New Castle County DE Real Estate Market Watch For March 2018
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
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Home Decorating and Design Trends for 2018 for New Castle County, DE
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
A new year means that new home decorating and design trends are being featured in magazines, on blogs, and at home shows. If you like to stay on top of the newest ideas and get an itch to get to the paint store when you see the most recent magazine layouts, here are just a few of things that are trending now.
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- In spite of what we see on house flipping television shows, the open floor plan is losing some popularity. People are starting to define their open spaces with small partitions, paint, and other clever ways.
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- Natural things like wood, botanical prints and florals are still hot. Wood is still king in the flooring department, and wallpapers and fabrics will be featuring natural prints.
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- For kitchen countertops, quartz is moving up the ranks because of its beauty and ease of care--it doesn’t need sealing like marble and granite, and it’s also heat resistant.
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- Accent walls are painted in bold colors, or covered with wood or bold-printed wallpapers.
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- Metallic pieces are making a comeback. Finishes in brass and even stainless black are taking over stainless steel and brushed nickel. Good thing that mixed metals are an acceptable look.
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- Larger tile on floors and backsplashes are coming in style, but the classic subway tile is still number one because of the clean, classic look it has.
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- Concrete is showing up in unusual places, like flooring and walls.
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- Smart technology is being integrated into almost every room of the house, including the bathroom.
-Vanity mirrors with smart screens built in, chromatherapy, and touch-free fixtures are becoming more popular and affordable.
- Trends in lighting are still leaning towards the vintage look, but pendants are especially stylish, and brass is the new brushed nickel.
The definition of trend, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a prevailing tendency or inclination; a general movement.” In other words, trends are temporary, even if they last for years. Make it easy on yourself if you love a new look, and try a few ideas in your home, but don’t undergo a complete remodeling to meet today’s en vogue styles. Stick to easily changeable trends, such as throw pillows, slipcovers, paint, and wall coverings.
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
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Photo credit: lampsplus.com
Late Winter Gardening Maintenance for New Castle County, DE
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Birds are singing, the days are noticeably longer, and your yard is looking as drab as Winter. Here are some guidelines for late winter outdoor maintenance so you can take advantage of warmer days to get a jump start on the growing season.
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- Now is a great time to prune dead wood and suckers out of flowering trees and shrubbery. If you have plants that bloom in spring or bloom off old wood, wait to cut it back until after it flowers. Cutting them back now will take off the new flower bud.
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- After pruning fruit trees, spray with neem oil to help prevent any pests that have overwintered and can destroy your Summer harvest.
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- Rake leaves and other debris so your lawn can absorb as much sun as possible to look its best. Place debris in the compost pile.
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- Don’t wait to start mowing the lawn in a few months to find a mechanical problem. Home Depot offers some tips for getting your lawn mower ready for the busy season.
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- Check your irrigation system for any cracks if the cold weather has been brutal this year.
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- Have your garden soil tested through your local cooperative extension service.
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- If you haven’t already, get your seeds ordered and started as soon as possible. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has some great advice for indoor seed-starting.
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If you see daffodils blooming, that means it’s time to get cold weather veggies in the ground: onions, garlic, sweet peas, salads, carrots and potatoes are cold-hardy and will be ready for harvest first!
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- Cut back ornamental grasses and mow any natural wildflower landscaping you may have.
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- Don’t put away the bird feeders just yet--keep them full, because winter fruit is fading, and their favorite insects haven’t ventured out yet. Clean your hummingbird feeders with a bottlebrush dipped in warm water with white vinegar, rinse, and allow to sir dry. If you’re not sure when to fill them and have them ready, read this hummingbird Spring migration information from The Spruce.
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-Mulching now is a good idea, unless there has been a lot of snow and rain in your area. Before you put down new mulch, make sure the ground has had some time to dry out.
Maintaining plants and plant beds in late Winter will give you great results when the growing and harvest seasons begin. Your outdoor space is a year-round job and getting an early start may save you some time and energy when the temperatures are soaring.
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Photo credit: getholistichealth.com
Getting Organized on a Budget for New Castle County, DE
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Your dream closet comes complete with drawers, shoe shelves, a complete vanity and a hefty price tag. Other organizational organizing gadgets and pieces can cost quite a bit as well, but there are a multitude of ways to get organized without spending a lot.
Closets
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- A chain plant hanger is perfect for hanging shirts and blouses to save valuable room. Chains also come in a variety of sizes and finishes, and is available year-round at most hardware stores.
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- Mount a short curtain rod on the inside of the closet door to hang scarves, and use clip-style curtain rings to hang hats and gloves in the Winter.
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- Tension rods placed at top and bottom of your closet can extend your hanging space for lighter items, like blouses and shirts. Or add shower curtain hooks to keep purses, scarves or ties handy.
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This use of tension rods for shoe storage is awesome and easy!
