Which Trends are Spicing up Today's Kitchen Designs?

Wood flooring and glass backsplashes are expected to show up in more kitchens this year. Those were among two findings from the latest trend report from the National Kitchen & Bath Association, which surveyed 420 designers to find the top kitchen trends in 2014.

Below are some of the kitchen trends designers identified:

Trend #1: Contemporary styles

“While transitional styles are still number one, we see kitchen design trending more contemporary this year with clean, simple lines; less clutter, and little ornamentation,” says John Petrie, the 2014 NKBA president. Contemporary styles are on the upswing this year and may even inch closer to overtaking the popularity of transitional styles.

Trend #2: A place for electronics

The kitchen is increasingly becoming a hub for home owners’ electronics. Many kitchen designers are incorporating docking and charging stations in kitchen remodels, as also a desk or home office area and a flat-screen TV.

Trend #3: Energy savers

Home owners continue to look for the energy savings. Energy-saving appliances are expected to be in higher demand this year. Also, water-saving kitchen faucets will be another energy-saver that home owners look to incorporate more this year.

Trend #4: Quartz countertops

Quartz countertops are expected to gain popularity this year. About 40 percent of designers expect more kitchens to incorporate countertops made of recycled materials this year.

Trend #5: Satin finishes

Satin nickel has become the most popular faucet finish in the kitchen and is expected to continue to dominate in 2014, designers say. Polished chrome is second in popularity.

Trend #6: Granite composite sinks

Stainless steel is the most popular sink material; porcelain enamel is a distant second. But designers say they expect granite composite materials to become a growing option this year. Granite composite sinks, often found in darker hues, are known for being very durable and scratch resistant. They often are comprised of about 80 percent granite and 20 percent acrylic resin.

Trend #7: Pets place

The pets want a place in the kitchen too. More home owners are asking for them to carve out a special space for their cats or dogs in the kitchen ranging from a nook for the pet’s day bed to litter box cabinets, a feeding station, or even a doggy faucet.

Top Kitchen Features in Demand

Designers identified the following kitchen features as being in highest demand, according to the NKBA survey:

• Induction cooktops
• Steam ovens
• French-door refrigerators
• Bottom freezer refrigerators
• Touch-activated faucets
• Electronic (no touch) faucets
• LED lighting

Losing Popularity
What’s heading out of style in the kitchen? Designers said they are remodeling fewer kitchens with highly ornamented Tuscan and Provincial looks. Also, they said distressed and glazed finishes are decreasing in popularity as well as country/rustic styles, according to the NKBA study.

Courtesy: Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Bottom of Form

A Spring Resolution

This year, the Vernal Equinox was on March 20^th at 12:37 – that was the exact moment when the sun crossed the equator to go north towards the Tropic of Cancer, marking the beginning of spring and end of winter. Glad tidings as this winter has been harsh even in our warm south.

The Eastern Redbud was the first to bloom, then came, almost simultaneously, the dogwoods, forsythia, daffodils and irises. Soon azaleas and tulips will be blazing their color all over the city. The best of all seasons!

Though eco-conscious (we recycle everything – plastic, metal or cardboard, newspapers and magazines and we diligently carry cloth grocery bags to stores), I have been hesitant to start a compost pile. Worried about critters getting into it. And the smell.

I turned to Google for advice. It threw up dozens of articles, tips and videos. From a mere compost heap at the back of the yard to sophisticated drums that cost over $200, there was clearly no one-size-fits-all in composting. But I was assured that I would not have my neighbor bawling at me for the smell nor would there be critters enjoying the buffet.

So… this spring, I am going throw myself into composting.

 

While most articles nonchalantly egged me on to add my kitchen scraps, veggie and fruit peels, Mike McGrath, host of the radio show ‘You Bet Your Garden’ vehemently opposed this point of view. What you need is leaves, he asserted, and if you shred them, you’ll get your compost faster. Collect them in the fall – from your yard, from your neighbor’s yard, from anyone’s yard. You can add spent coffee grounds but that’s about it.

Hmmm…

I picked the cheapest – Geobin for $28 that Amazon delivered in a day! A plug for Geobin: it came as a roll of tough perforated plastic with plastic holders and short instructions (I was impressed that the instructions suggested that I compost the box it came in!). It was easy to snap the holders in place – I added a few plastic ties and voila!

