Take advantage of all the equity you’ve built
Buyers are eager to lock in a low rate
There are few home on the market, giving you a better chance of making top dollar
Your house looks its best in summer
More families are looking to move in the summer time
Declutter
A new year, comes with fresh starts so why not start with your home. Take time throughout the next few months decluttering your home. Find one room to start in. DO NOT overwhelm yourself trying to do it all in one day! Take your time. Find things that hold memories close to your heart to keep and get rid of those that don’t.
Fresh is New
Looking to make an old room look new? Add a fresh coat of paint. You won’t believe the difference painting a room can make. Having difficulty picking the right color? Try Benjamin Moore’s 2021 Color of the Year, Aegean Teal 2135-40. They describe this color as intriguing, balance, and deeply soothing. Aegean Teal will creat natural harmony in any room.
Character is Key
2021 is your year to experiment! Instead of paint, look further into ways to add character or texture to a room. Tile can be laid on both the wall and floors in bathrooms and the kitchen. Find ways to make a statement in a simple room.
Create Your “Me” Space
If we know one thing about 2020, it’s that it brought us closer to home. With parents working from home and students learning online, is there a place for you to go in your home? Weather it be a home office, a reading nook, or a she-shed out back. Creating designated spaces for working and learning will not only create organization within your home but create better focus as well.
Make 2021 YOUR year! Take back your space and make it comfortable, purposeful, and cozy for the whole family. For more updating, remodeling, and inspiration ideas, check on our blog page.
Here is another BRRRR method project! Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat.
The tenant rented this property out for 5 years. It was in bad shape when we got it back. It took about 6 weeks for our team to redo the house. As soon as it was finished we re-rented it right away to a long term tenant who may even purchase the house in the coming months or year.
After:
Before:
Welcome to the final reveal!
The lighting around the landscape brings the whole porch to life.
Next came the concrete sealer. We went with 2 coats of BEHR Premium Satin Floor Coating. This will give the porch a weather tight finish and protects against mildew buildup. It also makes water bead up instead of soaking into the concrete, which should help to minimize cracking over the years. It also makes the concrete more pleasant under foot, instead of the sandpaper-like broom finish from the installers.
Lastly - the furnishings! Polypropylene rugs from Wayfair ($128/each), a used cast aluminum couch/swivel chair/ottoman/coffee table/end table combo off Letgo ($500 instead of $2,000+), cast aluminum patio chairs and table ($300 - Amazon), a fan, plant stand, shoe chest, and a few other touches really make the porch feel like another room. We’re very happy with the new curb appeal!
We hope you enjoyed following along through our front porch build! Stayed tuned for our next big project!
Welcome back!
In our previous posts, Magnolia Property Solutions has finished the build of our newest renovation project in Maryland. Today we dive into how the landscaping tied in to bring this front porch alive!
We removed sod and repositioned it around the property where needed, to fill in low spots in the grass, or cover other areas where plants or bushes were removed. A gas weed trimmer/edger was a great tool to cut the sod into squares, and then remove with a shovel. A garden hose is a great way to get a good feel for the line you want to create, if you want to have some curve to it and not be strictly linear with the house.
We trimmed out the landscaping with bricks that were obtained on Letgo for about $.50 each. We planted a variety of gorgeous plants, including Red Yucca, Pleasant White Azaleas, Blue Rug Juniper, Dynamite Crape Myrtle, Spanish Lavender, Weigela, Lemon Thread False Cypress, 5 strawberry plants, Icee Blue Juniper, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Mountain Juniper, Sweet Autumn Clematis, Creeping Phlox ‘Emerald Pink’, Japanese Maple ‘Crimson Queen’, Emerald Spreader Japanese Yew. and liriope. Some of the plants even came from the neighbor, which we know will grow well, and can help create a tie-in between homes in the same neighborhood!
We then recycled A LOT of old cardboard, creating a weed barrier that will serve 3 purposes: it will provide a barrier that will prevent most grass from reemerging through the mulch, as it “suffocates” the remaining grass over the next couple of years; it will biodegrade under the mulch and become part of the plant food; and IT WAS FREE!
After the weed barrier was down, we spent about $150 on irrigation supplies from Lowes, and ran tubing to all the plants. This was much easier than expected -- and the system is programmed to come on each morning with sunrise (using a photosensor). It waters the plants on drip for 30 minutes, and then turns off. This wastes virtually no water, as each nozzle is directly on each plant, and not spraying water needlessly on surrounding grass, or the porch, sidewalk, etc.
