'Quiet Luxury' is Interior Design's Buzzword for 2024

“Quiet luxury” is a term commonly used by influencers on social platforms like TikTok or Instagram. This catchphrase is typically used to describe a specific style of fashion and design: understated elegance, no glaring brand names, and a simple, yet elevated, aesthetic that appears effortless. This manifests in classics such as blazers, well tailored jeans, simple t-shirts, and crisp collared shirts made with the highest quality materials such as cashmere and silk, and the color palette is muted and sophisticated. However, this trend isn’t just limited to clothing; it is a lifestyle. And interior design might be quiet luxury’s next big stage in 2024.    Examples of quiet luxury in the home:  How to achieve a quiet luxury feel in your home:  Luckily achieving quiet luxury in your home is easier and more affordable than you think. If you understand the key principles that make up the quiet luxury aesthetic, you’ll find that it really is as effortless as it looks.    Less is More: Focus on investing the bulk of your budget on staple pieces of furniture like the couch or dining table, as they tend to be the focal point of a room. Once you have your basic pieces in place, infill with complimentary decor that pulls the room together rather than forces the eye to bounce around from item to item. Although regularly confused, quiet luxury and minimalism are not synonymous styles. While minimalism highlights refinement in its purest form, quiet luxury takes a more personalized approach by layering elements that are thoughtful and cohesive to the space. You still want your home to feel luxurious and approachable, which minimalism tends to edit out most of the elements that help define that look.   Invest in Quality and Custom Materials: Opt for pieces that are built well and designed to last. Quiet luxury is about letting the quality speak for itself. Natural materials such as solid woods, silky cashmere, and elegant marble not only look luxurious, but feel luxurious to the touch. Avoid man-made materials like shimmery fabrics, chrome, and other distracting finishes that take away from the harmony of a natural and calming environment. One way to find signature pieces of decor is to thrift them! Recycled pieces such as brass candlesticks, solid wood picture frames, and antique art can help to give the space a curated look with plenty of visual interest without breaking the bank. Opt for more personalized pieces rather than mass-produced and trendy items. Invest in quality art pieces that ‘spark joy’ and that you truly love. Having pieces you love in your home boosts Feng Shui and gives your home a tailored look that is unique to you.   Neutral Tones: The overall color palette should be muted, earthy, or neutral tones. Quiet luxury steers clear of bold and loud patterns, colors, and silhouettes to create a refined and understated appeal. The emphasis is on a comfortable, yet effortless, appearance. Neutral tones like deep browns, creamy whites, and deep jewel tones achieve this appearance. The overall palette is subdued, with muted colors giving slight definition here and there. Avoid ‘accent walls’ or ‘pops of color’ to maintain a sophisticated look. When coupled with natural materials, you’ll have a tranquil atmosphere that feels both inviting and elevated.

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Why FSBOs Regret Not Using a Real Estate Agent

Photo credit: Unsplash When selling a home, some people opt to list their home as For Sale By Owner and skip using the guidance of a real estate agent to save money on agent commissions. While the idea of cutting costs may be appealing, FSBO sellers often find themselves regretting this decision in the long run. In a recent survey by Clever Real Estate, those who listed with a real estate agent were 50% more likely to say they had no regrets than those who listed their home FSBO. Those who sold without an agent also faced lower sales prices, a longer selling process, and more stress than those who used an agent. In this article, we'll explore the common reasons why FSBOs often regret not enlisting the services of a professional real estate agent.   Pricing: One of the largest drawbacks of FSBO is the challenge of accurately pricing the property. Real estate agents have access to extensive market data and experience that enables them to perform a comparative market analysis to determine the optimal listing price. FSBO sellers, who lack access to such resources and knowledge, are likely to underprice or overprice their homes, resulting in losing money on the sale or extended time on the market. Third party valuations, like Zillow’s Zestimate, are often inaccurate and don’t reflect the full picture of pricing a home at current market value.   Limited Exposure and Marketing: Real estate agents have a broad network of clients and access to multiple listing services (MLS), ensuring your home gets maximum exposure. FSBO sellers, on the other hand, may struggle to reach potential buyers. This limited visibility for FSBO homes can lead to longer listing periods, decreasing the chances of attracting the right buyer at the right price. Getting the highest price on your home also requires an effective marketing strategy. Real estate agents are knowledgeable and skilled in creating captivating listings, high-quality professional photographs, and showcasing what makes your house special to buyers. FSBO sellers may lack this expertise and by failing to show your home in its best light, you may lose out on money on the sale or spend more time on the market.                    Negotiation Skills: Negotiating a real estate deal is a unique skill that real estate agents develop after years of professional experience. In the case of a challenging negotiation, an FSBO seller might feel unprepared and unsure of how to proceed due to a lack of experience. This can lead to lost money on the sale or agreeing on unfavorable terms. Real estate agents are experts at handling negotiations, which will ensure that both parties reach the best possible terms and conditions.             Legal and Contractual Mistakes: Real estate transactions involve complex legal documents and contracts. FSBO sellers risk committing to unfavorable terms and conditions due to being less experienced in the jargon and intricacies of real estate contracts. Real estate agents, however, are experienced in the legal aspects of the home-selling process and will ensure that all documents and contracts are accurate, compliant with regulations, and understood by the seller.   Stress: The process of selling a home takes a lot of time and work, from depersonalizing the home, staging the home,  taking photos, marketing the house, hosting open houses, choosing an offer, negotiating, doing inspections, and more. Without an experienced agent to guide you through this process, taking care of all steps, hiring the best photographers and stagers, developing a marketing plan, and more, this process can take a toll on the sellers. With the help of a real estate agent, selling your home can be a positive experience that you can look back on with no regrets.                  

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The Pros and Cons of New Construction vs. Existing Homes

When you are thinking about buying a home, a major decision is whether you want to build a brand-new home or buy an existing home. Both options bring a unique set of advantages and challenges, and it is important to think about which best fits your lifestyle and needs. Check out this guide to the benefits and downsides of both new construction and existing homes to help you decide which is suited for you!   New Construction: Benefits: Modern and customizable floor plans. When buying a new home, you may have the option to pick or even design your own floor plan, making your home perfect for your needs. Even if the home is already complete when you buy it, it will likely have a modern layout that is more open. Smart Tech and Energy Efficiency. New builds are typically built with adaptability to “smart” tech, such as speaker systems, alarms, lighting, and heating and air systems. These newer appliances are often much more energy efficient, leading to a lower utility bill and greater ease of use. Low Maintenance and Warranties: Because everything in the home (electricity, pipes, roofing, etc) is brand new, maintenance costs are likely to be very low for the first few years. Some builders also offer warranties on different parts of the home, further decreasing maintenance costs for a homeowner.                                                                                                                                                                        New Construction Communities. Recently built neighborhoods, such as Harris Ranch or Cartwright Ranch, may offer community amenities. Whether this is a neighborhood pool, pickleball court, or park, this is definitely a pro to new construction communities.  Downsides: Higher Price. New construction is usually more expensive than a comparable resale home due to current material and labor costs. Risk of Delays. In the case of building a home or buying a home during construction, there is the possibility of delays in the completion of the home. However, this is not the case when buying a new, finished home.   Existing Home: Benefits: Move-in Ready. Existing homes, as long as you are not planning a remodel, are typically ready to move into on the day of closing.  Lower Price. Existing homes tend to be less expensive than new construction homes, making them often the more affordable option.                                                                                                                                                                                      Established Neighborhoods, Landscaping, and Architectural Details. Existing homes can come in long-lived neighborhoods, featuring mature landscaping and trees in both your yard and your neighbors. Existing homes can also feature unique and antique details that cannot be replicated in a new build, giving your home history and character. Downsides: Outdated Floor Plans. Depending on the build date, existing construction is likely to have a more dated floor plan, which could include lower ceilings and closed-in kitchens.  Older Technology and Fixtures. When the home is not brand new, the lighting, sink, and bathroom fixtures may be aged and out of style. The home also will likely not include new appliances or technology integrated into it.This is not always the case, as different owners infuse more modern amenities into a home through remodeling and upgrading. Be aware that not all renovations are created equal, and that you need to do your due diligence to ensure that the ‘new’ stuff was installed properly and to code.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Not So Energy Efficient. Due to older heating and cooling systems, or poor insulation,  an existing home may not be very energy efficient.                                                                                                                                                                           Potentially More Repairs and Maintenance. Older roofs, heating and air systems, and other aged appliances may lead to unexpected repairs in an existing home.                           

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