Is A Laundry Room Top on Your Wish List?

Categories: Home Selling Tips Luxury Real Estate Real Estate Market Tips for Buying a Home

 
 
 
 
 

Most Wanted Home Feature: In a home buying survey by the National Association of Home Builders, a laundry room was the most desired feature by 87% of home buyers.  And the majority of those surveyed wanted the laundry room to be on the first floor.

Exterior Design: What about the exterior design of your home?  More home buyers prefer traditional.  Here’s the breakdown:

 

·         32% Traditional

 

·         24% Contemporary

 

·         16% Transitional

 

·         14% Modern

 

Floorplan Preference?: No surprise, the open floor plan was preferred between the kitchen and dining room, the kitchen and family room or the dining and family room.

 

  

The entire report can be found at What Home Buyers Really Want, 2021 Edition 

 

How Interior Decor Will Change in 2020

Categories: Home Selling Tips Luxury Real Estate Real Estate Market

 

December may be a time for reflection, but January is a time for looking forward. The new year brings new opportunities to reset, refresh and live our best lives. It’s also the best time to set goals and make the changes you’ve always thought about, whether that means hitting the gym more often or finally painting your home office.


Giving your home’s interior decor a facelift is an easily achievable goal for 2020, and we encourage you to take some time to learn how decor trends will change this year. If you haven’t yet, take a look at our list of the Top 10 Design Trends for 2020 and read on to hear how experts forecast how interior design will change in the coming year.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices


In a recent article in Vogue, fashion designer Stella McCartney wrote about how she is doing her part to make her world more sustainable, from turning the ponds at her home into an independent sewage system to paper-mâché walls made out of shredded office papers in her London flagship store. It is increasingly difficult to ignore the need to reduce, reuse and recycle in our everyday lives, and it’s easier than you think to incorporate eco-friendly decor into your design.


According to InteriorZine, many interior designers are expected to “create unusual and new materials based on recycling, alternative technologies and a well-balanced approach” between the two. Chief among these efforts is to reduce the use of plastic in design and instead use natural materials like seagrass, bamboo, and corn.

Modern Urban vs. Luxury Living


It should come as no surprise that city living typically means having less space to work with. In this day and age, as modern urban living continues to evolve, the new middle class is looking for a space that is in tune with their everyday needs. The world has gone digital, with increasing numbers of people working from home and using their spaces in ways their parents may not have. Gone are the days of formal dining rooms; in are sleek spaces that can serve multiple functions, from rest and relaxation to wining and dining. This has prompted a creative challenge for interior design professionals, who must design cost-effective spaces that can meet the needs of their clients.

Changes to Primary Living Spaces


There was once a day when kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms were all compartmentalized—literally. But if you’ve ever seen a home renovation show, you know that primary living spaces that are open concept are #1 on everybody’s list. The design of these spaces is constantly evolving, with InteriorZine reporting that an integrated kitchen-dining room “is a ‘must’ for modern life’s dynamic,” whether you’re entertaining business associates or keeping an eye on your kids while you prepare dinner. In addition to being downright useful, integrated spaces make your home look larger and make it easier to incorporate design elements across the board.

 

“Living” Kitchens


On average, how much time would you say you spend cooking in your kitchen? Conversely, how often do you use it primarily as a socialization space? As family dynamics change, so too do the ways we use our homes’ spaces. Fluid living spaces are a must, and “living” kitchens provide a stylish, comfortable and functional space that works for your taste and lifestyle.

 

How many of these interior design elements do you think you can incorporate into your home in 2020? We challenge you to create a space that works for you—and the environment.

Top 10 Design Trends for 2020

Categories: DIY Home Selling Tips Luxury Real Estate Real Estate Market

Whether you’re reimagining your current space or searching for a new home, it’s important to understand current design and decor trends. Here are our top 10 design trends for 2020.

In Trends


IN: Grandmillennial Style



Image Source: The Glam Pad


If you’ve been looking for a better way to say “traditional with a twist,” grandmillennial style is it. According to Elle Decor, grandmillennial involves incorporating classical design elements like chinoiserie, scalloped edges, natural-fiber rugs and topiaries (pieces your grandma loved) with contemporary elements, like modern art and clean-lined furniture (favorites of the millennial set). That leads us to…


IN: Layering Old and New



Image Source: Lauren Buxbaum Gordon on ElleDecor.com


Don’t worry about your space looking overly put-together or too precious. These days, it’s in style to mix and match your pieces. Don’t be afraid to incorporate antique furniture with travel souvenirs, contemporary art pieces and other accents.


