HEAVY METAL: GETTING IN ON THE SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME TREND

Written by Jaymi Naciri on Sunday, 01 November 2015 10:02 am


Want to be on the cutting edge of home design? Ditch the standard building materials and haul in a giant metal box. Or 10. That's right—the hottest thing in real estate is shipping containers.


Yep, turns out all those shipping containers filled with goods and stacked up on boats or trains make some pretty cool homes. Used singularly and sparingly to create a tiny home, connected side by side and/or stacked to create an estate-sized residence, or something in between, shipping container homes are only limited by your imagination. And whether you want to spend a couple grand or a couple million, you have lots of options.

"Shipping containers can be readily modified with a range of creature comforts, and can be connected and stacked to create modular, efficient spaces for a fraction of the cost, labor and resources of more conventional materials," said Popular Mechanics.

The basic shipping container is prefabricated, so if you're looking for function and affordability without a lot of extras, you can pull it off easily.

This one-bedroom, one-bath, 320-square-foot shipping container home is $44,000 and comes prefabricated from Nova Deko.
Off Grid World


The famous "Container of Hope" home in Costa Rica used two 40-foot shipping containers spaces three "feet apart on top of concrete pier foundations," said Off Grid World. "This gap is covered with a roof which was made from scrap metal taken from the containers.
Container Home Plans - © Andres Garcia Lachner


"The home has several large glass windows which provide…stunning views out into the countryside of San Jose. In total their 1,000 square foot home cost around $40,000."
Container Home Plans - © Andres Garcia Lachner


Of course, they're not all done on the cheap. This unique Dallas home, the vision of Matt Mooney, principal of architectural firm Corgan, used more than 14 containers "to build this goliath 3,700 square foot home," said Container Home Plans. "It has three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and an outdoor swimming pool to name but a few of the features!
© Wade Griffith via Container Home Plans



Dwell


This $1.4 million home was built from 31 shipping containers on three levels and represents a huge trend down under. "The biggest companies specializing in turning the steel boxes into housing are swamped by upwards of 50 calls a day from potential buyers," said Daily Mail.
Daily Mail


The unique properties of the shipping containers make them ideal for practically any kind of environment, including waterfront.


"With its modern lines and appealing spaces, the award-winning Redondo Beach House by De Maria Design turns heads," said Popular Mechanics. "The luxury beachside showpiece was built from eight prefabricated, recycled steel shipping containers, along with some traditional building materials. According to the architects, the modified containers are ‘nearly indestructible,' as well as resistant to mold, fire, and termites. Seventy percent of the building was efficiently assembled in a shop, saving time, money and resources."


Since this home was built, the company has started Logical Homes, offering more affordable homes using "upcycled Shipping Containers as the primary building block."
Popular Mechanics


Living in the mountains also suits shipping container homes well, since the metal shell can be altered to form windows and doors, thereby letting in light—and views. This home, named "Six Oaks" is 1,200 square feet and surrounded by the natural beauty of California's Santa Cruz mountains.


It's important to keep in mind, however, that altering the container may affect its structural integrity. The answer: reinforce openings "as you remove side paneling for doors, windows and at attachment points for additional containers," or go with a "shipping container inspired home, (that is) engineered so that structural support is located where it is needed. This keeps the need for additional materials low and helps these homes meet local building codes," said Off Grid World.
Life Buzz


Because container homes are easy and fast to construct, and support a more eco-friendly lifestyle, the trend looks to continue. Especially when you consider how inexpensive it can be.
Money


This "Quick House" from architect Adam Kalkin "is a 2,000 square-foot home that is made out of six shipping containers. The two-story home offers three bedrooms and two and a half baths, a laundry room, pantry, mudroom and other amenities," said Money magazine. "The basic price of the Quik House is $119,000, which includes the six modified containers with stairs, walls, glass for windows, pre-fitted electrical and plumbing systems and aluminum glazing frames that are factory installed."


Of course, the "typical cost to assemble and hook up the Quik House and make it habitable is about $184,000," but that's still a pretty reasonable number. For another $25,000, you can even add "a stainless kitchen package, with Viking stove, dishwasher and a fireplace.


Michelle Mustain

Realtor
Charleston Real Estate and Property Management
843-338-4898

"

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Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

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Keller Williams

Home Improvements that add value to your home.

by Shannon O'Brien on March 1, 2012




Most appraisers have stories of homeowners irate over the fact that the special remodeling job they performed added zero value to their home. The imported Italian tile you used in your entryway or the pool in the backyard may be of immense value to you while you live in the home, but unfortunately they aren’t items that buyers shopping in your neighborhood value.

