To answer these questions, we turned to Realtor.com’s new News & Insights section: Living. With great tips for updating your home and the latest housing trends, this page is a great resource for ideas. Recently they’ve had several posts focusing on outside living, including:

Is it Worth Adding a Deck?

While relaxing on an outside deck is at the top of many peoples’ summer to-do list, decks are not for everyone and require work. This article focuses on those pros and cons and whether a deck adds value during a potential home sale. Considering decking out your home? You’ll want to read this post.

Should I Add an Outdoor Kitchen: Pros and Cons? 

Outdoor kitchens have been trending since COVID, when people were looking to expand their living space. This article looks at what makes up a true outdoor kitchen – hint, it’s not just a grill! It also looks at some pros and cons that come along with planning, paying for and adding this space. Think high cost without a huge return on investment, particularly in New England with our short summers. Love entertaining outside and dreaming of an outdoor kitchen, read this post as your decision simmers.

Is Adding a Pool Worth It?

Prior to COVID, a pool wasn’t considered of really any value, particularly in New England. The pandemic brought a demand for pools. The main reason for this: it gave a homeowner a swimming hole in their own backyard, when they couldn’t go anywhere else. With increased demand came higher prices and long waiting lists for installation, so it is still important to weigh the decision before diving into the deep end. One big consideration – the appraised value of the pool will not be equal to the cost of the pool. With this in mind, think about how long you plan to stay in your home and enjoy the pool. After that, read this post for yourself and consider the pros and cons carefully.

Photo by Im3rd Media on Unsplash.

The post Do Outdoor Living Trends Add Value? appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

If you are suffering from Pinterest overload, look at these ideas Realtor.com shared in a recent post. They focused on six easy DIY projects you can get started to liven up your outdoor space.

1. Outdoor sectional
2. Fire pit
3. Bench swing
4. Picnic table with built-in cooler
5. Backyard Tiki bar
6. Deck planters

These projects can help update the curb and patio appeal of your home, while giving you an oasis to enjoy all summer long.

The article includes links to additional posts and videos showing you “how-to” create each idea. Do you have a favorite? I’m finding it hard to pick, but I absolutely love eating outside so the picnic table might be number one on my list.

The post DIY Projects for Your Outdoor Space appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

As I write this post, I think about conversations my husband and I have had over the past few months about the living space in our house. It would be nice to have a third bedroom on our second floor so our boys could have their own space; and my husband would give anything for an office (see #3 below!). Every time we have this conversation, resale value is top of mind.

Since we are all spending a lot more time at home, I’m guessing many of us have spent time reimagining our living space – both inside and out. You know, relaxing fire pit area outside; or tucked away office space or classroom area inside. Some of us may have even taken steps to make these spaces a reality.

But it’s not only us homeowners that have these living spaces on our wish list. Buyers have similar wants when searching for a home. If you’ve been considering listing your home or renovating, you’ll want to take note of this list compiled by Realtor.com, highlighting top home features during the COVID era and beyond. The list includes:

#1: Upgrade outdoor space

#2: Create a functional home office or classroom

#3: Separate your spaces (everyone needs their own space)

#4: Give your in-law suite a makeover

#5:  Spruce up the laundry room

You’ll want to consider this list when staging your home for sale. If a renovation or home sale are in your future, this list gives you something to think about.

The post How COVID Has Changed What Home Buyers Want appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

The September-October 2020 issue of Realtor Magazine included some great tips for agents, buyers, sellers and even homeowners. What topic could possible span each of these personas? Home design and staging of course!

For the homeowner: We are all spending more time at home so we want to create spaces that work for us.

For the buyer: Purchasing a home has a lot to do with that just right for me, and/or my family, vibe you get when touring a home – virtually or in-person.

For the seller: They are hoping their home’s look and feel will resonate with buyers.

For the agent: Counseling our clients and giving them the best advice is our number one priority.

So what are some home staging trends to watch?

1. Send cozier vibes.
2. Give prominence to the home office.
3. Spotlight outdoor living.
4. Bring on the natural light.
5. Offer contactless services.