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- A large piece of sturdy wire mesh from a hardware or farm supply store, and even pegboard cut to fit any spare wall space in your closet can be installed virtually flat. S-hooks make perfect hangers awkward-shaped items, and ties and scarves can be stored flat.
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- Closet space can vary, and if you’ve already utilized every inch, consider a wardrobe. Scan online yard sale groups, flea markets and auctions for inexpensive pieces, add some paint to compliment your decor, and you have a custom wardrobe!
In the Kitchen
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- A clean egg carton or small muffin tin is perfect for keeping things organized in the catch-all drawer.
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- If your cabinets make it hard to find pots and pans that you need, consider hanging them! Pot racks can be made from many things, and if you’re feeling a project coming on, here’s a great DIY pallet rack to try!
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- Use inexpensive dollar store baskets in your pantry for pull-out organization of cans, spices and baking items. The baskets keep them neat, and easy to get to.
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- An unused cookie jar is perfect for keeping cooking utensils handy and out of a junky drawer.
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- A wall file-holder attached to the inside of a cabinet door is transformed into a plastic container lid holder.
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- Mount a long piece of magnetic tape to your backsplash to hold knives and other often-used utensils for easy access. (Make sure the kids can’t reach them, though!)
Bedrooms
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- Use a bookshelf as a headboard to create space for books, (obviously), remotes, glasses, morning medicines or display items.
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- Under-the-bed storage is essential for seasonal clothes, shoes, toys, old photos--anything you don’t use daily. Suitcases, old dresser drawers (with adhesive felt or wheels on the bottom), inexpensive plastic storage containers, and vacuum-sealed storage bags make the most of this space.
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- Is your makeup kept in a jumbled drawer or cosmetic bag? This DIY magnetic makeup board is a great way to keep it handy and easy to find.
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- The kids’ toys can stay better organized by using baskets in bookshelves, open shelving on their level, and benches with storage.
Getting organized is on many New Year resolution lists, and if you’re serious about it, start by decluttering, and using what you can afford or DIY to make it happen. Putting the home in order can be pretty, practical, and even cheap!
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Photo credit: care2.com
New Castle County DE Real Estate Market Watch For December 2017
Monday, January 29, 2018
New Castle County DE listings decreased from 420 new listings in December 2016 down to 389 in December 2017. The average sales price decreased to $248,306, while days on market dropped by 11 days.
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Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Before You Remodel...
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
Depending on whether you are planning to sell your home in the next year or if you are in your forever home, remodeling is a great way to get what you want out of your home, or what buyers want. There are things to consider before you jump into remodeling.
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- Decide on a budget, and how you’ll pay for the upgrade. Consider hiring a financial planner who can help you choose which way is best.
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- If you decide to do this project yourself, and you’re not in the construction business, plan on taking much longer than a professional. Be realistic about your skills and hire help if you need it.
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- Acquiring an architect or designer is a good idea if you’re making major changes. You don’t want to run into major structural or electrical issues and not know what to do.
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- Think about how long you want to stay in your home before you invest in big ticket items, like a six-burner range for the kitchen, or expensive hardwood flooring throughout the house. If your sole plan is to make money from a sale, or if you want and can afford the upgrades, go ahead. But if you’re not going to enjoy those items while you’re living there, consider a simple refurbishing or using what you have if it’s in good working order and won’t look out of place.
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- When looking for a contractor, price isn’t necessarily the important thing. Ask for references, check their license numbers, and call the former clients and ask to see the work that was done, either in photos or in person. The research will be worth it in the end.
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- Once you hire your contractor, start getting your paperwork in order. The contractor has their own responsibilities, and the homeowner has to take care of other items--check this list from realtor.com to see who is responsible for what.
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- Planning a timeline with your contractor is especially important, and make sure you leave room for possible unexpected issues.
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- Sit down with your family and figure out logistics, especially if you’re remodeling the kitchen or one of the bathrooms in your home. Remodeling can cause a lot of stress, but if everyone knows what to do before it all happens, things can flow better.
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- As with moving, clean out the room before the renovation, giving away, selling or throwing out what you haven’t used in months. Wrap and store any items you’re keeping in a spare room.
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- Before the construction team comes in to begin the project, sit down with your contractor to set location boundaries for the crew and your family, along with other logistics. The crew doesn’t want your children playing around with tools, and you don’t want your good bathroom towels used for grimy hands. Everyone needs to know what is okay, and what isn’t.
A home remodel is a big undertaking; watching renovation shows on television can give the idea that everything goes off without a hitch. It takes planning, communication and good all-around management to make the process go smoothly, even if you hit a few bumps along the way.
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Photo credit: www.emagine.us
DIY Home Staging
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
You’ve taken the plunge, and put your home on the market. How do you stage it for potential buyers, and keep it looking great while living your day-to-day? Follow this guide for some practical ideas.
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1. Look at your front entry closely. Paint porch rails and columns, and your front door, if necessary. Replace the door, if necessary.
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2. Landscaping is extremely important for first impressions--clean out the flowerbeds, put down some new mulch and fresh plants, if the time of year is right.
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3. Get rid of clutter and anything that isn’t necessary. Go ahead and pack these things for your potential move so you’ll have one less thing to do when the time comes.
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4. Clean out closets, and throw away, give away or store anything that you’re not using or haven’t used in six months. Buyers will look in closets and cabinets to see how much storage is available.
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5. Clean, clean, clean. Your home needs to be spotless, but once it’s done, it’s easy to keep clean for realtor showings. If you don’t have time, consider hiring a cleaning agency.
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6. Using decorative containers to store things that you need while living in your staged home is a great way to hide extra clutter. Totes, benches with storage, and inexpensive shelving with baskets are great ways to hide your can’t-live-without things.
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7. Rearranging furniture to make rooms appear larger is a huge plus--even taking out lesser-used pieces makes a big difference in how open your rooms will look. If you’re unsure of this step, ask your realtor for the name of a decorator who specializes in rearrangement and using what you have to improve the space.
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8. If your decor is bold and bright, go ahead and give the walls a fresh coat of neutral paint colors.
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9. You don’t need to purchase new furniture once you’ve toned down the wall paint--slipcovers are an inexpensive way to make your pieces look like new.
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10. Remove personal artwork/photos from your walls and replace with mirrors, inexpensive prints of landscapes or animals.
Once you’re ready for your realtor to schedule showings, give everyone in the house a responsibility schedule, and stick to it. Be diligent about keeping furniture dusted, floors vacuumed, countertops wiped off, and dishes stashed in the dishwasher. If you just take out an extra twenty minutes every evening or morning, your home will impress your potential buyers.
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Photo credit: http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/
New Castle County DE Real Estate Market Watch For November 2017
Thursday, December 21, 2017
New Castle County DE listings decreased from 628 new listings in November 2016 down to 615 in November 2017. The average sales price decreased to $236,593, while days on market dropped by 10 days.
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Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
New Castle County DE Real Estate Market Watch For October 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017
New Castle County DE listings decreased from 783 new listings in October 2016 down to 768 in October 2017. The average sales price decreased to $242,975, while days on market dropped by 15 days.
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Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Displaying Framed Pieces!
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Moving into a new home means looking for the right touch for the blank walls. Artwork or family photos are the perfect fillers for these spaces, and hanging them can be a task. Let’s look at some practical rules and tips for making those plain spaces come to life.
Single Frames
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1. Pick your space, picture to hang, and gather measuring tool, chalk or pencil, level, hammer and nails or screwdriver and screws. Picture-hanging kits can be purchased at hardware and home stores as well.
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2. If the place you’ve chosen doesn’t have a stud for a nail, it is best to use an anchor and screw hanger. These are inexpensive, and can be found in any hardware store. Follow the easy instructions for installation for a strong mount for the picture.
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3. Measure up to approximately 57” on the wall; this is where the center of your picture should be--average eye height. The top of the frame will obviously be higher.
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4. Hold the frame up to the wall and use a pencil or some chalk to mark the approximate place for the nail/anchor screw.
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5. Install the hardware you’ve chosen, and hang the frame.
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6. Sometimes the frame doesn’t want to hang level. Use self-stick rubber dots on the back corners of the frame; these will hold it in place, and protect the wall from damage.
Gallery Walls
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1. If you’re creating a gallery wall using several pieces, and include family snapshot photos, children’s artwork, art prints, and even fine art.
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2. Create a clean, modern look by using the same style and color frames, same color palette, or same theme.
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3. Use the largest picture for a focal point. Hang it first, using the 57” on-center idea.
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4. Make templates of your artwork with newspaper. Lay your pictures down on the paper, and trace around the edge. Cut the templates out.
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5. Place the templates on the floor, or on the wall with masking tape, in any formation you like, changing the arrangement until it looks like a well-fitted puzzle.
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6. Not all large pieces need to be in the center; a pleasing arrangement would have the focal point hanging to the left of your display, with smaller frames hung on the right.
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7. Once you are satisfied with your mock-up gallery, hang the pictures using the first four tips.
Bonus Display Tips
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1. Renters or anyone who doesn’t want to bother with hammer and nails can use removeable sticky strips for framed pieces. 3M Command Strips are perfect for this easy display idea.
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2. Use an art ledge for an easy display. These can be purchased at home stores and painted or stained to suit your style. Attach to the wall at the 57” level, or 12” above the furniture, and place your pictures and artwork on them--no other hardware needed!
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3. There are a multitude of free printables--seasonal and inspirational quotes--available on the internet. Keep one or two spaces on your walls for a quick-change whenever you feel the need.
No matter your decorating style, hanging framed items has a few rules that you should follow for aesthetics’ sake, but choosing what to display and how many is a personal decision. Make your home your own by showing off what you love most, making the statement with your framed decorations.
Courtesy of New Castle County DE Realtors Tucker Robbins and Carol Arnott Robbins.
Photo credit: www.utrdecorating.com
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