Owning a home is a significant financial investment for your clients. These 10 tips will help them prepare for maintenance and repair costs, too.

3 Takeaways:

• First-time buyers should look beyond the shiny new kitchen and consider problematic signs in a listing.
• Chimney inspections can point out crumbling mortar and problems with flashings, flue liners, and the flue itself.
• Homes without good gutters and downspouts may have problems with interior leaks.

While low mortgage rates and the COVID-19 pandemic continue to motivate first-time buyers, other factors need to figure into their financial planning. Tight inventory markets mean many home shoppers will end up purchasing a house that requires repairs to its structure and mechanical systems, which will take a big bite out of their budget.

Real estate professionals can help first-time buyers look beyond the shiny new kitchen and sizable outdoor space and consider problematic signs, such as a leaky roof, cracked pipes, or inefficient air leaks. A thorough home inspection is good a start, yet, some buyers are willing to waive the inspection to make their offer more appealing to sellers in today’s competitive market. It’s an agent’s job to explain the risks involved when purchasing without an inspection.

All too often, homeowners—especially those buying a fixer-upper—focus on aesthetics, like gleaming subway tiles they plan to install along a kitchen backsplash or how they’ll transform a yard into a mediation retreat. They can’t forget about the issues that must take priority. Houses age just as people do, and they require regular checkups, repairs, and new parts, akin to our doctor visits, medications, and surgeries.

“So many homeowners buy a house for a lifestyle rather than for economic reasons, so they tend to think about the glitzy stuff rather than what’s behind the walls and sometimes not visible,” says Jennifer Ames, a salesperson with Engel and Volkers’ Chicago office.

While it’s less joyful to spend money on replacing a furnace or roof than updating an old bathroom or porch, it’s critical to do so to protect an investment. Due diligence can also help lower heating and cooling bills and pare down other costs. Encourage buyers to have specialists perform ongoing maintenance and instruct them not to put off repairs that may become more expensive if left untended. Some might even lead to health issues, such as mold, says Frank Wickstead, director of project delivery at Atlanta-based Jones Pierce Studios, an architecture firm.

Share the following checklist with your first-time buyers to help them tackle critical improvements first. One caveat: They should find the right specialists to help them complete the work, says Jonathan Miller, founder of New York-based Miller Samuel Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants.

“Take your time and find the right person at the right price by always getting three bids,” Miller says.

1. Keep away rain. Climate changes have brought heavy rains and storms to more parts of the country, and homes without good gutters and downspouts may have problems with interior leaks and standing water in the yard.

A home’s gutters should be pitched away from the house and be wide enough to carry water without leaves getting clogged—ideally 6 inches rather than the traditional 4 inches.

Downspouts should extend 5 feet from the home’s foundation so water won’t collect near the home and leak inside, potentially causing mold, says Wickstead, who also teaches at Georgia Tech’s College of Design.

Sometimes, a French drain might be attached to the downspout to carry the water farther from the house, says architect Nathaniel Kipnis, of Kipnis Architecture + Planning, in Evanston, Ill., and Boulder, Colo.

Gutters should be cleared annually or semi-annually. An expert should periodically check wood fascia boards behind gutters, which may rot over time. Kipnis prefers using a cementitious material for that reason. He also suggests installing a drip edge to the roof’s plywood decking to keep water from getting underneath. In addition, the landscape should be regraded if the yard slants downward toward the house.

2. Tighten the envelope. Homes that are not well sealed allow warm air to escape in winter and cool air in summer. It also makes it easier for bugs and rodents to find their way inside. Wickstead recommends hiring an expert from the nonprofit Building Performance Institute to perform an assessment; the group’s website offers names of contractors by zip code. The assessment provides a number that indicates how leaky a house is, and directs a homeowner to undertake changes, such as using caulk to seal around windows, air ducts, and areas where the walls meet the foundation. In addition to lowering energy costs, this also prevents pollutants and humidity from entering the home.

Ames also suggests looking at several years of energy bills to gauge how well the home has been insulated.

“Insulating a space doesn’t have to be expensive and might range between $2,000 and $5,000,” Wickstead says. Historically, most homeowners who add insulation choose foam or mineral wool, but many building codes now require tighter envelopes, so the industry is moving toward blown-in rockwool, fiberglass, and cellulose, Wickstead says.

Another way to keep out insects and rodents is to use inert pesticides like boric acid, which Wickstead prefers.

3. Maintain a stable foundation. Cracks in a foundation require prompt attention so they don’t spread and cause more severe problems. Cracks develop for all sorts of reasons, from climate fluctuations to age to land sloping toward the house. A structural engineer should be hired to do an assessment and help the homeowners develop a solution, such as waterproofing a basement and foundation down to the footings or installing a sump pump and battery backup system to remove future water. Telltale signs of a wet basement may be stains on walls or bad odors from moisture, Kipnis says.  

4. Inspect the roof. Unless it’s a simple case of a roof missing a few shingles, a home’s topmost layer can become an expensive repair if it’s old or badly damaged. Buyers should ask sellers the age of the roof and how it was constructed. The best shingle roofs also have a good underlayment and decking underneath.

Flashing, a plumbing stack, chimneys, and skylights should also be inspected before purchase because rain, animals, and debris can find their way into openings, Wickstead says. A metal roof will last longer—50 to 100 years versus a shingle roof’s 30 years—but its costs can be four times higher, he says. Ames, who lives in a house, has found it useful to have an annual roof inspection to check for storm damage. Kipnis also advises homeowners to perform their own visual inspection by noting discoloration or curled or missing shingles.

5. Update lighting. Old incandescent lightbulbs increase energy costs and have a short life span. LEDs are an easy, affordable upgrade that require far fewer changes and are much more efficient. Wickstead suggests choosing LEDs with a 2,600 to 3,000 K (kelvin) measurement that produces a warm color, similar to 60-watt incandescent. Because LED bulbs come in a wide variety of shades, Kipnis suggests trying out one to see if it appeals before buying for an entire house. He also suggests avoiding compact fluorescent lights, which take time to warm up and can be overly bright, almost like a floodlight.