 

I took my Geobin and staked it at the far end of my yard. Though it’s spring, there are plenty of leaves on the ground. I raked 2 barrowsful and threw them into the Geobin. In a spurt of energy, I weeded the veggie raised bed and threw the weeds into the bin.

This is the list of compost-ables I was contemplating before watching Mike’s video:

1. Frozen fruits and vegetables, vegetable and fruit peel (including citrus peel)
2. Egg shells, egg cartons (not Styrofoam)
3. Stale tortilla chips/potato chips, crackers, crumbs (bread or other baked goods), old breakfast cereal, bran (wheat, oat, etc)
4. Stale Halloween candy and old nutrition/protein bars, popcorn kernels (post-popping, the ones that didn’t make it)
5. Coffee grounds, coffee filters, tea bags/loose leaf tea
6. Fish food, dog food, rawhide dog chews
7. Peanut shells, other nut shells (except walnut), pumpkin/sunflower/sesame seeds (chop them to ensure they won’t grow), avocado pits (chop them up so they won’t sprout)
8. Pizza boxes and cereal boxes (shredded first), Toilet paper and paper towel rolls (shredded first)
9. Newspaper, junk mail, Kleenex (including used), cotton balls
10. Dryer lint, dust bunnies, insides of a vacuum bag, contents of your dustpan
11. Toothpicks, Q-tips (not the plastic ones), bamboo skewers, matches
12. Wine corks, sawdust, pencil shavings, fireplace ash (fully extinguished and cooled)
13. Burlap sacks, cotton or wool clothes (cut into strips), old rope
14. Paper towels, paper napkins, paper table cloths, paper plates (not wax- or plastic-coated), crepe paper streamers, holiday wreaths, raffia fibers (wrapping or decoration)
15. Old potpourri, dried flowers, fresh flowers, dead houseplants (or their dropped leaves)
16. Human hair (from a home haircut or saved from the barber shop), toenail clippings, trimmings from an electric razor, pet hair, feathers
17. Domestic bird and bunny droppings

W-e-ll... I may add newspaper, dryer lint and egg shells, but I’m going to hold off on the rest in that list. Watch this space for pictures of my Geobin’s progress!

​Check out all homes for sale in Columbia and Lexington at www.homesincolumbiasc.net

 

For... all Real Estate matters!

Helping you to Stay in Good Hands!

Create a Living List

The best loss is one that never happens … but if you are subject to a loss, how can you help prevent the hassles of creating a list of the things that were lost or damaged or stolen from memory alone? By creating a living inventory of the items in your home. Sound difficult? It’s easier than you think with the Allstate Digital Locker tool for your smartphone. And by the way, anyone can. (Click here to download the tool for free - you don’t have to be an Allstate customer.)

 

What is a Digital Locker?

Digital locker is a free tool from Allstate that allows you to create a visual inventory of your personal property. With it, you can use your camera or phone to take pictures of your items, organize them by room or category, assign a value to them and store them safely in the cloud.

 

How does it work?

• Secure Account – Digital Locker allows you to create a username and password so that you can access your account from any internet-connected device
• Templates – We provide you with room and category templates to help you get started with your inventory process and create a property catalog
• Photos – You can either take photos with your smartphone or use existing photos to add to your inventory for a visual reference of your items
• Item Value – You can also enter information on the value of your items (you can use your best judgment, or use the Google or barcode search)
• Synchronized Data – You can access your “locker” from the app or the website and back up your inventory to Allstate’s secure data cloud

What are some of the advantages of creating a home inventory?

• Online, secure inventory of your personal property that can help you itemize your possessions for insurance purposes
• Putting the value on your possessions may help you determine what your insurance limits should be
• Home inventories help you to keep track of your possessions and help replace items due to a loss (and may even help streamline the claims process)
• Easily accessible information from any internet-connected device
• You can share the information with others, so that they are aware of your personal property and its value
• You can print or email a copy of your inventory as needed
• In the event of a claim, it will help you prevent the hassles of trying to recreate a list or description from memory

Visit Allstate Be Aware and Prepare and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety for more, helpful information.