IN: Bold Monochromatics



Image Source: Douglas Friedman on ElleDecor.com


Muted neutrals are out (more on that later) and monochromatically painted rooms in standout colors like kelly green, cobalt blue and aubergine are in. Add accent pieces like gold-and silver-framed mirrors, unique art and chandeliers for a colorful room that suits your personality.


IN: Classic Interiors



Image Source: Old House Online


“Classic” doesn’t have to mean your grandmother’s style circa 1952. These days, it means comfortable furniture with clean lines; elegant materials like crystal, acrylics and interesting woods; and reinterpretations of traditional patterns.


IN: Real Plants and Greenery


Image Source: HGTV


In addition to being visually pleasing, plants are also good for your health. In fact, NBC News reports that studies have proven that indoor plants improve concentration and productivity, reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. Whether you opt for an easy pothos plant in a terra cotta pot or an elaborate biomontage wall full of greenery, plants are an easy way to spruce up your space.

Out Trends


OUT: Decorating in Pale Monochromatics




Rooms with all taupe, all gray or all white interiors—from walls and flooring to furniture and textiles—are both too safe and too dull. Add some visual interest, personality and excitement with colorful walls, patterned furniture and accent pieces like art, vases and mirrors.









OUT: White Doors



Image Source: Tria Giovan on ElleDecor.com


Not long ago, designers recommended that you paint your interior doors and trim white. Research suggests white doors, in particular, are out. Instead, consider dark wood doors, either painted or stained.


OUT: All-White Kitchens




Kitchens should be full of sweet and savory tastes and smells, but sterile, all-white kitchens don't exactly lend themselves to that aesthetic. Southern Living reports that though white cabinets are still popular with remodelers, colorful kitchens are becoming more commonplace. But don’t worry—we think the avocado-green appliances are permanently a thing of the past.


OUT: Open Shelving





Image Source: HGTV


It’s a great idea in theory—glass cabinets or open shelves that show off your beautiful dishes and vases. But the reality is that open shelving means having to keep everything perfectly organized and spotlessly clean. Practicality is back.


OUT: Subway Tile



Image Source: Real Simple

 

Though it’s been a favorite on many home renovation shows, subway tile is overused and, on its way out. In 2020, embrace tiling and backsplash in new patterns, textures and colors.

6 Smart Home Tech Gadgets Perfect for Luxury Real Estate

Categories: Home Selling Tips Luxury Real Estate Selling Your Home

The global smart home tech market is on track to reach $103 billion in annual revenue by the end of this year. At an estimated compound annual growth rate of 11% — that number is projected to skyrocket to $157 billion in annual revenue by 2023. So, how does this tie into luxury real estate? The answer is simple: property value. 


Smart home tech is on the rise and in huge demand with luxury buyers — especially the socially conscious and eco-friendly millennial generation. Adding just a few smart features to a home can pay off when making the sale. In fact, according to Chad Curry, MD of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a home with integrated smart features can receive a premium over standard alternatives in the same neighborhood. 


Though, there are certain gadgets affluent buyers are more interested in when searching for smart-enabled houses, such as smart security, eco-friendly options, and enhanced entertainment. These tech gadgets go beyond Amazon Alexa or Google Home. 

 

With this in mind, we rounded up six options that are perfect for luxury real estate.


6 Smart Home Tech Gadgets Perfect for Luxury Real Estate

1. Arlo Ultra 

[Image Credit: @arlosmarthome via Instagram]


The Arlo Ultra is a wire-free and WiFi-enabled security camera touting some impressive capabilities. For example, 4K high-dynamic-range (HDR) image quality, enhanced night vision, auto-zoom and tracking, and more. Its weather-resistant build means that it works rain or shine, snow or sleet, to protect the home. It also has a smart subscription service that incorporates things such as advanced object detection (like notifying the owner of a package delivery) and 911 emergency services connections. 

2. Lutron Dimmers 

[Image Credit: Lutron Electronics via Facebook]


Lutron offers a full line of “eco-home dimmers, sensors, and timers,” that can be placed throughout the home to reduce electricity usage and extend the life of the light bulb. Utilizing their advanced technology, the homeowner can control the latest energy-efficient light sources, such as LEDs — making it easier than ever to go green. 