6. Add air conditioning. With much of the country experiencing more extreme heat, many new homeowners may find that fans aren’t sufficient to cool a home. Window AC units work, but don’t cool a house efficiently and are less visually appealing. A quality AC system will provide a good return on investment at resale, Ames says.

Wickstead prefers a split system to lower energy costs since each room can be separately controlled. However, the costs are greater than one central system—sometimes 50 percent more—though they will help save money over time. Some companies recommend adding an ultraviolet light system to kill mold, bacteria, and viruses from being circulated, which many homeowners have started to do since the onset of the pandemic.

7. Prepare for outages. Many experts believe electricity outages will continue to be a problem in certain parts of the country. Ames says a generator is a wise investment, especially if outages grow longer and more frequent. Homeowners can still benefit from the federal solar tax credit if they invest in a solar-battery backup system, Wickstead says.

A battery backup attached to a solar array could be connected to a single circuit to extend the life of the battery’s charge. On average, costs might run from $25,000 to $40,000. Less costly, but also less environmentally friendly, is a diesel generator system, which may run between $18,000 and $22,000 for a 3,000-square-foot home, or $5,000 to $8,000 for a smaller unit that powers kitchen appliances and some lights. Besides cost, it works for longer periods without needing to be recharged like a solar system.

8. Maintain wood. Wood adds charm to a home, whether through siding, flooring, railings, or a deck. But it also requires regular maintenance. Boards—even new ones—can rot due to weather and insects. Another culprit is the type of wood used today. A century ago, the center of trees was used for boards, which made them sturdier than today’s wood planks that are made from the entire tree and its pulp. That means they also carry more moisture, and therefore rot faster, Wickstead says. He recommends pressure washing a house to remove mold. Kipnis suggests sealing wood well with quality paint.

9. Remember tree care. Trees are a beautiful addition to a property, providing shade in summer and picturesque snow-covered branches in winter. But they should not be overlooked by homeowners when it comes to their care. Big limbs may come down during storms, insects can feast on wood, and spreading tree roots may clog sewers, Wickstead says. New homeowners should hire an arborist to examine their site’s trees when they move in and have limbs pruned periodically. Diseased trees should be promptly removed to prevent spread. Two sources for finding an arborist are International Society of Arboriculture and American Society of Consulting Arborists.

10. All things chimney. A stately chimney adds elegance to a home, the equivalent of icing on a cake. But if it’s not tended to, moisture can enter, along with animals and other debris. A cap will help, as will inspections to point out crumbling mortar and problems with flashings, flue liners, and the flue itself. Keeping all parts in shape will also improve the air quality in a house and allow smoke to exit more freely when the fireplace is used. If a chimney has significantly deteriorated, the home buyer will have to decide whether to take it down to the roof level and sheathe it over with shingles or to have it repaired. Another factor may be cost, which can vary greatly. A third factor may be if the house is located in a historic neighborhood and exterior parts must be retained according to a municipality’s rules. An excellent source for chimney repair referrals is the Chimney Safety Institute of America. 

5 Steps for a Healthier Home

1. Check appliance exhaust systems. Fossil fuel–based heating units, fireplaces, and cooking appliances should have tightly sealed exhausts that lead directly outside. Low-level carbon monoxide poisoning over a long period can cause headaches, malaise, and achiness.
2. Add a stand-alone carbon monoxide detector near gas appliances. Natural gas does not rise or fall, so detectors on the ceiling may not be effective enough. Install them at chest level within the mechanical closet or near a fuel-burning appliance.
3. Test for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This is an inexpensive but important fix with the help of a local radon expert.
4. Clean crawl spaces. This will help avoid long-term wetness and mold. Encapsulation is a process that brings the crawl space into the building envelope and will remove moisture, insulate exterior walls, and introduce a sealed material over the floor and walls of the crawl space.
5. Avoid carcinogens. Some cleaning products, scented aerosols, and furniture finishes can introduce carcinogens to a home’s indoor environment. Check that a product (particle board, carpet, paint, etc.) is GREENGUARD/SPOT certified. The Environmental Working Group website is a good resource for healthy products.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

As homeowners continue to stay in, avoiding the latest spikes in coronavirus numbers, many seek new ways to improve their abode’s function, aesthetics, fun.

When it comes to the home and design trends experts anticipate prevailing in the year ahead, the overarching theme will be options in abundance.

While homeowners continue to want their outdoor spaces that offer a safe retreat, that appeal has shifted into other parts of the home, coupling comfort with function. In other words, homeowners want amenities for work and leisure, and they plan to enjoy long them long after the pandemic.

Here are 10 trends to watch.

1. What it is: Two-for-one kitchen

Why now: Even before COVID-19 spread, many homeowners with an open floorplan were finding that there is a downside to not having walls in the kitchen. Clutter, messiness, and dirty dishes aren’t as easy to hide.

Leave it to the trendsetters to develop a solution: two kitchens in one. Mick De Giulio of de Giulio Kitchen Design in Chicago calls it a “layered kitchen” with separate work and living zones. Cheryl Kees Clendenon of In Detail Interiors in Pensacola, Fla., refers to it as a “prep and show kitchen.” Granted, extra space and renovation funds are needed to complete the concept.

The work area is typically in the back of the kitchen, hidden by a door or wall. This is where the serious food prep and cleanup takes place. The area may be part of a large laundry room or storage room that can be converted into this hidden cooking zone. It may also be used by caterers (when entertaining returns with gusto), Clendenon says.

In contrast, the living or show kitchen at the front remains part of the open floorplan. It’s designed to display culinary delights in an uncluttered way. This is where a roasted turkey comes out of the oven before being carried to the back-work area for carving while a buffet is set out. Some homeowners may designate one kitchen for special needs, such as gluten-free prep, a request from one of Clendenon’s clients. The back-kitchen space could also be used as a beverage center with a coffee station, and include refrigerated drawers or a wine cooler, De Giulio says.

