With six more weeks of winter still ahead (thanks for nothing,Punxsutawney Phil!), what better time to make your living room the cozy haven it’s meant to be? If your great room could use some comfort and warmth, never fear—we’re here, as always, to provide you with much needed decor therapy. We scrolled through what’s trending on […]
Author Archives: Christopher Shea
Where Home Design is Headed
By Sue Bady My previous blog post explored two current developments in real estate, i.e., higher demand for housing in the suburbs and a higher percentage of adaptive reuse activity, where existing buildings are renovated as apartments. In this post, three leading American architects call out specific modifications in housing design that buyers are beginning to […]
Entryway Makeover – Transforming a Builder Grade Home
So many new build homes are, shall we say, lacking “character” in certain areas. Some of the most neglected spaces are the entryways, mudrooms and walk-through pantries that are so common in modern suburban design! This home entryway makeover added character, function and of course a little bit of pretty to a builder basic space! […]
25 Creative Ways to Bring Style to Your Hallway
Believe it or not, your hallway doesn’t have to be an eyesore. While it’s a space that’s often overlooked, a few decorating tricks can make it work harder and look more stylish in an instant. When it comes to design choices, the possibilities are endless. You can install wallpaper, go for two tones with paint, arrange […]
Mortgage rates dip back down to 2.73%
The average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed loan fell four basis points last week to 2.73%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey. This is the second week mortgage rates have ticked downwards since Jan. 14’s sudden jump. The 15-year fixed mortgage rate also shifted downward to 2.2 from 2.21 the week prior. With last […]
This Is the Best Time of Year to Get a Mortgage
If you’re playing the waiting game with mortgage rates, you may not want to wait much longer. A new study from Haus, the home-finance startup created by Uber co-founder Garrett Camp, examined what role seasonality, loan size, credit scores and other factors play in the mortgage rates that lenders offer borrowers. The study found that much like […]
5 Stress-Reducing Tips for Planning Your Long-Distance Move
Move-in day excitement shouldn’t be overshadowed by moving day anxiety. Some smart preparation can go a long way towards making moving a little more uplifting (and a little less heavy lifting). Here are 5 things you can do leading up to your move to make for less stress on moving day. 1. Consider Your Move […]
Good Riddance to Open Floor Plans and Cabinets Galore: Top Kitchen Trends of 2021
Homeowners forced by the coronavirus pandemic to hole up in their homes for much of the past year are changing a few things about their homes. For starters, COVID-19 exposed the flaws of the open floor plans touted on HGTV and other design shows—finding a quiet space to jump on that Zoom meeting with the […]
How the Rollout of COVID-19 Vaccines Could Help—and Hurt—the U.S. Housing Market
The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing financial crisis have caused immeasurable hardship and pain across the U.S. Paradoxically enough, the crisis has also served as a turbocharged shot to the housing market. Feverish buyers rushed into the market just as COVID-19-shy sellers pulled their homes off—forcing buyers into bidding wars and pushing prices up to […]
HOME IMPROVEMENT 7 Winter Home Maintenance Tasks That Will Save You Money (and Your Sanity)
The long, dark days of winter are upon us, and with COVID-19 still keeping us closer to home, we’re keenly aware of all the maintenance tasks we’ve put off or let slip through the cracks. And we hate to break it to you, but it’s time to get to work. We know you’re wondering if […]