Cheryl Karr - Your Solid Source Realty Agent

  Your home is your oasis. A place to kick back and relax from your day. So, why not invest in some items that can boost the zen in your home? Check out the tips below to help you achieve ultimate bliss! Introduce calming scents. A calming scent, like lavender, valerian, camomile, and bergamot, can do wonders for easing stress or anxiety. Find candles that incorporate these scents or purchase essential oils and diffusers, like this one from URPOWER that has over 44,000 5-star reviews on Amazon. Drown out the noise. Having trouble sleeping due to distracting outside noises? A sound machine might be the solution. Like this one from Letsfit , most of them offer several sounds to choose from including natural noises, fan sound effects, and white noise. Wake up more naturally. Studies have shown that waking up to natural light can allow you to wake with more energy and in a better mood. However, if you can’t wake to real sunlight, a wake-up light, like this one from Phil...

  You’ve seen the label ‘organic’ for years now, but what does this really mean and what are the benefits to you and your family? According to the Mayo Clinic, the word ‘organic’ references the way farmers grow and process agricultural products. Organic farming practices are designed to address several factors, such as pest and weed control, usage of additives, animal habitats and treatment, pollution, and more. For produce to be certified as organic, it must have been grown on soil that has been free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for at least 3 years. For meat to carry the organic certification, the animals must be raised in living conditions that allow them to continue their natural behaviors, fed natural, GMO-free foods, and cannot be given hormones or antibiotics. Finally, when it comes to processed organic foods, they must be free of artificial preservatives, food coloring, or flavors. Over the years, research has shown potential health benefits of ...

  New-home sales decreased from October to November as high buyer demand and several building headwinds continued to press on builders’ ability to catch up. Sales of newly built single-family homes dropped 11% in November compared to the previous month, according to the latest new-home sales data released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. Despite the monthly dip, new-home sales are still 20.8% higher than a year ago. “Though the market remains strong, the pace of sales pulled back in November as inventory remains low and affordability concerns persist as builders grapple with a shortage of lots, labor, and building materials,” says Chuck Fowke, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “The home building industry saw a historic gap between the pace of new-home sales and construction of for-sale single-family housing this fall,” adds Robert Dietz, the NAHB’s chief economist. “As a result...

  In a divorce, the shared home often is sold, and the profits are split between both spouses. However, as an investor , if you have a large real estate portfolio to your name, you may have more to consider: If real estate is your business, how do you protect your assets during a divorce? We've created a guide on the subject with three potential ways to try and keep your real property safe and sound. Consider buying out your former spouse Here, the simplest option might be to simply offer to buy out your former spouse. If they aren't interested in continuing in the real estate business, it could be a viable option. In this case, you would simply hire a professional to estimate the total value of your real estate portfolio. Then, you would offer your ex-spouse a commensurate sum in exchange for their share of the ownership. However, if you're going this route, make sure to do it through official channels. Rather than offering to write your spouse a check, ask yo...

  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...

    Staging your home is all about putting the best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest for your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next open house or viewing! Help them visualize it as their own. Make it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal memorabilia, knick-knacks, and photos. Instead replace them with simple décor, such as paintings, nature images, and plants. Think sleek instead of comfy. Modern-day buyers are leaning toward modern, crisp, clean interiors over comfy, homey looks. When staging your home, keep a minimalist mindset and incorporate bright colors and metal accents. Deep clean the small spaces. It's obvious to say you should clean your home before viewing, but don’t forget to cover your bases by deep cleaning the small ...

  Certain housing trends emerging from the pandemic likely will outlast the virus, real estate professionals predict. “The idea of what is necessary is changing,” Camille Thomas, a real estate professional in Jackson Hole, Wyo., told realtor.com®. “The home has become more than a living space.” The Great Escape The suburbs have become a hot place to be in the pandemic. Some real estate experts have called urban flight a myth, but Americans—particularly millennials—were already leaving crowded cities for the suburbs in the five years prior to the pandemic, according to the Urban Land Institute. Now the trend has accelerated. Housing inventory in the suburbs is shrinking faster than in urban areas, according to a report from realtor.com®. The Urban Land Institute refers to the current booming housing market as “the great American move,” which was ignited by the pandemic, creating a growing desire to live in lower-density areas and prop...