Forget the Open Floor Plan--It's Time to Bring Back Walls

  1. Tossing out your kitchen cabinet doors One of the most popular DIY projects right now is “improving” a kitchen by removing cabinet doors that look dated. But don’t try this at home unless you plan to live there forever. While it might improve the look in the short term—for example, if the open cabinets are painted and always kept styled for display—it could prove an impediment to a future sale. “It’s not a wise decision if they have a plan to sell the house in the future,” says  Patrick O’Sullivan , a certified commercial investment member and founder of the  getMULTIfamily  real estate team in Arizona. “Regular homebuyers like a home that has all the required furnishings, including cabinet doors. Some buyers even walk in and  count  the number of cabinets in the kitchen.” “It may be great for an Airbnb or property with short-term stays,” adds  Josie Rees , a real estate agent with  eXp Realty  in San Antonio, TX. “However, it’s very imp...

  1. Bidding every last penny you have “The market in Seattle is so competitive these days that houses go for tens of thousands of dollars above the list price,” says  Lily Lei , an agent with  RSVP Real Estate , Powered by ERA, in Seattle. “I’ve had buyers who want to bid all the money in their budget in order to win a bidding war, and I counsel them away from it.” Why? “The house may require tens of thousands of dollars worth of repairs immediately, like a new roof or new plumbing,” Lei continues. “They would have no money left to cover these essential repairs.” In a heated market, “the appraisal may come in low,” she says. This means the bank’s appraisal says the home is worth less than what you’ve agreed to pay for it. “Then you’d need a higher down payment to make up the difference,” Lei explains. What to do instead:  “Unless my clients have families who can give them the extra funds, I advise them to hold back 10% to 40% beyond what they can actually afford,” s...

When can a seller back out of a home sale? The answer may vary. Sellers can back out of a home sale without ramifications in the following instances: The contract hasn’t been signed.  Before a  contract  is officially signed, a seller can kibosh a deal at anytime (that’s what happened to me). The contract is in the five-day attorney review period.  Most home sales involve the use of a standard real estate contract, which provides a five-day attorney review provision. During this time, the  seller’s attorney  or the buyer’s attorney can cancel the contract for any reason. This allows either party to back out without consequence. Although the seller can legally back out during an attorney review period, it’s not very common. The seller planted an escape hatch in the contract.  Sellers can place addendums within the contract that say they can back out without penalty—like a contingency that they have to find a new place where they want to live first. The ...

  What to Do Before You Start 1. Schedule time on your calendar.  In my experience, a garage cleanout is a time-consuming process, so I recommend reserving several days on your calendar. I suggest starting the process well before the installation of your new flooring or storage systems — especially if you have difficulty making decisions. 2. Collect boxes, packing supplies and large trash bags.  Think about accumulating boxes from deliveries to use for packing and donating belongings. You might be able to find moving boxes for free on community sites or message boards. You might also pack possessions in storage containers you already own. debora carl landscape design 3. Assess trash and donation pickup options.  I suggest contacting your local waste-management company to ascertain the services included in your monthly fee.  Keep in mind that options vary by company. Some waste-management companies pick up old paint, pesticides, motor oil and other toxic substanc...

1. Look a little lower Fixer-upper, anyone? How about an up-and-coming neighborhood? There’s no need to give up your wish list entirely; but in today’s market, you’ve got to get real. Move-in ready homes with modern finishes sell first, so look at a slightly lower price point and get a better deal.  Use the extra money to renovate. This strategy also makes sense because often listing prices are intentionally low to build interest and encourage a bidding war. So if your top dollar is $350,000 and you look in that range, the available properties may well sell for $375,000 or higher. Check out homes in the $310,000 to $325,000 range, and you’re more likely to find something you can truly afford. 2. Enhance your earnest money Cash offers may be king to the majority of sellers, but let’s face it: That’s not feasible for a majority of home shoppers. Still, you can make a financed deal more attractive with your earnest money, the 1% to 3% typically put down after an offer is accepted...

  Colorful cabana stripes are back Cabana stripes This design style is having a moment as people look for easy ways to brighten up their space and find inspiration in nostalgic summer designs. “This timeless summer staple is making a bold comeback,” says Wayfair Professional stylist  Cojo Barnes . “From classic navy blue to sunny yellow, cabana stripes are brightening up furniture, drapes, tiles, and more.” To bring the look to your outdoor space, try pool loungers, market umbrellas, beach canopies, and even striped tiles. Pergolas are enjoying a moment Floral pergola With the rise in remote working, searches for outdoor pergola kits are up 369% year over year, according to the report.   “Pergolas offer the luxury of enjoying the outdoors while providing shade and protection from the natural elements,” says Tampa, FL–based interior designer  Sarit Marcus , founder of  Minted Space . “One of the many benefits of a pergola structure is that you can tailor it to fi...