To get the most bang for your home improvement buck, consider these 10 best home improvements:

1. Indoor Systems

Before you consider cosmetic and even functional improvements (such as adding additional square footage) to the home, make all needed upgrades, repairs or replacements to the home’s major systems. Major systems include plumbing, heating, electrical and sewer systems, among others.

Buyers want assurance that these basic items are in working order and won’t need to be replaced or repaired in the near future, an issue that will most likely be addressed in the home inspection. Older homes may require updated wiring and plumbing. An old roof should be replaced. Address problems with heating and air-conditioning units.

Looking for more information on major systems? Check outthis Yahoo! article about the effect of improving major systems on home buyer interest.

2. Outdoor Replacement Projects

Replacement projects will give you more added value than remodeling projects, according to Remodeling Magazine. Fortunately for homeowners, these types of projects are also the least expensive and add to the home’s curb appeal. Consider replacing the garage door, siding, the front door and windows. The average return on investment for these projects is almost 72 percent.

The ROI on replacing garage doors, siding, front doors and windows is almost 72%!

The magazine suggests fiber-cement or foam-backed vinyl siding, adding a steel entry door, and vinyl window replacement.

3. Attic Bedroom

The number one home improvement project as far as recouping a return on your investment is the addition of an attic bedroom, according to Remodeling Magazine. At a nationwide average cost of a little over $50,000, expect to recoup 72.5 percent of the cost of adding the attic bedroom when you sell the home.

4. Add an Additional Bathroom

Over the past few decades, the kitchen was the average homebuyer’s focal point when choosing a home. In 2011 bathrooms became more important to buyers than kitchens. That said, anadditional bathroom, even a half bathroom, adds significant value to your home, according to the experts at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

A half bath may add up to 10.5 percent to a home’s value, while a full bath can tack on an additional 20 percent. Of course, the amount of additional value you will receive varies according to the home’s other features.

In 2011 bathrooms became more important to home buyers than kitchens.

The price of adding another bathroom to the house varies as well, depending on region. If you live on the West Coast, plan on paying almost $50,000 for a new bathroom, according to Remodeling Magazine. The magazine also states that, at the sale of the home, you’ll recoup almost 67 percent of the cost of the additional bedroom. East Coasters can plan on spending a bit less – around $41,000, but will recoup less as well – 47.7 percent of the cost.

Tip: If you’re on a tight budget and can’t afford a bathroom addition, give the existing bathrooms a facelift. A fresh coat of paint, new fixtures and new flooring will add value and make the home show better.

5. Kitchen Improvements

Kitchens tend to be the heart of a family home so anything you do to improve your kitchen will add value. Again, painting the kitchen should be the first step, whether you plan an entire remodel of the room or just a minor facelift. Vinyl flooring tends to make the room look dated, so consider replacing it with laminate or tile. New cabinetry, kitchen sink fixtures and updated lighting will all add value.

Tip: Folks on a budget can still increase value by sanding and then painting or staining cabinetry and adding new hardware and by purchasing new (matching) appliances and new countertops.

6. Boost Curb Appeal

When a TV show can be built around this one subject, it’s a pretty good indication of its importance. Curb appeal is what beckons potential buyers into your home and underestimating its importance to the value of a home is a big mistake many homeowners make.

If you have a healthy budget, and your landscaping needs extensive work, consider hiring professionals for this home improvement project. A landscape architect can be pricey but necessary if your yard is in desperate need of an overhaul. According to Jeff Mitchell with the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), curb appeal shouldn’t stop at the front yard, but should be extended to the backyard as well.

At the very least, clean the yard of any debris, trim trees and shrubs and spread fresh mulch in the planting beds. A poorly maintained front yard can result in up to a 10 percent drop in value, according to Houston appraiser Frank Lucco.

Here’s a quick video that will walk you through the basics of increasing curb appeal:

Budget curb-appeal improving landscape projects include:
Line the walkway with solar-powered lights. The big home improvement stores carry a variety of inexpensive styles and all you need to do is stick them in the ground. Not only are they functional – lighting your way at night – but they provide ornamentation as well.
Green up the lawn, keep it mowed and edged and reseed bare spots.
Add color to the planting beds. Be careful to keep your color choices aligned with the home’s architecture. In other words, don’t add cottage garden-type flowers to a bed in front of a starkly modern home. Certain plants are grown because of their interesting and colorful foliage, such as hosta and coleus, and are better suited to more modern homes. If you have questions about what to plant, consult with the experts at your local nursery.
Plant a tree. Yes, it sounds like an Arbor Day slogan, but planting a tree in your front yard pays off by helping cut energy costs in the summer (if strategically located to shade the house) and by adding value to the home. Not sure which tree to plant? Use the fun National Tree Benefit calculator to assist you with making the right choice. Just enter your zip code and the calculator will bring up a list of trees suited to your region and let you know the benefits of each.

