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Creating a “Bedroom Oasis” Experience for Buyers

What are some of the things buyers look for in a new home?  Often times, they look for things they do not presently have–such as a showcase bedroom.  What is a “showcase” bedroom.  It’s not what you may think only in that ANYONE can have a beautifully staged bedroom–and it doesn’t even have to be limited to the master bedroom–it just takes a little bedroom inspiration!

When a buyer comes looking, a bedroom should look like something right out of a brochure from a major department store–such as Ikea or Bed, Bath and Beyond.  The bureau tops need to be clean enough to pass the “white glove” test, the mirror and windows should be spot free, the closets de-cluttered, (take out everything + keep what you need for one month).  Put away any 3 seasons clothing, leaving only a few pairs of pants, tops, belts, shoes, etc.(there should be 1/4 empty space in the closet).  The bed linens should be fresh and plump and luxurious to the eye.  A new duvet cover in a plain stripe a couple of matching pillow shams propped up, a contrasting smaller pillow in the center. The linens folded back (1/2 way down the bed) and plumped up to add to the sense of “sinking into an oasis” of cool and calm. The color choices should pick up a color from the trim paint in the room, or a picture on the wall, or even a small rug on the floor.  Tie these colors together to form a cohesive, soothing palette.  Take away any exercise equipment and things that do not belong in a bedroom.  If the curtains are on the windows, in the summer they should be light weight sheers in a light color.  

Where do you put all the items you took from the closet…try using the plastic storage containers that will slide under the bed!  They will be at your finger tips and no one will look under your bed as they usually look inside closets for space.  If there is left over space in your closets they will think that all their clothes and other items will fit!

Bottom line: your home will sell quicker if you spend a little time and energy sprucing up the bedrooms.

Carole’s Chronicles: Introducing the Robin(s) of Ruskin Street–Awakenings!

People often ask me what I like most about selling real estate.  It’s a perfectly reasonable question to ask, certainly one that I have pondered often enough myself during my 30 years in the business, but I’ve found there are many good answers to this question.  I guess if I had to pick one answer, though, as to what is the most gratifying part of being a Realtor, I would have to say it is when a young family finds and moves into their first home.  It’s a pleasure to participate in a young family’s joy as they begin their life journey.

As I reported on in my last post, my newest clients, the Robins of Ruskin Street, had found their dream home and began settling in.  Well, much to my delight I received some wonderful news last Friday morning: The Robins had given birth to triplets!  Can you believe it!  I was so excited I wanted to share the experience with all my friends and colleagues, so here’s sneak peek at the beaks (so-to-speak):

Real Estate Video by - Real Estate Blogger

In case you missed it as I do not have a loud stage voice, I have decided to run a naming contest for the newborns.  The winner(s) get the personal satisfaction of knowing they have given a name to these beautiful creatures–one that will be with them for the duration.  Also up for grabs is the honorary position of being the hatch-lings Godparents.  How exciting is this!  Let the games begin!
West Roxbury, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain

Carole’s Chronicles: Introducing the Robins of Ruskin Street in West Roxbury

I am very used to helping clients find their dream home and enjoy it very much.  Recently, I discovered a mother Robin nesting in one of my hanging plants at 12 Ruskin Street in West Roxbury–one of Boston’s finest neighborhoods.  She has created a tiny, but perfectly rounded nest in which she has so delicately delivered and arranged her three (3)  beautifully bright blue baby Robin’s eggs! 

Real Estate Video by - Real Estate Blogger

She is the most patient mother, and a wonderful client, roosting continually in her new dwelling.  I am fascinated with her. She is my newest client, albeit a little different, and I am delighted to say she has found her dream home!  Another satisfied customer for Carole White of Century 21 Carole White Associates

Real Estate Video by - Real Estate Blogger

How to Make Your Home “Green”

Clearly, the environmental movement has gone beyond tree huggers, Al Gore and your Dad telling you to turn off the lights because he didn’t own the electric company.

We generally seem to be more aware of the environmental impact when it comes to our cars, and a lot of manufacturers are already building eco-friendly vehicles, but some states also build green homes.  In fact, more than 25% of re-modelers say consumers sought environmentally sensitive upgrades last year, compared to just 6% the year before, according to a study by NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) almost 80% of Americans consider themselves “green minded”.

The U.S. Green Building Council defines a “green home” as one that incorporates features that result in it:

• using less energy
• using less water
• using fewer natural resources in construction
• creating less waste
• having better indoor air quality

Here are a few ways to make your home greener:

ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS

By replacing windows with Energy Star windows, you save on energy bills by helping to keep heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer.  These windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the windowpanes, improved framing materials, and Low-E coatings (microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on windows to reduce heat flow).

ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING

Bamboo, cork and eucalyptus flooring products are all excellent choices for the home as they are sustainable alternatives to the slower growing hardwoods.  These products mature in roughly half the time that it takes hardwoods to grow.  They are also stylish and affordable.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS (CFL)

This type of light bulb is a simple way of making a big change at a low cost in the energy efficiency of your home. Most home improvement stores carry these bulbs, which use 70% less energy than regular bulbs and can save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime.

ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS

If you are in the market to upgrade any of your major appliances, consider purchasing an Energy Star-rated product.  Qualified refrigerators, dishwashers and vent fans incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50% less energy and water than standard models, more than making up for their slightly higher costs.

TANK-LESS WATER HEATERS

Tank-less water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it.  Alternatively, replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80% a year, and over the 20-year lifespan of the appliance will prevent more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

MORE EFFICIENT TOILETS

New toilets have redesigned bowls and tanks that use less water but function more efficiently than first-generation low-flow models.  In the average home, flushing toilets accounts for some 30% of water usage.  New efficient models can reduce that use up to 25%.

HOME INSULATION

Increasing the amount and R-Value (the measure of thermal resistance) of insulation is a cost-effective way to save energy and help reduce heating and cooling bills, which account for at least half of the energy use in the home.

To learn more about energy innovation, you may download the illustration above at: http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=62120

As Spring is all around us and everything looks green and beautiful, it is easier to think about the environment and what we all may be able to do to preserve it!

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