For the mulch we went with a locally produced black mulch to accent the roof and shutters. It took 2 yards (2 pickup truck loads), but these are only about $40 per truckload when you buy in bulk from your local landscaping supply yard. It would have been several hundred dollars in mulch if buying it by the bag from HD or Lowes…
This project is almost complete! Make sure to check back for our final post where we will share our finishing touches and reveal the final product of this Maryland front porch oasis!
In our previous post we showed how we began clearing out the area and the overall structure of the front porch. Let’s move on to some more detail!
The porch ceiling is tongue and grove pine, which was delivered by Reisterstown with the trusses and beams. We debated on stain for a while, before deciding to go with the natural finish and 4 coats of clear semi-gloss finish using Helmsman indoor/outdoor Spar Urethane to protect it from sunlight, moisture, and temperature changes. A carpenter bee was already getting to work digging a hole -- so hopefully the urethane deters him and his buddies too!
All the pine 6x6 posts were covered with PVC material, which is a little more expensive, but easy to work with and impervious to moisture and pests. It can be sanded and painted just like wood, and should easily last 30-40+ years. We went with a simple white paint (Everest by Sherwin Williams) on the lumber to make the porch stand out. Some of the PVC didn’t even need to be painted!
This is just the beginning look of our newest project! Next we get going on the landscaping. Watch us transform this front porch into the perfect oasis!
This Maryland house is our most recent project. With spring here and summer quickly approaching, it felt right to share with you all what updates we have finished on the front of this property. This home had a very flat front face which was a perfect canvas for us to design a simple but elegant porch.
We began by removing all the shrubs, weeds, and landscaping along the front of the property all the way out about 10 feet. Then came the framing for the new concrete, along with a step down and walk way to the driveway. We also routed electric and low voltage lighting under the concrete, for use later in the project. We took extra time to frame around the basement windows -- we wanted to keep the natural light coming into the basement to make that space feel more inviting and open.
Next came the lumber. We ordered from Reisterstown Lumber, whose in-house engineers helped with the trusses, LVL beam, and pillar planning, which put bones on the vision. They delivered and we set all the lumber in 1 day. Compared to building this by hand, ordering everything saved a lot of time, and gave us a “piece of mind” that the structure met the proper building codes, span chart recommendations, etc.
For the roofing on the porch we went with a black metal roof, which is a classic choice, and accented the black architectural shingles and black shutters on the main house. We used the same metal on a side awning over the ACs, generator, and propane tanks. We will use the same metal on a future buildout of the carport into a 2 or 3 car garage as well.
Vinyl siding and soffit is up! We used aluminum capping on the fascia boards to protect the wood, then installed the vinyl (“Clay” color, Lowes) and installed a 40’ seamless aluminum gutter across the front.
Update Your
House Numbers
There are many routes you can go with your house numbers. Lettering, metal numbers, stone, on a flower box, whichever you choose, make your style unique.
Paint The Exterior
To brighten the home, a light (ex: white) color with a dark trim (ex: black or grey) will give it a finished and polished look.
Fresh Front Door
Give your home a pop of color with a newly painted front door!
Clean Landscape
Declutter your yard of weeds and overgrown bushes or trees. Keep the landscape clean!
I don’t know about you but when I am cooking I love using fresh herbs! As of right now, I have some small potted herbs on the ledge of my window over the kitchen sink. I’ve been planning on expanding and giving them a more permanent home in the house.
I don’t know about you but when I am cooking I love using fresh herbs! As of right now, I have some small potted herbs on the ledge of my window over the kitchen sink. I’ve been planning on expanding and giving them a more permanent home in the house.
If growing herbs isn’t your thing and you don’t have a green thumb, maybe succulents are more your speed. I have found they are the easiest plants to take care of. Succulents are ALMOST impossible to kill in my eyes. There are plenty of stylish and practical ways to plant succulents.
If you believe even succulents would be a challenge for you or you just enjoy technology, a Smart Garden is the way to go! They give your plants natural light in a controlled environment. The price might not be in your budget but it takes no effort in growing yummy vegetables. Simply pop in your plants and watch them grow.
If you have a green thumb, the more plants the merrier! If your thumb is not so green…..maybe start off with one. No matter which way you grown your plants, in which kind of pot, inside or outside, it brings you closer to nature. It’s amazing to watch how things grow!
The trend in home shopping right now is “find the worst home in the best area,” thank you Fixer Upper. But what about finding a nice home in a high priced area? If you live in the most expensive cities like NYC or Boston, or pretty much the whole state of California and Hawaii, this will be no shock for you. Right now, the median home value in NYC is $660,000, $594,600 in Boston, $619,000 in Hawaii, and $550,800 in California. These are the most expensive real estate markets and that completely blows my mind. Owning a home is one of the biggest financial goals many people have. It can be done in a nice area!