2. What it is: Outdoor heaters and more

Why now: During the summer of 2020, “everybody wanted to turn their backyard into an oasis to be able to eat safely and talk,” says landscape architect Clara C. Batchelor of CBA Landscape Architects in Cambridge, Mass. Now, as temperatures dip—and, dip again—homeowners look to extend safe, outdoor socializing and dining with family and friends.

Two obvious features that make it possible are fire pits and patio heaters. Both offer warmth via electricity, gas, propane, word burning fires, or infrared light. Local authorities are revising codes to permit fire features, says architect Gary Kane, with The Architectural Team (TAT) in Chelsea, Mass.

While fire pits have been popular for years, they’ve become more stylish and are now available in different shapes, sizes, materials, weights, and prices. One attention-grabbing design is the Solo Stove’s portable “Bonfire” pit that uses logs but is smokeless thanks to its airflow system. Hybrid firepits are also available which use gas and burning logs, says landscape architect Marc Nissim of Harmony Design, Westfield, N.J.

Patio heaters are a newer backyard addition, inspired by restaurants using them to coax diners to eat outdoors. Models also rely on different heat sources, and can be stand alone or mounted to a wall or ceiling, says landscape designer Michael Glassman of Glassman Associates, Sacramento, Calif. Stagers find these features show how to maximize a yard for fun, says salesperson Stephanie Mallios, Compass RE, Short Hills, N.J. Besides providing heat, these new designs better withstand bad weather.

3. What it is: Prefabricated flex sheds

Why now: Sheds, once used primarily to store sports equipment and garden paraphernalia, have morphed into spaces that can eliminate the need for an expensive off-site storage facility. They can be outfitted to become an accessory dwelling unit for returning grown children, renters, or quiet work-from-home quarters, as more municipalities approve ADUs. It could also be an escape to recoup sanity—hence the new moniker, “the sanity shed.”

Rather than have an architect or contractor design and build one from scratch, entrepreneurs are developing more affordable, off-the-shelf options. Some are even customizable. Boulder, Colo.-based Studio Shed, which has experienced explosive growth, offers prefabricated, sustainable shed designs that vary in size (starting at 64 square feet), color, door and window placement, finishes, and price ($10,000 and up).

Due to more homeowners taking up gardening during the pandemic, Studio Shed designed its “Studio Sprout” greenhouse ($14,250) and backyard office sheds ($25,000)—customers’ most popular choice. Some municipalities seeking to increase housing density and affordability, and offer residents pre-approved ADU plans, says architect Brian O’Looney of Torti Gallas + Partners, Washington, D.C., in his book, Increments of Neighborhood (OBO, 2020).

4. What it is: Video conferencing living rooms

Why now: With so many meetings, classes, weddings, showers, and even funerals happening on Zoom, seeing and hearing everyone on a small cell phone, tablet, or computer screen can be difficult. Fortunately, videoconferencing technology for large screens exists. What’s needed besides a big screen with high-resolution capability, is a sound system and an area with good lighting. One example is Crestron’s “Hometime” system. 

5. What it is: Warmer palettes and design materials

Why now: Homeowners are tired of gray. It’s time to switch to warmer, cleaner, brighter palettes, along with softer, more plush materials. Chicago designer Summer Thornton favors whites with a hint of pink for cozier, more upbeat settings. Leigh Spicher, National Director of Design Studios for Atlanta-based homebuilder Ashton Woods, also suggests a variety of whites to create warmth, like Sherwin-Williams’ “Shoji White” layered with natural wood finishes, neutrals with soft green or blush undertone like “Sea Salt” or “Breathless,” and neutrals that soothe senses such as “Unfussy Beige.”

Arizona-based designer Julia Buckingham prefers to go bolder.

Julia Buckingham Interiors, Werner Straube Photography She recently used a riot of pinks, oranges, and reds to fashion a “happy oasis for a young Chicago family,” she says. Her approach reflected her casual design style with more colors and fewer rules. Going warmer can happen outdoors, too. Mallios is seeing front doors popping up in turquoise, robin’s egg blue, chartreuse, and light citrus green in her New Jersey market. When it comes to materials, velvet—once reserved for fancy interiors—is now used in more casual settings. New crush- and stain-resistant versions are now available in a wider color range, says Chicago designer Tom Segal of Kaufman Segal.

6. What it is: New multifamily amenities

Why now: With gyms, pools, and communal kitchens in multifamily buildings now periodically closing to keep residents safe, new spaces—indoors and outdoors—are emerging that are designed for fewer occupants, says architect Victor Body-Lawson of Body Lawson Associates in New York City. Here are a few examples:

• Quarantine stations. These designed rooms permit people who test positive for COVID-19 (but don’t need a hospital) to recuperate and avoid infecting family or neighbors. Body-Lawson is designing one with a separate mechanical system to avoid airborne contamination through ventilation.
• There’s rising demand for studios that supports residents’ musical pursuits, podcasts, and videoconferencing.
• Bicyclists’ havens. Whether it’s bike lockers or a bike-share program, multifamily experts expect this trend to accelerate due to the pandemic and communities reducing on-site parking. For example, Culdesac Tempe, the first car-free neighborhood in the U.S., is being built on 17 acres in Tempe, Ariz. It focuses on supporting bicycle and scooter transportation. Some municipalities now require new buildings to include a certain number of bicycle storage spots. In Boston, the soon-to-open Bower Apartments near Fenway Park in Brighton Marine’s supportive housing community for veterans will have 100 bike spots and a repair area.

7. What it is: Grander staircases

Morgante Wilson Architects

Why now: Entryways into a house became the star a few years ago with the rise of mudrooms for organizing backpacks, jackets, and boots in cubbies—maybe even including a place to bathe Fido. The spotlight has now shifted to playing up the main staircase’s size, shape, and detailing to add “wow” to a first impression. This may include replacing the treads, risers, and handrails, and possibly adding a runner.

“Staircases are, by their nature, incredibly sculptural, so they are the perfect architectural feature that can be exploited in a variety of ways,” says architect Bob Zuber with Chicago-based Morgante Wilson Architects. “They can be overly grand, stripped down to the bare essentials, modern, or super traditional, warm, and cozy, or industrial and techy.”