These trends provide a start, but a professional home stager can be a great resource for more tips.

Photo credit: Greg Rivers on Unsplash.

The post Home Staging Trends to Watch appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

In many local communities, school is starting this week. The school year looks a lot different due to COVID-19. Add to that the number of parents still working from home while navigating the different models of in-school and at-home-school learning (full time, hybrid, remote…terms we are all too familiar with). Top of mind for many homeowners in this situation, how do I create space for work and school at home?

Many of us have some things in place. Many of us are still adjusting and re-adjusting (who else is raising their hand?!). So, we took to the web to see if we could find any useful tips or tricks.

There were many articles, but most of them would not be a fit or have a solution for every homeowner. Then we clicked on this article from The Washington Post, published in May: “How to create space for quiet when everyone is at home.” Perfect!

Everyone needs a space that is their own; somewhere they can go and focus on an assignment or work project. Not every home has extra rooms to accommodate this, so the article looks at ways to design for privacy. Some of the tips we loved:

• Creating the illusion of separation by moving furniture or adding a rolling bookcase to close off space.
• Roping off a section of a room to designate it as the home office or classroom.
• Add a foldable decorative screen or curtains on tension rods to divide the space in a room.
• Using closet space to create a personal work area (see photo: we added a desk, organization items and art to a closet to create a learning space for our kids on the days they are home).
• Finally, garage, porch or basement space can be used when available.

The article wraps up by covering ways to work from home while everyone is home. Yes, a home office is ideal but not available in every home. The main points here, move around if a space isn’t working and set yourself up away from the hub of the home…the kitchen island should be off limits.

Biggest takeaway from this article, thinking outside the box can help to create spaces for everyone to “work” through the next few months.

The post Thinking outside the box to create space at home appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Do you find yourself surfing the channels, just to land on HGTV? Or are you starting a home to-do list for this fall when the weather gets cooler and we are all hunkering down once again?

These shows provide great inspiration, and one of my favorites is “Good Bones.” This mother-daughter team’s style ranges from modern to classic farmhouse, and everything in between. It really all depends on the house they are renovating and its history. Together, they do a great job utilizing the layout of the home to make it as functional and stylish as possible.

For all these reasons, I stopped when I saw Realtor.com’s recent post, highlighting “Good Bones” stars Mina Starsiak and her mother, Karen Laine, and five décor risks they believe are worth taking. These include:

1. Dark paint on the exterior lends a stylish industrial look
2. Dark flooring adds a masculine vibe
3. A bright accent color works well in the bathroom
4. A mustard velvet bar glams up the space
5. Butcher block countertops can warm up a kitchen

While some of these ideas may not be a fit for everyone, they are worth considering and maybe even adjusting to your personality. For example, number three, a bright accent color in the bathroom…I love this idea but instead of the red hue they feature, I might go with a bold blue.

There is some great inspiration here. As you consider home projects, this HGTV show and others can definitely provide you with more than enough options to consider!

Photo credit: iStock-askmenow.

The post HGTV Stars Highlight Totally Worthwhile Design Risks appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

When spring arrives, especially in New England, we are all ready to open our houses back up and let in the fresh air. This is true now more than ever. Spring also brings the task of “spring cleaning.” We may all be thinking that we’ll make this year’s task more of a deep clean. After all, currently we are spending more time at home.

What to clean with and where to clean comes next. With cleaning supplies in high demand, what can we do if the cleaning spray or wipes we want aren’t available? And, are we sure we cleaned every nook and cranny we could get to?

Luckily we found two posts online to answer these questions! First, the cleaning supplies which have become quite the commodity in recent weeks. Realtor.com posted a recent story with five DIY hacks for sold-out cleaning items. There are several household essentials, mentioned in the post, that make great cleaning products, including:

1. Alcohol
2. Baking soda
3. Vinegar
4. Olive oil
5. Lemons and limes

I regularly use a few of these DIY cleaning hacks at home. For example, I don’t even buy shower cleaner anymore. I’ve found that a mixture of vinegar and dish soap works even better. In a pinch, see for yourself how well these essentials clean.