We’ve only barely scraped the surface of this important topic here. Check out these time-tested curb appeal boosting tips to learn how to get more money for your home when you decide to sell!

7. Refurbish the Basement

Converting the basement into a finished room adds usable square footage to the home. Finishing basements is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value as it transforms unfinished basements – glorified storage space – into a usable, attractive room.

Consider the following basement bar. Who wouldn’t be willing to splash out thousands for the privilege of owning something like that?

Here is a short list of rooms your basement can become – and accoutrements to put inside it – if you choose to renovate it:
Sports den – Big screen TV, sports memorabilia, overstuffed couches and cushy carpeting
Lounge – Pool table, wet bar, dark hardwood floors and a poker table
Children’s play area – Playset, soft furniture like beanbag chairs, arts and crafts table and bins and shelves for toys and books
Photo courtesy of KairosPhotography.

8. Additional Storage

Most new homes come equipped with lots of storage. Older homes, on the other hand, tend to lack even some of the basic storage options, such as a coat or linen closet. If you lack the space to expand closets or other storage spaces or build new ones, consider redesigning the spaces you do have.

There are specialty stores now dedicated to nothing but storage solutions. Do-it-yourself projects may include adding a complete closet system or adding organization details to a pantry.

9. Additional Square Footage

Every 1,000 square feet added to a home raises the value by more than 3.3 percent, according to a 2003 study for the National Association of Realtors®.

While that percentage doesn’t sound significant, when you put it into numbers it makes a lot more sense. For instance, if your home is valued at $200,000, a 3.3 percent increase adds an additional $6,600 to the value.

Additionally, the 3.3 percent statistic can most likely be adjusted upward based on the age of the study. The study also claims that each additional bedroom adds 4 percent to the value of the home.

Each additional bedroom adds 4% to the value of the home.

If your laundry is located in the basement, the value of your home decreases by two percent, so if you plan on adding square footage to the home, build a laundry room on one of the upper floors.

10. Miscellaneous Home Improvements

There are many small items you can add to the home that buyers will perceive as adding value. Some of these include:
Alarm systems
Water filtration system
Luxury touches such as an upgraded dishwasher, whirlpool bathtub and built-in wine coolers may peak the buyer’s interest. Luxury homeowners can take this a step further by adding an in-home theater and additional spa-like features to the bathrooms.
Caveat – Invest in Home Improvements Wisely

One of the most important things to keep in mind when considering any home improvement project is to not go overboard. The value of your home is partially determined by the value of your neighbor’s homes, so don’t make improvements that bring your home’s value significantly over the general value of other homes in your neighborhood.

Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

Move
| By: Erik Gunther

When you are preparing for a move, a garage sale or yard sale is one of the best ways to clear away the clutter of old, unwanted stuff. Wading through your accumulated items may be a bit overwhelming, but it’s not as bad as moving to your new home with a bunch of boxes filled with things you don’t need. And, if you plan properly, you could end up with a sweet wad of cash in your pocket. Where to begin? Follow these tips for a great sale:
Advertise
Advertise your upcoming sale like crazy. Put an ad on your local Craigslist and detail what you’ll be selling. If you want your ad to stand out, be creative! Try headlines with a bit of humor or hype to increase interest.


Price Your Items
If you like haggling and don’t mind answering questions every time someone picks up or points at an item, don’t bother with pricing every piece. However, if you’d rather give shoppers a heads-up while you kick back in the shade, get some ready-made pricing stickers to put on the items.


Get Real
Be realistic with your price points. Very few buyers at garage sales are expecting to spend big bucks. If you have time before your sale, visit a couple of other neighborhood sales to gauge prices.


Bank Run
The day before the sale, make a run to the bank to get small bills and change.


Signage
Put up signs on busy streets and around your neighborhood that will lead shoppers to your place. On the signs, use black ink on a bright background and keep your message simple and easy to read.


