Home Decor • November 10, 2022

Windows that Wow

by Aliki Astreou

What’s one of the fastest and easiest ways to update a room? You guessed it – window treatments. Gone are the days of heavy, dark, drab curtains. Instead, you can refresh just about any space with a variety of modern options to fit every style and budget.

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Whether you’re creating a home office space, looking to be more eco-friendly or moving into a new home and want to add your own personal touches, window treatments can make all the difference.
If energy efficiency is on your list, you have many options to choose from. High-tech cellular shades offer temperature control capabilities in a variety of innovative designs. Roller shades have a modern, minimal look and provide UV ray protection while allowing ample natural light in. Blinds have also come a long way, now designed with modern patterns, textures and materials to enhance any space.

Bring on the Drama
If you’re ready to breathe new life into a room and add a little drama, consider luxurious curtains. Depending on how much light you want, a sophisticated, patterned drape can set the mood and make a bold statement.

By introducing a pop of color, like a bold orange or deep red, you can give your space a dramatic new look. Not into vibrant tones? White window treatments can be just as impactful. Layer white shades with a gauzy curtain to create a romantic and whimsical feel. You could also inject a little boho chic into a room by pairing classic woven or bamboo shades with patterned drapery. Whatever you choose, curtains can easily give your home a whole new look in a matter of minutes.

Smart Tech
Who would’ve thought that you’d be able to open and close your curtains with the touch of a button? Say hello to smart windows, which let you control your blinds, curtains or shades through either a remote control or handy app. You can easily set up a schedule or use the setting to adjust your window treatments without even having to leave your comfy couch.

Giving your interiors a fresh new look is easier than ever by simply by changing out your window treatments. Whether you’re creating a space that’s soft and serene or bright and bold, these ideas should help set you off on the right path.

Home Buyers • Real Estate • November 9, 2022

How Much Home Can You Afford?

by Aliki Astreou

You’ve been dreaming day and night about it: Buying your first home. It’s a thrilling prospect for everyone, especially first-time homeowners. With countless properties available online at your fingertips, it’s easy to begin house hunting as soon as the idea strikes. But it’s critical to determine your budget as a homebuyer before you start shopping seriously.

Determining your creditworthiness can help you learn what size mortgage you’ll qualify for and lead you to a realistic homebuying budget. When you obtain a pre-approval from a mortgage lender, you’ll know exactly what you can afford. Having a pre-approval letter will also make your offer more appealing to sellers. To ensure you are set for success for the homebuying journey, contact your Coldwell Banker-affiliated agent, who can connect you with a trusted loan officer.

Prior to any significant purchase, it’s important to set a realistic budget, and buying a home is no exception. Do a reality check on your personal finances. Scrutinize your monthly income, expenses and debt-to-income ratio, so you can assess what funds you’ll have available for a down payment and a monthly payment once you move into your new home.

Another important piece of this puzzle is your credit history. Check your current credit report for any debts you need to pay off so you’re in a stronger position when it comes time to apply for a loan. The higher your credit score is, the more access you’ll have to loans and lower interest rates.

Refer to a handy, online mortgage calculator to study property purchase prices. Do a quick search online and you’ll find a variety of free options. In fact, many allow you to figure in important, relevant factors such as property taxes, down payment amounts, interest rates and home insurance to provide a detailed breakdown of what your monthly payments would look like.

To be really savvy, factor in related expenses such as upfront costs, closing costs and other fees you’ll have prior to closing on a home. Also, budget for standard property maintenance expenses such as homeowner’s insurance, taxes and repairs that may be needed in the short term after closing.

Comfort and joy in your first home start with setting realistic financial expectations ahead of time. Buying a home will likely be the biggest purchase of your life, after all. Contact me and let’s get your search started!