3. Rachio 3

[Image Credit: Rachio via Facebook]


Rachio 3 is a smart sprinkler controller that optimizes a home’s in-ground irrigation system through an automated watering schedule. It’s available in eight or 16 zones, and uses weather intelligence to predict changes in lawn watering needs. It also adjusts its schedule to ensure no water is being wasted. Rachio 3 works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, and more. 

4. Ecobee SmartThermostat With Voice Control

[Image Credit: @ecobeeinc via Instagram]


Ecobee’s SmartThermostat with voice control is the crème de la crème of smart thermostats. Change the temperature, control the home, call friends and family, and more, all with voice command. The SmartThermostat also introduces a SmartSensor, which detects both temperature and occupancy to heat or cool the rooms that need it most.

5. Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player

[Image Credit: @kaleidescapeinc via Instagram]


Kaleidescape Strato is an award-winning movie player that’s capable of playing 4K ultra-high-def movies with high-dynamic-range at 60 frames per second, with immersive audio. It can be integrated with modern AV systems to automatically control light dimming or screen masking to adjust to a proper ratio. Think state-of-the-art home movie theater. 

6. Brilliant Control

[Image Credit: @brilliant_tech via Instagram]


Think of Brilliant Control as an all-in-one smart home hub, where the homeowner can manage all smart home systems from one seamless control panel on the wall, or through a mobile app. It features a 5-inch color touch screen that can change the temperature or lighting, play music, show who’s at the front door, and more. 


What smart home features have you noticed luxury buyers looking for in the market? Comment below!


Janet McAfee is a recognized luxury real estate agency in the St. Louis area. For more details about careers at our boutique firm or the luxury market, visit our website!

To List or Not to List

Categories: Home Selling Tips Seasonal Preparations

 

 


 

If you’re thinking of selling your home this season, here are some suggestions about selling in the winter to help guide you through the decision-making process.


1.       Inventory is Low = List Now.  Residential real estate is driven by supply and demand.  When supply is low, as it is now, Sellers have less competition for buyers.  When two or more buyers are competing for the same property, the price is going up.

2.    Inventory of Comparable Properties = Need More Data.  While inventory is low across the entire market, we must look at specifics.  What are inventory levels in your price range and in your neighborhood?  Your Realtor will drill down to only the areas and  price ranges, which are considered comparable.  We do have excess inventory in some categories, so you should be well informed before making the final call.

3.       Pool or outdoor amenity is an essential selling feature = Wait until Spring.   If your swimming pool or outdoor living feature is an essential reason for anyone to buy your home, you should wait until it is looking its best.   If waiting is not an option, I highly recommend providing photos which show just how lovely it looks.

4.       High lot value/possible tear down = List Now.   New home inventory is low and builders are anxiously scouring the market for good lots in good locations.  If your home could be a tear down, take advantage of current conditions and list now.

5.       Condo or Villa = List Now.  Currently, demand is strong for condos, villas and lifestyle communities.

6.       People buy homes every season of the year = List Now.  Remember, people will buy homes in every season.  Job transfers, promotions, marriages, changes in family situation happen all year.  A desirable, well priced home will sell any and every day of the year.


At Janet McAfee, our experienced real estate agents are available and ready to help you year-round. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your house or simply in search of some more information, our agents know that real estate can involve life-changing decisions, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to intensive personal service, with your needs as our top priority.

 

For more information, you can call us at (314) 997-4800 or visit our website!

9 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent When Listing Your Home

Categories: Home Selling Tips Selling You Home


From a new job to a newborn, there may be a number of potential drivers behind your decision to sell and seek out that new home of your dreams. And while it can certainly be a time full of excitement, the change can also result in its fair share of stress and worry. Luckily, having the right real estate agent by your side throughout the process is a surefire way to curb anxieties from the get-go.


With all of the realtor options available, how do you even begin to decide upon the right real estate agent for you? Conducting interviews with relevant candidates in the area is a great place to start. Here are nine questions to ask your real estate agent when listing your home.

What’s your experience when it comes to listing homes?

Representing a buyer versus a seller certainly falls within the same wheelhouse, but there are differences in approach when it comes to finding success with each. Because of this, it’s important to gauge any potential agent’s experience for each. This is not to say that more experience in one over the other should be the sole driver of your decision, but having someone that can thoroughly speak to the process from experience has its advantages.

How do you determine my listing price?