The trend is gaining speed in multifamily buildings, too. One Bennett Park, a luxury residence in Chicago developed by Related Midwest and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, has an Art Deco staircase that winds between two amenity floors with an ornamental brass railing and steps made of two contrasting, polished marbles. At the Optima Signature Chicago building, architect David Hovey Sr. gave a staircase vivid pops of yellow and orange.

8. What it is: New suburbia

Why now: The pandemic has sent more urban dwellers to the suburbs, especially millennials who were renting in crowded apartment buildings, says Jonathan Miller, co-founder of Miller Samuel, New York City-based real estate appraisers and consultants. But some also moved because low mortgage rates made it a good time to buy. Many chose bustling suburbs, often near public transportation, with walkability to stores, restaurants, and services.

“People saw there’s another kind of typology for suburban housing,” says architect Nancy Ruddy, co-founder of New York City-based CetraRuddy Architecture. Her firm is working on several such projects. People are realizing there are well-planned, well-designed developments in the suburbs that offer denser communities than in the past, Rudy anticipates more home shoppers noticing the numerous lifestyle benefits. The Mosaic District in Merryfield, Va., for example, was built on the 31-acre site of a closed multiplex cinema. It has become a popular destination for its parks, restaurants, and shops.

One lesson: Not all buyers settling in the burbs are having children. In fact, more than two-thirds of suburban homes are comprised of households without kids, says June Williamson, co-author with Ellen Dunham Jones of the new book, Case Studies in Retrofitting Suburbia: Urban Design Strategies for Urgent Challenges (Wiley, 2020). And not all are affluent, which is spotlighting the need for more affordable suburban housing, the authors say.

9. What it is: Resilient landscapes

Why now: Due to greater weather volatility, landscaping needs to better handle heavy rains and flooding, snowstorms, and drought. Multifamily waterfront communities are being designed or retrofitted with strategic landscaping and elevated public use area to address shifting shorelines and storm surges. In Boston, Clippership Apartments on the Wharf, designed by TAT, are the city’s first project to have a living shoreline that incorporates newly planted saltwater marshes, rocky beaches, and parts of an old seawall for natural habitats while protecting against floods and surging tides. The development also features a system of pumps to mitigate floodwater pressure in its underground garage, and the pumps are linked to an emergency generator.

Architect Richard Bubnowski, whose Point Pleasant, N.J., eponymous firm works along the Jersey Shore and its barrier islands, constructs and retrofits properties to meet FEMA flood zone and local codes. This means adjusting heights based on a site’s elevation.

“Everything got more complicated and expensive since Hurricane Sandy,” he says.

For example, wood below the base flood elevation (BFE) has to be treated lumber or other water-resistant material. There also can’t be electrical or HVAC equipment below the BFE. In flood-prone areas, the ground level space may be used only for garages, carports, and storage, and walls must be equipped with automatic flood vents or breakaway walls, depending on the specific flood zone’s requirements. In one house in Mantoloking, N.J., Bubnowski built it higher than the town’s required 10-foot-high design flood elevation to include a carport and enclosed storage. Along the ocean, Bubnowski designs for impact and wave action with walls at the ground level supported on multiple piers or pilings, he says. For landscaping, he uses indigenous plants resistant to salt spray and might add hardy crushed seashells and dune grass.

10. What it is: Health-minded building certifications

Bower, a mixed-use development by The Architectural Team.

Why now: The latest generation of certifications, rating systems, and design standards is based on scientific and medical research that affects human and occupant health such as programs like the WELL Building Standard, from the International WELL Building Institute, and Fitwel, according to the BuildingGreen site. Both suggest ways to gain a variety of benefits, from extensive natural daylight to good indoor air quality, filtration, and low energy use. Unlike LEED, these programs consider emotional wellness, too, which translates into greenery, gardens, and other biophilic design elements that are proven to support mental health.

Ruddy says her architectural firm’s formal and anecdotal research indicates that wellness-focused housing is increasingly sought by today’s buyers and renters across all markets.

“Spaces to relax, reconnect, work out, and nourish the body, mind, and soul are much more than a value-add in residential environments,” she says. It’s seen as a fundamental element for their lifestyle, Ruddy adds. The pandemic has further raised consciousness about well-being and these rating systems, especially for younger, sustainable-oriented buyers.

“Environmental consciousness is at the top of desires and interests, even above having more living space,” says TAT project manager Michelle Hobbs. “We’re hearing, ‘Cost is number one, but we want a place that’s WELL- or Fitwel-certified, too.’” One building that does this is Bower, a large-scale, mixed-use development in Boston that TAT designed, with interiors by Planeta Design Group. It’s pursuing Fitwel certification, thanks to its walkable location and biophilic design elements, including greenery and smart glass, which automatically tints in response to ambient light levels throughout the day. Natural light is allowed in — unwanted heat and glare are kept out.

*A bonus trend that’s out of this world:

11. What it is: Colonizing Mars

A rendering of a Mars Nuwa City pavilion.

Why now: We all need some fantasy, especially when many of us have been discouraged at times with planet Earth. Some industry pros are working to make colonizing Mars a reality, including the architects at ABIBOO Studio. Alfredo Munoz, founder of this international firm, is assembling an international, interdisciplinary team of global space experts to develop a model for Nuwa City on planet Mars.

“Nuwa could be fully operative with a population of 200,000 by the year 2100,” Munoz says.

He expects its construction and first colonization to start by 2054, but cautions that to achieve this timeframe, private and public institutions worldwide must join in to build the first prototypes on Earth by 2025. The city will use only Mars’ resources and materials in the cliffs of Tempe Mensa where there’s access to water and mild temperatures.

“The vertical, excavated city will provide the necessary protection from radiation while efficiently solving the differences in pressure and temperature between the spaces for living and the Martian atmosphere,” Munoz says. “The indirect light and lush greenery will provide areas that become vertical gardens and create a special identity.”