Home Decor • October 12, 2022

5 Simple Ideas for Fall Home Makeovers

by Aliki Astreou

Whether your fall interior design aesthetic is spooky, sophisticated or somewhere in between, it’s the ideal moment to implement some fresh ideas to spectacularly enjoy the season. If you’re ready to deck out your home for fall, here are five easy, creative ways to infuse fall colors and textures into your décor:

Add Seasonal Wreaths

Not only do fall wreaths add beauty to your front door, they can also add a touch of the season inside your home. Try a playful twist on the traditional fall palette with unique “statement” fall wreaths, which are a must-have this fall. For the crafty, DIY wreaths are a whimsical way to add some vibrancy to your usual autumn décor. Remember, wreaths are versatile! Display a colorful wreath as a table centerpiece or hang it from a pretty ribbon to enjoy it from a different perspective.

Update Pillows

Switch out summer pillows in lightweight fabrics in your family or living rooms for luxe, velvet ones in rich, fall shades. Think burgundy, cinnamon or caramel velvets and warm brown brocades, or classic fall colors in strong hues like burnt orange or exotic chinoiserie red.

Swap Out Rugs

Change area rugs throughout your home, replacing lightweight summer jute rugs with thick, plush rugs in rustic, autumn colors to make rooms look and feel warmer.

Add Flowers

Create a beautiful fall table with distressed and repurposed containers filled with your favorite fall lowers and dark-hued berries. Or make a cornucopia of fall colors by arranging autumn blooms on a chic serving tray. Mimic nature’s fall transformation by introducing dried floral arrangements into your home – adding a rustic vibe to match the season. Add some beautiful fall-colored flowers, like mums or cockscombs, to your front porch or patio.

Cozy Up Outdoors

Make the most of fall’s cooler evenings by creating a small conversation area around a firepit on the deck or in the backyard. Bring out a few pillows and autumn-inspired throws for the chairs and keep a large basket nearby so you can easily bring the linens indoors if inclement weather threatens.

These are just a few of the many ways to fill your home with autumn beauty without overhauling your holiday décor stash.

Real Estate • October 12, 2022

Five Secrets to Successful House Flipping

by Aliki Astreou

If you’re looking to invest in real estate as a house flipper, you have the potential to earn high returns on your investment. However, successfully flipping homes is challenging. When you don’t have experience with this type of investment, there’s a good chance that you’ll make mistakes. Here are five secret skills and tips that should allow you to reduce your mistakes and successfully flip homes.

Be Careful When Completing a Sizable Remodel
Taking on a sizable project can be an appealing opportunity. However, large projects also have more points of failure that could lead to substantial losses. Large remodels invariably take up a considerable amount of resources and time. Your contractors may also become frustrated with working on this type of project. Always be careful with sizable remodels. Try to plan everything out before making the investment to reduce the potential for costly mistakes.

Make Sure You Have Enough Funds
If you need to take out a loan to invest in a home, you’ll need around 20-25% of the home’s value for the down payment. Costs can add up quickly when repairing and upgrading a home, so make sure you have a contingency fund on hand to handle unexpected costs.

Search for Discounted Properties
While you can certainly find homes to purchase from standard real estate listings, these listings mainly consist of livable homes that are already in good condition. If you want to find discounted properties that can be remodeled and flipped for a decent profit, consider focusing on:

Local auctions
Wholesalers
Foreclosure listings

Contact a Professional When Needed
Many house flippers will attempt to perform renovations and repairs on their own to keep costs down. Doing so, however, may result in you cutting corners. The types of projects that you might be able to perform include replacing existing carpet, installing drywall, painting walls, and removing wallpaper.
Know when to call in the pros
If you find that you’re taking on a repair or renovation that’s too complicated for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a contractor. This option should be less expensive and time-consuming than attempting the renovations on your own.

Prioritize the Most Important Improvements
It’s highly recommended that you prioritize the most important improvements when flipping a home. First, focus on essential repairs. If you miss out on repairing a malfunctioning HVAC system or other appliances, you could lose a sale.

You should also consider performing renovations that match the latest trends, which could involve installing an energy-efficient appliance or outfitting the home with a smart home system. The right changes can add a considerable amount of value to the property. If you need help determining which improvements will add the most value to your property feel free to contact me.

Flipping a home is never easy. These tips and suggestions should give you the skills you require to turn an old and worn-down property into a beautiful home that earns you high profits.