Be Friendly
Greet your customers and let them know you’re there to answer any questions. A little friendliness goes a long way in encouraging sales.


On Display
Merchandising your items is key. Think about how stores pull in shoppers. A well-organized display of your wares will pique the interest of buyers and result in more sales. Take your stuff out of boxes and group items in a visually appealing way.


Increase Traffic
Put big-ticket items such as furniture, electronics or eye-catching pieces of art closest to the street or in a prominent spot for maximum visibility.


Giveaways!
Put together a catch-all box of junk and make a bright “Free Stuff” sign. Place this free box on the curb. Most shoppers driving by a garage sale can’t resist the allure of the lowest possible price point.


Make it Walkable
Create pathways through your merchandise. Shoppers who feel comfortable that they won’t knock something over or trip over a box will spend more time browsing and buying.


Don’t Take it Personal
Divorce yourself from any emotional attachment to your stuff. Buyers probably don’t care to hear about the history behind your possessions, they’re just looking for bargains.


Be Ready for Lowballs
Keep in mind that you’re trying to get rid of stuff and that low-ball offers are a part of the game. If you have truly valuable items, try selling them individually through eBay or Craigslist.


Be Flexible
Get flexible with your pricing as the day goes by. Knock a dollar or two off a listed price. Offer package deals to folks buying multiple items. Encourage customers to grab anything remotely interesting. You want to end the day with minimal leftovers – so don’t take a hard line on items you never have to see again.


Donation Time
Arrange to donate the leftover items at the end of the day. Make sure to get a receipt for your donation for a tax write-off.

BUY / SELL /SEARCH HOMES FOR SALE

Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

HUD FUNDING MAY BE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU IN HOME REPAIRS

Finance, Home Improvement
| By: Craig Donofrio 










Need to make some major repairs on your home but don’t have the funds? Or do you need a smaller loan just to replace some burned-out appliances?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development might have you covered.

Whether you need to replace your furnace after pushing it too hard during this brutal winter or need to fix a flooded basement, you might want to try one (or two) of these popular HUD home improvement programs.

These loans are available only from HUD-approved lenders. (Remember: HUD doesn’t lend money, it only insures it.) And since these programs are backed by HUD, approved lenders are able to offer special rates and terms not found in other loans.
Title 1 loan

HUD’s Property Improvement Loan Insurance Title 1 program, also known as FHA Title 1, is available for homeowners who need improvements, big or small. These improvements could be for appliances, such as a new oven or dishwasher, or they can be used for something like a new roof. Here’s a basic rundown for Title 1 loans:
They are fixed-rate loans.
The maximum loan length is 20 years.
They have no prepayment penalties.
For loans under $7,500, you don’t need to put your home up as collateral.
Loans over $7,500 require your home to be put on the line.
A maximum of $25,000 is available for single-family units.
They can be used in conjunction with 203(k) rehab loans.
203(k) rehab loan

If you’re looking to buy a fixer-upper or make major repairs on your home, a 203(k)Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance loan could be the way to go. These funds can be used to purchase, refinance, or renovate a home with items like these:
Major landscaping work
Modernization/improvements
Adding/replacing flooring and roofs
Energy conservation improvements

You can even use this loan to build an entirely new house, as long as the previous structure’s foundation is still there.

The loan amount is equal to the value of the property, which has to fall within FHA mortgage limits (in most areas, that means a max value of $417,000). The value of the property is determined by up to 110% of the property’s value after the rehab work, or the value of the property plus the rehab cost—whichever one is less.

This loan is primarily for extensive repair work. You can use it for more minor repairs, but you need a minimum of $5,000 in work to be eligible for the loan. These loans can come with fixed-rate or adjustable-rate terms.
Streamlined 203(k)

For less serious renovations, consider the streamlined 203(k) loan. There is no minimum loan requirement, and homeowners can get a maximum of $35,000 in funds.

This loan can be used for things like the replacement or renovation of gutters and/or roofs, inside and outside paint jobs, basement waterproofing, accessibility improvements, septic systems, and buying and installing appliances.

Both streamlined and regular 203(k) loans can be used for HUD-owned and REO single-family properties.
Do you qualify?

Not all properties or repair types will qualify for these loans. You may need to hire a contractor to inspect the property. For 203(k) loans, you need to have a detailed list of what repairs are needed and how much they’ll cost—this can take a good chunk of time, so plan ahead. You can’t use any of these loans for luxury improvements, like a new swimming pool.

