Timeless, elegant, and family-oriented, French-style country kitchens are the perfect design for your home transformation in 2023. These kitchens are most often created with the family in mind, creating a functional and classically designed space to spend quality time together. Combining rustic and chic designs, French country kitchens are stunning additions to the household. Often organic materials like wood and stone are used in these designs to create a soft, natural kitchen, while many vintage and antique furniture pieces are used to add a unique flair.
As you consider French country kitchens for your home makeover this year, let’s take a look at some essential features of these classy designs.
Embrace Authenticity
The vintage features of many older homes may seem like an eyesore that requires a lot of initial upkeep, but these stunning pieces can add a lot of authenticity and charm to your kitchen! Before you consider removing that rustic fireplace or beautifully aged mantelpiece, consider how these vintage pieces can beautify the space and add their own unique allure to your home.
Natural Materials
French country kitchens truly exhibit the blend of rustic and chic, and what’s more rustic than the natural elements? Soft wood cabinets paired with stone countertops are a great way to lean into the French country style. Organic materials like these can add warmth and texture to the space, making your kitchen an exciting and dynamic place to be! Remember, natural elements often require certain cleaning supplies like oil to properly maintain them.
Budget-Friendly Transformations
Planning for a complete kitchen renovation can be a big investment, but that shouldn’t discourage you! Instead of an entire remodel, consider making a few, smart swaps and design changes that will shift the direction of your kitchen style. Find a colorful rug to decorate the room, invest in functional furniture, and try out unique shapes and sizes to break up the space!
French country kitchens are an elegant addition to any home! For more kitchen design ideas, contact the David Morris Group or find interesting homeowner insights on our blog.
https://davidmorrisgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Blog-2-Featured-Image-Why-You-Should-Consider-A-French-Country-Kitchen-In-2023-David-Morris-Group.png8481200Shauna Morrishttps://davidmorrisgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/david_morris_head_logo.pngShauna Morris2023-01-19 21:35:302023-01-19 21:35:30Why You Should Consider A French Country Kitchen In 2023
Buying a home is stressful and can feel overwhelming if it’s your first home. Then throw in terms like “load bearing,” “roof truss,” and “subfloor,” and you’re not sure what you’re even looking at anymore! We’ve heard the term “good bones” used to describe a house, but what does “good bones” mean? How can you determine if the house you fall in love with has them?
Materials and Foundation
The main thing people refer to when they say “a house has good bones” is that its structure is sound and its foundation is solid. A house has a skeleton that gives it shape and supports the outer coverings. That support is called the frame, which is considered the house’s bones. The bones consist of wooden beams, floor joists, wall studs, roof rafters, and related components.
Wood frame houses built in the first half of the 20th century were made of higher quality wood than those built today. The lumber in an old house may be more robust and better able to withstand the elements. Other home materials generally considered to be “good bones” are brick and concrete.
Doors
Interior doors can be a good indicator of the quality of construction or whether or not the house has settled. While it’s not uncommon for homes to settle a little, if none of the interior doors stay open or close completely, that is a structural problem – bad bones.
Corners
A good indication of structural problems is diagonal cracking in the corners of windows, stairs, doors, and other openings.
Sizeable Rooms
While you can add square footage to a home, increasing the size of interior rooms may be more challenging. For this reason, a house that feels “roomy” with nicely sized spaces and high ceilings can be referred to as having “good bones.”
Sturdy Roof
A home needs to have a durable roof that’s in good shape. It is safe to assume that a house with a properly aligned, intact roof with minor if not zero, wear and tear has good bones.
Windows
Well-constructed windows with ample natural lighting are a significant plus when buying a home. If the home has sturdy double-hung windows that easily open and close, you can say that the house has good bones.
Floors
While damaged or low-quality floors aren’t necessarily a deal-breaker, they are considered to be part of the “bones” of the home. If you can restore a home’s floors to their former glory, you can consider the house to have good bones.