 

Courtesy: Evelyn Clary

Licensed Insurance Representative
Eric Loebs Agency - Allstate Insurance
Phone: 803-782-5445
EVELYNCLARY1@allstate.com

 

 

 

 

 

Zombie Foreclosures!

Thousands of homeowners who had been served foreclosure notices moved out of their homes. What some of them were never told is that the foreclosure process had been abandoned by their bank. Typically, these zombie foreclosures were lower priced properties where the banks in question had decided that the property’s value was not worth their time. These properties sat vacant with no one claiming responsibility for the upkeep, mortgage or taxes, falling prey to vandalism and nefarious activities.

Reuters reported that there were thousands of such owners of zombie homes. A borrower believes that a foreclosure on their property has been conducted and that he is no longer responsible for the property. Months or years later he finds out that there never was a foreclosure and he now has large financial responsibilities he never knew about, owing thousands of dollars in mortgage debt, as well as code violations for abandoning the property and municipal services like water and trash.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking closely at abandoned properties and zombie foreclosures, and is working to resolve these issues and to create a national registry of zombie properties.

​Check out all homes for sale in Columbia and Lexington at www.homesincolumbiasc.net

 

For... all Real Estate matters!

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

If you are debating replacing your hot water heater with a tankless version, here’s what you need to know to make the right decision.

 

What’s the Advantage of going Tankless?

Traditional hot water heaters typically live in your basement and provide gallons of hot water at one time: an 80-gallon tank heats enough water to shower, run a dishwasher, and do a load of laundry simultaneously. But standby energy loss is significant with traditional hot water heaters, and once you’ve exhausted the hot water supply, you’ll wait 20 to 60 minutes for the heater to cook up more.

A tankless water heater produces hot water only when you need it. When you turn on the faucet, water is heated on the spot as it flows through capillary-like pipes heated by either a powerful gas burner or electric coils.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, a tankless water heater is more efficient and uses less energy than a conventional water heater, providing a $25 to $107 in annual savings. By bringing hot water close to where it’s needed, you reduce energy loss and increase efficiency by 50% over a conventional hot water tank system.

What’s the Downside?

Although a tankless water heater can pump hot water all day, it can’t produce a large amount all at once. And it can snap you out of a hot-shower bliss with the “cold water sandwich effect,” a sudden splash of cold water that results from turning the hot water faucet on and off repeatedly.

A traditional tank heater puts out 7.5 to 9.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM), enough to shower, run the dishwasher, and do a load of laundry all at the same time. The typical tankless water heater, however, puts out only 2.5 to 5 GPM, enough to handle only two uses at a time.

Possible solution to the “cold water sandwich”: Install multiple on-demand units. Because it’s small — about the size of a carry-on suitcase — you can place a tankless water heater along any stretch of pipe: In the attic, basement, closet, or crawlspace. You can install two or three units to serve different parts of the house, or even dedicate a unit for a particular use — say, a washing machine. Multiple on-demand units increase overall energy efficiency.

How Much Do They Cost?
Gas-fired tankless water heater: This system costs $1,500 to buy and install, nearly double the price of a conventional gas water heater, and $575 more than a high-efficiency tank model. In addition, while a conventional water heater typically uses a half-inch gas line, a tankless water heater requires three-quarter-inch pipe. That plumbing change costs from $25 to $40 per foot, potentially adding many hundreds to initial costs.

Electric tankless water heater: Much cheaper. It can cost as little as $400 installed. But it doesn’t qualify for a tax credit because it is less efficient than gas and is better suited for point-of-use applications, such as instant kitchen hot water, rather than a whole-house system.

 

Courtesy: HouseLogic

​Check out all homes for sale in Columbia and Lexington at www.homesincolumbiasc.net

 

For... all Real Estate matters!

 

Heart Walk 2014

2014 Midlands Heart Walk was held on March 22nd, organized by the American Heart Association with their mission: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

The vacant lot on Greene Street near Colonial Life Arena was dotted with booths set up by sponsors around the perimeter - Blue Cross Blue Shield (always there at every event in the city), SCANA, Bi-Lo, Subway, Pepsi and Palmetto Health to name a few.