Like with most loans, you’ll want to have a good credit history and be able to show the ability to repay the loan. Credit requirements, loan terms, and rates can vary by lender. With 203(k) loans, you will probably be required to place a down payment and have reserves equal to a portion of the total loan amount.

For more information about these HUD loans, see Title 1, 203(k), and streamlined 203(k)loans.
Charleston Real Estate and Property Management

Michelle Mustain
843-338-4898

Homes for Sale in Charleston: Hack Your Bedroom: High-Tech Devices Aim to Upgrad...

Homes for Sale in Charleston: Hack Your Bedroom: High-Tech Devices Aim to Upgrad...: Home Improvement | By: Mat Probasco Waking up on Sunday morning to find that an hour of your day has vanished is no big deal. It’s the ...

Spring Home Improvements: Repair, Replace, Enjoy!

With memories of snow and cold fading, it’s time to remind home owners to take stock of important work to be done for themselves and potential buyers down the road. Keeping on track with seasonal maintenance will lower costs and raise value.

APRIL 2013 | BY BARBARA BALLINGER

Besides cleaning closets and planting flowers and cool-weather vegetables, spring should involve scrutinizing the condition of a house following the rough winter. Repairs and replacements won’t just help owners enjoy their properties more; they’ll also keep energy costs down as hot weather rolls in and attract more buyers, many of whom have become meticulous about inspecting roofs, appliances, and HVAC bills.

While most home owners need to prioritize costs, these 10 improvements are at the top of many contractors’ lists. Some of them are even more affordable than ever before, thanks to rebates from local communities, utility companies, and the federal government.

1. Replace windows

If home owners’ houses felt drafty this past winter and they have single-pane windows, there’s a good chance those were one of the culprits. But replacing them all can be costly — $400 to $500 per window, plus $100 to $150 for installation, according to home improvement expert Tom Kraeutler of The Money Pit. Whether that’s the place to spend dollars should depend on how long home owners plan to stay put or what houses listed in their neighborhood offer if they’re selling. “If they’re the last ones with old, rotting-wood windows, that negative may affect buyer attention,” Kraeutler says. This year’s “Cost vs. Value” report from Remodeling magazine pegs the payback for vinyl windows at 71.2 percent and for wood windows at a similar 73.3 percent. A less costly alternative can be to add storms, caulk, weather strip, or rim joists in a basement. Contractor Paul Eric Morse of Morse Constructions Inc. in Somerville, Mass., suggests gradually replacing windows in any room that owners remodel to make the cost less prohibitive.

12  Key Questions to Ask Before You Hire Home Improvement Pros

1. Can you show me proof of a license, certification, or associations you belong to?

2. Are you bonded?

3. Will you provide three recommendations?

4. What are your specialties — kitchens, bathrooms, or additions? Are there jobs you don’t like to tackle?

5. Will you secure permits?

6. How much must I pay up front for work?

7. Do you have a regular team of subs, or assemble different members?

8. How might we resolve conflicts — will resolution be in the contract?

9. How often will you show up at the job site to check progress?

10. How might I reach you — e-mail, phone, text?

11. What is your typical clean-up schedule — daily or weekly?

12. Will you provide a lien release when work is done?

2. Install a new heating system and change filters

If a seller’s furnace and boiler were on their last legs this past winter, it may be time to install a new one, or at least provide sellers with a credit toward new equipment. Any choice should carry an EnergyStar label for best results. Existing systems still in good condition should have filters checked monthly and replaced when dark and clogged, a DIY project. For great energy efficiency, Morse is installing more heat exchanges that provide both heat and air conditioning and can be less costly than a new central air system with new ducting and a new furnace.

3. Clean air conditioning units

Before summer temperatures rise and HVAC pros are swamped, advise home owners to clean coils and change filters so their system doesn’t have to work as hard. They should also have drain lines cleaned, so moisture is eliminated, says Douglas Tompkins, with Pro-Air Heating and Cooling in Newburgh, N.Y. If they haven’t had air conditioning, now’s the time to weigh choices of a central system, heat exchange, or room units.

4. Install more insulation

A home’s first line of defense to stop cold or hot air — depending on the season — should be the attic, according to most contractors. An energy audit can determine how much more is needed, if they already have some. Seattle-based contractor Ron Rice, of Your House Matters, suggests adding more than the minimum 8 inches required by most local codes — up to 16 inches. For cold climates, installing electric or hydronic radiant heat under bathroom and kitchen floors will provide comfort next season.