A good agent will be able to walk you through their thought process when it comes to the listing price of your home. Price it too high, and you risk turning off potential buyers. Price it too low, and that’s less money in your pocket. Since listing price will be heavily influenced by the state of the market, you’ll want an agent with a good grasp on how it impacts your bottom line.

Do you work with buyers in the same range as my listing price point?

The answer to this question may be a good indicator of how knowledgeable an agent is about your potential buyers. In turn, this will influence the ways in which they market to them and eventually approach negotiations.

Are you familiar with this community?

Working with a real estate agent that’s familiar with your particular neighborhood can be an advantage when it comes to your home’s marketability. When building out your listing, they’ll be better equipped to develop relevant local messaging and comment on schools, new developments, and any other areas of community interest surrounding your home.

How do you plan to market my home?

A home for sale without any kind of marketing plan behind it certainly has an uphill battle ahead. From the right staging and quality photography to online virtual tours, there are a number of ways to enhance the online presence of your listing in order to extend its reach beyond just those who may see that ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard.

How do you track online activity for listings?

Traffic to your online listing will inevitably ebb and flow depending on both the market and marketability of your home. Most of that traffic will flow in during those initial weeks, but it’s important to keep tabs on how it may fluctuate throughout. This will allow you to make smarter decisions as a seller from beginning to end.

How should I get my house ready?

If your real estate agent has had experience selling homes in the past, they should have a solid list of to-dos for you to follow when preparing your house for market. They’ll also likely be able to help organize and/or provide references for relevant expertise in home staging and contracting.


Getting your home ready to sell is as much about the positioning of your furniture as it is having the right real estate agent to represent you. Put your trust in someone who knows the industry inside and out. Contact our team at Janet McAfee for more tips on how to list your home to sell.



Staging Your Home to Sell: Physical vs. Virtual

Categories: Home Selling Tips Selling Your Home Staging Your Home



We live in a visual world where seeing is believing and believing is seeing imagery that excites each person’s individual tastes. Nowhere more is this true than with the staging of a home to sell.


In fact, 81 percent of buyers argue that staging a house helps in visualizing a property as a future home. The keyword there is home. A place that looks polished but lived in, laughed in and loved.


Staging plays a vital role in prepping a house for market. While the practice can be time consuming and costly to sellers, virtual staging has changed that by transforming how buyers can envision the home of their dreams. Let’s take a look at some key differences between physical and virtual staging.

Cost

The physical staging of a home will typically involve the clearing of clutter, furniture rearrangement and occasionally, replacement. If a home is completely empty to begin with, a design expert will sometimes be hired to gauge the feel of the house with decor to match. All in all, this process can be extremely costly to the seller, ranging anywhere from $350 per room on the low end to over $200,000 for luxury homes.


However, virtual staging is a fraction of the cost. Most rooms can be fully furnished—virtually, that is—for about $100 per room.

Time and Flexibility

The coordination it takes to physically stage a home far outweighs that of a virtual stage based on the convenience factor alone. For a physical stage, clients must consult with a designer, clear out and move decor around accordingly, have new items moved in and then capture the look with a photography session.


Virtual staging, on the other hand, is done without much contact at all between consultant and seller. With the exchange of some photos and guided direction, stagers are able to arrange and rearrange virtual furniture throughout a room many times over within a matter of a few short hours.


Seeing is Believing

It can certainly be argued that seeing is believing, and when a potential buyers view images online that don’t sync with the views in real life, it can be a bit jolting. On the other hand, walking into a completely empty space (or one with opposite design taste aesthetics) can be difficult to imagine as anything other than that. As Danielle Schlisser of the Corcoran Group in New York City says, “In an empty space, people can’t really understand how big a couch or bed is… They’ll come in and think they’ll never fit their furniture in there because they really don’t have an understanding of scale.”


Whether looking to cut costs or re-envision your home decor with ease, virtual staging has opened the door to new possibilities for sellers and buyers alike. Choosing the best option comes down to understanding what works best for your goals, timeline and overall asking price.

 

Need help deciding on whether to opt for physical or virtual staging when it comes to selling your home? Contact Janet McAfee Real Estate today for three decades worth of home buying and selling insights you can count on.

What is your home’s best-selling feature?

Categories: General Home Selling Tips Selling Your Home St. Louis Luxury Homes

The marketing strategy for promoting a listing should address your home’s best features.  Each and every selling feature of your home adds value and justifies the asking price to the buyer.  As a listing broker, our job is to communicate your value proposition in order to achieve the highest possible purchase price.  Here’s a couple of thoughts on how your marketing strategy can support your home’s best features.

