Disinfecting took on new prominence in 2020. Keeping bad germs out of your listings and office became critical in the pandemic. Americans learned more about the proper ways to disinfect this year.For one, cleaning may be what you have traditionally done for prepping listings prior to 2020. Cleaning is all about aesthetics and a home looking spotless and ridding it of dirt. But sanitizing and disinfecting went mainstream in 2020. This is reducing
Storage areas in a home can be viewed as a premium, particularly as house hunters have reportedly been looking for additional space since the beginning of the pandemic.A cluttered closet can make the space look small. Home stagers know the importance of organization and staging a closet to not only show off its storage space but to also improve a home's appearance.To make closets feel more spacious, leave the closet floor space open and clear of
Pantries, once simply closets or cupboards for storing a few perishables, have become much more elaborate—especially now that people are staying at home more. The walk-in pantry has emerged as the most desirable kitchen feature for home buyers in recent years, according to a 2019 survey from the National Association of Home Builders. More than 85% of homes larger than 3,500 square feet feature a walk-in pantry.“We’ve been offering
Solar photovoltaic panels can offer homeowners reduced electric bills and are a more environmentally friendly way to power up a home. But they can be pricey to install, leading to questions about whether the return on investment is worth it.Home Innovation Research Labs recently analyzed the cost-effectiveness of rooftop solar panels on new homes in five markets: Phoenix; Tampa, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; Boston; and Seattle. The analysis did not fa
House plants are growing in importance in the pandemic, touted for bringing in cleaner air and absorbing carbon dioxide and for boosting productivity, improving mental health, and making rooms look more inviting, Forbes.com reports.“Plant therapy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the real thing,” Melanie Berliet, general manager for The Spruce, a lifestyle, home, and food site, told Forbes.com. “Research has shown that the abs
The term “bidding war” lends an adversarial tone to multiple-offer situations, and pitting one side against the other is the wrong way to handle such a transaction, Greg Glosson, managing broker at Fast Track Realty in Memphis, Tenn., said Tuesday at a session called “Multiple Offers = Multiple Confusion” during the virtual 2020 REALTORS® Conference & Expo.“We need to be very cooperative with one another because we are all try
Tech problems have taken on greater significance in 2020 as more people work from home. One of the biggest complaints is a bad internet connection.Sometimes even the best internet connection can stall. What can you do?As a first step, restart. Power down your router and modem. On your device, close any apps you don’t need to make sure other background systems aren’t draining your device.Then run an internet speed test to check on your co
The need for curb appeal continues to increase, especially as many local buyers hesitate to enter unfamiliar homes and distant buyers narrow their home-shopping lists from afar in the pandemic. A dismaying front yard may prompt them to move on, whether in person or on the internet.“You only get one chance to make a first impression, and it happens when a potential buyer sees the exterior of your home,” Kate Rumson, interior designer and Trane
Paint firms are continuing to release a range of colors as their picks for the hottest hues of 2021. Benjamin Moore is the latest in announcing its choice: “Aegean Teal,” its top color pick for the new year.The blue-green midtone, with gray undertones, is “rooted in the elegant, hand-spun textures of the home,” Benjamin Moore says. The color evokes a sense of comfort, craft, nourishment, and inspiration, the paint company says.“Amid unc
During the pandemic, outdoor space has become a premium consideration. Homeowners are sprucing up their spaces to maximize every square inch of their properties, and home buyers are reportedly giving more weight to the outdoor appeal of homes. But as the weather cools, how can you continue to take advantage of these spaces?You can still stage an outdoor space to show off its appeal in any season, designers say. Here are few tips from&nb
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