5. Switch out inefficient appliances

Sometimes appliances are no longer smart to repair. The determining factors for that should be their age and the cost of repair versus replacement. Here, too, top choices carry an EnergyStar label. If home owners need to replace most of their kitchen equipment and have a limited budget or plan to move, Rice suggests they prioritize and first switch out the range, followed by the refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave — in that order.

6. Repair or replace roofs, gutters, and downspouts

Because of the tough hurricane season last fall and the winter blizzards, roofing contractors in many parts of the country have been busy. Morse recommends that those needing new roofs consider architectural asphalt shingles because of their long warranties (often 50 years), affordable prices, and attractive appearances that work with many house styles. In addition, many contractors have the equipment and experience to install roofs of this material, as opposed to metal. He also recommends that home owners have gutters and downspouts cleaned come spring so that water can flow through them; gutters should be angled away from a house to stop water pooling around a foundation and seeping into the basement. Gutter covers can be helpful but often don’t eliminate all debris.

7. Paint

Damage often shows up at this time of year, especially in climates where there’s been a lot of snow melting or winter rains, Morse says. Use the time to reassess your color choice for better curb appeal. Even changing the front door’s color can make a difference.

8. Prune trees

Cutting limbs that may have been damaged during winter and that might fall on a roof or allow squirrels to enter a house is smart, and it can be a cost savings later on. Called “thinning out,” this method gets excess foliage trimmed to allow more natural light into a house—and cut down on artificial illumination, says Sacramento, Calif.-based landscape designer Michael Glassman. “It opens the tree so you don’t have dead spots in the interior and lets the tree take advantage of air flow rather than chop off the top,” he says. A certified arborist will know the best ways to do this without removing too much of a canopy, which is useful for privacy and shade.

9. Mulch plantings

Along with fall, spring is a key mulch time. Mulch helps plants thrive by holding back weeds, retaining moisture so soil doesn’t dry out, and adding a tidy look, Glassman says. Use bark, shredded fir, leaves, straw, or grass clippings.

10. Replace lightbulbs

When it comes to artificial light, most contractors recommend switching burned-out bulbs to LEDs, which last longer than incandescents, consume less energy, and have come down in price — now often just $10. Quality has improved, too, and they’re dimmable and available in colors.

One more thing: Before you hire anybody to take on work, get a written estimate. Better to be safe than sorry.

Charleston Real Estate & Property Management

Michelle Mustain

843-338-4898

BREAKFAST NOOKS THAT'LL CHANGE THE WAY YOU USE YOUR KITCHEN

Written by Jaymi Naciri on Sunday, 15 February 2015 8:01 am


A breakfast nook is one of the most desirable features for today's families, serving as the ideal spot for casual meals, homework, art projects, meal planning, and catching up at the end of the day.

"Whether you're drinking your orange juice and reading on a bleary-eyed weekday or gathering with the whole family for pancakes on Saturday, a breakfast nook is an ideal place to start your day," said Houzz.




Built-in benches and a bookcase create a cozy space.



A row of cabinets in front of a bank of windows turns a pretty, blank space into a pretty, useful one.



"Don't have a built-in breakfast nook? Try making one yourself by adding a small table to a sunny corner that doesn't get a lot of use," said Huffington Post. Here, a round table and corner benches maximize space and utility.

A built-in nook works well even in a space without right angles.



Have the space in the center of your kitchen but not so much a separate space? Incorporate a breakfast nook right into your island.



A banquette with extra storage serves multiple purposes.



A banquette can be as fancy as you want.



Use it as a showcase for your personal style.

Colors to fit your mood

The color wheel is full of infinite options when it comes to decorating your home. You can spice up your walls with bold reds or cool your mood with ocean blues. How do you know what color is really you, though?

Well, if you're a child of the 1970's you could slip on your mood ring and let the power of the ring guide you, but if you're feeling a little pessimistic about this plan you could end up with black walls.

The truth is that color has real effects on us. In fact, many people are strong believers in the psychology and healing powers of color.

That turns the pressure on. It's time to choose a color palette for your home that will set the mood you most desire.

Are you looking to heal your body? The ancients believed that red hues stimulated the body and helped increase circulation. Indigo could help those nagging skin problems, they said. Blue can be used to treat pain. Orange was thought to help increase energy and yellow to purify the body.

Better Homes and Gardens, experts on home design, take color even further. They break down the elements of color and how different hues can warm the heart, create connection, and even inspire us to create!

Do you want your rooms to be warm and intimate? Warm colors such as red, yellow, and orange, while making some rooms appear smaller, do wonders for inspiring cozy evenings on the couch with a book.