Knowing when a home has good bones (or not!) can mean the difference between a smart purchase and a money pit. Regardless of how great a house looks, have a licensed home inspector thoroughly check it before you invest. An inspector will dig beneath the surface and make sure those “bones” really are as good as you were hoping.
If you have questions about the Reno real estate market or are ready to find your home with good bones, contact the David Morris Group or call (775) 828-3292. We’re happy to be your helpful guide.
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There is a difference between the interest rate of a mortgage loan and the annual percentage rate (APR). What is an APR? How does it differ from the interest rate? Which is the most important? Let’s discuss interest rates vs. APR. Knowing the difference will help guide your decision as you choose a mortgage lender and potentially save some money.
Interest Rates
The interest rate commonly referred to as a “mortgage rate,” reflects the cost of borrowing money to purchase a home. It shows how much folks will pay to borrow money and is expressed as a percentage of the total loan amount. As the balance or principal of the loan is repaid, the less interest the borrower owes on their mortgage. The interest rate does not reflect fees or any other charges the borrower may be responsible for throughout the life of the loan.
How Interest Rates are Calculated
Factors that are entirely out of our control, such as inflation, and the ups and downs of the economy, are the primary influencers of interest rates. However, borrowers have some say over their interest rates based on the lender they choose and their overall financial picture. Credit history, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, and other pieces of one’s life are also determining factors in setting an interest rate. The rule of thumb with mortgage rates: The better your financial picture looks, the lower your interest rate will be. The greater your risk to the lender, the higher your interest rate will be.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The APR reflects the annual rate of a loan and is expressed as a percentage, like an interest rate. This percentage does reflect fees and any other charges the borrower may be responsible for throughout the life of the loan. The charges and fees include the interest rate, lender fees, mortgage insurance, most closing costs, discount points, and loan origination fees. Because of the additional costs added to the interest rate, the APR will be higher than the interest rate. The Federal Truth in Lending Act requires mortgage lenders to disclose the APR because it gives the borrower a better picture of the true cost of borrowing and what they are actually paying. While monthly payments are not based on APR, it does give borrowers insight into how much they’ll pay in total for the mortgage. APRs will vary from lender to lender and loan to loan, so it’s essential to compare several options before deciding which mortgage to accept.
How APR is Calculated
Three factors determine the APR: the interest rate, fees, and points paid upfront. Like the interest rate, the APR is influenced by credit score, debt-to-income ratio, down payment, and the lender.
While there is so much talk of interest rates, borrowers also want to pay close attention to the APR before signing loan papers. Comparing simple interest rates is the way to go if the goal is to have the lowest possible monthly payments. However, if borrowers know they’ll be in their home for 15-30 years and want to save in total long-term costs, the APR is the best way to gauge those savings.
If you have questions about the Reno-Sparks real estate market, contact the David Morris Group or give us a call at (775) 828-3292. We are happy to be your helpful guide. If you’d like to stay updated on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog.
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Home improvement projects may not be the first thing on your to-do list this fall, but preparing your home for the chillier months ahead is essential. Tackling a few chores while it’s still relatively warm will help make your home more efficient and more capable of withstanding whatever winter brings this year. Do these home projects now to avoid costly repairs this winter.
Chimney
Make sure the chimney is clean, clear, and in good shape. Small critters like squirrels and birds can sometimes reside in the chimney during the spring and summer months. Leaves and other materials can also get stuck inside, and a backup in the flue can cause a fire. Despite the horror of a charred animal, any blockage will become a stinky mess in your home. Get ahead of any smoke or ash-related incidents by giving the whole set-up a good cleaning!
Gutters
Fall will undoubtedly drop a ton of leaves into your gutters, so cleaning them out now is best to make room. Take some time (or have a handyman climb that ladder) to check your home’s gutters for potential blockages. Cleaning them out will allow water to drain properly, preventing water damage down the line. The cleaner your gutters are, the fewer high-cost repairs are in your future.
