It's a brand new year. And time for some changes. If you've lived in your home for a long while, maybe you're bored by the same dreary ordinariness of your surroundings. Perhaps it's time for an in-home make-over. Or you might be thinking about selling the old homestead and purchasing a well appointed, contemporary home. Homeowners who have been cocooning for the last few years, may be surprised to learn just how rapidly trends in home design change. If you plan to put your home on the market this year, you will want to objectively analyze the appearance of your residence. It might be time for some major updating if you want your house to appeal to today's sophisticated buyers. Granted, most of us can't afford to live in extravagant, palatial splendor. Yet, investing in some bright, modernized, special touches will not only make your home more livable and enjoyable while you reside in it, but will also enhance its attractiveness to buyers when it comes time to sell.
Just as fashion couturiers indulge our fantasies with exquisite models and a splendid array of ever-changing clothing styles, home builders and designers pump up our appetites for the latest in home improvements, work-saving innovations and beautiful interiors. Instead of rail-thin models flouncing down a runway in elaborate designer ensembles, the building trade entices us with dreamy, custom-built model homes that offer every conceivable luxury and amenity.
So if you are thinking about remodeling your castle...especially if you're planning on readying it for resale...here's the scoop on what 1994 homebuyers will be looking for in their next residential purchase:
Floor Coverings: Berber carpet is hot. So is ceramic tile and natural hardwood flooring in soft maple, ash and oak. The chiseled stone look is in.
Lighting: Recessed lighting appeals to buyers. Lightwells that shed light around ceiling perimeters without taking up space are attractive and popular. Halogen lamps provide impact to small areas.
Kitchens: Light, bright cabinets. Corian or granite countertops. Large storage pantries. White or bone appliances. Extra large refrigerators. Smooth surface stoves. Dome ceilings.
Bathrooms: Sumptuous and luxurious. Big showers with multiple spray jets. Jacuzzis. Marble walls. Large storage vanities.
Windows: Plantation shutters. Mini-blinds. Palladian and bay windows. Skylights. French doors. Sliding doors that disappears into pockets.
Wallcoverings. Natural grasscloth is making a comeback. Wallpaper borders. Fancy crown moldings. Faux finishing look is hot. So is glazing, sponging, ragging and specialized textured painting. Light and bright. Wall to wall mirrors enlarge space.
Pool areas: Acrylic deck coatings. Keystone. High mansard screen enclosures with white aluminum supports. Brick lanais.
Driveways: Designer driveways of imprinted concrete made to resemble slate or cobblestone. Interlocking brick pavers.
Lawns: Xeriscaping that utilizes drought-resistant plants with mulch as a groundcover impresses ecology mind buyers. Automatic sprinklers systems are good.
Floors: Raggy shag and sculptured carpet is out. So is plush carpet that shows every footprint. Terrazo is outdated. Vinyl screams "cheap".
Lighting: Get rid of those dusty old swag lamps and harsh fluorescent lights. Colored lightbulbs are for Halloween. Lava lamps went out with mood rings.
Kitchens: Still have a harvest gold or avocado green appliance? Come out of your cave! Old burner style cooktops are out. So are fake butcher block counter tops. Dark cabinets don't win over buyers.
Baths: Dank, mildewed shower stalls with rusty plumbing fixtures are out. Anything that leaks or drips is not cool.
Windows: Heavy drapes and pleated shades are out . Awning style windows are not only old fashioned but illegal in many areas.
Wallcoverings: Shiny mylar or fake wood paneling age a room. Dark paint on walls is unappealing and visually downsizes an area. Square mirrored tiles are outdated.
Pool areas. River rock is as dead as bedrock. Low-slung, flat screen enclosures give a closed-in feeling. Indoor-outdoor carpet is out.
Driveways: Asphalt and gravel drives are not what buyers want. Rusty and grease stained concrete detracts from home's appearance.
Lawns: Grass is out. So are manual sprinklers. Attractive wood fences are OK, but chain link is ugly.
Although these articles were originally slanted toward Florida real estate dealings, they offer numerous practical applications for buyers & sellers wherever they reside. Real estate regulations, rulings, contracts and conditions vary in different states. Some references may not be appropriate to certain individual circumstances. Readers should seek current local information in their own specific region of the country.
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