Do you want to get the creative juices flowing? Try to infuse your rooms with splashes of bright color. Oranges, greens, and golden yellow "unleash creative juices in studios and home offices" says BHG.

If you're a little more laid back and want to have restful tones, then consider blues, greens, and purples. "Pale, serene greens slip quietly into a living room, bedroom, or reading room, hushing it with a whisper. Medium greens connect to nature, grounding and freshening the spirits of a home office, family room, or spa. Deep greens comfort a library, bedroom, or sitting room."

Do you like neutral tones. Yes, beige is still a color. This neutral palette can be great for creating a peaceful and serene setting. This color family also has a way of making small spaces appear larger, bringing in an airy aspect to your room. Consider using these colors in small spaces, such as bathrooms.

Color can inspire all sorts of moods. Let your home help you create cheer, inspiration, or intimacy.


Michelle Mustain

Keller Williams

843-338-4898

Judge orders cleanup, demolition of neglected West Ashley shoppi - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Judge orders cleanup, demolition of neglected West Ashley shoppi - Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Designers, Builders Reveal Hot Trends for 2015

Here are three predictions for residential design, including a growing kitchen niche, a caveat on smart home devices, and updated staging tips.

JANUARY 2015 | BY MEG WHITE

At the combined International Builders Show and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas last week, REALTOR® Magazine picked up three key trends to watch for in the coming year and beyond.

Foodies Changing Mainstream Kitchen Design
Designers and builders are starting to realize this foodie thing isn’t just a passing phase, and many are thinking about how best to serve a growing niche in kitchen design.

“Think about different questions to ask home owners about their food acquisition,” says Judith A. Neary, principal of Roadside Attraction Design Studio LLC in Vashon Island, Wash. “Do you have a garden? Do you do canning? Where do you store that? I have to have these conversations with them. We’re trying to plan a kitchen solution for that.”

These changes are also reflected in appliances, with foodies demanding high-temperature cooking options—in excess of 700 F. There’s also been an increase in interest in induction cooking, which heats pots using strong magnets, according to chef and author Jan D’Atri.

“I don’t think the technology was there before. Now it is, and it’s a great option.”

D’Atri also predicts high-end consumers will soon expect newer cooking options, such as the combi ovens (a steam and convection oven rolled into one) instead of a traditional second oven.

But small changes can make a big difference in the foodie kitchen of tomorrow, too. “It’s all about being really thoughtful about the things that are going to make a difference,” says Karman Hotchkiss, executive editor for Better Homes and Gardens’ Special Interest Media. She notes that a niche within the larger foodie niche, the “baker’s kitchen,” often includes a surface with “little divots for bringing eggs up to temperature. That’s really thoughtful.”

Connected Devices May Stumble
This year’s show was buzzing with talk of smart home technology. But builders and designers were also told to be cautious in their embrace of emerging smart home technology.

“Be careful about who you hitch your wagon to,” says Jacob Atalla, vice president of sustainability initiatives at KB Home. He notes that there are a lot of relatively unknown companies serving up new home technology products, and there’s no guarantee how long they’ll be around or how well their products will work. “There could be some disappointments in the future, so we shouldn't rush into it.”

Chad Davis, senior director of digital media at the National Association of Home Builders, says that while this new technology—which includes products that control a home’s HVAC, entertainment systems, and appliances from the cloud—is over hyped and destined for a reality check, that doesn't mean that it’s not here for the long haul.

“You’re going to hear in the next few years, ‘This didn't work. This is a disappointment.’ Don’t buy that,” Davis says. “This is a fundamental shift in what is going to happen with our industry.”

Gray Is Here to Stay, But It’ll Share the Stage
Which colors are residential designers gushing over most?

“Warm Stone is my new favorite paint color,” says Kay Green, president of Kay Green Design Inc. in Winter Park, Fla., of the Sherwin-Williams neutral shade. “Chocolate brown is the new black and gray is the new beige.”

Stephanie Moore, principle of Moore Design Group in Dallas, agrees. “Everything in color terms is going more gray,” she says, though “white is huge in this industry now; I didn’t think it would ever come back.” Moore suggests using light, medium, and dark elements when staging to implement these trends in an eye-pleasing way.

Gray has been popular for a while, but Green says there’s been a change in how grays are fitting into the residential color palette.

“Now we’re using it with teal and straw yellow,” she says. “It’s a much more interesting color than it used to be.”