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Many families are struggling to find room for their children to attend remote school, play, and sleep peacefully. That has some parents seeking new layouts and furnishings to help keep home life humming smoothly.

ears ago, children’s bedrooms were the focus of the younger generation’s home life. That’s where they slept, played, and did homework.

But at some point, kids’ toys started spreading out to the living room and their homework ended up on the kitchen or dining room table. Now, the pandemic has exacerbated these trends and made houses seem much smaller.

The result is more parents looking to experts on how to reorganize existing rooms, especially for young children who may not be able to verbalize their needs and anxieties. Many buyers are seeking different types of room arrangements since they don’t know when the pandemic will end, or if another will arise. Many also represent a variety of family compositions, including single parents, adult children, or three-generational households.

“We need greater flexibility to adapt,” says architect Marissa Kasdan, director of design at KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio’s Tyson, Va., office.

Designers, architects, real estate salespeople, and child psychologists are sharing advice on how to furnish children’s bedrooms and a home’s communal spaces to meet everybody’s needs. But Chicago-area designer Paula Winter of Paula Winter Design offers one important caveat: “It’s helpful to consider your child’s personality,” she says. “Some want to be more alone, and others like being around others.”

Bedrooms

Most experts on children believe the prime purpose of a bedroom should be sleeping. Screens should be kept out of the bedroom so that sleep is not disturbed.

“We recommend that studying and playing are kept outside the bedroom, if possible,” says Lisa Medalie, PsyD, DBSM, founder of DrLullaby, Digital Sleep Solutions for Sleep Problems in Children in Chicago. “When kids are doing homework or playing in the bedroom, these are competing cues and triggers. Kids are likely to be tempted to play, resistant to bedtime, or think about school when such activities persist in the bedroom,” she says. 

But not every family has separate rooms where children can pursue non-sleep tasks. Lisa Cini, a senior living and multigenerational expert and author of Hive: The Simple Guide to Multigenerational Living (iUniverse), advocates for setting up zones. “Parents can think of the bedroom almost like a kindergarten room with spaces for naps and sleep, play, and learning, so all are distinct,” she says.

Winter agrees on the benefit of zones, which may repeat certain functions. For example, in some bedrooms, she includes several places to sit—to work at a desk, read in a chair, congregate with friends on the floor or at a window seat.

Areas can be visually and physically separated with a different floor surface such as tile and an area rug, standing screen, movable wall, pocket door, curtain, low bookcase, or even pretend teepee. A desk or table can be positioned to minimize distractions, says Alessandra Wood, vice president of style at San Francisco-based Modsy, an online design service, which surveyed parents to learn the effects of how COVID-19 influences ways families use their homes.

If the square footage in a bedroom doesn’t permit different zones, sometimes an extra or oversized closet can be converted into a homework center. It can be an easy DIY project with lumber planks for a desk and bookshelves, a child-sized adjustable chair that “grows” as the child does, good task and recessed lighting, and a file cabinet or rolling cart to organize supplies.

The good news is that most children’s furniture is on the small scale, so rooms don’t have to be large to accommodate multiple functions. Some furnishings can also be concealed, such as a Murphy or trundle bed.

Dining room design by Modsy.

Living Spaces

Even before the pandemic began, parents with children have looked for homes with a variety of shared spaces that better fit their individual needs.

The death of the open floor plan: One casualty of buyers’ current needs may be the open plan because it fails to mitigate noise and distractions. “Open layouts are not for all anymore. Many want to go back to a separate dining and living room or a small family room off the kitchen,” says Sandra Cuba with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Winter Park, Fla.

Instead, there’s increased interest in having a “flex” room that can function differently for each family’s needs.

Separate different child areas: Chicago-based Lexington Homes designed one townhouse model for its Lexington Trace development in Warrenville, Ill., with a finished lower level with natural light that could work as a children’s e-learning area or playroom. An optional half-bathroom can be added. When the pandemic ends or children are grown, it can be converted into a movie theater, home gym, or home office, says principal Jeff Benach.

Children’s room design by Lexington Homes.

Other parents and design professionals are looking to attics and spaces above a garage or in a basement, if available, for the same learning purposes, especially when children are older and can be left alone, says Usha Subramaniam, a real estate salesperson with Compass in suburban Westchester, N.Y.

The trend has even given rise to a new professional niche. Orlando-based designer Lauren Nolan focuses on installing at-home classrooms through her business, Childhood & Home. She likes to create cheerful, calm, and eco-conscious study spaces with designated areas for technology, play, and arts and crafts.

Working together: Not all parents want to have their children out of sight, says Chicago real estate salesperson Jennifer Ames of Engel & Volkers. “They want the capacity to supervise and keep an eye on them while they’re on Zoom,” she says. Designing a multipurpose shared space for school, work, and leisure is no small design task! says Winter.

Home classroom design by Lauren Nolan.

The Chicago-based Belgravia Group has developed one layout in its new condos at Triangle Square in East Bucktown that places a flex space adjacent to and within view of other rooms, says Elizabeth Brooks, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Some parents also favor layouts with multiple rooms where kids can pursue different activities—some messy, some quiet. Architect Eddie Maestri of Maestri Studio in Dallas went this route in remodeling his own family’s new house. “The boys usually want to be where we are,” he says. Now his 8-year-old twins have several rooms to choose from, including some designated for screen time which is off limits in their bedrooms, Maestri says.

KTGY Architecture + Planning has also followed this approach with its new “City Home” model. Designed for urban areas, the plan offers two spaces that might be used for work or school at home, but are flexible for alternative long-term functions, says Kasdan. “We are finding that flexibility is key with all of our designs as residents use their homes in new and varied ways,” she says.

Flexible children’s space by KTGY Architecture + Planning.

Since having adequate storage can be a problem, the City Home also includes extra storage within the unit and more in a nearby corridor on each building level.

Choose proper materials and designs: Parents and designers are wise to select child-proof furnishings that hold up to wear and tear, dirty hands and feet, rough play, and spills. For example, Winter suggests sturdy fabrics, upholstery treated with stain repellent treatments (safe for children and pets and for busy families) or built-in stain-resistant upholstery, sectional sofas that can be separated, tables that can be easily cleaned or worked on (solid surface materials or laminates), and ones with no sharp corners.