1.       If acreage or land is one of your homes best features ….

Areal or drone photography is a great way to showcase your home’s manicured lawns, expansive lot size and exterior amenities, like swimming pools, lakes, pool houses and out buildings.

 

2.       If outdoor amenities create an unbeatable lifestyle…. 

A swimming pool, loggia with outdoor fireplace and lush gardens should be displayed to buyers at their peak.  Time your market launch to coincide with opening your pool and spring leaf greening.

 

3.       If your home’s architectural lines are captivating ….

Twilight photography might just be the ticket to transform your house into a magical English manor.

 

Please contact your Janet McAfee Realtor for more ways to customize your marketing plan to promote your home’s best features.

7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Spring Market

Categories: Home Selling Tips Seasonal Preparations Selling You Home

Spring is right around the corner, and if you’re planning on putting your house on the market this season, it’s certainly not too early to be giving some thought to preparing your home for buyers. Spring is the optimum time to sell your home. Regardless of whether it’s a buyer’s or seller’s market, there is almost always a rise in demand during the months of April, May and June. Of course, increased demand also means increased competition, so chances are you’ll need to do some sprucing up to stay in the running. Read on for seven helpful tips on how to prepare your home for a spring showing.    

1. Stage Your Home

“Home staging” refers to arranging furniture so as to maximize feelings of space and light with an aesthetic eye as to how each room should flow into another. Yes, this means stowing away your pile of magazines or unpaid bills in the hopes of presenting a fantasy version of your home for buyers. If your personal decor isn’t cutting it, you can transfer your belongings into storage and rent furniture and artwork from a home staging company on a monthly basis.

2. Wash Windows & Mirrors

When cleaning your home, remember the phrase “sparkle sells.” A potential buyer may not realize why your home seems so inviting, but if your windows are spotless inside and out and your mirrors clearly reflect the sun, they’ll want to stay all afternoon! So let in the spring sunshine with the help of a bottle of Windex to impress home buyers.

3. Eliminate Odors

As much as we may not like to admit it, we all have unpleasant odors that plague our home from time to time, and nothing will make a potential buyer want to walk out the door than a bad smell in the kitchen, bathroom or living room. However, don’t take the easy way out and simply mask odors with air fresheners, which can be overwhelming and cause allergies. Rather include fresh flowers throughout your home, spice up the kitchen with the scent of boiled cinnamon, or freshen up the bathroom with some eucalyptus.

4. Paint Your Walls

While you may be in love with your seafoam green walls in the kitchen and bathroom, chances are it may be too specific for today’s buyer. The truth is that most buyers prefer to see a blank canvas where they can inject their own personality. Why not select a neutral base color and extend it to all rooms on the same floor? You are making your home appeal to the largest possible audience.

5. Clean or Replace Flooring

Damage to floors and carpeting over the years is unavoidable, and those stains, scratches and cracks will be apparent to potential buyers. Prevent this by cleaning or replacing flooring throughout your home. Carpets should be shampooed and treated for stains, while hardwoods should be swept and mopped until sparkling clean. Any flooring permanently stained or damaged should be replaced, or at the very least refinished.

6. Yardwork

Prepping your home for buyers means cleaning both inside and out. Rake up dead leaves and other debris in your yard, and don’t let overground vegetation block windows or a pathway to the entrance. Trimming bushes and trees will allow more sunlight to shine into your home, and artfully cut lawns will tell buyers to pay attention to small details inside. Remember, the exterior of your home is the first impression buyers will have.

7. Snacks and Drinks

Touring homes all day makes buyers hungry. What better way to make a positive impression than by providing snacks and drinks for guests? Set out crackers and cheese or a plate of your homemade cookies, then place a couple dozen water bottles in the sink filled with ice. Giving refreshments for guests will allow them to spend more time in your kitchen, and marvel at how beautiful it is!

Selling your home can be a stressful process for buyers and sellers alike. Deep cleaning your home will inevitably force you to adapt your aesthetic preferences to sell to a wider audience and sacrifice personal touches you’ve included over the years, but it’s important to keep the bigger picture in mind. Follow the above tips to get your home looking amazing for spring showings and watch your listing sell quickly and at a great price!

Need help with listing your home for sale? Contact Janet McAfee Real Estate today for over three decades of buying and selling experience!