Roof
This summer has been HOT! Sun exposure and general wear and tear can cause roof and siding materials to warp, chip, and more. Fixing them now will be much easier than when a leak is buried under several feet of snow in the thick of winter.
Weather-Proofing
Make sure your doors and windows are adequately sealed against the elements. Cracked, chipped, or damaged seals can cause you to lose heat and have higher energy bills. Weatherstripping, caulking, or other protective materials keep the heat in and the nasty weather out. Also, ensure that doors and windows are properly attached to their frames, with no gaps or cracks.
Tackling these projects around your home now can help avert disaster later in the year. Have a trusted home repair pro take care of these check-ups, and if any repairs are needed, you can start coordinating those before the first cold snap blows in.
If you’re looking for a great REALTOR® to show you around the Reno-Sparks area, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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Now that the market has shifted slightly, inventory is rising, and buyers have more options. As a result, you may need to reevaluate the appearance and condition of your home before you list. A little remodeling can increase your home value, but it shouldn’t break your bank. It is essential to research which home renovations are worth the investment before starting on upgrades. Once you’ve determined which renovations offer the highest return, you have to figure out how to fund them. Here are expert tips on how to find funding for home upgrades.
ROI
The 2022 Cost vs. Value Report for Reno, NV, found that curb-appeal projects, including changes to siding, garage doors, and windows had an average payback of 83 percent, compared with about 39 percent for interior upgrades like a major kitchen remodel. While kitchens and bathrooms are known to make or break a sale, be sure that your spending is compatible with the house’s total worth and that of your area if you plan to remodel. You don’t want to over-improve your home because you’ll never get that money back when you sell. It is advisable to check out comparable listings in your area before you begin renovations to keep pace with but not exceed the local market.
Budget
Whether you have money saved or are looking to take out a loan for your upgrade project, you need to create a ballpark estimate of what you are willing to spend. First, browse home improvement stores and sites for materials and fixtures that you like and price them so you can turn your estimate into a realistic budget. If pricing materials yourself feels daunting, you can enlist the help of a sales associate for smaller projects. They will be able to walk you through your options and answer your questions. For larger upgrades, however, it is advisable to enlist the help of a design consultant. A design consultant will be able to help with pricing options and ensure that you don’t leave anything out so that every necessary item makes it into your budget. For extreme renovations that require a contractor, a good rule of thumb is to get at least three estimates. The Real Remodeling Costs tool by Houzz is a great resource for city-by-city estimates on typical remodeling costs.
Financing
You can finance smaller projects with a credit card. You may already have one with a high credit limit and a low interest rate, or, depending on your credit score you could qualify for a new card with 0 percent interest for 12 months or longer. Just be sure to stay mindful of payments and get the balance paid in full before interest begins or you could wind up paying three times over for a small upgrade.
Most large hardware stores offer credit cards or financing options with introductory rates of low or no interest. If your entire project will be completed through the design arm of a large hardware store, that could be an excellent option.
Home Equity
There are a couple of options for using your home equity to fund home upgrades. The most flexible may be a home equity line of credit. A home equity line of credit uses your home as collateral for the amount of credit the lender approves. The upside is that you only pay interest on the money you draw out from the line of credit. The downside is that the interest rate is variable, which could get expensive if interest rates go up while you’re working to pay back the amount you’ve borrowed.
A home equity loan offers the security of a fixed interest rate. With the loan option you get a lump sum and pay interest on the entire amount over time until it’s paid back in full. An equity loan is a great option if interest rates are low, it will end up costing a lot more money to pay back if interest rates are high.
Run the numbers and figure out what makes sense for you, then budget accordingly. If an upgrade or renovation is simply out of your price range then reconsider the parameters of the project. Always consider the economic realities of an ever-changing market when considering home upgrades 1) don’t overbuild the rest of your home or your neighborhood 2) don’t go over budget or put yourself in financial trouble 3) take a step back and consider smaller cosmetic projects that have a big impact.