It’s also helpful to have extra seating, which should be selected based on age-appropriate designs and their function, Winter says. This might include benches or poufs, coffee tables that raise to dining height, as well as bins, containers, see-through bags, and recycled packing boxes to organize toys, games, books, and more.

Converted Garages and Sheds

Cuba has clients who bought a smaller house and converted the garage with air conditioning into a virtual office for one parent who now teaches from home. “It has allowed her to have a quiet, organized place to focus on her students and her own two kids to use their bedrooms,” Cuba says. Subramaniam has clients in her Westchester, N.Y. market who have added sheds to their property so they could have a quiet space away from the kids, she says.

Outdoor Areas

Though not all climates permit use of an outdoor space all year, many families can install an awning or bring in a patio heater to extend use of the area. And they can outfit a space for active play with simple additions, such as a jump rope, zipline, tree swing, hopscotch board, and kid-sized table and chairs. Last summer, Cuba found that more buyers clamored for a bigger addition—a swimming pool.

Remodeling expert and speaker Dan DiClerico installed a NanaWall to open the back of his Brooklyn house to the outdoors. During the first wave of the pandemic, their backyard became his kids’ refuge to do homework, enjoy open-air playdates, have family meals, play sports, and store favorite toys and sports equipment.

Once the pandemic is over, many experts predict homeowners will continue to want their homes more flexible as needs keep changing. Plus, many predict remote work is here to stay for a significant percentage of the American workforce. “These ideas aren’t likely to go out of style,” Subramaniam says.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Find out what’s attracting buyers’ eye in 2021, and what looks have grown outdated.

After nearly a year of quarantining at home, many homeowners are putting a laser focus on their surroundings. All this time at home has made some trends less appealing, while others have soared.

Some homeowners have found they don’t have enough counter space—or the right anti-microbial surface—while other can’t find enough workspace for everyone in the house to get projects done in peace and quiet. And some have grown tired of their aqua-blue or pink shaded dining room walls that they once thought divine.

The interior designers at Living Spaces, a La Mirada, Calif.–based furniture retailer, see and hear the buzz firsthand. Staff designer Emilie Navarro says she and her colleagues source data from Google Trends to look at design ideas over time, which they use for the company’s annual report. This year’s 2021 Decor Trends: What’s Out & What’s In highlights 19 home trends the designers found to be outdated, and the chic new ones replacing them.

Here are nine of the 19 that caught our interest; the other 10 can be read in the full report.

• Since its peak in the beginning of 2018, millennial pink has dropped in popularity by 53%, giving way to warmer, earthier tones like terra cotta.
• Interest in shabby chic has dropped by 43% since the beginning of 2016. Instead, grandmillenial style—which is much more eclectic—is in. “It’s a different kind of granny chic, with more classic and timeless pieces and bright and airy rooms,” says designer Shelby Greene.
• There has also been a 33% drop in interest in artwork with words and language since early 2017, filled by upticks in abstract canvas art in soft warm colors and in photographs of scenic places.
• Monochromatic tones, like all white and all gray, have fallen in popularity by 30% since their peak in mid-2016, giving way to layered hues throughout homes. For example, in kitchens there might be an accent color for an island that differs from the colors on all of the perimeter cabinets, Navarro says.
• Since its peak in mid-2016, interest in floral patterns has decreased 28%, part of the shabby chic decline. Instead, minimal stripes and lines are filling the void, showing up most in rugs and drapery.

• Yet another example is industrial style—its metals-heavy look has dropped 22% since the beginning of 2017, replaced by softer, warmer, more comforting designs and more touchable textiles (what’s termed “transitional decor”). As an example, designers suggest swapping out iron furniture for wooden furniture legs, or bronze and silver wall art for wall tapestries and hanging quilts, says designer Satsha Lopez-Jaimes.
• Botanical prints have lost some cachet since their peak at beginning of 2017—down 14%—with grand, hand-painted art on canvas or moody photography prints blown up and framed now popular.
• Despite its pervasive appeal, even subway tile has dropped, but only by 10%, replaced by geometric honeycomb and octagonal tiles with a marble material or metallic hints. The reason, says Greene, is the warmth and character they add. But don’t expect subway tiles to disappear, says Navarro, since they’re a classic option. For the time being, they’ll used a bit less and in different ways, such as vertically.
• Since its peak at the beginning of 2019, shag carpet has declined 9% with an uptick in more high-pile area rugs, which are considered a less permanent choice. “Rugs also give you a chance to contrast with the floor underneath, and you can place one strategically under a furniture set to help pull the look together,” says designer Brynna Evans.

At the end of the day, Navarro says the most important influence for a homeowner’s choice should depend not on its trendiness but on what they love.

“Trends come and go all the time, but you want to see what makes you happy every day,” she says.

Almost every buyer makes some changes when they invest in a home, she says, and part of the influence should be on whether they plan to stay for a longer term, which may mean going with bolder colors, or flip the house, which then could suggest more timeless choices for a higher value in a fast resale.

9 Decor Trends That Are In and Out

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Choosing bulbs has gotten much more complicated as energy-saving technology becomes more common. Here’s how to make the smartest and most flattering choices for a home.

Selecting a beautiful new light fixture for a home is a great way to visually update a home and add sparkle to a space. But putting the wrong lightbulb in that fixture can have disastrous effects. The wrong lighting makes a room feel too dark or too bright. Light also affects the appearance of upholstery, paint, or artwork.

Comparing lighting options available today can be like comparing a Model T with a Prius because of the vast options—both old-school and new—on the market. With energy consciousness steadily rising, the expansion of federal legislation mandating lightbulb efficiency is now being reconsidered by the Department of Energy, and some states, including California, Nevada, and Washington, already have strict laws in place. The 60-watt tungsten bulb is, indeed, becoming a Model T.

Just as you can still find gas-guzzling cars, however, you can still purchase incandescent bulbs. However, you need to understand the terminology surrounding new light sources.

