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It’s always great to have ‘the hot new thing’ in your home. Until the hot new thing becomes not so new, quickly followed by what was I thinking. We know trends are fun but when it comes to your home, transition is key. As you begin a remodel or update be sure you know the difference between a timeless design and a sign of the times.

Outrageous Colors: Turquoise, Purple, Magenta, every color has a season. While it’s great to spruce up the room with a fresh coat of a hot new color you should most definitely stick to the walls. Avoid adding these trending colors to your flooring, cabinets, tile, and appliances. They’re called accent colors for a reason. Only use them with household items that are easy and affordable to switch up.

Test of Time: Will what you do today make the cut? Look back at trends and traditions. Furniture, cabinets, flooring, entryways, and bathrooms have been around for decades! Take a look back and see if what you’re about to do has been trending for 30+ years. If so, it’s a safe bet that it will look great in your home for years to come.

Do Both: Get the best of both worlds when you mix it up. You may have older cabinets but new hardware is a quick and often inexpensive fix. An old bathtub can look positively dreamy when paired with modern flooring or colors. That new floor paired with a whole set of new towels and accents pieces is still cheaper than a new shower/bathtub.

Fabric Mishaps: Updating your furniture, headboards, or curtains? Upholstery is fun to play with but don’t go overboard. Most fabric is deceptively sturdy and will more than likely outlast a trend. With that mind, choose dining room chairs with more wood than fabric. Headboards with neutral timeless colors, and curtains that are functional and classic. Picking out a new sofa? A recent survey of prospective furniture buyers suggests you’ll be living with your choice for at least 10 years. We know several homeowners with timeless pieces upwards of 25 or 30 years old. Note we said “timeless”. The cost of reupholstering isn’t worth picking out a flashy fabric.

Stainless Steel Appliances: Many experts believe that Stainless Steel is quickly becoming old. If you’re updating your kitchen think twice before throwing down the extra cash for these shiny appliances. They have been popular for quite some time, however, the next generation of busy homeowners is quickly learning how much easier it is to maintain white and black in the home’s busiest room. We are so over fingerprints.

At the end of the day it’s your home and you have to love it. If one of these trends is exactly the look you’re going for then do it. If dating your home is a concern but you still want to spice things up we have two words for you. Throw pillows. Oh, and accent rugs. Buy as many as you want in the most outrageous styles, colors, and fabrics. Just remember to donate them when you’re ready to change things up again. Crazy throw pillow lady is the new cat lady.

Found on buzzfeed.com

Gotta love March in Chicago. While the weather is in like a lion and out like a lamb, our real estate market is just the opposite. Things are starting to heat up and if you’re even thinking about listing your house this Spring you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared. It takes time and planning to get the most for your home, follow these tips and rest assured you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck

Find a Listing Agent: Even if you know it’ll be some time before you’re ready to put your house on the market you can enlist the help of an agent. Agents know better than anyone what needs to get done before your home should go on the market.

Pony Up For a Home Inspection: Before you start painting and updating you should know more about your home’s condition. A home inspection can reveal issues you aren’t aware of. The last thing you want is to have an inspection uncover these problems once you’re in contract. Addressing any concerns before you put your home on the market will save you money in the long run.

Fresh Paint Prevails: Cosmetic improvements should be made before you list or photograph. Kitchens sell houses. New hardware, fresh paint, and clean grout on your backsplash make a huge difference. If you don’t have time to make these improvements yourself hire a contractor. Your agent should have more than a few recommendations.

Make it Picture Perfect: Once your house is on the active market it gets compared to all the other listings on a daily basis. Enhance what makes your home unique. The pictures that accompany your listing will heavily influence a homebuyer’s interest. Make sure your ‘bay of windows’ is clean, your planters are overflowing with flowers, and your stainless steel appliances are smudge free.

Less Is More: I know you love your overstuffed chair, fully stocked library, and stash of funny coffee mugs. However, to a buyer, it’s clutter. Stow large furniture, make room on your shelves, and clear out your cabinets. Cozy to you can mean not enough room to a prospective buyer.

Now that you’re pointed in the right direction you have a lot of work to do. Find an agent you can trust, make your to-do list, and get ready to take part in what is sure to be one of the biggest deals you’ll ever make. Good Luck!

Found on calibamboo.com

Here’s the thing about Chicagoans. When it hits April we want to be outside. As much as possible. Now is a great time to get your think on and create a perfect mini oasis with your prime Chicago real estate. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your small but serene space, whether it’s a sliver of grass or a rooftop patio.

Think Vertical: Trees, plants, and containers should be tall, not wide. They’ll draw the eye up and most of us have plenty of sky to share!

Make the Most of Your Nooks: Don’t ignore those barren corners. Make them a focal point. Bistro seating with a vertical planter garden or trellis will create a cozy retreat.

Go Grassless: In small spaces plants can be much easier to maintain than grass. Skip the hassle of mowing and save your time for enjoying.

H20: There’s nothing more relaxing than the sounds of bubbling water. Water features are a great way to bring nature to your rooftop or urban back yard.

Create Your View: Pergolas and arbors are a great way to add height to your space. Even better, they come in all sizes. Garden art is another fantastic option.

Make It Unique: How about raised gardens that double as seating? Hardscaping (rock work and brick patios) is just as important to your layout as the plants. Retaining walls can give you more planting areas creating the illusion of more yard.

Take Your Kitchen Outdoors: Combine your needs and wants while dining al fresco. Creating an outdoor dining area makes your space cozy and functional. Consult a hardscaping specialist for outdoor kitchen design ideas.

One Of A Kind Vertical Features: Pinterest is full of garden art ideas. Grab a screen door and some mason jars and create something fabulous.

Borrow Your View: Do your neighbor’s have beautiful tall trees? Use that to your advantage. Adding color and texture will catch your eye but open views and towering trees expand your view.

You’re ready to create your dream oasis. Head out for the Chicago Flower and Garden Show at Navy Pier. You’ll find experts that can tell what will and won’t work, the plants that survive our frigid winters, and so much more. Happy planting!

Crazy how housing price points have gone up in the past two years.  But the reality is that as the housing market continues to rebound, so do prices.  What surprises me about today’s buyer is that just as in 2005, most of the buyers want the shiny new nickel that costs a lot more than the simple tarnished one  that just needs a good polishing.  How quickly does the average buyer forget that in 2008 after buying at the top of the market, the sales price of that same home they purchased around 2005 actually depreciated instead of appreciated. Many of those same buyers ended up bringing money to the closing table, or ended up with a short sale, very few walked away with a check in hand.

Sometimes buying the shiny nickel doesn’t pay off.  It might be more valuable to buy at lower price point, put some money into the home and dress it up.  The advantages of this are the personal enjoyment received from making enhancement yourself and also adding value to the property when it goes on the market.  These changes could be as little as re-facing kitchen cabinets or replacing a vanity.  For the $2,000- $10,000 a home owner might invest into renovating a home, the return could be quite measurable, especially if the living space is a good size. So before jumping into buying a property, think about the ROI (return on investment) when it is time to sell.  Real Estate is wonderful investment, but it has its fluctuations, just like the stock market.

Charese

Menard Johnson & Associates
2200 W. Roscoe
Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 773-472-6016

http://www.menardjohnson.com/
Email: Send Email

Roscoe Village Real Estate Experts!

To schedule a showing  please call Charese David at 312-399-1271

For listings please visit: www.MenardJohnson.com

OPEN SUNDAY MARCH 1, 2015 FROM 1PM UNTIL 3PM

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