The second post comes from Houzz.com and addresses the where to clean. If you are ready for a deep spring clean, they list 20 spots you might want to look at, including:

1. Light fixtures and lamps
2. Doors, knobs and handles
3. Wall scuffs and dings
4. Tops of window frames
5. Bookshelves
6. Underneath area rugs
7. Picture frames and mirrors
8. Upholstered furniture
9. Oven and range hood
10. Small appliances
11. Grout
12. Inside kitchen drawers
13. Food storage jars
14. Underneath beds and behind furniture
15. Laundry room dust
16. Vents and hoses
17. Kids’ toys
18. Shower and tub walls
19. Bathroom shelves
20. Tech

Pick a few or clean them all. I’ve definitely added a few to my spring-cleaning list, and will be enlisting the help of my “cleaning crew!”

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

The post Right Time for a Deep Spring Cleaning appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Homeowners, whether buying, selling, or staying put, are always looking for ways to increase the value of their home. After all, it’s often their biggest investment!

As a homeowner, I typically turn to magazines and TV shows for ideas. In these resources I find more aesthetic ideas – from decorating to remodeling. However, with smart technology becoming more advanced, it is another viable option to update and add to the value of your home.

Smart technology can help you save money, and it is becoming easier to install and use. Where does the value come in? Beyond the financial benefit of smart technology, think home safety, time savings and less worry, and its appeal to potential buyers, like millennials.

Unsure what smart technology might be best for you and your home, or what will provide you the most value? Check out this recent post from Massachusetts Real Estate News. They look at several smart technology options, including:

• Smart Appliances
• Smart Thermostats
• Smart Smoke Detectors
• Smart Sprinklers
• Smart Door Locks
• Smart Lighting
• Smart Solar Panels

These are just a few of the smart options available today. Read the full post, do your research and decide what makes the most sense when it comes to convenience and value for your home.

The post Adding “Smart” Value to Your Home appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Small pops of color are all the rage, but what about diving head (or house) first into this trend and making your home’s exterior truly pop? When you think of colorful homes, you may think of beach-side communities in Europe or Mexico. Or maybe the small beach huts we see along the New England coast. However, colorful homes are not just for homes by the sea.

The Lighter Side of Real Estate addressed the colorful house trend in a recent post, asking if it is crazy or cute. Final decision…cute but only if you use your best judgement and consider the effect of the color you choose on your neighbors.

They also provide some great tips on what color might be best. For example, red isn’t just for farm houses; pink can be charming and retro; there are so many options for that perfect shade of blue…time to dust off the color palette; and beware of dramatic yellows, while bright and cheery, this color may turn buyers away if you are thinking of selling.

Check out the full post, and don’t shy away from going bold when it comes to your homes exterior!

Photo credit: Wonderlane/Flickr. Original image cropped for post.

The post Colorful Homes appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

So many of us love the idea of having a garden, especially as we move into the warmer spring and summer months. From flowers and plants to vegetables and fruit, garden spaces add character to our homes and, in some cases, our dinner table.

What if you have no yard? Limited space? Or little time to plant and care for a garden? These reasons should not stop you from feeling inspired by your green thumb. Think about starting small and selecting just the right plants for your space, time, needs, and budget.

There are so many ideas and resources online to help, and starting small can be the perfect way to get a better handle on what you can handle. Small gardens are not just for small spaces. Do some online searching and you may just find some interesting ideas to kick start your garden space.

Take this recent post from realtor.com about growing a gorgeous garden in a small space. Even though I have a large enough yard to plant anything my family would want, I love the idea of containers hung on a wall and hanging plant baskets. I’m thinking about incorporating these things on and around our garage to round out our small planter boxes (and by small, I mean just enough to give us some vegetables to harvest!).

If you’ve been thinking about doing some planting this spring, head online to get some ideas that will work just right for your space. Happy planting!

The post Just Right Garden Spaces appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.