I am constantly amazed by the imagination and beauty of lighting in today’s world. My mother was an architect and I grew up with a back porch that was illuminated by lights recessed into the ceilings and disguised as stars. A memory so lovely that I still love the night stars.
My mom would approve.
Nothing says welcome home like a beautiful front door. I have seen a door just like this in Orlando and I admit that I covet it for my house. How gorgeous is this door?
At the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, I found this unique way to deflect notice from a large pipe in the basement. An artist designed a lovely statement piece on the wall which integrates the pipe into the artwork. How cute is this?
If there is one HUGE thing that makes a difference when trying to sell your home it is a front porch.
A decorated front porch is like money in the bank. It just gives off the most welcome feeling and is an open invitation to come home. Throw in an American flag and you have perfection.
#VictoriaMagazine
NEW YORK – July 18, 2016 – The configuration of the home is more important to buyers with children these days, Jeff Martel, a real estate professional with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, told MarketWatch.
“Ten years ago, the only thing families were looking for was square footage and a large yard,” he says. But now more family home shoppers are placing an open floor plan high on their list rather than separated rooms.
“Everything happens in the kitchen,” he says. “Kids use the islands now for breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Here are other house features that parents desire the most, according to real estate professionals:
Office nook: Martel sees a declining interest in having a separate home office. Instead, he has more clients asking for an office nook off the main living space so that parents can better monitor their children while the kids are online. “You want a family office that’s very visible with a direct sightline to the kitchen,” he says.
Garage access: Location of the garage is also important, adds Lindsay Alteri, who works for BHGRE in Raleigh, N.C., and is also a mother of two young children. “If there are stairs to and from the garage, are you going to be willing to go up and down them carrying a child” in from the car? she notes.
Mud room: Also, a garage that walks into an area in the laundry room is desirable, adds Stacy Barry, a real estate professional at Century 21 Scheetz in Indianapolis. “You want a ‘mud room’ that has a bench and some storage for boots that’s done in a hardwood or laminate where you can drop everything like backpacks and jackets,” Martel adds.
Built-in storage: “Kids come with clutter,” Martel says. Parents are wanting a lot of built-in storage in bedrooms, attics, spaces under stairs, and even hidden storage behind bookshelves.
Source: “What Moms Look for When Buying a House,” MarketWatch (June 19, 2016)
Having lived in Louisiana while attending LSU, one of my favorite places in the world is New Orleans and the Garden District.
For any lover of architecture, the grandeur of the homes in this district is awe-inspiring. This home is known as the Wedding Cake house. It is absolutely glorious. A dream home.
This is an architectural gem.
We are entering a new buying season and I just want to encourage you to consider some things when you are looking to sell your home for the highest price.
One surefire way to get interest and have buyers knocking on your front door is to have a BEAUTIFUL front door. It doesn’t have to be expensive…it could just be painted a color that “pops” and peaks the interest of the prospective new homeowner.
People are buying more than a home…they are buying a fantasy and your front door could be the thing that makes the difference.
Think color and you’ll see some green! Just do it.
