note, be sure that bikes, toys, trash cans, garden tools, etc. are all stashed out of sight.

2. Plant native plants.

Add some new life to your yard with native plants. They’re aesthetically pleasing, practical, and ecologically valuable for landscaping. Native plants are the hardiest plants. Learn more about plants native to the Knoxville area at: http://www.se-eppc.org/pubs/east.pdf

3. Define borders and add mulch.

Clean edges trick the eye into thinking that the entire landscape is neat and well-kept. Outlining the border of a garden bed with spray chalk, followed by the use of a mattock or pulaski to chip away any encroaching lawn will help create a well-defined area. Afterward, add a layer of mulch to refine the look! It will help keep the weeds at bay while your home is on the market, AND will even out the overall landscaping look.

4. Get rid of the dead weight.

This goes along with number our first point but deserves its own mention. Be absolutely sure to remove all dead or dying shrubs and perennials. If there was any sign of disease or infestation in your landscaping, dispose of these items in black trash bags; DO NOT compost them with other yard waste.

5. Inspect sprinklers and irrigation.

You can have the most beautiful yard on the block, but if it’s not watered correctly then what’s the point? Be sure your sprinkler system and timers are working. It’s the least you can do for your landscaping! This inspection should be one you perform each spring/summer.

6. Light it up!

Remember, buyers might do a drive-by in the evening. Consider adding some landscape lighting to boost curb appeal and add value to your home. Solar pathway lighting and accent lighting that highlights landscaping features are both relatively simple ways to step it up in the yard department.

If you’re considering selling your home and need some advice on getting it ready to put on the market, don’t hesitate to contact us for a no-obligation home evaluation. You can also visit our website to get a free online home value estimate.