Lightbulb Types

LED, CFL, and halogen and tungsten incandescent: LED is the most energy-efficient and long-lasting; it’s also the most expensive. Tungsten incandescent bulbs are the least efficient and cheapest; 90% of the energy consumed by an incandescent bulb is lost as heat. CFLs contain mercury and must be disposed of properly.

Bulbs come in any number of shapes and sizes. When shopping, the most common lightbulb shape and size is described as an “A19 Medium Base.”

Read bulb labels to find the lighting facts you need.

Brightness: Light output is measured in lumens, not watts as we previously used for brightness. In context, a 60-watt incandescent bulb provides roughly 800 lumens: 40W, 450 lumens; 75W, 1100 lumens; 100W, 1600 lumens; 150W, 2600 lumens.

Energy Used: The amount of electricity that a lightbulb consumes is measured in watts. A 60W tungsten bulb consumes 60W. An 800-lumen LED bulb (equivalent to the 60-watt tungsten) uses approximately 14W of electricity, a 75% reduction in energy consumption. Efficiency is often expressed as lumens per watt; the higher the LPM ratio, the more energy-efficient the bulb.

Light Appearance: We understand lightbulbs described as “warm white” or “bright white,” but these are subjective terms, meaning different things to different manufacturers. Light appearance refers to the “color” of the white light. Light color is represented in Kelvin, a temperature measurement. 2700K is roughly the equivalent of a tungsten bulb; 3000K roughly the equivalent of a halogen bulb; 4500K considered equivalent to daylight, and appears blueish.

2700K lighting is warm and cozy, great for living rooms and bedrooms. 3000K lighting is crisper and best used where functional light is important, as in a kitchen or bathroom. 4000K is great for the garage or laundry room. Make sure that the lamps and ceiling lights in a room have matching Kelvin ratings. Nothing’s worse for a room’s appearance than mismatched light color. A bedroom with 2700K lighting at the ceiling and 4000K in the nightstand lamp looks awkward and will create an imbalance in paint and fabric colors.

Dimming: Ever say, “let’s dim the lights” to create a little romance or watch a movie? When incandescent bulbs are dimmed, their color warms, meaning that it changes to look more like candlelight.

Look for the word “dimmable” as a feature on the lightbulb package or integrated LED fixture. Unlike incandescent lighting, not all LED or CFL lights can be dimmed. This is not a huge consideration for bulbs used in table or floor lamps, but ceiling lights, especially chandeliers, are often controlled by wall dimmer switches. Nondimmable LEDs may not react and CFLs may turn a greenish-blue color. So much for atmosphere.

Further, LEDs and CFLs rated as dimmable will not warm to look like candlelight. They will simply get less bright while giving off the same color. LEDs offer a technology called “warm dim” that mimics the dimming of incandescent bulbs. Search for warm dim LEDs that offer a color range of 3000K to 2200K or wider.

Color Rendering: You probably won’t see the color rendering index of a lightbulb on its package. But this measurement is important when illuminating artwork or when highlighting decor, such as fabrics or paint colors. Low CRI ratings make the colors in a room seem flat, while high CRI makes color snap.

Sunlight, with a CRI of 100, has the most accurate color rendering; halogen matches sunlight with 100 CRI, which is why galleries often use halogen lighting. Most LED bulbs are rated above 85 CRI, which is considered acceptable; CFLs are somewhat lower. However, LEDs are available at higher CRI levels when color rendering is critical.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Second-home locations—viewed as a safe destination when the pandemic disrupted how people live—have gained full-time residents, and houses are changing to meet the demand.

3 Takeaways

• There are fewer vacation homes available to buy and rent.
• More people are making the choice to live in their second-home full time.
• The hottest amenities: Internet connectivity, work from home spaces, and an outdoor oasis.

As COVID-19 spread, many people made a beeline to their more isolated second homes or vacation rentals to hunker down and stay safe.

Slowly, the idea that those destination homes would be short-term gave way to the notion of making them a permanent residence. People enjoyed the safety, space, fresh air, and outdoor recreation at their retreats. They found efficiency working remotely and having their children learn virtually. And many found it propitious to buy with low interest rates and a strong stock market.

“Buying a house is a feel-good purchase, and it became the right time after many put it off,” says Diane Saatchi, associate broker with Saunders & Associates in East Hampton, N.Y. 

Since the pandemic started, Mimy von Schreiner with John R. Wood Properties in Southwest Florida, has had three clients purchase vacation homes who then made them permanent residences.

Less Inventory

Whether homes are for full- or part-time use, all the demand has led to a dearth of inventory, now exacerbated by the spring buying season and many people planning their summer vacations.

Von Schreiner says inventory in her market is down 56% from a year ago, which she attributes to frenzied pandemic sales and rentals, an expanded pool of younger buyers, and existing homeowners staying put.

Deb Martin, CEO of ERA Cape Cod Real Estate in Denis, Mass., has also seen inventory shrink for similar reasons. But those reasons are compounded by another trend beginning before the pandemic: retirees not selling as they once did to move near grandchildren or head to senior-living facilities.

Because of these tough market conditions, agents must help clients by encouraging them to prioritize their wish lists, stay on top of what’s available, and communicate often. These five questions will help real estate pros guide the discussion.

1. How far from your current home are you willing to go?

Many buyers and renters now are willing to travel farther to find the right home and a lower price. “Many don’t anticipate going back and forth as frequently, if at all,” says Jennifer Grimes, whose Red Cottage Inc. in Grahamsville, N.Y., offers vacation rentals, and her Country House Realty represents homes for sales in the Catskills.

In the last year, she’s seen her rural Sullivan County become the epicenter of escape for people coming from New York City, 110 miles away. “It was last to the party in popularity after better-known Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange counties, but interest has surged as a destination and demand has far outpaced supply,” she says. To meet demand in recent years, Grimes has added 10 agents.

Architect Mike Aziz, AIA, a partner at New York City-based Cooper Robertson, an architecture and urban design firm, says many of his firm clients will drive farther, as well—two to three hours from a major city, especially for a primary residence.

