by David Glenn | Feb 27, 2017 | CRESTICO
One of the most important aspects of life is owning a comfortable home. It’s a place where family members spend a great deal of their time, and owning a traditionally stylish home is a pleasure that can last a lifetime. Home ownership is a source of pride that virtually everyone wants to achieve. Whether it’s a forever home or an investment that you may someday put a for sale by owner sign in front of, an attractive home is always an asset to its owner. Styles range from Contemporary to Art-Deco to Colonial, and everything in between. With so many home choices, it can be difficult finding the design that’s right for you. Let’s consider the unique styles of Victorian, Tuscan, and Cape Code, as all are timeless in their own right.
Victorian homes were built for their beauty rather than their utility. Emerging between 1830 and 1910, this style of home was inspired during Queen Victoria’s reign in England. These large homes are popular for big families as well as being suitable for rental units. Victorians often have complicated designs. Their trim is ornate, and Victorian homes generally sport large porches on the exteriors. These homes are asymmetrical, and the roof lines are multi-faceted. Victorian homes are common on the East Coast, and usually have three stories. If you’re looking for old-fashioned nostalgia, a Victorian home is an excellent choice for that turn of the century, vintage feel.
Inspired by the Italian hills, the Tuscan style is both elegant and rustic at the same time. These homes showcase tiles made of terracotta, which have been used for thousands of years. Early civilizations used sun-dried terracotta for both flooring and wall coverings, and this adds to the rustic feel of the home. Traditional Tuscan walls are covered in plaster or are otherwise textured. Detailed patterns, iron scrollwork, and aged finishes often grace Tuscan homes as well. High, beamed ceilings are a defining feature of the home. Tuscan-inspired homes are generally found in southern states of the U.S. because of their warmer climates. Home owners looking for a taste of the Mediterranean often veer towards Tuscan homes, where Old World charm awaits them.
First built in the 1600’s, Cape Cod homes have steep roofs and large chimneys. Their inspiration comes from the quaint, thatched cottages of England. These homes, with their larger than average chimneys, are well-suited to the Northeastern U.S. because of the cold winters. Shingles on the Cape Cod are typically made of cedar. Windows are set on each side of the front door in these houses. A main feature of the Cape Cod are the dormer windows above. Many of the Cape Cod homes today were built after World War II. Cape Cod gives a nod back to America’s history as a British colony. They are traditional, yet uniquely distinct. Even those with little knowledge of home architecture can pick out a Cape Cod style home.
Each of these elegant home styles has its own unique character and special elements, but all are timeless classics as well. The Victorian and Cape Cod draw their architectural inspiration from periods in history while the Tuscan reflects an old heritage born in the hillsides of Italy. While some styles are prevalent in specific locales, any of these timeless homes can be made your own. Simply add your beloved keepsakes, a home theater and any other special amenities you desire to turn any house into a personalized home. After all, it is the unique possessions you own and the custom decorating style that only you possess that will truly make your home timeless.
by David Glenn | Jan 30, 2017 | CRESTICO
Whether you have plans to sell your home as a for sale by owner listing or through the help of a Real Estate agent, you want your home to sell quickly and for a price that is close to the asking price. How attractive or appealing the home is plays a major role in this. You want the home to look well-maintained and clean as well as stylish. There are a few steps that you can take to improve your property and make it more attractive to potential buyers.
Price the Home Right for the Market
One of the most important factors that will impact how attractive or appealing a property is is the price. With an attractive price, the property will gain more attention from interested buyers. If a home is overpriced for the market, on the other hand, a property may not look as appealing to a buyer as another property that is more affordably priced. Your real estate agent can help you to determine the best asking price for the property given current market conditions.
Clean the Front and Backyard
The front yard is one of the first property features a buyer will notice, and this is because the front of the home is one of the first images a buyer will see when looking at the home online. It also is what will make a first impression of the home on the buyer when he or she drives up for a tour. The backyard is equally as important. Keep in mind that nobody wants to inherit your junk when they buy a new house. Clear away clutter and debris from the yard. Make it look pristine, and take time to mow and edge. For the best results, plant seasonal blooms in the flower beds, and cover these beds with a fresh layer of mulch.
Invest in Power Washing Services
If your home is like most, the exterior of the home may be filthy. It may have ground in dirt in the patios and walkways, mildew growing on the siding or roof and even staining on the bricks. Power washing can go a long way toward removing these spots and stains and can leave the property looking fresh and clean. Professional power washing services are best if you want to minimize potential damage that could be caused by the powerful stream of pressurized water. This can break windows, damage the paint on siding and more if you are not careful.
Spruce Up the Front Entryway
Continuing to pay attention to the exterior of the home, take time to make the exterior of the front entryway look attractive. Keep in mind that the front door is a focal point of the exterior of the home in online pictures. It also an area where the buyers may stand for long moments while they wait for the agent to open the front door. Add potted plants to the patio, and replace the worn out welcome mat. Replace or repaint the front door, and update the door hardware for the best results.
Replace Outdated Fixtures
If you have extra money in your home preparation budget, a smart idea is to take a closer look at your home’s fixtures. This includes electrical fixtures and plumbing fixtures. These items can date a home quickly, and you can easily improve the look and appeal of your home by modernizing them with new features. You may also consider replacing the door hardware, and focus on using the same type of finish throughout the home for a cohesive look.
Eliminate Unpleasant Odors
A home that smells like cigarettes, pets or even some types of food may not be appealing to be in. It can be difficult, however, to determine what your home smells like because you can become accustomed to odors. You can ask a friend or family member to give you their honest analysis of your home’s odors. You can also leave the home for several hours and take a deep breath upon returning. Cleaning carpeting and upholstery is often one good step you can take to improve the smell in your home.
Paint the Walls a Neutral Hue
Many homeowners love to get creative with paint colors, but bold or unique colors are often not appealing to buyers. A smart idea is to repaint the walls a neutral color for greater universal appeal. In addition to making the home look more inviting, it can make the rooms look larger and can eliminate some of the unpleasant odors that may have been locked into the walls.
Show Some Love to the Flooring
Your home’s flooring requires significant attention when preparing to list your property for sale. This is because it covers the entire surface area of your home and is a true focal point in the space. If you have tile, take time to replace chipped tile and grout, and professionally clean the grout. For carpeting, steam clean or shampoo the floors to restore its look to like-new condition. For wood flooring, follow manufacturer’s care instructions, such as waxing or polishing the floor. In some cases, homeowners may decide to replace the flooring altogether. If you choose to proceed with this option, choose flooring that has universal appeal to most buyers.
Remove Personal Items From the Home
A final step to take to improve the appeal of your home to potential buyers is to remove all personal items from the property. Ideally, your buyers will be able to envision themselves living in the home, but this can be hard to do if there are family photos of your loved ones hanging on the walls or trophies of another child’s sports endeavors on a shelf.
The decision to list your home for sale is not a matter to take lightly, but there are many benefits for doing so. For example, you may have plans to upgrade to a larger home, downsize to a more affordable home or relocate to take advantage of career opportunities. Before you can achieve these or other goals, however, you need to find a buyer for your home. Through these efforts, you can more easily improve the appeal of your property and attract interested buyers.
by David Glenn | Jan 18, 2017 | CRESTICO
Having a home theater used to be considered a luxury reserved only for the wealthy. Key theater elements such as impressive sound systems and high-quality seating were once entirely too expensive for the average homeowner. However, today these things are affordable, meaning that anyone can build the theater of their dreams in their own home.
If you are looking to elevate your TV room to a theater masterpiece, there are some key accessories that will transform your movie-watching experience in no time
1. Black-Out Curtains:
A good set of black-out curtains is one of the most inexpensive items on the list, but a necessity nonetheless. Movie theaters are dark for a reason; by keeping the room dark, the picture on the screen can look its best as it is unaffected by light interference. Invest in a pair of black-out curtains which will completely block light out of your room.
2. A Quality Sound System:
One major difference between watching a movie in a movie theater and at home is the quality of sound. Movie theaters use surround sound which allows you to hear sound all around you. Also, movie theater sound systems pick up a wider range of frequencies so that the sound is much more realistic.
Investing in a good sound system is essential, and luckily, quality sound systems are more inexpensive than ever, with many exceptional systems costing under $2,000. Plus, most of these new models take up less physical space than they ever have.
Despite the fact that they are more affordable than before, this is definitely not a place to skimp as the quality of sound will make or break your movie-watching experience.
3. A Large, High-Quality Screen:
You can’t watch a movie without a screen. To really mimic the feel of a movie theater, you will want a screen that is at least 50 inches wide. There are countless high-definition LED televisions on the market that come in a range of sizes. These can be fairly expensive, however, especially when you opt for a larger size.
Luckily, there are many high-quality movie projectors which will cost you under $1,000. Many projectors offer features like 3-D capabilities and high-definition viewing.
To complete the theater experience, invest in a wall mount so that your screen is attached to the wall. These mounts are inexpensive but make a big difference when it comes to creating the feeling of a real movie theater in your own home.
4. Comfortable Seating:
No matter how good the movie is, it’s hard to enjoy a film when you are sitting in an uncomfortable chair. Comfortable seating is a crucial part of the movie-watching experience.
Reclining chairs are a favorite for home movie theaters, allowing the viewer to truly relax while enjoying their favorite film. Quality back support is a must as chairs with poor back support will cause pain and discomfort which will ruin the movie-watching experience. Extra features like heating and drink holders add an element of luxury and will be loved by all your guests.
Now that you have all the elements you will need to create a movie theater in your own home, there are some important tips to keep in mind while you put the room together. First, it is crucial that you do not place your speakers on any pieces of furniture. This will muffle the audio as the furniture will absorb much of the sound.
Secondly, arrange your room in a way that those entering or leaving the room will not be walking in front of the screen. This can majorly disrupt the viewing experience for the rest of those watching the movie.
Lastly, remember that the space between your screen and your seating has a large effect on your viewing experience. Sitting too close or too far away will negatively impact the way you perceive the quality and details of the movie. There are online calculators which will determine the ideal space between your seating and your screen based on the size of your room and the size of the screen itself.
Building a theater in your home is easier than ever, and by following these simple instructions you will have the ultimate theater masterpiece for friends and family to enjoy forever.
by David Glenn | Dec 13, 2016 | CRESTICO
People take pride in their homes. It can be wonderful to live in a residence that makes you feel good about yourself. If you have a well-maintained home, inviting guests over can be a comfortable and easy experience. There are many homeowners out there who are constantly searching for things they can do to improve their properties. Home improvements can increase your comfort and quality of life. They can do a lot more than just those things, too, however. They can give your property value a major spike. Strengthening the curb appeal of your property can be beneficial to people who are contemplating possibly selling later on. If you want to improve your home and potentially strengthen its value in the Real Estate world, there are many great changes you can make to it.
Paint Your Residence
Painting a property can do wonders for its value. No one wants to buy a residence that has chipping and cracking interior paint. No one wants to put their money into a home that has unattractive faded paint on its outsides, either. If you want to give your home value a big spike, painting can make an easy and budget-friendly solution. Your goal should be to paint all of your interior walls meticulously and neatly. A tidy and well-maintained home gives the impression of better value. It’s important to make smart choices in paint color selection as well. If your objective is to better the value of your home, focus on neutral paint color choices. Neutral colors tend to be the most attractive to people. Refrain from the use of paint colors that are excessively loud or bright. These can be off-putting.
Plant a Beautiful Tree
If you want to improve the value of your home, don’t concentrate exclusively on the interior. Make a point to focus on your outdoor property, too. Your outdoor space will actually be the first thing potential purchasers see, after all. That’s precisely why it’s so important to make sure that it appears as enticing and aesthetically pleasing as possible. Landscaping can do so much for home value. Think about planting a lovely shade tree on your lawn. Mature trees can beautify landscapes in a significant way. They can also offer practical advantages. If you grow a tree in a strategic spot, it can reduce your monthly cooling bills dramatically. It may be able to reduce these bills by upward of 40 percent. The presence of mature trees, lastly, can also help the environment. They can give animals in your neighborhood a nice place to live.
Add a Pool
It may seem like a big investment to add a pool, but as you invest more into your home the more it will be worth in the long run. Pools are seen as a luxury that not everyone has, so adding a pool to your home will give it a distinction in the neighborhood, and your home will be seen as a home of value compared to the houses around you.
Invest in a Room Addition
Room additions can be amazing for people who want to improve residential value. It doesn’t matter if you get a room addition that serves as an entertainment center, extra storage space, a guest bedroom or anything else. Customized room additions can up the value of your home considerably. They can make your home significantly larger. Who in the world doesn’t want or crave extra space? You can get creative with your room addition, too. You can turn it into an entertainment haven by adding a home theater to it. You can turn it into a designated kiddie play zone by filling it with toys, a jungle gym and beyond. You can do whatever you want. The sky’s the limit.
Renovate Your Bathroom
Bathrooms are big business in the home remodeling universe. If you want to better your home value, it can be wise to zero in on your bathroom. Bathroom renovations can go a long way. They don’t have to cost a lot of money, either. If you want to give your bathroom a quick overhaul, take out old lights and switch them with new ones. Take out old-fashioned wallpaper and switch it with something a lot more contemporary and fresh. Seemingly small tweaks and adjustments can actually do a lot for the value of your property.
by David Glenn | Oct 12, 2016 | CRESTICO
The Real Estate market is constantly changing, and home prices are skyrocketing in many cities. Every year, there are new trends. Some people choose to purchase used homes, but most people prefer new homes. Depending on the location and the materials used, a new home can be very expensive. Fortunately, improvements in technology are paving the way for more affordable housing. In the real estate industry, 3D printers are changing the way homes are built in cities and suburbs.
More Affordable Real Estate
When it comes to real estate prices, the land is usually more expensive than the actual house. Population density, proximity to restaurants and retail stores, the local economy and the education system are all factors that affect property values. Homes in rural areas are usually more affordable than homes in urban areas. In recent years, 3D Construction has been introduced to the real estate industry. The automation process is making homes more affordable in suburban and urban communities.
The City and the Suburbs
Every year, millions of people decide to purchase a new home in the city or the suburbs. In the near future, many people will be able to afford homes in affluent neighborhoods. Mortgage payments will be more affordable. Suburban families will be able to afford larger homes, and urbanites will have more expendable income. Low-income people will have better housing options. Millions of young adults are having a difficult time reaching important milestones. When 3D printing becomes mainstream, young adults will be able to live in safe and affordable neighborhoods.
Desirable Neighborhoods and Luxurious Features
A decade ago, construction workers were having a difficult time building affordable homes in desirable neighborhoods. Currently, a 3D printer can build a luxurious home in a desirable neighborhood. The new technology will not eliminate construction workers. Construction workers have to oversee the project.
Boosting the Local Economy
In addition to making housing more affordable, the affluent population will have access to more luxurious features. High-quality construction materials and intricate designs will be more readily available. This technology will have a positive impact on the residential and commercial real estate industry. Commercial buildings will be more affordable and business owners will spend less money on overhead costs.
Quality Construction Materials
The new technology can build pre-assembled HVAC systems and pre-insulated walls. The materials are environmentally friendly. When 3D printers are standard construction industry tools, construction workers will be able to reduce the number of tedious delivery trips. Since many of the construction materials can be loaded into the printer, the materials can be shipped to the construction site. Construction workers can transport lighter loads. This will help construction workers increase their productivity and reduce fatigue. Shipping and handling systems can transport the 3D printer.
Less Wasteful
Currently, most printers can only print materials individually. In the future, the printers will be able to perform multiple functions. In the next few years, the technology may be able to print reinforced plastics with graphene materials. The printers can already build strong concrete walls. This construction method is also less wasteful. Until recently, excess materials were a necessary expense. When a printer handles the construction work, raw materials are not wasted. This construction method will increase the production speed, and it will reduce the construction costs by more than 30 percent.
The new 3D printing technology will benefit real estate professionals, homeowners and construction workers. For many people, owning a home will become an attainable goal. This technology will help create thousands of new jobs in the real estate industry.