On this beautiful spring morning, there were thousands ready to walk for health - their own and to honor someone they loved. Children, toddlers in strollers, old and young. And dogs… some decked out in bandanas and happy to be outdoors. What enthusiasm!

Starting at Greene Street, the river of people and dogs streamed down to Gervais Street, over the Gervais Street bridge into West Columbia, hung left on State Street, another left on Knots Abbott Drive, over the Blossom Street bridge and back to the starting point – a 3.3 mile walk. Along the route, volunteers handed out water and bananas.

How wonderful to be a part of this movement (pun intended)!


​Check out all homes for sale in Columbia and Lexington at www.homesincolumbiasc.net

 

For... all Real Estate matters!

 

7-Step Guide to Selling your Home

Selling a home has become more complex - new seller disclosure statements, longer and more tedious forms and a range of environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade. In other words, home selling is part art, part science, part marketing and part negotiation. 

Here is a simple (I hope!) 7-Step guide to selling your home:

1.      Preparing the Home
Your goal is to showcase your home to attract as many buyers as possible. It should look clean and inviting, maximizing space and highlighting the best features. Look at your home through the eyes of a buyer. Having lived in your home for a while, you tend to be blind to flaws, minor repairs and wear-and-tear areas of your home. Determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and tossed out. Cosmetic improvements like paint, landscaping, etc help a home show better and are good investments. Mechanical repairs that ensure all systems and appliances are in good working condition are a must to get top price.

2.      Choosing a REALTOR®

In the maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals who know the community and much more. A REALTOR® is a professional and member of the National Association of REALTORS®, an organization that upholds a strict code of ethics.

When your REALTOR® prepares a marketing plan and marketing materials, do provide information about community amenities, schools and neighborhood attractions.

3.      Setting the Sale Price of your Home

A home may have different prices - there’s the price owners would like to get and the price a buyer is willing to pay. Several factors will determine how much you can get for your home - market conditions, interest rates, supply and demand, and your urgency to sell and relocate. Be realistic.

Your REALTOR® will prepare a document showing you net proceeds at different sales prices that can make it easier to understand the value of different offers.

4.    Showing your home to buyers

Your REALTOR® will implement a marketing plan, but here is how you can help:

• Keep your home as clean, neat and odor-free as possible while your home is on the market.
• Make your home as available as possible to buyers though at times it may be inconvenient.
• Leave the house when buyers are there, since studies have shown that buyers linger and look more carefully when the homeowners aren’t present.
• Lock up your pets or take them away during showings. 

5.      Negotiating the Deal

Perhaps the most complex moment in the sales process is when you get an offer for your home. In an ideal world, the  buyers would have offered you full price or more with perfect terms for the sale. However, in reality, the buyers will probably ask for closing costs, a home warranty, HOA fees, appliances and more. You will need to negotiate the offer.

 

As a seller, you have the options of accepting the offer as is, declining the offer, or making a counteroffer. Keep in mind that you will need to compromise on some aspect of your home sale.

Here are some questions you need to ask:

• Is the buyer qualified for a loan?
• How close is the offer to your asking price?
• Will your home appraise for the contract price?
• How large is the earnest money deposit that accompanied the offer?
•  Has the buyer asked for assistance with closing costs?
•  Has the buyer asked you to make repairs or to give a credit for home improvements?
•  Is the requested settlement date appropriate for your needs?

 

If you’re not immediately satisfied with the offer or are uncertain about whether to accept it, consider your options:

• Are there other offers?
• Can you wait for more offers to come in?
• How will you handle it if no other offers come in after a particular deadline?

 

6.    From contract to Closing

There are 3 things that happen more or less simultaneously:
        i.          The buyer performs due diligence that includes home inspection, termite and HVAC inspections.

- Based on the results, there may be one more round of negotiations to address any problems that may show up in these reports.

 

      ii.          The buyer’s lender processes the loan that includes an appraisal.

- If the appraisal comes in lower than the sales price, you may have to lower the sales price or the buyer may have to come up with a larger down payment.

- Underwriters are very cautious these days and may detect an irregularity that may delay closing, or worse deny the buyer’s loan and cause the cancellation of the contract.

     iii.          The buyer’s attorney orders a title search and prepares closing documents.

- In some cases, there may be a cloud on the title – it may be a small amount like a mechanic’s lien, but that will have to be cleared before closing. This may also cause delays.

- The attorney will make sure that all conditions regarding inspections have been met, and that other contingencies have been satisfied.

7.    Planning your Move

Some actions that you took before listing your home will actually help your move. For example, cleaning and clearing you did – closets, attics and garages - means you have less to pack.

The move: Depending on where you are moving, you may need professional movers or you may opt to do it yourself. Stock up on boxes, packing materials, tape and markers.  

Prepare a Checklist of essentials: Money (cash and credit), Medicines, address books and phone numbers. For moving long distances, you may also need toys and books for children.

With input from Realtor Magazine

 ​Check out all homes for sale in Columbia and Lexington at www.homesincolumbiasc.net

 

For... all Real Estate matters!

4 Things you may not know about your Cell Phone

All you folks with cell phones - please print this and keep it in your car, purse or wallet. Your cell phone can be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival.  Here’s what you can do:

1.      In an Emergency: The Emergency Number worldwide for a cell phone is 112. If you are outside a cell phone coverage area or network, dial 112 and the phone will search for any existing network. Interestingly, you can dial this number even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

2.      Hidden Battery Power: If your cell phone battery is very low, press *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with the reserve battery power and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get re-charged when you charge your cell phone the next time.

3.      To disable a stolen cell phone: Check your cell phone's serial number by dialing *#06# . A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your phone. Write it down and keep it in a safe place. If your phone is stolen, phone your service provider and give them this code. They will be able to block your cell phone so that even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use it or sell it. If everybody does this, there would be no point in stealing cell phones.    

4.      Free Directory Service for Cell phones: Cell phone companies charge $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls. When you need information, simply dial: (800) FREE411  or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charges. Program this into your cell phone now. This service is sponsored by McDonalds.

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY?

Rus Horton

 

The economic meltdown and collapse of the real estate industry flooded the market with foreclosures. Home prices went down. Mortgage interest rates fell. That was a good time for buyers. But in the midlands, there was an impasse between buyers and sellers as most sellers held tight to their perceived home values.  However, with more and more foreclosures flooding the market, sellers finally had to face reality and start cutting prices to compete with foreclosures.

Today, foreclosures are on the decline, and home prices are recovering from one of the worst housing crisis ever. That being said, according to BankRate.com, SC is still ranked 8^th for average foreclosure filings. Nationally speaking, as reported by DataQuick’s January Property Intelligence Report, 31 of the 42 counties analyzed had fewer foreclosures compared to the previous month, quarter and year.  Keep in mind that prior to the collapse South Carolina had seen moderate appreciation rates, whereas some of these other areas were seeing above average price increases.

Mortgage rates began creeping up in late December 2012 as a result of the federal government resolution to the then looming Fiscal Cliff issue. In May of 2013, encouraged by a recovering economy, Federal Reserve policymakers announced that they would begin to reduce their purchasing of Mortgage Backed Securities which, prior to, had a major influence on mortgage interest rates. The result was a slow increase in the national average 30-year fixed rate from ~ 3.500% then to ~ 4.500% now.

In summary, we’re seeing a slowdown in foreclosures locally. The end result is that home prices are leveling off and, as foreclosures continue to decrease, home values will naturally increase. Combine this with the fact that mortgage interest rates are about 1.000% higher today than this time last year and you could conclude that we have hit the bottom with both home values and mortgage interest rates. So the question is, “Is now a good time to buy?” All I will say is that I am reminded of the old adage of investments… buy low, sell high.

 

Rus Horton is a mortgage banker with Palmetto South Mortgage Corporation, a division of First Community Bank. He is a 15-year veteran of the mortgage and real estate industries and is dedicated to providing a positive experience to every customer. He is a member of the Home Builders Association and the Central Carolina Realtors Association. In addition, he has served as a volunteer coach for 14 seasons with the YMCA’s recreational soccer league and as a volunteer with Carolina Children’s Home. To contact Rus, call (803) 429-1029 or email him at Rhorton@palmettosouth.com.