Greens are emerging as the “it” color for the new year.

Greens are emerging as the “it” color for the new year.

Another green hue has been selected as the hottest color for the new year. Sherwin-Williams announced its 2025 color of the year: evergreen fog, an earthy gray-green tone.

The paint firm’s announcement comes on the heels of two other paint companies that this year chose gray-green shades as their 2025 leading color picks. PPG chose olive sprig, while Behr selected breezeway.

Sherwin-Williams says evergreen fog is a calming color with nods to nature that could make a neutral backdrop not only for interiors but also for commercial spaces’ entry areas and lobbies.

“Evergreen fog is a sophisticated wash of color for spaces that crave a subtle yet stunning statement shade,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Create depth and texture with a mix of natural-looking textiles. Add a little gleam with a fusion of metals—champagne gold, warm brass, or inky black.”

This is olive sprig, PPG’s 2024 color of the year.

This is breezeway, Behr’s 2024 color of the year.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Water can damage a foundation in countless ways, so homeowners should look to experts for the dos and don’ts.

Water is not always our friend. Sure, we drink it, swim in it, and need it to survive, but when it comes to homes, it can destroy the foundation, says home inspector Thomas Dabb of Immaculate Home Inspections in South Orange, N.J.

Water can enter a home from the exterior and interior, so buyers and homeowners need to keep their eyes open for signs of its presence—or worse—its damage.

The good news is that there are many experts available to spot and diagnose a problem and suggest the best fix. Water expert Steve Barckley with Exceptional Stone Products in Livingston, N.J., believes that homeowners should start by doing everything possible on the outside of the homes to correct problems and divert water away from a foundation.

Share these seven solutions with clients to help them minimize a foundation’s damage in various scenarios.

1. Improve grading. The slope of a property may direct water toward the base of a single-family house or multifamily dwelling rather than away. Cracks or openings in the foundation then allow it to enter, as well as through higher-level walls, the roof, and other entry points. Fix: “Be sure the grade slopes away from the house,” says Bill Coulbourne, a structural engineer whose eponymous company is near Annapolis, Md. A berm of soil or a swale with planting can prevent water from making its way to a foundation, says Cary Jozefiak, a home inspector with HomeTeam Inspection in Chicago. Caveats: This approach requires periodic maintenance to be sure the berm doesn’t erode. “It also needs to be directed so water doesn’t move toward a neighbor’s property,” Coulbourne says. Using a French drain to allow water to dissipate slowly from near the foundation into the landscape is more environmentally friendly than introducing it into the street to wash away, says Barckley. French drains also require some preventive maintenance to avoid clogging, Jozefiak says.

2. Waterproof a foundation. Keeping the foundation dry will prevent moisture from accumulating on the outside or entering inside. Fix: If wet, the best fix is to waterproof the exterior perimeter and interior walls of a basement or crawl space to prevent capillary action from building up, says New York City architect Victor Body-Lawson of Body Lawson Associates. “What we try to do is create an envelope around a building so water can’t enter through its skin, sometimes with a rain screen that drains water down and out to a storm drainage system,” he says. A sump pump will help if there’s moisture and water inside. It must drain far enough from a house, so water doesn’t recycle back inside if the property slopes or there’s an opening. Home inspector David Rose of Astute Home Inspections in Plainfield, N.J., suggests the drain be at least 5 feet from a house. A backup battery will prove useful if power fails.

3. Install gutters and downspouts. Water flowing off a roof will land near a house and possibly cause damage over time. Fix: A good line of defense is to have both gutters and downspouts installed around a home or building’s perimeter. The downspouts should extend far enough to carry away the water rather than have it sit near a foundation. Jozefiak recommends six feet away from a house. To keep gutters and downspouts functioning, they must be cleaned. How often to do so may depend on the trees near a house, Coulbourne says.

4. Keep large trees and bushes away from a house. Tree roots and other plant materials try to grow toward water, which can destabilize a structure and penetrate foundations, says Rose. Fix: If large trees already grow near a house, check that plumbing lines are free, and confirm there aren’t foundation cracks. If problems arise, the tree may need to be taken down or bushes transplanted, Body-Lawson says. Sacramento, Calif.-based landscape designer Michael Glassman suggests consulting a licensed arborist to check roots, stability, and if the tree should be removed. “The best time to remove trees is in winter when they are dormant,” Glassman says.

5. Don’t ignore diagonal cracks. Movement, temperature changes, and time may cause foundation cracks to develop. But large diagonal ones require attention from a structural engineer to avoid bigger issues. “Visual clues appear before structural inadequacies do,” says Madison, Conn.-based architect Duo Dickinson. Among the problems are moisture and salt destroying anything made of steel and non-pressure-treated wood, which may rot, Dickinson says. Fix: Cracks suggest settlement and send a red flag that something might be wrong with a foundation, says Body-Lawson. “It might have sagged but it may not deteriorate further. However, if it continues to do so, the foundation needs underpinning.” Cracks that appear in foundation walls due to settlement may be visible in a first floor’s interior, too, says Coulbourne. Hairline cracks are common, but when it’s a quarter-inch in width and V-shaped, it may indicate pressure on an exterior wall.

6. Check for significant leaks and stains, especially efflorescence in a basement. “An unfinished basement is the best basement because it’s easier to see problems,” says Rose. Fix: When a basement is finished, experts recommend looking for clues. For example, a rust color that shows through paint can be a sign of moisture, says Barckley. Efflorescence—white powder left behind from minerals in water—may also appear. Coulbourne says that mold is another indicator, most likely visible at the base of a wall where moisture accumulates. Use your nose, too, he says. “If you walk into a damp basement, you can smell that,” he says. Sometimes areas covered over need to be checked. For example, Rose may pop open ceiling tiles to examine what’s behind them.

7. Learn why interior or patio floors may slant. It could be that a house is settling, which happens over time, says Body-Lawson. “Old houses may sag a little and then stop,” he says. But if the floor or patio was level and now slants, it might be time to hire a structural engineer, says Jason Chang of Jersey Inspections in Verona, N.J. Fix: Floorboards, tiles, and carpet can be picked up, joists shimmed, and a new layer installed, says Body-Lawson. If water gets under pavers outdoors, they may need to be taken up, the pitch of the patio checked, a membrane or drainage system installed, then pavers put back, Jozefiak says.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Let more light into your home and you can lower your anxiety and stress levels and even improve your sleep. Increasing daylight in a home can affect a person’s circadian rhythm, sleep, vitality, and mental health, according to a newly published, peer-reviewed paper in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

“The study demonstrates the impact of daylight on the physiological, behavioral, and subjective measures of circadian health in a real-world environment,” says Mariana G. Figueiro, senior author of the paper. “The findings highlight the importance of ensuring people are exposed to circadian-effective electric light or daylight indoors as well as outside for human health and well-being.”

Light-to-dark cycles are important for circadian rhythms, the internal process that controls sleep. As more people spent time at home during the pandemic, the importance of balancing this may have become even more important, researchers note.

The study, conducted by the Light and Health Research Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, shows “smart windows,” electrochromic glass windows that tint dynamically based on the location of the sun, may help filter the light better than blinds and window shades, offering a boosted psychological benefit.

In the study, researchers tracked participants first in homes with smart windows and then in homes with standard windows and blinds. The study’s participants wore sleep-tracking devices and completed surveys on their health and well-being.

After one week, melatonin production in the body was delayed by 15 minutes when participants used traditional blinds, researchers found. That caused them to fall asleep 22 minutes later and sleep 16 minutes less each night.

On the other hand, when in homes with smart windows, participants showed an 11% reduction in anxiety levels and a 9% decrease in stress levels compared with the week when they used the traditional windows.

“When it comes to choosing a place to live, access to daylight and quality views are key features for prospective tenants,” Piers MacNaughton, vice president of health strategy at View Inc. “This study shows that daylight and views are not just desirable amenities but also have fundamental impacts on our health and even our hormones.”

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

High-rise apartments are getting more in touch with nature. Living on the 40th or 45th floor, for example, can make tenants feel far away from it—and since the pandemic, apartment dwellers are craving closer ties to greenery. In response, more plants are coming to rooftops, lobbies, and balconies.

The Wardian London development in London features two newly built towers of 50 and 55 stories that have greenery cascading over each balcony. The lobby contains 100 different species of exotic plants all across the globe. The swimming pool is lined with palm trees.

During pandemic lockdowns, Kenny Yeo, 32, told The Wall Street Journal that he felt “almost a desperate need to reconnect to nature, and having all the plants in the building is very calming and relaxing.” In his previous apartment, he did not have any greenery. Now, he has added about 16 plants of all different types.

Renters and homeowners alike are embracing biophilic design—which is integrating natural elements into everyday living spaces. Features may include plantings and greenery, outdoor space, large windows, and natural ventilation.

“It is about making our buildings more symbiotic with nature,” Mat Cash, a partner at Heatherwick Studio, the British company that designed the Eden development in Singapore, told The Wall Street Journal. Each of Eden’s balconies is filled with tropical plants. “There is a human desire for the restorative and calming benefits of nature. It is something which is innate in humans. It is not just about planting but about fresh air and natural light, and even in a very hot and humid climate natural ventilation works very, very well.”

U.S. developers are also noticing the desire. One Beverly Hills will begin construction next year and will be a 17.5-acre neighborhood that centers on biophilic design principles. Two apartment buildings will contain 300 homes. Each home will have sliding glass doors that lead out to a curved terrace filled with plants. The development will also feature an 8-acre botanical garden. The development is to be completed by 2027.

“The connection to nature starts when you look out of the window,” says David Summerfield, head of the architectural studio at Foster + Partners, which has planned One Beverly Hills. “The residence lower down will look straight out onto the park, and as you go up there are huge terraces. It is almost like the park is coming up the building and into your apartment.”

Optima Inc. has been adding biophilic design principles to its communities for more than 40 years. It has been offering green roofs, courtyards, and gardens. A vertical landscaping system is on display at its Optima Camelview Village in Scottsdale, Ariz. Several colorful plants grow up and over the ledge of private terraces on each floor of the building.

“This system helps enhance the natural beauty of our projects by allowing a palette of vibrantly colored plants to grow up and over the edge of each private terrace on every floor of the building,” David Hovey Jr., president and COO of Optima Inc., told Multi-Housing News earlier this year.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Key Takeaways:

• More efficient and lighter solar modules help to lower energy bills.
• Experienced installers and module manufacturers recommend how many panels a roof needs based on how much power residents use and other factors.
• Federal tax credits are still available.          

Installing solar panels or modules to convert sunlight into electricity and conserve energy is not a new concept. Back in 1954, researchers at Bell Laboratories demonstrated the first practical silicon solar cell.

But solar power has been heating up over the last 10 years, with a 50% average annual growth rate in the U.S., according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. This is due, in part, to the Solar Investment Tax Credit put in place in 2006 that now reimburses 26% of the cost for solar systems on residential and commercial properties. Other factors have also played a role, including low interest rates. Homeowners can bundle the cost of panels into their mortgage, says Amy Tovel, marketing manager of Ichijo USA, a company that installs modules on many Pacific Northwest homes.

Many homeowners are becoming more energy conscious, says architect Nathan Kipnis, FAIA, LEED AP, whose Kipnis Architecture + Planning offices are in Chicago and Boulder, Colo. It’s rare for one of his company’s major projects not to include solar panels or wiring for installation later, largely because of increasing efficiency, he says.

Still another reason is that more areas are enacting mandates. California regulators recently voted to require builders to include solar power and battery storage in new commercial and high-rise residential projects, as of Jan. 1, 2023. The state of Washington now requires new homes to have energy credits, as of Feb. 1, 2021, and solar panels represent one option to attain them. Homes greater than 5,000 square feet require additional credit. To meet those criteria, MN Custom Homes doubles the amount of solar panels for its larger homes, says vice president Ben Brittingham.

Lastly, the panels have become less of an eyesore due to improved aesthetics, whether on a roof or in a yard stationed on the ground—sometimes preferred due to the absence of trees—says Suvi Sharma, founder and director of Solaria Corp., a Fremont, Calif.-based solar manufacturer focused on the residential market.

But as the field grows crowded with manufacturers and installers touting longer-lasting solar systems with greater efficiency and less cost, deciding which one to choose requires research.

“The promises some companies make are wildly flowing,” cautions Madison, Conn.-based architect Duo Dickinson. Another caveat is the cost fluctuation of panels due to tariffs on imports, now at 18%. Though these are set to expire next February, China remains a top location for manufacturers.

But home buyers seeking a new home may not have to make choices as more developers and builders incorporate solar during construction.  

That’s the case with Pearl Homes’ new community, Hunters Point, in Cortez, Fla. Owner Marshall Gobuty wanted to construct the first NetZero LEED certified community in the U.S. “Anybody can build a house but not everybody can reduce the carbon footprint,” Gobuty says, adding, “Our goal is to build homes that generate more power than they consume.”

Hunters Point home rendering.

When completed by early 2022, all 86 homes, averaging 3,300 square feet, will have roof panels, WaterSense plumbing and fixtures, and GE EnergyStar appliances. Though the company is still deciding which panels to use, they are going with installer my-RESI out of Millstone Township, N.J., and sonnen’s ecoLinx energy storage system, which Gobuty believes offers the most efficient, safest battery, and a 25-year warranty. Homeowners will pay a fixed fee to the HOA for a set amount of power and backup.

But homeowners should be aware that having solar power doesn’t eliminate an electric bill since there’s still a fee to be connected to the grid, says James O’Connor, director of marketing for Salt Lake City-based installer, Go Solar Group.

Here’s what home buyers who are working with a builder or architect on a new home—or retrofitting an existing home—should consider when choosing components from various providers to make solar work.  

1. Roof and house orientation. How much surface solar modules cover on a roof or how big the installation is on the ground makes a difference in the amount of energy produced. Generally, they are placed facing south or west to be exposed to the most sunlight, optimizing power, says Dickinson. Pearl Homes’ will cover 88% to 92% of a roof surface. Covering 100% may produce more power than occupants can use.

2. Panels. In recent years, panels have become more efficient, thinner, and better looking, thanks to monocrystalline designs that use a single photovoltaic cell rather than several cells that the older polycrystalline designs relied on. As a result, the updated panels can occupy less roof space because they pack in more power, O’Connor says.    

The number of panels installed is generally based on the amount of electricity occupants use, which is why an installer often asks for 12 months of electric bills, says Mike Koehler, vice president and solar business developer for Gardner Capital, St. Louis. If the next owner of a solar powered house uses more electricity, they might request a larger array, he says.

What this means for a homeowner who chooses a newer 400W panel, for example, versus older 370W panel, is that they may only need to install 38 panels instead of 41 and save about 33 square feet of roof space, Koehler says. And because the 400W panel is more efficient, it will generate more electricity, he says.

Installers also need to know local ordinances. For example, Evanston, Ill., doesn’t allow panels to stick up past a roof’s ridge line or be visible from the street if the roof is flat, says Kipnis. They also need to know local utility rules since some will buy back excess power, Koehler says. Rocky Mountain Power, which services most Utah customers, gives credit for excess energy, says Scott Cramer, president of Go Solar Group.  

3. Batteries. Extra energy can be stored in batteries. Different solar panel manufacturers prefer different battery companies. For example, Solaria buys batteries from Sonnen, Sharma says.

4. Installers. Installation costs have dropped as more installers have entered the niche and become more experienced, says O’Connor. Besides the modules and batteries, homeowners who go solar need an inverter to hold panels, wiring in place, and a meter. Sharma suggests homeowners ask installers which modules they use, the price of each panel, number needed, what they look like, how much shipping to the site will be, and if permits are needed.

5. Costs and return on investment. A typical panel system might run between $15,000 and $25,000, which includes ancillary equipment and labor, Koehler says. Yearly savings vary greatly depending on the utility and if it offers incentives, he says. The good news is that a typical warranty lasts a long time; Solaria’s is 25 years, Sharma says.

How much money is saved also depends on how a purchase is made. “If someone pays out of pocket, it may take seven to 10 years for a payback, but if someone leases the system, the savings will be less per month, but the homeowner has no upfront investment,” Koehler says. 

One caveat relates to whether a solar system will increase a home’s value. One study from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that the panels are viewed as upgrades and home buyers have been willing to pay a premium of about $15,000 for an average-sized solar system. Additionally, the homes sell faster than those without solar.

Brittingham of MN Custom Homes thinks that the ethical rather than financial reasons are becoming a bigger buyer incentive. “A return on investment is still longer term since there are still big out-of-pocket expenses,” he says.

Another caveat is that not all homeowners benefit equally from having a solar system. Those who live in a house with a lot of trees that block sunlight will see less benefit, as will those who already use little electricity or have inexpensive electricity.

Increasing energy costs are spurring more homeowners to go solar, but an abundance of choices in the field can make the decision daunting. Help homeowners weigh the options with these five considerations.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission

Many homeowners are still reluctant to work out in gyms as COVID-19 remains a threat. Here’s how they can outfit a space without spending a bundle.

Key Takeaways:

• You don’t need a dedicated, tricked-out space to get fit.
• New exercise apps, a little floor space, and a few pieces of equipment can help get your clients moving.
• Homeowners should keep essentials organized so the room can function for other uses.

In the 1980s and ‘90s, when houses were getting bigger and fancier with all sorts of specialty spaces—theaters with stadium seating, giant aquariums, rathskellers, and sports courts—some homeowners would bring in dozens of pieces of gym equipment, install cushioned flooring, line a wall with mirrors, and add a TV or sound system to create a home workout space that could rival a commercial fitness center.

That’s a costly investment, especially when some folks lose motivation and interest. Worst case scenario: Their treadmills and ellipticals machines become a clothing rack.

Then came the pandemic, and at its peak, six out of 10 members stopped going to their local gym. Two-thirds of those pursued a fitness routine on their own, according to a study by ClubIntel of 2,000 U.S. gyms.

Thanks to technology, there has been a huge uptick in Zoom and livestreamed workout options offered both by gyms that have designed hybrid in-person and online classes, as well as a host of entrepreneurs’ and manufacturers’ new exercise apps.

These make it easy to exercise at home and on the go and have inspired many homeowners to clear a room or space to do their jumping jacks, downward dogs, and bicycle rides—sometimes competing against strangers across the country or around the globe.

In fact, Houzz, the online home site, says since the beginning of the pandemic, it has seen a 156% increase in searches for home gyms.

But in this go-around, fitness experts say having a large, swanky space expensively outfitted with the latest cardio, weight training, and core-enhancing equipment is not essential.

Moreover, those items won’t guarantee added value to a house for resale except to those specifically looking for a finished workout room or an area where they can create one, says Linda Bright, a premier luxury specialist with Illustrated Properties in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. If the room’s over-the-top, and buyers have no interest, it could be the first thing dismantled, says real estate salesperson Barb St. Amant of Atlanta Fine Homes, Sotheby’s International Realty.

However, having a smaller, appointed space offers benefits for those interested, says Nora Crosthwaite, a salesperson with RE/MAX Precisions, who also owns the online staging company, Stagerie. In her Des Moines, Iowa market, Crosthwaite says homeowners like to fix up basements for this purpose in the area’s many ranch-style homes. Homeowners should be sure a basement is dry before investing in any remodel.

In the case of homes without a basement or a separate room, clients can use a multipurpose space where equipment can be organized, Bright says. “It gives potential buyers an idea of how they might use the room in different ways to show its flexibility, which is what many buyers are after, especially now when there is such low inventory,” she says.

All sorts of rooms offer this potential, including an oversized bathroom, sitting area off a bedroom, home office, walk-in closet, garage, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or outdoor area in good weather, says Melissa Wirt, founder of Connexusliving, which brings amenities and fitness classes to multifamily communities through content from the company’s base in Murrells Inlet, S.C.. “What’s important,” she says, “is that a homeowner can enter a space or area and focus on the programming they choose rather than specific equipment.” 

What also helps make an indoor room suitable is good ventilation, natural or artificial lighting, a proper floor—rubber matting, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) planks, carpeting, or wood flooring with cushioning underneath, and a mirror to maintain proper form and alignment, depending on the activity, says Wirt. Any of these items should be easy to switch out to make the room function for another purpose. Ceiling height is also important, and why some basements shorter than 8’ won’t work, Crosthwaite says.

In setting up the room or area, homeowners should arrange items to be accessible. “They shouldn’t have to move the coffee table every time they work out,” says Cathy Spencer-Browning, vice president of programming and training at Atlanta-based MOSSA, which provides group fitness programs and MOSSA on Demand, including a range of classes via streaming for homeowners.

Minneapolis-based Wellbeats offers more than 900-plus classes in a range of exercises for close to 2,500 multifamily buildings and other wellness-minded businesses, says Tim Bowen, senior vice president of sales. “The digital world is meeting the need for knowledge and versatility in working out, not with equipment that replicates a gym but by offering people great instruction and a way to be both movement and mindfulness oriented,” he says. “Consumer behavior has changed. They may not race to a gym then to work, but if working from home they may want a break, even a one-minute breathing exercise.”

Establishing an exercise routine that appeals is critical, says Spencer-Browning. “The best workout to do at home is the one they’ll stick with because they enjoy it,” she says. They should ask: Am I a self-directed exerciser or prefer to be told exactly what to do? If they’re not sure, they should try out a few choices and if they like it, support it with a few accessories that help pursue it such as a mat for yoga, along with music, a TV, or candles, she says. “Otherwise, they won’t continue. This is why there are so many bikes for sale on eBay!” she says.

Wirt also suggests finding content with a trainer whose workouts appeal and offers new challenges to make exercising fun. “We can’t lose sight of the social aspect of feeling connected with people,” she says.

Hudson Valley, N.Y., fitness trainer Regan Szczepanowska, a former professional dancer, says it’s important that the trainer—whether virtual or a person they meet with live—has proper training, which can be checked by looking at their credentials such as from an organization like the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Association of Sports Medicine. “Then, they should make it part of their lifestyle to be diligent,” she says.

By making careful selections, a homeowner can meet all their workout needs, whether cardio, strength training, flexibility, mobility, or mindfulness.

National Association of REALTORS®
Reprinted with permission