Timing!
Make sure this is the right time for you! When buying a home, things have to be in place in your life. It is one of the biggest commitments you will make, and trust me, I can’t even commit to what I want to have for dinner tonight. You don’t want to jump right into buying a home. It takes time, patience and true commitment.
Look at ALL YOUR OPTIONS
I know it is easy to get stuck on a neighborhood, or a style of a home and think “this is what I want” I don’t want to look anywhere else,” but you have too! Look at ALL of your options. Don’t get stuck on just one neighborhood. When looking for a home you have to consider all the factors, location, commute time to your job, school districts if you plan on having children, how close are you to a grocery store. So many things come into play when you are looking for a house, and make sure you look at them all!
Save Save Save
There is no doubt that buying a home costs the big bucks. This is something that needs to be thought out. Definitely saving should be top on your priority list. There are daily things you can do to save a bundle. Try cooking dinner more a week rather than going out to eat, I know Starbucks is tempting every morning, but even just having your morning coffee at home will add up over time. See what little things you are spending money on and how you can cut back even a little.
Maximize your Credit Score
Did you know the higher your score to a certain point (about 760) the better your mortgage interest rate you will receive? Building up your credit takes time, so it is definitely something you should think about a few years before you settle down and purchase a home. The better credit you have, the lower you can get a down payment program. The lower you can get your mortgage interest rate to be, the more home you can buy for what you can afford every month. Go big or go home, right?!
Change the look of your bathroom with just a few changes and updates. I am in the process of remodeling my master and guest bathroom. I have found some of the tricks very useful! Making your bathrooms look fresh and new doesn’t mean you have to make extraordinary changes. Take a look at what I have found helpful during this process.
Replacing the Tub With a Walk-In Shower
Personally I love having a tub in the home. If you are not one to use a tub often, replacing it with a walk-in shower will give the space an updated and modern look. Keeping the glass on the shower clear will give the room a bigger look.
Change the Light Fixtures
Wether you are looking for brighter space or wanting to add a spark of personality, new lights will do that.
Re-tile the Shower
Re-tiling a shower is a great way to take a dated bathroom into the existing time. Subway tile or white marble is the way to go but do your research to find some bargains at salvage yard or online resale communities.
Add an Accent Wall
Add some personality to your bathroom by adding an accent wall. Use paint, shiplap, wallpaper, whatever fits your style to give a new look.
BIGGER Mirror
This one is a no brainer if you want to make your small bathroom look bigger. Switching out your mirror for a bigger one will create more light in the space.
Simple Storage
Keep your storage units simple. Floating shelves and basic over-the-toilet ladder hutches keep the space open and clean.
Add Wainscoting
This decorative paneling looks great in a bathroom! The one thing to watch with this technique is the height, keeping it only covering one-tire of the wall.
Update the Current Vanity
If your vanity is in good shape we think you should reconsider buying a brand new one. Use what you have! Give your current vanity a good sand down, some fresh paint, and some new hardware.
Looking to update your outdoor space? This is one area of my home that I have been looking for ideas and inspirations. Here are some things that I have found that I hope inspire your yard!
Bring shade
A pergola can transform any space into an intimate outdoor dining and kitchen area.
A cozy nook
Have a tight, space already with tons of privacy? Add some built-in seating with candle lighting to give the space a cozy feel.
Privacy
For more privacy, height can be added to the yard’s perimeter walls with wooden lattice perfect for climbing vines.
From Home to Fun House
If one of your main priorities for your yard is practical but fun for the kiddos sometimes you have to think outside the box. With a built-in climbing wall and a wave slide, it ingeniously supplies a two-in-one solution that kids and adults will love.
Plant a wall of trees
This is on design that we have added to our home that gives privacy but brings more greenery to our yard. Planting a row of Arborvitae 'Emerald Green’ trees will give you an evergreen screen you never knew you needed.
White noise
Our home is on a main road, and trucks driving by are not my favorite sound. Water creates a calming, white noise that block out the unwanted sounds around us. If you have the same issue, adding a fountain or waterfall to your yard might just be what you need.
Did someone say s’mores?
The first thing I was excited about when we moved from and apartment to a home, having a fire-pit. Not only is it the best feeling sitting around on a cool night with your closest friends but I’ve never eaten a s’more I didn’t like!
Add lighting
How does the space look when it is dark outside? Add safety lighting so you are able to walk around and see where you are going. From there, highlight accents in your yard.
With the new year usually comes goals of living larger. For the past few years we’ve noticed a trend in going smaller when it comes to homes. Whether it’s a financial reason, to be energy efficient, or just to be happy with less; we are curious if this trend is going to continue through 2019.
There’s something special about a well designed home that leaves a smaller footprint. It can feel like a larger home by simply making it feel more open.
Getting creative with storage is another key. We all come with a certain amount of things that we aren’t really to let go of. Having creative storage spaces gives you more square footage.
This trend has taking over in the past few years and proved to provide more security, financial stability, and been beneficial to our economy. What do you think? Is 2019 going to continue living large in smaller homes?
The flips just keep on coming!
This flip took 5 weeks to complete and we had a full price offer after just 15 showings within 2 weeks of listing.
One of the key selling feature is the detached garage/workshop. It includes a lot of space all on a great fenced in backyard. We also used a cool roof paint that is specially designed to seal the roof, add life, and also can change the color - as we did.
Take a look at the before and after shots. The photos speak for themselves!
After:
Before:
An empty home can give a cold and lonely vibe. It is not exactly what home buyers would describe as the “welcome home” feeling. When a buyer sees a home that has been staged it is easier for them to visualize it as being a future home.
Although staging a home is quite necessary, it does not come cheap. Staging a home can cost anywhere between $750-$2,000 per month, depending on the house size and what value you are looking for. To make sure you do not exceed your budget, you can look for small accents to incorporate into each room and bring the “homey” feel every buyer is looking for.
When you are selling your home, it is important to show the purpose of each room for the buyer. Buyers may get confused on how to utilize each space and make it their home. So it is your job to show them the potential of your home!
Start off by using area rugs to define spaces and show where furniture would theoretically go. Making sure the rugs are large enough to almost cover the whole space. As far as colors, each rug should complement the room that it is in.
One of the most simple things you can do to improve the value of a space is adding a fresh coat of neutral colored paint. Our recommended colors for any room is beige, white, or gray. When buyers see bright or bold colored rooms, it may overwhelm them, ultimately turning them off.
What kind of accent piece is warm and brings “light” to any room? A lamp of course! Without bring in a whole living room or bedroom set, lamps can bring brightness to the room while creating a warm, inviting feeling. When choosing light bulbs, think warm temperature bulbs for an intimate ambience.
Bathrooms typically give off a cold feel to begin with but adding small inexpensive items could make the space feel luxurious. Fluffy towels, a pop of color, and a shower curtain will usually do the trick!
I don’t know about you, but the first thing I look at inside a home is how many windows there are. Natural light is so inviting and really makes the space seem big, bright and full of life. Unfortunately not all homes have many or big windows. If you haven’t had time to change them out, hanging mirrors is the next best thing. When mirrors are added, it creates the feel of a bigger space.
In the kitchen, simplicity is key! It is best to keep the pieces simple on the countertops as most buyers just want to see that there is plenty of counter-space. A favorite of mine to add on the counter tops are fresh flowers. Others include fruit bowls, a piece of art work on the wall, or a tea kettle.
With all the commotion going on on the inside of your home, don’t forget to spice up your curb appeal. Fresh landscaping and a cut lawn! The outside of your home is the buyers’ first impression, you can’t afford to let that slide. Wanting to add more personalization, try adding new house numbers or painting the front door a fresh color.
All in all, adding small, personalized details to a home can be the difference between buyers loving the home or being turned off. If you still feel overwhelmed by the process of staging, I believe it is best to start with the rooms that are more of the “heart of the home” rooms.
Happy Staging!
With my boyfriend being in the United States Coast Guard moving is inevitable. Well he just got new orders and we are moving to Michigan! I have never made a big move like this before. So here we are planning our move so I figured I would give you some tips we have been learning along the way.
Change your Address
This is one task that should be at the top of your moving list. Change address requests can take weeks to take effect. Doing this as soon as you find your new address is important.
Create a Master List of all the To-Dos Before the Move
Putting change of address at the top! Keeping a master list is key to an organized and smooth move. Consider the importance of each task and put them in order accordingly.
Don’t Pay for Packing Supplies
You can get boxes from grocery stores, the post office, and local stores. Don’t be afraid to ask! It’ll save you money in the end. Keep boxes when you make online purchases.
Purge While you Pack
If you’re anything like me, I have a hard time parting with items that have any sort of memory. I wouldn’t call my self a hoarder but if I can recall even the smallest of memory from something, it’s hard for me to let it go. When we start packing this will definitely be the hardest thing for me, but completely necessary. Part with anything you can, you’ll thank yourself later.
Pack in Advance
If you think you’re stressed now, just wait until you start packing at the last minute. Do not try and pack everything up in a day or two. Give yourself some time to get everything together, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Label Each Box & Take Pictures
When placing items in boxes take account of what you’re putting inside for easy unpacking. Make a list, write on the boxes and take pictures of each box before sealing it up.
Store Items Correctly
Use bubble wrap and packing paper. When packing dishes place then upright on their sides like records to prevent breaking.
Pack Room by Room
Packing up an entire home can be a lot. Just focus on one place at a time. This prevents mixing items from different rooms in one box.
Hire Movers or Bribe Friends
We always go with bribing friends! Its free, minus the beer and pizza, but then it gives us time to hang out and in the end our house is packed.
Pack an “Unpacking” Bag or Box
Pack a box or bag with some supplies that you may need right when you get to your new location. Paper towels, trash bags, hand soap, utensils, plates, toilet paper, shower curtain, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, cleaning wipes, granola bars or snacking food. Keep these items at easy access
Stay relaxed, organized and HAPPY MOVING!
Color of the Year: Metropolitan AF-690
The Benjamin Moore color and design team describes the color of the year as calm, composed and effortlessly sophisticated.
“Metropolitan AF-690 emanates nuance, harmony and extravagant ease. Always adaptable, it softens to matte or shimmers with sheen. It's neutral. It's understated. It just is. This is color, off-duty."
—Ellen O'Neill, Benjamin Moore & Co.
A navy-painted cabinet against a gray-pained (Metropolitan AF-60) wall
With the New Year right around the corner, are you looking to sell your current home? Not sure things are up to date? Here are some quick and easy ways to increase your homes value.
Add Lighting
Keep your home light an airy by adding new light fixtures. Each room serves a purpose, some more than one. It’s important to take that into consideration when choosing lighting. Recessed lighting is a good choice for a living room while wall sconces or a lamp are good choices for a bathroom or bedroom.
Flooring
Replace any old carpets. Carpets create dust if not taken care of properly. If choosing to get rid of the carpets complelty, wood floors, or wood looking tiles are trending right now.
Low Maintenance Landscaping
There are many options for low maintenance landscaping but these are my favorite. Rock gardens, never have to be watered or tended to too much like other landscaping materials. Mulch, can break down to fertilize your plants and prevents weeds. Along with the rock garden, mulch doesn’t have to be mowed or watered. Both of these are easy to maintain and create a simple and clean look to the yard.
Fresh Paint
By painting the interior, you will be surprised with what a fresh coat of paint can do to a room. Keeping the colors light to make the space feel open and bright. If light colors aren’t your thing, maybe creating an accent wall for a splash of color.
The Kitchen
Update any kitchen appliances and cabinets as needed. This is where a good chunk of your budget is going to go. With some things, like cabinets, you can avoid the highest end items and features but don’t cheap out.
Refresh Bathrooms
Replace or add new fixtures. Since bathrooms tend to be smaller rooms, keep the colors light for a bigger feel. Lighter colored walls with darker fixtures. Get rid of outdated tiles and wallpaper. Since bathrooms tend to be smaller rooms, keep the colors light for a bigger feel.
Bye Bye Popcorn Ceilings
They outdate the home and give away how old they really are. Removing a popcorn ceiling isn’t complicated, but it is time consuming. You want to make sure you have the right materials and knowledge to remove it properly.
Check Electrical and AC/heating
This will probably be the most expensive. A well maintained air conditioner will last about 15 years. Replacing these items by the time they are 10 years old is a good idea if they begin to require repairs. By that time, they are money suckers and need to be replaced.
Remember keep it CLEAN and SIMPLE.
This beautiful property in Fayetteville, North Carolina has some wonderful and unique features! Built in 1949, this home was given an excellent floorplan, spacious living room, true dining room, oversized kitchen, and even a basement! Such a rare find in Fayetteville.
We’re off and running on the transformation, and in a few weeks, we’ll have a beautifully renovated Magnolia home, waiting for just the right family!
Before:
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away, getting your home in order is important more than ever. Hosting Thanksgiving is one of our favorite activities. Let's face it, its a complete challenge and personal accomplish when the day is over. We have come up with some tips to help your Holiday go smoothly, all while getting to enjoy it with your guests.
Let the games begin!
Clean house throughly
Make a shopping list
Confirm guest list
Finalize the menu
Write out the day
Final touchups on decor
Last minute grocery run, preferably not the day of
Prep as much food as possible
Empty dishwasher
Set the table
Keep kitchen as clean as possible
Wake up early
Prep the turkey
Set out appetizers
Enjoy the day