The same is true on the West Coast where Chris Neighbor, president of SummerHill Homes in San Ramon, Calif., sees huge interest in his firm’s infill townhouses from tech workers leaving the expensive Bay Area and their tiny apartments.

“The average tech employee no longer works on a campus for 14 hours a day. They can get more space,” he says.

In other markets, particularly for long- and short-term rentals, some people are now willing to drive to rural sites once under the radar, such as parts of Kentucky, Michigan’s upper peninsula, and the area around Deep Creek Lake, Md., says Jeffrey Breece, whose San Francisco-based Beyond Pricing offers a revenue management platform for short-term rental owners and managers.

2. Does peak season matter to you?

Many locations are experiencing extended rental seasons with bookings made further out than pre-COVID-19. For example, in Florida, salesperson Angela Waldrop with Dale Sorensen Real Estate in Vero Beach, has seen bookings extend beyond the typical April 30 cutoff into summer. “Except for a minor blip when the coronavirus emerged, we’ve not had a break. Many people also book for longer three- to six-month periods,” she says.

Jason Milovich, broker-owner of Bluefish Vacation Rentals in southwest Michigan, about 74 miles from Chicago, has also seen lines blur between high and low seasons.

“The busiest rental time used to be from Memorial Day through Labor Day, followed by a shoulder through November. But it has stayed busy from last December until now,” he says.

The difference in rental costs has also diminished between the high season, weekends, and holidays, and the low season and weekdays, Grimes says. Even the idea of a best time to buy has vanished.

“Sales now happen at all times if there’s inventory,” Waldrop says. 

3. What’s your price range?

With little inventory, houses often sell at full price or above, and oftentimes on the day listed. “Buyers tire of repeatedly missing out, and many overpay to make a sale work,” Grimes says. As an example, she cites a property listed at $425,000 that went 35% higher for $575,000 without an inspection three days after hitting the market. It was seen by 25 potential buyers, and the winning bid was all cash.

In von Schreiner’s Florida market, average sales prices in January were up 18.2% from a year ago, she says. Neighbor has seen listings in his California area climb 20% above the asking price with as many as eight to 12 offers.

Rental costs reflect a similar uptick. “Many are going 25% above the (normal) price. A pool brings a premium,” Breece says. In Waldrop’s Florida market, luxury homes have been renting “nonstop” since the start of the pandemic, she says, for $20,000 to $35,000 monthly, or 30% above a year ago.

4. What types of homes and amenities are you looking for?

Single-family homes generally appeal more than condos since they eliminate sharing elevators, lobbies, pools, dog parks, and gyms.  

Exceptions abound, especially when designs focus on keeping renters or buyers apart. Developer Valor Capital, which is constructing Serena by the Sea in Dunedin, Fla., near Clearwater, went back to the drawing board when the pandemic hit to add touchless features, individual condo air-intake systems, and a concierge service to deliver spa treatments, walk dogs, organize closets, says Regina Sotomayor, chief sales officer. More than half the 80 units have been pre-sold.  

When it comes to homes, many buyers and renters seek greater square footage to accommodate more family and fit their new mindset. “They no longer think of it as a vacation house but a primary home that needs to be comfortable for long-term,” Saatchi says.

That was the case with the home that designer Staci Munic bought when she switched her primary residence from Chicago to Palm Springs, Calif., and sold a California condo that was previously her vacation getaway. “I found I loved being here and having a relaxed lifestyle with morning bicycle rides,” she says. But she was glad she rented first. “It gave me the opportunity to experience an area in different seasons and alleviate buying under pressure,” she says.

Other buyers who don’t know whether their home will be temporary or permanent also desire more space. “About 95% of SummerHill’s buyers are first-time homeowners who like getting a second bedroom, office, fireplace, space for their Peloton bicycle, and balcony—especially after years of renting a tiny apartment,” Neighbor says. He expects many will stay post-pandemic, even if they commute occasionally to a corporate office. 

For Tish Horton, a warmer winter climate and chance to live near a daughter drew her to a second home in Newland’s masterplan Nexton community in Summerville, S.C., 30 miles from Charleston. She plans to commute to her other home and daughter in Dayton.

Working from home has led people to stay longer, often with extended family members. Buyers and renters alike are looking for Zoom nooks and smart designs for ease of daily living. Other amenities in high demand are garages, ample storage, fenced yards (for pandemic-era adopted pups), closed rather than open kitchens, greater access to outdoors, and wellness programs.

“Well-living is the new green,” says Manny Gonzalez, AIA, LEED AP, principal at KTGY Architecture + Planning’s Los Angeles office. “People look for air and water filtration, home monitoring, and sustainability.” 

Living in a conservation-minded development where all houses are focused on those principles is another option gaining traction, Aziz says. As an example, he cites architect Drew Lang’s Hudson Woods with 26 modern, sustainable homes on 131 forested Catskills acres.

Also, the more turnkey a listing, the greater the appeal since it’s become harder to find contractors and materials. 

5. What amenities are you looking for in nearby towns?

Depending on the location, more stores are remaining open during what were once non-peak times because of the increased traffic. Waldrop attributes the popularity of her area’s Central Beach downtown to the bustling activity of an open farmer’s market, ice cream shops, restaurants, and parks.

In the Hamptons, art galleries have opened after testing the waters with pop-ups, says Saatchi. The Cape, once empty in winter, is experiencing growing pains as residents seek services, says Martin. “The Cape is going to have to pivot and figure out how to do this,” she says. 

In Harbor Country Michigan, increased population has led to a need for more trash pickups, says Milovich. In Palm Springs, the dining scene has ratcheted up, Munic adds.

What’s Ahead in Hot Markets

For now, the pace remains dizzying. “In the first two months of this year, Grimes’ rental company hit 50 percent of its total 2020 revenue,” she says. Milovich says his area’s listings with pools already are booked. 

Yet, some of the any-price-goes mentality is beginning to wane, Saatchi says. “I see more buyers get sober, stick to a budget, and decide not to bid up prices so high,” she says. Fall may bring a return to what’s more normal, Milovich says. “It still should be strong but not quite what it was a year ago,” he says.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission