Cheryl Karr - Your Solid Source Realty Agent

  July 9, 2021 The pandemic spawned a drive to spruce up the home and that desire is continuing. Half of U.S. homeowners recently surveyed say they plan to spend more on home improvements in 2021 than they did last year, according to the latest BMO Real Financial Progress Index, a quarterly indicator measuring consumer sentiment about finances. Renovation projects are expected to continue to rise too. Two-thirds of more than 2,500 U.S. homeowners surveyed said they plan to tackle home improvements this year, the index shows. Many homeowners are using cash to complete these home renovation projects. Fifty percent of homeowners said they were using cash to pay for these projects, followed by credit cards (24%), line of credit (12%), and loans (12%), the index shows. Real estate pros could help as this remodeling wave continues by offering homeowners information into how the renovations they do can affect their home’s ...

  Home remodeling has surged since the pandemic began, but many of the projects initially were smaller in scope. That is reversing as homeowners decide to go bigger with their renovation plans and beyond the DIY projects that dominated during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. Homeowners are increasingly undertaking larger remodeling projects, including expanding and rearranging floor plans as they look to create dedicated home offices or increase a home’s functionality, according to the Q4 2020 Kitchen & Bath Market Index, released by the National Kitchen & Bath Association and John Burns Real Estate Consulting. The NKBA projects a 10.7% sales growth for the remodeling industry in 2021. The rising desire for large-scale projects is prompting homeowners to move away from DIY jobs and hiring professionals to do more robust renovations. “We’re seeing an incomparable surge in homeowners looking to rearrange floor plans, tear out...

  A paint job does wonders for a tired space and is one of the most affordable and DIY-friendly projects you can take on. And while painting a room is a relatively simple task, that doesn’t mean it’s doesn’t have its challenges. This job requires both patience and precision. If you don’t take the time to do your due diligence, like protecting your space from rogue paint splatters and selecting the right formula, chances are you’ll end up with a botched job that may even look worse than what you started with.    Prepping for your own project? Here’s a breakdown of the most telltale signs of an inexperienced painter, so when you finish up, all you see is a perfect paint job.   1. Your coverage is inconsistent. Though it’s tempting to skip right to the fun stuff — painting that fabulous new color on your walls — priming is extremely important and can alleviate some potential headaches along the way. “Starting with a primer will help ensure your paint ...

  It can be intimidating to stand in front of the paint swatches at the paint or hardware store and try to make a decision. Picking a color can be difficult enough—and then you have to choose the finish. Choosing the color is up to you, but here’s a simple guide to choosing the correct finish for your project. High Gloss High gloss paint has the most sheen, and will be the most durable. That durability is best suited for the kitchen, on surfaces like cabinets, door frames, and window trim. It’s best to avoid using high gloss on walls, because it will be too reflective. Semi-Gloss It’s not as shiny as high gloss, but it’s still great for kitchens and bathrooms, because the sheen protects from drips, splatters, and other moisture. Satin Satin has a velvet-like look, but is still a durable finish, and works best in high-traffic areas. Be careful when applying, because satin paint will reveal sloppy brush strokes. Eggshell and flat These finishes have the least a...

  Is there a home maintenance project that’s been lingering on your to-do list for too long because you’re dreading the trip to the hardware or craft store? There are some projects you can tackle with items that are almost certainly already in your home.  1. Vinegar: There’s probably a jug of vinegar in your pantry right now. You can soak items in vinegar to remove mineral deposits (like in a clogged showerhead), and you can boil vinegar in your microwave to remove odors and make it easier to clean.  2. Cola: A can of Coke or Pepsi can be used to clean many surfaces, including your glass windows, porcelain toilet, or chrome fixtures. Just do some research before using it on metal surfaces, as it can be corrosive.  3. Baking soda: This item may actually be more useful for applications other than baking. A baking soda-vinegar paste is great for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Baking soda can also be used to absorb odors.  4. Butter knife: Scr...

  As people rethink how they use their homes, some design trends that were popular in recent years are quickly fading. For example, the open layout is becoming less trendy as homeowners favor more privacy. Apartment Therapy recently asked designers to chime in on which home decorating trends they think will fall out of style in the new year. The open concept. Open floor plans have long been all the rage, but as more people hunker down at home, they want more walls for greater privacy. “This past year, we’ve been confined to our homes for work, play, and relaxation, and people have learned it’s tough for a home to play so many different roles with no physical division of space,” Mary Catherine Murray and Amanda Khouri, co-owners of Murray Khouri Interior Design, told Apartment Therapy. “If your workspace is also your relaxation space and your cooking space, you might find it difficult to shift from one mindset to the next.” More designers are using...