If you have questions about the Reno real estate market, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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In a competitive housing market, buyers are pulling out all the stops. You may have enough money to buy a house with cash. But is that a wise decision? As with many major financial decisions, there are pros and cons. Here are things to consider with a cash offer.
Savings & Interest Rates
Amortization is everything when considering financing over a cash purchase. Paying cash will save money on the overall cost of a new home in reference to the interest you’ll pay over the term of a loan. By the time you finish paying off a mortgage, the house will have cost you more than the initial purchase price because of the interest.
Attention of Buyers
A cash offer will likely give you an advantage in a competitive market. It can make all the difference in a multiple offer situation where everyone else is financing the purchase. Sellers will be more likely to accept a cash offer than one with a financing contingency. For example, a cash offer doesn’t require an appraisal on the property, so there is no risk of the deal going south.
Closing Cost & Time
More closing costs are involved in financing a property than paying in cash. For one, you won’t have to deal with a lender or their team of underwriters, and again, you won’t have to pay for an appraisal. The closing process typically takes around 30 days with financing, which can be shortened to as few as ten days with cash, which could be very attractive to sellers.
Long-Term Opportunity Cost
While you will save money by not paying mortgage interest, putting all your assets into a home could yield less money to invest in other endeavors. Tying up all of your liquidity on one asset could potentially cause you to miss out on a return that will be much larger over time. For example, while property typically accrues in value over time, it might not offer the same rate of return as investing in the stock market. One broker explained it best: “you could be making money with your money instead of locking it up in your home.” On the flip side, it’s a pretty great feeling to relax in a home that is 100% paid for rather than paying interest to big banks.
Emergency Funds
While owning your home outright can provide peace of mind because you’ll never have to worry about a mortgage payment, you don’t want to have all your money tied up in your house. You must have enough cash to cover maintenance expenses and emergencies. Homes aren’t always what they seem when glistening on the market. Once you begin to peel that onion, you’ll need enough liquidity to fix it up and make it yours.
Paying cash for a home instead of financing all or part of it is a big decision and should be made with the help of a trusted financial advisor. It is essential to consider all the above factors and ensure your short-term intentions align with your long-term goals.
If you are considering buying or selling your home and looking for a great REALTOR® to show you around the Reno-Sparks area, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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The most popular home design trends help us understand society’s overall mood and provide new ideas on how we want to decorate our own homes. Here are the top trending colors, materials, and styles that homeowners are using.
Color
There is a renewed interest in adding bright and bold colors to interiors, which is definitely a departure from the grey and beige of the past. This is a sign that folks are feeling more adventurous and optimistic. Bold colors and warm natural materials create a more interesting and welcoming space. This trend could be a post-pandemic effect; folks discovered that their space lacked uniqueness and style after being holed up in their homes for almost two years. A renewed interest in authentic decor that is joyful and inviting and reflects their personality has led to a demand for folks to reinvent their interiors.
Wallpaper
Homeowners are ready for a more lively interior. As a result, many interior designers have noticed a renewed interest in bold and unique wallpaper. It adds personality and style to a space that paint cannot accomplish alone.
Warmth
Creating a home that feels like a haven from the stresses of daily life is still very important. Folks want it to be a place to rest, relax and recharge. As a result, homeowners have been moving more toward finishes that add softness, warmth, and texture to their rooms.
Green has been a repeated hue in trend talks over the past couple of years. But lately, designers say there’s an increased interest in sage green, from walls to kitchen cabinets. Soft gray hues and wood-tone decor also bring a warm aesthetic into homes.
Natural Materials
Natural materials rarely go out of style, but they’ve spiked in popularity lately. These materials include the previously mentioned natural wood elements as well as various stone accents. Folks are using materials that feel more established or handmade and more authentic to their space.
Textures
Textural elements create inviting elements in a space. Texture awakens the senses and invites folks to reach out and touch while being at peace and relaxed. Items like wood, rattan, pottery, and metal, mixed with soft or smooth fabrics, create a visual feast for the eyes.
You may already have some of these items in your home that you’ve put away or long forgotten. Perhaps it’s time to join in on some of these most popular home design trends and add some personal pizazz to your space!
If you’d like to stay up to date on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno real estate market, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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You can achieve a mini home makeover without even leaving the house. There are more items in your home than you think, and a simple resurface or rearrange can make a big difference if your decor has gotten stale. Chances are you already own everything you need for an upgrade or fresh look. Here are ways to redecorate without buying a thing.
Bring in the Out
Introduce natural elements into your home by collecting fresh flowers or greenery from the yard or recent hike. Place them in containers around the house.
Light the Mood
Rearrange the table and floor lamps. Lamps create a cozy vibe, but different shades create different light effects. Switch lamps around in the spaces where you spend the most time and see if a different light has a different feel.
Rearrange
It may be time to rearrange your furniture if your living room feels stale. Angle the sofa differently or pull side chairs in from another room for different seating options. Switch out the side tables with other spaces in the home and see how it feels.
Refresh your Shelves
Remove everything from the shelves, then replace everything with a new arrangement. Or put things in different places around the room. This slight change could update the entire space.
Shop Your Storage
If you have an attic or garage, chances are there are forgotten treasures you can clean or repurpose and use inside your home. Style is cyclical, so the “outdated” accessories you once dismissed could very well be the newest trend again. Dust them off and work them back into your interior decor.
Switch Accessories
Shop the other rooms in your home for vases, decorative objects, and art. Taking an antique heirloom from the dining room and moving it to a shelf in the living room can renew its charm and showcase it in a more prominent location.
These simple changes can create new home decor without spending a dime or leaving the door!
If you’d like to stay up to date on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno real estate market, contact the David Morris Group. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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Real estate is in all the news today, and the noise is deafening. We want to take just a moment to paint a quick picture of what the market looks like locally. Here is a market update for Reno-Sparks:
Last 90 Days:
Out of 988 homes sold, the average close price was $788,824 – and they spent 64 days on the market.
Out of the 405 homes currently pending, their average list price is $859,025. Pending homes have now been on the market for 84 days.
What is this telling us? The average list price is higher, and they are taking longer to sell. Our market is still great; homes just aren’t flying off the shelves, so to speak.
What Does it Mean?
When looking at the sold homes and the adjusted list prices to sold price ratios, a negotiated price of + or – 2%-3% overall spread provides a fair give and take on values. The days on the market are in line with a rebalance of values. Again, that is good news if we want to see a softer landing than many are predicting.
As of the first of July, sales in the homes that have rebalanced their expectations remain strong, and the market is doing very well. The August/September numbers will be significant as we move through the rest of this year and where we stand on unsold inventory by September and price adjustments.
From this viewpoint, we expect a market correction of asking prices, sold prices, a flattening of values, and a rise in the low single-digit levels as we end the year (assuming another 1% interest increase).
How Does this Affect the Price of My Home?
In an upwelling market, raising prices quickly to ride a wave of price increases is one thing. In an adjusting market, it’s suicide not to adjust to the market swiftly. You’ll risk chasing a market down!
Should I List My Home Now?
For sellers on the fence, selling now is an excellent opportunity. Buyers are highly focused on quality and value, and inventory remains low. With the current interest rates, buyers are making offers. The key words here are that buyers are making offers. Overbids still exist, but fewer than before. Buyers will expect the seller to negotiate.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy?
Buyers waiting for some unrealistic bottom to develop will be sorely disappointed in the results and miss a host of great opportunities in this market. Yes, we will see some fantastic deals on the fringes, and the competition for those homes will be intense. We assume that interest rates will move significantly in the next 60 days. Time will tell.
Please review and call us with any questions, and you should have questions. A lot is going on with many moving parts. Remember, regardless of the “news,” our inventory is small; demand, even reduced demand, still exceeds supply.