One color trend that surprises Green is the popularity of avocado with millennials.

“I’m thinking, ‘Why are you so excited about this color?’” She says she later realized that it was a generational thing: “It’s because they didn't have a refrigerator that color growing up!”


Michelle Mustain
Realtor
843-338-4898

Does Front Door need a Makeover?

It's been proven that the No. 1 most valuable makeover in terms of return on investment is a front door redo. A new front door returns 96.6 percent of the cost, according to Remodeling magazine's annual Cost vs. Value report for 2014. But not just any front door will do. Choosing the right door, and, specifically, the right color, is critical for adding value, but also for enjoying your home. It's the first thing people see and the last one on many homeowners' to-choose list: the color of the front door," said This Old House. "But if classic green, red, and black have long been the defaults, that's beginning to change. People are starting to branch out. They realize the color of the front door introduces the world to the people inside, and it can be unexpected and playful." Here are few ideas for a colorful, modern front door.
Black
Black may be considered old school by some, but this hue remains “dark and dramatic…creating a classic old-Hollywood glamour look that is definitely swoon worthy,” said Style at Home.
 Raisin "Go with something strong and bold that makes a statement," said House Beautiful. "This gorgeous raisin with undertones of purple and gray and brown (is) an unusual color for a front door. A little mysterious. It would wet the palate for the entry foyer."
Bright Yellow A happy color that provides a warm welcome, yellow also "also evokes mental clarity, perception, understanding, wisdom, confidence, curiosity, humor and merriment," said Houzz. "Because it is "often identified with happiness, high energy and warmth, a lively yellow can brighten otherwise gloomy exteriors."
Green Standard shades of green play well with homes that are nicely landscaped, offering a complement to lush greenery and verdant gardens. But, you can also pump it up with an unexpected shade of green for a fresh look. "We have to look twice when we pass homes with an entrance painted in this show-stopper," said Huffington Post. "While we know it won't work for every abode, it looks especially smashing with brown, grey or a raisin-colored exterior."
Turquoise A turquoise door can evoke feelings of the beach or simply incorporate a lightness to your exterior. A welcoming, modern color, it is as warm as it is memorable.
Blue According to the experts, blue doors look best with detailed architecture. "A Victorian home is a license to indulge in brilliant paint and trim choices," said DIY Network. "This style of architecture has so much detail that it takes a dark or bold color to draw your attention to the front door as a focal point." If you're thinking of going blue, check out these tips from Houzz.
Orange Looking for a way to really make your house stand out? "Go bold or go home," said Huffington Post. "Nothing makes a statement quite like orange, and this not-to-be-missed hue will draw people right inside. We especially love it on a dark charcoal backdrop, which makes the color really vibrate."
Red For a punch of color that breathes new life into the exterior of a home, red is always a winner. Plus, the bold, passionate color "also projects a strong, confident aesthetic," said Style at Home. "For a modern look, veer away from candy apple and toward deeper shades.

Michelle Mustain
Realtor
Keller Williams
843-338-4898

Charleston, SC. Real Estate Market Summary

Average price per square foot for Charleston SC was $160, an increase of 15.1% compared to the same time last year. The median sales price for homes in Charleston, Sc. for Oct 2014 - Jan 2015 was $225,750 based on 516 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price increased 7.5%, or $15,750, and the number of homes sales decreased 9%. There are currently 1,133 resale & new homes in Charleston, as well as 433 homes in pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank owned stages of foreclosure.

Michelle Mustain
Realtor
Keller Williams
843-338-4898

Looking to buy a Home in Charleston, Sc.?

You've come to the right place!

Charleston is growing by leaps and bounds!  With so many Charleston real estate options to choose from, you need an agent that will aggressively and intelligently market your property. Choose a Charleston REALTOR® with proven experience and results.  If you haven't chosen a Charleston REALTOR® yet, make sure your candidates can answer these tough questions:

How will you market my property so it really stands out in the Charleston Market?
What's your online marketing strategy so my property is exposed to millions of potential local and relocating buyers?
Are you a reputable REALTOR® in Charleston?  Do you have references?
You've definitely come to the right place.  I'm ready to put my experience to work for you.  With the hot job market, booming tourism and a variety of housing options — you can sell your home for top dollar IF you choose the right real estate agent.  There are many secrets and proven strategies for getting your home the attention it needs in the crowded Charleston real estate market.  I know them all and I'm ready to go to work for you.


Michelle Mustain
Realtor
843-338-4898