If you’d like to stay up to date on what’s happening around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno real estate market or if you’re ready to list your home, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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Our last blog covered ways to Beat the Summer Heat in Reno-Sparks, and we promised Lake Tahoe locations next. Here are some of the best spots to explore and enjoy that Lake Life!
Beaches
Whether you’re looking to swim or relax in the Sierra Sun, North Lake Tahoe beaches have something for everyone!
Kings Beach is one of the best beaches on the North Shore. It offers pristine, smooth sand and a family-friendly recreational area. The water is shallow enough for kids to enjoy. This site is also great for kayak, paddleboard, or jet skiing. There are restaurants, shops, and places to rent gear surrounding the area. It’s a one-stop shop for all-day fun.
Sand Harbor State Park is a popular spot along the east shore. The shoreline is a bit rugged, but it’s still one of the best beaches in North Lake Tahoe. Sand Harbor has picnic tables and a boat launch. There are kayak and paddleboard rentals. You’ll want to get to this beach early…the parking lot fills up fast!
Hidden Beach is located just south of Incline Village near Tunnel Creek Road. This beach is an excellent spot for avoiding crowds. There is also limited parking here, but it’s a hidden gem for those who arrive early and make the trek in. All along the eastern shore, remote spots are lined with Tahoe’s iconic granite boulders and only accessible by way of a short hike.
Chimney Beach is located about a mile from Highway 28 and is extremely popular during summer. Chimney Beach is dog-friendly and lined with rocks and deep water.
Zephyr Cove is one of the larger beaches at Lake Tahoe. Because of its size, this beach is an excellent spot for families, there’s usually no problem finding a place on the beach, but parking can fill up early. Amenities at Zephyr Cove include a small bar and grill with restrooms and water equipment rentals.
Nevada Beach is further south and close to the Nevada/California border. Amenities include a day-use pavilion with a BBQ station, restrooms, kayak rentals, and food concession. This beach is one of the few beach campgrounds on the lake, and it allows pets on a leash in the campground.
Pope Beach is located on the South shore and is worth noting. It’s lined by pine trees and great for swimming.
Lester Beach is located on the western shores of Lake Tahoe, also known as “Bliss Beach.” This beautiful beach is situated in D. L. Bliss State Park and the northern portion of one of the deepest portions of Lake Tahoe, known as the Rubicon Wall. While there is no designated swim area for beachgoers, and boat traffic is typical, some shallow spots are gentle enough for kids to splash around. There is limited parking, so visitors are advised to arrive early.
The North Shore offers various launch areas. Kings Beach and Incline Village are more leisurely trips for beginners. And Sand Harbor and Zephyr Cove provide a nice route with plenty of locations to stop and rest.
Intermediate paddlers can enjoy launching around D.L. Bliss State Park and Rubicon Point. These inlets provide gorgeous beaches and calm water. The southern route towards Emerald Bay is for more experienced kayakers; this route has an undeveloped shoreline, and the water may get choppy.
More advanced kayakers can experience the Lake Tahoe Water Trail. This trail goes around the entire 72-mile-plus expanse of Lake Tahoe and is broken down into seven segments.
SUP Spots
North Lake Tahoe has some of the best paddle boarding spots that offer stretches of shoreline only accessible from the water. Kings Beach and Sand Harbor are ideal spots. These areas provide coves cradled by rock formations, and the water is typically glassy and calm. Other places to paddle on the Lake include Fannette Island off Emerald Bay, D.L. Bliss State Park, Kiva Beach, Lester Beach, and Zephyr Cove. Adventure seekers can rent paddle boards at the same shops that offer kayak rentals.
Lake Tahoe offers miles of pristine coastline with many activities to enjoy. Check the Lake Tahoe marine forecast before heading out for a fun day on the water, as conditions can change in the blink of an eye.
To stay up to date on what’s happening in and around Reno, follow our blog, and if you have questions about the Reno-Sparks real estate market, contact the David Morris Group. We’re always happy to be your helpful guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.
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